Entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Halloweensie” story contest.  Requirements: 100 words or less, and must include any form of the words dark, haunt, and costume.

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]THE COUNTDOWN by Amelia Shearer (57 words)

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5 bags of candy, filled to the brim

4 hours ’til midnight Halloween

3 darkened windows loom ahead

2 deep breaths, double dare

1 creepy, empty, eerie haunted house

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… Tiptoe … tiptoe … CREEEEAAAK …

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BOO!

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1 shadow

2 screams

3 blocks running, faster, faster

4 steps up and in the door

5 kids in costumes, laughing on the floor