by Jane Cleere Johnson –
(with an editorial note about trick-or-treating safety at the end)
The dark streets were packed with trick-or-treaters. Heidi had a hard time recognizing any of her friends under all the costumes. On a crowded corner, she reached up to take her dad’s hand as they crossed the street. When they got to the other side Heidi looked up and realized she had taken a stranger’s hand by mistake. She quickly let go and hurried up the street.
“What can I do now?” Heidi thought. “I can’t get back across the street without Dad. He probably doesn’t even know I’m on this side.” She sat down on some steps, pulling her flowing witch’s cape more tightly around her. She hadn’t noticed how cold it was when her dad was near.
Just then Heidi heard crying. Looking around she saw a small boy in a pirate costume standing under a street light. Heidi thought she recognized the boy’s blonde hair. “Is that you Tommy?” She asked. “Don’t be scared. It’s me, Heidi.”
