Garrett always liked to joke about the name of the street. ” We live on Diamond Street,” he’d say ‘diamond’ in an exaggerated way as if it meant riches. “Say a few ‘Hail Marys’ and ‘Our fathers’ for me,” her Dad told her when she left for church. Rachel wasn’t thinking about prayers though. Halloween was coming up at the end of the week, and Halloween was always a big holiday in Eureka Valley.
“It’s because this section of San Francisco has the most children in all of the city, ” her Dad would say.
The ethnic makeup of the neighborhood was Irish with some Polish and Hispanic over the hill in The Mission. Rachel and her friends planned to cover as large a swath of it as possible with their big grocery bags to hold the loot.
Halloween celebrations started with a costume parade at school. Rachel and her little brother Ben could hardly eat dinner that night for all the excitement. As soon as the sun set they were off with parents trailing behind.
Later in the evening would be the parade on 19th Street hosted by Cliff’s Variety Store. Heading up the procession was a mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex followed by a crowd of costumed kids.
” Will you hold my bag, Mom?” Rachel asked Nora.
“You watch yourself, girl, and don’t get trampled in that crowd. Be sure to hold onto your brother.”
“I’ll be fine. Ben’s holding my hand and Jack is here, too.”
Nora felt that familiar chill. She knew that kids can have an imaginary playmate, but a ghost?
Jack stood next to Rachel. “Tonight is when the spirits can cross over and walk the earth,” he whispered to Rachel in a lilting accent.
“There aren’t any spirits, except you, just lots of kids dressed up in costumes.”
Jack wasn’t so sure about that. A witch standing next to the Frankenstein monster looked like that mean old landlady he had back in Dublin.
” Oh, it’s herself all right.”
“What are you muttering about, Jack? You’re spoilin’ all the fun.”
“Don’t worry Rachie, I’ll keep a look out for you and Bennie.”
In all the excitement Rachel had almost forgotten about her brother who held tightly to her other hand.
“Who ya talkin’ to, Rachie?”
“Oh, nobody. Just talkin’ to myself, Bennie,” Rachel answered as she shot a cool glance at Jack.
“Don’t let go of my hand, Bennie.”
” Don’t worry, I won’t. I don’t like the way that witch is lookin’ at me! She’s creepy with that green goo dripping out of her mouth!”
Rachel shot a wary glance at the witch and squeezed her eyes shut to will her away. When she opened her eyes the ugly crone was gone.
” See that, Jack, you can’t let your imagination run away with you.”
Jack was skeptical, but he couldn’t help smiling at Rachel.
All the children marched behind the dinosaur as the proud parents looked on. Rachel smiled and waved at her mom. That’s when she noticed the ugly witch standing behind Nora and froze.
“What’s a matter, Rachie? Why you stoppin’?” whined Bennie. Rachel looked down at her little brother, and when she glanced back at the crowd, the witch had disappeared.
Jack was wondering why Rachel had stood still as a statue as well. “What’s wrong, Rach?”
” Nothing’s wrong. It’s just all your talk about evil spirits. It’s makin’ me see things!”
But the vision left Rachel with a bad feeling the rest of the evening. She hugged her mom extra hard when she got ready for bed.
” What’s troubling you, girl? You’ve been jumpy as an alley cat ever since we got home.”
“Do you believe evil spirits walk the earth on Halloween, Mom?”
“Course not! And who’s been filling your head with all that nonsense?”
“It’s just something Jack told me.”
“I think you been eating too many sweets. I am putting that candy away, and tomorrow we can donate it to the Nursing Home.”
” Okay, Mom, but save a little of it for Bennie and me, please!”
“Get to sleep now and sweet dreams, dear girl.”
Rachel quickly fell into a deep sleep, but it was not sweet.
“So you don’t believe in spirits,” the old woman cackled. Rachel found herself in a cold, dark cave with the old witch who was binding her with a scratchy rope.
” Who are you and why are you doing this?” Rachel cried.
” None of your nevermind, drink this! ” hissed the hag. I am going to switch you with my little changling, and your mam with never know the difference.”
” She will too! ” sputtered Rachel as the bitter liquid was forced down her throat. ” My mom would know me from your rotten little changling any day!”
“Watch your lip, girlie, or you might just lose it!” screeched the witch.
A small twisted creature made its way across the cave toward them leaving a slimy trail in its wake. As it got closer, Rachel could hear a chittering sound coming from its beak.
“What’s that!” she screamed.
“That’s my little darlin’. She’s been waitin’ for me to bring her a little girl like you so she can cross back into the world,” the old witch replied in a gentle, lilting tone.
Rachel was becoming drowsy but fought to keep her eyes open. She knew if she gave in and fell asleep again the witch would do her worst.
***********************************************************************
Rachel woke with a start, bolting straight up in bed, and pinching her arms to make sure she was really herself.
“What the heck are you doin’, Rachie? ” Bennie asked from the doorway.
” Oh, I had a bad dream, that’s all, Bennie.”
“You’re as white as a sheet!” Jack said as he quickly crossed the room.
” I wish everybody would quit making a fuss!” Rachel fumed.
“Who’s everybody?” asked Bennie.
“Oh, none of your nevermind!” Rachel replied.
“Why you talkin’ so funny?”
” I ain’t talkin’ funny!” she said as a little chitter escaped her lips.
WEP October 2018 Challenge #WEPFF-Write…Edit…Publish October Challenge-Deja Vu or Voodoo hosted by Denise, Renee, Olga, and Nilanjana. Featured image of ‘spooky portrait’ via pxhere.com
Word count: Abt. 1002
How frightening, I hope her mother recognizes the difference. Or at least Jack! Super good Halloween tale!
Happy Halloween!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they all will start to notice pretty quick. Thank you very much, Renee. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone’s bound to notice the changes in Rachel, but the real question is… can anyone bring her BACK? i.e. Can ya un-change a changeling…? Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you can unchange a changling and not have to wait until next Halloween. Thank you, Susan. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, this is horrible and scary. I hope everyone notices the difference, but even if they do, could they bring the original Rachel back?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope they can bring her back. I think Jack will want to do something to help for sure. 🙂
LikeLike
Definitely dark. I do hope that changelings can be returned. But wonder whether the chitterer has a sad tale to tell as well.
Loved this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dark is kind of fun for Halloween. The chitterer probably wasn’t too happy. Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, a changling. That is clever. An intriguing story Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dolorah. 🙂
LikeLike
This was so engaging. that changeling gave me the jitters. Hope the kid’s mum finds out before it’s too late!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Adura. 🙂 I hope things work out better too.
LikeLike
This was so creepy and dark. A celebration that should have been fun turned into an absolute nightmare. I’m hoping something can be done to help Rachel! That poor girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did do a creepy one this time. I think Jack will figure out what to do to help Rachel. Thanks, LG. 🙂
LikeLike
Poor Rachel! The speech gives it away because the little brother has already mentioned that she’s talkin’ funny. The mum will definitely notice it. But what can anybody do about it?
If you’re on facebook, please link your flash fiction to the WEP+IWSG badge over at the IWSG Facebook page, so that others can read your lovely work.
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am thinking Jack will do his best to turn things around. Thank you, Michelle. 🙂
LikeLike
A pulse-pounding tale about the sheer excitement a child can possess during Halloween, intermixed with some Celtic folklore. Well done, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad that my writing did what I aimed for although I got into the dark side a bit more this time. Thank you, Christopher.
LikeLike
You’re welcome Deborah
LikeLiked by 1 person
EEEK! That was spooky – so well done!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jemi. It was my dark side. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Deborah – I’m afraid they’ll know she’s not one and the same … and will probably never be the same and that will affect all around her – a chilling tale … not good – but well written – cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would not be good news but they may overcome it yet. Thank you, Hilary. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Deborah. Awesome. A chittering changeling. We all want the real Rachel to reappear but is that possible? Probably not, Deep dark and deliciously scary for Halloween!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not sure how she could be switched back but there might be a magic spell. Thank you, Denise. 🙂
LikeLike
Delightfully goulish! Nice chemistry between the kids and a well rounded fun Halloween story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael. 🙂
LikeLike
Spooky! How awful for the mum and daughter both, even if the mother does recognise the switch, will she be able to do anything about it? Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is quite a mess but maybe a spell might reverse the witch’s work. Thank you, Nilanjana. 🙂
LikeLike
Great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sally.
LikeLike
What an awful but brilliant take on the prompt! October month feels out and out 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Prajakta. 🙂
LikeLike
I was not expecting a changeling story in this challenge. Nice addition and well done. I hope someone notices pretty soon… though, what can be done if you realize your child has been switched? Can you un-switch them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
To find out your child is a changling would be pretty alarming all right. I think there must be a magic spell somewhere…:)
LikeLike
Uh oh. Those witches can’t leave well enough alone. A bewitching tale, Deborah! I liked the small town touches, and the ‘ghost’ friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it.Thank you, DG. 🙂
LikeLike
Nice dialog between brother and sister, and ghost friend. Can she do anything about her new “condition”, or will she be chittering forever? Sounds like the start of a longer story…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think she will be chittering a bit longer but there may be a solution in the future. Thank you, Tanya. 🙂
LikeLike
the switch is made
and who’s to know
what was brought up
from Below
a sweet girl
with Jack as a friend
or something evil
they now have to attend
only the writer knows
what’s next
and she will keep
us complexed
LikeLiked by 1 person
You poems are an added treat, to make my WEP contribution complete. Thank you, Ellis. 🙂
LikeLike
Fright night and what chance of rescue from Jack. You “let your imagination run away with you” and created a scary treat for us with distinct characters.
LikeLike
I did let the story keep going the way it seemed to be going and I am really glad the characters stood out. Thank you, Roland. 🙂
LikeLike
Aiee! That’s more scary as a mom than it is for the kids! Surely a mother would know… and I sure hope you’ll let Jack bring her back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be awful for a mom and I hope Jack can break the evil spell, too. Thank you, Rebecca. 🙂
LikeLike
A perfect Halloween tale. Let’s hope something can be done for Rachel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think the story ends here for Rachel or Jack. Thank you, C.Lee. 🙂
LikeLike
Then I hope to read more about them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, C. Lee. 🙂
LikeLike
A switcheroo. Hopefully they take notice and can get her back. Great entry indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, need to do a reverse switch. Thank you, Pat. 🙂
LikeLike
What an awful thing to happen, especially in a small town. Hopefully it can be reversed before too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think my description of the neighborhood made it seem like a small town but it was part of a big city, San Francisco. Hope it gets reversed too. 🙂
LikeLike
Changling legends are always creepy. Nice work with this! It felt like part of a bigger story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Changlings are pretty creepy. It may develop into a bigger story. Thank you, JLenni. 🙂
LikeLike
Cool amount of diversity.
Some people say using names in dialogue is bad. I think it’s no big deal. That’s how it’s done on tv and in movies. Ever heard that “rule”? I think your story is good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard of not using names but sometimes I don’t put attributions. I am not aware of those rules. I am glad it worked out well in this story. Thank you, Jamie. 🙂
LikeLike