Sweet Tooth

Received Honorable Mention in Arakun's Twisted Tales Contest.



Ten-year old Joshua felt his bag of candy getting heavier with each step down the sidewalk. As he walked towards the last house, he felt a bit disappointed that this was the last opportunity to get free candy for a whole year. His parents were very critical of Joshua's sugar consumption, and it was only on Halloween night that he was able to take advantage of satisfying his sweet tooth.

The last house on Loomis Lane was an old one-story home that belonged to Mrs. Tabernathy, Joshua's teacher when he was in second grade. Joshua contemplated whether or not to get more treats since his candy bag was full to the brim.

He decided to go anyway, considering that he would only have one night to really spoil himself.

Joshua rang the door bell and was greeted by a friendly "Hello, Josh!" as soon as he saw a shape come towards the screen door.

"Trick or treat!" he called out.

"What are you supposed to be?" she asked.

"A cowboy," he replied, pointing to the plastic spurs on his boots.

"Well, I'm all out of candy, Joshua. I'm sorry. Hey, why don't you take this. One of my trick-or-treaters left it on the sidewalk,"

She pulled out the doll from her front pocket.

"I don't play with dolls," said Joshua sternly.

"Well, give it to your mom," she replied.

Joshua stuffed the small, human-like plush doll in his candy bag. After saying goodbye, he started to walk back to his house. As Josh was making his way home, he felt something odd. His arm was gradually being relieved of the weight of the candy bag. The bag was slowly getting . . . lighter.

Immediately, Joshua looked inside the bag. Nearly all of the candy was gone. The only thing that was left other than a melted Reese's was the creepy-looking plush doll.

Terrified, Joshua threw the bag on the ground and ran off to his house.

As he burst through his front door, he began to shout for his mother. Joshua's mother came down the stairs, rubbing her eyes, and asked him what was wrong.

"A doll ate my Halloween candy! Mrs. Tabernathy gave it to me!"

"A doll, huh? Well, it's gonna have a bunch of cavities in the near future. Where is this doll anyway?" she asked.

"I left it on the sidewalk,"

Before Joshua's mother could reach the front door, a loud knock came from the other side.

"Don't answer it! It's the doll!" screamed Joshua.

"Don't worry. I think I can handle a doll," replied his mother.

She opened the door, and a tall, robust gentleman greeted her.

"Hello, ma'am. I was just wondering if you knew of any trick-or-treaters that came by this way with a large, plastic grocery bag,"

"Well, my son was trick-or-treating just recently,"

"Well, I live a few houses down and was just wondering who left a trail of candy all along the street,"