The Mall at the End of the World
Horror Story by Ray Goldfield
Journal Entry – Day One
I haven’t left home in weeks. Not since the creatures started taking over. But I’m running low on food, and I know exactly where to find it. Edmonton is home to one of the largest malls in the world – full of supplies. I might be the only human left alive. No sense in letting it go to waste.
It’s a cold fall day, still dark when I depart. Good. The creatures aren’t active until the sun comes out. I still see some here and there – a random scavenger seeking prey – but I duck behind a tree and it shuffles on. It’s only two miles from my home – a once-glittering, mile-long building. Once, it was home to countless happy people, but now it’s only home to scavengers. I should be able to get in, collect what I need, and leave before they wake.
Journal Entry – Day Two
I may have made a miscalculation. I’ve been using my home as a base, but it’s far away from any resources. This husk of a mall is still loaded with supplies, and it’s full of passages and hiding places that will more than serve me when the scavengers descend. As the moon still hung overhead, I was able to obtain some packaged goods from what was once a drug store. This routine is becoming familiar – as is the horrible sound that comes when the sun rises.
They come by the tens of thousands each morning – I didn’t know there were so many of them out there. As soon as they enter the mall, the frenzy begins. They collect whatever they can, then spend most of the day milling around. And as suddenly as they came, they leave as the sun goes down – as if they have some sort of internal clock. And then, once again, my haven is all mine. I just have to avoid the last few persistent stragglers before they give up their hunt.
Journal Entry – Day Three
This has become quite the scientific research opportunity. The strange behavior of these creatures isn’t like anything I expected. They seem to follow rituals as they walk through this cavernous ruin. They eat, they scavenge – but they also ride strange metal contraptions, they dance to the cacophonous sounds that come from the loudspeaker. Perhaps this isn’t just a place for the beasts to scavenge. Perhaps it’s some kind of temple.
It’s also becoming harder to hide from them. They seem to be aware of my presence. As I hide inside what was once an antique store, attempting to conceal myself from their hunters behind this elephant statue, I know this might be my last message. Do not make my mistake. Do not follow me.
———-
“Yes, ma’am – we found him hiding in the mall. He’s apparently been here for several days, scavenging. We’re not going to press charges, but we recommend inpatient treatment. He was looking at us very strangely when he was apprehended – like he thought we were monsters.”
End
Next month, One Big Blank Originals will bring you poems revolving around giving thanks in the villanelle style. We will open submissions on November 1. Simply write a poem of 19 lines with the appropriate villanelle form that expresses giving thanks and send it to smdishon@gmail.com. Check here for more info on November 1. All submissions will be posted by One Big Blank on Thanksgiving.
