Magna on Halloween

Step by step Magna climbed up the creaky stairs. The air was chilly, and the noisy stairs did not make things feel any warmer. The stairs narrowed as she got higher and she was starting to get afraid. Every year Martin was dedicated to scaring her, but this year, since he died, she had been expecting some form of supernatural communication. When she reached the final step, she emerged in the apartment of the roof. The clear satin curtains danced with the wind against the open window. It was like a romantic yet sinister scene. Magna looked around this wide studio, it was empty. If not for the empty pizza boxes and bowls on the living room table, you wouldn’t know someone just lived there. And died there too.
“Martin? Are you there?”, she knew he wouldn’t answer but she called out anyway. She really hoped for a miracle, but she was aware this was real life, these things don’t happen like that. She even had an argument with Stef when she told him she would be getting an Ouija board for her visit to Martin’s place. “Here you go again, trying to ruin the day for everybody, why can’t you just be normal? He is dead, get it into your head”. She knew everyone dealt with grief their own way, but Stef was always an asshole. She dealt with her grief at that moment by slapping him across his face, yelling ‘I hate you’ and running straight here. Martin’s place was always a safe place for her, she was happy he left it to her in his will, no to mention the fact that it was a high-class neighbourhood. Martin lived above Mellid Ron, she won 5 Grammys this year alone. Magna was sure they would be good friends eventually, after all, they both shared the same initials, M.R. Magna was going to bring that up.
Today, Magna was dressed as Dee Dee from Dexter’s lab. She was hoping that at least one of the parents of the trick-o-treaters would recognize who she was. “Well Martin, let's get ready for Halloween”, she said as she began to pick up the empty pizza boxes. As she prepared the house, she wondered how it was going to be living next to Mr. Fletcher. Martin hated Mr. Fletcher with everything in him and the feeling was mutual, Fletcher hated him just as much. Their rivalry started as soon as Martin moved in. Apparently, Fletcher had somehow gotten the idea that he was moving into Martin’s studio. Martin showed Fletcher the key, but Fletcher accused Martin of stealing it. The landlady had to be called and by the time she got there, both of them were exchanging punches in the hallway. Fletcher threatened to call the police and when they came, the cameras in the hallway showed Fletcher throwing the first punch. He ended up staying in jail for 3 days because it happened on a weekend. Fletcher never forgave Martin and Martin never asked for it. Fletcher never hated her, but she hoped he would. Anything was better than the way he stared at her when she visited Martin.

Eventually, the little kids started coming along in their cute costumes and their smiles brought light to her day. So many parents knew who she was dressed as which was a good confidence boost, only one parent accused her of being dressed “immorally”. He had left behind a pamphlet for his church and invited her. She thanked him and told him she was already a devil worshipper and he took his son and scurried away. Stef didn’t show up like he was supposed to but then again, that was his personality. As she tidied up, she appreciated the fact that he didn’t come by, she would take a long bath tonight and sleep in Martin’s bed. She missed his smell, she was looking forward to being comforted by it. Above the kitchen table was a portrait of Martin, he had on a pair of fake glasses and a turtleneck. The picture was in black and white. He had said he wanted to have a ‘serious picture’ of himself, hence the glasses and turtleneck. She looked at the picture and remembered his smile and wondered if she would ever stop missing him. There was a sound at the door like someone was trying to open it, it must be Stef she thought. So like him to show up when all the work was done. “Stef? Thanks for coming”, she said rolling her eyes. The brown door opened into the apartment and it wasn’t him.
“Magna?”
“Mr. Fletcher?”, just then, Martin’s portrait fell off the wall and shattered on the ground.
