I Said No!

Not in Thailand, this dark story is set in England.

'And no, you cannot go out tonight!'

'But why?'

'Because tonight is Halloween.'

'That's why I want to go out.'

Young George, known as Bestie to his many mates, and his Mum, Petra Best, had this argument annually. This year George was a teenager. Today, 31 St of October, he had turned the grand old age of thirteen. Thirteen years ago, a heavily pregnant Petra attended a "service" deep into the woods. George decided the time was right to pop into the world. He was not due for another month.

The forest surrounded the small, and if you believe the tourists, quaint village in Bucks. It had a long and dark history. Odd things occurred on All Hallows' Eve, some planned, some not. Not every year, but too often not to create rumours amongst "non-believers" in Petra's faith.

'Mum, you do your thing; I want to have fun with my mates.'

'You know, today is important for me. I don't want to worry about what you are getting up to.' She studied the ceiling for aid from above. 'You are staying in your bedroom, reading or watching TikTok or whatever you are glued to. Okay? No arguments.'

Petra knew her only child too well.

George stamped up to his room, and with the door firmly closed, he called his mate on his mobile.

'I'll see you all outside the pub at nine as promised.'

He lobbed his Android to the unmade bundle of the quilt. Bouncing next to it, he grabbed his phone once more.

'They won't serve us in the boozer, and we'll have to get something to drink in the off-licence earlier.'

He smiled and lay back, thinking and hoping for fun with the boys and one particular girl.

Petra had spent hours getting ready; only Petra knew why it took so long. She had long flowing cream robes, a face covering and a hat, also cream; it all made her appear to be a Ku Klux Klan supporter. She wasn't. Her group, far older than the American Civil War, wore the outfit on special days. Halloween was one such date.

George flicked from rubbish on TicTok to some more visual junk on YouTube. He decided it was time. Opening the bedroom door, he listened; she had not returned for something forgotten or to check on him.

He raced back and opened the bottom drawer of his wardrobe. There, his pride and joy, a hideous zombie costume staring at him. He needed to raid his Mum's make-up to touch up his eyes. His dripping blood looked real. He was happy.

He was the first to arrive at the 'office'; he bought a small bottle of vodka and waited for the gang.

The lads all soon arrived. A pair of his dream girl's female friends also turned up.

'Where is Sally?' he asked.

The girls looked sheepishly at each other.

'Come on then, is she coming?' George bleated.

'Eh, no,' said one.

'She can't,' said the other.

'What do you mean?'

'Her mum told us she had something else planned,' the female zombie said.

'She promised she would partner me tonight,' said George, pleased his made-up face hid any dampness.

'You know us girls, we do things on the spur of the moment. Especially if mums order it,' said the witch.

'What do you mean? Her Mum won't let her out?' asked George.

'Oh, I think she is going with her mum.'

'Going where?'

'I don't know. Come on, let's start our fun.' The young zombie joined the other's arms outstretched, taking a sneaky look at George as she turned.

The gang grabbed pails of blood, broomsticks and empty sweet containers and marched off in the hunt for their first victim. They were flicking fake blood at vehicles, shop windows, and anyone unlucky enough to be passing them.

George ducked into an alleyway, but no one noticed.

'Where did she go?' he wondered. 'What is she doing?'

He went to the playground and sat alone, swinging gently back and forth. 'I'm not allowed out tonight, so I can't ask Mum if she knows. What shall I do?'

He was deep in thought. Dreamily he strolled away, unsure where to go, but walking was better than sitting. 'Something may come to me.'

Rap music was blaring, and he hated it. Tonight at least. He went in the opposite direction, away from the village's shops and into the woods. He began puffing as the walk inclined.

'What's that?' he asked himself.

He spotted a glow above the trees. He edged nearer. Without knowing why, he crept, frightened to crack a twig. The light brightened; he could now hear something.

'What?'

The noise became louder, a mumbled groan was unclear, but the smell of wood burning was masked by the fragrance of something he recognised.

'What?'

The perfume of flowers or pine needles mixed with citrus confused George's nose. It was like his Mum's scent.

The glow was a fire; he could hear crackling and pops. Not one fire, many more; as he edged nearer, he saw a trestle; no, it was a large table surrounded by smaller fires. And people, all dressed like his Mum.

'Who are they? What are they doing?'

It was impossible to see who they were; masks, facial coverings and tall peaked hats, like his Mum's, covered their heads.

George got as close as he dared; he crouched behind a boulder with a tree overhang. He could now hear clearly. They were chanting, chanting in a funny language.

'Is that someone asleep up there?' He mumbled.

People all joined hands and circled the table. The chanting stopped, and two people released their hold of each other's hands and opened as if welcoming a new member. A small person flanked by two more prominent people was led through. The giant pair lifted the small person to the table.

Headwear flung to one side as a sword pulled and presented to the once more circled gathering.

'My God, that's Sally.'

A raucous cheer joined the raised arms.

'Sister Petra, have you anything to say to your folk, your worshippers, the devout lovers?' screamed Sally. The sword pointed at the motionless body below.

'Mum?' whispered George.

He stood and ran at the crowd.

'Let me through,' he screamed.

In a strong voice, Petra said, 'You are now thirteen, as is my son. He will arrive soon. You can marry in our faith as it orders and continue in love and belief for the future of our coven. I willingly pass aside the chiefdom to your leadership.'

George fought the locked hands, and bigger, more muscular people held him back.

'George, my son,' Petra called. 'Fear not, you and your new bride will be great leaders. Goodbye, my son.'

The sword fell and pierced Petra's heart. Cheers rang out.

George collapsed.

He awoke dressed in cream robes. As he came to, he discovered he was now a husband and a leader of an aged faith.

The END

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