C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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WEP Again! Youthful Frights vs Adult Fears

October 21, 2015 By C. Lee McKenzie 41 Comments

Hi Everyone! I do hope you’ve joined in the Halloween fun and signed up for this month’s WEP. I’ll try to get around to say hi to you if you have, but I may be late because I’m off on some family business, and then another trip. If I’m late, just remember that old saying about “better late than. . .” 

Yolanda Renee and Denise Covey

I’m a “if it goes bump in the night, I’m out of here” kind of person, but because I’m also something of a paradox at times, I adore Halloween. It has always been my favorite holiday. Maybe I’m a Druid at heart? Just a scaredy cat kind of Druid.

So here’s my contribution for this WEP Halloween Challenge.

Unprepared
by 
C. Lee McKenzie

Since childhood, her greatest fear has been this! She’s guarded against it every year. Every year until this one. Well, there was the book to write, the new job. Lots of changes. No time. 

Now huddled in the room, she waits, heart slamming against her chest. And then. . .

A thud, thud, thud of knuckles against the wood summons her, and when she grasps the knob, when she twists it and the latch clicks free, the cautioning voice in her head hisses, “Don’t open that door.” 

Still she knows she must ignore the warning, and she must deal with the consequences. As the door swings in and the fingers of the October night chill her skin, they’re out there. Eyes big and set on her, their demands unwavering. 

There are three this time, but more hovering just out of that cone of yellow light that thwarts the insects, but fails to protect her against these spirits. 

What does she have in her storehouse that might appease them and send them away? 

“Nothing.” That inner voice is talking to her again. 

If she moves fast, slams the door, locks it and turns off all the lights, will they vanish? Will she be able to climb between her sheets, knowing she’s escaped their vengeance? 

“Not on your life.” Damn! That voice won’t shut up.

Then from out of the darkness. . . “Trick or treat,” the first ghost sing-songs. 

Happy Halloween All!




Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Denise Covey, Halloween, WEP, Yolanda Renee

Comments

  1. J Lenni Dorner says

    October 30, 2015 at 5:56 am

    Very nice! Funny. Though people with social anxity and such probably do hate a day when suddenly everyone is knocking at their door. So funny and true! Great job.

    Reply
  2. Medeia Sharif says

    October 28, 2015 at 10:54 am

    I loved that innocent twist at the end. Great piece.

    Reply
  3. Arpan Ghosh says

    October 26, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Hah, a fun take on trick or treating. In many ways, little kids demanding candy can be just as scary as any hungry monster!

    Reply
  4. Sally says

    October 26, 2015 at 11:21 am

    Loved the ending – you built up the tension to the last lines perfectly .

    Reply
  5. D.G. Hudson says

    October 25, 2015 at 6:29 am

    A nice twist on the trick or treat part of Halloween. I don't mind the little kids but I don't care for older teens out trick or treating. Some of them are bigger than me. . .after a certain time, I just don't answer the door.

    Reply
  6. Karen Lange says

    October 23, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    Hi Lee, stopping in to say hello and let you know that you won the giveaway over at my blog. Congrats! When you get a break in the action, would you email your mailing address to karenelangeATgmailDOTcom? Hope you are enjoying your trip! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Michelle Wallace says

    October 23, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Ooo. Loved your trick-or-treat offering.
    We don't really celebrate Hallowe'en this side of the globe…

    Reply
  8. Robert Bennett says

    October 23, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Hahaha! That was awesome. I came for the spooky and stayed for the funny.

    Reply
  9. Shah Wharton says

    October 23, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I love Halloween too, and your story was great 🙂 Gutted, I missed this blog hop though. Have where ever you are. Enjoy the weekend. X

    shahwharton.com

    Reply
  10. N. R. Williams says

    October 23, 2015 at 5:03 am

    Haha, that was funny. Scared of ghost who turn out to be children. I was once scared of ghost, now I'm just annoyed.
    Nancy

    Reply
  11. Shooting Stars Mag says

    October 22, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Ooh nice story – great job! I do love Halloween as well. I've gotten better with spooky things, but I'm still a jumpy person.

    Reply
  12. Samantha Redstreake Geary says

    October 22, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    Haha, I feel ya! We don't have a homeowners association, but come Halloween, we'd better have a thousand bucks worth of candy or we're toast!

    Reply
  13. S.K. Anthony says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Awww adorable!! Loved it!!! 😀

    Reply
  14. BUDDY says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    Great ending, Lee! Mike says O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe are both giggling in their graves.

    Reply
  15. Bish Denham says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    This put a smile on my face. However, I'm not convinced that the REAL reason you like Halloween is because of all the candy!

    Reply
  16. Nilanjana Bose says

    October 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Too cute! Hope she managed to find something to appease those ghosts. Thanks for the smile.

    Reply
  17. Yvonne Ventresca says

    October 22, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Fun story!

    Reply
  18. Olga Godim says

    October 22, 2015 at 8:50 am

    So charming. Love it!

    Reply
  19. Elephant's Child says

    October 22, 2015 at 4:03 am

    Those voices in our heads are irritating know-it-alls aren't they? And frequently right.
    Smiling at this. Have a wonderful, productive time away…

    Reply
  20. Birgit says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:59 am

    Very good story and I love Halloween (my fav is Christmas). I once bought candy ahead of time and that eve I noticed most was gone! I looked around to see my hubby trying to tip toe away…he was caught! I sent him…for more candy.

    Reply
  21. Deborah Drucker says

    October 22, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Very cute. Yeah sometimes those kids costumes can be scary. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Tyrean Martinson says

    October 22, 2015 at 12:20 am

    Nice! We have some friends that live in an extremely popular neighborhood for trick or treating and they worry about having enough to appease the little candy monsters. 🙂

    Reply
  23. dolorah says

    October 21, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    Ha, way cool. Last year was the first year in our new home. I ran out of candy 20 minutes into the evening, and spent about 2 1/2 hours telling kids the candy ran out. Horrifying!! I've already spent $60 so far, and thinking maybe two more big bags might same me from the terror of no Trick or Treaters 🙂

    Reply
  24. Beverly Stowe McClure says

    October 21, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Ha, ha. What fun. Since I live in the country and it's really dark at night, I haven't had a trick or treater in years. I miss the little ghosts and witches.

    Reply
  25. Yolanda Renee says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    I too, am a bit skittish, but love the season and enjoy reading the scary! Your flash was perfect. We don't have to worry now though, because no one knocks on the door. But just in case, we always buy a bag or two or three – just in case! 

    Thank you for participating in the WEP Halloween Challenge, you presented us with a real treat. Have a great time with family and traveling!
    Happy Halloween!

    Reply
  26. Chrys Fey says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    Ghosts are trick-or-treating. Love it! I have candy and Halloween pencils so I'm ready. 😉

    Reply
  27. Kelly Polark says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    Better get to the store and quick! 🙂

    I love Halloween!

    Reply
  28. Mark Noce says

    October 21, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    Very cool! Halloween is my favorite holiday too:)

    Reply
  29. Loni Townsend says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Sounds like there's going to be tricks since there were no treats! Great story.

    Hope you have safe travels!

    Reply
  30. Roland D. Yeomans says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    The unhappy, disappointed faces are the worst part of not having prepared for the little goblins. Good job. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Catherine Stine says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Evocative piece of spooky flash fiction! I just saw Crimson Peaks last night so I am definitely in the Halloween mood.

    Reply
  32. Madilyn Quinn says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    That is definitely a scary thing! I at least don't have to worry about it, living in an apartment and also usually out trick r treating with the kiddo anyway. Cute story!!

    Reply
  33. Misha Gericke says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Hahaha terrifying. 😀

    Reply
  34. lorilmaclaughlin.com says

    October 21, 2015 at 2:33 pm

    Ha, ha, cute story! Enjoy your trip!

    Reply
  35. Laura Clipson says

    October 21, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    I love this! I must remember to get something in for when they come knocking on my door 🙂

    Reply
  36. Denise Covey says

    October 21, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Oh, someone wasn't prepared for visitors! Scary thing! Love the ghost pic. So good!
    Now you go off and enjoy your trip and do what you have to do. Look forward to catching up when you get back.

    Thanks for joining the WEP challenge even when scary isn't so much your thing. Glad Halloween is.

    Denise 🙂

    Reply
  37. Pat Hatt says

    October 21, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    May get a few tp rolls spread around haha

    Reply
  38. Mason Canyon says

    October 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    Very enjoyable. Those little treaters can be very tricky if not feed.

    Reply
  39. nashvillecats2 says

    October 21, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    I enjoyed your post about Halloween Lee, always a good subject to write about.
    Yvonne.

    Reply
  40. sage says

    October 21, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    Enjoyed your story and now you enjoy your trips! Sadly, we didn't have any kids last Halloween.

    Reply
  41. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    October 21, 2015 at 11:45 am

    Not having anything for the Trick-or-Treaters is a scary thing!

    Reply

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