A Haunting Halloween at Mooney: The Tale of Mrs. Winx’s Spooky Shop
By Mirrah Justice
Thursday, October 24, 3:00 PM
The final bell rang, and the hallways of Cardinal Mooney High School buzzed with excitement. Football players rushed to practice, and cheerleaders hurried to join them. “Bye, Amira!” Elexus called as she left Mr. Rosetta’s fourth-period class, weaving through the crowd.
“Are we still going costume shopping after school?” Elexus asked, catching up with Amira.
Amira shook her head. “Can’t. We’ve got a long practice for the rally tomorrow, and then the haunted house fundraiser tonight. Here,” she handed Elexus some money. “Just pick me something cute.”
“What haunted house?” Elexus asked, surprised.
“For the football team,” Amira replied. “I think they need new uniforms or something.”
With that, the friends parted ways, each preparing for a Halloween night they’d never forget.
Thursday, October 24, 4:45 PM
Elexus arrived at Spirit Halloween, but the doors were locked. Disappointed, she was about to leave when she noticed a sign next door: GRAND OPENING: MRS. WINX’S SPOOKY KNICKKNACKS AND MORE. Curiosity piqued, Elexus ventured inside.
The shop was a maze of eerie decorations: skulls, cauldrons, wands, and potions covered every surface, and an unsettling energy filled the room. As she reached the costume aisle, Elexus grabbed a witch costume for herself and a goblin outfit for Amira. At the checkout counter, she met the shop owner, a pale, older woman with hauntingly bright eyes and a name tag that read “Mrs. Winx.”
“Is this all, my dear?” Mrs. Winx asked with a mysterious smile. Elexus nodded, nervously meeting the woman’s gaze before hurrying out, costume bag in hand.
Thursday, October 24, 7:00 PM
“These costumes are so cute!” Amira said as they got ready. Elexus had transformed into a witch, her outfit tattered and spooky, while Amira looked like a mischievous goblin.
“Where’d you find these?” Amira asked.
“At this new place next to Spirit Halloween—Mrs. Winx’s shop,” Elexus replied. “I think they’re new in town or something. I heard her daughter just transferred here, and the football players are getting their new uniforms from her, too.”
Their conversation was cut short by a car horn outside, signaling their ride to the haunted house.
Thursday, October 24, 7:30 PM
The haunted house fundraiser was held in a crumbling mansion that looked terrifying against the dark October sky. Elexus and Amira were greeted by none other than Mrs. Winx herself, who gave them an eerie smile. “Welcome to your final destination,” she said in a tone that sent a chill down their spines.
As they entered, the door slammed shut behind them, echoing through the silent, dusty halls. Elexus and Amira exchanged anxious glances, clinging to each other as they ventured into the darkened corridors. The decorations in the haunted house felt too real—cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and a scent of decay lingered in the air.
“Let’s stick together,” Elexus whispered, her voice wavering. Amira nodded, clutching her friend’s arm.
Each step forward heightened their fear. The floorboards creaked, shadows danced along the walls, and eerie whispers seemed to drift from every direction. It felt as if something—or someone—was watching them.
As they climbed a staircase stained with what looked like blood, Elexus slipped. She reached out to catch herself, her hand coming away wet and red. “What the…? This feels real!” she gasped. Suddenly, a group of football players came racing down the stairs, faces pale with terror.
“Run!” one of them shouted, his voice breaking. The girls didn’t need to be told twice—they sprinted after the group, their hearts racing as they navigated the twisted hallways.
Friday, October 25, 4:00 PM
The next day, still shaken, Elexus and Amira returned to Spirit Halloween to buy costumes for Amira’s younger siblings. But to their surprise, Mrs. Winx’s shop was nowhere to be found. In its place was an empty storefront, dusty and vacant as if it hadn’t been open in years.
“Maybe it was all just part of the Halloween fun?” Amira whispered, though neither of them felt quite convinced. But one thing was certain: they wouldn’t be forgetting their haunting night at Mrs. Winx’s any time soon.
Happy Halloween, Cardinals—watch out for ghostly pop-up shops, and remember, not every costume shop is what it seems!
