Spooktober Stories

Excitedly, I walk up to the employer behind the counter. I smile at them, they don’t smile back. “Welcome to café Deben, what can I get you this morning?” They say with no emotion. “A Pumpkin spiced latte please,” I say with a huge smile on my face. The barista sighs and taps on the screen before taking my money and shouting out my order.

I sit at a table in the far corner of the café, patiently waiting for my coffee to arrive. While I wait I decide to do some people watching. I look out the window and sigh in content. I just love the sight of coats and fog and umbrellas. Oh how glad I am that autumn has finally arrived.

Ding. Someone walks into the café. Orders a black coffee. Waits.

My latte is placed in front of me. I thank the barista and pull out my laptop. Time for some work. I look up to see the tall man walking towards my table. I furrow my brows and frown slightly.

When he gets to my table he puts something down, then turns and leaves. I watch him walk away in confusion before looking down to see a pumpkin shaped cookie. I smile, even though I am very confused.

I open my laptop and do my assignment. Must work, I keep repeating to myself. While looking down at the cookie every so often. Must work.

It was a few hours later and I hardly got any work done. I was too distracted. Distracted trying to figure out if I had seen him before. I try racking my brains for any kind of recognition but there was nothing. I have never met that man in my life. I try to think why he would get me a cookie and that’s when I see the note.

It was hidden under the cookie, so I move the cookie to pick it up. I laugh slightly once I’ve read it. What a weirdo. I shake my head as I pack up my stuff. When I’m all packed up I thank the baristas and take my leave.

As I walk I check my phone for the time. I’m late, I think to myself before frantically running to my apartment building.

Once I get home my roommate flies out of her room screaming, “You were supposed to be here an hour ago!”

“I know. I’m sorry, I lost track of time. Cookie?” I say while holding the cookie out for her to take. Which she happily does.

“What’s this?”

I put my coat on our coat rack before taking off my shoes, “It’s a cookie Jen.”

“No. What’s this?”

I turn around to see what she’s talking about and sigh, “Ah the note.”

“Yes it does seem to be a note, why was it with the cookie? And what the hell is it talking about?”

I shrug, “A guy randomly gave me the cookie along with that note.”

“Scottie it says: “My Dear Pumpkin Spiced Lover, it is I. You future husband.” I laugh. “One day we will meet again and you will ask me for the time. It will be love at first sight.”

“Oh please don’t carry on. It’s utterly ridiculous. I have no idea if that’s some kind of new pick up line or if he’s just down right mad.”

Jen laughs, “Well guessing from the end of this note. He’s from the future and he’s come to warn you about a tall mean looking man who will try to take you away from him. Dude what have you gotten yourself into.”

I shake my head, “Seriously sometimes I hate being me.”

“Oh don’t say that. How could you hate yourself, your someone's..” she snickers, “Pumpkin spiced lover.” I cringe and she elbows me, wiggling her brows. “So when are you going to see him again?”

I scoff, “Please the next time I see him, I’m going to run the other way.” Jen nods still laughing.

The doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” I say while rushing to the door, trying to make sure the mockery will stop. I open the door smiling in welcome, “Hello. How can I help you?”

“I’m here for you actually?”

“Me?” I ask in confusion, taking in this man’s demeanour. Huh mean looking. I shake my head remembering the note and remembering how stupid it is. “Sorry, is there something you need?”

“Yes. I’d like to go out with you sometime.”

I frown, “Do we know each other?”

He slightly chuckles, “No but I’m hoping the date would help with that.” I still frown, “Well you see I’m here to win you over.” He says before mumbling, “To get you away from that tall asshole.”

I stop frowning then. “Oh I’m sorry I’m already taken. Okay, have a nice day.” I say before closing the door, locking it. “Jen something really weird happened.” I walk back into our living room to see Jen being held with her mouth covered. She looks terrified.

“You lied to me Scottie. I know you’re not seeing anyone. I’ve lived it.”

I look from him to the door back to him and sigh. “Okay you got me. What do you want?”

“I already told you. A date.”

I shake my head, “No you don’t.”

Knock knock. I look at the mean looking man and shrug. “Can I open that or..?” He nods and tells me to be quick. I run to open the door and see the Pumpkin cookie guy. He must’ve seen the terrified look on my face because he seemed to know straight away what was happening. He barged in and marched to our living room.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve.” Cookie guy says. “Russ, what are you doing?”

“Well Hayden, I’ve come to ensure your misery.”

I scoff, “Hey Russ let Jen go would ya.” He lets her go and she runs towards me.

“What the fuck is going on Scott?” I shrug before turning our attention back to the two boys just in time to see them pounce at each other. “Not the lamp! Get off the couch.” Jen winces every time they knock something over.

As they fight I start feeling a little uneasy, dizzy, sick. I sit down and… well that’s all I remember.

“Say what’s all this for,” Scotties asks.

“I’m writing a story. I’m thinking of calling it…”