A long day and a longer week, but rest is not to be had. I still have tasks that must be done. The clothes are out of the dryer. The iron, the damn iron, no where to be found.

Finally, the iron, it’s there. Taunting me. Reminding me of my near exhaustion. My muscles ache. Every bone too. I must face this laundry and then, blessed, blessed rest.

But a noise startles me. I rush to the window, and to my horror (1) The reaper is in the fields. NO. NO. He can’t take me now. I have work to do and then sleep. I turned away from the window. But again, a noise, a frightening sound pulled me back. This time as I gazed out, (3) The Chaplain approached, and his demeanor was grim. (4) A howl in the distance chilled him to the marrow. The darkness was approaching and my time is short.

“Concentrate” I said to myself. I can’t let my fears overtake me. ” Focus. Focus on your task.” My brain was on fire. My thoughts were of the impending darkness, closing in. For a moment I was out in the darkness (2) And the dust blew across Boot Hill. A cold wind cut me to the bone as the Chaplin approached.

“(5) Blasted rats,”he mumbled, as the disease ridden rodents scurried from the freshly dug graves.

“No” I screamed, “Not yet” as the Chaplin, the varments, and the graveyard disappeared. I was back home again, although I had never left.

Once again, to my task. And once again a disturbance, this time at the door. I approached full of dread not knowing what to expect on the other side. Was it a nightmarish dream or was it death himself? I jumped as the knock rang out again. I shouldn’t open it, but I have no choice. I am compelled by some unseen force.

“Oh please, spare me. I am not a wicked man and truly I am sorry for my sins.” The knock again. My hand moves toward the knob but it’s not me moving it. I see it grasp the antique brass and slowly turn it to the right.

“Stop, I beg of you” I found myself saying to my own hand. But my body betrays me and the door slowly opens.

“Trick or Treat!” says Buzz Lightyear and Miss Piggy simultaneously.

“Damn, I forgot the candy.”

Note: I cheated. This was written by me and my husband in the style of Edgar Allan Poe. I am sorry I didn’t do it myself.

The Chaplain approached, and his demeanor was grim, smoking iron in hand, the day grew more dim….

And the dust blew across Boot Hill.

His eyes wandered to a small bit of bone

Iron in hand, now cold as stone.

And the dust blew across Boot Hill.

He stopped dead in his tracks at the home of Ms. Farrow,

a howl in the distance chilled him to the marrow.

And the dust blew across Boot Hill.

His bone tight around the iron… his excitement builds,

when Ms. Farrow cried out “the reaper is in the fields”.

And the dust blew across Boot Hill.

A movement, a scream and a blast, it all happened so fast

then he saw the flesh, the blood, the bone……

Blasted rats, he mumbled….

And the dust blew across Boot Hill.

thanks for letting me work the brain in a little different way!!!!

“Blasted rats,” he mumbled. The reaper is in the iron fields, digging up bones.

And the dust blew across the bones buried in Boot Hill, the ground a blood red because of the large amount of iron in the dirt. The reaper would not rest until more bones lie in the ground on Boot Hill.

A Horrifying Western Comedy.

It was a cold October night, unlike any I’d seen before. There was an orange glow in the midnight sky and the wind made a sound like that of a dying cow with a bad case of laryngitis. The air was filled with odd smells and the dust blew across Boot Hill.

Iron Bone, a man with as many issues as a dog has flees, walked across that lonely town with an unconfident demeanor. His weathered frame stumbled into the local saloon where his partner in crime, a fellow baboon with cowardly traits, was waiting for him.

“Give me a shot of confidence.” Iron Bone told the bartender.

“You ain’t never had confidence in your life” said his friend Rusty Bullet

“That’s why I need a beer; I’ve seen some awful things tonight. The reaper is in the fields again, I was so scared I think all my hair fell out right then.”

“It’s been gone a long time” Rusty replied

“Well, what was left of it is gone. Have you heard from Ima?”

“She’s coming. Iron, why do we have to steel those cattle tonight? It’s the scariest night ever!”

“That’s the point stupid! Nobody would ever suspect us. Why who in their right mind would think we would be out on a night like this? They’ll think the ghost’s ate em”

“Let’s go on out back, Ima said she’d meet us out there when her shift was over and it’s about that time.”

With that they left the saloon trying harder than necessary to look unsuspicious. As they came out they saw the Chaplin walking down the street.

“Watch what you say” Iron said “Try not to look like you’re up to anything.”

The Chaplain approached, and his demeanor was grim.

“Boy’s you shouldn’t be out on a night like this!” He warned “You better get home; I’ve seen all kinds of signs tonight. Go home.”

“That’s just what we’re doing.” Rusty lied, “Why we wouldn’t even think of being up to no good on a night like this! I ain’t going no where near no cows…”

Iron Bone kicked his friend in the shin and glared at him.

“Excuse us Chaplin, sir. Why I’m mighty sorrow you have to waist your time talkin’ to this here moron. Why his belly is plumb full of the demon liquor and he ain’t said a word of cense, that’s why I’m taking him home right now.”

“Well, see that you do.” The Chaplin eyed the too suspiciously as he walked away.

Iron Bone grabble Rust Bullet and yanked him into the ally where Ima Barfly, the ugliest barfly in the west, was waiting for them.

“What took you knuckleheads so long?” She scolded. “I’ve been freezing myself out here waiting for you.”

“Oh big mouth had to stop and talk to the Chaplin.” Iron Bone said.

“Well, let’s hurry,” Ima replied. “We don’t have forever.”

With that a coward, moron, and ugliest barfly in the west went into the cold darkness of the night to steal some cows and make a fortune.

They got to the Mournful Cattle Ranch where the fattest beef in Texas were kept. Rusty Bullet crept out from behind a bush. Just then a howl in the distance chilled him to the marrow.

“What’s the matter with Rusty?” Ima asked Iron, “He’s plumb terrified so that he can’t even move!”

“It’s them blasted rats” he mumbled “Rusty’s always had that reaction to rats. Oh well, we don’t need him anyhow. Here’s my plan, Ima. See we get up there yonder, where the guards are and you commence to flirting and sashaying around. You distract them with you female wilds and I’ll steal me some cattle.”

So they crept up to gate and began to execute their plan. Ima began walking up to the gate with a strange wiggle in her stride. About that time the howling began again. The guards turn around in fear and saw Ima walking around like no human they’d ever seen before. Scared that this ugly creature was a ghost they ran from her, screaming like little school girls. The noise startled the cattle which started a stampede running right toward Iron Bone and Ima Barfly. They ran away as fast and far as they could go. Nobody’s sure what ever happened to them or Rusty Bullet, but that’s what happens when three people who don’t have enough cense between them to make a nickel, go cattle rustling on Halloween.

Hope you like it. 🙂

Thanks for the invite.

I see you are not using your powers tonight.