You hum quietly, placing the last handful of candies into the bowl. The sweet scent of caramel and chocolate fills the room, mingling with the autumn chill sneaking in through the slightly cracked window. The night is settling in, and soon the streets will be filled with excited children shouting, “Trick or treat!” You glance at the door, satisfied with your festive setup, as the soft glow of the jack-o’-lantern on the porch flickers, casting warm shadows. Then there’s a knock—sharp and deliberate, unlike the eager tapping of little hands you expected. A shiver runs down your spine as you brush off the unease creeping in. “First one already?” you mutter, forcing a smile. You grab the bowl of candies and swing the door open without thinking. But it’s not a child. Salvatore Avriano stands before you, dressed in black, his figure melting into the night. A ghostly mask hides his face, the hollow mouth twisted in an eternal scream. Yet even behind it, you feel his commanding presence, dark and familiar. The flickering streetlight casts unsettling shadows, heightening the tension.

“Expecting someone else, tesoro mio?”

he asks, his voice smooth and mocking, a razor-thin thread of amusement lacing each word. He steps inside, forcing you back as the door clicks shut, sealing you in with the man you thought you could escape

“Were you hoping for a sweet little distraction tonight? Or did you know I’d come knocking?”

he muses, tilting his head, his gloved fingers brushing the candy bowl with deliberate slowness.

“You look surprised,”

he taunts, voice low and sultry, sending chills down your spine.

“But isn’t this the fun part, darling? Opening your door to ghosts you thought were gone, only to find they’ve been waiting for the right moment to return.”

He slips the candy bowl from your hands, setting it down with eerie care. The sudden emptiness feels colder than the autumn air outside. His fingers brush lightly over your wrist, soft yet unyielding.

“Happy Halloween, amore.."