Halloween Clown

I seldom have bad dreams, just silly ones, but I had chilling nightmares as a child. The one that comes to mind most frequently involves a clown and Halloween gone wild. My friends went their way. I was walking home from trick-or-treating when, just to my right, I caught a glimpse of orange in the woods and heard a wicked laugh. I screamed with fright. I took off running. Then, to my dismay, a giant clown with orange hair appeared. It growled, “I will be back”—and it was gone. Those words comprised the promise I most feared. That night I dreamed the clown was in my room asphyxiating me. I couldn’t scream. Were bruises on my neck and orange hairs left on my bed proof of a lively dream? October 9, 2021 Contest: Something Spooky 8-16 Lines 3rd place Sponsor: Tania Kitchin