It was a clear night. The stars were visible and the full moon shone brightly like it was illuminating the way for the dead in Eastleigh town to converge at Hallows' Café in celebration of All Hallows' Eve.
Wendy Michaelson had not heard the story of the café when she moved into town as a deputy bank manager until her fraternal twin, Willow Michaelson visited her for the weekend.
Willow, in the mood for an adventure, tried to convince or rather bully her sister into visiting this intriguing café.
"Whatever am I to do with you, little sis?" Willow teased. She was born first while Wendy followed after three minutes. Wendy pursed her lips. "Don't call me that. Three minutes is nothing!"
"I beg your pardon! Three minutes is huge. So…it's your day off. Let's check out this Hallows' Café and see if the rumours are true."
"I don't believe in such nonsense. I'd rather stay home and finish working on these ledgers."
Willow loomed over Wendy. "You won't bury your head in some frigging ledgers while I'm here. Or I'll tell mom…"
"Seriously?"
"Yep!" Willow grinned at her sister. "It works every time, doesn't it?"
And that was how the young ladies dressed up in t-shirts and jeans, held hands and walked to Hallows' Café.
It was a quaint coffee shop with a transparent glass door and windows on a quiet street. A few light bulbs were on but it seemed the shadows crawled from the corners to choke the lights. There were a few tables outside the shop beside the windows, each with a black vintage-style umbrella.
The ladies noticed the hanging bats around the shop and some crowded at the top of the door. Two skeletons stood on either side of the doorway while spiderwebs hung from the roof and streamed down to the ground. Carved and painted pumpkins with a fire glowing inside lined the street leading to the café.
"Okay, seems they take Halloween seriously," Wendy commented, staring at the tables outside occupied by people strangely dressed in the 30s and 40s costumes, chatting and drinking coffee in glass cups.
Willow was elated instead and dragged her sister into the café. A bell jiggled their entrance. A waitress dressed in a short black dress with a white apron and matching white hair band like a maid appeared beside them. Her face was heavily painted like a ghost, giving her an eerie look.
Wendy paused and tried to pull her hand out of Willow's hold. "Uh, I don't think this is a good idea," she said.
"Don't be a twit. Sit." Willow commanded and smiled politely at the waitress. The waitress frowned in response and served them coffee topped with cream shaped like a jack-o-lantern.
"Compliments of Hallows' Café. Thanks for spending the night with us," the waitress said.
"Wait. What do you mean 'spend the night with us'?" Wendy grabbed the waitress' bony wrist. Her skin was shockingly cold and clammy. Wendy released the wrist fast. The waitress grinned, displaying rotten teeth with black plaques around them.
"Why, today is the only day in the year when we return from the land of the dead, meet in this café and celebrate, thanks to Hallows Richmond who started this tradition in 1901," she explained and walked away, swinging her hips.
Willow giggled at the stunned look on Wendy's face. "Come on, don't look so scared. You know it's all an act, right? They do this every Halloween season. I'm surprised you didn't hear about it."
Wendy frowned at her and whispered, "for good reason! This place feels weird. I don't think it's an act. I don't like how they are dressed like we are in the pre-world war era. C'mon, let's go home."
"Uh, not to bust your bubble but the sign at the door says no customer is allowed to leave until after dawn."
Wendy's eyes bulged. Her chair scraped on the floor and fell backwards as she stood up and walked towards the door. A bulky man dressed in a flowing black gown, holding a scythe came out of nowhere and blocked her path. His face was dusted with white powder, eyes painted black and lips smeared with something red.
Wendy blanched. He smiled slowly. "Sorry, ma'am. No leaving until after dawn."
Wendy turned and walked stiffly to her seat like a robot. Willow shrugged in response. "Cheer up, little sister. It's all just for fun."
"It's not fun…."
Then a group of men and women dressed like ghosts began to play musical instruments and sing oldies songs from the 30s. In no time, the café became crowded with people in spooky costumes dancing, some smoked cigars, and waitresses served steaming mugs of coffee, latte, mochas and cafe au lait. The aroma of the beverages permeated the café.
It was past midnight and the party had begun. Willow danced with a man dressed as a zombie while Wendy danced with another dressed as a local sheriff. The drinks, dancing and singing were so good Wendy forgot about her scepticism and fear.
When it was 5.45 am as the sun was starting to rise, the musicians stopped playing, took a bow and left. Wendy realised the café was almost empty while Willow was talking with an Irish barista dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
The waitresses dressed as maids were gone. Young ladies dressed in mufti arrived to clear the tables. Willow became unsettled. "Excuse me. Uh, where are the waitresses dressed in black gowns and white aprons?" She asked.
A young lady chuckled. "They are all gone! The dead have returned to their rest. Did you have a good time? Don't worry, they'll be back next Halloween. It's a favourite event in this town."
Right there, Wendy and Willow decided one otherworldly experience at Hallows' Café was enough.