This is my entry for the 2021 Fall Writing Frenzy contest hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis with special guest judge Ameerah Holliday. The contest objective is to write something (200 words max) inspired by one of the provided fall images. Below is the image I selected and the piece it inspired.
Last year, I was lucky enough to be selected as a winner for my piece, BREWING. This year, my piece is a mash up of The Sword in the Stone and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I hope you enjoy! :)
Halloween- Credit: Samantha Hurley / Burst
THE PUMPKIN KING
Word Count: 200
Every year they come. Trampling vines. Tossing the gourds in their way. They don't see me. They never do.
They're here for one thing.
In a sliver of moonlight, in the back of the patch, The Great Pumpkin waits.
Only one can be crowned Pumpkin King or Queen, the ruler of Hallows Eve. Only someone worthy can pull the top off The Great Pumpkin. No tools. No tricks.
One by one, The Great Pumpkin defeats the dwindling crowd.
No queens, or kings. Just ghouls and goblins smashing pumpkins in rage and defeat. I wince as another pumpkin shatters, its guts splattered across the mud.
It's nearly midnight when they leave.
I slip out of the trees and cross the patch, careful not to step on pumpkins left behind.
My pulse quickens as I cup my hand around the prickly stem.
I’m 16 now. It’s finally my turn.
Tightening my grip, I lift. My neck strains. I close my eyes. Lift! Then -
A wet snap cracks the quiet night.
Warm light emerges as an earthy, sour scent slips into the air.
I hoist my hand high.
No one's here to see it. Only I will know...
"I am The Pumpkin King!"
