Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

The Last Porch Light

The wind swept through Pine Hollow Road, scattering leaves that crunched under Tyler’s sneakers. Every house was dark now, except for one—the old Beckett place. Its porch light flickered like it couldn’t decide whether to stay on or die out.

Tyler’s little sister, Maddie, pointed toward it, her pumpkin bucket bouncing. “That’s the last one!”

He frowned. “Nobody goes there, Maddie. Mr. Beckett’s... weird.”

She grinned. “You’re just scared.”

Before he could argue, she marched up the creaking steps. He sighed and followed, his breath clouding in the cold air. The porch smelled like dust and rain. Maddie knocked, then yelled brightly, “Trick or treat!”

For a long second, nothing happened. Then the door opened a few inches, and an old man’s voice rasped, “Which one is it?”

Tyler blinked. “Uh... treat?”

The door opened wider, revealing a thin man in a faded flannel robe. His eyes were tired but kind. He held out a silver bowl filled with full-sized candy bars.

Maddie gasped. “Full-size? No way!”

Beckett smiled softly. “Used to give these out every year. Kids stopped coming by. Nice to see someone still remembers.”

Tyler smiled back. “We’ll come again next year.”

“Good,” the old man whispered. “I’ll be here.”

They turned to leave, the house glowing warmly behind them. But when they reached the street, Maddie looked back—the light was off again.

“Ty,” she said quietly, holding up her candy bar. The wrapper was faded, the chocolate gray and crumbly.

He looked back at the dark porch. “Maybe... he really wanted company tonight.”

The wind stirred the leaves again. For a moment, the porch light flickered back on, just enough for someone waiting inside to hear the faint echo of “Trick or treat!”