SANCTUARY

Before Nërp returned to his sanctuary in the bathroom, Wilson asked whether he might see the masks.

Nërp beckoned and Wilson followed him into his lair, while I waited outside.

There was silence for some moments, broken only by several sharp intakes of breath.

Eventually Wilson emerged, ashen-faced and speechless, grasping the bannisters for support.

When he eventually calmed down enough to speak, he told me excitedly, 'We should be okay for candy, anyway! This is going to be the Scariest Hallowe'en EVER!'