Halloween

 Halloween 

Jane Scoggins 

We had had a good night out at the Travellers Joy pub in Rayleigh, me and the girls. Six of us old friends. It had been ages since we had had a night out together, before the Covid pandemic struck in fact. We had all had Covid at some point over the last 18 months or so. Jenny and I had been really poorly and Jenny still didn't feel 100% but apart from a lingering cough for a month after, the other girls hadn't been too badly affected. Anyway we were all glad to have survived intact. Both Ann and Clare had lost a loved one during the lock downs. Ann her Nan, and Clare her Granddad who had been in a nursing home. Neither had been able to visit and say goodbye. A horrible time it had been. We were all triple vaxed up and ready to celebrate all the missed birthday celebrations and Christmas get togethers. We all arranged to get a taxi home or have our partners pick us up by11pm. At11 pm I was the only one left to be picked up. My partner Tony had texted to say there had been a bit of a hold up on the A127 but was on his way. The pub was ready to close so I was waiting outside on the little terraced balcony.  We had had a scorching summer and although it was the end of October it was quite mild. There was virtually no traffic passing at that time of night and not a soul about. It was quite nice waiting in the quiet gloom. We had all had quite a lot to drink, me included, which was unusual, but I felt mellow rather than inebriated. After 10 minutes or so I thought I would walk around the car park a bit to avoid starting to get cold. It was getting a bit misty and the Halloween pumpkins dotted about were looking a bit spooky with their funny cut out eyes and mouths. One of the flats across the road had one lit up in the window which looked more cheerful than scary.

After a while, I stood nearer the road to look out for Tony as the pub lights were now turned off. All was silent and then I heard a muffled voice somewhere near but no actual person to be seen. I thought it must be my imagination until I distinctly heard a young voice say:

 ‘Miss, Miss’.  I looked around but there was no one. And then I saw a most extraordinary thing that so shocked me  I was rooted to the spot. Looking down I saw what looked like a hand appearing out of the ground. Impossible I thought. Then it moved and stretched its fingers. It looked like the hand of a young male. I looked closer, yes I guessed, a young man’s weather beaten hand. The air was beginning to feel cooler and a bit damp. Whatever I had drunk that evening had definitely gone to my head. The voice came again. ‘Miss Miss’. The voice seemed to be coming from below the ground and then with a swirl of mist it rose above the ground and was very close. I waited, still rooted to the spot. The voice came again nearer to me.

‘Miss, my name is James. James Cook. I died a very long time ago.

‘How long ago,’ I heard myself ask. As if it mattered at all.

‘In 1829 Miss’ came the disembodied reply.

‘ It was wrong Miss, a miscarriage of justice Miss, I never done what they said I had. Mr Green the farmer I worked for said I set fire to his property Miss, and they believed him and took me off to prison. It broke my Mam’s heart it did. I had to go to court. There had been a few arsons about that time what with all the dissatisfaction with farm worker's conditions. Everyone working on the land was frustrated. They had taken our contracts away and we only got what we worked for, so during the winter if there was nothing much to do ‘cept feed the animal no one got paid until planting time in Spring. It was hard to survive, and some didn't. I was 15 at the time and although headstrong didn't have any evidence, so it was my word against Mr Green’s. He didn't like me one bit. He had a nasty temper and worked me to the bone. He beat me once too. He was a horrible man. His wife was scared of him. When his daughter Molly even dared look in my direction he would shout and ball at me and reduce my dinner ration. I would of left if I could but my Mum was a widow and couldn't really afford to keep me in food. In fact I used to scrump apples and plums for her and a handful of corn for her 3 chickens now and again to help her out. It was the only way. But I did hate him and he knew it. I don't know who did torch his barn, he was not liked by anyone, but it weren't me. But he was determined to punish me for anything he could and apart from being asleep in another barn, I had no alibi. He was an influential man was farmer Green. I stood no chance. I'm sure my Ma believed me but what good was that to her. I couldn't help her out anymore.  I never thought  for me it would come to the gallows, but with all the unrest with farm workers and labourers and the arson attacks the judges were coming down hard to try and frighten folk and stop it happening.’ 

There was a pause while I digested this information as best as my fuddled brain could. He carried on with what sounded like a little sob in his voice.

 I was shocked to hear the judge say ‘The sentence of the court upon you, is that you be taken from this place to a lawful prison and thence to a place of execution, and that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul’

‘Where you are standing now Miss, is where the gallows stood, and where I was hanged. Walking up those steps with townsfolk standing watching was horrible. I dared look up at them standing there. I told my Mother not to come and I was glad not to see her face. But I did see my brother. He was crying so pitifully I had to look away. I never knew who burnt down farmer Green’s barn. It could have been anyone with a grudge or it could have been an accident. But I was blamed and had my life ended cruelly and wrongly. I was barely 16 years of age. I can never settle. I am troubled and restless. Tonight is Halloween when many spirits are abroad. Most living folks do not have the spiritual power to believe in the spirit world so do not hear or see us. You have heard me though and it has helped me that you have listened. Do you believe me?’ 

‘ Yes, I do,’ I heard myself say almost in a whisper. 

Just then I am alerted to Tony’s car lights as he swings into the pub car park.

 He stops the car and leans over to open the passenger car door. Before I get in I look all around me in a slow 360-degree movement. Nothing to see or hear. Tony calls me to get in. Giving me a peck on the cheek as a welcome he says laughing.

‘ Good Lord love. Good night with the girls then? You look like you are three sheets to the wind, or have you just seen a ghost? Well, it is Halloween. Let's get you home, you definitely don’t look quite right.

I am silent as we drive home. Was that real or just my imagination?.

 

Copyright Jane Scoggins

Concrete Haiku

Two Pictographs:  Concrete Haiku

By Robert Kingston

 CONUNDRUM 

Peter Woodgate 

I’m sitting here, beer in hand,

The sun is shining, ain't that grand?

No, for as the clouds go floating by

I’m suddenly aware, that I,

At present, am a lucky “B”

Whilst all around catastrophe.

This world mankind has deeply wounded

Power is paramount and money laundered

Don’t look too far into the future

Wealth is the power, no need to nurture

All that’s precious to this earth

To safeguard mankind’s future girth

Around this planet that we lease

A short time, should we not find peace.

So, what is peace? The end of war?

A unity of rich and poor?

A realisation of us all

That we will face the greatest fall

From grace that we were given

Yet now, just into greed we’re driven.

I could, of course, shout from my box

And chain myself with many locks

To a railway line somewhere,

They’ll say “that is most unfair”

However, should I attempt that way

Or glue myself to a motorway

I will need to ensure I pray

That I won’t be run over.

A conundrum now is what I face,

Do I act, end in disgrace?

Or simply do nothing at all

Just curl up into a great big ball

And let the world roll by?

I’ve made up my mind

It’s not my business

I shall sit in the sun

And drink a few more Guinness.

 

Copyright Peter Woodgate Oct 2022

 

Tylywoch ~ 28

Tylywoch ~ 28 Fighting Back… 

By Len Morgan

 Axen, the fourth member of stealth quad, returned with news that Galyx had gone to confront Glamhorten.

"We have to provide him with support," said Soren.

"The other three members of my quad are with him, as well as a captain Vadeem?"

"A good man!   He couldn't be in better company." Lieutenant Veille assured them.

"Galyx said they would be able to look after themselves, we should get to the Throne room in the palace to support the Empress and her guardians," said Axen, "an all-out attack is imminent, and despite rumours to the contrary the Empress still lives!"

A cheer went up from those within earshot, re-echoing as the news was passed on.

The spread of the news and the obvious boost it gave to the morale of all, was evident.

Schell looked to Veille, "What is our current position Lieutenant?"  

He squatted on his haunches and cleared a space in the dust at their feet with his poniard.   They gathered around, torches were hoisted above the spot.  

He inscribed a small cross with the point of his blade "We are here - Two floors above is the rear of the Throne room,  we should emerge about thirty yards from the rear entrance which will be heavily guarded on the outside."

"A quad will reconnoitre and report back before we move," said Schell, nodding to a quad leader who motioned to his men.   They moved out swiftly to complete their mission. 

.-…-. 

"There is a unit of two hundred men on call in a nearby suite of rooms, and a guard of ten permanently watching the door.   They are there to prevent escape, they are not positioned to defend themselves from without.   There have been several unsuccessful attempts to break into the Throne room, there is blood in the passage" the quad leader explained.   "The doors are heavy and solid, made of Ironwood which is not predisposed to take fire easily, the hinges are heavy and unmarked by previous attempts to break in.   I would suggest they are holed up in the safest place in the palace, there's no good reason to break them out at this time."

""Can we take out the guard & support units by stealth?" asked Schell.

.-…-. 

Glamhorten held out her arms to Galyx gesturing as if to draw him to her, like a fish on a line.   He walked slowly and purposefully towards her as if in answer to her beckoning.   She felt an inner thrill of excitement, if she could only get into his mind and turn him she would have accomplished something her people had attempted in vain for centuries, to gain access to the secrets of the Tylywoch.   She, would if successful become the 'Premier Bride' at a stroke.   His mind seemed strange, but it had submitted easily enough to her will, they embraced.   Maybe too easily she thought, alarm bells ringing, in her mind.   They kissed and she relaxed her poisoned lip balm was intended to bind him to her, ‘I have him, he's mine now,’ she thought. 

He felt the taint of infection, the beginnings of a non-reversible chemical reaction that would fix his addiction.   His lips tingled and burned, the heat spread rapidly to his mouth, throat, oesophagus, lungs, then into his bloodstream.   He had set in motion the body mechanisms to contain and counter its effects, but it spread so rapidly he was doubtful they would be successful.   He may have acted in time if the antidote were of sufficient potency…   Even as the thought flashed through his mind he remembered his purpose; ‘to protect and defend the empress’. 

She entered his mind, moving easily without let or hindrance, into his higher conscious mind.   'Who are you?' she asked.

'I am Kebu master, thirteenth warrior of the Natural Disasters, welcome to your release!' He replied.   "Death with Honour" he screamed with every sinew of his body fully expecting to die. 

"OOOH!"  She cried out involuntarily and hastened to escape from his mind but found the way barred.   She struggled, writhed and squirmed in her efforts to find a way through, but he held onto her as if they were fused as one.

"AAAAGH!"   She cried in fear and terror, she called out ferociously for Bedelacq to aid her, but nothing escapes his carefully crafted mind trap. 

He slid his blade into her back and inscribed a circle six inches in diameter, six inches deep severing veins arteries sinew and bone, effectively separating her heart from her body.   As he did so he released her from his mind trap.   "You fool!   I have escaped," she yelled in triumph, but it was short lived, in her haste to leave his mind she returned to her own body without checking it was still viable.   Once back inside her dying form, she discovered her error too late! There was insufficient life force remaining, to enable her to transfer to another host.  She was trapped and would suffer the fate of this ageing body.   In an instant, she relived her whole life and acknowledged her release.  

"Thank you" she whispered in his ear with her remaining breath.

Still supporting her now limp form, he thrust his arm into the hole in her back, grasped her heart, and tore it from her body, as Aldor had instructed him during the final sessions of his training as a Generalist.  

"The brides of Bedelacq, can only be released by separating the heart from their body."  He realised as he did so that he'd probably signed a death warrant for all those she had enslaved.   He remembered Vadeem had warned of her cry for help…   He looked down at the corpse, now ageing rapidly as if attempting to recoup stolen centuries.   He removed himself from the heap of putrefaction, in order to retain the contents of his stomach.

The heavy doors burst open and in came an eclectic collection of men and women. 

"She's dead!" he announced, raising her heart high.   "You can do nothing to aid her now.   There must be a way to ease your suffering and fight the addiction, but I can promise you nothing." He said in a neutral voice. 

A young soldier in his early twenties spoke for them, "we were forced into slavery far worse than anything you would believe, we have all done things we would like to forget, not willingly you understand, but we are far from proud of our actions.   Now you have freed us, and given us an opportunity to atone for those acts, you have earned our gratitude, and as best we can we will fight with you to eradicate the Surbatt from this land they have defiled!"   There were general murmurs of agreement from all the others, inside and outside the room.   When he looked he realised there were several hundred from all walks of life.

.-…-. 

Veille watched with admiration as the six quads, disguised in 9^th Clan Brown, moved amongst the sleeping enemy troops.   Silently and efficiently slitting the throats of the would-be killers of his cousin, and empress.   He felt no compassion or guilt for their demise.   There is no glory in warfare; he'd learned that in his first engagement, six months after receiving his commission.   The rule is kill or be killed.   If you are greatly outnumbered you reduce the odds in any way possible.  Half an hour later the work was complete.   The last to die were the guards, the bodies, 200+, were used to create a wall to barricade the door to the Labyrinth where others were still lost, they would find no escape this way.  His own men, now with 9^th Clan colours over their own red, took up the positions recently occupied by the hostile force and by so doing released the quads to disperse and carry out other covert operations. 

Veille and Schell stood in plain view of the rear door to the throne room.

"We need to speak with my cousin the empress and the Tylywoch commander" Lt Veille called out.   They waited several moments, then the door was unbarred to admit them.

After quick introductions and handshakes all round they explained what actions had been taken and their future plans. 

"As we speak there are quads engaged in acts of sabotage, damaging stores and equipment, poisoning food and water supplies, killing covertly, anything to demoralise and lower the morale of the foe.   Soon they will be jumping at shadows.  I've seen how Schell's quad's operate, they are impressive. With their help, I know we can win!" Veille enthused.

"What news from outside?" Ferrice asked. 

"There is a large 9^th Army outside the City, which is currently being held there at stale mate by a force commanded by General Aldor" said Schell. 

"He’s alive?”  The Empress smiled “I know who my money would be on." 

"We must get back!" said Schell.

"May chance never be a factor," said Ferrice as they left.  favouring him with a smile. 

.-…-. 

"How did he get away?" asked Weilla.

"It seems he abandoned his post momentarily to talk with a young woman.   When he returned his companions were gone."

"So, he reported back to the guard post?"

Amree nodded.

"Open up inside or we break down the door, then we will take no prisoners!"    The guard sergeant yelled.

"How many?" asked Weilla.

"Between fifty and sixty military, but there are others, the curious, trouble makers and the easily led and many more…"

"Too many to fight.   What Clan are they?"

"It's another mixed unit, about a third are from the 9^th," said Amree.

"Then I think I should try talking with them.   Tell the quad to leave now.  I will do what I can to sow the seeds of doubt in their minds.   You and Galt stay to give the illusion of normality."   She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.   "Open the door," she whispered.

"What do you want with us" Galt yelled into the square.

"You're Tylywoch, enemies of the empire," a faceless voice replied. 

"I am Tylywoch!" Weilla called from the shadows in a clear strong voice, "I am sworn to protect the Empress with my life, against all her enemies and any who plot against her.   This is and always has been the sole purpose of the Tylywoch and the 13^th Clan.   If she is dead, we have failed…" 

"You lie!   Your spawn are even now holed up in the Emerald palace, denying us the right to pay our respects and bury the Empress you have killed!" 

"They are holding the throne room, the oldest part of the palace.   If they are still holding, it can have only one meaning.   The Empress still lives!"   She paused for effect, conscious of discussions going on in the hidden places; she waited for the talking to subside before continuing.   "They are simply doing their duty, in this instance, protecting her from Surbatt assassins, who made this abortive attempt on her life.   I've no doubt the person to who I am speaking is a member of the Surbatt or he would already have acknowledged the truth of what I say.   Outside the palace, and even in this group here today the 9^th comprise a 3^rd  of its complement, in the palace, they are in even greater concentration, two in three.    There are tens of thousands of warriors from 9^th Clan outside the walls effectively, laying siege to the Eternal City.   Is that correct would you say?"   She spoke to the voice without reply.  

Weilla stopped talking and walked out into the sunlight.   A young woman, small in stature, apparently harmless and vulnerable.  

The voice in the crowd seemed to wake up.   "Emperor Taleen will cleanse the world of all you verminous outcasts!" he yelled.

"You see at last?   There it is, Emperor Taleen!" she paused for effect "they have no intention of assembling the Knodd as the law decrees, upon the death of a ruler.   You imply they will select Taleen over the other eleven nominees, do you know something we do not?" she left the question hanging a moment, after cleverly isolating the voice from the crowd.  "Obviously not!    Yet here you are talking of Emperor Taleen…?   If the Divine Light has been extinguished, there is no heir, and the Knodd must be assembled immediately!   Has this been done?"

"Kill her!"   The voice yelled full of anger and venom.   A dozen arrows sped toward her.  Weilla stepped neatly aside as if to avoid something she would rather not step in. 

Then stood, defiantly in full view.   "Will you try again?   Does the truth hurt you so…?" 

The volley was not repeated.

" I believe bloodshed can be avoided and common sense prevail.   There is an army of the 9^th Clan currently encamped outside the Eternal city, this was never meant to be.   Even so, the threat to peace is not from the 9^th, but from the Surbatt."   She became silent as the combined voice of the crowd rose in response.    Incredibly all around the square, Surbatt members and sympathisers were being disarmed.

"The word is spreading, truth cannot be stifled, it grows and spreads like a cleansing wind, banishing the fog of lies and deception, removing the mist of doubt and uncertainty revealing, in all it's clarity, that truth alone remains!"   She hurled the words with feeling and passion with the full force of her lungs, like javelins, throwing her arms wide in triumph as her missiles so obviously hit their intended mark.

(To be continued) 

Copyright Len Morgan

 Living in the Modern age 

By Sis Unsworth 

I haven’t put my heating on, & I’ve switched off all the lights,

As when I read my meter, it just gave me a fright.

I’ve bought a lot of candles, in case the power goes,

They say there could be blackouts, but then who really knows?

I’ve heard that all the onesies, have been purchased that’s for sure

To keep warm in the winter, is bound to be a chore.

So, I’ll buy an Army greatcoat, like they wore throughout the wars,

And scarves and hats and gloves, just to wear indoors.

People really worry how they’ll pay their household bills,

And find we are all cutting back, at the supermarket tills.

I’ve got a strange contraption, that just boils one cup of tea,

As the cost to fill the kettle, is now a luxury.

With all the things we’re living through, & the cutbacks it will bring.

We had our diamond wedding, & I thought I’d like a ring,

But living in this modern age, I’ve had to pay the price,

As things will now be difficult, I’ve made a sacrifice.

To wear a lovely diamond ring, is no longer my desire,

Conforming to the modern age, I’m buying a new ‘Air Fryer’

 

         Copyright Sis Unsworth

BELLA

 BELLA 

Jane Scoggins  

   They all sat beside Bella as she lay lethargically on the sofa. Joanne was trying not to cry but it wasn’t working very well and she could feel tears welling up in her eyes and threatening to spill down her cheeks. Lyn reached over and squeezed her hand. They couldn’t bear the thought of losing her but knew it was only a matter of time.

Bella was loved by all who knew her, not just Joanne and Lynn who had lived next door since they were young children, and used to seeing her almost every day. They were always in and out of each others houses. The girls remembered when Bella used to call in and see them if they were unwell. She brought them presents even when it was not their birthdays or Christmas. Not only was she very loving but also a real character who could make people laugh even on a bad day. And there had been a few of those over the years. When Dad was taken ill suddenly and Mum was in a state about it Bella took it all in her stride and kept the girls company watching TV comforting them as best she could. As they grew older they felt they could confide in her their secrets and worries

 
So with Bella getting on in years and decidedly poorly everyone was feeling upset. Not responding to the last lot of medication was an indication that Bella may not recover, but no one wanted to admit it. Word spread amongst the neighbours and a few called in to say hullo. Bella had lost interest in food which was most unusual, as she had always loved eating. So much so that she had had to go on a diet the previous year so she could get up and down stairs without getting out of breath.  

  As expected Bella passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. The neighbours were invited to a little wake at home on the day she was cremated. Her ashes were sprinkled on the flowerbeds she loved so much and under the Rowan tree, she liked to sit under in spring and summer. Mr Grumpy down the road was not invited. He had never really liked Bella and neither she him. He had always said that cats were smelly creatures and he really disliked them not just because they brought on his asthma but pooped in his garden, and tried to catch and eat the birds that came to his precious bird table. But no one gave Mr Grumpy a second thought that day.

Copyright Jane Scoggins

 

 A Themed Sequence

Robert Kingston 

Something of a new form for me, a themed sequence.

Feel free to comment:

 

you paint

the flower the sun

does it better 

 

burrowed light

beneath the bush

 

a spot

on the beetle from

tip to tip

 

no need to count

the devil’s details

 

leaving

the domino puzzle

crumbling

 

Copyright Rob Kingston