Magical Monday 60–Halloween style
The distance from the trash can to the back door was approximately 12 feet, 5 inches. William had calculated it perfectly, carefully measuring it in the afternoon sun.
But in the darkness, it looked a lot farther.
“William, did you take the trash out?”
Wincing, he hung on the door handle, his gaze lingering on the stuffed bag of trash next to him. ”Mom, can’t I do it in the morning?”
“And smell up my kitchen all night? Ha!” His mother slammed the dishwasher shut.
“But Mom, it’s dark.”
“That’s what happens at night.” His mother sighed, her shoulders collapsing in defeat as his younger sister screamed. ”William, just take the trash out before Jake starts”– As if on cue, a wail blast from the baby monitor.
“But Mom, I really don’t”–
“William, I can not deal with you arguing with me tonight. Take out the trash and finish your science homework, please. Now.” Snapping her fingers, the slap of his mother’s glare lingered as she stormed off the the chaos of his siblings. Swallowing a sigh, William grabbed the trash bag and crept out the door.
Every step felt like inches upon miles as he shuffled across the porch, the trash bag clutched in both hands. Moonlight glimmered off the cans in the recycled bin, the dark fence looming up as he skulked past. Shadows rustled in the trees, strange squeaks and growls swirling around his feet like the fallen leaves.
“You’re just spooked because it’s almost Halloween,” he scolded himself, inching past the air conditioner. Three more feet. ”You’re eight years old. Far too old to worry about goblins and spooks.”
But in the darkness, everything looked like a goblin or spook.
As he flipped open the trash can, a dark shape darted towards him.
“Ack!” he screamed, dropping the bag. ”Ack! I knew it! I knew there was something out there!”
Leaving the bag on the ground, William raced into the house, slamming the door and flying up the stairs. He thundered down the hall and flew into his bed, pulling the covers over his head and covering his eyes. ”I’m never taking out the trash again! EVER!” he bellowed.
A few moments later, a car pulled up in the driveway. Tailored footsteps, the kind only made by fancy loafers or dress shoes, strode up the driveway. The fence creaked open, a stern face peering inside. Careful not to brush his leather suitcase against the rough wood, William’s father reached for the trash bag. With a ferocious growl, a dark shape leaped up at him. Screaming, William’s father dropped the bag, racing inside the garage and through the side door. Without stopping to at least sniff his cold dinner on the dining room table, he bolted up the stairs and down the hall, slamming the door to his office.
“I’m never taking out the trash!” he yelled to his puzzled wife. ”EVER!”
And outside, deep in the shadows behind the house, the shadow giggled.
It may have only been 12 feet. But to William, it would always be too far.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a new featured blogger tomorrow and more fun!
October 17th, 2011 at 3:07 am
Super! I loved this story. Goblins in the night.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:32 am
Love these kinds of stories, fantastic!! I love Halloween
))) Have a wonderful week doll x
October 17th, 2011 at 3:43 am
Great story to get the feeling of Halloween in the air!Have a great day!
October 17th, 2011 at 4:36 am
I have much catching up to do! Thanks for stopping by. I really do appreciate my old and faithful readers. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
October 17th, 2011 at 4:38 am
Great story, sounds interesting!
October 17th, 2011 at 4:39 am
Seriously???
Who the heck was in the blasted shadow????
October 17th, 2011 at 4:52 am
Spooky! What was that shadow?
October 17th, 2011 at 6:44 am
I the love the imagery of the shadow giggling.
October 17th, 2011 at 7:43 am
Oooh I loved this…makes me ready for Halloween!!!!
October 17th, 2011 at 7:46 am
this makes me want to have a little more fun with halloween!
October 17th, 2011 at 8:03 am
“Tailored footsteps.” That is an awesome description!
October 17th, 2011 at 8:08 am
I have an award for you at my place!
October 17th, 2011 at 8:40 am
I’m definitely not letting my son read this. He still freaks himself out sometimes when taking the trash out at night, and he’s 14 and 5’10″.
Great story. And thanks again for visiting me on my SITS day.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Awesome post, darling!
Hope you are having a lovely Monday!
xoxox,
CC
October 17th, 2011 at 9:17 am
SPOOOOOKY! What on earth WAS that?! Perfect Halloween story.
October 17th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Spooky! Now, I won’t want to take out my own trash!
October 17th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Good thing my husband takes out the trash – I don’t want to anymore.
October 17th, 2011 at 10:18 am
They should install motion sensor lights. That will keep the shadows away!
October 17th, 2011 at 10:56 am
I’m older than 8 and I worry about them!
October 17th, 2011 at 11:01 am
You’re Halloween stories always put me in the Halloween mood. Thank goodness we have a trash chute in the building!
October 17th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Ooooh spooky!! I’m going to love Halloween here!
October 17th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
We keep the trashcan next to the house, under a light.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Ooohh! Now I want to know what the shadow was!
October 17th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Oh heck, I’d be scared out there too!
October 17th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
I totally psyche myself out like that all the time! Love this story!
October 17th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
This is sooo spoooky! I love it.
October 17th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Another beautiful post!
Have a pleasant Monday!
October 17th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Love this story…
I remember how my son is so afraid of being alone in a dark place… spooky!
October 18th, 2011 at 6:13 am
Thanks for the good read.
Of course it is my job for house trash removal, so I’ll try to block this post out the next time that I take the trash out at night.
October 18th, 2011 at 9:42 am
You make me glad I live in an apartment where taking out the trash means staying inside and tossing it down the chute!