The Ghostwriters’ Haunt

tentatively named A Malakh for Hannah

Prologue

Hannah skipped along the gravel road near her home, she had been out picking flowers for her mother’s birthday and she was eager to present them to her. Her mother’s birthday was very special because it was also her birthday and they always spent the day together doing their favorite things and having all sorts of fun.

As Hannah neared the fork that led to her home she noticed what looked to be a beggar man sitting right where the road split into two paths. He was dirty and his clothes were torn and tattered and she was certain that the odd odor was coming from him. She crinkled her nose and tried hard to keep a straight face as she made to walk past him.

“Hello my pretty one” the beggar man croaked. His voice was scratchy and unnatural as if he hadn’t spoken aloud for many years.

Hannah startled and jumped a little back as she turned to face him.
“Sorry, I’m not supposed to talk to strangers,” she said to him and then moved to leave.

“Well Darling, I’m Nomed, how do you do. There, now see, we’re not strangers.” His manner seemed pleasant enough but his eyes held a wickedness that made the hair on Hannah’s neck stand straight up.

“How old are you dear?” he asked her smiling with a toothless smile.

“I’m 11, today is my birthday.” she said cautiously.

“Ahhh…your birthday! Why didn’t you say so! It’s a day for celebration.” He jumped up from his place on the grass and began excitedly rummaging through a dusty sack. He was muttering excitedly and when he turned back to her he held a little candy in his palm. It was rapped in a beautiful golden wrapper and was tied with a brightly colored bow.
“Here, happy birthday!” he said smiling.

“I’m not supposed to take candy from strangers,” Hannah said eyeing the pretty candy.
“Aw, I’m no stranger, take it.” He said again offering it to her.

“No, I shouldn’t” she said taking a step back.

“TAKE IT!” he nearly shouted but seeing Hannah’s widened eyes he gathered himself and continued, “What would your darling mother say if she knew you were rude to me? Not accepting my gift graciously.”

“You know my mother” she asked suspiciously

“Why yes, your mother is Sarah isn’t she. I see the resemblance in the eyes.”

It was true, her mother was Sarah and she did have the same eyes. Reluctantly she reached out a hand and took the candy.
“Thank you” she said, “Now I have to go” and once again made to leave.

“No, I want to see you enjoy it. Take a bite while I watch” he said staring at her, his black pupils boring holes into her. Hannah bit her lower lip…she knew something wasn’t right with this. She remembered the tale of Persephone who had to live in Hades for the 8 pomegranate seeds she ate. But she’d hate for this awful beggar man to ruin her mother’s birthday by telling on her. So carefully she unwrapped the paper and pulled out the little round candy. She brought it slowly to her lips and took a dainty nibble off of one end.

The Chocolate was rich and creamy and made her head tingle… it was good. She took a second bite, this time not so dainty. This bite broke open the middle and a thick sweet liquid flowed into her mouth. The liquid tasted good but bad at the same time. It had a strange bite to it and as the thickness filled her mouth she felt her body grow cold and her hands began shaking. She felt something deep inside her go dark, her heart grew heavy and she no longer saw the blooming flowers around her but only the dead leaves. Even the sunlight dampened and turned dull.

The beggar man smiled triumphantly as he watched the syrup flow into her mouth, he had made it himself with just enough of the good stuff in it to do its job. She looked at him with wide terrified eyes. Dropping the candy she ran down the road toward her home as he laughed wickedly. He would be seeing her when she was ripe, but until then he had 2 others to find. It had taken him 5 years just to find this one so he couldn’t dawdle.

to be continued….