A Halloween Story-The Ending JOsh took Elise by the hand before hesitantly stepping through the great double cherry doors and into the dimly lit entrance of the old church. The cars parked outside testified to the fact that there must be Halloween revelers somewhere inside the building but all was silent. The tiny hairs stood up straight and tall on Joshs neck and Elise held so tightly to his arm that he was beginning to lose feeling in his fingers. Hello? The word tore its way from Joshuas lips and seemed to die on the chill dusty air. The paintings on the walls; of Jesus, bloody, broken and torn, nailed to a cross did nothing to improve the atmosphere. In fact, if anything it made Josh acutely aware of the distinct possibility that they might just be trespassing upon and disturbing sacred ground. Elise also glanced about at the framed artwork, statuary and ornate lamps and hangings. Everything was so dark yet pristinely kept. It felt more like a haunted house and Elise trembled uncontrollably. This is a ch-ch-church? Arent churches sup-p-posed to be places of light? Josh shrugged silently as they slowly made their way forward. As neither of them had ever set foot in the place, neither of them had any idea where they were going. Candles were lit and placed periodically along the hallways so while it wasnt entirely pitch dark, it almost may as well have been. Strange shadows would dance fleetingly in this direction or that causing Elise to shriek and jump. Joshs heart was beating so hard and loud he was sure Elise could both feel it and hear it through his football uniform with all its padding. Just up a head, in a dark hallway stood a hooded figure beside a large doorway. Both kids stopped dead in their tracks. The hooded head slowly turned in their direction and it took all of Joshs strength to remember the fact that this WAS a Halloween Festival. A poor title if anyone were to ask him about it. The hooded figure reached out a bony hand and with one finger summoned them to him. Elise squeezed her eyes shut tight shaking her head vehemently. No Joshua!!! I cant even move my feet!!! Im NOT going in there!!! Josh caught sight of a stuffed old chair and placed Elise in it. I have to go but Ill be right back....I promise. Dont move from this spot. Ill be right back. Elise nodded her understanding, wrapped her arms about herself as tightly as she could and watched Josh disappear beyond the door. Inside the room, in the center and upon a little, antique table Josh could barely make out, was the jack-o-lantern. Its burning, flickering light was the only light available. Josh felt as though hed been kicked in the stomach and fought the urge to vomit as he slowly approached it. OK...enough is enough!!! Ive played your little game now step up and make yourself known!!! Give me my mother back!!! His words echoed weakly off the hard wood walls; his voice sounded small even to his own ears. Sitting by the jack-o-lantern was another envelope with the same strange script as before. His name was written on the front. Josh wasted no time tearing it open and exhibited no diplomacy or delicacy as he ripped and tore angrily at the envelope. Leave this room....you have but one task young prince....to save yourself and your friends before the stroke of midnight....if you can. If all goes well and none are lost, your mother will be returned to you. If even one person is lost...all will die. Josh crumpled the paper and flew from the room. The hooded figure no longer stood at the door and Elise no longer sat in the chair. Josh could hear hushed whispers and muffled sounds coming from every direction. Flying about the dark interior of the church like a raving lunatic, Josh searched every room and wondered if hed searched some twice in his confusion. Josh lost all sense of time and had no idea what to do next, where to turn. The temptation to seek out and locate the exit then run forever from the building throbbed painfully in his brain then suddenly....there appeared a set of doors. Light, sound, life seemed to be coming from the other side. Josh ran frantically toward the doors only to find them locked and unyielding. Josh crumpled against the door his entire being weak and beaten, despair flooded his entire being and then......the door nob gave way beneath his fingers. Josh turned the knob until he heard the latch release. Slowly he opened the door; a moment later both doors were flung wide......... SURPRISE!!!! Happy Birthday signs were hung on every wall, streamers, glitter and birthday balloons twinkled along the floor, through the air and bounced on the ceiling and back by the five tier birthday cake...holding out a piece for Josh...was his mother. Josh didnt know whether to laugh or cry or start throttling people. Not wanting to look like a frightened child running to his mothers arms, Josh stomped over to where she stood with great determination. Taking her son in her arms she whispered... Happy Birthday my boy. Youre eighteen now....I had to do something remarkable for you. Were you surprised? Josh pulled away from his very lively very happy mother...a look of pure disbelief and incredulity etched solidly upon his handsome features. Uh.....YEAH! You could say that!!! Josh glanced about the room at all the happy revelers. Everyone was dressed up in costumes and many sported masks. Josh continued to look around but there was no sign of Elise. Mom....wheres Elise? That odd, sick feeling slammed into his stomach as he searched almost frantically. Joshs mother took hold of his hand in an attempt to calm her son. Joshua.....Elise who? Who is Elise? Josh became impatient now and dropped the cake back on the table. Elise....my date tonight? She works at the coffee shop...daughter of dads old friend? That Elise!!! Joshuas mother shook her head as she tried to make sense of what Josh was saying. Joshua....Brian Danforth owns and runs the coffee shop...he lives in the apartment upstairs and hes never had anyone help him. I dont know any Elise. JOsh ran from the dance hall calling out for ELise as he went, peering into every room but no sign of the beautiful girl. In his haste candles were knocked to the floor, hot wax snuffing out the flames of most and spilling all about but one burning wick did not die. The fire spread as Josh hurriedly backtracked to the old ballroom. The old cherry wood...so old, the varnish like gas on dry wood. Josh fell to the floor...smoke burning his eyes and lungs as he clawed his way across the floor. As if led by an angel from heaven, Josh could barely make out the street lamps through the double front doors. Sirens were going off in the distance, a fireman was suddenly at Joshuas side, placing an oxygen mask over his face, lifting his limp, almost lifeless body from the flames the man rushed Josh outside. Josh tried to speak but the heat and smoke had burned his throat so badly all he could do was croak. Finally he managed to eek out a few words. The ballroom....my mother....and....friends. The fireman shook his head in confusion.... Son....the ballroom of this old place burned down years ago. Thats why they shut the church down and built a new one. Rumor had it a local guy had gone to the old pastor for help...hed gotten some girl in the family way but had a family of his own. As the story goes theyd meet over in them woods there. When the pastor wouldnt help the guy he went nuts....tried to burn the place down. That same night some animal got hold of him and thats the end of the story. No one ever knew what happened to the girl. Joshs head was swimming, his red eyes watering from the smoke and he began to see black spots. Before losing consciousness josh turned his head toward the cemetery and thought he saw Elise...standing off in the distance. The next morning Joshs mother arrived at Joshs hospital room with a basket filled with home made bread, chicken noodle soup and an expression of extreme consternation. I thought you knew they were planning to burn the rest of that old church down Joshua. Knowing how youve always hated it I thought you would have been thrilled. I didnt expect you to spend your eighteenth birthday up there. Someone might have been hurt. Reaching into the basket Joshs mother pulled out a piece of five layer birthday cake and placed it on his hospital table. Here.....you forgot this. With that she winked at Josh and her eyes flickered yellow....if only for an instant. The End
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:36:42 +0000
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