Innocence At A Party
by Elizabeth Averay
Mrs Glen would normally give me a lift home after choir practise but since she’s in hospital with a broken hip I’ll have to walk.
Mr Jones offered me a ride but that would give my parents a heart attack as they are prim proper old -fashioned people who are very strict with me. Their main rule for me is never go anywhere alone with a man no matter what!
It is just gone dark. Practise ran over so I start to walk home. After a few minutes I realise it’s Halloween. I see kids in costumes racing around trick-or-treating. To avoid them and their tricks I hop a fence edging an old paddock – a convenient shortcut and child escape plan.
Nearing the trees that are on the far side of the paddock I hear laughter and see firelight. I am drawn to this, the people there sound like they are having a great time. Creeping through the trees and finding one to hide behind while still being able to watch the group, I am amazed they are all adults in full costume and face masks.
My parents always told me that grown ups don’t bother with Halloween as it is a childish thing, but here in this hidden clearing there are about one hundred adults eating, drinking, talking, playing odd games and there is also a large cage by the fire. I am so absorbed in watching the people I don’t realise that four of them are now behind me until they grab me and cheer. ‘We got one!’
Struggling against their hold I am dragged to the cage and shoved in, then a heavy padlock is placed on the door and snapped shut with a sound of finality, of doom.
They all gather round, pointing and whispering to each other. One looks at me as if I am a prize pig at the market. Another reaches through the bars and strokes my face. I am too terrified to move. A man in a fancy headdress and long flowing cloak walks up to the cage, stares at me for a very long time then asks if anyone knows anything about me.
A voice pipes up, tells them I am part of the church choir, I attend an all-girl school, I have no friends as my parents keep me too busy with extracurricular activities, and I’m not allowed to be alone with any man. And the final bit about me that they tell him: ‘She is thirteen.’
The man in the long cloak smiles a predator’s smile and purrs, ‘Perfect, she is just what our Master likes as tribute.’
Then the ground opens and a massive head appears. Looking around, it finds and stares at me.
I wake up in the clearing as the sun comes up. I have scratches all down my side and the party goers are in pieces on the ground. I look around and see my parents with swords shining brighter than the rising sun. ‘Thank you child – we have slain the devil of this village. Your parents will be returned to you very soon.’
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