Folded thought (ramblings) of the day: Here's a little Halloween-inspired story for you all. I scribbled it while relaxing at one of my favorite haunts about a year ago and would like to share it with you. So turn out the lights and pull up the covers, and if you happen to nod off, don't worry, I'll close the door behind me... ------------------ The sun grows heavy, and the shadows grow long. The children have placed all their simple belongings in their secret places. As the threat of one more bogeyman-filled evening descends. Crippling daydreams. The make-believe hopes and the promises of time. Futures put on hold for this breath-holding, this closing of eyes. Noises outside the window. That can’t be good. Playmates gone to dinner -- in similar predicaments. Not really feeling for each other, but gaining comfort in thoughts that this night might be more interested in someone else. Stepping lightly from those trips to and fro, not getting anywhere near that closet. Who knows what could be growing in that darkness. But what of those wild-eyed children? The ones that welcome the falling of the sun. With flashlights and secret thoughts at the ready. Hating the thought of one more mundane-filled sunrise -- with promises of growing up, that they could well do without. What of those chosen ones? The few that promise to make their own path through that dark storybook forest. Always wondering what goes on in the evil castle. Thought balloons rise through the descriptions of malice, of plans and plots against the white-clad do-gooders. What force out there are they really warning you about? How many times do you have to sit through these fairy tales before something real goes down? Because it seems to be going down all around you. The air is filled these days with flying promises. The playground is allotting the noble ones their quarter due. Givens are offered before any request is uttered. Taking away. Carrying those remainders with them from that day forward. Evil minds penning scary books.