It was the last day of October, and I was sitting on my back porch in the early evening watching the clouds gliding silently overhead.
            
             While I sat and tried to discover the whereabouts of the moon I could hear the cheerful conversation of Jem and little Scout as they approached.
            
             The school was having' a function tonight at the hall and every kid was dressing up to put on a show for the parents.
            
             As I silently lurked in the shadows and watched them wander towards me I heard Jem say to Scout, "Bet nobody bothers them tonight," as he made a quick glance in my direction.
            
             He was carrying a costume, I couldn't exactly make out its details in the dark but it looked rather strange. I just sat and watched them both, so innocent. I usually watch them both as they pass each day, and I envy the way they adore their father, especially when I see them going to meet him each night.
            
             I remember a year or so back when they were always trying to get me to come outside, but I always used to sit silently and just watch them enjoying their little adventures, especially when they sought enough courage to enter the yard. It almost felt as if I was a part of their lives as I watched their every movement. I felt as if I knew them very well, yet they had never seen me.
            
             I had always had a soft spot for the children. I even used to leave them a gift from time to time a while back. Everything's different now, and I suppose with the Robinson trial and the like they didn't play their little games as often as they did in the past.
            
             Now Jem and Scout were right infront of my yard, Jem was talking to himself and Scout told him to hush because he was infront of the 'Radley place.'
            
             Confidently Jem took a long look at my house and sighed before telling her that no- one appeared to be home tonight.
             Then suddenly the somewhat eerie silence, which had only just been shredded by the children's arrival, was broken again....