There’s always that one house in the neighborhood. You know, the one that your mother has warned you never to go near when you’re out riding bikes. You’ve heard a million explanations why it’s off limits – the unkempt lawn, the perverted home owner, the urban myths that surround the property – but on a night like tonight, every mother has given a ten-minute sermon on the horrors of going trick or treating at “that” house before allowing her child out of reach.

Jax and Dylan had gotten that sermon, too. They nodded their heads, and humored their mothers into believing they would never do such a thing – but they secretly had made a pact that this would be the year. They would throw caution to the wind on this extremely blustery night, and go up to Old Man Chambers’ door. At least they thought it was Old Man Chambers who lived there. No one had seen that guy in years. Once, about two years ago, Johnny Hildegard told Dylan that he had seen a car in the driveway. That was the last time anyone had seen movement at the house.

The two best friends walked slowly as they approached the house. They were each giving the other the chance to back out—but neither took the bait. After months of talking about this to their friends, they would be ridiculed for the remainder of seventh grade if they backed out now. Slowly, they walked up the creaking steps, and before they could muster the courage to knock on the door, it flew open. The boys’ fears immobilized them. Finally, Dylan let out the obligatory “Trick or Treat!” which under the circumstances, sounded really funny.

The boys stared at the old man, unsure of whether his appearance was a costume, or his regular attire. His Albert Einstein hair and ripped overalls made him appear crazier than they had ever imagined, and all they wanted to do was run away. Unbeknownst to each other, both of their legs felt like lead – and neither could have run a foot, let alone around the block.

“Well, what do we have here?” cackled the old man. “Two very brave boys who obviously don’t listen to their mothers’ advice. You must come in and join me for a drink.” In one quick movement, his long arms ushered the boys into the house. Before they knew it, they were inside his house and the door shut behind them. Fear overtook the boys and Jax reached for the doorknob; frantically turning the knob, Jax was unable to open the door. Old Man Chambers laughed, and walked into the kitchen. The boys had no choice but to follow.

“Coca-Cola boys?” asked the old man to the boys. They nodded “no” and then for good measure—they both added, “Thank you!”

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you boys to come. But that doesn’t matter now. Come sit down. I have something to give you,” said the man. The boys sat down.

“Here it is,” said Old Man Chambers. “You need to take this.” He handed Jax a locket, and let the chain slide into his hand. “Please give this to my daughter, and tell her that I love her.”

Jax and Dylan stared at each other as Old Man Chambers walked out of the room. When a minute had passed, and he hadn’t returned, Dylan got up and ran to the door. He twisted the knob back and forth and the door flew open. Jax followed with the locket still clenched in his hand. They ran for what seemed to be a mile, and when they finally stopped, they agreed to never mention this to anyone. They knew their classmates would make fun of them for running away. They were spooked out, and they knew that if their mothers found out about this, they would be grounded for the rest of their lives.

Right before Thanksgiving, a “for sale” sign went up in Old Man Chambers’ yard. All of the neighbors were gathered in the middle of the street talking about it. Jax and Dylan walked over to the crowd. They heard Mrs. Hildegard say that Mr. Chambers had passed away almost two years ago. The realtor also told her that the house had been locked up and vacant for the past two years, and that his daughter was temporarily moving in to get the house in order. Jax and Dylan stood there dumbfounded.

The next week, Mr. Chambers’ daughter moved in to the house. When she went out to get the mail, she found a small box inside the mailbox. The box held her cherished, old locket with a note saying, “Your father wanted you to have this, and to know that he loved you very much.” Jax and Dylan watched as a tear fell from her eye and a smile swept over her face.