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So, for this pretty little eggu I've decided to do something different. We all do RP contests and this being Halloween, I thought this might be more appropriate. I'd like you all to write me a scary short (2000 words or less) story set in the Aerithe world. Be creative, be silly, but most importantly....be in the Halloween spirit!

Open: Now
Closes: October 29th 8 PM EST (GMT-5) (Click for countdown)

RULES
Please keep the story within ToS and PG-13 range

Long ago, a storm tore across the isles, knocking over trees and flooding lakes. The cold wind turned the rain droplets into tiny razors, stinging even the tough skin of the kirinea. A small group of kirin had ended up stranded in the mountains by the rising waters, taking shelter in one of the caves.

As they lay huddled together for warmth, a strange noise echoed from deep within the cave. A deep moan that rumbled and sent shivers down spines. Curious and afraid, they sent the bravest and strongest of the group to find the source of the noise, a stallion named Locke, and he vanished into the pitch darkness. Soon, a terrified bleat echoed back to the group, hooves pounding on the path and getting closer. The fighter had returned, though his face was pale and his legs shook, nostrils flared as he gasped for air. He cried of spirits and ghosts, visions of foals with red eyes reaching sinisterly for him, asking him to play. The others thought it a mean joke, disbelieving the frightened kirin. It had to be the wind. Compared to such an over the top story, they could think of easier, less frightening things for the noise to be.

Later it came again, the moan that made legs weak and minds fear. This time, more than once did it echo down the cave and it was higher pitched. They voted to check for the source again, though the bravest was no longer the bravest and refused to go. So they sent the smartest, the mare named Dessy, figuring she would be able to rationalize what was going on and find the truth. A shriek returned to their ears, making them stand to receive Dessy like they had Locke, but she didn’t return for some time. A slow and steady beat of hooves sounded as Dessy eventually returned, face expressionless, looking empty and unresponsive. She sat by the entrance without a word to their questions, staring blankly out into the storm.

Soon the moan returned, louder than before. As they listened, they thought they could hear words within the noise, but it was unclear under the hammering of the storm outside. Dessy whispered something as well, but no one noticed.

This time, two of the remaining three choose to go down the path together, thinking company would keep fear at bay. The two walked close together as they ventured down into the deep dark. Mizza’s and Craigie’s howls echoed violently inside the cave, their beating hooves testimony to their scare. Yet, only one set of hooves returned. Craigie emerged from the depths much like Locke had previously, proclaiming ghost foals had taken Mizza.

Now just one kirin was left to explore the dark pathway. Jamie. Hoping to have discovered a rational answer by now, Jamie decided that the actions of the others was enough to convince her a non-rational explanation lay within that darkness. She was not tempted to find out what it was though, and demanded they find a new cave. When Locke, Craigie and Jamie got up to get out of the cave, they found Dessy standing in their way. They told her they all needed to go before more than Mizza were taken. Dessy turned toward them, her face still blank, eyes looking past the three. Finally she spoke, her voice monotone and empty, though it was accompanied by youthful giggles that rose from just behind, within the dark path, closer than ever. “They just want to play.”