November 6

Horror Short Story – Michael Reddan (6th Year) – “Never Say No”

The forest was streaked in white moonlight and the wind howled through the trees. Although it had been his playground in his childhood, tonight it was a foreboding place. Jim had his fire on which spat and crackled every time a gust of cruel wind came whistling down the chimney, And even though it was warm inside Jim was chilled to the bone. Tonight reeked of death and only Jim knew who’s death it was going to be.

Four weeks ago Jim and his friends went to a Fair. As they wandered around the fair enjoying each other’s company, they spotted an old gypsy Barrel-Top Caravan with a disheveled sign outside saying “Madame Eliza-Fortune Teller”. The girls squealed with excitement at the sight of it and wanted instantly to go in. The boys, who didn’t believe in this nonsense, scoffed at the idea and told them it was all hocus-pocus and that there was nothing real about any of it. Then one of the girls dared any of them to enter. Jim rose to the challenge and went in, throwing a reassuring grin to the others to show he had no fear.

Two candles lit the darkness inside and there was a distinct whiff of incense. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows on the rag dolls on the shelves which made them appear alive and huddled behind a small table sat Madame Eliza, fortune teller. She wore a black veil, covering long white hair and her face was wrinkled with age. Her eyes were black beads in her head and they had a piercing effect on Jim. “What did you come for?” she croaked. Jim shivered and replied in a stammer, “It-It was a dare”. She looked at Jim and said, “I see……. take a seat.” She invited him to select five cards from the deck of tarot cards and told him to place them face down in front of her.

“Ah,” she said turning the first card.”You will come into a small fortune”. Jim sneered his approval. She moved onto the second card and turning it said, “Someone close to you will fall ill. Turning the third card, she smiled, “Romance, someone will make their feelings known soon. Jim hoped that at least there might be some truth behind this. He liked a girl by the name of Jenny but quickly reminded himself that this was only Hocus-pocus. Her hand slipped to the fourth card and without looking at him said “you will be going on a journey soon”. Again Jim sneered and received a glare from the black-eyed hag making his blood turn cold. On turning the last card, her voice changed into a low croaking whisper that chilled the atmosphere. ”The Grim Reaper, a symbol of death, someone is going to die”. She stretched her liver-spotted hand across the table towards Jim. “It is customary that you cross my palm with money for the reading”. James laughed out loud into the hags face.” Fat chance of that old hag, not for this rubbish!” as he rushed out the door. The hag screamed at him,” Jim O’Neill! You will not live to see the next full moon. I swear on my reading that it is you who will meet Death and he will be coming to claim what is rightfully his!”. Jim and his friends had a good laugh on their way home at the hag’s prophecies.

Tonight was the eve of the next full moon and Jim was alone and petrified still trying to convince himself that it was all Hocus-pocus. Suddenly a shape at the window revealed the Grim Reaper. Jim ran to the back door and rushed towards the nearby cemetery. He knew that it was hallowed ground and a such could protect him from all evil. As he ran towards an old oak he suddenly saw the old hag pointing to a headstone beneath it. He stood in front of it now, in disbelief, at what was written there. In bold print was “here lies Jim O’ Neill”. As he turned to run a hand grabbed his ankle and dragged him down. The last thing he saw was the laughing hag.

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Posted November 6, 2019 by borrisokanecc in category Competition

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