Emption

In the flickering twilight of All Hallows’ Eve, the Jack-O-Lantern stands as a sentinel, its carved features casting eerie shadows upon the doorstep. A pumpkin, once plump and orange, now bears the marks of human hands—a jagged grin, triangular eyes, and a crooked nose. When the lid is removed, its hollow interior reveals a flickering candle, dancing like a restless spirit within. The Jack-O-Lantern’s purpose is twofold: to ward off malevolent forces that roam the night and to beckon trick-or-treaters with its warm, otherworldly glow. Its toothy smile seems to mock the darkness, daring it to encroach upon the safety of the home. As the moon rises, the Jack-O-Lantern awakens, its magic intertwining with the ancient traditions of Samhain. It is both a guardian and a harbinger—a symbol of harvest’s end and the thin veil between our world and the spectral realm.