Writing Prompt#3 Bats

My Summerween Writing Challenge

 

Every horror fan worth there salt has read or taken a stab  ( hahaha) at reading ” Dracula ” by Bram Stocker.

I’ve read it a couple of times because it’s a fun read, plus I find Victorian erotica funny. Don’t ask me why.

But truth be know, I have read a Vampire story that actually got under my skin was Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.

I read it when I was about 12 years old- I bought a copy at a Used Bookstore/Comic Book store that I used to visit when I stayed with my Aunt Sharon over the Summer. I read it a couple of times and my Aunt read it too.

I remember I could clearly see Laua and Carmilla in my mind’s eye ( I can still see them ) as I read the book and I also remember that when I visualized what I was reading, there was always a mist or fog at their feet or creeping around Laura’s  windows.

On top of that I know the iconic lines from Dracula about the Wolves by heart because they show up at Halloween  on decorations and in movies .

I haven’t read Carmilla for years but I remember at the ending Carmilla gets hacked up and cremated and her ashes dumped in a river… I will always remember the ending where Laura thinks she hears Carmilla’s footsteps outside her door.

She is haunted by that sound and you know what?

So am I.

We have prayers, rituals to protect us from Evil, some of us though have a favorite- which do you find yourself saying when those things that go bump in the night are pounding at your front door?

*“From ghoulies and ghosties
And long‑leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!”

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
Amen.

The Invocation: “I am Sekhmet who cometh forth in the dawn. I am the power of Ra by day. Nor man nor god shall hurt me, nor shall the living… My name is created to defy all evil. I am the flame that shineth in the sanctuary”.

Prompt#2 Ritual

My Summerween Writing Challenge.

I used to think that haunted houses, the ones that wanted to draw you in and fun run you from room to room screaming for you Mom or God or ‘help’ were the best and most effective haunted houses on the street.

Those haunted houses would take your mind if they didn’t take your bones.

It turns out I may have that one wrong about what it is that makes a haunted house so haunting.

Unless you’re a ghost hunter or your into kicking Fate in the shins, the rest of the population won’t go near a house that looks like it wants to eat you  bit by bit ( and chew you up ever so slowly ).

So if you’re a haunted house, being obvious in your intentions the chances are you’re not going to get the chance to do a little-farming.

You would want to look warm and inviting, you’d want to have lovely green leafy trees in your front yard and potted plants and flowers on  your porch. You’d probably have a doormat trimmed with flowers and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from your kitchen windows.

Nobody would think to dig around in your backyard or basement. No one would search the trunks in your  attic, nobody and I am positive no one would show up and  try to take away the treasures and meals you’ve collected over your years of being a haunted house.

So I guess the spookiest Haunted House on the block doesn’t scream ” Boo “.

It whispers boo right into your ear.

Prompt#1 Spooky

My Summerween Writing Challenge.