Dad, Mark stacks the last of the game boxes away, grinning at his family.
Mom, Lisa rolls her eyes playfully as teenage daughter, Emily tries to sneak another handful of popcorn.
young son, Jamie bounces excitedly on the couch.
"Alright team, who’s up for a little midnight soccer before the rain hits?"
"Yes! I’ll be goalie!"
"Only if you promise not to trip over your own feet again, Jamie."
Lisa tosses the ball to Mark, who fakes a dramatic stumble.
"And here comes the world’s slowest midfielder!"
"Watch out for the mud, old man!"
Emily dashes in, steals the ball, and the game devolves into playful tackles and squeals.
Suddenly, a movement flickers at the edge of the yard—just a shadow, or something else?
Jamie freezes mid-kick, pointing with wide eyes.
"Uh, who invited the Halloween guy?"
"Nice costume, buddy! Want to join? We need another defender."
The figure lifts the bag, revealing… a pile of rubber chickens and squeaky toys.
Uncle Joe[/@ch_5], the notorious prankster. He lobs a rubber chicken at Mark, who ducks and slips, sending everyone into a fit of giggles.]
Uncle Joe, masked prankster and sports enthusiast, is introduced.
"You didn’t think I’d miss family night, did you?"
"You nearly gave me a heart attack, Joe!"
"Hey, what’s life without a little scream and a little sport?"
They split into teams: Masked vs. Unmasked, and the field becomes a riot of laughter, rubber chickens flying through the air.
Uncle Joe pulls off his mask in confusion, but the new figure doesn’t move—or speak.
"Okay, Joe, this isn’t funny anymore..."
"Everyone, stay together. Lisa, grab Jamie’s hand."
The silence thickens, broken only when the ‘stranger’ slips on a rubber chicken and falls, revealing it’s just neighbor kid, Sam, in on the joke.
Uncle Joe[/@ch_5] and Sam—collapse in the grass, breathless with relief and laughter. Rain begins to fall in gentle sheets, cooling the night.]
"Next year, we’re sticking to board games," Lisa jokes, pulling her family close.
"Only if Jamie promises not to invite any more masked maniacs," teases Mark.
"No promises!" cackles Jamie, holding up a rubber chicken like a trophy.
They race back inside, thunder rolling behind them, knowing this family night will be retold for years with laughter—and maybe just a little shiver.
