Samhain

Looking down, she knew the work she had to do but stopped long enough to enjoy the moment. She stroked the rounded face. The skin was cool and smooth. She traced her forefinger around each eye, tenderly touching the delicate flesh. The gently curved mouth was closed now. She wondered what it might say if it had the chance and laughed softly to herself. She picked up the knife and touched a fingertip to its edge, smiling at the sharpness.

She pressed the knife against the flesh. Holding her breath for a moment, she pierced the skin with the tip. She was surprised how little liquid seeped out from the first cut. Emboldened, she pushed the blade in further, a silky smooth movement with nothing to hinder it. Then the madness was upon her. She plunged the blade in again and again, thrilling to the sensation. Her hair flew around, tickling her face but she didn’t notice. When sanity came back to her she eyed her handy work. Messy but good, she thought. Only the last stomach churning job to do and then she could rest.

Placing the knife on the table she gently pushed her hand into the open wound. She cringed at the revolting, wet sensation that travelled from her hand up her arm. Well it had to be done! Steadying herself, she took a deep breath and removed her hand. This was nauseating but it would soon start to smell if the innards were not removed properly. Looking at the slimy wet mess in her hand she felt slightly sick but had to carry on.

In only a few short minutes her work was complete. Looking around her she could see she had made more of a mess than last time! Even the walls were splattered with the sticky mess. The whole thing was rather gruesome but she was pleased with the work she had done, even if there were thin tendrils of slimy soft tissue over her face and in her hair. She would deal with them later she thought, wiping her cheek in an absent minded way.

She looked up, startled when the doorbell rang. Even amid the chaos she knew she had to answer it. Hurrying to the front door, anticipation gripped her. She threw the door open. The air was so cold outside that it stung her face after the heat of her exertion. She thrust the creation she had worked so hard on towards them, delighted at the stunned faces that greeted her. Her jack-o'-lantern was perfect. The local children always loved to visit her at this time of year. They shrieked with pleasure. “Trick or Treat!”