10 Trick or Treat!

Ten trick or treat. "I DIDN'T WIN," ZEKE SAID, sounding surprised and a little disappointed. "Sure you did," said Roxy. "Just because you didn't come in first doesn't mean you're not a winner." "I'm happy," said Harris, pulling off his robot head. "I never won anything before. This is so cool!"

Roxy smiled. "And Roxy," Harris continued. "I promise, next year, the three of us will make our costumes together." "Yeah, and maybe next year, the three of us will win the top three spots!" said Roxy.

That night, the three friends, wearing the same costumes they wore to the contest, went out trickor- treating together. "Ooh," said one woman as she put candy into Zeke's bag. "That is a wonderful costume. Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you just landed here from another planet!" "Thank you," said Zeke.

"I heard that Jeremy was grounded by his parents for that stunt with the flour," Harris said, as they moved onto the next house. "He's missing Halloween this year." "It's funny, he was so concerned about Zeke's costume, but even Harris and the Reynolds twins beat Zeke!" Roxy said. "Thanks for reminding me," Zeke said, and they all laughed.

At the next house, a man opened the door and said, "Nice costumes!" He turned to Zeke and asked, "What are you supposed to be?" "I am supposed to be holding out my bag and getting candy from you," Zeke replied, straight-faced. Harris and Roxy cracked up. Zeke didn't understand what was funny. He still has a ways to go to understand humans! Harris thought.

"No, Zeke," said Roxy. "He means what is your costume." "Oh," Zeke replied. "He's an alien," Harris said. Zeke smiled at Harris. This is one time I can say that without giving away Zeke's secret, Harris thought. He could tell that Zeke was thinking the same thing. Then the sorceress, the robot, and the alien, laughing and talking, moved on to the next house.