October 2010 Writing Challenge -- HareBrain Wins Again!

[HoopyFrood]

RULES:​

Write a story inspired by the chosen theme in no more than 75 words
The title is not part of the word count -- or the story
It should be a story, not simply description
It can be prose or poetry

One entry per person

All stories Copyright 2010 by their respective authors, who grant the Chronicles Network the non-exclusive right to publish them here.

​

Contest ends at 11:59 pm GMT, October 23 2010
Voting Ends at 11:59 pm GMT, October 29 2010
(October 31, in the event of a tie-breaker poll)​

You do not have to submit a story in order to vote -- in fact, we encourage all Chrons members to take part in choosing a winner​

The Magnificent Prize:​

The Dignified Congratulations/Grovelling Admiration of Your Peers
and the privilege of choosing next month's theme or genre​

To go with this particular month, the theme will be:

​

Trick Or Treat




Stories should be Science Fiction or Fantasy

Have at it, folks!​

 

[HareBrain]

Gift


I opened the door to autumn night. The Wanderer held out his closed hands.

‘Don’t choose,’ whispered Father. ‘You’re my last.’

But behind the Wanderer were the shades of my brothers, taken yearly, and my sister, first tricked.

Always the wrong hand. A doomed choice.

‘Here.’ I offered an apple.

The Wanderer's eye gleamed. Desiring the fruit hale, he opened his Blessed Hand to take it; and my kin were released into life, laughing.


.

 

[paranoid marvin]

In The Detail


"Another good day's work my Lord."

"Indeed , I'm going to have a hell of a job squeezing them all in soon"

"The staff find it soul destroying work , you know"

"Well , idle hands and all that"

"There's times though when it just doesnt seem fair "

"They're here of their own free will"

"Yes , but you always find ways to trick them"

"Hey, I AM the Devil"

"But they don't know that!"

"Treats them right then"

 

[R M Tobias]

Hook

“What’s a fella like you doing in a place like this.”

“Just looking.”

“Like what you see?” A pirouette in the darkness. “What you say Jonboy, forty and I’m yours for the night.”

Her right wing was torn and dull, but her left still fluttered with the colours of oil on water. Damaged goods, he thought. Still, a good time was a rare treat these days.

He reached into his pocket for the jack.

 

[Talysia]

One Night

For this one night, she was free. Tonight, spirits walked the land, wreaking chaos as they went, making the most of their temporary release. No mischief, no trick, was forgotten: elf-locks tied in the hair of oblivious sleepers, jars broken in every pantry, and much more besides. They'd show humanity not to forget them!

But what to do?

She smiled. One night wasn't long enough, but what a treat this would be!

 

[Sephiroth]

TRICKSTER’S TREATY

Callidus hefted the flag and made as if to plant it in the battlefield’s sodden turf. The enemy’s white ensign fluttered, proclaiming good faith. Trust and confidence walked hand in hand, bolstered by numbers and fed by Iactans, the unbeaten general who smirked at his adversary.

Callidus spun the flagpole to release a cruel blade which he slashed across the scornful commander's throat. His winged cavalry thundered from their ambuscade to crush the enemy flank.

 

[Deathfrommassive]

Picture Perfect

Black around the eyes, nose, and mouth ascent a white, pale face. A splash of red from the lips drips down her chin. Her tattered torn shirt and pants revealed dark red wounds. She looks up into my eyes with the look of panic and terror.

*Click*

“Great!” She says hopping up, “I want the see the picture. I bet I make the best zombie this year.”

I take her hand and we walk off.




(Dedocated to my step-daughter Hallie, sorry I'm going to miss Halloween this year.)

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Rantin' 'n' Ravin'


I sat writing by the fire, toiling mightily, inspired
As grim shadows lent their countenance to the ghastly castle's street

Suddenly the season's choir chimed and sent my heartbeat higher,
Yanked me up from out my seat

Sixty-six and nine were all the words I had in mind
But distraction stole my lines out of my head and stilled my feet

Tiny demons sang in line, dreaded words from out of time,


Trick or treat!

 

[Vertigo]

The Importance of Accurate Calendars

"Brother Timothy, how did this happen?"

"They tricked us, Father. We were assured Samhain fell on the first of November."

"We've only a handful in the congregation to celebrate All Hallows and them hung-over from last night's pagan rituals."

"Sorry, Father."

"Right, we'll try for the Winter Solstice next; we can celebrate the Nativity then. Treat them to a big feast."

"Excellent idea, Father."

"Make sure you get the date right this time!"

"Yes, Father."

 

[nixie]

HALLOWEEN

​

She drops a satsuma in each bag. "love your costumes" Peering at the children's green skin and old looking faces. They turn and walk away without a word.
As the door closes, the children fade. One turns to the other " Add her to the sour milk list, our one chance a year to stock up on human sweets and they suddenly go health conscious, 50 years I've been doing this,it's the worse haul ever"
​

 

[Mag the Mighty]

Samain

Diarmuid set his trophy heads around the farmstead’s boundary, foemen slain in honourable battle. Candles burned in their dead mouths. Their sightless, sleepless eyes stared into the cold night, guarding the fire-lit circle.

He left offerings from the harvest too. Fresh-slaughtered mutton; wrinkled autumn apples; blood-warm milk and new-baked bread, for the Fair Ones walked tonight. They crept between the homesteads, skin and bones and burning eyes, hungry, searching, bringing the winter with them.

 

[SynOfMan]

Old Man

An old man opened the door, a bowl of candy in his arms. Three faces greeted him. One had the mask of a devil, one wore white wings and a halo, and the last wore a costume of Death. “Run along now you three,” the man said as he gave them candy. As the two children left, the one with the devil mask said to the angel, “I wonder who else he was talking to.”

 

[BookStop]

The Flaming Bag of Dog Poo Classic Prank

“It’s even from her own dog.”

Tim pinched the bag shut and plunked it between the two jack-o-lanterns at the door as he sparked his lighter.

“Ring the bell as soon as I light it, and we’ll haul ass.”

Mark’s finger twitched over the doorbell, “Why’s her dog crap in your yard anyhow?”

“Marking my territory.”

Isabel’s snout finished forming, fur growing over cheeks and chin, as she sprung toward her Halloween treats.

 

[Precise Calibre]

The Herald


Three knocks...


I stood, candy-bowl in hand. When I opened the door, the porch was empty. A large, black coach sat in the street, a lit lantern on its seat; abandoned but for hitched horses.


Shrugging, I closed the door.


“No one there?” asked mom, sickly yet loving eyes peering from her bed.


“Just a strange wagon parked in the road,” I said.


Chuckling, she closed her eyes for the last time.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

November Eve

“Come ride with our fairy host.”
The fierce bright women whirl Connla into the air.

From village to village,
Like autumn leaves on a scurrying wind
Like an icy blast through a crack in the wall,
They scatter dreams like bright coins,
Breath nightmares into a miser’s ear.
Blessings and curses, houses to houses,
Faster and faster—

The day breaks cold as Conn reels home.
Was it a hundred years, or only a single night?

 

[The Procrastinator]

The Breaking of an Agreement


The cobbler's wife smoothed her apron contentedly. She had “forgotten” to put out the milk last night too, but all seemed well. She blew out the candle.


As she closed the workshop door, the house shook and rang like a bell. All night a howling shriek kept John and Mary from sleep. Dawn revealed utter ruination.


Mary began to weep. John held her at arm's length.


“What have you done, woman? What have you done?”

 

[mosaix]

Harry Whittaker Turns His Back On His Chance Of Fame…


Harry didn't enjoy the company of others, especially children, but he did enjoy a dark night, an open fire, a good book and a glass of wine - until a noise from the garden distracted him.

"Not again!"

He laid down his glass, gritted his teeth and strode purposefully to the door.

It was much as he had expected, wizened features, mis-shapen eyes, gaping mouths and ridiculous clothes.

“T…”

SLAM!

“…ake us to your leader.”

 

[BaileyD]

Last Log of the Druid 31st October, 2310.

“...The Crew refused to accept terms and chose to mutiny...
When they caught up with me... by the shuttlebay doors, I wasn’t, as they assumed, trying to escape... I was on my way back inside.
I may be bleeding to death, but they are going to get one hell of a surprise when they open those doors...
Ship self destruct sequence initiated; Captain J. Lantarn out...”

 

[Karn Maeshalanadae]

A Special Trick

Kardinin sighed in resignation as he heard his doorbell ring. To his surprise, it was a female demon that appeared.
“Um, can I help you?” he asked.
“Yeah, I have a message for you,” she said. A flame appeared in her hand, extinguishing itself into a note on parchment. Kardinin took the note and read it, his face turning white.
“Trick or treat,” the demoness said. Reaching into his chest, she pulled out his soul.
​

​

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

A deal is a deal.

I opened the door, bleary eyed, half asleep.

"Trick or Treat mister?" they demanded.

Last year, I’d given them candy and soda; they ransacked my trash anyway.

This year would be different; I’d had enough. I expect a deal to be honoured.

I reached for my pipe, and played my favourite ditty.

All the children followed, laughing and skipping in garish costumes.

The mountain took them, it always did.

They’re still there, petrified in stone.