Scared Stiff (1st Place)

“You just need to try harder,” Chet said.

“I am trying.” Marlene crossed her arms and glared at Chet.

“Look. It’s easy. Just lay there and come out with your hands up. Sit up. It’s creepy.”

“Think you can do it? You get in the coffin. People aren’t scared so easy.” Marlene waved a hand at the cobweb covered box.

“Fine. Send the next group. You couldn’t scare a pigeon.”

“Hmmmpf.”

Chet adjusted a few mirrors and dimmed the lights to just above complete darkness. He nodded his approval and climbed in the box. The red light glowed and faded, signaling the next group through the haunted house. Chet closed the coffin lid.

There in the dark he started feeling a wetness in his trousers.

Damn. I forgot about the ketchup bottle in my pocket and now it’s leaking all over!

He felt around and grabbed something that felt like a cloth but when he yanked on it he realized it seemed attached to something. He shrugged and mopped up the “fake blood” as best he could when the group meandered into the room.

The black light clicked on, spotlighting the coffin. Chet tried to let go of the sticky cloth but then realized it wasn’t cloth but hair. He pushed up on the lid and tried to make out what was in his hand. His eyes widened.

It’s a … A … head!!! He tossed it out of the coffin and the ketchup splattered the crowd.

A group gasp ensued as everyone stared at the severed head. Chet swallowed hard and let out a blood-curdling scream.

The group bolted through the exit door and Chet leaped out. Marlene clicked on the light to reveal the fake head.

“Guess you were right. You are more creepy than me.”


298 Words

Flash Story
Limited to 300 Words
Must contain the line "come out with your hands up"