Squad 51 rolled to a stop in front of the Thrifty Nifty Convenience Store. Paramedic John Gage exited the passenger side, as his partner, Roy DeSoto rounded the back of the emergency vehicle to catch-up. Both walked briskly through the store's door. Once inside, the two paramedics scanned the scene before them.

"Over there," Roy shouted to his partner.

"Got it," came Johnny's reply.

"Let's move, we don't have much time," Roy stated.

Aisle thirteen was their destination. Johnny hesitated a few seconds before he stepped into what he considered to be a bad omen. The number thirteen was scary enough, but the coincidence of Halloween and thirteen together sent jitters throughout his being.

"Johnny, you okay?" Roy questioned as he looked back at his partner who stood paralyzed at the beginning of the aisle.

Startled, Johnny began walking toward Roy.

"Uh, sorry," Johnny offered an apology.

"Hey, are you all right?" Roy inquired, looking at Johnny's flushed face.

"Yeah, I'm... I'm fine," Johnny hoped that would appease Roy's tendency to mother-hen.

Getting back to the task at hand, both men looked around and pondered their surroundings. Bleak, was the only word that could describe their plight.

"Man, this is sad. I mean look at this. We're gonna be......," Johnny began to rant.

"Johnny, let's just do what we came here to do and get back to the station. It's gonna be dark soon and if we're not back before then, Cap will have our hides."

"But, Roy, look at what we have to choose from. This is.... man, I could kill Chet. It's all his fault."

For what must have been the hundredth time in the last hour, Roy rolled his eyes heavenward and counted to ten. Once his mounting frustration at not only his partner, but Chet Kelly, dissipated, he calmly spoke in a soothing tone.

"Johnny, it's over. Nothing we can do about it. We should have known Chet would be the weakest link. His willpower is nil when temptation is staring him in the face."

"I know, I know, but....man..."

The rant stopped almost as soon as it began. Johnny squatted down and peered on the bottom shelf pulling out the last three bags of candy, staring at them.

"Will you look at this, just look," Johnny's voice hit an unflattering high note as he wailed.

"Well, like they say, 'beggars can't be choosers'," Roy responded.

This time Johnny rolled his eyes and counted to ten.

"Roy..."

"Johnny, these three measly bags are all that's left in the county. I say we were lucky to find them."

"I know, I know, but...."

"Hey, it'll be fine. We, now, have something to treat the kids."

"Oh joy, Bazooka Bubble Gum, Pixie-Sticks and plain ole suckers, whoopee," Johnny whined.

"Well... I know it's not the...." Roy was cut-off by his partner.

"Hershey bars, Reese cups, Blow Pops, Sweet Tarts, Smoothies and Mellow Cups we'd bought last shift. No, those were devoured by one, Chet Kelly. Man, I don't know how he ate all that in one shift."

"I don't think he realized he was eating so much. He's paying for it now though," Roy replied.

"Yeah, poor Chet. Having to have his stomach pumped," Johnny sighed.

"Well, Dr. Early said he's gonna be okay."

Johnny and Roy paused for a moment of silence as they thought about their shift mate.

"We'd better hurry and get back," Roy spoke, startling them both into action.

They paid for their purchases and headed back to the station. On the way, they passed a few trick or treaters beginning their trek to collect goodies that only a dentist would eventually appreciate and benefit.

"Well, Roy, at least with this candy we won't have to worry about it disappearing before we can give it out."

"I don't know about that."

Johnny looked at his partner.

"What do you mean?"

"Umm, did you forget who's filling in for Kelly?"

"Oh....ohhhhhhhhhhhh!" Johnny groaned.

"Yep, the Animal."

"Man!"

Stories by Purry        Halloween Stories