Jack-o-Lantern (youngsters:horror, 2027 words)
Author: Hulsey	Added: Oct 27 2003	Views/Reads: 7108/3314	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A spooky Halloween tale!

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

walked away. 

I was mesmerised and walked backwards, wondering what I had just
witnessed.  A loud scream, followed by a high-pitched yelping, caused 
me to jump. The strange group appeared unperturbed and continued on 
their way, into the dark, bitter night. 

Several houses later, a similar development occurred, with the
householder being uncharitable. This time, one of the deformed dwarfs 
entered the house, and the screams followed. This happened on five 
occasions during the evening, and the group was whittled down 
gradually. 

They walked on silently, heading away from my neighbourhood. I stopped
and contemplated what to do. True, I was curious, but my parents, I 
knew would be livid at me for leaving Bobby Shaw and the others. 

The small, redheaded boy looked back at me as he followed behind the
others, his eyes sad and forlorn. I ran after him when they crossed the 
main road, heading towards the woods. 

“Where do you live?” I asked. 

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but a scowl from the man with the
lantern made him change his mind. The woods were enshrouded by a cold 
swirling mist, and a hooting owl serenading us as we advanced. Again, 
the party looked back at me one by one, their pale faces seeming to 
have lost substance. Rotten flesh clung to their bones, their gnarled 
teeth clearly visible. 

I halted and watched when the strange people gradually vanished into the
mist, apparently unconcerned about my presence. The small boy appeared 
and walked slowly towards me, his face devoid of flesh. He reached out 
with his bony hand and I turned to run. 

“Wait! Please don't be afraid.” 

I cowered behind a tree and watched as he advanced slowly. 

“Come and I'll show you where we live.” 

I shook my head, my body trembling with fear, as well as the cold. 

“Please, we'll not hurt you... It's been so long since I've seen someone
my own age,” he stated. 

“W...W...Who are you?” I stuttered. 

“My name is Jacob.” 

“Your face... Is that a mask?” 

“Come with me and I'll tell you everything.” 

I cautiously followed Jacob deeper into the woods, until he stopped at
an enormous tree. “So where do you live?” I quizzed. 

“This is my home.” Jacob turned and walked towards the tree before
vanishing. “Come on don't be afraid.” 

I walked carefully towards the tree, with my hands held out in front of
me, marvelling when I saw them pass through the growth. Another stride 
and I was inside a huge structure of whiteness, with many doors leading 
from the mist-filled room. Through the vapour, I could make out the 
shape of Jacob waiting for me. 

“Welcome to my home,” he smiled. 

“But I don't understand. What is this place?” 

“Peter, after midnight you'll not see me for another year... I long for
the day that I'll not return here, but my time has not come yet.” 

I was confused. “I don't understand, Jacob... Who are you?” The bizarre
boy kept his distance, purposely I believe; not wishing to portray his 
hideous features to me. 

“Peter we live in different worlds. I am one of the undead, as is
everyone who inhabits this world... When the time is right, Jack will 
offer me my liberty.” 

“Jack?” 

“Why, Peter, you've surely heard of Jack-o-Lantern have you not?” 

I looked down at my pathetic pumpkin and nodded. 

Jacob continued. “Many many years ago, Jack was a drunkard and a
trickster. One day, he tricked Satan into climbing a tree. He carved 
the image of a cross in the tree and trapped the Devil. Jack made a 
deal with Satan that he would never tempt him again, on condition that 
he would let him down the tree.” 

“He agreed?” I asked. 

“Yes... Years later, Jack died and was denied entrance to the gates of
Heaven because of his sins. Because he annoyed the Devil, he was also 
denied access to Hell. Instead, Satan gave Jack a single ember to help 
light his way through the darkness. Jack placed the ember inside of a 
pumpkin to keep it glowing, hence the legend of the Jack-o-Lantern.” 

“You said Jack would offer you your liberty? I don't understand.” 

“Every Halloween, we trick or treat; our reward being that any mortal
denying us will be replaced by one of us... The remainder wait for 
another year, hoping that they too will one day be free.” 

“But why you?” I asked. 

“As I've already told you, Peter, I'm one of the undead... The people
who live here were evil in your world, including me.” 

“You?” 

“I too was denied the entrance to Heaven, because I killed my parents...
I accidentally upset a candle and my parents perished over one hundred 
and twenty years ago. ... Hell was never an alternative for me... You 
see, I live in hope that one year Jack will choose me.” 

“But you said you killed your parents accidentally?” 

“It matters not... Listen, you must leave.” 

I was more curious than ever. “But why did you invite me here, Jacob?”
“Because, I want you to be my friend... We can meet every Halloween.” 

“I'd like that.” I held out my hand and strained my eyes, trying to see
his hideous features that were concealed by the mist. I felt nothing 
but pity for the small boy, who had been trapped in his own Hell for so 
long. 

Jacob refused my handshake, no doubt ashamed of his skeletal hands.
“Please go before it's too late,” he insisted. “Goodbye, Peter my 
friend.” 

“Goodbye, Jacob.” 

Jacob pointed towards the exit and I followed the line of his finger. I
trusted him and stepped through the wall and into the woods. The mist 
was now even denser and I had trouble getting my bearings. I advanced 
slowly, unsure if I was going the correct way. A rustling sound behind 
me caused me to increase my pace. I glanced over my shoulder to see 
someone approaching. “Jacob, is that you?” 

A shrilling laugh came from the mouth of the white-haired witch. On
closer inspection, I could see that she was carrying a large knife. 
Hunched behind her was a dwarf, his decaying face contorted in anger. 

I turned and ran for my life, blindly crashing into tree limbs and
thorny shrubs. I dropped my lantern, my legs tiring and my breath 
coming in short spasms. The twisted maze of roots took me by surprise 
and I plummeted to the ground. I turned on my back and saw the hideous 
witch and the dwarf standing over me. 

“A tasty morsel for my cauldron,” laughed the witch. 

“Yum, yum,” followed the dwarf. 

She placed her spindly bony fingers around my throat and brought the
knife upwards. The dwarf held my arms down, his vile breath reeking of 
rotten fish. 

“No!” came the scream from behind. 

“Jacob!” I yelled. 

“Go away puny boy,” ordered the witch. 

“Leave him be! He's my friend.” 

“Leave him be, he's my friend,” mocked the dwarf. 

The witch raised the knife menacingly. “He's a mortal and it's not yet
midnight.” 

“Put down that knife!” The witch's expression changed from ecstasy to
disappointment, as she turned to face the protester. The bright glow 
coming from the lantern was evidence of his identity. “Your time has 
not yet come, Matilda, and you know the rules... Leave the boy be!” 

The witch reluctantly released me and scampered off, the dwarf following
closely behind her. 

Jack approached and held his lantern in front of my face, the gruesome
face of the turnip even more terrifying than the owner's disfigured 
features. “Go, boy and do not ever speak of this night to anyone. The 
consequences for you will be dire; do you hear me, boy?” 

I clambered to my feet and nodded rapidly, looking past Jack towards
Jacob, who was pointing towards the exit of the woods. 

“I understand, Sir.” 

“Now go. Run you young scamp!” 

I ran faster than I had ever run in my life, only stopping when I
reached my home. I kept my word and never ever spoke of that Halloween 
to anyone. As the years progress and my hair turns grey, I still 
venture out at Halloween, accompanying young Jacob on his trick and 
treats, hoping that one day; he will fulfil his wish and be chosen. I 
was not entirely truthful when I said I kept my word, after all, I've 
told you haven't I? Can you keep a secret? 


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