Dream - 005
Roland found himself walking through Espoir. There were jack-o-lanterns on every corner, and though he was fully aware of the purpose of a jack-o-lantern (unlike the rest of the tribe) he still couldn't help but be reminded of that one Lokapala member... What had Heat and Serph called them? Pyro Jacks?
"Hee-ho!"
The man spun at the voice, but saw only a normal jack-o-lantern sitting on a post. Convinced he was just hearing things, he continued walking.
"It's that time of year, ho!"
It came from another direction now, and this time when he looked the pumpkin had a large dark floppy hat. A Pyron Jack hat. But other than that it still remained unmoving. He backed away slowly and began walking a different way, though all paths now looked the same.
"Hap-hee Hallow's Eve, ho!"
There was no mistaking it now. That was definitely a Pyro Jack. Several Pyro Jacks, in fact, and they were floating towards him from all directions.
"We're very pleased to hee you.
You-ho and all your hee-friends too."
Was that singing? That couldn't be considered singing.
"The most festive se-hee-son's here, ho
And we-hee will share with you-ho
The secret to ho-ning your hee-best Hallow's cheer."
Roland held up both hands, trying to look apologetic rather than downright weirded out. "Look, that's very nice of you, but really--"
"There is no place you can flee-ho!
So stay and listen to our hee-hos.
If you don't, you'll be hee-wishing that you--"
There was a loud crack of gunfire. He didn't know where his weapon had come from, but Roland wasn't going to look a gift shotgun in the mouth. One of the singing Pyro Jack's exploded in a mess of pumpkin goo. He immediately aimed at another.
Unfortunately, that wasn't going to be enough. From the mess of the destroyed demons came several more smaller ones, all of which immediately began casting fire spells. Roland backed up, then turned and fled down the dark road. Glowing, laughing Jacks followed him the whole way...
---
Blinking his eyes open, Roland immediately groaned and stuffed his pillow over his face. So much for normalcy.