Parade of the Grotesque – Harvest

“I don’t like it. I want something darker, more decadent.” Emerald said to her assistant as she tried on the fifth dress of the night.

“I think I have just the thing.” Freya said as she skimmed over the array of dresses she had been ordered to bring with her.

She pulled out a long, deep wine colored frock from the lot and held it in front of her boss. The dress was floor length velvet, and embroidered around the sleeves and hem with vines and pomegranates. Emerald held it to herself and ran her fingers over the lush fabric. Satisfied with the look, she stepped into the gown and pulled it up over herself.

“Do me up.” She said to Freya.

The young harpy did as she was told.

Parade of the Grotesque – Conjure

Captured moonlight illuminated the symbols etched into the walls of the damp cavern. Selene laid haphazardly on her throne stroking her cat, U’liya. The shimmering white feline had just led tonight’s clients and guests into the cave, they scattered about studying the relics Selene kept in her home while the three clients lined up to speak with her.

“And what have you come for today, my child?” She addressed the first woman in line.

“I-I want you to do a spell for me. I want to get rid of my abusive husband.” The woman had bruises running up and down her arms and around her neck.

“And by get rid of’, what do you mean? I can do many things. I can send him away. I can make him disappear…or I can kill him. Which would you prefer, Angeline?” Selene asked, her low voice sultry and sweet all at once.

“H-how did you know my name?” Angeline asked.

“Does it really matter, child? Tell me what you want. Be quick about it, chére, I have other customers waiting.” Selene answered.

“Right. Well, I don’t want him dead, that would haunt me forever. I think I want him to just stay away from me for good. I want him to not be able to get within a mile of me. Yes, that’s what I want.” She said, mostly to herself.

“Alright, chére. Stick around for the big show; I’ll need you.” Selene said. “Next customer.”

Parade of the Grotesque – Mother Hell

Shiny silver sconces peppered deep crimson walls; inside each was a dim light that cast long shadows over the ceiling mimicking the howling ghouls of hell. Most everything else in the office was black, from the gleaming wood floors to the plush velvet drapes and couches. The only real sign of color was in the woman herself. Burnished copper skin only served to enhance the sharpness of her features. Hair like molten gold spilled from her head and tumbled down to her waist. A long, thick snake slithered it’s way up her leg and around her waist until it reached her neck.

“Now, now Levi, don’t be so clingy, my love. I’m only going out for a few hours.” She shooed the creature away.

It slithered off and wrapped itself around the seven foot, silver candelabra sitting in the corner of the room.

“Good boy.” She said as she checked herself in the mirror.

A calf length, black leather dress hugged her like a second skin. Her eyes glowed a sultry red in anticipation of what was to come. A forked tongue darted out over her lips as she admired her reflection. Smiling to herself, she walked over to her desk to grab her purse. On her way out the door, she spoke to her pet.

“Be home soon, darling. Be good for mama, okay?”

“Yes, mama.” Levi hissed.

Parade of the Grotesque – Wendigo

Something new for my hundred-something followers. I’m happy to have you. A new idea struck me during my daily free write. I had an idea written down to show what a monster carnival might look like to a little human child, but that has evolved. I’m still going to write that, but my free write from today is set in the same world.

The sweet stench of rotten fruit hung in the air that night; smelling of pumpkins and apples, the brisk wind tickled the ears and teased the throat. Full and round and glowing like a great white peach, the moon positioned itself in the sky as if it were a god ready to watch the sublime spectacle of mortality. Autumn leaves crunched under the feet of hurried children donning costumes to imitate their less than natural counterparts. Twisted features, gnarled and contorted, settled upon faces hidden beneath plastic and rubber. A set of teenagers, twins, walked toward a small mansion at the end of the block.

“I think this is it. 713 Meyers Lane. It looks like we’re right on time.” The girl looked at the time on her phone and then looked up at the hordes of people pouring into the double doors of the old brick estate.

The gates were propped open and the circle out front was already packed with cars. Dead vines crawled up the bars of the gate, and around the sides of the house embedding themselves in the cracks between the bricks. Bare boned trees stretched toward the sky like black lightning fractals, their silhouettes inky voids in space-time. As they walked through the gates, the boy remarked the chimeras seated atop the roof.