HorrorFest '08

Never Again

I pulled myself through the marsh; water covered my legs to my knees. I looked around and didn’t see any sign of Derek. The sun had just started to rise over the horizon and the dark water seemed to give away to the light. Derek had to be somewhere. I held a tree for support and watched the bare branches sway this way and that. They seemed to reach for the sky like the fingers of a needy child. Clouds tinted gold lit my way as the sun moved up the sky like a zipper revealing day.

Tired and exhausted; I made my way further into the labyrinth of the marsh in search of my younger brother. He’d been missing for three days now and there was a chance that he had wondered into the marsh that lay on the outskirts of town. The water raised and surrounded my head as I tripped over a tree root and landed head first in the murky water.

I didn’t have time to breathe before I screamed; water instantly wound its choking way down my throat. I thrashed and stumbled backwards from the tree root. Derek’s body floated upside down on the other side of the root. His skin was blue and his glasses were broken. I cried out; pain striking my heart for my brother. I looked to the clouds for an answer. Why kill a five year old? I hit the water; it rippled and Derek swayed with the tide. I hid my head between my knees and cried. I would never forget today; I sat there so long that the sun started to zip the earth back up in its cool embrace. I unhooked Derek and carried him out of the dreadful marsh. Never again would I ever think of returning.

Poppin’s Invade

Curtains drawn; Timothy glanced out at the setting suns in fear. Darkness would come soon and so would they. He watched the last remaining licks of light lap at the earth and then slowly fades behind the horizon. Timothy glared as the dark purple sky replaced the safe one he longed for. With night came the creatures that made fear creep up your spine. The pipes were lit and their blue hue brightened small portions of each rooftop.

Timothy’s mother rushed in and pulled him from the windowsill. She drew the curtains and frantically whispered, “Timothy stay away from the windows! Promise me you‘ll stay away from the windows?” She peeked out the side and almost lost her composure; they had begun running the rooftops in search of food. “Shit their here!” She dropped Timothy and ran into the other rooms and closed the curtains quickly.

Timothy sat on the floor and quietly toyed with his trucks. His mother limped back into his room and locked the door behind her. She smiled; crow’s feet touching the sides of her eyes and wrinkles he hadn’t noticed before seemed more defined. Timothy sighed and crawled to her bare legs. She sat cross-legged and pulled him into a loving embrace. Soon enough timothy could hear the peaceful sounds of her snores and he crept out of her arms.

Timothy went to the window and opened the curtain wide. Men were on the rooftops doing a jig with broomsticks; intrigued Timothy slowly opened the window. Something didn’t seem right to him but he crawled out anyway. They suddenly stopped dancing and their noses went to the dark sky. One glared at Timothy and tilted his head to the left. There was a high screech and he went running at Timothy.

Suddenly in the air, Timothy was jerked back threw the window in time to see the creature/ man crash against it and fall in a fit of rage. His mother held him against herself and cried, “Stupid child never play with pipers.”

Deadly Curious

Lifelessly still water sits and waits for the long awaited wave to send it moving from the trap its set in. Two islands sit together reaching for one another but always coming too short. Daniel walked across the embankment of one and stared at the other island. His feet leave prints in the snow and his breath came out in white smoke from the chill. Hands dug into his pockets; he started to wonder what it must be like having his island for a view. It’s probably dreadfully dull and irritating to see a thorn in your side. He figured that must be their first reaction because that was his.

Daniel looked back at his footprints and saw that he had gouged a deep hole in the snow. Smiling; he smudged the prints and hopped in his tiny boat. What lie ahead? He had no idea what was in store for him. He crossed the lake quickly and soon found that he had a bad feeling about the island.

Daniel slowed motor of the boat and lightly smacked the side of a building. He hadn’t noticed that before. He tied his boat and went searching for anything of interest. Nothing intrigued him except the stone gray building that sat on the waters edge. His curiosity burned as much as Pandora’s. He had to see what was inside.

Daniel crept to the doors and removed the bar across them. Why was there need for a bar? He slowly pulled one open and peered in. There was nothing, he couldn’t see through black darkness that seemed to swirl inside. He started to close the door, abandoning all hope on the tomb. “Mister? Can you please help me mister? Please?” Like the coo of a dove he heard a tiny voice and turned. Was someone in there? Daniel’s mind leapt with the worst possible situations.

“Hold on my dear.” He tiptoed into the mouth of darkness and was consumed from it. Daniel held the wall and made his way in further. The doors closed and he jumped around in fear. He stood there, his heart pounding. “La la la la la la…” A hypnotic voice sang. Daniel tried to see something but there was no light available.

Suddenly he screamed and he was pushed down under some animal with teeth. There was a loud screech and then Daniel’s head was torn off. Licking its lips more creatures surrounded Daniel until all that was left was mere bones.