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The night of Halloween rolled around; it landed two weeks after everything happened. It felt odd, almost not justified, to have fun.
The boys had been inseparable since. All supporting each other in the ways they could do. Most of the first years called them heroes or brave. Brave they were, even they knew that deep down, but heroes they were unsure.
Monty had given Edgar a special teddy bear that is specially heated up, and it feels like a warm hug whenever you need it, and it smells like lavender, so it’s calming. His grandma had given it to him, but he knew Edgar needed it more for now.
Kevin would sit with his violin and play lullabies when Edgar couldn’t sleep, which ultimately worked, but he’d find himself falling asleep next to him, always making sure Edgar felt safe first.
Roland would take him outside and show him the stars. He even named one after Poe; after all, he’ll always be with him no matter where he is or where he goes.
They wanted to go trick-or-treating just to try to make Edgar happy again.
“Edgar!” A voice called out.
Edgar was sitting in his and Monty’s room reading peacefully, and he slowly looked up in the direction of where the voice was coming from.
Kevin appeared out of breath.
“Hi, would you like to come trick-or-treating with us?” Kevin said with a careful smile.
Edgar looked unsure.
Kevin felt this and went to get the other two from the cafeteria where they’d just eaten to help out. They wanted to see Edgar laugh or smile again so badly.
The other two arrived, and all three carefully sat next to Edgar.
“What are you thinking, Edgar?” Monty said gently.
“I don’t know if I’m ready. I mean, can we even participate? We’re cursed boys, aren’t we? The m-“ Edgar said with a quiet voice.
He was interrupted by what felt like a thousand arms hugging him from different angles. Kevin was tucked in under his arm, stretching his small arms across the left side of him as much as he could. Monty wrapped his arms around his shoulders and put his head by his heart, and Roland hugged him from behind around his neck.
“Edgar, we’re just boys. Sure, we may have our things about us, but it shouldn’t mean we are any different from another child. We’re all different; that’s what makes us special.” Monty said softly.
“Yeah, he’s right. To us you are Edgar. Our friend. Our brother. Our Edgar, no one else’s.
Poe was loved by us all. He was a huge part of who you are; we know that. He’ll always be with you, Edgar. He’d want you to be brave and to spread your own wings to show the world who you are,” Kevin said, looking up at Edgar with soft eyes.
“We wouldn’t want you to be anyone else. We love you for you, Edgar.” Roland said,
“Thank you,” Edgar said quietly.
“I’d like to have some fun tonight, please.”
The three boys jumped up excited and dragged Edgar out of the room to go find him a costume.
The next two hours were spent laughing after silly costumes and impressions of different spooky characters from shows, which Roland seemed to be best at.
They had picked out their costumes and were happy with them.
Roland was a vampire.
Monty was a zombie.
Kevin was a ghost.
Edgar was a dead poet.
They wanted to let Edgar be whatever he wanted, scary or not, as long as he was comfortable.
“We all look scary cool!!” Roland said with pride.
“Yeah, we’re going to be the coolest kids out there!” Kevin beamed.
“I’m really happy with my costume. Thanks, guys.” Edgar said cheerfully.
“It’s no issue, Edgar; it’s what friends are for.” Monty said
They all grabbed their pumpkin-shaped small buckets with small pillowcasesinside in case their buckets spilt and ran out laughing together to collect as many sweets as their buckets and pockets could fit.
The four boys went bouncing from house to house, and their buckets were getting fuller by the minute, and their smiles only grew. Each of them got numerous compliments about how cool they looked at each house they visited through the night.
Once they got back to the school, they all went straight into Edgar and Monty’s room and tucked straight into their treats and shared what they had. And of course they were extremely careful of Roland’s diabetes; they had some sugar-free sweets on hand to make sure he wasn’t left out of any of the fun.
The rest of the evening was spent laughing with each other and eating as many sweets as their stomachs could let them. Bedtime soon rolled around quicker than they wanted it to. Roland and Kevin decided to stay with Edgar and Monty for the night, not only for their safety in case of nightmares but because they didn’t want the night to end. Roland and Monty were already fast asleep with their Halloween costumes still on but with smiles on their faces as they slept.
Kevin and Edgar were still up. Edgar was still scared of sleeping; all he could see was what happened when he closed his eyes. He knew the boys were always there for him.
“Will it ever stop?” Edgar said with a small innocent voice.
“Will what stop?” Kevin said with concern whilst grabbing his violin from his case.
“I close my eyes, and all I see is Poe and that day. I want to dream all the big dreams all boys do. I don’t want to be left out.” He wouldn’t look at Kevin out of shame.
“Hey. Edgar. It will stop. I’m sure it will take time, of course, but healing is important. It’s part of being human; we’re always going to be here for a chat whenever you need. I know one day you will achieve your dreams. I believe in you. What are your dreams?” Kevin says in a soft voice and starts playing the violin quietly.
“I’d like to be a writer! And make children smile and wonder about the world with stories.” Edgar said with eagerness.
“What would the stories be about?” Kevin says whilst playing softly.
The violin almost transfixes Edgar. He’s always thought it was lovely and such a moving way of calming him.
“I’d write about stories about brave children going on adventures with riding dragons. Being heroes without huge capes and muscles because we don’t need silly strength to be a hero, and capes are a health and safety hazard! Or I’d write like Shakespeare did – tragedy with mystery or something like that,” he said with a tired voice.
Soon enough Kevin’s violin playing had done the trick and sent Edgar into a deep sleep, and tonight for the first time he had a smile on his face.
Kevin softly giggled and put his violin slowly down.
“Goodnight, Edgar.” And he got into his own bed and turned off the light.