Take a very close look at this photo.
Can you see that dark creature? It’s staring back at you. See its eyes?
Don’t look away from it. Stare at the creature for at least five seconds, and you’ll see exactly what it is.
Here, take another look. Remember, look at it for at least five seconds.
Did you stare at it for at least five seconds?
Did it reveal what it was to you?
Did you notice how it moved slightly?
No? Then take a final look. Remember, stare at it for at least five seconds. Providing you do, then you’ll see it move slightly and reveal its secret.
Did it work? No? Then I’m going to have to tell you.
You see, that creature is the creak of the door. It’s that faint sound you hear in the middle of the night that wakes you up and makes you freeze, unable to move. It’s that feeling that terrifies you even though you’re not sure you heard a noise.
That creature is the creak of the trees as you walk past them. It’s the faint sound of those footsteps behind you. It’s the one ring of the telephone that stops and makes you wonder if anybody was really calling you. It’s the chill that passes through your body when somebody walks over your grave. That creature is the whisper you think you heard when you were all alone.
That creature only sleeps on the night of Halloween. That’s the one night you can rest, knowing that you’ll be safe…unless…you stared at the photo for more than five seconds.
Did I not mention to you that the photo is cursed and that nobody should stare at it for more than five seconds or have read to this point of this post? Now you’re cursed. You see, that creature is me. I’m right behind you, right now! Whatever you do, don’t look behind you. In fact, never ever look behind you ever again. Never! You see, if you do, then…
I am the creature.
Written in response to Sue Vincent’s The Thursday Photo Prompt #writephoto – Over at The Daily Echo.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Excellent Hugh… Now I thought it was Mini Mouse lol without her shoes on.. Enough to scare anyone.. 😉
Great Halloween teaser Hugh.. Sorry I turned up for the curse a little late.. 🙂
Oh, you haven’t, Sue. The curse operates 364 days of the year. The creature only sleeps on Halloween. 😱
🙂 haha… Luckily for me.. I have some special magical spell replant dust glitter left over from my Granddaughters spell bag.. I am sure a pinch of that along with some well chosen chants will put the creature to sleep every time it sees me.. 🙂 So worry not Hugh.. I will be perfectly safe.. 🙂 😀
Ah, you’re one of the lucky ones then, Sue. Don’t go spreading that glitter around too much. The creature won’t like it. 😃
🙂 too late Hugh.. I sprinkled some of it on Sunday.. and then again into Monday.. 😉
How can this be so super creepy and still make me laugh? Genius. 🙂
That happened to me, Diana. Somebody told me it was because I have a wicked mind. 😬 What? Me? Nooooooooooo.
😀
Awesome, Hugh! You are very naughty to tell us to stare, and then tell us we’re cursed cause we did! All those little sounds are eerie, and I especially recognise the one that awakens me in the middle of the night. Did I hear it? Did I dream it? What was it? I can no longer hear over the pounding of my heart. Thanks for adding to the fear! Not.
You’re welcome, Norah. I seem to have been able to draw many readers in with this piece of short fiction. I suppose with it being the Halloween season that it also helped. 👻 Things that go bump in the night are a great subject…especially when you’re not quite sure if it was real.
You did well to attract such a great audience. We must all be anticipating the release of your book!
I hope so, Norah. It will go on pre-order very soon. 😃
Now Hugh, that’s not nice, to curse me like that. I wasn’t expecting it. And now I’m cursed.
You’re safe, Walt. It’s Halloween and the creature sleeps at Halloween. Oh, wait a moment, my calendar tells me it’s November 1st…😱
Great! Thanks! Now I’ve stared at it much longer than 5 recommended seconds. Am I doomed forever? LOL . Great post for the season in true Hugh style! 🙂 xoxo
Thanks, Debby.
Oh, you’re safe. Oh, hold on. The creature only sleeps on the night of Halloween…😱
xx
Whew! 🙂 xo
You really sucked us in, Hugh. I did stare at it and thought I saw one or more ravens. Very much on my mind with Halloween! Poor birds get a bad rap – they are amazingly intelligent.
Thanks, Noelle. It’s so good for me to hear that my readers are taken in by my writing. Thanks for taking part.
Happy Halloween. 👻
Wonderful to see you in such great form Hugh…but now I’m regretting reading this post, lol! That is one creepy photo and story…perfect! And a very Happy Halloween to you too! 🙂 xxx
Thanks, Sherri. I’ve Sue, over at Daily Echo, to thank for this piece of writing. It was the photo she posted that brought this creature alive.
Happy Halloween.
xx
Ahh…great writing prompt! Thanks Hugh, am typing in between handing out sweets to trick or treaters…thin on the ground this evening so far…the trick or treaters, not the sweets! All the more for us though 😀 Happy Halloween to you too and I’ll email you tomorrow 🙂 xxx
Hope you enjoyed Halloween, Sherri. We were out at the Sister-in-laws for dinner, so all those chocolates I bought for the trick or treaters are now all my treats. 😀
xx
We did, thanks Hugh! Oooh…enjoy!!! xxx
I’m not turning around ever, Hugh! Fabulous!
Not even for me, Olga?
Oh, I forgot. I am the creature.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
umm. *shudder* feeling more than somewhat creeped out!
You? Creeped out? Are you revealing another side to me? 😱Mwhahahah 😱
I don’t do scary films! Imagination is far too big for that!
You know, I can’t do them anymore, either. The last one I watched (Paranormal Activity) had me freaked out for months. Scariest thing I’d ever seen. But I do like to send the shivers through my readers.
Oh no! Not that cat again, Claudette. Is it the one from my short story ‘Needles’, I wonder? 😱
Thanks, Elizabeth. It’s amazing what people see me (the creature) as.
Happy Halloween. 👻
Good morning Hugh you monster you 😀First time writing back to you . You gave me no choice …quick look behind you I may be there …tee hee happy Halloween.
Cherryx
Good morning, Cherry. A Happy Halloween to you. 👻 Welcome to the creature’s blog. A place where anything can happen…to its readers. 😱
Reblogged this on Jemsbooks and commented:
Oooh, don’t look behind you! Something is creepy, crawly and goes bump into the night! From the king of the unexpected, Hugh Roberts, provides the scene for a scary short story for Halloween. Happy Halloween to all!
Oooh, Hugh, you got me! I was really concentrating on the photo and even enlarged it to get a closer look. I should have known you were going to try something tricky! LOL! Your words gave me the creeps. I am stilll not looking behind me! 🙂
I’m so pleased to hear that about my words, Janice. The creature takes great pleasure when it does its job well.
Thank you for reblogging and sharing the post. You’re now safe, unless…😱
This was fabulous, Hugh! Dang it! I’ve got to go… something’s chasing me…
Thank you, Colleen. If it’s chasing you, then you’re safe. It can’t run very fast. However, it’s very good at hiding behind you. Did I tell you that? 😱
Happy Halloween.
What??? LOL! Happy Halloween!
Well done! Deliciously creepy!
Thank you. I just hope nobody looks behind themselves.