You are transported into the house's game room, where the fire has already spread, blocking the only doorway out. You look around at the flaming mounted animal heads. Below a lion's head, you see a large hole in the wall obviously created by the fire - you can see trees swaying outside! You jump through the hole, and run around to the front of the house, as the it all starts collapsing in a firey mess.

As you reach the sidewalk, you see it sink into itself like a sandcastle. Amidst the debris flying, and flames and explosions from within, you catch sight of the attic crawlspace's window: where's Hazel? you think to yourself, as your mouth gapes.

Soon, the entire house is reduced to nothing but rubble, with a calmer breeze dictating still stagnant air. Somehow, all the treasure you escaped with feels useless and unimportant, and you're filled with numb awe and dulled terror.

After waiting a while for any sign of your newest friend and benefactor, you resolve to walk home and alert the authorities. You don't even care where your candy bag is: you've lost so much more in the space of one night. As a small child in a ghost costume walks by you, somehow oblivious to the whole ordeal just blocks away, you wonder to yourself: was it all a dream?

Next.