Happy Halloween

The streets of the neighborhood were dark, save for the soft, flickering glow of jack-o'-lanterns lining the porches. On her back deck, the woman sat sipping her coffee. She admired her three pumpkins, their carved faces grinning in the candlelight, while she casually flipped through a worn paperback. She barely registered the blue and red lights flashing against her front windows, and soon a firm knock echoed through the house. Opening the door, two police officers stood on her porch, the taller one pulling out a photo of three children, their young faces hauntingly familiar. "Have you seen these kids, ma'am?" he asked. She studied the photograph for a moment, furrowing her brow before shaking her head. "No, I’m sorry, I can’t say that I have." The officers thanked her and politely asked her to call if she heard anything, turning to leave, she stopped them, reaching for a bowl of candy. "It’s Halloween," she said sweetly, extending the bowl. "I made them myself. Added a bit of crunch to them this time." They smiled, each taking a piece of chocolate before walking back to their patrol car. She shut the door softly behind her and settled back into her chair. The pumpkins flickered warmly, and she leaned in close to them, "Well aren't you popular" she whispered tenderly.