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I have the candy ready for the little costumed monsters and other assorted characters who will come knocking on the door this week for Halloween. I even have my “The Witch is In” sign on the door, though that isn’t necessarily for the trick-or-treaters.
We used to decorate when the boys were little. I’m not much for dressing up myself, but I do have a witch hat that I wore a couple of times while walking them down our street so they could trick-or-treat. My husband dressed up in scary costumes a couple of times–one little girl refused to come up the driveway for candy one year, because she was too frightened.
I expect we’ll see more superheroes than monsters again this year. I’m not sure when monster costumes went out of fashion, because there are always monsters, right? Real and imaginary.
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My quest for good, scary movies is over for now. It’s actually kind of disappointing, really, how many ‘horror’ movies aren’t scary at all. I’m still enjoying Penny Dreadful (and wishing I had taken Megan’s advice to watch it sooner!), and am trying to wait as long as I can to watch the new season of The Fall, knowing that there will be a very long wait if there is going to be a fourth season. There are real monsters in both of those series, human and otherwise, in case any of you are also looking for shows to keep you on the edge of your seats.
And since it’s Halloween week, I think my own ‘monster’ might be appropriate to share this time. Maybe the legend.
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Millennia Ago
Medusa knew he was coming. She always knew when the next one approached to try to kill her. But she had not been ready to die—until now. While listening to the soft, sneaky sounds of his footfalls on the rocky path, she studied the golden goblet. It had not rid her of Athena’s curse, but it would help her daughters. As long as one of them had it, the amulet would stop them all from suffering constantly as she had all these years, limiting the effects of the curse to only a few days each month for the keeper of the goblet. Until the Goddess forgave Medusa’s foolish bragging. Her killer drew nearer, still attempting to be quiet. Something about his deliberate pace—unhurried, careful—made her grateful she had already finished her protective spell for her children. This one would not have died as easily as the rest.
She looked around, from one statue to another—men of all ages and sizes, various weapons in their hands or tucked into their belts, all wearing the same horrified expression. Her eyes burned. She knew she was a monster. She had known not to brag so about her hair. Athena did not suffer braggarts. She had ruined Medusa’s hair, had cursed Medusa to live in exile this way—on this Gods-forsaken island, with no company but her own—as well as all her offspring. Medusa despised living this way. She was not meant to be alone. She had never enjoyed her own company more than others’. When this hunter came, she would let him kill her. He did not come into the clearing as the others had, charging forward recklessly. No, he came in with his back to her, watching her reflection in a shield. Clever, this one. She pretended to not have seen him, very aware of each step he took.
Soon. It would be over soon. And she could not wait for the torment to end. When he came nearer, she closed her eyes and prayed to Athena for forgiveness. His blade whistled through the air. Closer, closer…
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I hope you all have a spooky fun Halloween and that the monsters are only imaginary! And help yourself to some candy while I go back to working on hot tiger shifters!
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