Our 2Dark competition draws to a close! We received some excellent and terrifying entries, and choosing the winners has been a nightmare task.
But choose we did! First here’s our two runners up:
Short Story by @CannibalHoliday
The antiques shop door rattles closed behind you. The bell above it makes a half-heart jingle and falls quickly silent. There is no one to be seen. Wafting from the back comes the scent of decaying incense and soured meat.
You shoulder your way through piles of castoffs and detritus from the lives of people long dead. Homeless trinkets and baubles try to place themselves in your hands and pockets. The despair is palpable.
You step through the threshold into the back room. The air is think with fetid smoke. An old woman with milky, unfocused eyes looks up at you.
“At last, you’ve come. Destroyer. Poisoner. Thief of life. To butcher and unmake what is before you. Come then. Have your slaughter. Take what is yours. I won’t interfere.”
“Lady,” you begin, “I don’t know what you’re smoking but I’m just here to ask you—“
Her eyes, lingering at a point in space behind you suddenly snap to clear focus on your face.”
“Be silent, fool” she hisses, “I wasn’t talking to you.”
Behind you, something steps out of the darkness.
Poem by @IceeLady
It was dark & stormy
Lightning was striking
Thunder was booming
The power was out
Little boy curled in a ball
He had to go
Scared as he was
He couldn’t wait
Running down the hallway
Almost to safety
Reaching for the knob
He sighed in relief
A bloodcurdling scream
The next morning
The house was empty
Except for a puddle
By the bathroom door
Spooky congratulations to them! They will both receive a key for 2Dark!
Now onto the BIG prize, the physical collector’s edition of 2Dark!
The prize goes to…
The Cat Lady by Carolyn L.
There once was an old lady
Who didn’t have a home
She lived out of a shopping cart
But she was never really alone
Cats were her constant companions
They were all that she adored
She’d walk across the streets at night
Quietly muttering, “Mi amore, mi amore, mi amore…”
The cats followed her everywhere
At least a dozen to be sure
With mangy coats and cloudy eyes
Only she understood their allure
Some called her crazy
Others called her poor
“There goes The Cat Lady!” they’d shout
Begging from door to door
Perhaps someone loved her once
Maybe it wasn’t always this way
Perhaps she had a family too
Before time made her withered and gray
Until she died alone one night
On a cold december morn
No one was there when the cats had their feast
Her body frozen like a stillborn
They started with her fingers
And then ate up her toes
They scratched out her eyeballs
And even chewed on her nose
It was days before they found her
When there was hardly anything left
“What a mess” the police lamented
Even her soul was left bereft
In a way they’re together forever now
I can only imagine what she had to endure
But some people say they can still hear at night
Someone muttering in the dark, “Mi amore”
They’ll receive a physical collector’s edition of 2Dark! We’ll be in touch shortly with the winners, so keep checking your emails!
Thanks to all those who entered and sorry to those who didn’t win, but best of luck if you enter our future competitions!