It’s Halloween, so you know what that means- horror stories. One Big Blank, however, doesn’t make it simple. We put certain restrictions on the stories. Here is the criteria:
- Stories must be less than 500 words, not including the title.
- Each story must include the following words:
- Elephant
- Leave
- Home
- Fall
- Dance
- Story must take place at the West Edmonton Mall
This month, we had four entries. I present, in no special order, horror.
Behind the Black Label
A short horror story by Tony Budenz
Cameron’s closed eyes began to faintly flutter, letting a little light in, as his dream was slowly
disappearing. “I remember the music. Was I at a concert? Maybe it was a county fair because I
distinctly remember that cinnamon smell of elephant ears. And flowers. I remember seeing a
field of them.” He shook his head, which hurt. “Did I take a fall?” Groggy, he looked side to side.
His half shut eyes popped wide open when he saw himself surrounded by cardboard boxes and
his hands chained to the cinderblock wall behind him. Tugging at the chains in the dimly lit
room, swearing to himself between each tug…it was the creak of a door that silenced his
movements.
With eyes still adjusting, a tall man with a bigger build slowly moved towards him – the kind of
build that wasn’t exactly fat, but soft and strong all at once.The man crouched in front of him, but
before he could speak, his nametag sparked a rush of recent memories to rush in.
Black Label Leather
Ronald Cox
Owner
Yes! They spoke earlier. “What brings you to the largest mall in the world?” Ronald had asked.
“I have always wanted to see it. Kind of a safe bucket list item, ya know?” Cameron chuckled.
“And I’ve had this old wallet out a lot today, so it’s time for a new one.”
Ronald nodded assuringly. “You’re in the right place. If your family won’t miss you for a few, I
can show you some very unique, handmade wallets that just came in today.”
“Fantastic! This is a solo trip and no real family to speak of. I’ve got all the time in the world,”
Cameron said.
Ronald grinned and said, “Then follow me,” and pointed Cameron to the door behind the
checkout counter.
That’s the last thing Cameron remembered. And now, Ronald’s smile was replaced with a
flat-lined lip that showed zero emotion. A few, calm words fell from it. “Just so you know, you
could start screaming, but it’s midnight and no one’s round.”
“I just want to go home,” Cameron said softly, hiding a whimper.
“I can’t let you leave,” Ronald replied, rolling out a canvas roll containing a skinning knife,
fleshing knife, and a pill bottle.
“I. NEED. To. Go. Home.” Cameron half pleaded and half demanded.
Picking up a knife, Ronald replied through clenched teeth, “I. WON’T. Let. You. Leave.”
Ronald crouched close. “Rather than do this dance, let’s talk about your real options. I am taking
your skin off of you tonight. I can either gag you while you watch it peel away from your bones,
feeling every cut OR you can take this pill and slip away from this world in a slumber. I will not
negotiate again. Choose.”
With his heart racing and tears forming, Cameron quietly opened his mouth – not to argue, but to
accept the pill and his fate from Ronad’s fingers. To know he had run out of time…
…and fade away.
