Dreams in the Wind would like welcome Morgan Kauffman as a guest author. Morgan was kind enough to submit part one her short story Mannequin Mask. Mannequin Mask is a story of a girl who, after in a horrific accident; seeks revenge on those who mistreat her due to her deformity.
So all you out there that are horror fans and not skirmish, you should really enjoy her work.
Part One
“This was the first time I was left alone, and the last.”
The year was 1990, an old home stood at the top of a long hill at the end of a dirt road. Victoria; a five year old girl was inside; sitting in front of a television set, her eyes glued to the screen. Her long blonde hair lay straight at her back but was ruffled as she turned her head quickly to look to her mother. “I’m headed out,” her mom said and she grabbed her keys, “The tv will be playing cartoons for you. Do not get up. Do not touch anything. I’ll be right back!” She makes her way to Victoria; gives her a kiss goodbye and walks out the door.
“I tried so hard to sit still, the television shows were blaring, but I was not distracted by it enough to ignore the growing hunger in my stomach.” Present Victoria narrates.
Young Victoria stands up from the cherry red carpeted floor and makes her way between the two small and very used arm chairs with pea green fabric to the dimly lit kitchen. She gets into a cabinet after retrieving a small chair from one corner of the room. She reaches as high as she can for a small pot, a macaroni and cheese mix, and a lighter. She makes her way to the gas stove, an old thing that is well worn and with paint chipping at it’s sides. Victoria turns the gas as high as it will go on one of the burners, she then makes her way to the chair and pulls it again to the front of the stove to see it better.
“My show came back on from the commercial break…”
Victoria hears the tv make the interesting blaring sounds and runs to the tv, the gas on the stove still running.
She sits in front of the television on the floor and watches intently with the lighter still in hand.
“The gas, the gas is still on.”
Young Victoria realizes she is still hungry and rubs her empty stomach with a large, but adorable frown on her face. She makes her way back to the stove and wobbles her way to the top of the chair. She struggles with the lighter and finally ignites it.
“An explosion, then that’s all I can remember from that day.”
“I woke up in a hospital bed. I could barely see what was around me. I felt my face and realized my entire head was in bandages. The doctor was speaking to my mom as she wailed and covered her face with her hands. Nurses were changing the fluids in my IV and the doctor turned to me with a solemn look on his face.” “Hey little princess,” “he called me” “Good to see you’re awake now. Are you in any pain?” “I shook my head no.” “That’s a good sign.” said the doctor.
The doctor then turned to Victoria’s mother and continued. “I could barely make out what he said.”
“It doesn’t look good. Just be very happy she’s alive and her organs are all still in place and working well. With several skin grafts, we should be able to fix her up after quite a few surgeries.”
“My mom didn’t speak at all the rest of that day. She just lay her head down on my bedside and held my hand as she drifted slowly to sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. After quite a few days in the hospital, I was able to head home. My mom couldn’t afford any of the surgeries that had been suggested, so she was going to apply for a second job.”
Victoria and her mom arrive home and they both step out of their beat up 1978 green Pontiac. Victoria slams her door closed and makes her way into the house with her mom following close behind.
“I couldn’t believe this happened to me. Why was the doctor so concerned and my mom so sad? It’s not like I was ruined. It’s not like I was a monster.”
Victoria steps inside once her mom unlocks the door and heads toward the bathroom. She unwraps her head and neck from the gauze and tape and turns on the bathroom light.
“I looked into the mirror and couldn’t believe my eyes. I WAS a monster!” “Where is my nose?! How was I able to see?! My face! It’s all melted and torn!”
“I screamed and ran from the bathroom, my mom chased me up the stairs and to my room where I slammed the door in her face. I could not hear well, but her muffled voice faintly reached my ears; “I’m sorry sweetie. I’m so sorry this happened. I wish I could turn back the clock and I wish I could take it all back. I wish what happened to you, happened to me instead.” “I opened the door and she reached in and grabbed me into a big, warm hug.”
“Mom I don’t blame you…….. I wish I could say to her……. I still wish she were here.”
You can find the rest the story on her own blog located here: http://morgansmoviemagic.blogspot.com/
November 25, 2017 @ 6:17 am
Can others submit short stories to your blog?
November 27, 2017 @ 10:11 am
Yes they can! We have a submit page just for that!