The yellow smudge of a setting sun slipped behind the trees leaving a warm glow to the field. Nightbirds scattered, roosting in the trees while insects droned on in a constant monotony. The air felt cooler after the heat of the day. Ground fog swirled around the grasses casting eerie shadows on the ground. The evening gloom was rapidly approaching. I shivered in anticipation.
Not far off in the field, our two neighbor horses steadily crunched grass, their teeth reflecting bone-white in the rays of the setting sun. It was Halloween night – All Hallows Eve. Children would soon fill the neighborhood with the sounds of laughter, as they went from house to house showing off their costumes and collecting treats.
My eyes drifted toward the horse hole which was visible in the fading light. The horses visited me daily looking for handouts of carrots or even an occasional apple. They hung their necks through the opening, all the while munching, as I rubbed their velvety noses. They were the best neighbors.
I was ready this time. Last Halloween I ran out of candy early. This year I made sure I had plenty of treats to hand out to the kids. My pumpkins were lit, and the decorations spread around the front porch were inviting – not too scary for the little kids. I made myself comfortable in a chair and sipped a glass of wine, enjoying the descending darkness.
The kids came from every corner of the neighborhood, dressed as fairy princesses with dainty shoes, green colored Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, skeletons, Count Dracula’s, monsters of every variety you could imagine. Babies were dressed up as bugs, teddy bears, and even a vampire baby stopped at my door to receive a treat.
The darkness filled the neighborhood. The street lights were lit, and a warm glow cast long shadows on the road. The children ran ahead of their parents, filled with excitement. Parents milled about in small groups watching their kids, always near. I smiled at the sounds of laughter which completed the friendly Halloween atmosphere. I couldn’t help but marvel at how cute the kids were, enjoying the banter they exchanged with their friends.
By late evening, most of the children and parents were finished with Trick or Treat and were heading home. A few crying fairies stomped their way behind their parents, mad because the great adventure was over for another year.
I cleaned up the porch and put away the decorations in the storage bin. It was a lovely Monday night, unusual for this time of year. I refilled my glass and walked out back to the patio which overlooked the field where the neighbor horses grazed.
The view was amazing. Stars lightly sprinkled the sky spread out like a mantle overhead. The warmth of the day had dissipated, and I could feel the coolness creep in between the folds of my sweater. I sipped my wine and appreciated the spectacular beauty of the night sky.
Suddenly, the most obnoxious odor seemed to waft, thick like a fog, drifting in the air around the horse hole. Far in the distance, I could hear the neighbor horses running as their thundering hooves hit the ground. They ran hard, and their frightened cries filled the field. I was rooted to the spot, unable to move. My heart leaped into my throat, and I couldn’t breathe.
It was then, in the inky blackness of the field that I saw him – the Headless Horseman! His profile glowed in the shimmery darkness of the horse hole! A large orange head burned with an intensity that scared me deep into my bones. I felt the wine glass fall from my hand and shatter on the ground. Shards of glass flew into the air, spraying bits of glass into my hair.
(Image Credit: Telltale Games)
The horseman’s black steed snorted flashes of lightning through his muzzle, and his blood-red eyes glared at me. The creature balanced a glowing Jack-o-lantern in his right hand. I could see him clearly, and there was NO head. The apparition was so lifelike that I could make out the buttons on his coat which were visible in the light from the glowing pumpkin.
I swallowed hard and felt my eyes popping out of my head. I stared transfixed at the horse hole for what seemed like hours but was only, in reality, a few seconds. The Headless Horseman whirled about on his black steed and disappeared into the blackness. The fog churned in great billows and drifted about the field in his wake.
Slowly, the smell faded. The fog grew thicker, and moisture dripped from the leaves on the trees. I trembled uncontrollably. All around me, I heard no sounds. My breaths came in great gasps. I whirled around, trying to catch my breath. I stopped to gaze once again at the horse hole. It was dark – just swirling fog and an eerie quiet which lingered, jangling my nerves.
He was gone. I felt my heart pound a quick staccato in my chest. With great effort, I relaxed my tightened muscles and walked toward the horse hole for one last look. My shoes crunched in the ruins of the wine glass beneath my feet. Behind me, inside the house, a light came on in the kitchen which illuminated the patio outside.
“Colleen, it’s getting late. Come inside,” my husband, Ron called out to me.
“On my way.” I surveyed the area one last time. I took my time walking toward the back door. My thoughts milled about in my head. How could I tell him what had just happened without him laughing at me?
Maybe I better keep this encounter to myself, I thought. Too much wine and a tad too much chocolate could be the answer to my vision. I shook my head at the broken wine glass on the patio, realizing that red wine would stain the concrete. The stain had already spread, and a dark patch of discoloration was visible beneath my feet. With a shrug, I turned and walked away.
I traipsed into the house, locked the door, and turned off the light.That was enough Halloween for this year.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my scary encounter from when we lived in Florida! ❤ True story! 😀
😳 C.R.E.E.P.Y. C.O.L.L.E.E.N… 😱🙀
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LOL! I’ve had many strange and interesting experiences, Chris. This was a doozy! Oh, and the day I saw the swamp fairy. 😉
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🤗💕💞❤️
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Suitably scary for the season!
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I wonder what I will encounter in Colorado this year, Mary. It’s going to be warm which is a good thing. I can’t believe we are here almost one year! Wow! Time flies when you’re having fun! 😀
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Can’t believe it’s nearly a year.
It’s amazing how time flies even when you’re not having fun! I have several deadlines looming at a truly alarming rate.
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Oh, no. I hate when that happens. Hope everything flows smoother for you. ❤
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Thanks, Colleen. I am hoping by the end of November/early December I should be able to lift my nose from the grindstone.
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Wonderful. I am quite tied up in my writing and should emerge in January to publish my Swamp Fairy book. Whew! Take care of yourself, Mary. ❤
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👿🌞
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Hi, Betty Louise. Happy Halloween! ❤
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I have thought of your often. We have both come a long way since we took Blogging 101 together. We took different paths and I want to tell how much I enjoy your new format. Good Luck with your book. Happy Halloween.🐝🐝
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Thank you so much. We have come a long way. I feel bad for not stopping by more often. I have the first book ready for publication in January (The Heart Stone Chronicles – The Swamp Fairy). I am going to do the NaNoWritMo thing in November to get the draft done on my second book, The Meadow Fairy. I’m excited! Many hugs to you, Betty. ❤
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Very seasonable. I’m not sure I want any of that chocolate!
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LOL! That was when I decided that wine and chocolate definitely don’t mix. LOL! ❤
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Never blame chocolate. ☺ Appropriately creepy, Colleen. Nice one.
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LOL! Thanks, Van. It had to be the wine! 🍷🙄
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That was fabulously scary and well written, wow! Then you say it’s true?? Ay-yi-yi! Fun stuff!
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That house in Florida was strange to say the least. I blame the wine and chocolate! 😳🍷🍫
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True??? Very scary encounter.
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The field behind our house in Florida was a strange place. We both felt some malevolent forces there. It had much to do with wine 🍷 and chocolates 🍫. 😳
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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This was jovial and i loved the descriptions of sulky fairies not wanting the night to end. Then you spookily changed track, sorry, but Colleen how much wine was consumed ‘Before’ the spill? Haha! Love your stuff
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LOL! Ah, maybe a glass or two! Glad you enjoyed my story. That house was strange if you get my meaning. Especially around that horse hole in the fence! 😳🎃👻
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Pah ! It reminds me of “i did not drink too much it was the bubbles” that was me when in Italy 😉
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LOL! That’s great. I must borrow that! 🍾🍷🍷
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Pssst… i think someone used it before me
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LOL! I love it, Ellen! 😀
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Great Halloween story. Your vivid descriptions bring your story to life. 🙂
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Thanks, Viva. It was an interesting experience! 😉💖
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I loved it! Beautiful writing.
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Oh, my goodness. Thank you. What a sweet compliment. ❤
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I think I have to agree with you! Wine and chocolate may have been responsible for your terrifying encounter! Just to check, I’m now going to conduct a series of details experiments.
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LOL! Let me know, Bun! 🎃😳❤️🍷🍷🍫
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I love both wine and chocolate. Perhaps I need to conduct an experiment too. Just to be sure. Sounds fun and freaky. Interesting night and a great tale to tell.
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Thanks, Sarah. I think I am skipping the wine and the chocolate this year! LOL!
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Great article.Love it! I LOVE CHOCOLATE
I have some Halloween related articles on my blog, if you want you can take a look https://unsmileys.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/halloween-fall-hacks-tricks-diy/
Thank you.
Happy Halloween to you 🙂
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Thanks for reading my short story! I just found you in my spam folder. ❤
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