Fall was a time of year that April always relished. The crisp and refreshing air, the orange and red leaves, the general sense of change incoming. She could wear turtleneck sweaters and bring a thermos of coffee everywhere and not have to worry about looking basic. Plus, of course, there was the best holiday of the year. October was halloween month. April was a bit of a scaredy cat, she was the type of person who watched horror movies through the gaps in her fingers and needed a support group to brave a haunted house. But that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy them either. And aside from direct scariness itself, she still loved to dress up and gorge herself on candy.

This year in particular was going to be interesting. It was the first halloween with her housemates, and although none of them were particularly familiar with human traditions, they were still excited to learn. Sometimes too eager to learn. April shuddered at the memory of Easter and how Kassandra had discovered the easter bunny and playboy bunnies at the same time. 

But that didn’t matter. April was in a great mood. Her classes were going well, her girlfriend Ophelia was going wild brainstorming their couples costumes, and it was the start of her favourite month of the year. She took a deep breath as she opened the door, somewhat bracing herself for whatever would be on the other side today.

‘WE HAVE A NEW FAVOURITE HOLIDAY!”

Melonie’s excited cheer caught her somewhat off guard. April had been expecting something unexpected, but not necessarily that quick. “What, Halloween? I figured you would like it. I’ll get some decorations, and then we can-”

“No, of course not. Halloween is fun and all but I’m talking about the new human holiday. Kinktober.”

Melonie’s casual mention of kinktober was enough to freeze April in place. “That’s… not exactly a holiday. Aren’t you guys curious about Halloween? It’s much more popular.”

Iris didn’t move her lips, but she spoke directly into April’s head. “I have observed humanity for every hallow’s eve from before the dawn of civilization. It is a night dedicated to mortals gorging themselves on the most disgusting and vile masses of sugar imaginable while discarding the delectable feats of human engineering. Were I not as impartial and unbothered by such things I would have erased humanity from reality for their hubris.”

“That’s just her way of saying she likes black liquorice and is mad people throw it away,” Kassandra explained. “Anyway, more to the point. Kinktober! Every day you pick a kink and you do something to celebrate it, for the entire month. Isn’t that awesome? How come you didn’t tell me about it before?”

While the enthusiasm was a surprise to April, she had long since learned to just accept her housemate's eccentric behaviour. And besides, if they were each doing the kinktober challenge, that would give them something to do that wasn’t bothering her. “You know what? I’m happy for you,” she said with a smile. “It’s good to get a hobby of some sort. I’ll support you as much as you need while you celebrate this… holiday.”

Melonie pulled her into a tight squeeze. “Fuck yeah, this is going to be so much fun! I already have some great ideas bouncing around in my head. We’ll have to get started right away though, the month has begun and we’re determined to do one prompt a day. Collectively at least, between the three of us.”

April wriggled out of her grasp. “Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She stopped to ponder what exactly Melonie had said. “Although I’m surprised that you’re all doing it collectively. Writing can be difficult to stick with even if you’re doing it alone, let alone as a group effort. I’m kind of surprised that all three of you are interested in becoming writers.”

She was met with two blank stares with unblinking eyes. April assumed if Iris had eyes they would be unblinking as well.

“Writing? What does writing have to do with any of this?”