Every town has its legend. The haunted house, or the old lady who is really a witch. Maybe you have a local pond, where several people are said to have drowned. Or is it a hotel, where a white lady walks the halls?
Where I live, it’s a graveyard.
I was taking a shortcut through there one night. Alone, but unafraid, it was a usual short cut for me coming home from a friends house. It’s quite a picturesque place really. A tiny church stands in the middle, with a large war memorial just in front of it. Old, bent trees dot the grass, and the graves stand in random rows, like they have been dropped in from a great height. You see a lot of squirrels in there. People go to walk dogs. Local artists come to sketch. I used to visit there myself, to write in its quiet surroundings.
All that was during the day. Once the sun had gone down, the place changed. The once beautiful trees seem sinister and foreboding in the dusk light. The graves become jagged teeth in a threatening smile. It was one of those dusks.
My footsteps echoed on the path as I made my way through the cemetery. Shadows played across the floor. A muffled sigh from behind made me jump and turn round. It was then I came face to face with our very own town legend.
Standing beneath an archway, above which ran another path of the cemetery, stood a figure. At first, I took it to be no more than a fellow walker, making his or her way back home. As the realisation set in, every hair on my head felt as though it was standing on end, and my skin felt like a thousand insects crawled beneath it.
The figure stood motionless, head slightly tipped to one side, starring at me. Every instinct I had was telling me to run, but I held my ground. I knew that to run would be suicidal.
So take heed. If you are ever alone in the graveyard, and you see a figure, take a second look. If the figure is near seven foot tall, start to worry. If it wears a long black cloak and hood, start to panic. If you can see that beneath the cloak, it has chicken legs instead of human ones, don’t run. His name is Chicken Legs. Anyone who has ever met him and run, has never been seen again. He likes to chase people, you see. And he can outrun any man or woman. Do as I did that night. Stand still. Close your eyes if you will, and pray to God you don’t feel his breath on your face as you do.
If you stay still long enough, you may look again to find he has gone. Even then, I would advise you to walk to the gates of the cemetery. He may still be watching…. Waiting for the chase.
Author notes
The amazing photo accompanying this story was taken by my friend, necronomijon.
In a list
A contest entry
- Sasquatch Eaten By Albino Chupacabras! by necronomijon.
175 points, ended June 23, 2007, 6 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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that was really good, and the description was great too, but the 'chicken legs' thing kinda ruined the effect. Made me smile instead gasp and feel my skin crawl
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This was filled with suspense, until you spoiled it with "chicken legs" lol! That made me laugh a lot! My favourite part was "The graves become jagged teeth in a threatening smile.", which I think is simply extraordinary imagery.
Brilliantly penned, again, thanks for the great read and keep up the good work!
♥NewGuy90
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Wow, bravo
I really enjoyed this as it got me thinking about local lengends and tales. It was really well written and i loved the chicken legs because people on the street i live on call my mum chicken legs because she has stick thin, bony legs lol
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wow i just read this man it really had me going i bought so into it mostly cuz i live in texas and we'll we have soooo many urban legends here that i've heard since i was like a day old so this was a good change thanks.
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Damn! You Write Well!
Still missing the dialogue I enjoy, but the quality of the piece makes up for it. Where else have you been published? You are extremely imaginative and professional. Do you make a living at this?
Andy
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That is so sweet of you! I have never been published, but it is my dream to be one day!
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i loved the very first part of the story it was very well written and you did a wonderful job The last few lines i did not like as much i think i would cut the last line off but thats just me. and the photo went wonderful with your story great job!
-maddie
beginning: 5, language: 3, plot: 4, ending: 3, dialog: 3, characters: 5.
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Hi again...
Glad I stopped by. This one peripherally reminds me of Pineapple Grove.... I liked it. Well written. May I offer one or two comments? (lol)
First, small, but may serve you well later: Forget words like "somehow." You used it up top: "Somehow the place changed." Better: "The place changed." More dramatic. More definite. If the "change" is worth mentioning...you will describe it...and you did! So, "somehow" is unnecessary. You've already told "how!"
Then I would lose your last line. Also unnecessary. The reader knows you've survived to "tell the story." You have also, already, given the reader your "advice!" So...it's kind of anti-climactic!
Enjoyed the tale.
GA
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Thank you for your kind words and suggestions for the piece. Input is invaluable, and I shall certainly go back and take a look at the parts you have mentioned.
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Ha ha... Okay. You had me up until chicken legs.. that has to be the most bizarre thing I've ever heard. It was great though!
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Haha, well done! You certainly sent shivers up and down my spine. I always hated cemeteries, now I'm sure I'll hate them even more. You have a great thing going for this competition, and good luck!
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Glad you enjoyed it!
I have always liked this story, and this contest is the perfect excuse to finally write it all down!
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I loved this. I was definitely not expecting Chicken Legs. I think you did a great job with this. Good luck in the contest!
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Thanks! Yup, Chicken Legs is certainly an unexpected creature! And to think.... i have met people who claim to have actually met him!!!!
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I loved this
THat was really cool becky/// I love it.. Forboding, with just a itty bitty bit or humor? It was one of those wonderful pieces that make you wonder, was it sarcasm? or flat scary? or comedy? Loved this very much. Chicken legs chasing me does sound very scary to me though...lol
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Thanks! Its a real legend where i live as well! i always thought it sounded a bit funny, so maybe thats why a bit of humour crept in!
it was certainly a fun piece to write though!
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I will never look at Dean Road Cemetery the same way again- how can I have lived in this area for so long and never have heard the tale of Chicken Legs before?
*ahem*
Oh, and the story's great fun.
But I knew it would be.
beginning: 3, language: 4, plot: 3, ending: 3, dialog: 3, characters: 4.
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