Someone Kept Stealing and Destr:oying My Halloween Decorations, My World Turned Upside Down When I Found out Who It Was

I had recently moved to a new town, hoping for a fresh start, but my neighbor Catherine made sure to ruin everything. She continually complained and took my Halloween decorations. I set up a camera with the intention of catching her in the act and exacting ʀᴇᴠᴇɴɢᴇ. What I learned was far more upsetting than I had expected.

I had just completed putting up the Halloween decorations at my new house and was pleased with how everything turned out.
The front yard was decorated with orange pumpkins, spider webs, and lovely ghosts, all set for trick-or-treating.

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It felt great to be settled after only a month in this place. My employment was wonderful, the house was comfortable, and the town itself seemed charming—except for one thing: my neighbors.

Since the day I moved in, it felt like they had been out to get me. It started with tiny things—comments about where I parked or how I didn’t trim my shrubs properly.

They would look at me disapprovingly if I said “hi” in an inappropriate way. It did not take long for the antagonism to escalate. One evening, they even phoned the cops because I was playing music at 7 p.m.! I could not believe it.

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The worst of the bunch was Catherine, who lived across the street. She was unrelenting, often coming over to whine about something. She once grabbed my flowerpots and claimed they “didn’t fit the neighborhood vibe.”

I was quite frustrated. Still, when I gazed around my beautifully adorned home, I hoped it would be left alone. Just one thing that might bring you delight.

I’ve liked Halloween since I can remember. It wasn’t simply the décor or the candy; it made me nostalgic for simpler times and happy childhood memories.

But this year felt different, darker. There was a void in my heart where my hopes of having children used to reside. It pained knowing that I will never be able to create such particular moments for my own children.

However, Halloween allowed me to recover a little, one bag of sweets at a time. I poured it into a pumpkin, put it out for the kids, and walked inside, hoping for the best.
The next morning, my heart sank. All of my decorations were gone. The sole pumpkin remaining had been crushed, and the sweets had been stolen. Tears welled up as I covered my lips, overcome with frustration and grief. It was too much. I was not going to let it slip. I knew who did it, and I was determined to hold her accountable!

I stormed across the street and hammered on Catherine’s door, my rage boiling over.

“Catherine! Open up! You’re a real witch!” I shouted, not caring who else heard.

After a few moments, the door swung open, and there she stood, glaring at me.

“Have you lost your mind?” she yelled, hands on her hips.

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“What did you do with my decorations?” I demanded, my voice shaking with fury.

“I didn’t touch your stupid decorations! Though they looked awful, if you ask me!” she shot back. “But I’m not ruining Halloween for the kids.”

“Just like you didn’t steal my flowerpots?” I screamed, stepping closer.

“Maeve, you’re crazy! You have no proof it was me!” She yelled, her cheeks red. Then she slammed the door in my face.

I stood there shaking. “Witch!” I yelled at the locked door.

As I stood there, I noticed that some of the neighbors had come outside to observe the entire thing.
Their curious gaze was locked on me, and I could immediately hear the whispering behind my back.

They undoubtedly thought I was insane now. I just wanted to do something pleasant for Halloween, but everything had been ruined. My throat clenched, and I could feel tears welling up again. Without saying another word, I turned and headed back home, my chest heavy with weeping.

Inside, I sat down and wiped my eyes. I couldn’t let it go. Halloween was too important to me. I refused to let Catherine or anyone else to destroy it. That evening, I had made up my mind.

I went to the store and purchased new decorations and candy. When I was done putting everything back together, I carefully placed a little camera amid the decorations. This time, if she messed with them, I would have evidence.

I awoke in the middle of the night to a strange noise. My heart pounded as I gazed out the window. All of my decorations were gone. Again. Anger welled up inside me as I hastily put on my slippers and dashed outdoors.

The cool night air touched my face as I dashed to retrieve the camera I had set up earlier. This time, I was confident I’d catch Catherine in the act.

I rushed back inside and switched on the video. My eyes focused, expecting to see Catherine, but to my surprise, it was not her. Instead, a boy no older than 12 took my decorations and candy. I stared at the screen, puzzled. I did not recognize him from the neighborhood.

Without thinking, I grabbed my coat and went where the boy had gone. I passed house after house, but none of them looked like his.
I knew every neighborhood child, and he wasn’t one of them. Eventually, I found myself standing in front of an old, abandoned house. A odd feeling overcame me, prompting me to walk inside.

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The inside was gloomy and cold, with damp and thick air. I tightened my cardigan and took careful steps on the creaky wooden floors. Suddenly, I noticed a dim light coming from a chamber. I walked in and froze.

There were two youngsters gathered together—the kid from the video and a young girl, barely four years old. They trembled, enveloped by my Halloween decorations.

“Please, don’t turn us in to the police!” the boy cried, his voice shaking. “My sister loves Halloween, but we don’t have any money. I didn’t want to steal, I swear! You just had the best decorations,” he said, his eyes wide with fear.