Episode 97 - Hallows; A Prologue

A black background with a white border that is solid on the bottom, becomes totted on the sides and is absent on top. within the border four pinecones of differing height and girth, depicted in white- are in a line. A red string wraps around them each loosely and up to a pine branch above them. The pine branch is depicted in white and is broken in several places. Bellow these images but still within the border the words "97.HALLOWS" are written in white

### Author

William A. Wellman

Nikignik offers a warning, and welcomes you back to the Hallowoods in this Halloween special.

> *Content warning: Veins, Heartbeats*
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## Hallows; A Prologue

Nikignik narrates to the Dreamers the Hallowoods, describing it as "Darker than [their] dreams", and how it had spread. He tells them that it had been a few months since he'd last haunted them, asking if they'd missed him; he could never truly stay away, he wasn't strong enough to. Pretend that telling this narrative was no burden. Xyzikxyz had once told him that it was okay to feel the grief that he carried (see Episode 48 - Revelations). Old Afterclaps had once told him that it alright for Nikignik to feel concern for the Dreamers (see Episode 84 - Interference). Nikignik continues to stall, telling the Dreamers that if they were to wake up now and return to more restful slumbers, that they do it now.

He talks about the people of the Hallowoods. He felt sorry for them, still dreaming after the end, still rising each day with a hope for a better tomorrow that no one had promised them. Then again, Nikignik was there as well, and he also had no real confidence in the future, but he could not look away. There was less light in the woods each day as winter set in, and yet, it was also the season of the harvest, for celebrating all that the summer had brought. For those at Scoutpost Two, the summer had brought much—new friends (see Episode 95 - Homecomings), and new family, and refuge from their enemies (see Episode 85 - Roots). Tonight, the Scoutpost celebrated Halloween.

The costumes were not to scare each other, largely, for few beside the little children are frightened by a mask. It is also not much in the way of a disguise—Riot Maidstone and Olivier Song and Clementine Maidstone and Danielle O'Hara and Percy Reed and Diggory Graves recognized each other despite the odd clothing. It was for the fun of it, a last rousing celebration before the winter winds forced them indoors and made them to think of the expedition to come (see Episode 96 - Horizons).

Riot wondered if she is too old for trick-or-treating, but then again, she has never been before. Olivier would not admit that she was enjoying herself, as she has been badgered by Riot into a dress. Clementine had dressed like a rock star, a peace offering to her past. She was relieved that her hair was growing out, and a mullet is starting to form. Danielle had donned a costume that is meant to resemble Nikignik. This does not amuse Nikignik, but her using it to scare small children did. Percy had marked on his silver skin in black and white, a revival of the short-lived punk days of his youth. Diggory, whose attention drifts every so often to the wall, Nikignik commenting that it was almost like they knew what lay beyond.

That miles away, the forest peeled apart as the Museum of Broken Promises racing for the Scoutpost, Mx Morell on a dire mission.

He tells the Dreamers that it was their last chance to wake, before the nightmare began. he could not guarantee what the future will hold, he could not guarantee that it would be alright. But if they pressed onward, then he shall too, wherever it led. He shall hope that as paths tend to, it brought them home again, when the narrative was spun. It no longer brought him shame to say that he had missed this narrative, and those who dwell within it. And it brought him joy as they returned to a horizon of listening trees, and lakes that grew dark and cold with the autumn, and a sun that fell dim and red upon the living. Wherever they had wandered, he welcomed them home, and bid them Hello from the Hallowoods.