The magnificent City of Baltimare. Life here was constantly on the move. In this place, ponies never experience boredom, always finding new adventures to embark on. When nighttime fell, Baltimare transformed into a mesmerizing cityscape of twinkling lights. Nopony would EVER want to leave. Me included.

I’m a twenty-four-year-old unicorn stallion specializing in the spooky. You know, the WooOOOoooOOoooOOooos. The scary! The horrific! The frightening, bone-chilling fear lurking in your heart!

Upon entering the first floor, visitors were greeted by a counter with a register, ready to accept their bits. The room was filled with creepy artifacts, scattered haphazardly. Odd-shaped pony skulls, tapestries of nightmare moon, charms with unknown languages written on them, witch bottles with odd patterns and things inside, cursed voodoo dolls from my village, odd jewelry, and a closet of numerous masks.

I leaped into my showbiz chair and looked at the spooky pony in the mirror, embellished with many miniature light bulbs. Me! That stallion’s coat, as dark and enchanting as a night sky, painted in a deep navy blue shade. On the left side of my mouth, a sharp white tooth peeks out while my irises shimmer in mint green. The top of my storm grey mane, decorated with a top hat matched the color of my coat. There was no hole for my horn, so I just wore it on my head, the horn quite free. The purple band around the top hat added a touch of eccentricity to the overall look. Last but not least, I just needed to add the last missing piece.

I stood up and opened my closet, full of masks. This is an occasion to use my favorite one! The white-half mask. From its original state as a whole white mask, now lies broken in two, each half telling a different story. I placed it on my face and glanced back into the glowing mirror. “Hmm… something isn’t right.”

Dear Luna, how did I forget my lucky dark purple cape of dismay? The swoosh of my cape filled the air as I fastened it onto my back. “Now it’s showbiz time!”

With Princess Twilight Sparkle’s magic, the sun sank below the horizon, casting a golden farewell before the moon took its place. Tonight was Nightmare Night! Dashing to the front door, I flung it open, bracing for what awaited outside. “Welcome! Welcome all to my Baltimare Haunted House of Apparitions!”

I invested a great deal of time in designing advertising posters and spreading them around. I expected the lively cheers of Baltimare’s residents and tourists to overwhelm my senses. On my knees, with my front legs splayed out as if I’m waiting to be embraced by all. But no sounds reached my ears. That can’t be right, though… I peeped up at the sky, pitch black, most certainly nighttime. I tilted my head downwards, my gaze fixated on the space beneath my staircase, before sweeping my eyes across the entire expanse of the street.

The street itself was devoid of any signs of activity or vitality. Other than my labored breath, not a single sound or hoofstep could be heard, as the place remained devoid of ponies.

I was born and raised in a small town called Hollow Shades. The moment I saw my cutie mark, I knew it was meant to be – a symbol of a jack-in-the-box ghost pony charging out of a haunted house window. After the death of my mother, my father's expression turned sour with disgust at the sight of my flank.

—”It’s simply the most ridiculous mark I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m astounded by the sheer ridiculousness of it.”

So, without his support, I moved to Baltimare, intending to spread the wonders of the eerie. I’m a pony of all that is creepy.

—”You long to support yourself through the means of this unconventional garbage? Then vanish from my sight this instant!”

I am...

—”Your ‘dreams’ are so outlandish, it's almost comical! But you’re a hollow–”

–Shack.

—”–Joke!”

Hollow Shack. Pony of Apparitions. And what scared me the most was the realization that my grand opening was a complete and utter failure. And he was right.

Feeling a heavy sadness under the pitch-black sky, I retreated back inside and switched off the lights, one by one. Hearing a loud familiar thud of a shut door, there was nothing left to do, but to close up shop.