Ok, I've won a few things in my life... mostly raffle type contests BUT up until a week ago I had only won one thing based on talent. In 5th grade, I won my elementary schools poetry contest and it started me on a path of seeking glory and adoration that continue to this day.
Last week, I won something else. I entered the MomWriters Halloween writing contest and I won.... Ok, I won third place but out of 24 entries voted on by other writers... that's not too shabby!
So without further droning... here is the third place winner! Enjoy!
The Halloween Dreading
This was her favorite time of year. Between the colors and thesmells, there was nothing about this season she didn't adore… exceptfor this day. She hated this day and she hated what she knew she would become.
"I'll just be strong", she thought as she put the finishing touches on her daughter's ghost costume but she knew she didn't really have any control. Her hands shook so, the eye holes in the sheet didn't lineup and she had to cut more. "Well, she could always be a slice of swiss cheese", she sighed as she held the costume up to the light. "Maybe she won't want to go tonight… maybe we can pretend it isn't Halloween."
But it was Halloween and the little girl was excited to be ghost, regardless of how many eyes it had. As she watched her daughter tripping down the sidewalk, she prayed that things would be different this night. She simply couldn't bear to hurt that little girl.
The moon, which started out so large and pale, had risen further in the sky, becoming smaller and brighter. She didn't want to go home because she knew that was where it would happen, but she also knew they couldn't stay out all night long.
The walk home was excruciating. Her mouth was dry, her stomach was in knots and she was both sweaty and cold. She tried to think of a wayto avoid what she knew was unavoidable. She looked at her little girl, who was twisting her neck to see out of the askew eye holes, and prayed that this curse would not pass on.
A tooth brushing, a face washing and a few Eskimo kisses later, her daughter was tucked safely in bed.
"I'll just go to bed too! It can't happen tonight! It won't happen tonight!", but she could already feel it starting. She shut her bedroom door locking herself in… She crawled into bed and pulled the covers up over her head. The full moon, now high in the sky, was shining through the window as if it were a spotlight illuminating the terror that would soon unfold. She fought it until she could fight no more... then, with one swift move she jumped from her bed and began her rampage. Soon the once quiet home was filled with sounds of gnashing teeth, ripping, and moaning. Once she started, she couldn't stop herself until moon beams gave way to sun beams.
She heard a soft tapping at the door but before she could run and hide, in walked the little girl screaming at the sight of her mother surrounded by candy wrappers and an empty orange pumpkin shaped bucket. Terrified and ashamed, she held up the one piece of candy that survived the night's annihilation. "At least I saved you a gummybear this year!"
