With just one sleep to go until the most frightening night of the year. Are you prepared for trick or treaters this Halloween?
To celebrate the scary season, our author Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore has written a spooky short story to help readers get in the mood for tomorrow evening.
Introducing A Story For Halloween...
It was October, and the days were getting shorter - I know it’s different in different places and I don’t know where you are. But that’s how it was where Susan lived.
She didn’t live far from her school. Her Mum and Dad both worked, so Susan used to walk to and from school by herself. She played sport after school, and when the game was finished, everyone left - including Susan and all the teachers. But Susan left some homework sheets behind and she decided to go back to fetch them. But even the Porter had gone and she could not get in to get them.
So, Susan set off home again. It was really dark now, and not a nice evening. The wind howled, and the tops of the trees whirled in the wind. Susan wondered if she would get wet and cold – she was only wearing a thin mac coat.
Susan had the strange sensation that she was not the only person about. But who else was there? Suddenly, she felt cold and clammy fingers on her cheek, and taking her by the hand.
“Want to come with us, dear?” said an old woman as she flew by on a broomstick. “We can have such fun.”
“No,” said Susan. “I want to go home.”
The old woman laughed. “Well, you’re not home, now, are you? Have you forgotten? It’s Hallowe’en, the Witches’ night, and our night is young...“
There was a laugh from another old woman. “Let’s take her anyway,” this one said. “We need a human child.” And a group of witches called, “Yes, take her anyway! We need a human child...” and their voices echoed as they repeated this in twilight. It was nearly dark.
Susan was really frightened now – she didn’t want to go with the witches. But she knew her home was waiting round the corner, so she walked more and more quickly. The witches flew nearer and nearer on their broomsticks. “You can’t get away from us, not from us!” and their voices echoed as they laughed and circled nearer and nearer....
Just then, Susan saw a glimmer of light. It was her mother, holding a torch and calling “Susan, Susan... where are you?”
“Oh Mum,” she cried. “Help me, HELP! The witches are taking me!”
Susan’s mother ran fast and soon caught her. “Not now, they’re not,” she said. “I’m taking you, just hang on to me.” And they gripped each other tight. “And we’re going home.”
Susan had never been so glad to see the front door. Her Dad opened it. “Come in out of the wet,” he said, “it’s a filthy night. I’ll draw the curtains. Come in and get warm.”
“I’m so glad to be home,” said Susan, “and I’m so glad to be home.” And the three humans hugged each other, while outside, the disappointed witches wailed as they flew away.
