#OctoberFrights Day 1: Intro and a Story

Welcome to another
October Frights Blog Hop!

The Hop runs from October 10th-15th and this year, nine talented author participants will be bringing you posts suited for this creepy, spooky season. I’ll have a few stories, an October Frights version of Drabble Wednesday, my annual Dark Poetry post, plus a couple of other things. This year’s theme for me is Monsters. Enjoy.

`_{Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com}`

It Will Wait

Clickety clack, clickety clack.

The hollow sound echoed down the long hall, the noise of claws against the tile. Rachel shivered the dissonance ratcheting down her spine. A shadow flicked from the corner of her eye, but she refused to turn around.

Don’t look. Don’t look. It will leave. It always leaves.

She closed her eyes as her rapid heartbeat kept time with the hot breath panting across her neck. Something sharp caressed her arm.

“Soon.” The deep voice penetrated her thoughts, and she nearly cried out. Then the clickety clack footsteps faded back down the hall and Rachel opened her eyes.

Rachel stirred in the armchair by the fireplace, the warmth of the flames lulling her to sleep. A long day left her exhausted and her mind dulled.

Clickety clack, clickety clack.

Instantly she was awake and she saw shadows moving in the doorway. She turned away, her eyes shut tight, but every nerve screaming in fear.

Clickety clack, clickety clack.

Closer now, the noise louder. A touch on her leg and a puff of hot breath hit her cheek. Something slid forward, wrapping around the chair, and then another, and another until Rachel was held in the grip of six sharp, rigid restraints. She trembled.

“Open your eyes. Look at me and it will be over.”

“I don’t want to die.”

“It will be quick.”

Rachel sighed. “You won’t stop, will you?”

“I am patient. I will wait.”

You will, and win in the end. I cannot hold out forever. And I am so weary.

Rachel looked up and opened her eyes.

The insect creature roared, unhinged its jaws and devoured her whole.