Today’s word was HAYRIDE. I thought about what to write; a poetic verse or flash fiction. I decided on the continuous life of Madison. I took a real life event from a Halloween experience in my past to write up the flash fiction. The story is dedicate to an individual who was a work friend, Dotty aka “Pickles”, who like me is indeed a big fan of Halloween. We worked our employers haunted house attraction fundraiser and attended a few as speculators. The story is how we were on a hayride around Harveys Lake, Pennsylvania. The hayride stopped at the haunted house attraction sponsored by the local fire company. As we walked through the venue we could hear voices calling out her name. Actually it sort of freaked us out as we had no idea anyone knew she was coming through the haunted house. It wasn’t until a few days later I learned the truth. With me on that hayride was the daughter of a friend from the Legion. She ran ahead of us into the haunted house and told a few of the workers to call out Dotty’s name; they complied. It was a fun evening. We did have a scare as behind the hay wagon was an old pick-up following us; problem was it was too dark for him to see to try to pass on the lake road. We also encounter a bicyclist following us. We thought it was part of the scare experience but found out it was not. After the hayride ended at the start point we had pumpkin ice cream cones. All in all it was a fun evening.
I thought about the fun I had going to haunted venues as well as being part of working one. No doubt with COVID many of the haunted houses won’t be operational this year; although I just learned one of the most popular is up and running this year. Glad to know that in the area where I use to live you can still get your ‘Scream On’.
Until tomorrow....today is the birthday of the U.S. Navy....HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAVY; and as always Stay Safe.
HAYRIDE HIJINKS
© Scottie-ann Murphy
(For Dotty “Pickles” Sobieski)
There had to be at least twenty five people, with more showing up, waiting for the first wagon to begin its journey around the lake. Madison was glad she had press privileges for herself and her three guests. They would be the first group out. The hayride would begin in fifteen minutes; the first wagon would start out, then the second wagon twenty minutes later. They would stop at the haunted house venue sponsored by the volunteer fire company and the local American Legion. After the haunted house, the hayride would continue the rest of way around the lake ending at the parking lot of the Four Seasons Restaurant where pumpkin ice cream, hot and cold cider, hot chocolate, donuts and other drinks and items would be available for purchase.
Madison loved Halloween as well as autumn and all things associated with the season. The hayride, which was in its fifth year, started out as a fundraiser for the Legion, but with the help of the volunteer fire company, it became a big event. The haunted house became part of the fundraiser the third year. Profits from the event were split between both organizations.
Looking around at the crowd, Madison noticed the woman named Dotty. Madison had seen her at other haunted venues as well as Halloween events over the years. From what she recalled Dotty loved the holiday as well. Judging by her black outfit to the orange pumpkin beret on her head, the skeletons earrings and the spider ring, Dotty was indeed in the spirit of the holiday.
Walking over to Dotty and her friends, Madison noticed one of the fund raiser volunteers on her cell phone near the group. She picked up part of the conversation; those at the haunted house were being made aware Madison was going to be in the first group and she was doing an article on it. The volunteer continued with the conversation as she walked towards the first wagon.
As Madison approached Dotty and her friends she overheard parts of their conversation. Dotty was telling them that the previous year as she went through the haunted venue it seemed as if ghosts or spirits were calling her name. Her friends told her it was probably just a coincidence; those who work the house probably use a series of names and hers just came up at that time. Madison wondered if it were true or did someone know she was in that group.
Madison introduced herself to Dotty and her friends, explained the reason she was there and inquired if she could ask them questions for her article. They were all more than happy to comply and even posed for a photo next to the hay wagon.
The time arrived to head out and Madison, Austin, her boyfriend; Sarah and Sean, their friends climbed aboard the first wagon. Dotty and her three friends were next along with a family of four and another couple. The first sixteen shouted to the crowd “see you later” as they headed on their way. It was a chilly evening and Madison was glad she dressed warm. She introduced herself to her wagon mates then explained her mission for the evening. The family agreed to let her take their photo at the haunted house. The other couple agreed to be photographed afterwards while enjoying a pumpkin ice cream cone.
Arriving at the haunted venue, Dotty was heard saying again it freaked her out having her name called out last year. The door greeter announced into a microphone “Welcome group number one”.
Madison and her friends waited till the others entered first before going inside. As they made their way through the first scary room she could hear voices calling out;
“Dotty, Dotty we’re waiting for you”
“Welcome back again Dotty”
Madison had to agree it sounded quite eerie but figured there had to be a logical explanation.
The group made their way back outside; boarded the wagon for the remainder of the hayride.
Dotty kept chattering to her friends about being sought out at the haunted house. To the rest of the hay ride group it was also a mystery.
Sean snickered as he listened to Dotty talking away about the haunted house.
‘If she only knew’, he thought.
The volunteer at the starting area with the cell phone was the instigator. Their job to get a name of one or two individuals on the hayride; give the number of which group they were with. This was called to the haunted house door greeter who sent the information ahead of time to those working inside.
Sean knew this since he was a volunteer for the fire company. He debated whether he wanted to tell Madison. Since she was with the press he decided not at this time.
‘Let it remain a mystery for now’, he thought. ‘After all it is Halloween.’
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