#Gothic Hangman

[iicarusflew]

— Margaret Atwood, Marrying the Hangman

[tongue-like-a-razor]

Ex Appeal

Jake "Hangman" Seresin x F!Reader

Summary: Jake Seresin gets a frightful visitor on Halloween.

CW: Angst, fluff, suggestive themes, alludes to past cheating

WC: 3500+

This fic was written for @roosterforme’s Rocktober challenge! Inspired by the song Poison by Alice Cooper.

Masterlist

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jake says with a look of disgust – as much of it as he can muster. You, after all, have been his greatest source of misery as of late.

You give him a dirty look – your specialty – and barge into his home as though you own the place and Jake’s just a goddamn doorman. “I need to lay low for a bit.”

Jake narrows his eyes as he turns to face you. He keeps the door open because he’s still hoping you’re going to leave any minute. “Lay low?” he asks mockingly. “What’d you do? Commit murder?” He wouldn’t be surprised.

You peek around his arm to glance out at the street. “Someone’s looking for me.”

Jake watches you impassively. “Is it the police?” Then, after a moment, he adds, “Is there a reward?”

You roll your eyes. “You’re the only one in this neighbourhood that I trust,” you say, pushing on the door that Jake is obstinately keeping open.

Jake nods. “Shame that trust doesn’t go both ways,” he comments contemptuously.

You eye him irritably. “Close the door.”

“Tell me why you’re here.”

“I just did.”

Jake shakes his head. “You could not have been more vague.”

You sigh. “Close the door and I’ll tell you.”

Jake exhales warily and shuts the front door. He surveys your outfit. “What are you wearing?”

You glance down at your ensemble: a black, form-fitting body suit and fishnet stockings. You’re also sporting knee-high boots and you’ve got what looks like six extra arms coming out of your back. You look back up at him with an annoyed expression on your face. “It’s Halloween,” you snap defensively.

Jake grimaces. “Yeah, I know.” He gestures to a cauldron full of candy sitting near the front door. “There’s gonna be a fuck-tonne of children coming through here trick-or-treating in like half an hour and you’re dressed like a gothic porn star.”

Instead of being offended, you lift your eyebrows in surprise. “You’re handing out candy?”

Jake sighs and places his hands on his hips, fixing you with a stern look. “Yeah, I’m handing out candy. That’s what adults do on Halloween.”

You stare at him as a smile materializes on your face. “Is that your costume?” you ask facetiously, gesturing at his checkered polo shirt. “Adult?”

Jake squares his jaw to mask the fact that he found your joke humorous, but you seem to notice the shift in his features because your own grin broadens. “My mom got me this shirt,” he says.

“Ah,” you respond. “A fellow adult.”

Jake tears his gaze away from you, focusing instead on the shiny, pointed toes of your stilettos. “Why’re you here?” he asks again, this time a lot less peevishly and a lot more grimly.

You bend down to unzip your boots. “I’m a spider,” you say. “Black widow.”

Jake glances up to meet your gaze as you straighten up. He nods. “Suits you.”

You give him a flat look. “I was at the bus stop and some dude started harassing me.”

Jake’s eyes trail down your scantily glad body. “You don’t say,” he remarks sarcastically.

Your jaw drops in outrage. “Are you victim blaming?”

Jake chuckles and shakes his head. “It was a joke.”

You cringe. “It was in poor taste.”

Jake closes his eyes and lets out a tired sigh. He’s had about enough of your attitude. “You wanna talk about poor taste?” he asks. “Where’s that lovely boyfriend of yours?”

You watch him sourly. “We’re not together anymore, if you must know,” you reply.

Truth be told, Jake probably didn’t need to know. But, now that he does, it’s only fitting that he respond with, “Shocking.”

You give him the finger. As if he were the one who’d been dating two people at the same time.

There’s a knock on the door. “Fuck,” he mutters, giving you a moody look. “Hide,” he says. “Unless you’d rather traumatize a bunch of eight-year-olds.”

You grimace at him. “You think eight-year-olds haven’t seen worse?”

Jake scans the low-cut neckline of your costume. He can’t think of anything more erotic if he tried. But, if he’s being honest, it’s not the outfit so much as your insane body that’s the culprit. He reaches out to grab your hand and pull you aside, making sure you’re tucked safely behind the door before opening it.

He smiles down at the two little kids on his porch when they yell, “TRICK-OR-TREAT!” at the top of their lungs.

“Well, well, well,” he says cheerily, bending down to grab a handful of candy out of his cauldron. “Who do we have here?” He puts the candy into one of their bags. “Are you a mermaid?”

The girl nods happily.

Jake wows in amazement. “You’re the prettiest mermaid I’ve ever seen!” He bends down to grab another handful of candy and drops it into the second child’s bag. “And you must be Iron Man!” he exclaims. “That’s one cool costume, bud. You look great!”

When Jake finally closes the door and looks at you, he sees that you’ve got your arms folded over your chest and a giant smirk on your face.

“What?” he asks darkly.

Your smile widens. “That was cute.”

Jake takes a step from the door and looks away from you. He’s not about to get sucked back into your web of lies, no pun intended. “You wanna hand some out?” he asks.

“I thought you don’t want me traumatizing the children,” you respond sarcastically, stepping out of the corner toward him.

Jake glances at you with a small smile. “I can give you some clothes, if you like.”

You wiggle your eyebrows. “Adult clothes?”

Jake rolls his eyes. “Come on, before more kids show up.”

He makes his way into his bedroom and grabs a pair of jogging pants and t-shirt and brings them back out for you. “Bathroom’s down the hall,” he says.

“I remember,” you respond, but you’ve already started to remove your bodysuit.

Jake turns away in alarm and holds out the clothes for you. “Do you?”

“Come on, it’s not like you haven’t seen it all before,” you say. “Shoot, I’m not wearing any underwear.”

Jake groans. “Are you for fucking real?”

“You got a pair of boxers?”

Jake swallows uncomfortably. “Hold this,” he instructs, keeping a hand over his eyes as he hands you the crumpled clothes and starts back for his bedroom.

“You know what? I’ll just go commando.”

Jake takes a deep, cleansing breath and turns back toward you. He keeps his eyes closed and holds a hand out so as not to bump into anything as he walks. Of course, as luck would have it, he stumbles into you.

“What the fuck, dude?” you exclaim as his hands cling to your naked body, steadying you so you don’t fall over.

Jake squeezes his eyes tightly so that they don’t open inadvertently. “Sorry, sorry!” he winces, finally stabilizing both himself and you. He feels the softness of your skin underneath his palms as his hands do a final sweep along your back before he lifts them away from your body with a grimace. He’s bracing himself for a punch in the face.

“Are you a dumbass? Open your eyes!” you screech. “You’ve seen me naked how many times?!”

“Twelve,” he responds, a little hoarsely. All he can think about is how smooth your skin felt in his hands not a moment ago and it’s driving him a little mad.

“It was a rhetorical question,” you say pointedly. “You counted?”

“Are you decent yet?” he asks, clearing his throat.

“I’m never decent,” you mutter under your breath and Jake can’t help but smirk. “But if you’re asking whether or not I’m dressed. Then, yes, I am.”

Jake releases a heavy sigh and opens his eyes cautiously.

You scowl at him. “What, you think I’m tricking you?”

“Well, you aren’t treating me.”

You stare at him coolly. “You’re such a delight. Can’t imagine why we ever broke up.”

“Need a reminder?” he calls as you make your way back into the front hall. “It’s because you cheated on me!”

You’re standing at the front door with your arms crossed. “I didn’t cheat, for the last time,” you retort. “We weren’t exclusive.”

Jake presses his lips into a thin line. “I was exclusive.”

You shake your head in frustration. “Let’s just agree to disagree.”

“Fine.”

“Great.”

There’s another knock on the door. You sigh irritably and reach for the doorknob.

“Hello!” you exclaim enthusiastically the moment the door is open.

The mob of children on Jake’s doorstep all look up at you with exuberant grins and yell their opening line in a loud, messy chorus.

You react with an animated gasp. “Oh my goodness! You guys are a frightful bunch!”

The kids laugh. Indeed, they’re dressed as zombies, ghosts, and vampires, and, when you comment on their appearance, they growl and make scary faces at you. Jake smiles at them and then at you as you distribute the candy from the cauldron excitedly.

Once the door is closed, however, you drop the act, giving him an icy look as you settle yourself on the little bench near the door.

Jake fights the urge to sit next to you and maybe get a little lost in the smell of your perfume. He still gets a whiff of it from time to time when he walks by his closet. Which reminds him –

“I have your sweater,” he says awkwardly.

You glance up at him coldly. “Well, why didn’t you give it to me? It’d probably look better than this.” You tug on the hem of the t-shirt he gave you.

Jake doubts it; the fact that he could see your nipples through the fabric of his own shirt is even more of a turn on than your low-cut bodysuit had been. But he responds with, “Probably. But I’m not about to let you change again.”

You snort. “Fair.”

Jake wonders just how detrimental sitting next to you might be to his personal journey of recovery. He figures that you also would prefer that he stay as far away from you as possible. Ultimately, however, he decides that it’s his bench, after all, and that he’ll be sharing it with you and not the other way around. And, with regard to getting over you, well, he can try again tomorrow.

Jake makes his way over to the bench and you eye him cautiously as he approaches. Silently, you slide to make room for him. He gulps nervously and lowers himself onto the seat beside you.

“What were you doing at the bus stop, anyway?” he asks, staring down at his own clasped hands because he can’t handle looking at you when you’re sitting so close.

“Frank and I were on our way to a party,” you respond sullenly.

Jake glances up at you despite himself. “Thought you two broke up.”

You meet his gaze and promptly look away – apparently, you’re not too keen on engaging in eye contact at this proximity either. “We did,” you say curtly. “About an hour ago.”

Jake raises his eyebrows. “An hour ago?”

“We had a fight on the way. I hopped out of the car at a red light.”

Jake leaps out of his seat. “Are you crazy?” he exclaims. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”

You give him an amused look. “Don’t you fly jets for a living?”

Jake gapes at you incredulously. “I trained for that,” he retorts.

You let out a small laugh. “You’re right,” you reply. “I should’ve practiced first.”

Jake draws a hand over his mouth. “Okay, so you got out of the car in the middle of traffic,” he says with a wince. “And he, what? Just let you go?”

You shrug. “Wouldn’t you?”

Jake raises his eyebrows. “In what you were wearing? I wouldn’t even let you go to the bathroom by yourself.”

You stare at him with a grin. “That’s a bit excessive.”

“Yeah?” he asks. “How many guys made passes at you before you finally decided that taking the bus home wasn’t the brightest idea?”

You lower your gaze without responding.

“As if that douchebag just left you,” Jake says angrily.

“Well, I wasn’t being very nice.”

“There’s a surprise.”

You eye him dangerously.

“You could’ve gotten hurt,” Jake says. “This isn’t the safest neighbourhood.”

You suck in your cheeks and nod. “Yeah, I was pretty freaked out actually,” you admit. “There was a group of guys following me and they kept making lewd comments. When I got to the bus stop, they sort of surrounded me…”

You trail off and Jake’s hands curls into fists of their own volition. “I could kill your boyfriend.”

“Ex,” you remind him.

“Whatever,” he says. After a moment, he asks, “Are you okay?”

You nod. “I pretended to call someone – you actually,” you say with a laugh. “I had a whole fake conversation with you on my way over. They lost interest in me after a little while and took off.”

He watches you solemnly. “You could’ve actually called me,” he says.

Your face turns skeptical. “Right. And you’d pick up?”

Probably not. “Of course,” he responds. Then he sighs and shakes his head. “Maybe I wouldn’t.”

“It’s fine,” you say. “I wouldn’t blame you.”

Jake sighs and sits back down beside you.

Several more groups of trick-or-treaters come and go and you and him take turns answering the door. Occasionally, both of you jump up at the same time and end up oohing and aahing in unison at the various costumes that grace Jake’s doorstep.

This activity does little to help quell the feelings he’s tried for months to repress. He remembers grudgingly the night he told you he was falling for you and you telling him that you weren’t ready for that kind of commitment. That’s when he found out that he wasn’t the only one you’d been seeing.

In your defense, it’s not something you had been actively hiding. In fact, you probably thought that Jake was also sleeping around, given his reputation. But Jake caught feelings like an idiot and was heartbroken when you finally showed your cards.

He spent nearly a year convincing himself that you’re absolute scum. Yet, here you are, looking cute as a button in his joggers and t-shirt, laughing giddily at the neighborhood children like you’re some kind of sweetheart. Like you could fool him now.

Jake slumps back down on the bench, trying to interact with you as little as possible. He can sense that you’re starting to win him over again, and he can’t have that happen. He will not be seduced.

You sit beside him with a grand sigh and lean your head back against the wall. “You get a lot of kids here,” you say lightly.

“Mm-hm,” he hums, bending forward to rest his arms on his legs.

“I’m getting hungry,” you say. “You?”

Jake closes his eyes. The last thing he needs is a fucking dinner date with you. “There are some leftovers in the fridge. You can go heat some up for yourself.”

You lay a hand on his back and Jake goes rigid. “You’re not going to eat?” you ask.

“Not hungry,” he manages to say.

Your hand slides unhurriedly down his spine, your fingers grazing him delicately. Jake brings a fist to his mouth to suppress a moan. “I’ll wait, then,” you say softly. Then, before Jake can gather the strength to remove himself from the situation, you lean your body into his and rest your head on his shoulder.

Jake sits very still, trying to decide how best to navigate this turn of events.

“Do you ever miss me?” you murmur faintly.

Jake turns his head to look down at your face while his heart springs into his throat to constrict his breathing. “What are you doing?” he asks huskily.

Your eyes stare deeply into his. “I’m just wondering,” you whisper.

Jake sighs and rubs his forehead. “You just broke up with Frank.”

Your eyes start to fill with tears. “I miss you.”

“Fuck,” Jake mutters and straightens his back. His head drops like a deadweight against the drywall in behind.

You’re displaced in the process but, once he’s situated, you slowly move closer, until your head is resting over his chest.

Jake grits his teeth but wraps his arm around you and, in response, you lay your arm over his abdomen. He can feel your fingers twist into the fabric of his shirt. He tightens his embrace around your shoulders and curses some more, in silence this time. What is it about you that he just can’t resist?

You lift your head off his chest so you can be face to face with him. Jake tries very hard not to lock eyes with you because that would likely be the end of him. “Jake,” you say in a wispy sort of tone and Jake instantly loses that fight. He meets your gaze, and your eyes entrance him. “I want you to kiss me,” you breathe.

Jake can almost taste the citrus of your perfume; it hangs over you like a veil. He can already hear your melodic moans; he knows what you sound like when he touches you. He can feel the rise and fall of your chest, the ardent urging of your hands as they slip underneath his shirt.

But what he can’t do is kiss you.

Your lips… your lips are all he can think about. He wants you more than anything in the world but you’re not here the same way he’s here; you’re just passing through while he’s here to stay.

You come impossibly close, aching for just a split second of contact. “Don’t you want to?” you whisper.

Jake can hardly stand being this close to you. “Why are you doing this?” he asks in a low, uneven voice.

You gulp and the tip of your nose brushes his. “I want to be with you, Jake,” you whimper, your fingers digging persistently into his ribs. Your travelling hands ignite a chain of pyrotechnics under his skin that sort of set his entire chest ablaze. “Don’t you want that?”

If only you knew how much. He shakes his head, cupping your cheek in his hand. “How can that be? When you’ve only been single for an hour?”

Your eyes start to sparkle. “You don’t believe me?”

He’ll never believe a word you say. But that doesn’t make him want you any less. He catches the tears that stream down your face with his thumb.

“I never got over you, Jake,” you say, clasping your hand over his on your cheek. “I think about you all the time.”

Jake leans his head into yours and grips your hand in his. If you’re telling the truth, he sympathizes. But, more likely than not, every word coming out of your mouth is fiction.

You push him away and sit up straight, wiping at your tears. “I never meant to hurt you,” you say. “I made a mistake. I realized that the moment you left. And I was too proud to go after you.”

Jake grimaces. “So, you dated Frank for ten months?”

You shrug. “On and off. He cheated on me, so…” you trail off with a cynical laugh. “Got what I deserved.”

Jake furrows his brows. “You don’t deserve that.”

You glance up at him with renewed hope. “I don’t deserve you,” you say with a strangled sigh. “I know that. And you know that, obviously. Which is why you won’t kiss me.”

Jake shakes his head.

“I know that it’s long over, Jake. I’m not delusional,” you say, your eyes so penetrating it feels like they’re clawing right into his soul. “And, I swear, I did not come here for this. It’s just, seeing you again – and your fucking disgustingly adorable adult shirt – handing out candy like a well-adjusted member of society – it reminded me what I missed out on.”

Jake lifts his eyebrows. “A lame, costume-less, party-less Halloween?”

You smile. “It’s not lame. It’s perfect.”

Jake watches you wretchedly. You may look innocent sitting before him in his very own baggy joggers and t-shirt with your dizzyingly beautiful eyes. But you are a fucking black widow. With a venomous bite. And sweet lips that spew lies, webs of which he could never untangle. Poison on the tongue. Toxic to the bone. Fatal. “You’re perfect,” he says.

You gaze at him tenderly, waiting for your moment to strike. Jake is waiting too. There’s no use fighting it, he lost the moment he met you. And he’ll lose as many times as it will take to win you for good.

Hangman Tag List:

A/N: The rest of the list will be in the comments. Let me know if you don't want to be tagged anymore.

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[kylefletchersgf]

𓆩༺🕷༻𓆪 『 Torn Pages』🕸️𓆩♡𓆪🕸️

'*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.

-ˋˏ [Word Count] ˎˊ : 994

-ˋˏ [Genre] ˎˊ : fluff

-ˋˏ [TW] ˎˊ : mistakes I might have

-ˋˏ [Taglist] ˎˊ : @stacksifino @nev-danielgarciawife

[Let me know if you want to be on the taglist]

'*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.¸♡ ♡¸.•*''*•.

When you was younger growing up Abadon was your best friend; from sleepovers at your house, sleepovers at their house, family vacations together, etc. anything friends did together you and Abadon did. As you grew older you and Abadon started to change, they were discovering their sexuality at the beginning of middle school while you jumped from crowd to crowd to see where you would fit in. You struggled here and there but you found a group of people who just randomly came together and was ok with it, while on the other hand Abadon found the gothic group and stayed there.

It stayed like that all throughout middle school but one thing never changed; you and Abadon being best friends. When you guys got into high school things got a little rocky and changed you drifted to the cool/popular group during 8th grade and that followed you to high school, while for Abadon they knew who they we're just not where they belonged and that made you guys grow apart. So it was a mutual decision for you guys to take a break from each other.

The decision hurt the both of ya'll but there was nothing else to do you found your group and Abadon was searching for their self again; their sexuality and their identity as a person. Inside your heart you know you miss them but you also want what's best for Abadon, maybe you guys will see each other down the road; hopefully.

When you hit the age of 16 you started to train for wrestling after school, even though you was always on the wrestling team this is when you started taking it seriously. You knew you wanted to be a professional wrestler; even when you were little and as you grew older that dream had to return to a reality. Your parents agreed to pay for your classes as long as you kept your grades up and you did, this dream was very important to you; anyone could see that.

When you felt ready you started wrestling for independent companies when you was 16 while still in school, but you didn't let that stop you. You knew how bad you wanted it so you fought everything for it, even while balancing school work. Before you knew it people like Darby Allin, Tony Khan, and other companies became interested in you and wanted to sign you. After your match you had against another starter you was greeted backstage with contracts from companies, they gave you time to decide so now there's one problem; where should you sign?

After a few weeks of thinking you went with your gut and chose to sign to Aew, a few years later in your 20s you are thriving as a star in your division and so was Abadon, on your way backstage you and Abadon lock eyes knowing exactly who each other was, you walked up to Abadon wanting to say everything that was on your mind for the past few years, but before you could Abadon just hugged you; you didn't get a word out but they understood. Abadon still thought of you as their best friend even after everything, you felt the same but now relieved that they felt the same.

After tonight's show you asked Abadon out for a late night "date" to catch up on life and to learn about each other again. You guys hit it off just like you guys used to, specifically like the first day y'all became best friends; they loved it and you did too. After the "date" you guys started to hang out at work and outside of work every chance you could, you two got closer like before just like how it needed to be.

Over the past few shows you would hang around Abadon backstage and Tony Khan takes notice so he has told you and Abadon that you and them are going to be involved in a storyline and a romantic one too, you felt fuzzy inside when he said that, why? Are you starting to catch feelings for Abadon? The next week you, Abadon, and Tony Khan met up to see how the storyline would go that you and Abadon are comfortable doing and once that was settled now is the beginning of the storyline. They was fighting Saraya so you are ringside to show that something is going to happen between you and Abadon.

In the middle of the match Abadon got frustrated so they rolled out the ring and went to you still frustrated so you calmed them down, they was talking to you but to everyone else Abadon was grumbling. No one else understands them but you, it’s always been just you. That’s how Abadon got through the rest of this match and everything in general, you make it easier for them.

The next few weeks was teasing of romance; hugging, being face to face, almost kissing, etc. You had a backstage interview and like always Abadon was standing next to you, Renee put the mic to her mouth waiting for the cue, she looked over at you and Abadon “The Outcasts’ had some words to say about you guys let’s look back” She moved the mic from her mouth and the 3 of you looked at the monitor as the Outcast’s promo played. When it got done Renee put the mic towards you and Abadon.

Abadon growled like they usually did so you look over at them “you want me to say it for us?” Abadon looked over at you growling and nods their head yes so you step closer to the mic “Ok Outcasts since you want to start this whatever you want to call it there’s a paperview coming up ‘Forbidden Door’ so we got your asses then no matter what match it is your ass is ours” that was the start of a feud that you and Abadon will never forget.

[pitch-perfect-spookfest]

PPSF 2023 PROMPT VOTING IS NOW OPEN!!!

That's right Spookateers, we took all the movies that you loved and found twenty six tropes for you to choose from!! We're really excited to see what eight we end up with, so here's how voting's going to work!!

Each person gets three votes that must be submitted via ask or DM to our blog. Anonymous votes will not be counted in order to keep it fair for everyone, and all votes are final. You have until the 24th of September 2023 at 23:59 GMT to submit your votes!!

Prompts will be announced 25/09/23

Find a full text list of our prompt lists and the movies that inspired them under the cut 🎃😈🧡

Came Back Wrong (Pet Sematary)

Comedy Horror (Tucker And Dave vs Evil, Idiocracy, Ghostbusters, Zombieland)

Creature Feature (Zombieland, The Thing, Alien, Jennifer's Body, Let The Right One In, Pet Sematary)

Cursed Places (The Blair Witch Project, The Cabin In The Woods, The Shining, Fear Itself [BTVS], Casper)

Curses/Superstitions (The Blair Witch Project, Ready Or Not, Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus)

Demons (The Nun, The Exorcist, The Pope's Exorcist, Jennifer's Body, Fear Itself [BTVS])

Dystopian Horror (Idiocracy)

Exorcism (The Nun, The Exorcist, The Pope's Exorcist)

Final Girl (Would You Rather, Prom Night, X, Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Found Footage (The Blair Witch Project)

Ghosts (The Sixth Sense, The Shining, Casper)

Ghost Hunting (Ghostbusters, Casper)

Gothic Horror (The Nun)

Possession (The Nun, The Exorcist, The Pope's Exorcist, Jennifer's Body)

Post-Apocalypse (Idiocracy, Zombieland)

Psychic Powers (The Shining, Pusher [X Files], Hocus Pocus)

Psychological Horror (Would You Rather, Hangman, The Blair Witch Project)

Rituals (The Nun, The Exorcist, The Priest's Exorcist, The Blair Witch Project, Halloween, The Cabin In The Woods, Ready Or Not, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hocus Pocus)

Sci-Fi Horror (Alien, The Cabin in The Woods, Pusher [X Files])

Shyamalan Style Twist (The Sixth Sense, The Cabin In The Woods, The Shining)

Slasher Horror (Tucker And Dave vs Evil, Would You Rather, Halloween, Jennifer's Body, Ready Or Not, X, Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Stalking Serial Killer (Hangman, Halloween, Prom Night, X, Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Thriller (Would You Rather, Hangman)

Unfinished Business (The Sixth Sense, Ghostbusters, Casper)

Waking Nightmare (Fear Itself [BTVS])

Witches/Magic (Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, MirrorMask)

[finndoesntwantthis]

So like i work in a store that sells alt fashion and for the last few months there has been a huge uptick in like southern gothic cowboy-esque inspired fashion……….I’m not saying it’s all because Hangman is having a deep effect on all the alt girls that love him but I’m also not NOT saying that :)

[gaunt-and-hungry]

OC Introduction: Erebus (Wilbur) Flamel

Erebus -- Ancient Greek: Ἔρεβος, '"darkness, gloom"' - also known as Erebos - The Personification of Darkness. Son of Chaos. derives from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁regʷ-os- ("darkness"), and is cognate with the Sanskrit rájas ("dark (lower) air, dust"), the Armenian erek ("evening"), the Gothic riqis, and the Old Norse røkkr ("dark, dust") Wilbur - Name of Birth - Wilbur derived from the mediaeval nickname 'wildbor', which means 'wild boar'. The wild boar was considered one of the most difficult creatures to hunt, indicating that the bearer was particularly tough or strong. Wilbur is also a name in Old German, meaning 'resolute' or 'brilliant'. Captain Blackwater - So Called, As They Say: For His Love Of Coffee Captain of: The Revenge Three Anchor Three Mast Frigate Thirty and One Half Metres

Born in Iceland. Mysterious Background. Tragic and woeful. Knows the icy northern waters and the indigenous folks of Greenland. A pirate.

Spent six years as a prisoner aboard an English Vessel as a wanted criminal.

He/Him/They/Them , Pansexual / Queer / --- Terrified of gentle hands. ---

A young Sea Captain with a distaste for the English and the damage they have wrought across their colonialism. His life is held in the balance of how useful he is to the British Admiralty. Once his usefulness is up it's the hangman's noose for him... less he finds a way to weasel out. Willing to go to any lengths to free his crew from the collateral of his crimes.

People Of Interest: Captain Francis Crozier ~ Captain James Fitzjames ~ Petty Officer Thomas Jopson ~ Heinrich Cornelius Reiss (Open to OC on OC interactions in your own terrorverses)

Hungry. Guilty. Haunted. Gaunt. "Could I be someone for someone else? Am I even worthy of such a thing, Captain?"

Weakness: Compassion. Lead by a compass.

You cannot spell Compassion without Compass. Strengths: Navigates the oceans solely by intuition and the stars. If he has an image of someone he can find them through intuition alone like a bloodhound.

The stars told me where you were. Their secrets reflect in the sea.

"Sacrifice is what we do for the people we love." - If the word of the law doesn't get you And the guilt you ignore's gonna set you Free, free, free If the cross on the door doesn't scare you And the beast of the moor's gonna spare you Boy, come home to me - (Phildel - Holes in your Coffin)

"Your lives have a future so long as mine ends. I can save you, yet. I just have to get these men home." - Waking up in the fog, the dust and the pain And of the sunny days, no traces remain How could you be the one if you sail away Without you I can't stand the sound of the rain - (Ghost Lights - Woodkid)

"I have no home to go to, Captain. No one to go home to. It is either I bring you back to England alive or I am promised the ropes of my ship and a nice tree." - Watching the figures, all the saints, but mostly sinners Come and go and some are desperate, but the others have The sense that they do belong And I do not belong - (notre dam - Paris Paloma)

"Soft hands terrify me... I never knew soft hands. Many have made sure I would have plenty of reminders of that." - Oh, 'cause they will run you down, down 'til the dark Yes and they will run you down, down 'til you fall And they will run you down, down 'til you go Yeah, 'til you can't crawl no more - (Way Down We Go - KALEO)

"Love may blossom in the darkest and coldest of places. So long as love blooms there will be warmth in the cold." - Holding you close feels like a cut-throat Losing blood, the weakness of falling in love - (Afraid of the Dark - Phildel)

"I don't sleep so well anymore. Too many cold bodies in my mind in my bed. Often, I dream of drowning." And I was never afraid of the dark No, I was never afraid until you Oh, the weapon you make of my heart (Afraid of the Dark - Phildel)

I've never not known what hungry means. I have never not known pain. I have known such strife and suffering in the world. The Revenge? She's my ship. And on my ship there is no loud voices of anger. There are no empty bellies. Only joy. On my ship there are no lashes that split skin. There is no cold hearts. People are free to be who they are. To love as they are. Isn't that the world we all wish to live in? That is what she means to these people... my crew. It is their place to be safe. To have a home.

-"But not for you."- The Revenge is my crew's home. I cannot see a future for myself. To settle down? I'm tired of being wanted for the wrong reasons. I'm exhausted of running. I am tired. I am so, very, very tired. But I have no where to go. Not with all I have done. But if I can pave a road for my crew... They are good people. If I can do that, well... Then all I have wrought upon myself will have been worth that. -"You're atoning?"

I'm washing the blood out of my hair and off my hands. I'm trying. I'm trying. God, am I trying. If I can do just this one expedition... If I can. Whatever becomes of me after this? That is up to the Admiralty... My fate lays in their hands.

Very big special thank you for the inspiration from @gayarsonistslullaby who did it first. I had so much fun with this and it was incredibly cathartic for me.

[omegaremix]

Summer 2015 mixtape:

Prayers Gothic Summer

Work Drugs “Dirty Dreams”

Delta 5 “Mind Your Own Business”

Fantome “Scream” (Hanin Elias & Noia RMX)

Gingerlys Jumprope EP

M.I.A. “Swords”

Pastel Ghost “Slow Gaze”

Neon Indian “Slumlord”

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band “Breezy”

AFX “Serge Fenix Rendered 2”

Vexx “Black / White”

Chemical Brothers, The “Sometimes I Feel So Deserted”

Adi Ulmanski “A.D.I.”

Death Grips “PSS PSS”

Day Wave “Drag”

Sun Kil Moon Ghosts Of The Great Highway

Alice Glass “Stillbirth”

Pachinko “Adonis Of Denver”

Dry Heaves “What’s Happening”

Stephen Encinas “Disco Illusion”

Mssingno s/t EP

Azar Swan “For Last And Forever” (Cut Hands RMX)

Javelin “Lindsey Brohan”

MNDR & Sweet Valley Dance 4 A Dollar

Chvrches “Never Ending Circles”

Bethlehem Steel “Guts”

Sons Of Magdalene “Can’t Won’t Don’t Want To”

Tropic Of Cancer “I Woke Up And The Storm Was Over”

Theoretical Girls “U.S. Millie”

Happy Meals “Electronic Disco”

Outfit, The “Rise & Shine”

Azar Swan “We Hunger” (Vatican Shadow RMX)

Crimekillz “2mdtbadb”

Algiers “Irony. Utility. Pretext.”

Thrust “Do You Understand?” (Scam RMX)

Joan Shelley “Over And Even”

Dry Heaves “Shoot Yourself”

Grump “Facades”

Kegcharge “Dying For Who?”

Pachinko “Get Along Gang”

Vasska “Policia Policia”

Rixe “Infatigables”

Geologist “Stretching Songs For Spring”

Omar Souleyman “Bahdeni Nami” (Legowelt RMX)

Prince Ikey-C “Who Kicks The Gutter?”

Hemingway “Our Country For Right Or Wrong”

Coughs “Animal Hospital”

Night Ritual “Fornicate With The Dragon”

Dawn Of Humans “Pinned Out Pts. 1 & 2”

Made In Mexico “untitled”

No Fucker “Peace…They Hate That Very Word”

Deathcharge “Hangman”

Prayers SD Killwave

Institute “Living Death”

Tropic Of Cancer “Be Brave”

Bruit Fantome “Kosmos”

Nomenklatur “Fascinated By The Chaos”

Peaches “Bodyline”

Bug, The “Poison Dart”

Bishops Green “We Got Nothing”

Contrast Attitude “Turn Around Again”

[pacific-rimbaud]

Today’s word count: Fantasy Gothic: 3,607 words (2,789 in outline/notes, 818 in draft) Opening line: “It was for the sake of My Lady’s vanity that I wasn’t fitted with a hangman’s noose.” The narrative voice is not what I was expecting it to be. I don’t really want this to have any comedy in it, but she’s kind of funny and salty. I’m going with it. I love the themes, outline has me super excited, and opening scene has a ton of momentum. We are going (spooky) places.

[rainbowcarousels]

resuscitation

This was my first time attempting Nicki in a decade, but this walked into my head at 3am yesterday and has pestered me all day. Also on ao3!

Preview:

“That’s the problem with spending your whole life as a boy on string,” There was a voice now, a familiar one for the theatre that made him wonder if perhaps he was slipping closer to hell. “Once you are no longer a satisfactory marionette, those strings become the hangman’s noose.”

Why couldn’t he have spent his final hours of mortal consciousness and delirium with his vision of his mother? No, that had been snatched from him, his comfort revoked for the sake of the ghost of a viper-tongued violinist.

What if an old er, 'friend' had found Armand after he was burnt by the sun?

Caught in the fury of living death, Armand found himself haunting his memories of the theatre. 

It had been his time caught between a terror of the then modern age and trying to access scraps of the mortal boy, weeping and frightened and locked away deep inside his mind, so much further than he ever had been in the catacombs. Not a terrible surprise to find his mind lingering here, caught in the horrifying purgatory between life and death but given neither the reprieve of death nor granted eternal life in salvation nor suffering, the mirror was undeniable. Caught like a fly in the web of His own design, Armand had prayed for release, for damnation, for something to change and give it all meaning. 

All he could do was wait quietly for divine judgement, one way or another, and so, he dreamt of the velvet, the powdered wigs, the grotesque marionettes: he had been just as lost then, grasping for something to desire, something to build himself on without the foundations of a coven master he was trying to leave buried in the fires and all too convinced that mortal child was dead and gone. 

Then he had wanted passion, something that would make him walk the streets as if his footfalls were to make a noise, as if he were more than a shadow only ever truly existing by others' reflecting light. No, not a shadow, for a shadow can move and dance and undeniably exist. He had been devoid of matter, hollowed out where Lestat had snatched the world as he knew it away from him - the creed he had lived by and clung to for his very survival smashed to smithereens. Forced once again to rebuild, for what could he do but go on? 

There was no salvation or damnation. 

At least, not then.

For a brief moment in the church, Armand had believed he had been wrong and in unison, the boy from the caves, the dying apprentice, the old coven master and whatever he could claim to be now wept at the idea he would be allowed to be a fool for God, yes, to find his shaken faith restored and throw himself at His mercy. 

Yet he was still here.

“That’s the problem with spending your whole life as a boy on string,” There was a voice now, a familiar one for the theatre that made him wonder if perhaps he was slipping closer to hell. “Once you are no longer a satisfactory marionette, those strings become the hangman’s noose.”

Why couldn’t he have spent his final hours of mortal consciousness and delirium with his vision of his mother? No, that had been snatched from him, his comfort revoked for the sake of the ghost of a viper-tongued violinist. 

“I don’t breathe,” Armand responded. “What could a hangman’s noose do for someone such as me?”

“What could anything do to a creature such as you?” Even as his mind was shutting down, the quality of his illusion was infinitely detailed. This wasn’t a spectre of the eighteenth century but a modern incarnation, piercings and darkened eyes, darkened lips and silver chains standing stark on the black velvet of his clothing. A modern gothic romantic with loose hair and a looser mind.  “Did you know that they’re weeping down there for you? Your company of immortal fools? The little idiot fledglings throwing themselves to the sun for their damned dark saint who ascended to the heavens only to end up caught on a rooftop?”

“You threw yourself to the fire,” Armand wasn’t sure if the words came out of his mouth or if he’d dropped it into his mind. Could mirages have minds? 

“And now I’m freezing my ass off on a rooftop with a blackened poppet,” Nicolas raised both his hands. “You’ve never looked prettier.”

There was something on his fingers, bejewelled with finery that contrasted the messy smush of pale and darkened makeup that looked as if he’d dipped his face in theatre grease and soot. 

One of those rings – “That’s mine.”

“This?” Nicolas put his fingers to his hand and twisted it; a taunt. “It’s mine now. If you want it back, come and take it.”

Was that not the point of this, to be cast down or pulled up? He was trying to get there!

“You really are an awful mess, aren’t you?” The way he said it was almost appreciative, as if there was something pretty about the destruction. “Two centuries later and you still can’t face it, can you? There’s nothing out there for you, little monster. There is no reprieve. There is no peace. God, if such a creature does exist, does not want you. If hell does exist, it doesn’t want you any more than it wants me. This is all there is.”

It was an awful truth, too awful for even his mind. “You’re not a delusion, are you?”

“If I tell you,” Nicolas replied. “Where is the fun in this for me?”

“This is fun for you?” Armand asked.

“Seeing you pinned like a butterfly against the glass, so utterly broken that you will not put an end to the ceaseless wailing of your newest little coven and tell them you live?” Nicolas’ smile was so sharp, so real. “Even my genius couldn’t have written such a delicious play to participate in.”

“Then leave me to it!” Armand demanded.

“No, I don’t think I will.” Nicolas had something in his hand, a matchbook and struck one up against the cold. For a long moment, he stared at the fire before he glanced back at Armand. “I wanted my release and you promised it to me. That clearly did not happen. Now it seems that Lestat in his usual fashion led you to what you thought would be yours and now, I get to ruin your attempt as you did mine.”

“I didn’t ruin it,” Armand said stubbornly. “You were gone. You were gone!”

“You almost sound like a real person when you shout like that,” Nicolas replied. “As if you were capable of feeling something. Do you feel things now, Armand? Is it possible you found yourself a fairy godmother and wished very, very hard and became a real boy again?”

This was his mind torturing him. It had to be. If he shut his eyes and opened them again, he would be gone and he could listen to the music again. There was pain suddenly, heat and the sound of cracking and – the ice was gone, but everything felt so painful without it’s pleasing numbness.

And Nicki was still there.

He had dropped the match.

“Why are you here?” Armand asked, finding he could move his leathered skin again. There was something in his mind’s eye, something Armand had seen too, something that had broken his heart – Lestat in his catatonic, the potential that the old ones might decide to end his life as only they could. “You want to see him.”

“I can’t stand the thought of it, truly.” Nicolas looked out across the rooftops. “Something finally dimmed that despicable light of his, forced him to see how merciless and cold everything really is and I should take my joy in it, shouldn’t I? I waited so long. I should enjoy it.”

“Is there joy to be had over the state of him?” Armand asked quietly. 

Nicolas’ look was as acidic as his words. “Not for you, you love him. You love him so much his state pains you more than your burns and it’s disgusting, sickening even. He’s not worth it, you know. He’ll only make you hopeful and when you remember how fucked up this world is, you’ll weep for death again, won’t you?”

“You love him,” Armand said bluntly. It was impossible not to, if you knew him as he did. 

“I despise his very existence,” Nicolas replied. “And I love him, as it is with all of us, isn’t it? We both love and hate those who bestow this gift, this curse, this – cage of eternity and freedom of time upon us.  So yes, I don’t want to see him but I must see him and would have done so tonight if I hadn’t heard you.”

“You heard me?” But he had been shielding his thoughts from everyone!

“You didn’t know I was here,” Nicolas replied. “I’ve been in your head enough to know what your insides sound like. It’s always so pleasant to spend time with you, Armand, because it’s wonderful to not be the most fucked up person in a crowd. So let’s get you someone to eat and you can sit there and weep for your manic pianist – she’s not bad, if lacking in original expression – or you can come and see if Lestat is so truly beyond all hope that they choose to destroy him.”

“They cannot destroy him.” The words were unbidden, but they were etched on his very soul. “I won’t allow it.”

Nicolas’ smile, “Oh, there you are. I thought you’d gone soft in your old age.”

Armand could do nothing but repeat himself, “They cannot be allowed to destroy him.” 

“To defy such ancient creatures is sure to end in agony, despair and perhaps even death for those who would attempt such a thing.” Nicki brightened immediately and offered his hand. “Sounds wonderful. I can’t wait.”

[gremreviews]

Movie Reviews

Annabelle Creation (4.2/5)

Spell (4/5)

Young Adult (3.5/5)

La Llorona (4/5)

Dotty and Soul (2.7/5)

Confess, Fletch (4.2/5)

The Island (4.1/5)

The Cave (4/5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III ('93) (3/5)

Season of the Witch (3.4/5)

Doctor Sleep (4.3/5)

Breathe (4/5)

A Quiet Place Day 1 (3.8/5)

10 Cloverfield Lane (3.8/5)

2:22 (3.8/5)

A Babysitters Guide to Monster Hunting (3.3/5)

Afflicted (3.7/5)

Agent Revelation (2.8/5)

Allied (3.7/5)

Alone (1.8/5)

American Hangman (3.9/5)

An American Haunting (2.5/5)

Annabelle (2.1/5)

Annihilation (3.6/5)

Arrival (2/5)

Ashby (4/5)

Ashoka (3.7/5)

Bad Santa (3.2/5)

Barbie (2.9/5)

Baywatch ('17) (3/5)

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (3.6/5)

The Big Short (1.3/5)

The Bigfoot Trap (4.3/5)

Bitch Ass (2.8/5)

The Blair Witch Project (3.7/5)

Blair Witch 2 (3.5/5)

Blurt (4.2/5)

Boston Strangler (3/5)

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (4.2/5)

Boyhood (3.5/5)

Cadaver (2.4/5)

Cadillac Man (2.9/5)

Captive State (3.7/5)

Case 39 (3.3/5)

Cargo (4/5)

Case 39 (3.3/5)

Casper (3.2/5)

Cloverfield (3.5/5)

Clue the movie (4/5)

Coming to America (3.7/5)

Crawlspace (3.5/5)

Critical Condition (2.6/5)

Cursed Friends (2.9/5)

Deck the Halls (3.7/5)

Deliver Us From Evil (3.9/5)

Diehard (3/5)

Dinner for Schmucks (4/5)

Disappearance at Clifton Hill (3/5)

Disaster Artist (3/5)

Disaster Movie (4/5)

Dog Day Afternoon (3.8/5)

Don’t Tell Mom The baby Sitters Dead (3.8/5)

Double Jeopardy (3.7/5)

Downsizing (2.9/5)

Drag Me to Hell (4/5)

Dungeons and Dragons Honour Among Thieves (4.2/5)

Edge of Darkness (3.9/5)

End of Watch (1.2/5)

Ernest Saves Christmas (4/5)

The Estate (2.9/5)

Event Horizon (1.8/5)

Every Breath You Take (3.9/5)

Face off (4/5)

Faster (3.7/5)

Fear of Rain (3.8/5)

Fear Street 1994 Part 1 (4.2/5)

Fear Street 1976 Part 2 (3.2/5)

Fear Street 1776 Part 3 (3.7/5)

Fear the Night (4.4/5)

Follow Her (3.4/5)

Four Brothers (3.9/5)

Free Guy (3.8/5)

Galaxy Quest (1.8/5)

The Generals Daughter (3.6/5)

The Giver (4.3/5)

Givers of Death (3.2/5)

The Good Son (3.8/5)

Grease Live! (4.4/5)

The Grudge (3.5/5)

Happiness for Beginners (3.7/5)

The Hateful Eight (3.6/5)

Haunt (3.7/5)

Heat (3.4/5)

Heist (3.5/5)

Heist 88 (3.6/5)

Hell or Highwater (3.2/5)

Hellraiser (-2/5)

Home Front (4.2/5)

The Host (4.2/5)

Hot Rod (2.9/5)

How High (2.4/5)

I See You (3.7/5)

Identity (3.8/5)

IF (3.6/5)

In and Out (3.7/5)

The Inhabitant (3/5)

Inheritance (3.1/5)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1.3/5)

Jack Reacher (3.5/5)

Jacob's Ladder (1999)(4.2/5)

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2.8/5)

Jules (3.8/5)

Keeping Company (2.7/5)

Last Vegas (3.5/5)

The Last Voyage of the Dementor (3.9/5)

The Lesson (2.9/5)

MA (4/5)

Magnolia (2/5)

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (1/5)

Mindhunters (3/5)

Moon Manor (3/5)

Morning Glory (3.8/5)

Mother! (3.4/5)

Mousehunt (4.4/5)

The Muppets Treasure Island (3.7/5)

No Country for Old Men (3.8/5)

No Exit (3.3/5)

Out of Office (4/5)

Out of The Furnace (2.3/5)

Paranormal Activity Next of Kin (4/5)

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (3.5/5)

Past Lives (4/5)

Pixie (3.3/5)

Predator (4.1/5)

Predator 2 (2.8/5)

Project Ithaca (2.6/5)

Rags (4/5)

The Ring (2.4/5)

Robotapocalypse (4/5)

Room 203 (2.2/5)

Rosemary's Baby (1968) (2.5/5)

Run With the Hunted (2.6/5)

Sahara (1.9/5)

Saving Christmas (1.8/5)

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (4.3/5)

Scrooged (3/5)

Secret in their Eyes (2.8/5)

Shooter (3.7/5)

Showing Up (2.6/5)

Significant Other (2.8/5)

Sleepwalker (4.6/5)

Smile (4.1/5)

Snipes (4.3/5)

Sonic the Hedgehog (4.5/5)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (4.3/5)

SOS (Survive or Sacrifice) (3.3/5)

Spiderhead (1.7/5)

Staying Alive (2/5)

Steel Magnolias (2/5)

The Strays (3/5)

Suburban Gothic (3.8/5)

Super 8 (3.9/5)

Swindle (4.1/5)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (4.1/5)

Talk to Me (4.2/5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ('90) (3.8/5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II Secret of the Ooze ('91) (4/5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007) (4.5/5)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)(4/5)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (3.2/5)

Texas Rangers (2.8/5)

The Untouchables (2.9/5)

The Way Way Back (3.5/5)

Thieves (4.2/5)

This Is Where I Leave You (2.7/5)

Three Months (3.2/5)

Thunder Force (2/5)

Tommy Boy (3.2/5)

Tramps (2.4/5)

Triple 9 (2.4/5)

Tucker and Dale Vs Evil (3.3/5)

Underwater (2.9/5)

The Uninvited (2.7/5)

Urban Cowboy (1.7/5)

Us (4/5)

Vacancy (3.4/5)

Vanilla Sky (4/5)

Venom (4.1/5)

V/H/S (3.5/5)

Vindicta (3.9/5)

War of the Worlds (1953) (1.4/5)

War of the Worlds (2005)(4/5)

Watcher (3/5)

The Weather Man (2.2/5)

White Guys Cant Jump (4/5)

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (4.3/5)

The Wrath of Becky (4.3/5)

Wonderful Time of Year (2.8/5)

World War Z (3.7/5)

X ('22) (1.2/5)

You Are Not My Mother (3.1/5)

Zodiac (3.8/5)

Zoolander (3.8/5)

Zoolander 2 (2.9/5)

[gothic-hangman]

THE SECRET OF RŸN Artwork by Mr. Gothic Hangman himself👇🏻 Follow 👉🏻 @gothichangman ✨🎩✨👍🏻 Follow 👉🏻 @gothichangman ✨🎩✨👍🏻 . . . #alchemy #art #beauty #classical #monalisa #leonardodavinci #portraitpainting #goth #gothic #gothicfuturism #gothicart #shamanism icon #illumination #luminary #lowbrowart #mandala #muse #mystic #love #sage #timeless #surrealism #surrealart #thesecret #156allstars (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnR-YvsrMMN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lazywolfwiccan]

Top Gun: Phoenix

Co-written with @siriuslysteddie 💜💜

Tag squad: @swifteforeverandalways @guzmasjewel93 @axelwolf8109 @imswitchbabemox @the-iridescent-phoenix @ozzypawsbone-princeofbarkness @ylove-bandaesthetics @panlovaticrampaiger2 @mrragersrevenge96

Seth Rollins sighed as he pulled up the bar he’d frequent as a young Air Force trainee, running his hands though his dark brown hair. “Why Roman? Why?” He growled to himself about his hot shot big brother as he entered. “Hey! Phoenix!” Seth smiled at the sight of his protégé Austin Theory.

“Hey Rocket” He messed up the younger man’s hair. “Hey!” Austin laughed.

"There's a new bartender. The boys keep trying their luck."

"Shit" Seth says as he looks toward the bar and catches a glimpse of blue hair and pale skin "They being a bother?" He asks

"Nah" Austin replies "Violet can handle herself"

“Violet?” Seth ran the name through his head. “Thanks honey!” The gothic like woman grabbed a tip. “More military boys huh” She grinned at Seth and Austin, but mostly.

“Yes we are” Austin gripped Seth’s shoulder like his teacher wasn’t ten years his senior.

Violet grinned and rang a bell near her, the bar cheering. “What was that?” Seth laughed, Violet pointing to a sign that said “Harass the staff, military, or put your phone on the bar you will pay a round for the whole house”

“You little shit” Seth noticed Austin kept his in his pocket, being answered with a grin. “I gotta talk to Hangman and Scarlet” Austin left.

“What’s your moniker?” Violet placed a Jack Daniels in front of Seth. “We got Falcon, Rocket, Tank, Dimples”

"Phoenix" Seth says quietly barely loud enough to be heard over the noise of the bar. "It's Phoenix" he says showing her the leather cuff on his wrist with the imprint of a orange and red bird in the center.

"How'd you get that one?" Violet asked innocently

Roman and Austin both went quiet.

Seth shook his head "I burned" he says simply and walks away without a backwards glance.

Violet looked confused and guilty. “Next round’s on me!” Roman shouted to distract from the awkwardness

——-

“Hey Phoenix!” Violet caught up to Seth. “How did you runs in heels?” He asked impressively. “Practice, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.

"Its okay just a...soft spot" Seth replies "I'm sorry for just walking away"

"Well at least let me buy you a drink" Violet says "Not on the house. On me" she clarifies

"Let me catch up with Hangman and Scarlett and I'll take you up on that" Seth smiled.

Violet smiled warmly and went back inside, Seth took a breath and followed. Austin had somehow migrated to a piano and was singing.

Seth smiled at that, Austin had a rough upbringing and rarely, if ever, felt comfortable enough to sing in public.

"That song is older then he is" Hangman said laughing as he pulled Seth in for a hug.

"He likes it leave him alone" Scarlett, his wife and co-pilot said with a giggle that even Seth found cute, tho he'd never say so out loud lest she take his ass to the mats again.

“Where’s Dragon?” Seth asked about Austin’s boyfriend. “Sleeping, drills kicked his ass today” Scarlett explained.

“What’s this super mission your mama is on about?” Shotzi “Tank” Blackheart asked

“It’s a secret” Seth smiled knowingly. Shotzi huffed.

Seth joined in on singing with Austin.

"Cute" Violet murmurs as Seth continues to sing grabbing Scarlett for a dance only to get smacked in the head by her.

"Oh? Does someone have a crush already?" The other bartender, a beautiful woman named Mandy teased.

“Shut up, it hasn’t been that long since Finn and I separated, hell the divorce is still not finalized and it’s been two months” Violet hissed and wiped down glasses.

“I know what you mean, how’s Rae-Rae handling the change?”

“As good as a nine year old can, she’s excited for two birthdays and two Christmases”

Mandy laughed. “Sound like a normal ten year old” “Right?!”

Austin finished his singing with a tearful smile. “You alright kid?” Seth put an arm around him

“Just wish I had a dad that cared about me y’know?”

“Are you drunk?”

“Little bit”

“Do not speak of that abusive asshole Austin” Ava pointed at him.

“Ava? You have a twin?” Austin giggled. “Yup he’s drunk” Shotzi laughed. Seth clapped his hands. “Get Austin some water and make sure he’s stable”

“And you stop staring at lil miss gothcore over at the bar” Ava smirked knowingly, pointing at Violet counting receipts

"I wasn't..." Seth tried to protest but stopped when Ava and Hangman both crossed their arms and glared at him 

"OK so maybe I was but I don't do relationships you guys know this, not since..." 

The couple's faces fell and both murmured apologies. 

"She wouldn't want you to be alone for the rest of your life" Ava whispered low enough that only Seth and Adam could hear. 

"Well what if I want to be alone?" Seth said shaking his head. 

“One is the loneliest number” Austin sang as quietly as he was able to in his state.

Seth sighed and looked back at Violet who had grabbed a tray of Mikes and placed it down in front of the Top Gun students.

“It’s on the house, I did make Phoenix here pay for the entire bar” Seth laughed at that. “Thanks”

“Seriously though” Violet grabbed a paper from her shirt (Seth barely kept himself from staring lest he pay for a another round for the entire bar) and wrote something.

“My number, if you aren’t doing teaching things I’m always open to talk”

Seth took it with a smile, ignoring Austin’s smirk.

“I love your hair girl!” Ava beamed. Violet touched a strand and smiled. “Thank you! I did it myself!”

"Seriously? That's awesome" Ava grinned. Mandy returned with Seth's card.

"It"s been declined"

Ava blinked "There's no way. Nix is richer then all of us combined. His momma is an Admiral like her father before her"

Seth swallowed at the numbers. "Is this the entire bar...twice?"

Violet hid a smile as Austin began chanting "Overboard!"

"I'll pay you tomorrow" Seth smiled while Hangman and Austin lifted him up. "I'm counting on it Phoenix" She winked

[pollyendings]

Two Sentenced Horror Stories

After days upon weeks of not posting any material (writer's block is a bitch), I have decided to journey down a route which I was not too fond of in the beginning when it was introduced to me in high school but gained much appreciation for recently.

Two sentenced horror stories is a difficult genre of literature for me to learn and practice as I was never one to believe in telling stories, especially horror and Gothic, with such a limitation. So, I studied many two sentenced stories to educate myself to the way of constructing a small story and wrote a handful of my own.

For this post I chose to share fifteen of my two sentenced horror stories to the people of the internet (Tumblr and Instagram to be exact). So, please enjoy my work and comment your thoughts, I would love opinions.

1.

Allison convinced herself that the man wearing the trench coat entering the DMV the moment she was exiting was did not have a gun, but a notepad and a pen.

Later she confirmed it was true after she watched the news to find out the man in the trench coat was dead and the shooter - the young man wearing the Iron Maiden hoodie with the bulge in his jeans she sat next to waiting to be called- arrested.

2.

How do you make a crying child smile?

Easy: you engrave a Glasgow smile on that little fucker's face and they will smile for the rest of their pitiful life.

(Not a story, but it tells a story on its own terms).

3.

My mother keeps on telling me that I am troubled and insists that I seek help.

It was then I realized even after chopping up her body into bits and burying her six feet in the backyard, she will never leave me.

4.

He couldn't help but laugh realizing his mother was wrong about him dying because of his terrible chemical addiction.

He continued to laugh even while the wolfman chewed into his chest until it came upon his heart to consume.

5.

Satan asked me if I knew why I was sent down to Hell and I honestly answered that I didn't know.

After living my life devoted to God by cleansing the whores in flames, leaving the liars breathless as I demanded them to speak the truth through the hangman's Knot, and sacrificing the blood of the greedy to make the world a better place I couldn't believe I was sent down here.

6.

My wife kept berating me as I continued to dig into the spot where the grass stopped growing exactly a month ago today.

I finally found her decaying body, soaked her in gasoline, then burned her to set her soul free.

7.

"Doctor, I've been doing a lot of thinking, and maybe I should try to become a better person, not only for my family, but for myself."

The doctor seemed to smile back at his patient overjoyed for the news as the butcher knife stood straight in his throat.

8.

She kept on weeping like a child making the knight rethink his decision and drop the sword to aid in her release.

Then, in a flash, she turned into her true form and sank all hundred of her razor sharp teeth into his neck before escaping the dungeon to follow her destiny of destroying the world.

9.

"Your mother never loved you and that's why she killed herself," said the bully to his victim.

The victim pushed himself from the grave to attack but stopped when the bully screamed blood murder because his mother's decaying hand broke through the ground and held a tight grip around his ankle in order to drag him under.

10.

"At least I have a valid excuse to miss my mid-term tomorrow,"she joke with her new friend.

He stared down at her in confusion while holding the rusted cleaver covered in dried blood above her nude body.

11.

The theater director of the high school was impressed with Whitney's performance as Christine Daaé for opening night pointing out great improvement over time of poor practice sessions.

Later Whitney would be found hanging from a belt inside of the girl's dressing room in her assigned costume during the performance of "All I Ask."

12.

I have been having these weird dreams lately where I am in the attic of my childhood home in Georgia (now burned down after a malfunction of the gas stove when I was sixteen killing our dog, Jeffery minutes after I left for baseball practice) to meet a man named Mr. Jefferson who claimed to be a great friend of mine from the past I had forgotten.

Then one day I heard my daughter talking to someone in the attic of our newly brought home in Florida and when I asked her who she was talking to she answered "Mr. Jefferson was telling me about all the fun things you and him did when you were younger - especially the special thing you did with the oven."

13.

I insured her that all I wanted to do was save her soul from great damnation and the lake of fire by purification.

All she did was beg for me to let her go as she squirmed in the ropes I used to tie her to my mattress.

14.

She limped towards him tearing off her right ankle when it got caught under the flipped car while her skin melted off her flash after flame engulfed her entire body and her left eye dangled out of her socket with the right pierced by shards from the windshield.

Then, she fell onto the glass scattered on the road and looked up to him speaking in a voice close to death: "Help Mama, Angel."

15.

What should you fear more: the Prince of Darkness, who desires the suffering of the Lord's children, or an unsupervised, unstable minor/adult with a gun?

To answer a question with another question, which do you see often on the news?

(Not a story. Just a dark thought I had while writing all of these. But, it still tells a story)

[frimleyblogger]

The Lost Gallows

An atmospheric, almost absurdist piece of #CrimeFiction from John Dickson Carr which sees the return of the notorious Tyburn hangman, Jack Ketch. Reissued by @BL_publishing #amreading

A review of The Lost Gallows by John Dickson Carr – 230315 The third of five novels in Carr’s Henri Bencolin series, The Lost Gallows was originally published in 1931 and has now been reissued as part of the excellent British Library Crime Classics series. There is a dark, gothic atmosphere and a distinctly absurdist, surreal feel to the story. After all, we have a disappearing street, a…

[human-antithesis]

The Hangman of Prague

Lyrics: In the gothic splendor of the chapel of St. Wenceslaus Golden door with seven locks Seven keys within your hand Ancient crown of Behemia placed upon your head Sharpening your spears The hangman's disciple, vomiting forth death Murderous power, radiate hate, harbinger of suffering The malignance of maledomance rises beyond benevolence Smite your foes that they may die Splattering blood across the sky Architect of genocide, by death taking pride The shape of things to come The shape of things to come The shape of things to come The shape of things to come Thousand-eyed angel of death, armed with flaming sword Spread your wings, let the killing begin The hunter becomes the hunted, hangmen also die Morning red, morning red shines us to soon be dead Retaliating from beyond, killing, blood spilling Wade through carnage Seas of blood Seas of blood Morning red Seas of blood In the gothic splendor of the chapel of St. Wenceslaus Golden door with seven locks Seven keys within your hand Smite your foes that they may die Splattering blood across the sky Architect of genocide, by death taking pride The shape of things to come The shape of things to come The shape of things to come The shape of things to come Hangmen also die Morning red, morning red shines us to soon be dead Retaliating from beyond, killing, blood spilling Wade through carnage Seas of blood

[the25centpaperback]

The Hangman's Tree by Dorothy Cameron Disney, cover by Unknown Artist (1963)