I have really enjoyed this weekend and have gotten a lot more out of it than I thought I would, one major thing I discovered is the fact that I can push past my own insecurities and walls of self-doubt to really get some writing done. Something I haven’t done in a long time.

- Shelley

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The working title is “What Goes Around Comes Back with a Kick.”

Tap, tap, scratch, scratch, tap, the sounds became louder as the scratchings appeared in the floorboards. Terrified Tim Northam huddled under his blankets; he wanted to call out to his daddy, but all he could think of and hear was his dad’s voice telling him to toughen up, and not to cry like a baby. Six year old boys are not babies who cry and run to their mummy or daddy. They are strong and tough and can face anything.

‘Timmy!’ The voice taunted him and he pressed his hands against his ears trying to block out the sound. ‘Come to me Timmy, want to play with me?’

‘N-no please go way.’ Tim sobbed, he twisted his fingers in his hair as he pressed his hands harder against his ears in a desperate attempt to block out the voice butt he could still hear it taunting him.

‘No!’ He screamed when he felt the cold, hard fingers twist around his ankle, unable to stop the slow pulling Tim started to cry, not caring what his dad had to say, he didn’t want to be tough or strong, he just wanted his mummy and daddy.

‘Hush baby don’t cry,’ a lady’s voice pierced the veil of pain and darkness surrounding the little boy and he looked up in surprise.

‘Who-who are you?’ he whispered in awe as he stared up at the pretty face with slanted brown eyes and long brown hair, she held out her hand and smiled, she was so pretty. ‘Don’t know you.’

‘I can help you Tim, let me help you.’ Her voice wrapped around the child like a warm blanket and suddenly he wasn’t scared any more. ‘That’s it Tim come to me my boy, my beautiful boy.’

‘But-but the monster it’ll get me.’ Tim started to crawl up his bed again, his large pale blue eyes shone in the moonlight and tears ran down his pale thin cheeks, his slight body shaking uncontrollably, ‘I want my mummy.’

‘Come to me Tim and I’ll take you to your mummy.’ She said and held out her hand once more, as she emanated a warmth enveloping the six year old and instantly calming him.

Tim sighed as he felt warm and sleepy, he felt his mummy’s arms around him and he was safe again. With a big yawn, he snuggled into the embrace and fell into a deep trusting sleep.

‘Shush my pet you can have your way with the mother but leave the father, he is the cursed one.’ She said as she looked down at the glowing eyes and shadowed movements beneath the single bed, ‘you have earned your feast tonight.’

A large black cloud, pulsating and pregnant, heavy with rain and despair settled itself across the face of the moon blocking out the silver light and casting a pall of sadness and feeling of foreboding over all those beneath it.