Horrifying Halloween Writing Contest [Winners Announced]

It has been the perfect night to grab a good cup of caramel coco and read several of the short stories, i think I have read them all, are there some which do not have the tile HHWC?

Originally posted by antar
...are there some which do not have the tile HHWC?

I don't know. Haven't gone a'hunting.

If anyone has forgotten to place HHWC into their title, please mention it here or send me a U2U. I'll personally edit it in and submit your story into the contest (if it fits within the rulez).

reply to post by masqua


I sat up last night until my back hurt reading all the ones I had not gotten to yet, it was a pleasure to do so and well worth the time spent. I appreciate all the people who come to this forum, I mean you would never know just how talented our members are otherwise.

I sure hope there will be more, and as we draw closer to Halloween my kids really enjoy reading the spooky stories along with me for their reading credit, last night I sat with my 10 year old and read one of them, he got just a bit spooked so I pre-read the others to make sure they were family friendly...

So far all of them are really spot on as far as the theme and the time of year.

masqua, I really wish we could write more than one for the contest...

Originally posted by antar
masqua, I really wish we could write more than one for the contest...

Oh, but you can...

In da rulez: One story per contestant. Member can replace story submissions at any time and as often as they like. Please U2U me for replacements

For the sake of the judges, only one of the stories can be submitted into the contest, but there's no limit on the number of stories one can write. Whichever story a contestant thinks makes for the best chance at winning is the one which should be entered prior to the end of the contest.

Great! The evenings are getting cold around here, I have the first cord being delivered this afternoon, sitting by the fire, writing, one of my favorite things to do.

I am leaving the forum right now though to order 6packs for tomatoes to sell in the spring, I hope to sell 5,000 of the little buggers to the hungry locals. Last spring I did pretty good but not near enough supply for the demand.

Since I'm in the mood to share stories I will add this one from the Spanish culture... and my beloved Southwestern birth place...
before you read this story first know that in old southwestern lore when a Bruja (Bad Witch) was killed they chopped up her body and buried the pieces at a crossroads arms legs and torso at the four corners the head in the center of said intersection. It is said that when you encounter the spirit of a Bruja it will be at a crossroads....Don't know if it was ever really done but that is the story... reportedly true...

still you chose to believe or not I'm only sharing a story remember.


_____________________________________________________________
My friend Isabela called me one evening before dinner. She was sobbing as she told me that she and her husband Enrique were getting divorced. He had moved out of the house earlier that day and Isabela was distraught.

I called my husband, who was on a business trip in Chicago, and he agreed that I should go stay with Isabela for a few days to help her during this difficult time. I packed a small suitcase and got right into the car. It was late, and it would take me at least four hours to drive from my home to Sante Fe. Isabela was expecting me to arrive around midnight.

As I traveled down the dark, wet highway, I kept feeling chills, as if someone or something were watching me. I kept looking in the rear view mirror, and glancing into the back seat. No one was there. Don't be ridiculous, I told myself, wishing fervently that I was home in my bed instead of driving on a dark, rainy highway. There was almost no traffic, and I heartily wished that I would soon reach Sante Fe.

I turned off the highway just before I reached the city, and started down the side roads that led to Isabela's house. As I approached a small crossroads, I saw a woman step into the street directly in front of my car. I shrieked in fright and slammed on my brakes, praying I would miss her.

The car shuddered to a halt, and I looked frantically around for the woman. Then I saw her, right beside my window, looking in at me. She had the face of a demon, twisted, eyes glowing red, and short pointed teeth. I screamed as she leapt at my window, her clawed hands striking the glass. I put my foot down on the accelerator and the car leapt forward. For a few terrible moments, she ran along side the car, keeping up easily and striking at me again and again. Then she fell behind and in the rear view mirror I saw her growing taller and taller, until she was as large as a tree. Red light swirled around her like mist, and she pointed after me, her mouth moving though I could not make out the words. I jerked my attention back to the road, afraid what might happen to me if my car ran off the street.

I made it to Isabela's house in record time and flung myself out of the car, pounding on her door frantically and looking behind me to see if the demon-faced woman had followed me. Isabela came running to the door and let me in.

"Shut the door! Shut it!" I cried frantically, brushing past her into the safety of the house.

"Jane, what is wrong?" she asked, slamming the door shut. She grabbed my hand and led me into the living room. I sank onto the couch and started sobbing in fear and reaction. After several minutes, I managed to gasp out my story. Isabela gasped and said: "Are you sure you were at a crossroads when you saw her?"

I nodded, puzzled by her question.

"It must have been La malhora," Isabela said, wringing her hands.

"The bad hour?" I asked.

"This is bad, Jane. Very bad," Isabela cried. "La Malhora only appears at a crossroads when someone is going to die."

Ordinarily, I would have laughed at such a superstition, but the appearance of the demon-woman had shaken me. Isabela got me a cup of hot cocoa, brought my luggage in from the car, and sent me to bed. She was so concerned for me that she didn't once mention the divorce or Enrique.

I felt much better the next morning, but I could not shake the feeling of dread that grew within me all day. Neither of us mentioned La Malhora, but we were both thinking of her when I told Isabela that I wanted to go home. Isabela insisted on accompanying me. I flatly refused to drive after dark. I was afraid I would see the demon-woman again when I passed the crossroads.

We left the next morning, and we hadn't been home more than twenty minutes when a police car pulled into my driveway. I knew at once what it meant, and so did Isabella.

The officers spoke very gently to me, but nothing could soften the news. My husband had been mugged on the way back to his hotel after dinner last night. His body had not been found until this morning. He had been shot in the head and was killed instantly.

Thanks for sharing the story of La Malhora. Super spooky!

It brought to mind one of the great blues musicians of all time; Robert Johnson. According to legend, he had an appointment at a crossroads as well.

According to legend, as a young black man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi, Robert Johnson was branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician. He was "instructed" to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. There he was met by a large black man (the Devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The "Devil" played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This was, in effect, a deal with the Devil mirroring the legend of Faust. In exchange for his soul, Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.

en.wikipedia.org...(musician)

For your listening pleasure, some interesting licks and lyrics by that excellent guitarist:

Crossroad:



Me and the Devil blues:



Hellhound on my Trail:

I've been reading, and loving it. Some great ones in there Masq, get busy.

MWUHAHAHAHA

Masq, you do Muhahahahah better than anybody.
It's actually scary when you do it.

reply to post by masqua

Masq
I have added my entry into the HHWC, you have a u2u with link. thanks

reply to post by boondock-saint


Submitted into the contest and thank you for that story.

I think I might enter this thanks for the comp

reply to post by B.Morrison


Looking forward to reading.

reply to post by masqua


I just posted my entry and sent a U2U with link. Thanks for hosting this comp, there are so many great and talented people here, I had no idea!


Cheers!

reply to post by masqua


Hi Masqua,

I've posted my entry for the HHWC,
It was good fun trying to write something for this,
thanks again
-B.M


oops didn't realise i was meant to U2U, will do that now

reply to post by masqua


Hi there.

I thought I'd take a bash at this contest but I've come upon a problem. In a word - Profanity. One other entry I have read so far seems to have breached the T&Cs with regard to this, and circumvention of the censors. So I was hoping there might be some wriggle room in this area.

Because of the subject matter and the deranged mental state of my character some profanity and sexual reference has become inevitable, and I feel it is necessary. Therefore I was hoping for some further guidance in this respect, so that if indeed the story is unsuitable for the contest I can relax and not bust a gut to finish it today while I have some free time.

Thanks

Ink

When the Writing Forums are like RATS and hidden from public view, MAYBE we might be able to cut some slack on profanities and censor circumvention, but until then, the T&C's rule supreme on all of ATS.

reply to post by masqua


Thanks for clarifying. It's a shame though. A scary story within the T&Cs seems like an oxymoron to me. I think an adult "not for the easily offended' sub forum is needed.

But at least the prospect of entering seems to have shaken me from a five year drought, so thanks for that as well.

Ink

I'm definitely in for this one. I have been away for a while and believe me it sucked. I actually couldn't wait to get back to the site and see what was going on. I love the new design and functionality of the place. I am having trouble with uploading a video though. I'm not sure if I can. If not, I'll make a youtube link possibly. I haven't read any submissions yet.

My story is posted. I think I read back at the beginning of the thread that artwork and whatnot was allowed. I included a video and some artwork that I created for the story. There is a gory picture toward the end of the video but I really don't think it is anything myself. The picture was from a Freddy Kruger exhibit at a wax museum. Anyway my story is called Those Were The Days and here is the link.

Those Were The Days (HHWC)

Decided to join this contest

I have a pretty good idea and only a handful of days left. Might want to get to it.