Trick or Treat, a story by Holly Roberts, aged 10 (From News Shopper)

Trick or Treat, a story by Holly Roberts, aged 10

2:52pm Tuesday 27th October 2009 in Competitions

This was the winning entry in the Halloween spooky story contest run by News Shopper and The Walnuts shopping centre in Orpington.

The cold night air surrounded Sam’s body, creeping silently through his clothes onto his skin as he walked along the deserted cobbles.

Aware it was Halloween, Sam thought of all his friends out trick or treating as he stalked through the dimly lit street, alone.

He watched his warm breath seep into the crisp night air, before it faded away to nothing. He listened to the squelch plop noise that his trainers made in the puddles of waters trapped like prisoners between the uneven cobbles.

Another noise sounded in the distance. Sam’s ears strained in concentration as he realised that the noise was getting closer and closer. Beads of sweat trickled like blood down Sam’s forehead and stung his wide-open eyes.

Holding his breath, he stopped in his tracks and slowly, carefully, turned his head ...

There, motionless in front of Sam, was Cody. Cody was a new boy who joined East Log High School in late September. He always wore indigo dungarees with a striped shirt. He had straight, jet-black hair, one green eye and one turquoise. Sam found this weird and quite scary as his own family had brown eyes.

When Cody looked at people he gave them a spectral stare. He didn’t talk to anyone, not in class and not to his friends. He didn’t have any friends. In the playground, he would just stand on the same spot everyday until the bell rang.

Sam glanced away and glanced back. Cody had gone. Sam froze. He timidly peered around and swiftly sprinted until he reached the park.

It was chilly and growing dark. Suddenly, as he tried to save himself, he fell smack onto the damp grass. Soggy mud flew into the pitch-black air, as if fired from a cannon.

Sam squinted in front of him. He could see an outline of brown shoes. He peered up to see one green eye, one turquoise. Edging away from Cody, Sam tried to back up and lose his stare. Cody wouldn’t look away. His eyes were fixed onto Sam like they were stuck with glue. Sam timorously stood up.

“Leave me alone!” howled Sam, “Look, you are a freak, so go home and take a nap. OK? You shouldn’t be out this late. I’m tired and I bet you are too.”

Cody started to lean towards Sam, his arms by his side.

“Oi! What do you think your doing? Stop!” hissed Sam.

Cody didn’t take any notice of what Sam was saying. He just kept on leaning, further and further.

“Hey!” Sam pushed Cody as hard as he could. He hit the grass with a hollow, thump!

Sam gasped while slowly stepping away. He wiped his face and flicked the seed away. Cody’s head was a pumpkin. Orange and cracked. Seeds and juice splattered everywhere. Cody’s body was still. An owl hooted accusingly. Sam couldn’t breath.

His skin prickled as he shivered. Not looking back, he raced all the way home. When he got to his front door he paused and finally drew a rasping breath.

Standing in the hall, he saw his mother come out from the lounge.

“Have you had fun?” she smiled.

“Oh mum, it was awful…”

“No sweets?”

“No, but…”

“No one in?”

“Mum please listen! It was awful. Cody. He… He was… Pumpkin…The park…”

“What are you talking about?” questioned his mother, tucking a wisp of blonde hair back into place.

“Mum, I didn’t mean it. I pushed him, but only because he wouldn’t leave me alone. I asked him to go away but he kept getting closer and closer. I was afraid. It’s not my fault. He fell. Please go and look. Please. His head. It’s not right.”

“I can’t go now, dinners nearly ready and it’s far too cold. Why don’t you go and get washed. We will talk about it when daddy gets home.”

Eventually, once his father had arrived home, the story was re-told. Sam felt that his parents didn’t believe him.

“If you go and look, you will see I’m telling the truth.”

“We could have a quick look if it will make you feel better. You get ready for bed. We will be back before you know it!” his mother cooed in a soothing voice. The kiss on his forehead made him feel better.

Brushing his teeth as quickly as he could, he thought of Cody and hoped his parents would be home soon.

He looked out of the window briefly before jumping into bed, pulling the covers tightly around his shoulders.

Just as he was entering an uneasy sleep, he heard the key in the door. He listened, but there was no urgency in their voices. They didn’t even come upstairs. The kettle whistled and the smell of fresh coffee wafted to his room. Why were they laughing? Why hadn’t they come to see him? Were the police on their way? All these questions echoed in his mind.

The step creaked as it always did. He felt the reassuring hand of his mother stroke his head.

“Good night darling. It’s all OK.”

“Did you find him? Am I in trouble?”

“Don’t worry sweetie. We have taken care of it.”

The hall light flickered.

“Go to sleep. Things will seem better in the morning.”

Sam felt happier when she winked at him as she did every night. Only tonight it was different… One green eye and one turquoise.

As she left the room, Cody reached for her hand and led her down the hall, grinning.