Here Comes the Knock

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by Paula R. C. Readman

 

Streetlights darken.

Laughter fills the air.

Eager fresh faces dart everywhere.

“Trick or Treat,” echoes in porches.

I drop the grubby net curtain. Anticipation races through me. Ghosts from my past gather.

I wait in the shadows. The razor in my hand gleams.

Here comes the knock.

Laughter bubbles in my throat. Haven’t their parents warned them about stranger danger?

“Trick or Treat, Mister?”

The blade bites as it finds its mark.

How sweet and warm is the spray of blood as it runs down my face. Young flesh is far sweeter than their sugary sweets.

“My treat, I think!”

 

Paula R. C. Readman

Paula R. C. Readman taught herself ‘How to Write’ from books which her husband purchased from eBay.  After 250 purchases, he finally told her ‘just to get on with the writing’.  Since 2010, she’s had 29 stories published and is now busy editing her novel again.

Blog: paulareadman1.wordpress.com

 

The Wackiest Star Ship in the Space Force

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by John H. Dromey

 

A doorbell rang. A door creaked open. A cloaked figure stood on the porch.

“Who’re you?”

The apparition answered, “A ghost from your childhood past. When you pushed me into the deep end, you knew I couldn’t swim.”

“Larry?”

“Yep. Trick or treat.”

“Scram! You’re not real.”

“Are you sure, Spaceman? I have lots of tricks up my sleeve.” The hand and wrist bones of a skeleton emerged. “See? Lots of room.”

The astronaut clutched his chest.

The hologram figure faded.

The pranksters on Earth had turned off the switch. “Curses! Our Holo-ween trick backfired. We scared him to death.”

 

John H. Dromey

John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, USA. In addition to contributing to the Dark Drabbles series of anthologies from Black Hare Press, he’s had short fiction published in 50-Word Stories (Tim Sevenhuysen’s website), Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere.

 

Anniversary of the Mask Murders

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by Joshua D. Taylor

 

Chris and Sara stared at the abandoned and dilapidated monster mask factory.  The windows were shattered and forgotten police tape flapped in the chilly October breeze.

“I can’t believe twenty-three people were stabbed to death here last Halloween,” Chris said.

“I know, and that masked maniac is still out there somewhere.  Just waiting.”

“The police think it’s someone from town.  It could be someone we know.”

“Maybe.  You should have seen this place, all over covered in blood.”

“What do you mean?  You weren’t there.”

“Wasn’t I?” Sara asked, plunging a knife into Chris’s throat then pulling on her mask.

 

Joshua D. Taylor

Joshua D. Taylor is an author from Southeastern Pennsylvania who never stopped playing make-believe.  He lives with his wife and a one-eared cat. He loves to mix-n-match things from different genres and story elements to achieve a madcap hodgepodge of the truly unexpected.

www.facebook.com/authorjoshuadtaylor  

 

A Family Hallowe’en

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by Connie R. Watson

 

With a final slice, Jace completed his carving. He wiped the blood off his knife and stepped back.

Dad looked really cool. The lit candle inside his hollow head cast an eerie light through his vacant eye sockets and gaping mouth.

Jace smiled, turning to the pumpkin they got at the patch that morning. “How’s it look, Timmy?”

“Great job,” Timmy said. “One more to go.”

Jace nodded. He gave the rag he’d used on Dad a quick sniff. There was still enough bleach and acetone mixture to take care of Mom, too.

This would be the best Hallowe’en ever.

 

Connie R. Watson

Since she was a teenager, Connie R. Watson has enjoyed writing fantasy stories, but recently discovered a new love for sci-fi, folktales, and poetry. You can find out more about Connie and her work by visiting her website connierwatson.com.

 

Party Favours

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by J.S. Carnes

 

Cindy manoeuvred through fake cobwebs lining the maze. As much as she loved creating haunted houses, tearing it down became tedious in the holiday’s afterglow.

“Of course, no one stays to help.” She combed through the twists and turns dropping decorations in boxes, the loose trash would have to wait for tomorrow.

Stacked boxes marked 10/31 gradually replaced haunted gimmicks.

She reached the final room.

Fake cobwebs covered a crucified clown above bowls of candy corn. Smeared makeup and blood dripped down coating the treats and filling the bowl.

Cindy sighed, “I told them not to kill the neighbours.”

 

J.S. Carnes

J.S. Carnes is an emerging author. He uses his love of imagination, conversation, and exploration to inspire his creative exploits. Keep up-to-date via Facebook: www.facebook.com/JSCarnes