Before I begin. I have a Facebook page that I’d like to promote. I know some of you do as well. That being the case I thought this would be a good opportunity to create a linkup of our pages to have all of our Fictioneer author/book/writerly pages in one place to make it a bit easier for everyone to support one another.
Click here to go to the linkup to add your page or view the others.
Just a note. Only “like” a handful of pages at a time or Facebook will block you from liking for awhile.
Thanks, on behalf of everyone you “like.”
—–
Every year the people, some from as far as Canada, arrive in throngs to experience our haunted attractions – the best in the lower 48. By far, the biggest draw has been the haunted hayride since we added it three years back.
We really outdid ourselves this year though. Few people know this, but the skeletons hanging from the trees at the entrance are actual human bones, strung ’em together with baling wire myself. I have the high turnover rate here at the farm to thank. With our employees constantly changing no one ever questioned a few missing migrant workers.
—–
This post was written for Friday Fictioneers.
February 26th, 2014 at 7:53 AM
Excellent twist 😀
Added my two facebook pages 🙂
February 26th, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Thanks, Al. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’ll be liking your pages later. No FB access right now.
February 26th, 2014 at 8:22 AM
I suppose you could say it’s a form of recycling… Nicely done Adam.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:29 PM
Thanks one way of looking at it, Sandra. Thanks for stopping by.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:27 AM
Creative business model… love it.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Have to keep improving to stay on top.
February 26th, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Gives new meaning to “high turnover rate”.
DJ
February 26th, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Makes me wonder what happened to all those people who used to work in my office…
February 26th, 2014 at 10:23 AM
creepy. though i like that he went through all that trouble just to give the tourists a more realistic experience. 🙂
February 26th, 2014 at 1:32 PM
He certainly strives for authenticity. That’s for sure. I wonder how many people see those skeletons and think they’re just a very well made prop.
February 26th, 2014 at 10:46 AM
Good story. It was so well-written that until I got to the part about the “human bones”, I thought it was like a memoir. I’m hoping it’s not. Just kidding. Sorry, but I’m not on Facebook. I’m probably one of the few people who isn’t.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:33 PM
I’m hoping it’s not a memoir too. That would be one seriously creepy dude to string up the bones of his workers for the enjoyment of the unsuspecting public.
February 26th, 2014 at 11:18 AM
The poor migrant workers, came with such high hopes!
February 26th, 2014 at 1:34 PM
And now they aren’t eve being paid for their “work” of bringing enjoyment to the customers.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:35 PM
yes, always manipulated, even in death.
February 26th, 2014 at 11:45 AM
Shudder! I don’t think I’ll be able to look at haunted attractions the same way for a while now. 🙂 Good idea on the link up, if only I had one to add!
February 26th, 2014 at 1:36 PM
Now you’ll always have to look at those strung up corpses and wonder if they’re really just rubber, foam, and plastic or something a bit more sinister. You’re welcome. 🙂
February 26th, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Nasty. Well-written but nasty!
February 26th, 2014 at 1:38 PM
I take that as the highest form of compliment for this particular story.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:19 PM
Shudder indeed, well written and constantly improving ick factor 🙂 thanks for the link up as well.
February 26th, 2014 at 1:38 PM
Thanks. And you’re welcome.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:08 PM
Oh, you are a creepy one Adam… I will indeed keep my Spaniard away from you! 😉 Great idea for the FB link-up! I’ve added mine.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:34 PM
Are you sure I can’t string his corpse up in the tree? He’d make a lovely addition. I’m sure of it!
February 26th, 2014 at 6:46 PM
Oh, you sick puppy. You do make me laugh… which makes me a sick old dog, I suppose!
February 26th, 2014 at 2:12 PM
I always knew the skeletons at these attractions were real. We always miss things when they are displayed in plain site. Wonderfully creepy.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:36 PM
In plain sight is often the best place to hide things, for that exact reason.
February 26th, 2014 at 2:25 PM
There’s something for La Raza to protest!! I entered my page but didn’t realize the name part meant the name of my blog and put my name there. Don’t know how to change it but at least it’s there.
janet
February 26th, 2014 at 3:31 PM
remind me not to work for you! Nice read!
February 27th, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Sure you don’t want a job? I’m hiring. My last assistant seems to have gone missing.
February 26th, 2014 at 4:21 PM
What a great idea for the FB linkup! And an excellent story for FF as well 🙂
February 27th, 2014 at 10:39 PM
I thought it was a good idea… not a whole lot of interest in it yet though.
March 2nd, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Hopefully it will catch on! We need to support each other in the wider world as well 🙂
February 26th, 2014 at 9:20 PM
My rants are only half drunken because I ran out of money! I kid. Dark but believable.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:40 PM
I’ll allow it. Half drunken rant away!
February 26th, 2014 at 9:58 PM
I don’t get paid enough…
February 27th, 2014 at 10:40 PM
To end up in a tree or in general? 🙂
February 27th, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Both – LOL
Although – the stress level in my current job is not so bad & I like my boss & workers.
February 26th, 2014 at 10:19 PM
Boy, you and KZ are so macabre anymore! Human skeletons! Migrant farm workers! Boy, do we need immigration reform …
Whatever happened to bobbing for apples at Halloween?.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:42 PM
We went to the dark side. The poster was right. They really do have cookies.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:53 PM
Funny, Perry! Good piece Adam! There are definitely things going BUMP in the night here. I’d watch out when you are visiting. Enjoyed this a lot and thanks! Nan
February 27th, 2014 at 12:22 AM
OMG! And I love Halloween! I’ll have to take a closer look whenever I see someone hanging from a tree…or maybe not…
February 27th, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Don’t look too close. You may not like what you see. 🙂
February 27th, 2014 at 2:38 AM
What a horrible tale. Why you have to write it in the first person, now I am getting scary Ideas about you. It will give me nightmares. Well written.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:43 PM
I almost never write in first person, but it seemed more effective in this case, so I ran with it.
February 28th, 2014 at 2:20 AM
It was very effective indeed. I was joking.
February 27th, 2014 at 4:39 AM
Dear Adam,
You just took the creepy factor to a new level. Tongue in cheek and sinister at the same time. Bravo!
shalom,
Rochelle
February 27th, 2014 at 10:46 PM
I’m staying away from that cuteness baton for awhile. I’ll let the other Fictioneers pass it around a bit before I take it back.
February 27th, 2014 at 5:39 AM
Good story Adam, all the more sinister because the narrator is so matter-of-fact about it.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:47 PM
Thanks. I really like this one. One of my best FF stories I think.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:43 AM
That is clever. Hope this is fiction. Nice one.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:48 PM
I hope so as well. As far as I know this hasn’t happened, but I haven’t researched it, so don’t take my word for it.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Nicely handled, Adam. I can pretty much guarantee that I will now never be going to the famous haunted houses that open each September in my native Kansas City. Interestingly, our haunted houses actually had the effect of rejuvenating a previously derelict section of town.
http://explorekansascity.com/for-the-serious-thrill-seeker-check-out-these-haunted-houses-in-kansas-city/
Cheers!
Marie Gail
February 27th, 2014 at 10:51 PM
I love haunted houses. They fascinate me, but I rarely go to them because I don’t get the same thrill most people do from it. They don’t scare me at all. I basically go just to check out their props… and be a shield for my screaming wife.
February 27th, 2014 at 11:11 PM
You should definitely come to enjoy the fright nights here then. I’ve heard so many brave souls turn to complete jelly in the West Bottoms. 🙂 Whether or not you suffer the same fate, I’m sure you’d have a ball.
February 27th, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Ooh, evil. Those Halloween related events are everywhere and I’ll never think of them the same.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Then I’ve done my job. 🙂
February 27th, 2014 at 11:46 AM
Sigh. Why does no one ever miss the migrant workers? Doesn’t anyone care about poor George and Lenny?
February 27th, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Most people don’t even see the people in the background. Their worlds revolve around themselves and only notice the people who make their lives possible when there is a glitch in the matrix.
February 27th, 2014 at 4:36 PM
Macabre…and the use of skeletons? I likey!!
February 27th, 2014 at 10:54 PM
Glad to be of service.
February 27th, 2014 at 10:28 PM
Zing! Well done Adam!
Regards
Jim
February 27th, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Thanks, Jim. This is probably my second favorite FF story that I’ve written. Right behind Death Cart.
February 28th, 2014 at 1:50 AM
Well, what an amusing read! Another sick mind for the books. Nice knowing you, Adam!
March 1st, 2014 at 4:20 PM
Glad you enjoyed it!
February 28th, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Ha!ha!A great tale here Adam,loved that no one noticed those missing workers ;-)I was initially toying with the idea of a haunted hayride too but did not know how to weave it around something really dark-you on the other hand have really hit the nail on the head-ok the bones;-)Loved it!
March 1st, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.
March 5th, 2014 at 12:38 PM
🙂
February 28th, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Creative and creepy! Spooked me out as usual, Adam 😀
March 1st, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Thanks, and you’re welcome. 🙂
February 28th, 2014 at 1:21 PM
Ewwww! Good one 😉
March 1st, 2014 at 4:22 PM
Appreciate it.
February 28th, 2014 at 4:00 PM
Okay Adam, that’s it for me and hayrides!! Great tale. I will definitely link to your Facebook!
March 1st, 2014 at 4:22 PM
Sorry to spoil hayrides for you, but it had to be done. 🙂
February 28th, 2014 at 5:13 PM
An element of the macabre, as usual Adam. Nice!
March 1st, 2014 at 4:23 PM
That’s how I do… usually.
March 3rd, 2014 at 5:59 PM
Indeed. 😀
February 28th, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Yeeks! Still contributing to the business even after they’ve “left”.
Nice 🙂
March 1st, 2014 at 4:23 PM
They must be really dedicated.
March 1st, 2014 at 12:41 PM
He doesn’t have a heart, does he? Plenty of bones though….
March 1st, 2014 at 4:24 PM
Sure he doesn’t. It’s just full of ice water and evil.
March 2nd, 2014 at 2:52 PM
Well, I kept feeling that the beginning was so benign that it had to be leading to something more malignant — but I wasn’t expecting what I got. Horrible events, but very well told.
March 4th, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Glad I could surprise you with my horrible happenings.
March 2nd, 2014 at 5:55 PM
I think I’ve already commented once on this site. Good piece Adam! You are wicked. Thanks, Nan
March 4th, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Thanks, Nan. I appreciate it.