Hi,
I decided to do a second challenge today. This is Teagan R. Geneviene’s Halloween Creativity Challenge. We were asked to write a story, poem, advertisement, song, or whatever we liked. There was a chart and we were to go by the letter of our first name and get: a Halloween thing, a hero, and a costume. Mine for D were: Horror Movies, Postman, and Ninja. Although, I never mentioned horror movies, but I felt it read like one. I started out as a short haibun but it grew. Here is my story that ends with micro poetry or a really long haibun 🙂
A Halloween Walk Through the Woods
The wind’s chill cut through my ninja costume. My black boots clicked against the icy cement path that took me through the dark forest. The only light came from my cell phone flashlight. Why did I think taking a shortcut from my house to my neighbor’s Halloween party was a good idea? A loud crack came from behind me, and my heart took off like my heavy feet wanted to do. It sounded like something large had stepped on a tree branch. A bear or… No, that’s a question I shouldn’t ask.
My step quickened, and I wished I had the actual weapons of a ninja. A laugh vibrated through the trees. Unless someone dressed as the wicked witch was behind me and was perfecting their cackle, I was in trouble. At least I had on all black. I shut the flashlight off and made a run for it as fast as my old heart would allow. The laughter crept closer, and I veered off the exposed path into the thick trees.
Then I hid behind the biggest cedar, or maybe it was a pine. I didn’t care. I took a deep breath and slowed down my haggard breathing. My eyes adjusted to the darkness as the laughter and a dark figure were right where I had just been.
A baritone voice called out, “Are we playing hide and go seek tiny ninja? What a fun game you’ve given me on Hallowed Eve. It will make your blood taste all the better, little human.”
I remained silent. It was my only chance. Right then, the heavy cloud cover parted. Moonlight hit the thing directly as its laughter grew louder, echoing off my soul. His pale skin was jagged, like an alligator. Nothing is that tall, nothing human, that is. That was no costume. I had to close my eyes, or what I was seeing would drive me mad.
The next part is unbelievable, but it happened. A woman wearing a light button-up shirt and black pants carrying the same bag as our mailman with a pulsing blue wand marched right up to the monster.
“I surrender.” The thing fell to its knees and held up his arms.
Four letters on the bag glowed in yellow that brightly lit the scene: USPS. The woman with dark curly hair nodded and opened her bag. The creature dissipated into spinning green sparkles that flowed into the bag’s mouth.
“You are safe now,” she said and waved in my direction. “Time to make a delivery.”
Before I could decide how to respond, the evil and the woman were gone.
mail carrier hero
possessed a magical bag
saved me in the woods
Ah ha! You proved the adage… nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers…
OMG, Denise! That is fabulous! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. I’ll include it in my next blog post. Absolutely thrilling.
You know, with my disabilities, the male carriers really are heroes to me, UPS too. That was a great touch. Big hugs.
Thank you, Teagan. I couldn’t pass it up. It did start small but kind of grew. Yes, they are heros in many ways and drive in conditions I certainly wouldn’t and also goes for UPS and FedEx. big hugs back and thanks for having this challenge. xo
Very true, Annette! They make it in conditions I won’t drive in. I just know if I’m in trouble in the forest, they will be there too…lol
Saved by a postal person. What a cute ending, Denise. Well done.
Thanks, John 🙂 I always suspected they had super powers.
I loved the USPS twist!
Thanks, Liz. Mail carriers do make good heros!
You’re welcome, Denise.
What fun Denise! Scary and creepy and then of course a superwoman saves the day.
Thanks, Pamela 🙂 Teagan sure made it a fun challenge. Of course, a superwoman saves the day! Yay, mail carriers.
Wow, that’s really unusual. Talk abut a different kind of hero.
Well done, Denise!
It was fun to do a challenge with a hero I’d never think of using, Mae. Thanks 🙂
What fun, Denise. Teagan always has fun ideas.
She sure does, Robbie:)
Denise, this is a very creative, imaginative, humorous, and scary story. Your talents as a writer are well-displayed. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Karen:) Kind of you to say that! I had some fun prompts to work with. Xo
Great scary Halloween story, Denise, with an excellent twist of a heroic postal carrier. I also liked the Hallowed Eve referral. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Timothy! It was a fun challenge 🙂
Good story and micro poetry! 🎃🧡🧡
Thsnks, Colleen 🙂
You’re so welcome, Denise. 🎃
Scary and funny as well! Love it!
Thank you, Olga 🙂
Well done. Spooky with an ‘I didn’t see it coming’ ending:)
socoxox
Thanks, Sandra:) They were fun prompts to work with that had minds of their own 🙂
Nice twist, Denise. I’ll have to share this with my brother, who works for the non-mail carrier antagonist in this story. 🙂
Thank you, Mark! Hope he enjoys it:)
Thanks for sharing this Halloween story.and poetry. I follow your blog but can you follow mine. Anita
Thank you, Anita 🙂 Much appreciated!
Our postal workers have many hidden talents it seems…great ending! (K)
Yes, they certainly do, Kerfe! Thank you 🙂
Fantastic, Denise! Always my thoughts, that the postal services is scary. LoL Best wishes, Michael
Thanks, Michael 🙂 They are a brave lot!
Eerie, twisty and empowering. 🙂 xx
Thank you, Debby 🙂 So much fun to do the challenge.
🙂 xx
Ho;y guacamole – saved by the USPS! Great story!
Lol… Thanks, Noelle:)
A terrific Halloween story. Well done.
Thanks, Darlene 🙂