Trickster in Training | Halloween Horror at a Witch’s Door

0:00 Two masked thieves choose an elderly woman's house for an easy robbery the night before Halloween. Then a gun goes off and the woman just smiles. They came for her money. Now she's offering them candy and a lesson in why some doors should never be knocked on. Trick or treat. There's a chill in the air. Must be fall. Join me for a tale of Halloween. You will experience tales of horror, ghosts, and death. It is not recommended for the weak at heart, but who merely listens to warnings anyway. This is Weekly Spooky.

1:34 Hello, my spookies. It's Wednesday. Not that it matters in October, when we have something spooky for you every day, sometimes more than once a day. I'm your host, Enrique Couto, and I'm so happy to have you here at my figurative front door, ringing the bell, asking for a treat. Because I've got one, just for you, courtesy of author Charles Campbell. and his love for all things spooky, just like ours. So if you love the spooky side of life and you haven't yet already, make sure you're subscribed on your favorite podcast app, and while you're at it, leave us a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

2:20 That way other spookies just like you will know they're in the right place. And don't forget, we'll be here through November and December giving you lots of holiday-themed fear to enjoy, and we're not going anywhere come the new year. We're in seven years of Weekly Spooky, about to embark on eight, and we have no plan of slowing down, including a brand new episode on Halloween Day. So make sure you're subscribed, and thank you so much for the support. But now, as for tonight, get a little closer, my spookies. We're taking the long way to the house. Down the end of the road, a long dirt road, a secluded house, and an old woman who keeps to herself. Most of us would keep walking. Clement and Miller see something else.

3:18 They see an easy target. They've brought Halloween masks, and one of them has brought a gun. Neither has brought much in the way of common sense, because here's the thing about picking a victim. You better know what exactly is opening that door. And when this woman looks at these boys, she doesn't look frightened. She looks interested. So get cozy, and let's head down to the valley. Trickster in Training by Charles Campbell October 30th, 2024 Fuck her feelings, Clement said as he flashed a devilish smile on Devil's Night.

4:23 Maybe we shouldn't, I mean, she's old, Miller urged. You want to end up like your cousin? Clement asked, then pulled the pumpkin mask over his greasy, pimple-filled face. No, Miller replied through his skeleton mask. Okay then, don't be a pussy. Let's go, Clement said and glanced at his phone. It was almost ten o'clock. The teenage boys walked toward the long, dirt road. Felicia Fields stared from the attic's window. Her house was as secluded as she was. She was 76 years old, but could pass for 56. Her long silver hair danced in the moonlight that filled the clean and well-kept attic. She had a curvy build, but not what people would consider fat. She was full-figured and pleasing to the eye, judging by the men that turned their heads on her rare public appearances. Felicia tilted her head back and breathed deeply. She smelled them. Those foolish boys.

5:49 How much do you think she has? Miller asked. A shit ton, Clement replied, and felt for the glock in his back waistband to make certain It was still there. Can you be a little quieter, dipshit? You're breathing like a fat girl walking up a hill, Clement said. It's the mask. It's hard to breathe and see in this thing, Miller replied. Well, feel free to take it off. Oh, wait. Old Hag Fields, can you describe the perpetrators? Yes, one was wearing a pumpkin mask and the other one looked like a baboon's red ass and then the cops would know it was Miller Monroe, son of career criminal Willie Monroe and cousin to the deceased Bruce Monroe. Again, do you want to end up like your cousin? No, Miller meeked.

6:45 Then shut the fuck up. Clement said as he led the way up the long, winding dirt road. The house was now in sight, and it looked so creepy in the full moonlight. Miller half expected to see bats circling about. The boys were now at the bottom of the front steps. Felicia opened the door. You're a tad early, aren't you, boys? She asked, trying to beat the crowd. Clement said. Miller remained silent. Well, aren't you supposed to say something? Felicia asked.

7:29 Trick or treat, Miller said, just above a whisper, his voice cracking with fear. What was that? Felicia asked. Her voice had a sultry quality that made Miller squirm inside. Clement was not yet afraid and pulled the Glock. All tricks, you old bitty, Clement said and pointed the gun at Felicia's head. She laughed. This is when Miller knew they had fucked up. Let's go. We can't do this. Miller stopped mid-sentence, staring in disbelief. Clement fired the gun, but he truly didn't mean to. The Glock wasn't known to have a hair trigger, but Clement could get excited in the moment of being a bad boy. And that is what happened. The bullet hit Felicia clean in the forehead, and she smiled as blood sprayed for a couple of seconds before the gaping wound closed and healed itself. The boys heard the bullet hit the floor behind her. Anything she did to them now was justified, and she was going to do a lot. Fuck me, Clement said, and turned to run. Miller stood in shock as Felicia grabbed

9:02 Clement by the back of his britches, lifted him into the air, and tossed him into a porch pillar with the effort of throwing a newborn kitten. The crunch of a clavicle and a fresh scream from Clement's lips brought a smile to Felicia's face. Don't you move, little boy, she hissed at Miller. He pissed himself, but fear made him stay put. All tricks, you say? I'm sorry, I'm sorry, let me go, Clement begged. You'd leave your friend behind? Felicia asked. Yeah, take him, just let me go. Clement replied.

9:48 Some friend you are. Are you hearing this? What's your name? Felicia asked. M-M-Miller. You hear that? M-M-Miller? Your buddy would just let you die. Kinda like your cousin, huh? What? Miller asked. Take off that stupid mask, Felicia commanded. Miller did. Clement was writhing in pain. Felicia ripped the pumpkin mask from Clement's face. His nose was already swelling, and blood dripped from his lips caused by the jagged edges of his shattered teeth. You are one ugly fucker, aren't you?

10:32 Stand up, Felicia said. I can't, Clement replied. Help your friend to his feet and come inside, Felicia ordered. Miller moved quickly to help Clement to his feet and oh so briefly glanced at the guns. lying on the porch, but knew better than to go for it. Clement was almost dead weight in Miller's arms, but he more or less drug him into the house behind Felicia. Miller knew there was no point in running. Maybe she would show him some kind of mercy. Miller drug Clement down a long, dark hallway. There was a light emitting at the very end.

11:19 And as it drew closer, Miller's thoughts went back to his cousin. One year before Halloween night. Bruce, you ready? Clement asked. Yeah, ready to hit some licks. Bruce replied and flashed a grin at his younger cousin, Miller. My man. Clements said in his best Denzel voice. He paid Miller no mind. It was quickly approaching midnight, and the trick-or-treaters were off the streets. The boys approached Lenny Johnson's house, although Shaq would be a better description. He was the first of four targets, but he would be the first and last this evening. Back window. He keeps it cracked.

12:16 Been watching for a few days, Bruce said. Hard to believe he has money, Clement added, judging by the condition of the shoebox-style home. Oh, he's loaded. Put your masks on, Bruce said. He climbed atop a couple of cinder blocks he found lying around in Lenny's yard and fully opened the cracked window. He climbed in first without a sound He found himself standing in a dark bedroom. Lenny's bedroom. He could hear Lenny peacefully snoring. Bruce turned to make sure Clement was quiet. They had decided to let Miller hang outside to be a lookout for any nosy neighbors or, even worse, a patrol car. It was Clement that fucked this up. He almost cleared the window. when a tip of his left sneaker caught the sill and he tumbled into the bedroom with a heavy thud. Who's there? Lenny shouted as he sat up straight. Bruce heard the bedside table drawer quickly slide open. The lamp flicked on and Bruce saw the heels of Clement's shoes scrambling back out the window he entered. He heard Clement shouting for Miller to run. He didn't get another word out before the

13:47 slug from Lenny's. 357 turned his brain into scrambled spam. Bruce met his demise on Lenny's bedroom floor. The other boys got away scot-free. Clement would be sure that he had a gun for future burglaries, so this wouldn't be a problem going forward. But, in reality... It wouldn't matter when they met Felicia. Just after midnight, Halloween 2024, Clement blinked rapidly at the swinging light above his head. The air was acrid, and there was an unpleasant hum in his ears. His chest felt as if an elephant was sitting on it. His vision was blurry, and he ran his tongue across the jagged teeth, and that was a very unpleasant feeling. Trick or treat, the sultry voice whispered in his ear. Where's Miller? Don't worry about him. Guess you didn't learn your lesson last year, Felicia said. I'm sorry, just let me go. Clement pleaded. I'm going to give you a chance to live through this, Felicia said. She

15:20 saw the glimmer of hope in Clement's eyes, and that made her happy. What do I have to do? Clement asked. You like the tricks, right? You like robbing people, right? Be honest, Felicia said. Yeah, I do. But I'll stop. Swear to God. Swear to me! Felicia screamed. Her eyes turned black as coal, and that scared the bejesus out of Clement. I swear to you. I swear to you. Good. Good.

16:04 All you have to do is get up and walk out, she said, her iris returning to emerald green. I... I can't walk, Clement said. Then crawl. The door's right there. Felicia pointed behind her to the open door. Clement began crawling. Miller was standing just outside the door. listening as Felicia urged Clement to leave. She told him not to move a muscle, and he knew she was serious. He could hear Clement's fingernails scratching the floor as he crawled gingerly toward the door. Felicia stepped through and smiled. That's a good boy, she said, and held out her hand. Miller grabbed it and she led him down a dark corridor that was surprisingly long. There was noise at the end of the hallway, but it wasn't a noise he was expecting.

17:22 It was his mother's voice. What? Miller asked. She can't hear you, but you need to listen, and listen well, you little shit. Felicia said. Miller opened the door, and it was the living room of the trailer he lived in with his mother and younger sister. There was a young police officer. He couldn't have been much more than 21 years old. Miller's mother, Teresa, was crying, and his sister, Martha, was dressed in a princess costume. Martha's lips trembled as tears welled in her eyes as she watched her mother openly weep. Why is he so stupid? Miller, what have you done, my boy? Teresa asked, looking at the cop as if he were her kid. I'm so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Monroe. I know this is difficult to digest, but do you know who Miller was... hanging out with in the last 24 hours. Teresa rocked back and forth, seemingly staring through the cop. Clement, Martha said just above a whisper. Clement Booker? The cop repeated. Martha nodded. He

18:56 heard the name before. They questioned him in relation to the Lenny Johnson break-in the year before. a break-in that resulted in the justified death of Bruce Monroe. But nothing could stick, and Lenny couldn't positively identify Clement. The cop was putting it together in his mind. He'd just come on board when all of that went down. Where's your dad? the cop asked Martha. Prison. He won't get out for another five years, is what Mama said. Martha answered. Miller turned to Felicia in shocked disbelief. She's grieving you, you little trickster in training. They're going to find your lifeless corpse tomorrow, and your mother and sister will grieve you.

19:50 Martha will turn to the streets, and your mother will take some pills and end the hurt, all because you had to follow Clement. Your father was a piece of shit. Your cousin was a piece of shit. But you, you had a chance to rise above it all. Still, you chose to follow a bigger piece of shit. You both left your cousin to die, so that makes you a piece of shit too, Felicia said. Her eyes turned into black pools once again, but they didn't strike fear in Miller. He looked back into them. He believed she was trying to give him an out. Felicia's black nails grew out into long points. and saliva dripped from the corner of her lips. Wait here, you little shit, she said, and scampered back down the hallway, back toward Clement. Clement was almost to the door. His broken clavicle screamed at him to stop. His mouth was throbbing and his gums were swelling around the shards of teeth that remained in his head.

21:06 He pushed. He pushed. He pushed because he didn't have a choice. Miller wasn't here to pick him up. Miller was probably dead is what Clement thought. He finally got one hand into the hallway. Clement? Trick or treat! Felicia shouted. She was nearly on top of him. Her silver hair was now black. She still had her sultry figure, but she moved quickly with the grace of a feline. She was shaking something He could hear loose items rattling around. I'm leaving, like you said. Please, just let me leave, Clement begged. Not until you eat your candy. Felicia's face suddenly appeared in front of Clement's. He could smell the sweetness of her breath. She put the bag of candy in between them. You can leave when you eat this whole bag of candy. Scout's honor, Felicia said. I... my mouth can't... I can't chew, Clement said. It's okay. There's no hard candy, and it's all taffy and chews. Here, let me help you with the first one, Felicia said, and pulled a small Tootsie Roll chew from the large, bat-covered trick-or-treat bag. Open up, Felicia commanded. Clement opened his

22:42 swollen mouth as tears fell from his eyes. She popped in the Tootsie Roll. Now chew, she said. I can't. Fucking chew it, Clement! Chew it or I'm going to bite a hole in the side of your face! Felicia screamed and opened her mouth to reveal razor-sharp, pointed black teeth. Clement began to chew. His teeth were cutting his tongue and inner cheeks. It hurt so fucking much, but it was still better than getting bit in the face by this witch. And it hit him. That's what she was.

23:24 Felicia was a fucking witch. She had to be. There was no other explanation. Where did you go wrong, Clement? Were you just... born this way, a victim of your upbringing, or were you just an evil little sperm that committed his first breaking and entering into your mother's egg? Felicia laughed and sprayed spittle in Clement's painful face. Clement swallowed the first Tootsie Roll almost whole after trying to soften it up as much as he could. Tootsie Rolls weren't exactly soft out of the wrapper. Those little bitches could be quite hard at first tell me clement does miller know about georgiana flowers the girl you killed two years ago clement's eyes widened how could she know she's a witch that's how she could know he was going to try to lie anyway i i never killed anybody he whispered it hurt to even talk Don't you fucking lie to me. Eat the candy. Clement reached into the bag and pulled out a banana-flavored Laffy Taffy. Under normal circumstances, he loved banana-flavored Laffy Taffy. He put it in his mouth, intent on swallowing it whole. Chew it! Chew it! Don't

24:55 you dare swallow it! Felicia screamed. Clement's jaws moved up and down. as blood oozed from his closed lips. She was only nine. Did you find it fun? Was it a rush for you? Two years before, October 31st, Georgiana Flowers found herself separated from her brother, At the fat man's forest haunted house, she was dressed as a neon-colored skeleton with a rainbow-colored skirt and red headband. The colors went well with her strawberry blonde hair. Clement was following behind, but not too closely, with a wicked grin on his face underneath the werewolf mask. This haunt was really geared more toward high school-aged teenagers and above. The practical effects were pretty good for a small-town haunt. Fake blood, screams, and monsters galore were aplenty from start to finish. Georgiana screamed a few times. One of the female haunt actors broke character, grabbed her by the hand, and asked her if she was okay. It was her intent to walk

26:25 her through the veiled curtain to safety if she wasn't. Georgiana didn't want to seem like a baby and politely declined. She told a little white lie, saying her brother was just ahead of her and she would be fine. The haunt actor nodded and went back to work. Clement moved quickly past them as they were chatting. He reached the end before Georgiana. He knew her older brother, Oscar, and he despised him. Oscar had beat Clement's ass on more than a couple of occasions, so he had a little treat planned for Georgiana. He placed himself just outside the haunt's exit. He scanned the area for Oscar, and thankfully didn't see the tall, muscular boy. Georgiana emerged. It was time to put on the act. Yuck! Clement said as he opened his bag. Georgiana glanced in his direction, and he took his shot. Hey, can you come here for a second? She paused and noticed all the people standing around, and decided to see what the werewolf was looking at in the bag. Hi, what's wrong? Georgiana asked. Nothing really, but I went trick-or-treating before coming here and Somebody gave me a whole bunch of Tootsie Rolls. I hate Tootsie Rolls.

27:58 I'm a werewolf, Clement said and howled. Georgiana laughed. Look, I got a handful of these things. You want them? He asked, nodding toward her trick-or-treat bag. Sure, if you don't like them, she answered. I really don't, Clement replied and placed the Tootsie Rolls in her bag. No sooner did he give her the candy, Clement heard the unmistakable voice of Oscar quickly approaching. Hopefully, she'd share this shit with him. Georgiana, get over here, girl! Her attention went away from the werewolf and focused on her brother. Clement slithered away like the snake he was. Later that night, Georgiana was tired. Her brother brought her home before darting back out for some late-night antics with his buddies. Her parents were fast asleep, and Georgiana was alone in her room.

29:03 She was showered in her PJs and ready for bed. She was about to turn off her desk lamp and hit the sack, but she paused. She looked at her trick-or-treat bag and thought,' Why not?' Georgiana pulled three small Tootsie Rolls from the bag and ate them, one behind the other, before turning off the light. Her mother would find her dead the next morning. Clement poisoned the candy, and Georgiana died in her sleep. They would never know who killed her, but Felicia knew as soon as she smelled him. Miller had time to think. He heard Clement scream, but that was okay. If she let him live, he'd cut out all of this shit He'd help his mother.

30:02 He'd be a role model for his sister. He would turn his life around. He would. He would be a better man. Miller was a reluctant criminal. Peer pressure and fear were factors, but he now realized they could not be excuses. Did he want to end up like Bruce? No, he did not. Felicia watched in glee as Clement kept chewing. The pain in his eyes was exciting her. Please let me leave. Clement could barely speak now. His mouth was all kinds of torn up. She was nine. You're the worst piece of shit out of all of them, Felicia said.

30:53 She circled around the broken boy lying on the floor in front of her. Saliva flowed like a faucet from her mouth. She was getting worked up. Her mother, her brother, grieving such a pretty little girl so full of life to get snuffed out by a little shit like you. If you wanted to get back at her brother, why not confront him like a man? That's right, you're not a man. You're a little shit, a little shit that's about to get flushed because you ain't finishing that bag of candies. I'll give you a choice. You can redeem yourself and tell me to let Miller go and kill you, or you can crawl out of here the way you are now. You don't have to eat the candy, and I'll kill the boy that hasn't done the shit you have.

31:47 So pick. Kill Miller, Clement mumbled. Nah. Trick, motherfucker! Felicia howled and sank her nails into both of Clement's cheeks. Flesh ripped as she lifted him to meet her gaze. Blood poured from his eyes and... She smiled. The razor-sharp teeth ripped his throat clean out, and she dropped him back on the floor. The sickening gurgling of Clement's last breaths filled the room. The world... was a better place.

32:32 Miller heard the scuffle in the distance, and then there was silence. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He could feel her approach and braced for his fate. Miller kept his eyes closed. I'm going to let you go. Say nothing about me or this place. Do better. If you don't, I'll be watching. Now open your eyes and get the fuck out of here, you little shit, before I change my mind. Miller didn't have to be told twice. Thank you, he said, and left.

33:18 He went home to his mother and sister, and he did do better. The end. Well, my spookies, so much for easy money. A big spooky thank you to Charles Campbell for this very scary story, and Charles has many great stories here at Weekly Spooky, as well as at his podcast, Horror 421. Find it on your favorite podcast app. You know, some people hand out full-sized candy bars, but Felicia... She likes to hand out consequences, and you know, I respect that. And remember, by the way, a mask may be able to hide your face, but it really can't hide what you've done. So keep that in mind, and thank you all so much for joining me. Of course, I'll be back tomorrow with a brand new Thursday Thrills all about Clinton Road, so don't miss it. And I want to say thank you all so much for heading to weeklyspooky.com slash join and supporting us for as little as $ 1 a month. It really does make a huge difference for the show. There are over 90 Spookys supporting us, and now's a great time for you to join up as well. And speaking of, I want to say an extra special thank you to our Patreon podcast boosters. Those are folks who pay just a little bit more to hear their names at the end of the show. And they are Johnny Nix, Kate and Lulu, Jessica Fuller, Mike Eschewy,

34:48 Jenny Green, Karen Wemet, Jack Kerr, and Craig Cohen. Thank you all so much, and if you want to hear your name at the end of every episode of Weekly Spooky, just head to weeklyspooky.com slash join and sign up at the $ 15 a month or higher tier. It really makes a difference and means a whole hell of a lot to me. But now it's time for me to get back to work because as October approaches, we'll be publishing more than just once a day. We'll have special novellas, extra stories, all kinds of goodies for you to enjoy right here, so make sure you're subscribed. Now it's time for me to get back to it. So many things to record, including a very special Thursday Thrills with brand new horror Halloween releases you will not want to miss.

35:30 So see you tomorrow. For myself, for my executive producers, Rob Fields and bobbletopia.com, my producer, Dan Wilder, and my creepy composer, Ray Mattis, talk at you tomorrow. Thank you for listening. Make sure to find your way back next week. But for now, you are safe. Trust me.