Traditional Showcase Writing Contest Version Two, Round ONE

The Rules

1. Your submission must be your own work.

2. Submissions must be private messaged to me by the due date, or they will be disqualified.

3. Your submission must be related to the theme- if it is a task to include a certain phrase, the phrase must be in there, if you're supposed to write about a certain topic, you must do so, etc. If your entry does not meet the requirements, it will not be submitted for voting.

4. Submissions should be around 1000 words. I won't automatically disqualify you if you go a little over, but try to keep it around there. If there are a lot of submissions, I want everyone to be able to devote enough time to really read all of the entries.

5. Submissions will be posted as they are sent to me. I won't do a spell or grammar check, or otherwise edit the entries.

6. One entry per person.

7. First place prize will be a rep from me, and having your work placed in the Hall of Fame. First place will also choose the next theme.

8. Keep it PG-13.

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In honor of Halloween, the first theme will be Horror/Thriller/Gothic. Give us a scare. XD

Any form of writing is acceptable, whether it be short story, play, poetry- you name it, you can submit it.

Entries must be sent to me via PM in their final edits by 11:59 pm, November 10, 2012. The entries will be posted in this thread at my convenience on November 11, and voting will be open.

Voting will end at 11:59 pm, November 13, 2012, with the next entry thread made on November 14.

Questions/comments can be made in the Contest Discussion thread.

 

Entry 1

"The Letter"

This letter was found on the body of Mental Ward patient Simon Collins. It is currently the best piece of evidence the police have in a string of unexplained murders. On this day, October 31, 1978, it was declassified to the public. There are still no more leads and the case has grown cold.

This is the letter:

To My dearest sister Laura,

I know I have not been able to contact you in many years, I am truly sorry for that. My time is St. Alexander’s has not been pleasant, to put in kindly. They treat me like I’m crazy! But you and I both know I am perfectly sane!

Oh God! He’s still following me! After all this time! Dirrtknap is still after me! You’re the only one who knows the truth besides me, dearest Laura. The only one who knows my curse is real. I think back to that night, when I was just a young boy of fifteen. How foolish were we to walk through the cemetery that night, but still we stopped when we saw the old hag. Had we kept walking on our way, none of this might have ever happened. She warned us, told us of Dirrtknap’s curse. He was a daredevil in the circus, you remember, yes? How the circus’ palm reader cursed him when he refused to love her? That night he died in a tragic accident. The old hag told us that anyone who disrespects his grave would be cursed as well. I think by recounting that night, It will retain what’s actually left of my sanity.

I spat on the grave, just to spite the old woman, and she cried that I was now cursed, I could never believe in witchcraft before then, so why would I believe her claim? I’ll never forget the night when I saw him for the first time. Roused from sleep, I groggily opened my eyes to see a figure standing over me. He appeared to me as a clown, but the malice in his face was unmistakable. His beady eyes looking upon me like a dog upon a steak. His teeth were tiny and sharp, and his fingers were adorned with terrifying claws.

At first I assumed it was a nightmare, but when he lunged at me, scrapping my arm, I knew I was awake. The next thing I knew, I was holding my pocketknife, which I kept on my drawer, and wielding it against the monster. However, as soon as he had come, he was gone. That was when Mother and Father found me. They were concerned and asked me why I would cut myself. I tried to tell them what had happened, but as you know they did not believe me. Things carried on like that for a while, and soon I came to understand that the clown was the spirit of Dirrtknap, just as the hag had told me. I didn’t want to believe it, but it was true.

But why am I bothering to recount events you already know of? Perhaps it really is to hold on to my sanity. I must keep reminding myself that what I write is the truth, I am not insane.

Mother and Father sent me to the best psychiatrists, but they could not make me believe that Dirrtknap wasn’t real. I know he was the one that cut me; I know he was trying to kill me. With no options left, I was taken here, to this hellhole. The staff here treat me like dirt, they refuse to listen to my pleading. I was lucky though, being taken away from home managed to hide me away from Dirrtknap’s wrath. For three years I have been safe, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe I was free from the curse. That was… until the first patient died.

The doctors found him one morning, torn to shreds with cuts resembling those from knives. He had been murdered.

Over the next week three more patients, and one guard died in the same way, I knew at once it was Dirrtknap looking for me, and he would kill anyone who got in his way! I tried to tell them, but what credibility does an insane man have? If only they had listened.

I’m writing to you now in fear of my life. Dirrtknap is here to slay me, I may only be alive for a few more days. I just wanted to tell you one last time how much I love you, and so that you may know that it was my folly that killed me.

Your loving brother,
---

There are blood stains where he would have signed his name. Officers looked into the past of Simon, as well as leads into this Dirrtknap which he mentions. Dirrtnap turned out to be a daredevil clown that traveled with a circus troupe. He died one night of a motorcycle accident. So this statement seems to hold true from the letter. However, The dead cannot kill anyone, so the investigation went on

They also discovered that while Simon did in fact have a sister, she died many years ago. She had drowned in the lake by their families estate. The Collins’ family was very rich, and had a large estate out in the countryside. It was deemed an accident. However, this letter only proves more to Simon’s insanity as he must have truly believed his beloved sister to be alive.

What’s more, Simon died by suicide. Of that we can be certain. He cut his own throat with a jagged rock he must have sharpened out in the grounds of the clinic.

The investigation goes on.

 

Entry 2

SUCH A FOOL WAS I

Entry 1: December 31st 2011. It’s another New Year’s Eve with my family. Earlier on today, I purchased this Journal. I figured that I wasn’t getting any younger and in my old age. I could reminisce of the fond moments of me and my loves ones. Even now re-reading this as I write. I could just live in this moment forever. It’s beautiful how they light up the sky giving color to a darkened canvas. Each one different then the last but oddly having the same effect. I seat here on the stoop writing as my children play and my loving wife alongside them celebrating in the festivities. As the clock strikes midnight, these will be the last words that I write for tonight. “My resolution will be….."

Entry 2: March 17th 2012. My wife has grown gravely ill. Her skin is very much pale. I will take time off from work to attend to her needs. I wish for her wellbeing.

Entry 3: June 2nd 2012. Her condition had worsened over the past few months. The medicine which had been prescribed had little to no effect. Her infirmities have led to her immobility from which she is now bed ridden. I will believe that she will become well again for my own sake, for hers and my children.

Entry 4: October 1st 2012. It has been a while since my last entry. For some odd reason, I felt compelled to write in such a tragic moment in my life. For whatever reason in this God Forsaken World, this plague has claimed the life of my wife along with my two innocent young girls. Unemployed, I spent days caring for my family. Helplessly, watching as they die with each passing day. The agony and burden of it all tore me asunder and brought me to the brink of insanity. The only thing which kept my sanity was them and only them. Now, I have nothing, no one. The once perfect life that I once had only appears to me now as an illusion. A fool was I for purchasing such a Journal. Something that was meant to remind me of Days filled with JOY ONLY NOW FEELS ME WITH SORROW AND MADNESS. SUCH A FOOL WAS I!

Entry 5: October 30th 2012. I have decided to continue my entries although for what reasons I know not ,possibly for my resolve to rekindle my spirit and reconnect with my late wife and children by visiting her Home town, Urimal. I leave first thing this morning. Until then….

Entry 6: 11:31 P.M. I have made it to the town of Urimal. A city that is only known to reclusion and akin to obscurities. Modern technology in one word is all but a depravity here. The only street which ran across the small town was paved in gravel and I alone tread this path. From the tight end homes and salons flickered red flames, giving the optical illusion of "eyes" from which each building contained a deuce of windows. As bizarre as this eerie feeling creeping over me, I quickly progressed through the town to a dirt road that led upon a hill from which a cascading tower over casted a resonant and voluptuous moon. My mind was unwavering to enter such a structure but my body faltered as though it knew, what I knew not. Eventually, my resilient mind overcame my bodily fears and opened the large weighted doors of the inn.

Entry 7: October 31st 2012 [12:01]. I have made a grave error in judgment! Behind these doors, I dare not write. For I believe, that I have unshackled the GATES OF HELL! SUCH A FOOL AM I!

Entry 8: BEYOND THESE DOORS, 7 PEOPLE DWELLED! The names of these individuals are of no importance. Therefore, for those who read this after my untimely death, I will dub them after the sin of men. Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride. To each individual respectively, I have given them their fatal and sinful flaw. Among these, three were children, but their stare, their movements, their grin, all suggested that these were not just mere "children" but abominations. I do not expect any who happen upon my entries to believe in their legitimacy but to believe in what cannot be. This Journal's purpose has become anew. I'm sure now, more than ever, that my time here will be short-lived. Therefore, I want my sorrowful and troubled life to be a means to express the things you so much taken for granted and very seldom valued so those things now CAN BE APPRECIATED IN ABUNDANCE!!! NO LONGER A FOOL ARE WE!

 

Entry 3 (Note from Kitty: There were font switches and formatting that did not transfer well into a post. I have tried to replicate these, but I have not edited the piece in any other way)

No Time at All​

“*Gasp Gasp* Keep running!”

“I’m trying!”

“She’s too slow! We are going to get caught!”

“QUIET IN THIS BODY! Let her run.”

“Are we there yet? All of us will be doomed,”

A small girl ran through the road as the guides in the sky starts to fade away. Soon, she saw a mansion head on with lights on.

“THIS WAY! Hurry!”

“WAIT UP!”

The girl turned back to see her friends but over yonder… raging Wiccans who may as well be demonic spirits. Soon, the vicious dogs were unleashed upon them. The small adolescent people try to run faster until they finally made their way up the stairway.

“Hurry! Inside! Quick!”

The girl ran inside the first while the last man stayed behind to make sure that the others is inside first. Soon, he went inside and tried to slam the door but the vicious beast had his head stuck between the door and the wall.

“CLOSE THE DOOR! AAAH!”

The other boy took his foot and kicked Cerberus’ little child in the head, forcing him to back away and allow the man to finally close the door.

“That is too close…Is everyone ok?”

“Yes Mason… wait a minute… Where’s Jim? There’s you, Cathy, Dillin… but where’s Jim?!”

The girl wanted to run back but the man stopped her form going outside.

“You can’t.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry Alicia. I believe that Jim will be safe. He’s always the rebel, never trying to give up.”

“… I hope you are right…but what kind of mansion is this?”

So many antiques were inside as the group is standing there in the main hall. It is as though they were standing in a Russian’s person’s abode.

“I don’t know. Maybe Jim made his way here but we cannot go back where those scary people are. We must go forward. Alicia. You and Dillan go that way while I go this way with Cathy. We may be able to find someone who lives here and ask them to help us.”

“Ok.”

“Be careful… Alicia. This place is not what you think it is.”

“Hm…Ok.”

As the group splits up, Alicia took a left, opening the door that led to a dining hall. All the way at the other hand was a fireplace and above it was engraved writing:

“Oh Samhain. Let the Dead bury the Light and swallow her majesty of the King. Let Pomona’s Spirit change the children and let not the light come back at all…”

“So cozy…”

“Alicia. Over here.”

“What is it?”

The girl went after her friend and saw that there was an eerie sign on the floor by the fireplace. “What… what is this?”

“Some kind of ritual? It has the scent of blood.”

“The scent of… blood? Who lives in this place?”

“I don’t know but whoever the owner is, the person is crazy during this time of year.”

As the two children continue to investigate, they heard a moaning from the door near them that was on the right side of the fireplace.

“Alicia. Check it out while I am still wondering what this is?”

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”

But the boy looked at her and laughed and start picking on her, shoving her towards the door.

“ALRIGHT ALREADY! Who knows what kind of other freakin’ monster is behind this door.”

The girl opened it and found herself in another hallway. She heard that the moaning was getting louder and louder and made a left as she closed the door behind her.

“Delish…”

“Ank…”

“Hello?”

Alicia kept on walking down the long hallway down to the left, only to hear chewing and more moaning. By the time she peeked around the corner, she saw the face of a peer.

Once Alicia finally went around the corner, she saw a paled, white male eating away at Ken’s heart alive, halfway done with his body. The man was as though he was possessed. The girl was shaking, almost suffering from a seizure as the man turned around and had flesh gushing out of his mouth.

“The Sun finally sleeps Blessed Woman.”THERE IS NO MORE TIME FOR YOU AT ALL!”

“AAAAAAAAH!”

“Alicia! RUN!”

The girl starts running as the man almost grabbed her for some dessert. The man came dashing at her at full speed as he was gaining on the jewel. The girl finally made it to the door and screamed.

“DILLIN!!!! HELP!”

“What?!”

“Monster!”

Dillin turned and saw the pale man still chewing and start speed-walking towards them, believing that he finally caught his full course meal. The boy was panicking, not knowing what to do. However, he saw some of the Fireplace Satin tools set, grabbed it and swung it at the head of the demon. The man roared and tried to grab the boy but Dillin swung once more and stabbed him. Alicia grabbed one of the candles that was sitting in the rituals and smashed it in the man’s face, setting him on fire. Dillin then pushed the demon and stabbed him once more in his guts, ending the man’s life.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALICIA?!”

“I DON’T FUCKING KNOW!”

Alicia started to cry and fell down to the floor as she felt traumatized. “I saw Ken… and he… he was… the man ate him!”

“This is bad...”

“If you and the others didn’t went in and pulled some stupid prank on those people, WE WOULDN’T BE IN THIS MESS!”

“We better hurry and find the others now.”

Before they can make a move, they felt the mansion shaking and roaring in the mansion. The two looked at each other as the mansion stopped shaking and they ran back to the hall, hoping to warn the others…

“To Be Continued…” ​

 

Here are our three entries; thank you all for participating.

Voting is now open, and will end at 11:59 pm on Tuesday the 13th, as stated in the original post in this thread. To vote, please post in this thread with your choice of entries 1, 2, or 3, and give reasons as to why you voted how you did.

 

I was going to wait until someone else posted, but I suppose I'll go ahead and get the ball rolling.

I'm casting my vote for Entry 1. It kind of has a slight The Shining vibe to it- you don't really know what the heck's going on, or if you can trust in the reliability of the letter writer or not. I also love stories told through letters.

Honors goes to Entry 2. This one has an Edgar Allan Poe feel to it, in my opinion. And likewise with entry 1, I enjoy letter/journal entry stories. Both this and the first are understated and leave more to the imagination, and I think that's the scariest way to do it.

Entry 3, I think, would have worked better as a longer piece, where you could have the time to get to know the characters better (Yeah, I know, that's my fault for instating a word limit ). That way you feel more for the situation they find themselves in. There were a couple of descriptors that I raised an eyebrow at (is there some stereotype about Russians having a bunch of junk in their houses that I haven't heard?), but overall, not bad. I just preferred the others.

 

First choice: 6 pts
Second choice: 3 pts
Third choice: 1 pt

Entry 1: 21 pts
Entry 2: 15 pts
Entry 3: 4 pts

Congratulations to TheKnightofAwesome on his first place win with "The Letter."

Second place goes to Angel, with third place going to S.SummonerBWM.

Thanks for participating- the next round will be up shortly.