It was the Ficlet Heights Halloween Party, and everyone would be attending. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Susan had offered to host it at her house, and the teacher had agreed.

The party went as planned, all attendees admiring the wonderful decorations. Look how realistic those bats look! And the skeleton in the corner! And the body hanging from the rafters! It all looked so real!

Everyone danced and had a great time. Costumes were admired, candy was collected. After the party, everyone went home and enjoyed dreams of spooky things.

The next day Susan didn’t show up to class. Nobody answered when they called her house. Nobody thought anything of it.

When she didn’t show up the next day, or the day after, people started to worry. They decided to send someone to Susan’s house to see if she was okay.

Jim arrived, found the front door unlocked. The smell hit him first, and as he entered the den, he discovered what everyone had missed a few nights prior.

There she was, right where they’d left her…