I was off for my night bus when I heard a thud. The only thing around was the old phone box at the back of the station. I approached it, the door hanging off its hinges near the bottom. There was nothing in the phone box: certainly no person. I checked the black phone in […]
The flickering light of my late husband’s family lighthouse spoke to me, as though in morse code. Cursing me? Good. I sucked in a fury of sea air. A nice gentleman shuffled out of the house onto the porch. I couldn’t identify his uniform – a crime scene investigator or possibly a police officer; the […]
It’s the cheapest flat in the building: a basement-level studio apartment constantly infested by mildew, mould and small creatures which thrive in the darkness. You’ve hated it since you moved in, the way the floorboards shift under your feet, the gentle scraping noises from the wall behind your bed, the slow spread of damp across […]
Charles broke into a sweat when he saw the hat. Wide straw brim and distinctive Halloween motifs around the crown. A pumpkin, black cat, ghost and a witch. ‘Don’t you like it?’ Juliet looked crestfallen. ‘I bought it at a yard sale. I thought it would be perfect for our first Halloween together.’ ‘I love […]
The children sleep softly this All Hallows Eve, wrapped in moonlight and dreams. Suzie snuggles with her favorite toy Fluffy, dark hair encirclng pink fur. I hold back a sob. My darling daughter must never know. Matthew grins in his sleep, chuckling at one of his tall tales. My own crooked smile trembles. My precious […]
“I am sorry, sweetheart, but this is the way it is.” Mrs Williams was getting ready to leave for her night shift at the hospital, and Tim, her 8 year old son, had to stay home alone on Halloween night. “I hate you!” Tim yelled back. “I never have any fun!” For Tim, it was […]
Two boys crept into a farmer’s field as the full moon glowed through the dark, velvet sky. “Over here,” said Liam, “I’m next to the scarecrow.” He had found a ginormous, orange pumpkin. Perfect for Halloween. “Wow,” said Asher, “It’s huge.” “Here, pass me your knife so I can cut the vine,” said Liam. But […]
When I wake up it is my birthday. Mom and Dad aren’t there, but I hear their voices, so I walk down. They are standing at the front window. They don’t hear me. I look out the window. I feel like I got up too early. Nothing looks right. The cars are upside down. The […]
The box arrives with no return address. Although it is addressed to her, she is hesitant to open it. The box has unusual wrapping – a metallic paper which diffuses light into a chaos of colors. What wonders must such a box contain! She opens the package and gazes inside expectantly. Contents reveal only disappointment. […]
My name is Rosemary. I am 10 years old and I have a problem- his name is Jack. He is the school bully and he’s in the same class as me. My best friend is my dog Sniff. I got him from the rescue home. Why did I name him Sniff? Well it’s because his […]
“Doña Isabel de Porcel,” I announce reverently, as we stand in front of her portrait. You look unimpressed. “My beloved,” I continue. “My one true love.” “In love with a painting? A woman from another century?” You throw back your head and laugh, then walk away muttering. “Estás loco! Possessed by a ghost!” But who […]
“Great party,” said Jane, swaying a little under the influence of cherry eyeball punch and trying to make out Ryan’s face in the ghoulish green light. “Yes,” agreed Ryan, “I thought a graveyard on a windswept hill would be perfect for a Halloween rave; no neighbours to disturb and out of the way of the […]
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