Well, I saw that DetachedPeople was having a Halloween contest that that got the gears in my head spinning/ This is the result. Too bad it doesn't use the required phrase, hope it doesn't cost me too many points. :) Oh well, that'll teach me to not read things fully.

This is less explicit that most of my stuff. I felt that it wouldn't really fit in this story (but the setup is there). And while it's not exactly depressing, it's not really a happy story.  If anyone feels like using this as a jumping off point for something of their own (I'd actually love to see it happen, and kudos if you can submit it to the contest), feel free.