Aimee Laine » What waits in the shadows and doles out riches one at a time?

What waits in the shadows and doles out riches one at a time?

On October 28, 2011 by Aimee

Rotting, sagging orbs dripping with spilled innards dot the pathway. Spots of light flicker, casting ghostly shadows along dark concrete. The moon hides behind growing clouds. A chill raises the hairs on the back of your neck. Shivers wrack your extremities.

A dog howls.

Black birds take flight from a leafless tree, cawing into the open sky.

Decay permeates the air as a deep fog trickles up from the edges, softly, but growing thick and moving closer.

And closer. Filling the space. Separating you. From destiny.

One step.

Another.

Feet press forward as the jitters take hold, shaking hands and arms, the desire to turn around and run far greater than the wish for what awaits.

“Go on,” she says. “It’s your turn.”

A shove to your shoulder forces you one step closer. To the end. Cackling breaks through the silence of the night.

You freeze. Gasp. Inhale.

“Hurry up!” she says again. “We haven’t got all night.”

Waiting.

Wondering.

I can do this.

No, I can’t.

You turn back. “You go.”

“Nuh unh,” she says. “It’s … your … turn.”

A slow return and the dark face looms again. Light from two suns sear your pupils. A blink brings the scene back in focus. Nothing has changed. Danger still lurks.

What waits beyond must be worth it.

You’ve been told a thousands times.

Slowly at first, you race through, whipping away from the flames of the orbs — safety no longer at issue.

You reach out as the creak begins.

The door.

Opening.

An inch at a time.

Your body trembles as you hold your hands tight.

Farther still.

Until …

In the frame …

A black hat keeps a face in shadow. A long robe hides a body in states unknown. A wrinkly hand extends beyond the sleeve as a black cat mews and snakes itself around and back.

“Hello, little one,” the masked creature says — female from the voice.

Words escape you.

“How are you this evening?”

Nothing will permeate the barrier of your lips.

She dips fingers inside a black bowl, swirling around and sending chalkboard like sounds to chill your spine. “Now then,” she says. “What would you like to say?”

Click —–> for the answer.

Happy Halloween!

You’ve just participated in the Romance Girls Gone Goblin Blog Hop! Click the link to check out other participants and be sure to register for their Halloween giveaways!

Who hasn’t been a little freaked out by the elaborately carved pumpkins someone clearly, painstakingly carved for this year’s Halloween treat? The desire for candy far out weighs scary-faced pumpkins that have been outside a week or two too long. Or the scary lady dress in a devil costume who’ll only give out one piece (oh, wait … that’s me). 😉 But ask my girls about their first trick or treating experience and it’ll sound/look a little like what was written above. Neither of them wanted to go up to doors or ring those bells. Neither of them. It took 3 years before one or the other would brave the extras our neighbors set up. Not to worry. They are now officially ready to beat back the scaries and earn their prizes.

Here’s a chance for YOU to get a prize without getting spooked on Halloween night!

Share your kid’s (or your) favorite or scariest moment in the comments for a chance to win: