HOME | DD

Clatter In The Night — Description

Night has fallen on the farm, just like it has for many years. The darkness that comes never bothered you, even when faced with storm or hungry coyotes. If the livestock were in danger, you wouldn't hesitate to grab a lantern and plunge into the inky blackness, ready to do anything to keep them safe. You've mended busted barn doors in the middle of a dark storm before, and even fended off wolves that tried to steal a meal. At the time, the darkness never frightened you, as you have certainly dealt with worse.
But tonight is different, and the setting of the sun brought a dread you never felt before. Though everything looks the same as it always has at night time, you cannot fight off that horrible feeling. That was all before you took down that wretched scarecrow, and brought the deal to an end. It had served you well for these years, keeping the farm afloat as drought and lean times threatened your livelihood. Surviving these rough patches was certainly uplifting, but you could never shake the horrible feeling that scarecrow gave you. When looking at your fellows' fields as crows stripped them bare, all while yours remained pristine. Watching your crops grow golden and ripe, while everyone else's withered in the heat. Your livestock were fat and happy, and fetched higher prices then the measly sickly things brought to market. It felt like cheating, and the glares always cast in your direction helped drive that feeling home. And though your pockets grew fat with coin, something inside felt hollow. The price for this all hadn't seemed that much at first, when you called upon them in your barren fields. But in time, you got the inkling that you gave up something far more that day. Something that can't be bought back with gold or silver.
That was why you took it down. The days of need were over, the worst has passed. The seasons are now favorable once more, and all the other farmers are getting along just fine. There is no need for their help anymore, or at least that was what you argued. In truth, though, a big reason was because you couldn't stomach the sight of that horrible thing anymore. Couldn't bear to see it hanging above your fields like some rotten guardian angel. You never got used to it, even though you owed it so much. But that was why you gave extra offerings as you pulled it down from its post. Double payment, to make up for this sudden end. Surely they would understand, they always had been before. But maybe it was because they still had their gnarled claws on you when you came to them on your knees. Still under their power, and thus still available to be squeezed for more. But enough was enough. It was time to call it quits. They got their payment and you got out. At least, that is what you hoped...
As you lay in bed, you can't help but see demons in the dark and hear whispers in the silence. Every little thing makes you jump, expecting grasping roots to reach for your throat at any second. But all remains calm. Everything is fine. You are just paranoid after all that strange business. You have to remember that nothing happened after you took down the scarecrow. No fire and brimstone, no screams or curses. You simply got it down and buried it out back, returning it the same way you found it. Yet there was no resistance, no fighting. If they were against the ending of the deal, than surely it would have sprung to life as you had it slung over your shoulders. Surely it would have grabbed you in a smothering embrace of musty straw and strangled the life out of you. But it didn't. It went down without a hitch, and returned to the earth like any corpse. You could sleep easy, it was all over.
The sharp clap nearly sent you through the roof. Like thunder out of nowhere. You scramble for a weapon or a place to hide, your panicked brain can hardly choose a plan. But as you stumble and flail in the dark, clarity eventually wrestles control back. When you hear it again, you suddenly realize your foolishness. CLACK! That wooden clattering is one of the barn windows being blown about in the wind. You must have failed to properly seal it, and now it is banging about in the night. It isn't the first time that has happened, as some of those darn things are an utter nuisance to fix. CLACK! The clatter comes again, its din rhythmic but comforting. No danger here, no demons to be found. Just a stupid loose window. You give a shaky chuckle at your paranoia and get your things together. Best to get out there and fix it, or else it will keep you up all night. And no doubt the livestock hate that noise too. You fetch your boots and coat, thankfully the workshop is in the barn as well. No need to haul tools. Just get out there, fix it and get back. There is nothing to be afraid of.
You open your door to head to the barn, but can't help but scan your surroundings with the lantern. Doesn't hurt to double check. But the soothing light reveals nothing, no dangers out here. The night is calm and still. All is well. You take your first step out but then freeze in your tracks. Your blood runs cold, and terror nearly crushes your heart into a pulp with its grip. You didn't even realize it at first, but it hit you like a runaway caravan. The night is calm and still. There is no wind. Nothing to blow a window loose. Yet you hear that wooden bang again. CLACK! The clatter of dusty boards and the creak of ancient hinges. Yet there is no wind. CLACK! There is another sharp clap. Your mind and legs fail you in this terrifying moment, unable to do anything but stand there like a stunned statue. CLACK! It comes again. CLACK! It rings through the still night. CLACK! Its sharp report sounds closer now. CLACK! It's shambling right towards you....
---------------------
This strange fellow is for a spooky contest @NeanderThor told me about, held by @Creative-Calico . It is for the spooky season, then you can't go wrong with a scarecrow! And why not have one visually based on Yohualtepoztli?