Create an eerie group portrait of characters, each with unique yet unsettling makeup and costumes, evoking the spirit of a peculiar Halloween gathering. Apply intricate cross-hatching to define the shadows and subtle textures in their costumes and facial expressions. The figures should be drawn with slightly exaggerated, caricature-like proportions, their features both playful and melancholic, staying true to Gorey’s iconic character style. Position the characters in a loosely organized manner, as though frozen mid-celebration, with a sense of stillness that contrasts with their festive attire. The background should be minimal, fading into darkness, leaving only a suggestion of a storefront or vague urban setting with dim lights, enhancing the atmospheric tension. Integrate symbolic elements such as ghostly silhouettes, pumpkins, or whimsical masks floating subtly in the scene, hinting at a narrative left to the viewer's imagination. The overall mood should blend a playful Halloween charm with an undertone of quiet unease.