Scribes Valley Publishing
Clara was referring to the ramshackle bungalow at the end of our street. Ever since Marie the Cat Woman stabbed the neighbor lady with a kitchen knife, no one had lived there. They hauled Maria off in an ambulance. That was ten years ago.
"Hang on," I pointed at the shoe Clara was reaching to unlace. "I'll walk back down there with you to check it out."
She was right. It was nasty. Sort of a cat urine/burnt match/stinky sweet/decaying cloud of pure ick hovered like a ghost by the house's front gate.
That's why there's a vacant lot at the end of our street these days. It's also the reason why both Clara and I begin to gag whenever the evening news guy reports another meth kitchen bust.
by Daphne Rice, Portland, OR"Sue and Mark just went over there," said Mandy.
Clara stated to run. "Come on Mandy, let's go check it out."
When they got there, they knocked on the front door and yelled. "Trick or treat."
Lights came on--the door opened. A woman dressed in a very authenic looking witch costume smiled and said. "You children wouldn't pull a trick on a nice old lady like me, would you? Now step inside so I can take a good look at your outfits."
They went inside, and in the better lighting the girls realized the old woman wasn't wearing any makeup. Her long crooked nose with a huge wart was real. She was a witch! They turned to run out, but the door slammed shut.
"Don't leave so soon." The witch replied, as she pulled open the oven door. "Won't you be joining your friends for dinner?"
by Ronald Brunsky, Ohio"Okay--I'll go by it..." Paul said, smiling.
"I'll come with you, but let's walk on the other side of the road."
Clara took Paul's hand and together they walked on the other side of the road. The sky grew darker and darker as they approached the opposite side of the road, across from the creepy house.
"It does look creepy!" Paul said, still smiling.
The door morphed out into a snout with teeth. Sure enough-- "Snap! Snap! SNAP!" The noise sounded out as the teeth crashed together.
"Odd," Paul said, a frown having replaced the smile.
"Odd? Is that all you can say?" Clara asked, her voice screeching with fear.
"Well, I've seen houses like it before, but never one that thinks it is an alligator..."
"You're MAD! HOW can a house THINK?--Let alone THINK it is an alligator!!!!!
"There's no need to SNAP at me!" Paul said and walked off in a huff.
by Carolyn Ann Aish, Inglewood, New ZealandQuite matter of factly, Mr. Incrimmins addressed the tardy student peeking around the door jamb, "That's NOT creepy."
"It is TOO!" Clara shrieked. Her chubby six-year-old face struggled in a tug of war between panic and frustration.
"No, it's NOT 'creepy'. If it's moving, you should call it 'That CREEPING house on the corner.'"
That said, Mr. Incrimmins patted his jacket pocket. Feeling the reassuring rectangular lump of his video phone, he walked briskly out the classroom door toward the house on the corner.
by Ric Hardson, USA"Ewwww..." Cynthia said, a horrific look crossing her face. "That's disgusting!"
"You're telling me?" Clara returned. "People are gonna get really confused when they can't find 268 Sycamore Street anymore, but can find two 68 Sycamore Streets!"
by Phillip Lynne, Knoxville, TN