Arriving at the Harris place, Frank gingerly climbed out of the van and stared at the house. He watched several people he knew from school working to take down the decorations.

"Why do you want to be here?" Joe asked coming around the van.

"Something happened last night," Frank said staring at the building.

"And I can tell whatever it was scared you," Joe said. Frank looked at his brother. "I can still see it in your face. Whatever it was had to be something bad." Joe put his hand on Frank’s shoulder. "You can tell me."

"I know," Frank said letting out a breath. He figured he could level with his brother. Frank quickly explained what happened and watched Joe’s expression change from one of concern to one of shock. When he finished, he said, "You know I don’t believe in that stuff, but I need to check it out."

"Then let’s check it out," Joe said. "If something happened, we’ll figure it out."

"All right."

They made their way inside and Frank easily spotted the staircase he had found the previous evening. Frank slowly made his way up the stairs with Joe following behind. When they reached the second floor, Frank spotted the hole in the floor where he had fallen. Scanning the room, Frank looked for the chair, electrical box and wires that had been attached to him. There was nothing there.

"Frank, where did you walk?"

He was quiet for a moment, remembering. "I got up here and saw a cloaked figure standing on the other side. I heard a voice say ‘come’ and the cloaked figure was motioning for me to follow. I walked across the floor and I guess I fell."

"Stay put."

Joe moved past Frank going ever so lightly spreading his weight out in case there were more spots where the floor had deteriorated. Reaching the other side, Joe looked around and stopped.

"What is it?" Frank asked.

"Another stairwell." Joe looked at him. "I think this goes down to the kitchen, which is where I am above right now."

"So the cloaked figure I saw was real."

"Probably someone’s idea of a joke."

"Then why did I see the cloaked figure afterward with being stuck in the chair and having wires attached to my chest?"

Joe moved back over to him. "You probably had a flash of all that because the last thing you saw was the cloaked figure. And the wires to the electrical box were also there because you hit the wires when you fell."

"And being unable to move was because I shocked my body when I fell," Frank finished.

"Probably."

Frank let out a breath as he looked around. He couldn’t believe he had forced himself out of the hospital to figure out he had dreamed all that. He was slightly relieved it wasn’t real.

"Come on," Joe said putting his hand on Frank’s shoulder. "Let’s go home."

"All right."

*****

That evening, Frank tried got as comfortable as he could in bed. He was exhausted even though he had slept most of the afternoon. He had joined his family for dinner, then returned to his room knowing it would be a couple days before he was feeling better. Some of the pain was gone thanks to the prescription the doctor had sent over knowing he would still be hurting. Closing his eyes, Frank knew he would be asleep quickly.

The cloaked figure appeared and said softly, "You were lucky your brother was there."

Frank’s eyes flew open and he tried to calm his breathing. He knew it had been a dream, but the voice was right. He was lucky to have a brother who would always be there for him no matter what. Whether he was in danger or just needed someone to talk to, Joe would be there for him

Frank closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Happy Halloween!!

The End