It was that time again. The time that all children had been waiting for during the year, the time the dentists and most parents feared, the time when strange creatures lurked among the shadows, the time when anyone could be whatever they wanted, and the time when the truth was well and truly disguised. .

4th September 2000

I stopped taking my meds today. Everyone says trust the doctors, but I don’t think I can. There’s just something off about them. They get to dictate what they put in my system to “heal” me, but I want control. I need control over my body and what I do.

“I’m sorry” exclaimed Aqua , her temper simmering inside of her,” I’m so sorry I lost it. I mean it was in my bag when I last checked, but I don’t know how it fell out of my bag.”

“Well, I don't care, I want my necklace back. You know it’s a treasured gift that I have from my grandma and I can't afford to lose it.” shouted Lucas. She could vividly recall the beautiful emerald necklace given to her by Lucas two weeks ago on a Friday, when it glistened in the sunshine, before he went on holiday for half term. He asked her to keep it safe while he was abroad and now she lost it. “And anyways I know you didn't lose it.” said Lucas.

"Oh come on eli, it's time to go to bed now" I said loudly at the little girl squirming in my arms, " it's 8 0'clock, its your bedtime." She huffed, staring up at me with big brown chocolate eyes, before sitting firmly on the ground, arms crossed against her chest. I sighed, reaching to pick her up, wincing as she squirmed, kicking me in the stomach.

“Wait up, I’m just putting my blazer on!” shouted Emma from the PE changing room. She quickly put it on and stuffed her coat in her bag.

“You know, I just realized…”                                                                  

  She stopped midway through her sentence; Poppy wasn’t in the hallway.

My name is Jane Grey, and on that evening every ounce of my soul longed to be with my deceased grandfather, a tragedy at most but a loss at heart. The funeral was nothing short of pathetic, grandad deserved more; I deserved more. The lights were dimmed just so, allowing me to sight the reactions of those around me. The priest himself looked like my grandad, it brought immense devastation and deep grief to my mind. No one respected him the way I did, right in that moment. They should have given more to him. To me. I have no meaningful words left but empty phrases. I am furious and yet … nothing.

October brings shorter days and longer nights.

Sally was coming back from her best friend’s Halloween party. The full moon had lit up her path, and she started to wish she had not missed the last bus home. Usually, Sally walked this path but not at this hour, and she was longing for the hot cocoa her mum had promised on her thirteenth birthday.

27/10/2020. There was a piercing scream slicing through the cold night air and James Smith woke with a halt. He was drenched in icy sweat, his hands were shaking and his heart was hammering painfully against his ribs. He’d been having the same nightmare for days, maybe weeks, ever since Tom Willson had been murdered, ever since the police told him he should visit the crime scene as he could help solve the case.

No matter how hard Richard tried
he couldn't sleep
Even with the church bell chimes and the softness of a sheep's behind
He couldn't sleep a peep
only dozing, never falling deep

Drinking the blood was always my favourite part.

Water never had the same effect- it was tasteless, empty. But this…this was intoxicating. They liked it too, and it was the quickest way to remove the excess. I took the knife against my eyes, looked up at the ceiling, and braced myself as I eagerly looked at the stained clock in the corner. Today would be perfect.

It’s last period, maths. I’m bored and lost out of my mind. The new maths teacher is droning on about surds, whatever the hell those are. I draw in my book, half asleep, checking the clock every few moments. Five more minutes then I’m out of this treacherous class. The bell rings, and I rush to pack all my things, telling my best friend Naomi to hurry up. We walk down the busy hall, arms linked, talking about something we saw on youtube, when I notice this huge edgy looking poster. I stop and read it carefully.

Ping!

Daniel looks up from his work, confused. It’s midnight. Who’s texting him this late? He wouldn’t even choose to be working at this time.

He picks up his phone, almost cautiously, although he probably has no reason to be worried. His cramped office starts to feel like a cell. He turns the phone over and the screen lights up with the notification.

CURSED POEM WINNER

The mirror crashed to the ground
A thousand little pieces that shattered me,
My life was turned upside down,
My life was stolen from me slowly
piece by piece it began to fall apart
…

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Bucky?”

Christina’s hand tightened around her girlfriend’s, her breaths quick and nervous. They hadn’t explored this apartment complex yet, and for good reason. Compared to the two around it, it was practically just rotting wood, with holes in the grubby brick work that seemed dated to the 21st century. They weren’t supposed to be this far out of the capital; officials had sent public warnings about being outside the regulated zones, where chemical packets dotted the streets and not a dark, damp alleyway was in sight. But of course Rebecca had dragged ‘Tina to go searching for vintage tech. Sony TVs were the in thing- they’d already gotten thousands for ones that weren’t melted metal in new-age infrastructure. And Tina could never say no to her puppy-dog face.

The detective stood alone amidst the suburban neighbourhood. Houses of different pastels were decked in extravagant Halloween decorations. An assortment of glowing vibrant-coloured pumpkins, enormous, spindly spiders, gaunt skeletons, repellent witches, ghastly ghosts, layers of silky cobwebs, Midnight-black, flying bats, gaudy, bright blinking lights. Almost every garden was full of barrels overflowing with luscious ruby apples and tables completely covered with various Halloween themed desserts; candy apples, pumpkin pies, witch-hat cookies and ghost cupcakes. The scene was a model example of what every Halloween fan aspired for. Every aspect and miniscule detail of this festive set-up was impeccable- except for one crucial thing, there was no one there to enjoy it.

Rei walked and stood by the top of the stairs, the floor groaning under the weight. She heard her mothers’ voice before she saw her. Her head hung low as she spoke in hushed tones to her father, who paced back and forth in the kitchen muttering some incoherent words. Her mothers’ eyebrows furrowed as her grip on the letter tightened, crinkling some of the paper before she scrunched up the letter entirely and threw it in the bin. Rei decided it was time to retreat back to her room, disappearing just as quietly as she came. It was hard to get her mother in that kind of state, so when the letter was thrown away in the bin, Rei couldn’t help but wonder what was written in it..

It was raining within the small town of Pennisville. Children in brightly-coloured rubber coats gathered around and jumped in the mud while many frustrated mothers hurried their children inside. And while the rain pelted against windows and the fog blurred the big blue backdrop of the sky, the two children whose mothers hadn’t come stood on the street. The boys waited patiently on the street, shivering in their rubber coats.

Clara opened her eyes to inky darkness and a quiet humming sound resonating in her ears. At least, she thought she had opened her eyes- the darkness around her was no different to the darkness of that when she had her eyes closed. The space was hot and clammy and hard to breathe in as well as an overwhelming smell of earth flooding Claras senses. She tried to sit up by pressing her hands firmly against the varnished, smooth surface and heaving her aching body up- only to bang her head firmly against a varnished, smooth roof that lay around thirty centimeters above where she had lay. Clara yelped, and as soon as the raspy, spluttering sound that her voice made dispersed into the surroundings, it all flooded back to her. How long had she been in there? How long would she have left?