Happy Hauntings! The Custodian’s Tale

I wish you all a Happy Halloween or Samhain. I hope you have left an offering at the crossroads and may all saints and all souls be blessed.

I managed a little haunting for the occasion ( story)

My street
magic shroomies

 

and then another haunted tale

The Custodian ( or Crypt Keeper)

Mr. Wharton wearily made his way up the hill to the crypt from where the terrible sounds emanated.  It was like this every year as Hallowā€™s Eve approached. The howling became louder each evening and each evening he would enter the crypt to check the door. It was no ordinary door set as it was into  the stone pavings on the floor. No one knew who had put it there and why, and no one dared open it,  but it had been there as long as any of the older villagers remembered.   Thus it was a solitary journey that Mr. Wharton as custodian, made at that time of year.  No one but the custodian would dare enter the cemetery at this woeful time, no ordinary mortal at any rate.

Mr. Wharton proceeded into the vault cautiously.  He could hear scraping and snuffling coming from below.  He  always tried very hard to secure the heavy door but he knew  that those from the fathomless caverns beneath were very  clever. Their misshapen paws had long digits and claws. Even if the slab were cracked open a smidgen, one of “them” could get out.  He would not keep his position long if the hounds of hell were allowed to run amok in the grave yard pooping their foul waste on the grass or lifting their twisted legs on the tombstones of the dear departed. Worse still, they liked to dig things up.  It was a prodigious job to round them all up and send them back to their sulfurous abode. He had lost a few of his own dogs in the task.

He raised his lantern and looked around. Everything seemed to be in order.   The mist reached out and curled around his legs like spectral fingers as he headed back with relief to his little cottage. His parlour was warm and the smell of the wonderful stew that Mrs. Beaton had made, still filled the room.  The fireplace crackled and blazed.

Then he heard it, a low warning growl coming from his bedroom. Mr. Wharton took down a riding whip hanging on the wall and a rolled up newspaper from his chair by the fire. He could hear rasping breath and smell the odour of rotting meat.  Inside the room a grotesque creature with a hairy snout full of sharp teeth and blood red eyes looked up from the bed. In one swift movement the newspaper came down sharply across itā€™s muzzle. ā€œYou know I donā€™t allow any of you on the bed!ā€ cried Mr. Wharton as his other hand cracked the whip. The creature yelped hideously and slunk off whining into a dark corner where it sat staring malevolently at him.

Mr. Wharton went back out and looked into the kitchen. Mrs. Beaton was nowhere to be seen. He found a chewed up shoe and a torn apron by the open garden door suggesting she might have tried to flee.  It was highly unlikely anyone could outrun the beast so those meager bits were probably all that was left of the poor woman. Mr. Wharton sighed.  Itā€™s not going to be easy finding another housekeeper he thought as he sat down at the table.  He would have to deal with everything later.  Right now he was pleased to see that the good woman had at least had time to lay out a tankard of ale beside a piece of her delicious pumpkin pie.

and here is another called Bean Sidhe

67 Comments Add yours

  1. milliethom says:

    An excellent story for Samhain, Cybele, and I love the ending. Wonderful photos but I think the magic shroomies is my favourite.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Amy says:

    These photos are amazing, Cybele! Very creative, yet so artistic!
    perfect for the horror story. šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. šŸ™‚ love!! ( sorry I’m late!)

      Like

  3. Hi Cybele, Cheri here. First off…I loved your “wee” story for Samhain.
    My sister witches are coming round this Sunday to celebrate this fall season. First we’ll make merkabas and then follow with warm pumpkin soup. Wish you could be here to join in. Halloween has a always been my favorite holiday. Although its changing those that you wrote about are still out there causing havoc among gatekeepers and others alike. Thanks for keeping them in line spiritually and thanks for writing. I love your work and your pictures are to die for. Also thanks for adding a link to my site. You are so kind. Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to another great story from you soon.
    In love and light, CB

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh so pleased that you enjoyed it and keep me in spirit at your celebrations!! Sounds wonderful and I love pumpkin anything!Thanks Cheri!!

      Like

  4. All those photos are like in the horror movies šŸ˜±šŸ˜±.. Excellent shot, Cybele. It really fits in Halloween time

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yay I hope so!! šŸ˜€ Good to hear from you my friend! ( I’m always behind these days)

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Mr. Wharton had his pumpkin pie and ate it too….Love your rendition of “My Street.”

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Love your haunting story and the magical mushrooms, Cybele. šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks Sylvia!! ( late as always lol)

      Liked by 1 person

  7. pkphotooftheday says:

    The mushrooms are magical!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. pattimoed says:

    What a wonderful story, with a surprise ending! I love it as well as your photos!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Aquileana says:

    What a great story for Halloween…. Mr. Wharton couldnĀ“t care less at the end… ((well after all he had his pumpkin pie!)) šŸ™‚
    Love the artwork as well…. Wishing you a great weekend, dear Cybele.. Love across the miles! šŸ˜€ ā¤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so glad you enjoyed!! Love to you dear!!

      Like

  10. Happy hauntings to you! A grand tale if not a sad one for Mrs Beaton. Wonderful pics Cybele šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yayy!! thanks Julie!! šŸ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Renee Espriu says:

    A deliciously haunting tell Cybele. Loved this story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you Renee!!! šŸ˜€

      Like

  12. robert87004 says:

    Good housekeepers are hard to come by. Why, right now my living room is a mess and I can’t find any help. At least I can cook. Poor Mr Wharton. šŸ™„

    Liked by 1 person

    1. lol!! Glad you enjoyed!

      Like

  13. Gee, I was thinking of having some ale with my pumpkin pie tonight! Now I don’t know….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. haha!! Hope you had a good one!!

      Like

  14. Sherry Felix says:

    All 3 images are lovely. Today I like the shrooms.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Norma says:

    Oh, poor Mrs Beaton. šŸ˜¦ At least Mr. Wharton gets his meal for a day. It’s another worry that he’ll have to do a bit of searching work.
    A gory tale for the perfect time.
    Happy Halloween, to you Moon! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. haha glad you liked it Norma!! Happy Halloween!!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. DG MARYOGA says:

    A Halloween post bearing Cybele’s signature,even without your name I’d recognise it!
    Felt a shiver down my spine while reading the story and viewing the magical photos.Stay well and keep spinning your tales,dear friend,We don’t celebrate Halloween in Greece,you know that,but from all the posts and photos I’ve seen I’ve attuned myself to the occasion,I’m surprised though that most people don’t go deep into the roots of the celebration … it’s just fun for them.
    Well,wishing you the Welsh way; Happy Apple & Candle Night,Cybele šŸ™‚ xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh I like that Doda! Apples and candles!! Thanks dear friend!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. DG MARYOGA says:

        šŸ™‚ xxx

        Liked by 1 person

  17. A deliciously dark story for Halloween Cybele, thank you for sharing that and those enchanted pictures šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so pleased you like it Andrea! šŸ˜€ thank you my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Moz Loordes says:

    Happy Hauntings, Cybele ā¤ Beautiful pictures, as always, I love the magic shroomies šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yayy thanks Moz!! šŸ˜€

      Like

  19. Great story! Poor Mrs. Beaton. I love your photos. Your street looks magical. Planned or not, I can just about make out a spectral just floating above the ‘shrooms. Or am I still in half sleep?! And your third one is definitely ghoulish! Happy Halloween!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. haha, so glad you like it Linda brhahaha. Yes that smoky brush I hoped would work on the mushrooms!! Thanks for popping by!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I love popping by! I wouldn’t want to miss any of your posts! They’re always fun and fascinating! šŸ˜€

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Peter Nena says:

    Wow! I’m so happy reading this story. You know how I love such. The terrible sounds behind the closed door, the hideous thing in the bedroom, the chewed up shoe of Mrs. Beaton . . . and to make it really crazy Mr. Wharton is thinking of getting another housekeeper! Haha. Totally Halloween!

    Like

    1. I hoped you would like it, you master of horror !! šŸ˜€

      Like

  21. Adrian Lewis says:

    Wonderful stuff! Keep on keeping on! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. šŸ˜€ many thanks Adrian!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. paula graham says:

    Lovely and great fungi too!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Seriously brilliant my darling. Love that ending!!! Happiest day to you in the finest Celtic tradition, oh little one who keeps all these things alive. Enjoy your street xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. and to you Shey!! Raise a glass for me and I will for you!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. oooh xxxx Slnge x

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Anita says:

    Poor Mrs Beaton! I love the story. I wonder if the creature brought any of its friends along – it would be quite the chore, catching them all…
    Happy Halloween! šŸŽƒ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. šŸ˜€ you too Anita!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I thought you might!! Thanks for popping by!!

      Like

  25. Maverick ~ says:

    Wonderful story Cybele. Happy Halloween! šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you Maverick and you too!!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. smilecalm says:

    seasoned
    just right
    for the season!
    a distant memory
    having partook
    in the magic shroomies
    from which mystical
    stories arose šŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. indeed!! Thanks so much for your visit !! šŸ˜€

      Like

  27. Happy Halloween Hana! xx

    Liked by 1 person

  28. sedge808 says:

    excellent story & photos.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. disperser says:

    . . . housekeepers don’t get paid enough, I always said . . .

    A meaty Halloween offering to chew on. A howling good morsel of a tale.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh I’m so pleased you like it Emilio!!!

      Like

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