Hellpets – Part 3

Read Part 2


            Hellhounds are awful. They’re mindless goons too stupid to disobey orders. And they smell. I lose brain function when I hear them speak. I’ve heard sorority girls have more intelligent conversations about reality shows. Hellcats and Hellhounds were never put together. We have a great system. Hellcats watch over the humans up here. Then Hellhounds drag their souls down there. One never has to talk to the other. This new partnership feels like a setup. 

            The new human isn’t bad. I don’t know how they did it, but he didn’t take long deciding to take me home. He read my sheet and barely looked at me.

            “Duchess Minerva Skimbleshanks. Bombay. Female. 10 years old. Well, Duchess, I think you’ll fit in at my home.” He said.

            “Wonderful. Most people prefer not to adopt black cats. And she’s a senior kitty so we’re waiving the adoption fees today.” Another human said.

            He didn’t say much on the drive home. He’s already better than my last assignment. He set up my litter box and things while I looked around. Haven’t seen any dogs yet. Maybe the Hellhound went to the wrong place. Maybe Ligur was messing with me. He’s not one for practical jokes but he is evil and obnoxious.

            “Okay Duchess. I know you’re not comfortable here yet. I’m gonna get Duke from out back. He’s a dog. I promise he won’t bother you. I understand if you want to avoid him. He’s a big baby so I’m sure you can handle him.” Charles said.

            Maybe I was wrong about this guy. His pets are named Duke and Duchess. I hope he dies soon.

            “Duke, this is Duchess. You be nice. And don’t be a fatty and try to eat her food.”

            His tail is going nuts. The only word he understood was food. Maybe he’s just an Earth dog.

            “Okay. Let’s get you something to eat.”

            “Woof!”

            That sounds disgusting. Why does he eat so loud? I can’t believe I’m stuck in this place. Maybe he’ll talk to me now that the human left. Let’s get a closer look at this dog. His eyes are glowing.

            “You’re name really Duchess?” He said.

            “No. You’re name really Duke?”

            “No. You’re a Hellcat?”

            “Yeah.”

            “How do I know you’re not an Earth cat?”

            “There’s no such thing as Earth cats.”

            “So, all cats on Earth are –”

            “From Hell, yep.”

            “That explains why they’re awful.”

            “Your snorting while you eat is awful.”


Read Part 4

Tuesday Poetry: I Am the Laughing Man

This laugh it did consume my thoughts
The sound echoed everywhere
But I never could find the source
Something told me the laugh was real
I feared I would never find proof

I woke one night sweating – panting – 
A night terror I often had
I sensed someone was in my room
The lights revealed only silence
Was this laughter all in my head?

Months passed and I ignored the sound
I had almost forgotten it
When I first saw the laughing man
A grin as wide as an ocean
His was always the laugh I heard

He followed me everywhere
I thought no one else heard his noise
But he was there and he was real
I confronted him one dark night
He bit a chunk out of my neck

Then I became your laughing man

From the poetry collection Cats, Coffee, Catharsis.

What’s New Wednesday: October 7

What kinds of new things are happening at this blog? There will be a little bit of spooky poetry now and then. Not every day but a few will pop up. I’m still thinking of some fun spooky things for the day of Halloween. Feel free to leave ideas in the comments. The biggest new thing is my weekly serialized fiction. The first part of Hellpets dropped last Friday. Part two is coming this Friday. Another part will be added to the story every Friday until the end of November. I plan to have a new serialized story starting in December. Stay tuned for more details.

Most things on the blog are staying the same. There will be fun national holidays to celebrate. Discussions about other holidays or other celebrations. All in all, it’s business as usual. I’m planning on setting aside more time to work on (and hopefully finish) writing my first novel. I have about two-thirds finished of the first draft and want it to be done. Also, a quick reminder, as it is spooky season be sure to check out my collection of horror fiction “The Morbid Museum.” Find it in paperback and eBook on Amazon. It is included in Kindle Unlimited. You can buy a signed copy from me in my Shop, but shipping will cost a little more than if you have Amazon Prime with free shipping. Enjoy the spooky season.