Pumpkin Patch
An original horror story
Nothing good ever came from a pumpkin.
Noah’s lips curdled into an instant sour grimace at the first hint of pumpkin spice. Thanksgiving dinner always turned into a game of subterfuge when his parents dished up slices of pumpkin pie. Noah cut and poked at his slice until he assumed nobody still paid close attention. Then he stuffed mushy remnants inside two napkins and walked the balled-up napkins over to a waiting trash can underneath the kitchen sink when he cleared his plate.
Taking a small slice for the sake of being polite was an acceptable gesture. Noah drew the line at allowing even a morsel of ground pumpkin guts to touch his tongue and slither down his throat.
He stepped out of his SUV and unleashed a contented sigh while pushing the door shut behind him. His vision had come to fruition.
All traces of Hank Bryer’s old pumpkin patch had been erased. Not one misshapen orange weed still cluttered the sprawling lot. Noah convinced the Mount Holly town council to upgrade from pumpkins to a modern mixed-use development. This lot found a second life as a dynamic vehicle supplying a year-round boost to the small Wyoming town’s seasonal economy.
Trading pumpkins for wood, steel, and cement also meant a steady stream of building rental fees flowing into Noah’s business account.
“Such a beautiful sight.” Noah trailed his eyes end to end across the cluster of new buildings dotting the lot. “This has turned out even better than I hoped.”
He paused. His eyes slid back to a street level storefront on the southeast corner. A boutique occupied a building, originally intended to house a sandwich shop. New age lettering and graphics graced the hanging sign out front.
This couldn’t be allowed to stand.
Noah marched straight up to the door while fumbling for his smartphone in his pocket. This shop owner would be getting a piece of his mind. Sandwich shops brought in revenue. New age nonsense did not. Simple as that. He didn’t want their presence jeopardizing respectable businesses from opening in the development.
A bell chimed above his head when Noah pushed open the door. An odd feeling gripped him as he stepped into the shop. It appeared much darker inside than it did from the outside. Heavy green curtains were drawn on every window except the ones at the front entrance. Stones, crystals, and candles lined assorted shelves.
Noah scowled.
An occult shop? Not on his property.
“Welcome to Uncharted Realms.” A pleasant singsong voice greeted him. “Your guide for spiritual and mystical journeys.”
Noah turned on his heel and came face-to-face with a blue-eyed young woman standing behind the counter. Honey blonde hair cascaded down to her shoulders. A colorful fringe knit sweater wrapped around her black shirt and blue jeans.
“This business wasn’t approved under the terms of the lease,” Noah said, brushing off her friendly demeanor. “I want to speak with the owner.”
Her smile evaporated as she studied him, eyes trailing up his tailored suit.
“I’m Molly.” A smile re-emerged, more forced this time around. “This is my shop.”
“Bad news for you, Molly,” he said. “I’m kicking you out of here for violating the lease agreement you signed.”
Molly held up a hand and stepped out from behind the counter.
“Wait! Can we talk about this?”
“This shop was approved for a quick service restaurant, not occult trash.”
“Occult trash?”
“Your shop will only scare away god-fearing tourists. Customers flush with disposable income.”
Molly answered him with a perturbed frown.
“Let me show you my books.” She gestured at a door behind the counter bearing an employees only sign. “You’re way off base here.”
Noah shrugged and stuffed his phone back in his pocket. What the hell? He’d humor this girl for a few minutes. See the numbers before sending her packing.
Molly led him into her back office and closed the door behind them. She didn’t click on a light. Darkness blanketed him from all sides.
“Hey! Can you flip on a light switch?” Noah snapped. “I can’t see my own hands.”
A single blob of light pierced the darkened room. Flickering and waving. A sharp aroma from some sort of herb filled the room. Noah scrunched up his nose. More flickers joined the first one, surrounding him on all sides.
Noah’s eyes gradually adjusted to the reduced light. His limbs stiffened and his heart started pounding.
Candle flames revealed assorted shrunken heads lining the walls. All partially cloaked in shadow. Each one wearing a terrified expression.
“Much better,” Molly said. “Now we can talk.”
She stepped away from a nearby candle wearing a satisfied smile.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Noah struggled to mask the tremor in his voice.
“I know exactly who you are,” she said. “I also knew what it would take to lure you here instead of another underling hedging up the way.”
“I’m calling the police.”
“Did you think you would get away with what you did to my grandpa?” she snapped. “Stealing his land? You ruined his life just to fatten your obese wallet!”
Noah’s throat tightened. No one told him Hank Bryer still had relatives living around these parts.
“Grandpa lacked the power to stop an assclown like you.” Molly marched past his shoulder. “But I don’t have the same problem.”
She turned the deadbolt on her office door and wheeled around to face him again.
“Do you know how to shrink a human head?” Molly flashed a wry smile at him. “I’ve got the whole process down to a science. Can’t wait to show you.”
Did you enjoy this spooky horror tale?
Check out the books in my Deer Falls horror series for more terrifying Halloween reads:
Snow Dragon
Pandora Reborn
The Crimson Reaper
Now at Barnes and Noble, you can buy one eBook in the Deer Falls horror series and get a second eBook free. Discount applies at checkout and only to the Deer Falls horror series. Sale lasts through Halloween night, so take advantage of this great deal while you still can.
Ha! Love Molly!
Oopsie Daisy, Noah.