OCTOBER

 

Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash

“They’re coming to get you, Barbara.” 

—Johnny, Night of the Living Dead

It's one of the scariest movies ever made. No other Zombie movie has come close, at least in my opinion. It didn't help that I grew up in the area where it was filmed, so I may be a bit prejudiced. 😊

But folks...

It’s that time…

For frights slights

and epic delights

Devils and angels

Bats and werewolves

Witches and demons

Monsters and ghouls

It’s Halloween

And I’m the Queen!

😉 

“Welcome to my Nightmare”

Don't you just love fall and Halloween? I know I do. So, for October, I've posted flash fiction stories, one each Friday, and another on Tuesday, some new but all rewritten from earlier posts. I tried to keep them to 500 words or less. Most were originally close to 1000 words, so I didn't get there every time. A few were updates, what happened next, or just a slight change, but for most all of them I tried to up the horror. 😱

The final story on October 31st is new, just for this Halloween.

I hope you enjoy this year's Halloween Celebration!

And to wet your appetite here's an oldie but goodie...

BRAISED HEART

Donna admired the gleaming counters and spotless floor. The scent of bread and braised heart erased the smell of blood and bleach.

“Dinner is served,” she sang, lifting Clive’s unfaithful heart from the oven.

Dusty wound around her ankles, purring approval.

“Really—who imagines two-timing Hannibal’s daughter comes without a price?”

Dusty meowed.

She chuckled. “If Clive had guessed the truth…”

The cat sprang onto the counter, eyes bright with something almost human.

Donna’s grin sharpened. She tapped the blade against the roasted heart.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “Daddy always said—cannibalism isn’t a crime. It’s a family recipe.”

~100 words~

Yolanda Renee Stout © 2015

~~***~~

And here is a list of the stories I'm providing this Month along with a teaser tagline!

********************

Friday, October 3^rd     INSOMNIA

Tagline: "Insomnia is no longer your curse…it’s your invitation."

Tuesday, October 7^th     GODDESS

         Tagline: Some encounters are too beautiful to be real

Friday, October 10^th     SACRIFICE

Tagline: Sacrifice isn’t just an ancient practice.

Tuesday, October 14^th     REVISITED

Tagline: One Halloween, the mist came for her… and it’s returned

Friday, October 17^th     OBSESSION

Tagline: Death cannot sever the ties of obsession

Tuesday, October 21^st     THE BEASTS BENEATH

Tagline: A husband’s anger turns into a deadly game of survival.

Friday, October 24^th     HUNTERS

Tagline: Beware the allure of beauty… it may eat your mind and your soul.

Tuesday, October 28^th     JACK

Tagline: Some killers never die—they just wait in the fog. 

Friday, October 31^st     RITUAL

Tagline: The past can be a deadly place to visit.

FYI:

I've used ChatGPT, Copilot, and Grammarly to edit my work. I found the results interesting and, at times, disappointing, especially when AI changed my word choice or completely misunderstood the whole point of the story, to downright word selection errors that even I, a dyslexic grammar failure, could recognize.

I learned that perfection cannot be guaranteed no matter what editor you use. Still, I hope you enjoy the Halloween stories—they are all meant to entertain!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash

 

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED TREES

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

 I’VE ALWAYS LOVED TREES

So beautiful as they sway in the breeze

like skeleton hands

using the language of the deaf

reminds me of Jeff

the man hung until his death

it wasn’t quick

but mr slick

got what he deserved

outmaneuvered by women

his skin, now thin like linen

those he denigrated in life

he couldn’t fight in death

on Halloween night

at 12:01 AM

the souls he stole

made quick work of that fool.

Muhahahaha!

YRS © 2024

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

O YE OF LITTLE FAITH

 

Photo by Abdu Rahman on Unsplash

O Ye of Little Faith

You call us cute

but we stay mute

we’re more than you imagine

spells we cast with abandon

don’t cross our path

or ill will you’ll have

all your days through

she might be the witch

but we’re the true bitch

so don’t dimiss

for I’ll get my wish

death won’t be sweet

as daily you’ll repeat

the disaster we fashion

for Halloween is our passion!

Muhahahahaha!

YRS © 2024

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by Sašo Tušar on Unsplash

UNBURIED

 

Photo by Jon Butterworth on Unsplash

UNBURIED

The nights are chill

the days, hotter than hell

my bones ache

all due to a pesky snake

and the soil is never dry

at least there are no more flies

but the comfort of a grave

it’s all so depraved

to be unburied

but it’s definitely better than being married!

Muhahahahaha!

YRS © 2024

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash

XX

 

SEANCE

 

Photo by coincidence on Unsplash

SEANCE

Candlelight flickers

a few novices snicker

flowers offer comfort

a reminder of summer

the medium enters

takes a seat at the center

no smile is offered

even after mine is proffered

Halloween she says

a night of spirit play

will their presence

be an answer to prayer

or will you all become

their prey.

Muahahaha!

YRS © 2024

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by Mark Rall on Unsplash

Tagline: Beware the known unknown.

Add your story link here:

DAY "30" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Pay Attention

My back might be turned.

no need for concern

I'm observing

as I always do

the many victims

that'll get their due

are you one of them

have you heeded my warning

or will all Hallows Eve

find you're one of them!

MUAHAHAHAHA!

***

Yolanda Renée © 2023

 

Photo by Jon Butterworth on Unsplash

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DAY "29" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Iswanto Arif on Unsplash

SIREN'S SONG

I hear the siren's song and long to be in my lover's arms.

She haunts me on land and sea. Beautiful, sultry, and true. Kisses that taste of honey. A body that gives all and more.

The siren tempts my soul with sweet promises, the serenity of a tropical island. Blue skies, fruit, and fish prepared just so and vows that she'll always be at my sexual beck-n-call.

However, I've heard a rumor. Once my beauty's satisfied, I'll be put out to pasture until dinner's next call.

Seriously, though, I'm wholly against being on the menu after just one ball.

100 words

Yolanda Renee ©

MUHAHAHAHA

May not be Hallowe'eny

but then again

Siren's eat men

case made

wouldn't you say?

 

 Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DAY "28" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Jennifer Marquez on Unsplash

SWEET KISSES

 

She's beautiful, so sweet

enticing, exciting

a woman to behold

to worship

to take home

to make her your own

but it's Halloween

is she truly your queen

remember, this is the night

 truth is masked

personalities hidden

nothing's forbidden

do you dare

make your move

take a chance

she may choose you

instead of the prince

trying to convince her

with gold and frankincense

oh, look, you've caught her eye

still, she played shy

but you've won the night

and quickly took flight

at midnight

finally isolated

her kiss was all yours

in her arms, you were clasped

under her power, finally cast

she literally sucked you dry

not blood, but breath and life

she came away more beautiful

you came away re-usable

a plant stand

wow, what a man

I'd say you've won

a heavenly death

better than a gun

in the arms of love

there's nothing sweeter

than the kiss

of a succubus man-eater

MUAHAHAHAHA!

***

Yolanda Renee © 2023

Photo by Paul Cuoco on Unsplash

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DAY "27" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Andrés Gómez on Unsplash

Another dawn

and we're not gone

we made a pledge

and our word

is our bond!

100 words

for all you nerds

who suffer coulrophobia.

MUAHAHAHAHA!

The Perfect Child

They say you're safe during the day. But I can attest that it's not true. At a carnival when I was two, a sweet-looking clown made me smile. Then quickly disappeared with me in a pouch.

Twenty years later. I'm the clown. Red hair, red nose, and a pouch ready to go. I can make them laugh too. And the perfect child I will have soon.

But Mommy's overly protective, so I follow them home. Distracted and on the phone, her sweet little guy will be mine soon.

One day he'll delight the crowds to find his perfect child.

***

100 words

Yolanda Renee © 2023

*** 

In case you didn't know

coulrophobia is the fear of clowns.

Photo by Nong on Unsplash

Not funny

Not cute

But neither is a clown

in an oversized suit

MUAHAHAHAHA!

***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DAY "25" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Paolo Conversano on Unsplash

You Can't Hide

I've found your abode. It didn't take long. Your heavenly scent was easily followed.

A lovely Victorian. I was shocked it was hidden so deep in the woods. Please come out, my dear. The night is so beautiful. The moon is high, and my hunger for you grows.

Don't fear. I could never hurt you. You'll be a queen. You'll sit at my right hand and be mother to our young whelps.

We met by chance, but our coupling is blessed. Please, dear heart, come to the door. Don't make me huff and puff and blow your lovely house down!

***

100 Words

Yolanda Renee © 2023

***

MUAHAHAHAHA!

Did you expect it this time?

A drabble instead of a rhyme?

I'm full of surprises

I've lots of disguises

You'll see I've even more

I'll even the score

just me and my

ravens, forevermore.

***

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Photo by Camila Quintero Franco on Unspla

DAY "24" OF THE HAUNTING

 

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

 

DANGEROUS

Say it girls

he's definitely dangerous

so handsome

so sly

just right

for a bawdy night

but do we dare

will his fangs flare

will we end up

just part of his lair

we all want top billing

not a killing

to be held in his arms

away from all harm

to be kissed so deeply

there is no beginning 

 no end

his touch would be magical

not tragical

for surely he's real

and not out for a kill

just look at that face

not a trace of mean

but oh dear, it is Halloween.

MUAHAHAHAHA!

***

Yolanda Renée © 2023

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

DAY "23" OF THE HAUNTING

 Photo by Richard Loader on Unsplash

THE FOG

The fog is gathering again. Evil lives in its depths. And I know I'm a victim. Last Halloween, while on my way home, the car suddenly stopped. I had plenty of gas, and the battery was new. But no matter what I did, the damn thing wouldn't start.

A mile yet to go. I could do that. I'd be home in fifteen minutes. I gathered my belongings. Right before stepping out of the car, I saw the fog. It was approaching fast. Blowing in waves like thick smoke pushed by an otherworldly wind. There was no breeze, but watching it move belied that.

I locked the car door and ran home. My heel caught and broke. I kicked my shoes off and continued barefoot. Superstition about the fog urged me forward.

But something grabbed me from behind. I was at his mercy.

A knife slashed my cheek. I kicked backward and somehow got free. I raced to the door, key in hand, and I was inside just as the fog reached my porch. The clock chimed midnight.

I was bloody, but I was alive. And the fog had disappeared.

Tonight, a year later, it's Halloween once again.

The temperature keeps dropping, and the fog has surrounded my house. Death's come to finish the job.

The chill of fear brittles my bones. I close the curtains, check all the locks, and return to the dining room to ensure the patio door is double-locked. But I'd already done that several times. I was on edge, unable to think straight. Terror had me in its talons.

As the clock began the countdown to midnight, I breathed a sigh of relief. But then noticed the fog seeping in from every crevice. Even locked doors wouldn't keep death out. He's come for me again. I ran to the bathroom shower and turned on the cold water. Surly, cold water will kill the fog and keep me safe. Just a few more chimes till midnight…

     The next morning:

"That psycho slasher has struck again," the police officer tells the detective as he walks into my house.

~~**~~

350 Words

Yolanda Renée © 2023

Photo by wild vibes on Unsplash

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!