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  Kenneth Lawson
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October 23rd, 2022

10/23/2022

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Picture
Through the murky mist, a ghoulish cackle sounded, echoing across the forest. As the echo died, Paul could hear heavy breathing coming from the ravine. Something moved about in the fog and dampness of the forest. 

He stood in the middle of the path near the ravine listening for more sounds to guide him. He knew the woods well, but it was impossible to tell exactly where he was at night in the fog. 

“I didn’t think you’d come.” The voice was disembodied, coming from deep in the fog toward the ravine.

Paul turned toward the voice. “You said you needed help.” There was a loud snort, and the fog over the ravine abruptly moved, causing Paul to shiver.

The woods had always been creepy and mysterious, and few people ventured into them. There were reports over the years of people never returning after they entered the woods. But Paul had always been drawn to the woods and, in recent years, found himself spending more time there than he did in town, leading to his being labeled as a village outcast.

It had been many years since the strange orange glow in the mist. Curious about the light,  Paul found what appeared to be an egg in a small clearing in the deep woods. Its large size and round shape made him believe it was from another world altogether. He dared not to bring it home, so he hid it in his camp. When he returned several days later, he found it had opened and was empty. It didn’t take long for him to locate the creature that came from the egg. 

Paul and the scaly humanoid known as Argon learned to communicate. Fearing what would happen to them if the locals discovered them, Paul kept his existence a secret. These days they rarely met as Argon had become self-sufficient and wise to his new world. On the rare times when Paul could spend time with him, Argon expressed a longing to return to his home. Paul understood that. There had been many times when he’d longed to return to a much earlier and simpler time. 

 The humanoid dragon-like creature had grown to a size that made it increasingly challenging to hide in the deep woods, and he had increased his range, sometimes coming dangerously close to nearby towns.

“Argon, you must leave the woods. It is no longer safe for you.”

A large leatherlike face emerged from the fog over the ravine. Argon’s hot breath warmed Paul. Argon snorted. A stream of fire jetted from his nose and vanished quickly, leaving only a thin wisp of smoke and a neat circle of burned ground next to Paul. 

“You’ve been spotted. The villagers are talking about forming a hunting party.” 

Argon nodded, “I know. I saw them.”

“The fools will kill you if they get the chance.”

“And you. If they find you knew about me all along.” 

They stood in silence for a few minutes. Neither wanted to say what was on their mind.

“We could introduce you to them on our terms,” Paul suggested almost innocently.

Argon flashed his version of a smile, baring his sharp teeth. “I think it is time for your kind to learn o
f mine.”

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October 09th, 2022

10/9/2022

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Picture
​The carved pumpkins appeared overnight throughout the city. There had been legends of mysterious pumpkins randomly showing up for decades. Most people just put it down to a tall tale told by kids and old folks to lighten up a late night. According to the stories, anyone who found a pumpkin at their doorstep could expect various bad things to happen to them. But no one believed it.

Over the last few years, they have shown up occasionally, but no one paid them any mind. No one connected the pumpkins to the fact that the person who found them was soon dead or nearly dead under unusual or questionable circumstances.

This morning, the talk was about the most recent pumpkins, who left them, and why. Most people either put a candle in them or left them on the porch for decoration. A few old-timers remembered the old stories, but no one paid them any mind. Paul Quinn didn’t have a pumpkin on his doorstep this time, but his elderly neighbor, Jake, did. 

Curious and generally nosey, Paul wondered if the old tales were true. He spent several hours in the library, reviewing back issues of the local newspapers, and talked with the pretty file clerk at the courthouse who had gotten him access to the dead files. 

In the dead files, he found several crime scene photos of different victims that showed a pumpkin near the front door, but there was no mention of a pumpkin in any of the reports. He also noted that none of the cases were solved or resolved. 

The stories must be true, but what did this mean now? He pondered as he prepared for a date with Lucy, the file clerk from the courthouse. She didn’t have a pumpkin, so he felt reasonably safe going out with her.

Over the next few days, the old stories played out again. Repeatedly the police investigated several mysterious deaths or injuries. Those injured couldn’t explain what had happened. One minute, they were going about their usual routines when they found themselves bleeding profusely or deathly ill. The police and medical authorities were unable to explain or control it.

Knowing his elderly neighbor, Jake had found a pumpkin by his door and ignored it. Paul kept an eye on him, determined to find out what was happening. Three days later, Paul discovered what had happened to the others. 

Lucy found both Jake’s and Paul’s bodies the following day.

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    Picture


    500 Words
      The idea is to write a short story  about 500 max short based on a picture and an opening line.  
    ​From there one can go ANYWHERE..
    ​
    Please note: the images used are free-use images and do not require attribution.

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