Weeks had passed since Lara had stored her number on Thomas' phone. Since that day, he hadn't received any calls or messages from the girl, and was beginning to wonder if this seemingly urgent need to talk to her finally really was. She said she had a busy schedule, so Thomas made no attempt to contact her and was just looking at her phone every night, waiting for things to change.

That evening, the street was lit up by reddish garlands hanging from the houses and lanterns carried by the small costumed children of the neighborhood. Dozens of them had already rung on the Walkers' door, and Tracy was happy to have them all on her doorstep with handfuls of treats. Thomas was watching the show outside when the ringing of his phone suddenly rang.

— Hello, Thomas? a female voice asked on the phone.

— Yes it's me.

— How are you doing honey? Hope you don't mind.

— Not at all Mom, don't worry. Tracy is giving candy to the neighborhood kids, and James is cooking for tonight. I’ve finished my homework so I’ll be joining them soon.

— Glad to hear you, we miss you you know.

— I miss you too.

— And the lessons, are you going well?

— It's bound to be harder than in France, but I'm fine. And Alicia makes it easier for me to fit in.

— Nice to hear, son, said a male voice.

— Hi Dad.

— We’re not going to bother you any longer, Thomas's mother said. Say hello to James, Tracy and Alicia for us.

— Of course, count on me.

— Enjoy Halloween, his father said. You will tell us tomorrow.

— OK that works. Kisses to both of you, I love you.

A short beep was heard then nothing. Thomas was aware that this phone call was not trivial. Unlike the dozens of other phone conversations he had had with his parents, this one reflected a lack beyond words. It was past midnight in France, and Thomas's parents had still called to check on it. It was short, sure, but the sound of his voice must have done them some good.

Thomas was pulled out of his thoughts by three knocks on his bedroom door, which then opened.

— Ready to come eat? Alicia asked, only her head sticking out of the doorway.

— Yes, I'm coming, Thomas replied.

He put his phone in his left jeans pocket, tidied up his desk, then headed for the stairs. Arriving on the first floor, Thomas discovered a table decorated in Halloween colors, adorned with an orange tablecloth and a black table runner imitating large cobwebs. He helped put glasses, plates, and cutlery, then went to sit down.

James arrived at the table with a large dish in his hands.

— Be careful, it's hot, he said. Alicia, are you doing the service?

— What is that ? Thomas asked, intrigued.

— It’s a pumpkin pie, Alicia replied, serving a slice of pie on Thomas's plate.

He inspected the uniform ocher color of this pie, only the dough of which seemed familiar to him.

— You'll see, it's okay, she added.

— Thank you, answered Thomas.

Once everyone was served, James began discussing the evening's program.

— Remember, leaving the house at 8 p.m.

— Where are we going ? Thomas asked.

— It's a surprise, Alicia smiles. All I can tell you is, you're gonna have to dress up before you go.

The meal ended a few minutes later, and it was with a full stomach that Thomas left the table, accompanied by Alicia. They both went up the stairs and went to the bathroom.

— What do you want ? Alicia asked.

— I don't really know, what are you offering me?

— I have an idea, but I'm not going to tell you anything, it's up to you to guess.

Thomas then took the white stool next to the shower, and sat down facing the mirror. Meanwhile, Alicia rummaged through her makeup products, pulled out four different colored products, then asked Thomas to go shirtless.

— Trust me, she smiled, taking a pot that seemed very ordinary.

She put a knob of dough in her hands and spread it all over Thomas' hair. Looking into Alicia's forceful gestures, he saw through the mirror her blonde hair quickly turning greenish. After a quick wash of hands, she opened a cylindrical case, waved some sort of large paintbrush inside, then over Thomas's face as if it were a canvas.

Instinctively, Harry closed his eyes and only opened them a few seconds later, when he no longer felt the hairs of that strange brush on his skin. He was stunned when he uncovered himself in the mirror, his face completely pale and his hair a green worthy of the most disgusting swamps.

— Wait, it's not over. Can you please close your eyes again? Alicia asked.

Thomas did so and it wasn't long before he felt the passages of a finer brush on his eyelids. He continued to keep his eyes closed, although the back and forth had stopped. He heard a plastic sound then was seized when he felt a still unknown material touch his lips. The slightly oily material ran through her entire mouth and was lost to her cheeks.

— There, you can open your eyes.

Thomas then discovered a face he did not recognize. As he walked over to the mirror, he inspected her hair, her complexion, the dark thickness around her eyes and the big, motley red smile between her two cheeks.

— The Joker, he exclaimed.

— Do you like it?

— Definitely! On the other hand, I’m missing ...

— Don’t worry, come with me, Alicia cut in.

She opened the bathroom door and headed for her parents' bedroom, closely followed by Thomas. Once the two of them entered, he discovered a part of the house that was still unknown to him. A large bedroom stretched out before his eyes, with a spacious double bed in the center, facing a television from another era. Alicia walked over to a large closet and slid the large panels that served as doors. She grabbed a green shirt and a burgundy suit jacket, then handed them to Thomas.

— Here, she said. It will probably be a little big for you, but I have nothing else that can do.

Thomas took them and then left the room with Alicia.

— My father's pants are way too big for you, so you better take one of your own, she explained as she closed the door.

Thomas thanked her and then walked to her room, while Alicia indicated that she was going to get ready too. He laid James's clothes on his bed, then rummaged in his closet and reached for some pants a burgundy slightly different from the color of the jacket. He then put on the shirt, then the jacket, being careful not to put any makeup on. Once dressed, he glanced at his cuffs hidden by the overly long jacket sleeves, then looked what he looked like in the inlaid mirror in his wardrobe. He no longer looked like Thomas, although he was well aware that he didn't look so much like the Joker either, but he was happy with the effort Alicia had put in to put him in character. This costume brought him into another world, where the shy and reserved Thomas could step aside and where a freer and more fun alter ego could appear, in the instant of a night out. He began to mimic facial expressions he had seen in movies, and grinned at his reflection. He didn't know what to expect, but he couldn't wait.

He left his room and closed the door behind him. As he began to descend the stairs, he heard a noise behind him. He turned and saw the bathroom door open. He stopped and saw Alicia walk out of the room, dressed in a gold diamond-patterned jacket, a simple white t-shirt, and partially holed denim shorts. She now sported deep red lips and two quilts with colorful tips.