SHORT STORY
Ominous clouds seemed to be holding their breath from the eastern sky, ready to release their fury. Howling winds roared with ferocity as if they were on a mission to wipe out everything below. Some trees were acrobatic as their gymnastic displays would rival most contortionists. Others were not so skilful as their performances were below par to the viewer. They fell on the stage with a thud resulting in torn costumes. Some even exposed their bottoms. Nonetheless, the orchestra played the symphony, often hitting the crescendo. Thirty-five year-old, Susan was alone and had been asleep in an abandoned cottage that owned no proper windows. She sprang up from the floor where she normally made her bed.
The spacious land was the caretaker of many tall trees, crawling creatures, and phantom visitors who always seem to appear only at nights. Some wore decorated teeth, others, had two or three that blended with their gums. Yet, there were those who were just gummy. Their eyes always seemed to glistened in the dark. Most seemed to go to the same hairdresser who had a bias for silvery thin hair.
These visitors always seemed happy. Some laughed with gusto while others would let go a shrieking sound. And they often danced to a rhythm that was distant. Susan detested their visits. But they loved her company. Funnily, they never touched her.
That night the clouds finally broke and collapsed across the land. Barrels of water poured from heaven. Susan, though huddled in a corner felt strangely safe. She was conscious that the rains came from a good place-- the heavens. So, she reasoned she would be unbothered by her nightly visitors.
Through the torrential downpour and unrelenting assault of the winds a familiar song was heard. Susan's friends came out and took the stage. Their costumes were varied. Most sported ragged apparels and ratty shoes. But they laughed explosively. The cottage shook. Susan quivered. The music became louder. And the troupe danced and danced and danced. Three members of the cast broke ranks and got closer to Susan. She screamed. Their faces seemed to touch hers. She ran in horror.
Her parents heard her scream and found her fallen off her bed. It was Halloween morning. © Wallace Paul October, 2024.
Ominous clouds seemed to be holding their breath from the eastern sky, ready to release their fury. Howling winds roared with ferocity as if they were on a mission to wipe out everything below. Some trees were acrobatic as their gymnastic displays would rival most contortionists. Others were not so skilful as their performances were below par to the viewer. They fell on the stage with a thud resulting in torn costumes. Some even exposed their bottoms. Nonetheless, the orchestra played the symphony, often hitting the crescendo. Thirty-five year-old, Susan was alone and had been asleep in an abandoned cottage that owned no proper windows. She sprang up from the floor where she normally made her bed.
The spacious land was the caretaker of many tall trees, crawling creatures, and phantom visitors who always seem to appear only at nights. Some wore decorated teeth, others, had two or three that blended with their gums. Yet, there were those who were just gummy. Their eyes always seemed to glistened in the dark. Most seemed to go to the same hairdresser who had a bias for silvery thin hair.
These visitors always seemed happy. Some laughed with gusto while others would let go a shrieking sound. And they often danced to a rhythm that was distant. Susan detested their visits. But they loved her company. Funnily, they never touched her.
That night the clouds finally broke and collapsed across the land. Barrels of water poured from heaven. Susan, though huddled in a corner felt strangely safe. She was conscious that the rains came from a good place-- the heavens. So, she reasoned she would be unbothered by her nightly visitors.
Through the torrential downpour and unrelenting assault of the winds a familiar song was heard. Susan's friends came out and took the stage. Their costumes were varied. Most sported ragged apparels and ratty shoes. But they laughed explosively. The cottage shook. Susan quivered. The music became louder. And the troupe danced and danced and danced. Three members of the cast broke ranks and got closer to Susan. She screamed. Their faces seemed to touch hers. She ran in horror.
Her parents heard her scream and found her fallen off her bed. It was Halloween morning. © Wallace Paul October, 2024.