I'm re-wearing an old costume this year (boo) because I couldn't get the right supplies to make a mask that matches the one I made for Jenn. Just look for posts with the tag halloween if you want to see the costume; it's from a few years back.

In honor of a day cherished by most of my fellow Silent Hill fans, I'm presenting a short story written in the setting of our favorite ghost-plagued, monster-ridden, hell-on-earth resort town. Now, I'm no expert, but this may constitute fanfic, a thing I usually try to avoid. But if you can get an audience riled just by writing "Toluca Lake," it's silly not to use it.

( GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND GREAT UNKINDNESSES DO FOLLOW. )

Halloween was a success around our place. A red-lit entryway, the post-industrial noise of Lustmord, two Silent Hill nurses flanking the doorway and me doing my automaton best to frighten children with jerky, mechanical movements.

Many a child was too afraid to approach and the adults egged them on but kept their own distance. Maybe they didn't want to upset their child by being seen as fearful. Maybe the child was the canary in the coalmine.

The high point for me was a passing mother and child on the opposite side of the street. The mother asked her child if she wanted to cross over and the girl replied "I don't want any more candy!" Mwah-ha-ha-ha . . .

jenniferrodgers took the art photos of our costumes and she'll have them posted. In the meantime, here are the quick snaps I got of our preparations.

( . . . if you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. )

Another 100 word story today:

Occupation?

“I kill people for the government,” He finished his beer while I stared. “Population control I think. They got me out of the ‘hospital’ and set me up here. I do whatever I like, long as I meet quota every month.”

I closed my notebook. “I can’t sell that. No one will believe you.”

“I got proof,” A gun poked my ribs. “Let’s just walk out the back.”

He rolled open the door of a rental truck. I saw the sound-proofing tiles, the manacles hanging from a chain, the toolbox.

Blood stains.

“Everyone believes if you scream loud enough.”

-

Jenn and I made the scene at 2 parties this weekend and got to show off our costumes. We're both happy with the looks we've achieved. Photos will be available soon but until then, just imagine a shambling faceless nurse and a 6' automaton nutcracker.

Please take this opportunity to be unsettled by Dan's costume test. The children on his street will need therapy. I can only hope I will be half as scary.