All Hallows Eve, 2024: The Worker

He joined them for the potluck in the break room, but didn't stay as long as the others. They razzed him about being "too dedicated", but he laughed and shrugged it off; in truth, he had never felt dedicated enough. Sneaking out to his car before the others were sugar-laden enough to return to their desks, he prayed and left an offering on his passenger seat (arranged so that it looked haphazard to anyone peering in). "It doesn't matter to me that I might be alone in my belief," he whispered humbly, "but I'm here and grateful that you have your eye on all of the good children, Great Pumpkin." Linus thought he heard a noise, and peeked sideways to see someone else opening their trunk and looking over. He acted as if he was rummaging in the glove box, then waved to the person and got out. They walked in together and, although Linus would have preferred to stay in his car a bit longer, he felt discovery wouldn't do him any favors; life is hard enough without people thinking you're a whack job. But the Great Pumpkin, glowing softly in its patch, full of care and concern after drinking deeply of the earth, cradled in its soft and bountiful heart the hopes and dreams of both children and those still childlike in the way they tried their best to make life better.

Credit for character of Linus: Charles M Schulz (“Peanuts”)