Spooky Halloween

Rob dons his skeleton mask and goes out the front door to his car.

The trick or treaters fill the streets with laughter, while parents keep a watchful eye on them. Rob slowly drives through the crowds as the night sky darkens the roads and he struggles to see, not wanting to remove his mask.

Finally, he arrives.

In the back seat, Rob pulls a lifelike toy out from underneath a blanket.

His friend Tim is going to get the best spooky Halloween prank of his life.

Inside Tim has a water bucket hanging over the door waiting for Rob.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Manipulation

He was a mastermind, slowly taking over as he got deeper and deeper under my skinーconvincing me it was love the entire time. And I believed it, I believed him, because his hooks were in me so deep that I couldn’t see I was trapped. He knew what he was doing, it was all part of his plan. What he claimed was love was his way of making sure I wouldn’t leaveーeven if I wanted to. I was a toy to him; something he could keep, control, and manipulate into staying. As if I were something that could be kept.

From Guest Contributor Kelsey Swancott

Kelsey is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, majoring in English, with a concentration in writing while also being an editor in the campus literary magazine Angles.She is furthering her education by attending SUNY Brockport for her master’s in English, specializing in creative writing. Following graduation, she is interested in working in the editing and publishing field.

Betty's Style

Amanda glared accusingly from the living room doorway. Her father and brother didn't even notice. They were engrossed in television. Their shared triumphant roar startled her.

"What's wrong, love?" Mam rocked herself out of the old couch and approached. She fondled Amanda's curls.

"Betty's hair is a mess. I brushed it yesterday."

Mam smiled. "Let's see what we can do."

***

The doll's coiffure was perfect when Mam put her back in the toy cupboard and tucked Amanda in.

Betty waited until the lights were out before indignantly reaching up and ruffling her hair back to the way she liked it.

From Guest Contributor Perry McDaid

Gone

A little red toy truck rolled across the floor followed by quick scurrying steps. He picked up the truck, looking to the door, then to his grandmother, who was quietly waiting by the stairs. A light rapping on the door. The woman knew what this was.

Opening the door, quiet words were exchanged. Just as quickly, the door closed again.

The boy's grandmother gave him a pat on the head and made her way up the stairs, unable to speak to him.

His eyes followed after her. He clutched the little red toy truck that much closer to his chest.

From Guest Contributor Nicole Rand