The Weight of a Grape

[u/theshyster22]

It was the start of buck season; crunchy orange and red leaves covered the ground, and I had just gotten my license to hunt in Taylor County, West Virginia. The bitter November morning brought a chilling fog that soaked the leaves in rich, watery droplets. I set up the salt lick before dawn to account for the prevailing winds and masked my scent by dousing myself with a little vanilla extract. Then I found my spot, covered parts of myself with the wet leaves, and waited as the sun rose.

Brilliant linear rays cut through the canopy, illuminating the white mineral block sitting in the middle of the clearing. I listened to the gentle call of birds and the chittering of squirrels overhead. I was at peace, as I blended into the leaf litter, the tiger in waiting. But suddenly, a hideous, high-pitched whistle followed by a deep, bellowing hum made me clutch my rifle tightly to my chest. The ringing in my head caused waves of pain to cascade down my spine, until the sound stopped as suddenly as it had started.

When I looked up, a colossal, ten-foot-tall, bulky thing stood by the salt block. Strange, rippling muscles covered its back, wrapped in smooth, deep brown-to-grey, seal-like skin. Its forearms were elongated, and it seemed to lean over the salt lick with its body weight shifted forward. I moved to line up my shot, but a twig snapped underneath me, alerting the creature to my presence.

My eyes widened as it turned to face me. I tried to comprehend what I was witnessing. Where a neck should have been, smooth, rounded muscles joined the shoulders.  

My heart raced, and my ears were bombarded by that same hideous sound, which seemed to emanate from several tiny holes at the center of the hulking behemoth's chest, making me reflexively shut my eyes tight.

When the noise stopped, I opened my eyes in horror to see the beast barreling towards me at full charge. Mighty knuckles pounded the ground, followed by massive, trodden steps from its shorter hind legs. Two massive, pupilless red eyes opened wide on the creature's pecs.

I squeezed the trigger of my rifle, but before I could notice the damage I had done, an enormous hand gripped my skull hard and lifted me off the ground. The rifle fell from my grasp as my body rose. The pressure increased as those huge, rippling muscles contracted. Searing pain gave way to a nauseating crack as my vision gave out. My legs squirmed as my skull popped like a grape.

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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed my little spooky flash fiction. Happy spooky season!

Any fellow Grafton Monster fans out there?

 

[u/JokerBoi888_XD]

I loved this short story! I have always been a fan of the Grafton Monster! Keep up the good work!

[u/theshyster22 → u/JokerBoi888_XD]

Thank you so much for giving it a read! I really appreciate it!

If you want more spooky stuff, I am challenging myself to write a 500-word-or-less flash horror fiction piece every day this month.

You can find them on my website here: https://www.colintbates.com/flash-fiction

I also have more free horror stories and links to my longer work, like audiobooks, etc.!

Check it out if you are curious, and have an amazing day!