The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Our Forever Friend
by K.R. Morrison

I have to admit, we were a bit disappointed in the way our Halloween pumpkin turned out this year. Seems it smoked a lot, rather than sending forth light like the ones in previous years.

However, it did tell ribald stories and recite lewd poetry, so we thought that was alright. Our only fear was that it would rot out early, given this particular year’s unusual amount of rain.

I have to say, I really admire how the Headless Horseman has evolved over the centuries. Riding horseback to lob pumpkins at unsuspecting victims was no longer a possibility, what with people choosing to fly along the roads in their motorized carriages. So, he changed with the times—and how!

People still tell stories of the old HH, but they consider them “myths.” I don’t see how they can be in denial when they see a blazing-red Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom zip past their cars, ridden by something with a pumpkin head.

He’s told us a lot of stories about his encounters with people, some of whom are still alive. Especially the police. They used to stop him for speeding, but one look at that pumpkin head close-up and they back away. HH has seen them in the local bar later, gulping whiskey and rubbing their eyes. We really laugh about that.

But this pumpkin on the table before us. This is a problem.

Thing is, it really wants to stay. I think it likes us. I can’t tell if it used to be male or female, but it sure can tell some great stories. When HH told us where to find it after he’d successfully launched his head, we were a little wary. After all, no one of our type had been allowed into a churchyard in centuries. But HH had been having trouble finding victims lately, and had been thinking seriously of moving back to Sleepy Hollow, when this one ambled into his radar. The fool hadn’t even tried to duck when HH threw that head of his. And, would you believe, our target fell right into the local cemetery!

When this pumpkin rots, the soul within it will go the way of Ichabod Crane and all of the others. It doesn’t want that, and we don’t want that. HH made good on his idea of heading back to his roots, so if this soul doesn’t hang around, we’ll have to follow suit. Otherwise, no more pumpkin guests.

Wait! My sister has just clattered up the front walk. She practically busted the door off the hinges as she rushed into the room.

“Girls! Our troubles are over!” she shouted. We gathered around her, eager for her news.

She pulled a box from a grocery bag and presented it to us. I must admit, I was quite disappointed. My other sister was too, and more.

“Are you nuts?” she shouted. “How is a box of pumpkin-flavored snack cakes going to keep our friend here longer?”

Pumpkin, who had been watching us with some amusement, broke into laughter. We turned to it, puzzled.

“Well, I certainly can understand where your sister is coming from,” it said between peals of laughter. “Take a look at the ingredients!”

We did. And wow.

Ingredient names we couldn’t pronounce marched across the box, with “pumpkin flavor” being one of the last ones.

“You see? I can live forever, which is just what I had wanted when your Headless Motorcycle Man pelted me with the gourd.” The pumpkin smile grew broader. “All I have to do is to waft into one of those things when my pumpkin is spent. Those snack cakes have a half-life of at least 3000 years!”

We all smiled, then broke into our happy dance. This was the start of a very good friendship for us all.

Fiction © Copyright K.R. Morrison
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from Author K.R. Morrison:

Be Not Afraid (Pride’s Downfall Vol 1)

Lydia’s faith in God is strong – at least on paper. But what happens when that faith is tested? Turned into a vampire by the worst – Vlad Drakul – she feels that God has abandoned her. But the opposite is true. God rescues her from a fate worse than death, and brings her into the plan He has for global redemption. With the help He sends, she feels like nothing can stop her. But when Vlad torments her again, and then her family, the temptation to run and hide is almost too strong to resist. Her answer to God’s call is the deciding factor in the battle that pits the angelic powers of God against the demonic powers of Hell.

Available on Amazon!