Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Halloween Contest Begins

October 28, 2006

Today’s announcements

Today we will start off the Halloween Contest with the work of Violet Apted.

How the contest works is that everyday I will post a running log of all entries published to date.  That means if you did not see your story published yet, it will not show in the list.

The rules for voting will be sent out separately after the contest ends. For seasoned readers, you know how this works already because we use the same system every contest. For new readers don’t worry, you will be given the instructions in full after the contest ends.

I still need more submissions as you know all submissions were lost with the computer crash.  So come on writers especially if you sent your story in once before please send it back to me.  I need them to make this contest a success.  The Halloween contest has always been a Storytime Tapestry favourite. Let’s not make a computer crash the reason it isn’t this year.

Because of the computer crash I am extending the deadline to submit entries, instead of closing the contest on Oct 30^th, I will accept entries until Nov 5, after that I will just run what is in the queue until there are no more stories or poems to publish.

Remember we need writers and voters to make this contest a success.

Donations are still needed to keep Storytime Tapestry afloat.  My computer costs are astronomical and the internet charges are due.  I am not working and any donation would be much appreciated. 

Thank you Clara Westerfer, moderator for Storytime Tapestry who suggested A Storytime Tapestry Angels designation.  How this works is that anyone donating $25.00 or more will become a Storytime Tapestry angel and will be permanently mentioned in the newsletter for their contribution.  Anyone donating a little as $5.00 will be thanked personally on this site at the time of receipt.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Halloween Stories

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HALLOWEEN GREEN

“Eye of newt and toe of frog

Wool of bat and tongue of dog.

Adder’s fork and blind-worms sting,

Lizard’s leg and owlet’s wing.

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, Double, toil and trouble.

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

William Shakespeare - MacBeth

A sigh of satisfaction escaped Emma Jone’s lips as she finished stirring the cauldron. Her very first magic potion!  Her Witches apprenticeship finally over. Tonight would be the last test before she was initiated into the coven. ‘What a night to become a fully fledged witch ‘ she thought as she glanced up at the calendar and smiled.  October 31^st.   She would meet all the Witches and Warlocks at the gathering tonight. Thinking of warlocks made Emma smile. ‘Andie would be there for sure!’ She had not stopped thinking of Andie.  Ever since she had been introduced to him at her first gathering last year. Those deep blue eyes of his and the way he had smiled, as he said hello. Had been the scene in all her dreams since then.

“Stop it Emma.” She said aloud as she shook her head at her own reflection in the mirror. “Time to concentrate. You must not fail this final test.” With that Emma went to take a shower, leaving her potion to cool down, before she could bottle it ready to take with her.

“Come on you two” Andie Foster shouted up the stairs impatiently. “If you aren’t ready in two minutes, You won’t be going trick, or treating tonight.”

 “OH Dad” ten year old Michael and nine year old Jasmin shouted in unison as they raced down the stairs to their father. “ Andie laughed as he bundled them into his car.

“Knew that would get you going” he said as he started the engine. Soon they were at the friends house where they had arranged to meet all of their friends before going off on their trick or treat tour.  Andie waved them goodbye,

“ Have fun” he shouted as he drove away. He couldn’t wait to get to the meet later that evening and there was much he had to do.  His mind focused on the initiation and the face of the young apprentice Emma, but then his mind had been focused on that beautiful face ever since they were introduced last year.

An hour later Andie stood in front of his mirror.

‘Yes’ he thought, satisfied he looked the part in his warlock outfit. The black eye mask completed the picture well.  He glanced at his watch and headed for the door. ‘mustn’t be late tonight, he thought.  Making his way through the streets he passed many people dressed as witches and warlocks. Everyone was happy as they held the hands of small children dressed in their fancy clothes on their way to trick or treat. He thought of Michael and Jasmin and wished their Mother could have seen them all dressed up tonight. They had looked so lovely. For a few moments Andy’s mind slipped back to that awful car accident that had claimed Marie’s life. Tears welled up in his eyes. Was he wrong to try to get a life again? Three years ago he had thought his life was going so well.  Then came the terrible news of the accident that had shattered his world into little pieces.  It had not been easy for him since, but he had found the strength to keep his little family together.

Hurrying through the streets Andie made his way to the edge of the forest and was soon standing in the clearing designated for the gathering.  There were many people around the fire which was blazing brightly in the centre and Andie greeted the others with the warlock salute which they acknowledged.

Slowly they began chanting. The rest of the witches and warlocks arrived and took their places in the growing circle around the fire. Andie raised his arms above his head and the chanting stopped he began the chant of greeting. The golden chalice was handed around and each one sipped from it, handing it to the next one on their left and began to quietly chant in unison with Andie. Soon everyone was chanting and their voices grew louder and louder. Andie raised his arms again and silence fell over the scene.

From the shadows at the edge of the circle an older member, carrying a large bowl emerged. Behind her in a long white dress walked a nervous yet excited Emma.

The chanting began again, this time much quieter, as Emma approached Andie.

The older witch placed the bowl on to a table and at a signal from Andie, she reached forward and undid the bow of Emma’s white dress and it fell to the ground at Emma’s ankles. She was completely nude and the moonlight seemed to give a glow to her pale skin.  Andie had to stifle a gasp as he gazed over her beautiful body, but managed to control himself, as he dipped his two hands into the bowl of red liquid  symbolising blood the old witch had placed on the table. The ritual chant began as Andie sprinkled the liquid over Emma’s naked body. As the chanting grew louder Andie and everyone in the circle took off their robes and began to dance around the fire. Andie took Emma’s hand and led her to the circle. The link was broken, as Andie and Emma joined hands with them and continued to dance. 

When the ritual was complete, they replaced their robes and the old witch placed a robe of honour around Emma.  Andie placed his hands on her shoulders and pronounced her a member of their coven.

“Now Emma” he said smiling. “ Now it is time for you to prove to us you are a witch. Did you bring your magic potion”? Emma smiled and nodded as the old witch shuffled forward carrying the bottle of Emma’s potion.  Andie poured it into the chalice and everyone chanted as it was passed around for each of person to take a sip from it.

The remainder of the night is the coven’s secret as they practiced their art, but in the early morning hours they all made their way back to their homes.

Andie was glad he had arranged for Michael and Jasmin to stay overnight with his friends and walked out of the forest with Emma.

“ I will see you to your door Emma” he offered and was really pleased when Emma agreed. 

They passed a few weary, late revelers, as they made their way to Emma’s home and she never resisted when Andie placed his arm around her as they walked.  “When they arrived he accepted her offer of a coffee and soon they were inside chatting, as Emma prepared the drink. Unable to resist her beauty any longer Andie took her in his arms and kissed her. She returned his kiss passionately.  All their pent up desires and the events of Halloween overwhelmed them both as they made their way to Emma’s bedroom each undressing the other, as they walked. They fell onto the bed and made love as if there was no tomorrow. Finally falling into a deep sleep in each other’s arms.

Next morning Andie opened his eyes to find Emma crying.

 “What is wrong? He never got any further.  Looking in amazement at Emma. “Oh my God! “ he exclaimed.  “You are green!” Emma just continued to cry and pointed at Andie “L look in the mirror” she managed to say between her sobs.  One look was enough!  Andie stood naked in front of the mirror and Just burst out laughing. He was green from head to toe.

“ So that was your first spell as a witch Emma. Well I think you need a lot more practice don’t you? And I am just the man to help you.” Emma stopped crying and looked at Andie in amazement.

 “I thought you would banish me forever Andie” she wiped her eyes as she spoke. Andie took her hands in his as he replied.

“ The only place I will banish you to, is ‘into’my heart forever Emma if you will have me?”  Their two green bodies embraced as Emma kissed Andie and said.

 “Oh yes Andie. Yes please.     

 Violet apted Copyright

Violetsrblue7@hotmail.com 

~**~**~

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GRANDMA? 

Violet Apted                                                                                                       

Known affectionately to friends as  ‘Teddy’, because she loved honey, Martha Dreyfus was at least seventy years old. The spring in her step and the lack of wrinkles in her face belied her years. No one ever really knew her age, as Martha would always evade the question when asked.  Her bright blue eyes still held the sparkle of youth and the sunlight captured the highlights in her silver/gray hair as she walked.

Martha knew how lucky she was to be so healthy at her age. She was five feet eight inches tall and would admire her size fourteen figure in the mirror as she stepped from the shower. " “Not bad Martha old girl" ”he would say to her reflection, smiling, as she dried herself briskly with the towel.

Looking through her wardrobe, you would have no difficulty in realising her favourite colour was blue. Dresses in every shade of blue hung neatly alongside a rack of blue shoes. Neatness was important to Martha! Almost, an obsession in fact and her favourite motto was ‘ A place for everything and everything in its place.’

The third daughter in a family of six children Martha still loved the feeling of being able to have her own space and time. Even though she had given birth to her own three children, she had ensured that each of them had enjoyed the space and privacy she herself, had been denied as a child.

The bookcase in her lounge room was filled with a mixture of science fiction, Occult, Magic and murder mystery books. You see! What many people did not know about Martha Dreyfus was, that she was a witch!   A White Witch!  But to most of us, a Witch is a Witch!  And tonight was Halloween!

Martha’s main goal in life, since her Husband died, was to avenge his death, caused by a drunken driver. This was forbidden in the art of witchcraft, but her husband’s mangled body at the scene of the car smash had stayed with her for the past year. The accident had changed the once loving, caring Martha Dreyfus into an obssessed and evil being, intent only on revenge. It was to be her undoing.

Billy Downey was eight years old! A very clever boy and top of his class at school.  He had the bluest eyes you have ever seen.  His thick blond curly hair was more of an annoyance to him as he tried to hide it under his cap, or have it cut as short as his Mother would allow him to.  Short and a little overweight he was often the brunt of jokes from his friends at school, but he would laugh at his awkwardness with them. There was such a strong family resemblance to Martha Dreyfus; you could not mistake the fact that he was her Grandson. He even shared her passion for honey.

He  loved Halloween, because grandma always dressed him up and it was the one time he was sure no one would make fun of him, added to that he loved grandma’s spells and the mystery of the night.

Billy was in the car with his grandfather when they had the accident. They had been on their way to the farm for more honey, when the intoxicated driver had smashed right into them. A year later, Billy still walked with a limp and still had nightmares about the accident. However he had retained his happy personality and doctors had every hope for a complete recovery.

He had been his grandfather’s blue-eyed boy and Martha loved him dearly. There were days when Billy would shut himself away in the quietness of his bedroom and shed more tears for his beloved grandpa. The days were fewer now though as Billy had learnt the finality of death at a very young age.

Fishing was Billy’s great love and he would go along the pier every chance he could with his friends Joey Wright and Peter Thompson. They would pack a lunch and with their fishing rods over their shoulders would march off to the waterfront every weekend.

Billy loved to visit his Grandma Dreyfus though, just lately he felt uncomfortable about the change in her. He was old enough to understand that she missed his grandfather and was feeling lonely, so he would still make his regular weekly visit. He loved to read her books and listen to her stories about magic. Till the day he visited and could not find her.  That day was to change Billy forever!

To this day Grandma has never been found! But the book of spells she was working on for Halloween was wide open on the table and a black cat still sits in Grandma’s chair, on her blue cushion and no one but Billy is ever allowed to get close to it. The spell on the open page of her book was titled

“

The Halloween Spell Of Revenge.’

Copyright Violet Apted

Violetsrblue7@hotmail.com

~**~**~

Warning: The language in this story may offend.

A THUNDERSTORM TO REMEMBER

Violet Apted

Maybe the nightmares will go away one day, but every Halloween I remember.

A flash of lightning, followed by the biggest clap of thunder I had ever heard, made me open my eyes. Heavy rain lashed my body, mud splattered across my face, and, as I reached up to wipe it off a searing pain shot through my chest. Another flash of lightning lit up the scene around me; all I could see were trees!

Waves of pain washed over me, matching the torrential rain: Where was I? What was I doing lying on the ground in the middle of a forest in a thunderstorm? What was causing me so much pain? I managed to sit up; freeing my legs free from the mud that covered them. I knew I had to find some shelter and soon. It was then the full horror of what had happened to me struck me.  I screamed, as I made out the shadowy figure of a man approaching me.

There was nowhere to run even if my legs could have held me. The man drew closer and, as the lightning lit up the scene a knife blade glinted in his hand. He made a throaty gruff animal sound as he lurched toward me.

“Got you bitch! He snarled. There’s no fucking escape from me.”

 His face was distorted with rage. Pain seared through my body and I heard myself screaming. The stench of garlic from his body almost suffocated me.

“ No! No please don’t kill me.” I screamed and tried to pull away from him.

I felt him grab me toward him, and his soaking wet hair and beard was pressed against my face as he made animal-like noises in his rage.  I knew, even as I saw the glint of the knife in his hand, that he was mad.  He raised the knife to plunge it into my heart, before blackness engulfed me.  

* * * * * *

When I opened my eyes I found myself in a warm bed. An elderly woman sat beside me smiling. I could hear the storm still raging outside. The woman took hold of my hand and reassured me I was safe now. The concern in her voice relaxed me.

“Where am I?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“ You are safe now dear and in our cottage on the edge of the rainforest. You are very lucky my husband found you when he took a shortcut through the forest. The dog, Jade, was 'spooked' by the thunder and ran away from him. That was when he heard your screams and found you lying on the ground with the dog beside you.”

She smiled, as she finished speaking just as her husband came in. He seemed relieved to see me awake.

They introduced themselves as Don and Agnes Drysdale, and told me they were on holiday in Queensland from New South Wales. Don was a retired Doctor and was able to help me and temporarily dress my wounds, but was duty-bound to notify the police because they were knife wounds.

 Tears ran down my cheeks as I relived the horror of the past few hours and told them I had been backpacking round Australia. The hostel had given  my fellow travelers and I a great Halloween party and we had all dressed up. It was  a lovely party, but I had promised to meet up with some friends next day, so I had left early.

“Seeing the storm approaching I accepted a lift from a man I had met in a cafe earlier. He had seemed so friendly, but he raped me and tried to kill me, leaving me in what would have been my grave but for the storm. The torrential rain washed away the soil and awakened me.  I found myself in what was intended to be my shallow grave.” Agnes gave me a handkerchief and put her arm around my shoulders as I sobbed.

The police arrived and asked many questions. They set up a search for the man as soon as they heard he was still in the area.  Don asked them to continue their questions later, saying the ambulance had arrived and I could answer their questions much easier, when my wounds had been tended and I had rested. I was grateful to him and as I was lifted gently onto the stretcher and carried out to the waiting ambulance, I mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to him.

Later, I relived the stark horror of that terrible attack once again, as I tried to relate my story to the police. I could still smell the man’s foul breath, when he pushed me down to the ground and lay on top of me. The terrible struggle, as I tried to fight him off. The pain when he stabbed the knife into my body again and again. I sobbed uncontrollably.  The policewoman tried to calm me down. I was grateful for the injection the doctor gave me. A moment later I was fast asleep.

It was months before the police caught the man and only after a body was found in the forest. There were soon many more bodies unearthed by the police. The man confessed and was sentenced to life imprisonment. I could so easily have been one of the bodies and I still have nightmares of that terrible night and waking to the sound of thunder. Not knowing where I was or how I had got there. The feel of the rain as it washed over me and the mud, the smell and feel of the slimy mud all over me still haunts me. 

Maybe the nightmares will go away one day, but every Halloween, I remember.

C Copyright Violet Apted

Violetsrblue7@hotmail.com

Halloween Poetry Section

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If you would like to reread any entry before voting please go to the archives where they are permanently listed according to date of publication and contributing writer’s name:  http://archives.zinester.com/98907/

Published Halloween entries to date:

Name:                  Contest Title                                              Date  

Apted, Violet        Halloween Green                                       Oct 28,

Apted, Violet        Whatever Happened to Grandma?           Oct 28

Apted, Violet        A Thunderstorm To Remember                Oct 28

Readers Feedback

Leeuna,

I just loved your humorous take on losing your memory.  I'm only 34 and I feel like I've lost a lot of mine too!  So nice to be able to relate to someone in the situation -- even if they are older than I am.

Sincerely,

David Fox

Hi Carol,

Just got the great news that you're back online.   Praise God. God is Good!  I look forward to my daily dose of Storytime Tapestry.  I've missed it terribly.  May God continue to bless you and may things be better than ever before too long.

Much Love and Prayers

Leeuna

Hi, I am glad that you are up and going. Things will get better soon. Keep up the good work and keep faith.

I am enclosing a story that I had sent earlier but had been returned due to computer problems. Wonder if it is too late for Halloween publishing? Just a thought!!!! Take care, Louise

  That was so sweet of Tannia to comment in this way and I will print it and give it to my family.  Thanks for publishing the story, Carol.  You never know, somebody might read it that knows something.  They are publishing things about the murder in the local Ledger to keep it alive and that is good. For her sons' sake, I pray they get the perpetrator.  Sharlett Hunt

So good to have you back on line my dear friend.  Joe Mazzella

Prayer Requests and Updates

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;  Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator