Fall Writing Frenzy 2022

It’s that time of year again, time for the #FallWritingFrenzy contest. This fun Fall contest, hosted by Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez, offers fantastic prizes by some very generous donors, with the added bonus of connecting with fellow writers. Read more about Fall Writing Frenzy on Lydia’s blog.

The rules are pretty straightforward; choose one of the picture prompts that most inspires you, and write a spooky, funny, scary, beautiful…whatever-suits-your-style story, in 200 words or less.

I tried something different this year, and went dark and spooky. I even scared myself a little while writing this story. See what you think!

Halloween Karma

Paul had been driving all day, searching for the perfect pumpkin. He planned on carving the most ghoulish, sinister jack-o-lantern that ever existed.

He hated Halloween with its trick-or-treaters, ringing his doorbell all night long, begging for candy. This year will be different. They won’t dare come up on his porch when they see his gruesome creation.

He smiled evilly, thinking of Cora, his old next door neighbor. Paul hadn’t seen her in ages. She had hated Halloween too. She used to dress up as a wicked witch, cackling and shrieking on her porch – no one dared to trick-or-treat at her house.

In the fading light of dusk, he saw a sign: Pumpkin Patch Ahead.  Rolling his creaky truck to a stop, he climbed out and looked around.

He didn’t see a soul. Probably closed.

Ah who cares, he thought. They won’t miss one pumpkin.

He fumbled silently in the dark, feeling for the biggest pumpkin.

 Paul,” a voice whispered.

He froze. “Who’s there?” he croaked, his heart pounding.

He turned to run, trampling over pumpkins, slipping on squash.

Shrieks and cackles filled the night air.

 “I’ve been waiting for you,” sneered Cora.

“You’re going to love living here.”