Fiction | Writing Challenges

Hallowe’ening on an Alternate World

Pumpkins & Goblins

No story can be all things to all people. But at the same time, everyone loves a 2-for-1 deal… so why not 3, 4, or 5 for one?

With this in mind, the following fiction story tries to encompass several recent writing challenges — see below for more details! 🎃

My brother and I have always been magical, especially at this time of year. When I figured out a way to make the pumpkins grow with faces, it seemed like a harmless shortcut. Even when they started talking…

But Trevor always took things too far.

On Hallowe’en, I returned to find a dozen strangers in my home. When I looked askance, they all grinned as one. “It’s okay. We’re here for the ritual,” they chanted in unison.

“Get your brother,” added dad, raising a jagged knife. “It’s carving time.”

I hurried outside. I don’t normally cycle, but I grabbed my brother’s bike and set out, swerving around potholes.

Ahead, Trevor was playing catch with a walking, pumpkin creature, apparently fully alive and sapient. Another stranger being was there, too — a glowing alien.

I screeched to a halt. “Come on, Trev,” I called out. “Time to stop this.”

“I’m a writer and an inventor,” he replied, spinning his magical golden ring between his fingers. “Exceptions must be made.”

I dismounted. “Dad is ready to carve…” I fell silent, feeling the heavy gaze of the pumpkin creature on me. Then I looked at the other being, a sparkling knee-high humanoid the size of a garden gnome. “What the hell is that thing?”

“A trans-dimensional entity made of time-energy. Pumpy and I figured out how to stay safe from threats.”

“But… Hallowe’en rituals are a duty, Trev.”

“And you didn’t think I could find a way to sidestep such duties? Presumptuous.”

I stepped forward and snatched the ring from his hand. “There’s no time for this.”

“Come on, brother. I can get all the time I need.”

As he spoke, Trevor pointed, the glowing creature clapped, and I found myself transported to downtown Manhattan.

And not the Manhattan I knew, either.

Most of the buildings were ruined, the streets ripped up, and there were strange flying insects everywhere. As I looked around, one swarm started stinging me.

“Ayeee!” I began to run.

Ahead were three figures in cloaks. “Can you guys help?” I called. It was then that I realized the trio were huge goblins.

One turned to me, snarling. “I am the Forerunner,” it said, in the deepest voice I’ve ever heard. “As the world turns to chaos, I rise to devour light and hope.”

“Any chance you could… like, not do that?” I responded, stopping and backing away.

The goblin held up its hands, and purple clouds began to appear above us. “It has begun, human,” it replied, without even looking at me. “The uninitiated will die. Today, the veil between life and death itself disappears.”

As the clouds began to crackle with electricity, I fled to the nearest office building, even though its upper floors were smouldering. Inside was dank-smelling and partially flooded, and I noticed a huge metal box with pumpkin mush just inside the door.

Just then, a woman with braided dark hair hurried over, grabbing my attention. She was only wearing socks, despite the water. “Another survivor,” she said, pulling a pistol. “Welcome to one of the last refuges. I am Sara.”

“You know your building is on fire…?”

She shrugged. “It’s only a little bit — mainly cosmetic, actually. Besides, in New York, even the fire is on fire. And things keep getting worse.”

“What the hell happened?”

“Hell is the right word,” she said. “Armageddon.”

“And… what year is it?”

“2022, of course.”

Just then, a half-dozen ragged children ran inside. They looked like a gang of trick-or-treaters, but instead of candy, something limp was held in each of their hands.

“Come!” As Sara ushered the group in, they began to throw limp doll-like bodies of pumpkin-headed creatures into the huge metal box. And each of the kids was packing a gun or crossbow.

I walked closer, looking aghast at the many bloodied, dead bodies of creatures just like Trevor’s friend Pumpy.

“You get kids to hunt those things,” I said to Sara as the kids filed back outside. “Isn’t that wrong?”

“It’s not immoral. The more you have to choose from, the better. There are a lot of beasties to squish.”

I looked back outside. “How did this all start?”

“It began with these pumpkin monsters, and then the other creatures came.”

And then I realized. Trevor had needed more time. How far back had he and Pumpy gone… and what effect had it had on history?

“Was there a first of these pumpkin creatures?”

She nodded. “He grew to an enormous size, and began opening portals to other worlds. That’s when the goblins and kobolds came. But the Pumpkin King is dead, in a bath of blood, backstabbed by the goblins who had promised him help.”

“Wow. The sacred cows have really come home to roost with a vengeance.” I glanced around the area, feeling the need to call home. A nearby phone had a thin line of dark smoke rising from it. “Oh, shoot…” I said, staring at it.

“Feel free to try,” said Sara. “The damn thing still works.”

I lifted the receiver, blowing smoke away, then dialed. Sara was right — it worked. And a familiar voice answered.

“Brother!”

“Trevor? Your walking pumpkin seems to have destroyed the world!”

“Not at all, bro! Pumpy and his clan caused some issues, yes, but the worst problems were accidental.”

“I’m stuck, Trevor!”

“I’m sorry. You were supposed to be with me this whole time. But there’s still a chance to put this right. Do you still have my ring?

I looked down; I was still clutching the gold ring.

“Uh, yep. But how can I…?”

“The goblins are breaking the veil. Today, you can raise someone of your choice, and bring them back to life.

“So I…”

“You need to bring Pumpy back. Use the ring, brother! Only he is strong enough to crush the Forerunner before it’s too late.”

“Won’t the goblins just kill him again?”

“Not on Hallowe’en.”

I clutched the ring tightly in my hand, then slipped it on.

It had to be worth a try.

Thanks for reading this short story! I drew on multiple writing prompts and challenges to put it together, including…

The Forerunner by Zane Dickens:

All three Kraken Lore October writing prompts by Jonathon Sawyer:

Monday Mashup #7 by Bradan Writes Stories:

Christine Graves’s 4th prompt in her Month of Madness:

And my own October challenge, with prompts 3, 6 and 10:

Here is a Table of points to help Bradan tally the scores:

Main prompt: “Bold of you to assume..." (2 pts)
Someone uses the excuse “I’m a writer” (Trevor – 1 pt)
Someone is wearing socks and walks on the wet floor (Sara – 1 pt).
The fire is “on fire” (says Sara – 1 pt).
Someone tries to do something malicious but it turns out for the best (the goblins making resurrection possible – 1 pt).
Hardcore Constraint, include a malaphor: "The sacred cows..." (2 pts).

Thanks for reading! Before you go, you can find more of my fiction and poetry here, as well as my articles about creativity writing and author skills right here! Or simplify things by just getting all my posts direct to your inbox. Do that here! 🧠 Thank you! 🌟

And Happy Hallowe’en!! 🎃