Spookytooth's Decrepit Barn of Horrors – Part 1

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Welcome, wolves, koalas, snails, and dolphins alike. As well as anyone else who might be out there, hiding in the bushes. I see you...

Tonight, let us gather around this imaginary campfire in the woods, for I... have a tale of spooky horror to share with you all. 

Yeah, yeah, I know Halloween's over... but the autumn air is still crisp– with the smell of apples and pumpkins and ghosts alike!!! 

What does a ghost smell like, you may ask?

Perhaps you may find out on your journey tonight.

Your journey through the story, that is...

~ ❦ ❦ ❦ ~

You remember when the thing first appeared in the sky.

You had been out on an evening walk through the valley, just hoping to take in the fresh autumn air before it got too dark to see. You hadn't been bringing your lantern with you recently, because you noticed it seemed to scare away the bats. You loved watching them twirl through the darkening sky on their evening flutters.

But on this evening, the only thing you could see in the sky filled you with fear. A giant floating disembodied head leered down at you. It kind of looked like Liza... but not. 

You couldn't imagine she would approve of anyone broadcasting her face into the sky like that. And you also couldn't imagine why it would even be necessary.

You were about to turn around and head back to your den, but you stopped. You realized that this floating thing would be staring at you through your window while you slept, glowing five times brighter than the full moon. 

In the distance, you could see the light of a den, right beneath the projection. While you were nervous, you steadied yourself and began walking towards it. 

If you wanted to sleep tonight, you were going to need to stop this problem at its source...

As you trudged through the tall grasses and the front of the den gradually came into view, you jumped back in surprise as you saw the den's occupant staring right back at you!

"GREETINGS CHILD," he said in a muffled and crackly voice. It was a monkey... only his face was hidden within a strange cloth mask that seemed to glow from inside. You felt your heartbeat nervously quicken in your chest.

He seemed friendly enough, though. "Hello, s-stranger" you said, shaking a little, "w-would you mind turning off that sky projection? It's very bright... um.."

The monkey stared ahead. Then he looked up at the sky, and stared some more. There was an awkward silence.

Suddenly, he jumped up into the air! "OF COURSE, OH TRAVELLER, BUT ONLY IF YOU MAKE IT THROUGH ALL FOUR ROOMS OF MY DECREPIT BARN OF HORRORS! ONLY THEN MAY I, SPOOKYTOOTH, GRANT YOUR WISH!"

If you were nervous before, you were REALLY nervous now. It was getting dark, you could have just turned back around... but you nodded your head in agreement anyway. 

As you walked towards the old barn's entrance, you noticed the surrounding fence was made of bones. Perhaps you would come to regret your decision...

The monkey stops you right before you enter. Through the holes of his mask, you see no eyes. Only an eerie yellow light.

He leans forward "BEHOLD... THE UNSPEAKABLE."

You step into the first room. When your eyes adjust to the blinding light, you gasp in terror. 

You gaze uneasily at what lies before you, beginning to feel sick. 

"WITHIN THIS BARN LIES A COLLECTION OF CURSED ITEMS, EACH ONE MORE UPSETTING THAN THE LAST! HOW MANY CAN YOU STAND TO LOOK AT?" 

Your knees shake. Spookytooth cackles. You're not sure if you can survive this... but you can't turn back now. 

Turning to your left, you see––

oh no. It's even worse.

You've seen these cursed objects before. You've seen them in your nightmares, out of the corner of your eye when you think you're alone. You're paralyzed with terror as you see them now, in the flesh. 

You wish they weren't real... but they are. And they laugh. And laugh. And laugh.

Out of the corner of your eye you see something strange, and you are shaken from your fear-induced frozenness. Spookytooth struggling with his mask, almost fighting to claw it off? You quickly turn towards him, but as soon as you do, he's back to standing still.

"W-what were you doing?" you ask.

"NOTHING, OH FEARFUL TRAVELLER. MUAHAHAHA!!"

You turn back around, and while fear grips you with icy claws, questions begin to surface in your mind. What is this monkey doing all alone in the middle of the valley, collecting the most disturbing cursed items? He never did explain why he had lit up the bizarre sky projection...

Trying to steady yourself, you begin to make your way to the ladder, to the second room, when suddenly–

Spookytooth blocks the way, standing in front with arms outstretched. 

"ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO GO IN THERE?"

* TO BE CONTINUED *

~ ❦ ❦ ❦ ~

I hope you liked that! It was just a little story idea I had, and you'll be seeing part 2 coming soon. It's been a while since I wrote a story, so it's a little wonky, but I hope you found it entertaining anyway :)

See you in Jamaa!