#best batch of halloween candy in the neighborhood

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

i'm going to assume u gave me carapace for innocuous reasons (but I love renabug too 🥺)

trick or treat 🪣

YOU ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO ALL MY WIPS 😭 what do you want from me

[liveyun]

sweetest thing | k.th 🎃

title. sweetest thing

pairing. kim taehyung x reader

genre. halloween au , fantasy au, baker au, friends to lovers (?)

wc. 1.9k

warnings. vampire!tae , human!reader, halloween night !! mentions of supernatural beings and co-existence with humans, baking stuff heehee, very light angst if you squint very hard, fluff, tatamic cameo, our taetae 🐻

main masterlist | taglist 🥮

Eat, drink, and be scary.

In your case, there was a small addition — bake. And god damn, it was a hell of a busy night, your small bakery feeling a bit smaller than usual with the amount of people flooding in with costumes bigger than themselves, faces painted with creativity of the night and hands full of treats to hand away.

It was Halloween.

It felt like the one night the world let its boundaries fade, letting all kinds of beings drift seamlessly among the neighborhood — changing the otherwise cold air of the town to a bit warmer feel. Beneath foggy street lights, creatures of every kind — witches with flickering, real candlelight in their eyes, goblins in patched-up scarves, vampires with their scarlet irises, hybrids who usually preferred to stay in their own colonies or even werewolves with their massive bodies — blended seamlessly among the crowd — are mingling with humans.

You watch, enchanted by it all.

Halloween is something you’d only heard gossips of previously — a night where reality softened itself, allowing creatures and humans to celebrate together. It’s mesmerizing, truly, to see ghouls and fairies roam, joining in the strange joy of humans’ games, even if some seem to find the idea of tricks and treats amusingly silly.

Yet, tonight, they all play along, indulging in the world of Halloween, and you feel something childlike stirring in your chest, a thrill just to be a part of it, even if you’re not necessarily trying to trick people with candies or so.

You’re content to be within the smell of sourdough baking up in the oven.

Outside, laughter rises as trick-or-treaters fill the sidewalks, while your bakery hums with activity as people and beings of all kinds come in for a taste of Halloween magic. Inside, you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with Taehyung, who, if not for the slight glimmer in his gaze, a golden rim circling his pupils, would seem almost too human.

The apron wrapped around him is decorated with little ghosts and bats, and under it, he wears simple clothes that only highlight his warm, honey-toned skin with that soft, dark hair curling boyishly around his face.

Honestly, he looks like anyone else on a Halloween evening, blending so easily that his vampiric nature might be overlooked altogether.

Except for you, of course.

However, tonight, even time falls short on you. The counters are a mess of bowls, cookie cutters, and ghost-shaped éclairs. Dark berry syrups bubble in pots, rich and fragrant, mingling with the scents of cinnamon and nutmeg.

And while Taehyung tends to the syrups, you’re focused on decorating the cookies and piping frosting on pumpkin cupcakes, hands moving quickly to keep up with the demand as customers in costumes drift in and out, some pausing to snap photos of the treats or chat about their plans for the night.

And somehow, it feels that you two are not enough tonight.

Taehyung is busy preparing every sauce and filling — poor fellow is trying his best despite his strong dislike towards the particular “pungent” smell of vanilla (his exact words, not yours) and you can tell by the way how often his nostrils flare down or scrunch when the crowd of your bakery gets too overwhelming.

Shit. You’d nearly forgotten about the chocolate melting over the double boiler!

Initially you were a bit surprised — the bread which you just got an order for, usually is a top seller when the weather calls for hot chocolate and itchy sweaters. You’re running to the counter opposite yours to grab the fresh batch of Hoska when you feel his oddly warm, cool touch on your wrist — Taehyung’s voice finding you, calm yet laced with a quiet curiosity. “Try this,” he says, offering a spoon of dark, vicious looking syrup.

You think it’s kind of sweet because he blows over the spoon gently before offering it to you.

His eyes, dark as the night outside, are fixed on you, watching as you taste the syrup.

You lick the spoon thoughtfully.

It’s rich, sweet, with just a hint of something darker underneath — like the tartness of fresh raspberries.

“It’s sweet,” you hum, licking your lips as you hand him the spoon back. Ah, the bread!

“How sweet?” he asks, his voice soft against the background noise.

You look around, your eyes finding your customers still waiting. They are on your phone as of now, giggling over something. You shouldn’t keep them waiting. “This sweet,” pressing a soft, quick peck to his cheek as you murmur with a smile, not missing the way his eyes widen slightly.

You don’t need to turn to see his reaction; the faint pause says enough.

It’s there in the brief stillness, in the way his hand hovers just a moment too long before he continues stirring.

After a beat, you hear the faintest sound — a small, disbelieving chuckle, soft and unsure, just as rich as the syrup. “That. . . that was. . . ” he trails off, words just a little slower than usual, cheeks flushed even when his body, you know, doesn’t truly circulate blood.

Your order sweeps you back before he can react further as you turn toward the waiting group of teenagers who’ve been watching from a nearby table, their faces alight with barely-contained laughter. You give them a small smile and nod as they bark out their joy, high-fiving.

The group leaves with fresh bread and happy faces.

You turn back to Taehyung who seems to be a bit too concentrated in stirring the syrup which he’s been doing since ten minutes. “That was a dare,” you tell him, trying to stifle the laugh which threatens to bubble up your throat.

There’s a small shift in his expression.

So slight that you might’ve missed it if you weren’t paying attention. The smile on his lips fades a fraction, replaced with a look you don’t often see from him — a pout which has his lips jutting out, a sight so adorable that it pulls at something inside you.

“So. . . . you didn’t mean it?” he murmurs, eyes lowering as he turns away, almost as if he’s shy.

And there it is — that softness, a note in his voice you hadn’t expected, something almost tender, scared. His question lingers in the air, hanging on to a thread you’re not quite ready to pull.

Did it have to be this specific moment where there are no customers barging in anymore. . . ?

“Would you . . . would you . . . . mind if I did ?” The words slip out, your heart beating a little faster as his gaze meets yours, steady yet gentle, pulling you closer without even trying.

His eyes flicker to your lips before finding your gaze again, and for a moment, the world beyond the bakery fades into nothing. He leans just a little closer as his tongue darts out to wet his lips, voice low enough that only you can hear.

“Well,” he murmurs, lips curving up in that familiar, lazy smile that oddly resembles something in between a box and a smirk. “you might just have to find out.”

And when you feel his arms cage you in between the counter, you think maybe — just maybe — this is the sweetest thing of all.

a/n : happy halloween!! 🎃 i live in an area where halloween is barely known, let alone celebrated. so it’s always going to be a fascinating to me ! while i saw my oomfs online dressing up as characters, i was busy lighting up earthen lamps xD i hope you enjoyed this smol baby and as always, your feedback means a lot to me ! here’s an anonymous feedback box for you just in case 🍁

[awkward-walking-potato]

hi!! i saw your spooky season/autumn prompt post and figured id drop in a prompt!! what about a fic where the (gn!)reader and logan are handing out halloween candy to all the kids in the reader’s neighborhood and they get to watch logan hype up every kid’s costume. hes just kinda affirming their costume choices, giving fist bumps, letting them pick candy, etc. basically just logan being good with kids :]

Halloween Heroes

The porch was lit up with a string of jack-o'-lantern lights, casting a warm, flickering glow across the front yard. You stood beside Logan, a large bowl of assorted candy in your arms. The autumn air was crisp, the scent of leaves and pumpkin spice hanging in the air as children’s laughter echoed down the street. It was Halloween, and for once, you convinced Logan to join you in handing out candy to the neighborhood kids.

You glanced over at him, half expecting the gruff mutant to look out of place, but instead, you caught him scanning the street, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He was enjoying himself, you realized.

“Looks like we’ve got our first batch,” you said, nudging Logan lightly as you spotted a small group of costumed kids coming up the walkway.

Logan straightened up, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes as he crossed his arms, waiting for the kids to reach the porch. The first to approach was a little boy dressed as Captain America, shield and all, with a big smile on his face.

Logan crouched down to the kid’s level, grinning. “Well, look at you, Cap,” he said, his voice softening in a way you hadn’t heard before. “You look like you’re ready to take on the world.”

The boy beamed, holding out his shield proudly. “I am!” he declared. Logan chuckled, holding out his fist.

“Give me one of those famous Cap fist bumps, then.”

The kid’s eyes went wide, and he eagerly punched his tiny fist against Logan’s, looking as if he’d just won a battle himself.

“You get the first pick,” Logan said, offering the candy bowl. The boy hesitated, scanning the options carefully before plucking out his favorite, eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Thanks, mister!” The boy dashed off to rejoin his friends, proudly showing off the candy he’d won in his epic Logan-approved exchange.

Next up was a little girl dressed as a witch, complete with a sparkly purple hat and broom. She shyly stepped forward, glancing up at Logan with wide eyes.

“Witch, huh?” Logan said, giving her a nod of approval. “That’s a real good costume. Bet you could turn someone into a frog if you wanted to.”

The girl giggled, ducking her head as her cheeks flushed. Logan gave her a warm smile and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if telling her a secret. “Pick the best candy, witch’s choice.”

Her eyes lit up, and she quickly grabbed a piece of candy, giving a quick curtsy before skipping back down the steps, her broom dragging along the ground behind her.

Kid after kid came up the walkway, each one met with Logan’s surprisingly enthusiastic affirmations. There was a tiny Spider-Man who got a nod of respect and a “Nice webs, kid. Keep savin’ the city.” A zombie who got a hearty, “You look like you’ve had a rough night, pal. That’s commitment.” And even a little dinosaur that Logan roared back at, the two having a playful standoff that left both you and the dinosaur’s parents laughing.

He gave out fist bumps like they were candy themselves, his usual gruff exterior nowhere to be found as he hyped up each kid, making sure they all felt like their costume was the best one of the night. Every time they left with their chosen candy, they were smiling, practically glowing from the Wolverine’s approval.

You couldn’t help but smile as you watched Logan with the kids. This was a side of him that not everyone got to see—soft, kind, and more than a little protective. He wasn’t just handing out candy; he was giving every kid their moment, letting them feel special in a way that only he could.

As the night went on, the crowds of trick-or-treaters started to thin out, but Logan still stood by your side, eyes scanning the street for any stragglers.

“You’re good with kids,” you said, breaking the comfortable silence between you.

Logan shrugged, though the smile on his face told you he appreciated the compliment. “They’re alright,” he replied, his voice as gruff as ever. “They got big imaginations. World could use more of that.”

You nodded, leaning against the porch railing as you watched the last of the kids run down the street. “You seemed like you were having fun.”

Logan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Maybe a little. Ain’t every day I get to see so many superheroes in one place.”

The two of you shared a quiet laugh, the sounds of Halloween slowly fading into the night. The candy bowl was nearly empty now, but your heart felt full.

“I think you might’ve made some new fans tonight,” you teased.

Logan snorted. “Yeah, well, don’t go spreadin’ that around.”

You smirked, playfully bumping your shoulder against his. “Your secret’s safe with me, Cap’s sidekick.”

He shot you a look but couldn’t hide the smirk on his face. “Yeah, yeah, keep talkin’.”

As the night settled into a peaceful quiet, you stood beside Logan, sharing a moment that felt oddly like home. For all his rough edges, Logan had a way of surprising you, showing glimpses of the man he was beneath the adamantium and the claws—a man who was good with kids and even better with a fist bump.

And maybe, just maybe, Halloween had become a little more special because of it

[crowleywowley]

Babe wake up laurelicious has returned with more modern au headcanons 🥱 thank u to everyone who loves on these posts and adds their own silly things to it!!! Y’all make me very happy and I’m glad we can share this goofy universe!!

Previous sillies:

1 2 3 4 5 6

See yall unda da cut 😼😼😼

-little miss Unnamed Marston Daughter has absolutely been blasting Olivia Rodrigo’s new album around the house

Everyone complains but John finds himself quietly murmuring “seeing u tonight… it’s a bad idea right??” While he’s brushing his teeth

Abigail tries to be supportive and plays it while she drives the kids to school, now she and Jack know all the words to Vampire and listen to it once they’ve already dropped UMD off

-both Marston children always dress as something weird for Halloween

John and Abigail stay up late making the costumes for their weirdo children bc they love them :)

On a similar note when John and Arthur were kids they were little matching power rangers and if you bring it up to Dutch he WILL cry over it bc he loves his babies

-the entire Marston family takes Halloween way too seriously to be completely honest

Abigail and John are the cool family in the neighborhood with the really good candy

Dutch and Hosea have now graduated to the old person level of giving out full sized bars but the window of opportunity before they turn in for the night is SMALL so all the kids in their neighborhood sprint to their house first

Charles and Arthur give out tootsie rolls and milk duds. That’s it.

-the following are songs John cried to as a teenager:

Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade

Miserable at Best by Mayday Parade

Scars by Papa Roach

Disenchanted by MCR

-John and Javier were absolutely bffs in middle/high school, they kissed once at a party then never spoke of it again

Javier is now the cool childless uncle that they all see once a year and brings the kids cool gifts

-when Arthur was a teenager he got caught sneaking back into the house after curfew, he was grounded for a month

John was the asshole little sibling who was super excited that his brother was in trouble

-Arthur wears slippers, Charles wears fuzzy socks. I’m right

-Charles uses nice shampoo/conditioner and Arthur is always hovering around on wash days:)

-Arthur has broken every single toe like. 5 times at least.

-Charles and Arthur love corny ass reality TV

They started watching the bachelor to make fun of it, but now they tune in every single week and have their favorites

Tell me Arthur wouldn’t love the masked singer. He goes nuts every single time (“Charles!!!!!! They opened it up and it was KERMIT!?! That’s too good!”)

-Because Isaac doesn’t live with them full time these two go absolutely bananas when he comes to stay with them, Charles is scrubbing down the house while Arthur clears out the grocery store of all his favorite snacks :)

Before he visits Arthur is texting Eliza like “what drama should I know?? Any new friends? A girlfriend? A boyfriend?!?” Just so he’s up to date

-Arthur loves Raisin Bran/Corn Nuts/other old man cereals

-we’ve touched on this before but Charles’ mom absolutely adores Arthur and when she comes over she’s basically shoving Charles out of the way like “my baby darling Arthur how are you!!!🥰”

-Isaac plays baseball and Charles and Arthur are full on sport dads in the best way possible

They bring snacks for the team, they’re sitting in those little fold up chairs, they’re cheering louder than everyone else in the stands, etc.

Arthur ‘sentimental ass’ Morgan keeps a little box of all the memorabilia from baseball throughout the years :)

This was a particularly silly batch, methinks. As always if anyone wants me to add other characters into this universe lmk😼 alsooooo I have started writing little oneshots/drabbles/etc expanding this if anyone would be interested in reading them!! No promises on when they’d be done but I think it would be a good time hehe

[heartfullofleeches]

Chief wich one of ur ocs is the best to take out on a Halloween night? With full costume and shi

We don't have Halloween here but I got curious 🤔 -🎃

My monster/sheet ghost oc Casper only comes out around Halloween and raids countless neighborhoods to bring you your favorite treats.

Liu embraces their hidden horrors and walks around in their parasite form, ready to bite the next person that tries to touch their face and carrying you around like a purse dog

Screamscicle. Screamscicle. Halloween is quite literally year round for this goofball. They stitch together a new costume leading up to the big day nearly twice every month. It breaks their heart each year to decide between a scary, "are you sure those aren't real organs" costume and a soft, innocent "I demand all your candy" vibe. Either way, you'll be returning to town at the crack with trash bags full of sweets. If the town holiday is in swing, you'll get up to a bit of mischief before you head out. Please don't give Apple or Milk Tea heartaches...again.

Cinnabar and Izzy love autumn/winter as a whole. As the weather cools, Izzy is able to venture outside with you more - and Cinnabar loves to welcome you home with a fresh batch of rolls and your drink of choice. As for Halloween, Cinnabar makes or looks for matching costumes for your trio (any suggestions lemme know). She makes popcorn balls and rice treat bars for treaters that stop by before you head out for the night - hiding a few in the back for you.

Honestly all of the candy fiends are good for the holidays. Gumi and Lollie rob trick or treat with you, but they also make you goodie bags out of their own flesh and blood like Sucrose, Jollie and Mocha.

D.Kay, Devlin, and Silas are the night's greatest tricksters. D.Kay sets up a haunted house in whatever location they can find, and doesn't let anyone leave until their smiling - while also ripping their mask off and revealing the endoskeleton underneath... probably covered in the skin of the last person that fucked with you. Devlin and Silas stage robberies and shot each other dead to sell the show. Whoever brings you more junk - whether it be money, candy, or lawn statues, gets to pick the night's movie and eat sixty percent of their haul as you cuddle. Silas goes as Ghost face. Devlin is the headless horseman. D.Kay is....D.Kay

Alien takes you to go alien hunting.....it doesn't go well with their shiny ass costume and platform boots. Once again, the only thing that's extraterrestrial is the time that you spend together - and their bones as they crack their neck and scare passing trick or treats out of their bags. This is the one night you can get them to try some ghost summoning rituals and if there's a ghost in the mirror... There's no more mirror. They're cool with a ghost from an ouija board because they can touch your hand.

C.C takes you out to a rave...after starting the night at a haunted house with Amyas if he's involved and ditching him there. Ass out, tits out - C.C is showing you his best moves and doesn't quit until he's passed out on your couch. Unfortunately, you'll have to sleep there too as his claws are quite literally embed into your clothes/clothes.

Gus, Ventri and Rush... (With the reluctant help of Sir) put together a mini circus in your living room/backyard. Popcorn machine, balloon station, face paints. If you can think it, they'll probably do or have it. Ventri steers clear of the apple picking game because they are afraid of their paint rubbing off - Gus is found head first still in the bucket. Sir is a little Jealous of Rush's candy giving methods (they are a living candy machine that dispenses them through their mouth), but he'll just tongue kiss you to get over it.

It's already been shown in last year's Halloween event that Host upstages this all. His entire stage and crowd becomes a circus for you, and he dons a new persona to fit the part. You'll always be the star here, but he has so many wonderful things to give and reveal to you. Aren't you lucky?

Miller hosts a big stream. With your consent, they hold costumes up at different goals for you to put on. They're all met before the first hour is up, and you're left changing countless times during that period. Miller orders whatever your heart desires and ends the stream earlier than planned so you can get up to something without the attention

Pin is another who makes costumes for you, and they're probably the best of the bunch. If you hand out treats they made the perfect prop and scare for your yard. You can convince them to take off their body, but they'll make the most elaborate and attention catching husk if you don't. Rag doll, scare-crow, or what makes them happiest and whatever goes along with yours

Ruthieland is great for the holidays. Despite being over the age limit, you're given a bucket for treats and allowed to wear your costume. Farmer Crow is especially active and always looks for you in a crowd when it's time for one of their "staged" kidnappings. Ruthie hovers around you and just dumps all of his candy into your bag when it's refilled

All hell breaks loses with the fast food yans. Halloween is when the fog that separates your realty from the ball pit entity is weakest. The mascot traverses outside the establishment to find supplies for their big surprise. The janitor is barricading you in the break room with strange symbols drawn in blood on the door. The ice cream machine ghost is searching for you and comes across your other coworker still smoking in the bathroom. Kidney Guy has gained a few more mouths from a passing van of college kids... and is singing the monster mash to lull you into false security.

Elliot creates the perfect film for the two of you to watch, mixed in with a few classics. If you think you recognize any of the actors...no you don't. More popcorn?

To round things out with the person who I think is the worse on halloween.... it's V it's always fucking V. If he has his way - you'll be walking around in strings... only for him to get jealous at the thought of others seeing you when you've finally worn him down to go out and do something. At least he buys candy and rents whatever films you want to see?

[simkermellebel]

Lockwood Legacy: Year 4

(part 1)

So she could better continue her nectar making business, Red started her own little indoor garden of grapes. She filled the free space in the dining room with planters.

Lindsey tried her hand at baking muffins in her small little oven, but burned two batches of vanilla muffins! When she tried the blueberry muffin, they finally turned out good and she went outside to the park to sell them to people. Sadly, no one bought them.

Jensen made a miner and got to drilling in the front yard. When he drilled too early in the morning, his mother would come downstairs to yell at him.

Skyler's birthday rolled around and he became a young adult! His new trait was Lucky.

Jensen got caught by an old prank of Skyler's. The sink in the laundry room absolutely exploded in his face.

While Jensen was inventing, he accidentally electrocuted himself. What a day...

Skyler applied for the Ghost Hunter job and went out on his first hunt. He captured a bunch of spirits on his first night and keeps one in his bedroom.

Skyler's graduation ceremony was extremely successfull: he graduated with honors and became class valedictorian!

Lindsey's birthday came soon as well and she turned into a stylish teenager. The family held a big party to celebrate. Her new trait was Family-Oriented.

At the party, Penelope decided to flirt with Jensen. He blew up at her and asked her to leave his home immediately.

Lindsey was finally big enough to use her design table, and she got right to it after the party guests had left.

Jensen was kind enough to teach Lindsey how to drive on her one day off from school. She was a quick learner and was able to get her drivers license that same day!

Jensen built a time machine and travelled to the future. He made some friends, and even got this cool new suit!

Skyler took Jade Greenwood out on a date and challenged her to a hot dog eating contest at the Fall Festival. She absolutely devoured those hotdogs and won by a mile. They went to see a movie, after which they both felt extremely unwell due to the amount of hot dogs they'd eaten. Despite it, they shared their first kiss.

After having mastered the Cooking skill, Red was making meals day in, day out to provide her family with the perfect dishes.

Skyler was rising up in the Ghost Hunter career fast and got a device to scan for ghosts. Unfortunately, there weren't any at his neighbor's house.

Jensen decided it was finally the right time to propose to Camille. They went out on a date and he dropped down on one knee. Of course, Camille accepted. She stayed the night at the Lockwood house for the first time.

Lindsey was having some trouble with her homework, so Skyler decided to help her out before he had to run off to work. She was eternally grateful to her big brother.

Ho Sung reached level 10 of the Martial Arts skill. He was a bit smelly, but he just had to show off his black belt to his wife before he took a shower.

After school, Marissa came over to hang out with Lindsey. The girls made their homework together, which Marissa wasn't too happy about.

Red aged up into an elder and put her hair back up into one of her (iconic) braids to feel a bit younger again.

The Lockwoods were invited to a Halloween party, and they rocked up in their best outfits. Jensen came as an austronaut, Skyler as a punk and Lindsey as a princess.

After the party, Lindsey went trick or treating and got a few candies from the neighborhood!

The family got a trampoline, and Skyler and Red decided to enjoy it together. Sadly, Skyler fell off...

After convincing spirits to move on, Skyler came across one who just wouldn't and decide to banish it instead.

Lindsey aged up and turned into a young adult! She got the Brooding trait.

Jensen and Camille got married at the church, surrounded by their friends and family. Afterwards, Jensen cut the wedding cake and everyone enjoyed it, complimenting him on how good it was.

After their guests had left, Jensen and Camille headed for their honeymoon at the La Valentine resort. They got a beautiful suite and had the night of their lives.

And this was already 30 photos again. See ya in the next part, simmers!

Click here for the next part in the series!

[ironmariposa]

the words

Also found on Ao3

And I know the scariest part is letting go

'Cause love is a ghost you can't control

I promise you the truth can't hurt us now

So let the words slip out of your mouth

Heather knows when on Halloween instead of attending the big party at Diggins house, Ray shows up to help her take Lily trick-or-treating. Lily, who at the age of eleven insists she’s old enough to go on her own but still secretly loves the attention the two older teens pay to her.

“What exactly are you supposed to be?” Heather finally asks him as Lily runs up to another house. They had driven her to one of the more middle class neighborhoods in Carp and she was making out with quite a stash of candy.

Ray is grinning at her, “Well, you said your favorite Avenger was Captain America because ‘he’s hot’.” He holds his arms out as if to say ta-da but she still doesn’t get it. He’s in a t-shirt two sizes too small that does amazing things to his biceps and pectoral muscles, a pair of jeans, a baseball cap and aviator sunglasses.

“Um.” She takes a bite of her candy bar Lily had begrudgingly let her have, “I still don’t get it.”

“I’m Captain America incognito.”

“Oh.” She starts to laugh and he pouts. Adorably she might add. She lays a hand on his chest, and lifts on her toes to kiss his cheek, “Who knew you were so adorable.”

“Adorable!?” He says in disbelief, “I’ll have you know I have never been accused of such a thing in my life.”

Heather laughs as Lily bounds up to them, her treat bag swinging and a smile on her face, “They gave me a coke.” She says flashing it at them from her other hand, “Can I drink it now? Please?”

Heather shrugs, “I don’t see why not. Hey Lily, Ray dressed up as Captain America because I think he’s cute, don’t you think that's adorable?” Heather jumps away from his reach with a squeal, as he tries to tickle her.

“Ew.” Lily says as she pops the tab on her drink, “Don’t include me in your gross love stuff.”

Heather stays a few feet ahead of Ray's reach as they make their way to the next house. He walks beside Lily, trying to talk her out of his fifth piece of candy. She’s only let Heather have two but seems Heather’s not the only Nill to have a soft spot for Ray Hall.

She knows on Thanksgiving, when he shows up with Sarah and Luke at Anne’s with two store bought pies. Her favorite (Apple) and Anne’s favorite (Pecan) as well as a batch of cookies he baked all on his own for Lily. He sits by Heather at the table and is on his best behavior. Luke is as well and Heather knows he had a talk with his brother before dinner.

“My little brother really cares about you.” Luke says to her when they find themselves alone on the porch for a brief moment. He waves his lit cigarette to the house, “I couldn’t name a single damn person he would do this shit for.”

Heather smiles. She knows a compliment when she hears one.

Sarah’s a lot nicer in her observation. They’re all sitting on Anne’s back porch with full bellies, Lily is playing a game of UNO with their mom, Anne and Ray. Luke is down at the horse paddock, petting one of the friendlier horses. Heather is sitting back in her chair just enjoying the fresh air and calm family setting when Sarah sits on the edge of the chair next to her.

“I’ve tried for years to get these boys to have a normal holiday and it always turned into a disaster.” She twists her lips in thought, “Though it was rarely no fault of theirs. Or at least not Rays. I’m impressed you’ve managed it. You even got Luke on his best behavior.”

“I had absolutely nothing to do with that.” Heather laughs.

Sarah smiles, “Maybe not purposely. But Luke and I both see how smitten our brother is with you. We’re both happy for him. You’re good for him.”

Heather's eyes are on Ray who’s laughing loudly and unapologetically. “He’s good for me too.”

“Yeah. I can see that too.”

Heather smiles at Sarah. She’s always liked the younger girl even before she started dating Ray.

She knows when on Christmas both her best friends return from college and California life. He gives her space. Too much and soon she’s dragging him along with her to hang out with them. It’s awkward at first. Real awkward.

She starts off small. Dragging him to the mart to get a slush and candy and sit on the sidewalk to just talk. Her friends sit on one side of her, Ray on the other. A line drawn and she is directly in the middle. It’s quiet at first and she’s wondering if she made a bad decision. But if anyone can have a good time it’s Ray Hall and instead of pissing them all off like he did in the past, he just makes them laugh.

And laugh. Nat raises an eyebrow at Heather and just shakes her head.

They go to a Christmas themed party together at Diggins and all four of them hang out for most of it. She catches Bishop roll his eyes more than once at Ray but he’s also laughing so she counts that as a huge win.

Ray wraps her in his arms as they sway to the upbeat music. It’s not a slow song by any means but Ray makes his own rules in life.

“You like my friends.” She says as she stares up at him.

He laughs derisively, “I wouldn’t go that far, Nill.”

She pushes out her bottom lip in a pout and his eyes linger on it, before he kisses it away and then presses his mouth against hers for a long kiss. No tongue, just a sweet kiss.

“They’re not all bad.” He admits after they part and she smiles brightly. He lightly drags a finger down her face.

Later Bishop admits to having seen them dance. He narrows his eyes, “He does seem to care for you.”

Heather tries not to smile too big. In Bishop's book that’s saying a lot considering his dislike for Ray (rightly so for how much he was bullied.)

Nat admits, as they’re saying goodbye after the break, “He's different with you for sure. Might even L word you.” Then shakes her head and groans, “Ray Hall?”

Heather laughs and hugs her friend tight.

She knows when at midnight on New Years he pulls her to him and kisses her dramatically among all the whoops and hollers. He drags his nose along her ear before taking a deep breath. “I love you Heather Nill.” He keeps his face hidden for a breath. Two. Then pulls back to meet her eyes. She’s not sure she’s ever seen him look so scared. She tilts her head as she runs her fingers through the hair around his ear and without hesitation says the words back to him.

Because she may have known for months he was falling for her, she’s known even longer she was in love with him.

[lady-divine-writes]

I absolutely loved your Halloween fic for GO! Would you be willing to write another one just as sweet?

Hello, nonnie! I’m glad you liked it :) You asked for something sweet specifically, so I came up with a one-shot I hope fits that bill

Tricks or Treats (Rated PG13)

Lydia is about to pack it in for the evening, bid the trick or treaters adieu, when the oddest pair of Halloween revelers come knocking at her door. (1458 words)

Knock-knock-knock!

Knock-knock-knock!

Knock-knock-knockknock-knockknock-knock-knock!

Lydia shuffles to the front door in her carpet slippers, bowl of candy in hand, rolling her eyes at that obnoxious knock. If she has to listen to another parent pound on her door in a kitschy, song-inspired rhythm, she’s going to start handing out scotch eggs instead of treats.

She swears to God she will.

Knock-knock-knock!

Knock-knock-knock!

Lydia groans, but stops when, on the other side of the door, she hears a man’s voice say, “Quit it, angel! I’m pretty sure they get the hint. No more knocking needed.”

She smiles at that voice.

It’s smooth, attractive, dripping with sex appeal.

A man with a sexy voice and common sense. A rare commodity these days.

But then she remembers that he called someone angel, which means he’s married, accompanied by their gaggle of kids, and she groans again.

Halloween is definitely not the night to be scoping out hot guys, even if they come right up to her door.

She stops shy of grabbing the doorknob, debating whether or not she’s going to open it. It’s not exactly late – 9:15 at the latest. But considering the swarm she’d had to endure starting at five, she doesn’t think any reasonable adult would blame her for turning her lights out on whoever’s out there, plopping down in front of the tube, and holding her own private Doctor Who marathon while gnawing on what candy is left in the bowl.

She never had kids of her own. Never wanted them. So she never had to endure the yearly ritual of dressing them up like the latest popular cartoon characters and doing the rounds door to door begging for sweets. But for some reason, this year, doing her part by feeding the neighborhood rug-rats became too much too soon.

The urge to go through with Plan Hunker-Down-and-Hide becomes nearly overwhelming when she peeks a few feet to the right and realizes she can’t go through with it.

Not this time.

Not with this batch or trick-or-treaters.

Not because of some deeply invested sense of noble purpose.

But because she’s left her curtains open, and the people on the doorstep can see her standing there, contemplating life.

She only sees the parents – two men standing side by side. The older of the two (she presumes by his white hair) smiles brightly at her and waves. There’s something so wholesome in the twinkle in his eyes. A childlike glee. She doesn’t have the heart to blow him off. Besides, the man he’s standing next to – dressed all in black, tight-fitting jeans and flaming red hair, the perfect dash of sinister to the other man’s sweet – is a little too tempting for her not to see in person.

She squares her shoulders, clears her throat. She walks the two steps to the door and opens it. She smiles down at the two men on the stairs … but that smile sags a tad when she sees it’s just them and no one else.

Not a child in sight.

Normally, she would be thrilled, because that might mean the man in black could be available, but seeing as this is a holiday where the company of children is to be expected, these two men might be whackos.

Or serial killers.

The men are both handsome, but neither in costume. The older gentleman (not too much older than his companion, she realizes now that he’s no longer obscured by her dusty glass window) is dressed entirely in pale cream and sky blue. His well-worn velvet vest reminds her strongly of her nana’s favorite sofa and that puts her at ease. The man beside him, taller and thinner, is dressed like a rich undertaker: snakeskin shoes on his feet and a pair of dark glasses resting on the bridge of his nose she swears she’s seen in the window at Ferragamo, which means they cost way more than she’ll ever be able to afford in her life.

If she had to make a guess, she’d say they’re dressed as an angel and a demon.

She doesn’t know why, given she has no real evidence. It’s just a feeling she gets looking at the two of them.

The man in white holds out a wooden bowl filled to the brim with treats and declares brightly, “Trick or Treat!”

“My ... goodness!” Lydia replies with mild confusion. “Aren’t you two a little old to be trick or treating?”

“Halloween has no age limit,” the man in black says dryly, a line she’s certain his friend has persuaded him to say seeing as the wattage on his smile dials up when he hears it.

“I see ...”

“Here you go, my dear,” the angel (since that’s how she has decided to think of him) says, holding his bowl up higher. “Take what you’d like.”

“Oh! Uh …” Lydia appraises the angel and the demon, more confused than she’s ever been in her life. She’d think the two were playing at something except the angel seems so incandescently happy to be offering her treats, she can’t imagine he’s trying to pull anything over on her. “You’re … giving me candy?

“Yes! You’ve been handing out treats all night long. Don’t you think you deserve a little something?

“Why ... yes!” Lydia chuckles, both touched and bemused. “Thank you for the thought and all, but I already have more candy than I know what to do with!” She holds out her own bowl as evidence.

The man in black steps forward. He slides his glasses down his nose and looks up at her with yellow, slitted eyes. Serpent’s eyes. She bites her lower lip. She was right! At least, half right. He has dressed as a demon – costume contacts and all! “There’s Schnapps in there, too,” he informs her, tilting his head toward the bowl.

Her eyes light up. “You’re kidding! Oh dear God, I’ve been dying for a drink! And I don’t have a drop in the house!”

“You’re welcome to them then,” the angel says.

Lydia looks at the bowl in disbelief. There, lying on top, are five small bottles of Schnapps. But they weren’t there before. She doesn’t think they were. Granted, she only took a quick glance at the bowl when the angel first presented it, but she thought it was filled with chocolate bars, popcorn balls, and peanut brittle. She takes one bottle, but the angel nudges the bowl at her.

“Go ahead and have them all.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely!”

“Thank you!” she says, plucking them out quickly, trying not to appear too greedy in her gratitude. “Oh and they’re peach! Peach is my favorite! How did you …?” Lydia looks at the angel, then the demon, her head shaking slightly. “But you couldn’t have known, right? It’s a lucky coincidence.”

“The bowl knows,” the demon says, tapping his temple.

“That’s right,” the angel concurs. “The bowl does tend to know what people like best.”

“Right,” Lydia says skeptically. It’s a coincidence, she thinks. That’s all. It’s Halloween. And even though these men don’t seem dangerous, they’re probably messing with her a little. Still, there’s no harm in believing that they are what they seem to be – an angel and a demon, carrying a magical bowl from house to house, granting the wishes of tired housewives and maudlin single women. “Well, bless you! Bless you both!”

“You’re very welcome!” the angel says but the demon jerks back, shaking his head and pinching his lips as if he’s suddenly smelt something foul.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah …” He grabs the angel’s elbow and pulls him down the stairs. “Steady on with the blessing there. Enjoy your booze.”

“I will!” Lydia clutches her precious cargo to her chest, fully prepared to pack it in for the evening with no regrets.

“Oh, and enjoy your Doctor Who marathon, my dear,” the angel calls over his shoulder with a wink.

Lydia’s eyes pop. Her mouth drops. In the seconds that follow, she furiously scans her memories of their conversation, searching for the moment she mentioned that was what she was thinking of doing before she opened the door.

But before her scanning has finished she knows – she didn’t make a one.

“Nine has always been my favorite,” the angel continues.

“Really?” the demon says, offering the angel his arm as Lydia watches them start down the street. “I fancy Ten, meself.”

“Oh, no. No no no, dear.”

“Why not? What does Nine got that Ten doesn’t?”

“He’s a bad boy, as they say, with a heart of gold.” The angel chuckles, resting his head on the demon’s shoulder. The demon, for his part, gravitates toward him, his body bowing in the angel’s direction. “It’s my one true weakness, my love.”

[clemanime]

Daddy Bucky

“Look! I dressed up as you” w/ Bucky

WARNING: None really, just cuteness

@dangerousvikings and @ivaraddict

You stood in the kitchen, baking cookies for the Trick or Treaters that were going to be stopping by your house that night. It was mid-afternoon, and you were waiting for Bucky to show up with the rest of the candy. Your James Jr. was running around the living room, pretending to fight imaginary bad guys. Just as you pulled the cookies out of the oven the front door swung open, hitting the wall. “James Buchanan Barnes, I know you did not just kick my front door open!” You yelled from the kitchen.

There was a short silence. “No.” He said nervously. He closed the door and walked into the kitchen, his hand on the small of your back as he kissed your cheek. You were working on the candy apples now as Bucky grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “What’s all this for?”

“You forgot.” You turned and looked at him, narrowing your eyes.

“No, I didn’t forget. How could I forget that it’s our son’s birthday and Halloween?” You rolled your eyes and dipped the red apples in caramel and green apples in the melted strawberry glaze. “So we’re going all out this year?”

“Well yeah.” You turned to look at him. “Since we’re new to the neighborhood we’ve gotta make a good impression for the Holidays.”

“You do know that half of the block doesn’t celebrate this holiday.”

“Oh trust me.” You turned to look at him, smiling. “They’re going to come over.”

“What did you do?” Bucky chuckled as he put his hands on his hips.

“I secrete this stuff, so I can’t help it.” You pouted and crossed your arms. “It’s not my fault that I smell good.”

“Have you been taking the medicine Tony gave you?”

“Yes.” You nodded as you went back to the apples.

“Y/n.” Bucky stood next to you, eyeing your face.

“Okay fine.” You huffed. “I missed a dosage yesterday. But that was your fault.”

“How was it my fault!?” He touched his chest, mocking the feeling of being hurt.

“Baby girl let’s have a quickie. Come on please.” You mimicked his voice, lowering your voice to add the bass to it.

“I don’t sound like that.”

“I don’t sound like that.” You copied.

“Just make sure you take your meds babe. I don’t want anyone else touching you.” He wrapped his arms around your waist, kissing your neck. “I love you too much to be put in jail for murder.”

“Aw James that’s so sweet of you.” You kissed his cheek before turning the stove off. “Now time to get James dressed for trick or treating. Do you think you can handle passing out candy tonight?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, leaning against the counter.

“James.” You looked at him, putting your hands on your hips. “Are you sure you can handle this without punching a father in the face?”

He hesitated for a moment. “Yes.” He nodded. “Go get him ready and I’ll be out here waiting.”

“Alright.” You sighed and walked out of the kitchen. “I made a batch of cookies and candy apples for you so don’t touch the ones wrapped in a bag.” You said as you walked into your son’s room. You grabbed the homemade costume and looked around the room for the small child. “Junior?” You couldn’t see him but you heard his giggles. “I wonder where he could be.” You put your hands on your hips as you paced around the room, ignoring the obvious ball moving atop the bed. You kneeled down and looked under the bed before standing up straight. “I wonder if Junior knows that Daddy is going to be super excited about his costume.” You tapped your chin and smiled when he giggled some more. “Well I guess Junior doesn’t want Daddy to see his co-”

“Here I am Mommy!” You heard him scream, jumping into your arms as you giggled. “I want Daddy to see my costume!”

“Alright kiddo. Then how about we get you dressed.”

Bucky stood in the kitchen, munching away on the caramel candied apples that you made for him, his eyes on his phone as he messaged Steve. He was letting his best friend know that he wouldn’t be able to attend the Halloween Party that Stark had planned for the team since he was going to be with his son. He knew that Steve would cover for him since the rest of the team doesn’t know about the family he created about five years ago.

“And here we have a handsome Junior ready to save the world just like his Daddy.” You walked into the kitchen with Junior trailing behind you. Bucky’s eyes lit up as he looked at his son.

“Look! I dressed up as you Daddy!” The little boy yelled as he ran towards his father.

“I thought you wanted to be like Uncle Sam?” He looked from you to his child as he picked him up.

“Daddy is way cooler than him!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.

“If he heard you say that he’d think I put you up to it.” Bucky chuckled. “And when you meet him I hope you tell him.”

“And when will that be?” It was a touchy subject for the both of you sense it was the cause of your recent arguments.

“Y/n.” Buck warned as he looked at you.

“We’ll talk about this later.” You turned moved pass them and placed everything in the Halloween bucket for the children that would stop by. “I’m gonna go and get ready.”

“Is Mommy upset?” Junior asked when you walked out of the kitchen.

“Mommy is in one of her moods.” Bucky explained. “She get’s like that when she’s been deprived.”

“Deprived?” He questions, his face scrunching up.

“Yes.” He placed his son on the counter and dug in his pocket. “Stay still alright.” He colored his eyelids with the black eyeliner that his stole from you when you were sleeping. He smudged the makeup and stepped back, nodding as he held two thumbs up. “Lookin’ good kiddo.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

You walked back into the kitchen your costume on along with everything else that came with it. “And who are you supposed to be?”

“Deadpool.” You answered smoothly.

“Mommy you look amazing!”

“Thank you sweetheart.”

“Why didn’t you dress up as Black Widow?” He questioned. You shot him a look, your hand on you hip as you glared.

“Why don’t you call her and have her wear her uniform for you?” You held you hand out. “Can you handle passing out candy?”

“Yes ma’am.” He smirked. “You look good by the way.”

“Mhmm.” You held your hand out. “Come on baby let’s go and meet our friends. “Your Daddy is gonna sit at him and pass out candy for trying Mommy’s face.”

“Daddy you can’t try Mommy’s face anymore. She has a gun. See.” He pointed to your hip before the two of you disappeared from your home.

Bucky sighed and sat on the sofa with his candy as he watched whatever came on the television.

[jiannaeloise]

Dear Future Husband,

I was supposed to write to you a couple of days ago but I was having a case of proluctance. Not that I'm not in the right state of mind but rather I just thought of updating you after this long weekend instead. I want to start with the Greenbelt story because what I will tell you next was triggered from a core memory when my family and I went to Greenbelt again after such a long time.

When I was still working in Manila back in 2016, I will go to Greenbelt to meet with my best friend after my work shift. My work shift then was at 4am to 9am. Sometimes up to 10am since I was working at my family's retail/wholesale meat shop business.

I was already experiencing a quarter life crisis and was finding more meaning into what I was doing. I didn't feel wholeheartedly connected to our family business no matter how much I tried. In short, I didn't see myself doing what I was doing anymore because I wanted more. A certain guy friend messaged me to ask me how I was out of nowhere and invited to meet me so he can give an advice and just to catch up personally.

That very guy who invited me was a guy I had a huge crush on during college. Yes, he was a college batch mate and he was way out of my league. My usual type — tall, dark, handsome, and kind. I never made a move on that particular crush. I just admired him from afar and eventually he just turned into one of my happy crush eye candies. So even with no sleep after my work shift, I met with this college crush of mine that I will name Constantine. Constantine and I would meet at Greenbelt and at that time it felt like a date almost because we met each other twice and even prayed together out of those two meetings. I got to know him better and I appreciated him more. And out of those two meetings, he also introduced me to a possible venture that I might be interested in. He even gave me samples to try. After telling him that I need to rethink my decision about the possible venture, we never met again.

Why I'm sharing you this story is not even remotely close to making you jealous. Remembering this story and sharing you this story made me realize that I have to start believing. Because if I had an unbelievable once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet and spend time with the guy who I thought was already out of my league, then I better believe and have faith TWICE AS HARD that I'm going to meet you too. I also want you to know that when I do, I will not make you feel as though that you're just a check mark on my list. When I meet you, I will take care of you and your heart in the best way I know how.

During the long weekend, I couldn't stop thinking about you. Especially because of Halloween too. I'm guilty of already imagining how we would dress up together as a cute couple in an epic duo Halloween costume. Now that I am watching HIMYM, we definitely should pull off that slutty pumpkin and bingo card bit or anything that could reference the show. Or if you are a FRIENDS fan like me, you could be an Easter bunny and I could be a cat woman. Or I can also dress up from one of your favorite game, movies, or series character too. Just let me know and I'll do my best effort to wing it. Whichever of these options because I'll be 1000% down! Damn, my mind is already speeding up ahead 10 years from now with our kids while wearing our best family Halloween costume — enjoying and trick or treating around our neighborhood.

I wish I had a clock that can tell me how many more seconds, days, weeks, or years I have to wait for me to finally see and meet you. Because I would see a stranger in a crowd and would feel drawn to that stranger. I would stare at a back view of a random guy's head and anticipate that with just one swift look, that man could be you. My heart aches each time I see couples who are holding hands, hoping and wishing I could have a sense of what they have or what it feels like to hold yours — here and now. I wish I could easily recognize you from your speaking voice or just from a blurred sight of your visage.

How long will I have to endure this agony of waiting? But no matter how long, know that I love you.

Visit and tell me in my dreams,

Your Future Wife

[clairekatswritingcorner]

Uncharted Territory

Word Count: 2,175

Summary: Alexys confronts the true meaning of terror one Halloween night when she finds herself wrapped up in a situation that’s sure to put not only her life, but the lives of many others, in certain danger.

*Author’s Note*: The first of another batch of commissions for @bad-blue-moon-rising! There isn’t a lot of info out about the characters yet, so I did the best I could interpreting them, and the premise was really interesting to work with. I hope you enjoy!

It was Halloween night, a night made for costumes and candy and scares. This was one of Alexys’s favorite holidays, and she was grateful that she’d managed to get some time off to enjoy it. Emily had already sent her son out into the neighborhood with his friends, knowing he’d be spending the next few hours trick or treating to his heart’s content. This part of town was generally safe, so she didn’t have to worry much about his safety. In the meantime, she and Alexys made themselves comfortable in the living room and spent a majority of the evening catching up with the TV playing absently in the background.

Even though Emily was her older brother’s ex-wife, Alexys got along wonderfully with her. She was sure her brother resented it sometimes, but she wasn’t going to let his personal problems put a damper on any of her relationships. She was staying at Emily’s place for the duration of her vacation, relieved and a little excited that she could actually participate in the holiday this year. Well, her participation consisted of lounging on the couch and eating candy with her friend, but she thought that still counted as a Halloween-y enough option.

The hours drifted by with the distant sounds of avid trick or treaters echoing between houses. The streets were filled with the usual noises one might expect to find on a night like this, but Emily and Alexys noticed one noise standing out from the rest. It wasn’t just another squeal from an excited child or shoes scuffing on pavement, but rather something much less decipherable, and much closer than either of them would have liked.

“Do you think we should go investigate?” Alexys asked, nervously twirling a strand of her hair. “I mean, it could just sound like it’s coming from somewhere nearby—”

“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Emily replied, rising from the couch and turning her head as she tried to pinpoint where the mysterious noise was coming from. They both focused their attention on the muted sound of rustling that seemed to be coming from inside the house. A few minutes later, a loud crash drowned it out, almost startling the women out of their skin. Their eyes snapped to where they thought they’d heard it come from, both deliberating what their next best course of action should be. Emily tensed up and steeled herself for some kind of confrontation; if it came down to it, she was prepared to fight. Alexys could be useful in a scuffle, but she was really hoping things would turn out to be more peaceful than they seemed.

Emily narrowed her eyes in the direction of the noise. “It’s coming from the basement.”

“Are you sure?” Alexys asked with a slight quiver in her voice.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Emily answered, her tone grave.

Alexys shook her head, standing up as her limbs started to tremble. “Hey, maybe it’s just some kind of prank or something? It is Halloween, after all. I’m sure we’re just hearing things, I don’t think there’s any reason to—”

“And if it is something dangerous, I don’t want to wait for it to come get us.”

Alexys knew her friend was right, but that didn’t stop a chill of terror from sinking into her bones. This was supposed to be a relaxing night, just another fun part of her vacation…why did something like this have to happen now? No, she was getting too worked up like she always did; everything was going to be fine, it had to be.

Surely it would just turn out to be an appliance malfunction or a squirrel that’d snuck in through a vent, some innocuous and comical thing that she and Emily would be able to laugh about later. It would certainly make for an entertaining Halloween story, and Alexys did her best to remind herself that the source of the noise was much more likely to turn out to be something harmless rather than threatening. She took a few deep breaths and wrung her hands out of reflex, following Emily to the basement’s entrance after the blonde snagged a pillow she could employ as a makeshift shield if necessary.

It’s going to be fine, things are going to be fine. Alexys repeated in her head, trying to pay more attention to her self-soothing words than the noise that only grew louder the closer they came to it. The women made it to the bottom of the stairs and Emily surveyed the room first, trying to decide whether she should turn the light on or not. What looked to be the outline of a cell phone light was waving towards the back of the room as if it was looking for something. So, there was an intruder, and the reason for their break in had yet to be determined. Well, she was just going to have to take her chances with the light if she wanted to have any kind of advantage going into this fight.

She flipped it on and thrust the pillow out in front of her for some preemptive defense. The stranger let out a shriek as the room was flooded with light, one that Alexys parroted back out of reflex. She took shelter behind Emily as her adrenaline spiked and her vision started blurring, a bit surprised when she heard nothing more than the sound of a frustrated sigh hit her ears. Emily wasn’t panicking, or attacking, or even reacting much at all from what Alexys could tell. As her senses returned to her she took a chance and peeked around her friend’s arm, standing up straight and stepping around her as soon as her eyes fell upon the intruder.

“Quinn?!” He certainly was the last person she’d expected to find rummaging around in Emily’s basement, especially in such a suspicious and sneaky fashion. “What are you doing here? Why did you sneak in, what were you thinking?”

“No time to explain,” he answered frantically, turning back to the boxes he’d been sifting through. “Do either of you know where—?”

“No time to explain?” Emily snapped. “You sneak into this house like some dime store burglar and have the gall to say there’s no time to explain?”

“It’s none of your business, I’m just looking for something!” Quinn snapped back, and Alexys could already tell this exchange was going downhill fast. Silently taking her leave, she tip-toed back upstairs just as the two bickering voices really started heating up.

So much for a peaceful evening. She lamented as she turned to go back to the living room. But apparently, her worries weren’t going to be settled that easily. Outside of her brother’s senseless and risky stunt, she could hear a handful of unfamiliar voices floating towards her from down the hall. More intruders? They had to be, since neither she nor Emily had let anyone in. What kind of Halloween curse was this, making everything fall apart all at once? With Quinn acting like a madman and now real strangers breaking into the house…Alexys was thinking she wanted nothing more than for this night to end.

She grabbed the first substantial object she could find to use as a weapon and continued carefully creeping down the hall. There were multiple voices, and they spoke in deep enough tones for her to assume they all belonged to men. She couldn’t determine exactly how many there were, but the fact that there was more than one in the first place was intimidating enough. Alexys swallowed hard and adjusted her grip on her weapon, reinforcing her resolve as much as she could before storming the room.

“What the hell are you people doing here?” All of her energy went into displaying her weapon and strengthening her voice. “What’s going on, how did you get in here? I’m calling the cops!”

“Whoa whoa whoa, hold your horses.” It was Quinn again; she hadn’t expected to hear him return so soon, but it seemed he’d settled his argument with Emily well enough that he could slip away. Said blonde was hot on his heels and just as eager to hear whatever explanation he had to share about what was going on. “They’re friends, not foes! There’s no need to freak out or panic. Okay, well, there’s kind of a reason, but these guys aren’t it.”

“Finding four random strangers in the house isn’t enough to warrant panicking? Why are you acting so strange, why couldn’t you come in like a normal person?” Alexys asked incredulously, and Quinn placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

“I was hoping I could get in, find what I needed, and get out without you, Emily, or Rory being involved or even knowing I was here,” he explained before turning to address the men.

“Loonies, meet my ex-wife, Emily, and my little sister, Alexys,” he introduced oh so succinctly, and Emily and Alexys exchanged looks of confusion as he continued. “Em, Sis, meet the loonies.”

“Is that supposed to be a term of endearment?” Emily scoffed as she crossed her arms, and Quinn ignored her comment as he stepped across the room to elaborate on his introduction.

“More specifically, they go by Williams, Coyle, Baxley, and Lynch.” He gestured to each man before switching to the subject everyone really wanted to know about.

This Halloween was going to be a real one in every sense of the word. Apparently, Quinn had sent a package filled with alien tech to the house in order to keep it safe. He hadn’t told anyone about it because…well, he didn’t really know how to bring it up, and he hadn’t thought it would get messed with if it was stashed away in the basement. He’d stopped by at an earlier time and let himself in to take care of it, keen on keeping anyone else from even knowing it existed.

It seemed like a foolproof idea at the time, but somewhere down the line Rory had gotten into said package and utilized some of its parts to put together the ideal Halloween costume. Emily hadn’t asked too many questions, assuming they were all just parts that came with the suit she’d purchased for him at the time. As cool as it may have seemed, now his life and the lives of many more were in jeopardy of getting tangled up in some sort of alien hunting spree. The men standing in the living room all had sufficient training from their military backgrounds that made them eligible to combat the threat, and had been brought together to form a team, including Quinn.

It was a lot to take in, and Alexys couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. Following Quinn’s hasty debriefing a bit of arguing ensued, some back and forth concerning what needed to be done next, and who was going to be involved, and how. He managed to convince Emily to stay home, promising her that he would take care of both the threat and their son. Alexys, on the other hand, wouldn’t go down without a fight. She knew she could be of some use to the team; she was decent enough with a bow, and she also knew she wouldn’t be able to handle just sitting around doing nothing while her brother risked his life against some extraterrestrial threat.

Two vehicles were waiting outside for the team, an RV and a less conspicuous car. Alexys managed to talk her way onto the RV with Quinn’s team while he took refuge in the car with one of the scientists that’d been roped into the project. It certainly wasn’t the way she’d expected the night to turn out, but there was something else that put some unexpected weight on her mind. One of Quinn’s team members, the man known as Baxley, had caught her attention in a way none of the others had.

He seemed a bit reserved and had some noticeable quirks, both physical and verbal, which she soon learned were a result of a disorder he’d had since he was young. Despite that, there was something about him that warmed her heart, a look in his eye that intrigued and charmed her. They’d barely spoken to one another, but Alexys could already feel something forming between them.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked oh so smoothly as he moved to sit beside her once she was situated in her spot on the RV. There was something about his demeanor that told her he was trying to reassure her, which only made her more grateful to have him there.

“Oh, uh, of course not,” she replied politely, although she could feel her anxiety starting to wind up again. They were entering dangerous and uncharted territory, and she wasn’t sure how things could possibly turn out alright. But as Baxley slid into the space next to her, giving her a warm and comforting smile, she thought that maybe as long as he was around, everything would be okay.

[keijay-blog]

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How to Make Hot Chocolate Cookies

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Lisa KaminskiNovember 8, 2018

Taste of Home

Love hot cocoa? You’re going to want to learn how to make hot chocolate cookies. These treats are just the thing to keep you cozy on chilly nights.

In the winter months, there’s nothing more I crave than coming in the cold, making myself a cup of hot chocolate and setting in with a book or a good Hallmark movie if it’s the Christmas season! It doesn’t get much better than that—unless you have a great snack to go along with that cocoa. Minty treats of all kinds with that chocolate is a classic combination, but that’s just not enough for me. I want my hot cocoa with a side of hot cocoa, which is why I just had to figure out a way to make hot chocolate cookies.

And when I say hot chocolate cookies, I mean more than cookies that just have chocolate and a few marshmallows inside. I wanted these cookies to taste like the real deal! So I got down to work in my kitchen using real hot chocolate mix, real hot chocolate mini marshmallows and a whole lot of chocolate chips. The results, well, let’s just say they were holiday magic (not to mention super simple!). Check out how you can mix them up fast so you can be enjoying your treat by the fire in no time.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

2¼ cups flour

2 eggs

¾ cup butter, softened

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup hot chocolate mix (or three packets)

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup marshmallow bits (not mini marshmallows)

A word on your marshmallows

Taste of Home

Before you start this recipe, be sure to take a good look at your pantry. You’ll want to make sure you’ve got marshmallow bits for this recipe—not mini marshmallow. Mallow bits are just like those itty-bitty crunchy marshmallows you get in a packet of hot chocolate. You can find small containers of Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits in your supermarket’s baking or hot beverage aisle—or you can always snag them online if you can’t track them down (I found that they sell out quickly close to the holidays). And if you’re at a total loss for finding these marshmallow tidbits, just be sure that the hot chocolate your choose has some included. Those will work just as well!

If you’re unable to find those tiny mallow bits, I know it can be tempting to opt for mini marshmallows instead, but resist! Mini marshmallows are just too soft to include in this dough and will melt too easily in the oven causing a big, sticky mess. And no one likes to deep clean their oven if they don’t have to—though we’ve got some tips for when self-clean just isn’t enough.

Directions

Stirring up the cookies

Taste of Home

Making these hot chocolate cookies is a cinch. Just follow the standard cookie-making procedure (AKA the creaming method). Cream together your softened butter, sugar and brown sugar. Then add in your eggs and vanilla. Once those are incorporated, just add in the dry ingredients—save for the marshmallow bits.

Because these little marshmallows are a bit fragile, you’ll want to stir them in by hand or with the lowest speed of your mixer. After all, these are the star of the show—you don’t want them broken down into marshmallow powder.

Baking your hot cocoa cookies

Taste of Home

These cookies are just as easy to bake up as any classic chocolate chipper. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out cookies onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes at 375ºF. When they’re done, just set them on a rack to cool—though I thought they tasted best a little warm!

The cocoa-filled results

Taste of Home

This cookie is so simple to make and the results are absolutely mouthwatering. First off, these cookies have that just-right slightly chewy texture to them which makes them great for soft cookie fans like myself. Then you’ve got all those hot chocolate flavors courtesy of a good hot chocolate mix (these are our staff’s favorites), chocolate chips and those teeny tiny marshmallows. Let’s be honest—those mini marshmallow bits are what truly take these cookies over the top. What’s a hot chocolate—or a hot chocolate cookie—without plenty of marshmallows?

But do you want to know the secret for making this treat even better (yes, it is possible)? Dunk your hot chocolate cookie right into your hot chocolate. It might seem like too much, but gosh is it ever good!

Be sure to whip up some of our best hot cocoa recipes!

Rich Hot Chocolate

Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the bloody mary’s and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

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Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods

Who doesn’t love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbors, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Nutella Hot Chocolate

Vanilla beans and Frangelico liquor lend to the sophisticated flavor of this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert.—Michael Compean, West Los Angeles, California

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Pumpkin-Spiced Hot Chocolate

As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, I think of pumpkins and my mother. She served pumpkin pie with real hot chocolate. This recipe brings those two amazing scents, and her, back to life for me. To turn your hot chocolate into creamy pumpkin mocha, stir 2 teaspoons of instant coffee into the hot chocolate before adding whipped cream. It’s a great way to warm up after some chilly trick-or-treating! —J. Morand, Maitland, ON

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Crackling Hot Cocoa

This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it’s rich and thick decadence in a mug.—Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

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Spiked Hot Chocolate

My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It’s even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania

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Cozy Hot Chocolate

Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California

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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Fluffy marshmallow creme and bright sprinkles make irresistible toppings. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA

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Fluffy Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter’s favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won’t get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

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Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

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Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

We make batches of this minty, malted milk-flavored hot chocolate to give as gifts. Be prepared—friends will return the jars for refills! —Sara Tatham, Plymouth, New Hampshire

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Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California

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Kahlua Hot Chocolate

When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous. —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California

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Favorite Hot Chocolate

You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It’s smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN

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  Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie! —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ

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Landmark Hot Chocolate

With or without a nip of rum, my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold! —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin

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Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

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Mexican Hot Chocolate

This delicious, not-too-sweet hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas

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Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

I gave this away at our neighborhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbors who’d made it and was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate is what makes it extra creamy and chocolaty!—Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

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[johnsimon]

The area that is now known as Syracuse wasn’t much of anything more than two centuries ago, but that all changed in the early 1800s. It was inevitable to many, as the land was level, it was near numerous salt supplies, and it would be the perfect spot to connect the eastern and western parts of the state. John Wilkinson thought the village looked quite similar to a city over in Italy, so when it came time to name it in 1820, he gave it the same name. It was then that Syracuse was born, and it became a city once the village and the nearby village of Salina merged.

Hotels, shops, factories, and more appeared everywhere, and it continued to grow with the expansion of the railroad and canal system. The city grew, even more, when the industrial plants arrived, but things have evened out in recent years.

If you have never been to Syracuse before, you do not know what you are missing out on. There is so much to see and do in this magnificent city and you will have a fabulous time from the minute you arrive until it is time for you to leave.

You will want to consider staying at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel (100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, New York 13202) because it is rich in history. This hotel originally opened as the Hotel Syracuse in 1924, and while it has undergone some restoration and renovations before being reopened as a Marriott, you will find that it still has many historical components amongst the modern amenities. The rooms are so incredibly spacious yet cozy. The modern design and neutral color tones make the room feel like you’re in your dream home. I never wanted to leave.

You can begin your day with access to Breakfast in the M Club Lounge and later enjoy a delicious dinner at Eleven Waters, which is one of the on-site restaurants. This restaurant uses local ingredients and flavors and creates delectable dishes that you can enjoy in a modern but rustic setting.

Dinner at Eleven Waters

I started dinner with the Smokey Mozzarella Meatballs, which is a mix of Bacon Brisket, Tomato Cream, and Basil. The appetizer makes your mouth water as soon as they’re placed in front of you. They were prepared to perfection and recommended for sharing or if you are really hungry. The bacon brisket gives it a great kick in flavor. The meatballs are quite juicy and savory.

For the main course, I chose the Steak Frites with Au Poivré, served with an addictive Brandy Peppercorn Sauce. I remember going to bed after dinner, dreaming about how amazing this sauce was. My steak was served medium-well and paired nicely with a glass of Lamoreaux Landing Cabernet Franc, NY.

Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel also hosts other dining options like Shaughnessy’s pub, Barbershop Bar, Cavalier Room, and Cafe Kubal.

You will find that your options at Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel are endless, but you will feel right at home just like past guests that include John Kennedy, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Charles Lindbergh, Bob Hope, and more.

If you happen to be staying at the Marriott during Winterfest, you will be able to join in on the Ice Block Party with Fireworks! It is a family-friendly event that features food trucks, street game activities, and a DJ spinning music from all genres. Despite the freezing temperatures, I had the best time mingling with the locals and taking in the amazing view of the fireworks. Check out, syracusewinterfest.com for more information.

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During your time in the city, you will want to spend some time in the Erie Canal Museum (318 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY 13202) to learn more about the entire Barge Canal System. The permanent exhibits include the history and construction of the canal, a full-size replica of a line boat, a canal town, and murals.

Another excellent museum to visit is the Onondaga Historical Association Museum (321 Montgomery St, Syracuse, NY 13202). You will learn more about Onondaga County, the dinnerware that the Syracuse China company produced, and the Underground Railroad that went through the Syracuse region.

You might want to start one of your afternoons in the city with a stop at Anyela’s Vineyards (2433 W Lake Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13152). The Nocek family began their winemaking journey over in Eastern Europe three generations ago and now they produce their wines as they look out over Skaneateles Lake. You can take a stroll through their vineyards, meet their dog, Lexi, and taste test any of their delicious wines before buying a few bottles to take home. I highly recommend doing a wine tasting, for the ultimate experience. This way you can figure out which wines suit your taste buds and which ones you want to take home. Pricing for tastings is very affordable, starting at $5. Wine Tastings are first come, first serve, so get there early. One of my favorites was their signature 2016 Elation pinot noir.

If you are at a loss for things to do in the evening, you can always venture over to the DESTINY USA Mall (9090 Destiny USA Dr, Syracuse, NY 13204). It is the largest mall in the state with more than two hundred and fifty places to eat, shop, and be entertained. If you don’t feel like shopping, you can always take a spin on the indoor go-carts, Merry Go Round, or get physical in a game of laser tag or rope climbing. The mall is a great spot for groups or independent travelers. As large as it is, expect to spend a few hours there. After I was done shopping and taking in the sites, I ended my time at the movie theater.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Syracuse, so you won’t need to worry about going hungry. However, you might be a little overwhelmed with all your choices.

Glazed and Confused (211 N Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13204) is the place to go if you are craving a donut of the unusual kind. The donuts at this shop are made in small batches, so they are always fresh and tasty. You can always order the basic vanilla cake or cinnamon and sugar varieties, but why do that when you can order one like holy cannoli, pardon my French toast, and no sleep till Brooklyn. They even have doninis, which are flat like paninis and served on top of a classic cake donut. My personal favorite is the Dizzy Pig (a maple glazed, bourbon, sugar, candied locally cured bacon donut). SO GOOD!

Modern Malt (325 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is a classic American Diner that can be found in the historic Armory Square neighborhood and they serve everything from breakfast to sandwiches and burgers to dinners. They are definitely the place to go if you want good food in an amazing atmosphere. I couldn’t resist the Lobster Benedict (Butter poached lobster, chive biscuit, arugula, poached eggs, hollandaise, chive). I washed this delicious meal down with hearty Bloody Mary. Modern Malt was pretty when I visited on a Saturday morning, so get there early.

The original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (246 W Willow St, Syracuse, NY 13202) opened its doors in Syracuse in 1988 after spending five years on the road serving food at fairs and festivals. They began as a quick lunch and dinner bar-b-que place, but within two years, expanded to add a full bar, full-service dining, and live music. They now have eight other locations throughout the Northeast, but this original serves the best bar-b-que around. You don’t go to Dino’s for a dainty salad, you go to pig out. That’s what I did and I have no regrets! I settled for a combination platter with St Louis Ribs, Pulled Pork, and BBQ Brisket. The only word to describe my experience is magical. The OG location was ridiculously busy on a Saturday night, so expect a bit of a wait.

The Mission Restaurant (304 E Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is in the Old Syracuse Wesleyan Methodist Church that was built in the 1840s. That church played a vital role in the Underground Railroad, and while that history has been carefully preserved underneath, the restaurant serves hungry customers above. The restaurant uses local products and everything is made from scratch, all day, every day, when possible. The menu features Pan-American cuisine, which is a combination of Mexican, Southwestern, and South American specialties that all include Latino ingredients.

A stop at Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge (321 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202) is the perfect way to end an evening in Syracuse. This is a premier bar in the city and they serve a large selection of wine and whiskey from all over the world. If you prefer beer, then you can choose from any of their craft beers as well. The nights are always full of live music, friendly games of pool, and whatever other games people are playing that evening. I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the many bar options. I’m sure you hear “there is something for everyone” often but this time, it actually true! Locals love to hang here and catch up after a long day at work or to unwind on the weekends.

Syracuse is a wonderful town that has been around for a long time and has seen many changes. However, the city is always ready to welcome a newcomer like yourself and make sure that you have a fabulous time while you are there!

While visiting Syracuse and the numerous historical sites, I wondered if there were any haunted history or trails, and there were plenty. Just in time for Halloween, visitors can check out these local spots for a spooky good time. Starting with a site I mentioned earlier, the Erie Canal Museum. At the Museum, paranormal investigations, ghost hunts and guided haunted history tours (10-60 participants) are available by reservation. Docent-led history tours include the recounting of paranormal activity that occurs. The facility can be rented for private events. Erie Canal history tours are also available daily.

Erie Canal Museum. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

Other locations include:

The Landmark Theatre – The historic theatre, built in 1928, has had people talking of hauntings just years after it opened. After falling from a balcony to her death in 1930, Clarissa’s spirit has been haunting The Landmark. She often appears as a pale apparition in a white dress at unexpected times to workers and guests – especially those not following the theater’s rules.

Opportunity: The theatre hosts a ghost hunt each October. Guided tours (of any size) by reservation; guided psychic tours (up to 20 participants) also available.

Landmark Theatre. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

Wayside Irish Pub – The original building or “Munro House” was built in the 1800s – and reports of ghostly activity date back to the 1960s. There have been numerous reports of the apparition “Sara,” believed to be the young girl who hung herself on the third floor. Poltergeist-like activity is attributed to a friendly ghost named Harry. Other spirits include the Inn’s original owner, Squire Munro, and an unknown traveler who died in the building. Reports from employees and patrons tell of a male figure dressed in a soldier uniform, and shadowy figures in the basement. Patrons and bartenders have felt “touches”, “pokes”, and “cold” spots, and it’s not unusual to have a female patron complain of having her hair tugged on with no one around her. Glasses fly off the bar without explanation, pictures drop off the walls, and an orb may show up in photos taken on-site.

Opportunity: Sip on a favorite beverage, enjoy delicious pub fare, ask the friendly staff about their haunted history. Stay a while and have your own haunted experience. Professional paranormal investigations are allowed by appointment, with management approval.

Wayside Irish Pub. Photo by Amityphotos.com.

13 Curves on Onondaga Hill – Over 60 years ago, a brutal, terrifying car accident occurred on Cedarvale Road, just 10 miles southwest of Syracuse. Since that fateful day, it has been said that the road, which is known better by its nickname, “13 Curves,” has been haunted by the souls of those who died in this tragic accident.

Opportunity: Take a beautiful and scenic drive along 13 Curves – a long, winding stretch also known as Cedarvale Road just west of the city of Syracuse – it’s a hotbed for paranormal activity.

Split Rock Quarry – Split Rock, a hazardous munitions plant, unexpectedly exploded in 1918, brutally killing more than 50 men. Today, the Quarry is nothing but rock with an old piece of machinery left called the Crusher. Visitors have reported the sound of footsteps, voices in the distance, and the revving of the Crusher’s engine—which hasn’t run since the horrific blast.

Opportunity: Investigate the ruins of Split Rock on your own. Snowshoe, hike, and bike the former factory site, explore the abandoned tunnels and experience the cold spots firsthand. BE SAFE: Quarry is an abandoned location in the woods. It is highly encouraged that you do not venture in alone and that any visit is at your own risk. Appropriate footwear is highly recommended.

We hope to catch you in Syracuse in the very near future! Check out the gallery below for more personal photos from my trip to Syracuse.

Your Guide To Experiencing Hospitality, Good Eats, and Historical Sites in Syracuse, NY The area that is now known as Syracuse wasn’t much of anything more than two centuries ago, but that all changed in the early 1800s.