Granny Shakes

  Elmer slid his chair back and started to stand. The creak of the wooden chair against the wooden floor reverberated through the cabin.  

  “Sit down, young man. You must eat your vegetables,” his mom said.

  Elmer scrunched up his face and crossed his arms. 

  “I do not want vegetables tonight and you cannot make me eat them,” he stated. 

  His mom looked to his dad. 

  “Do you hear him, Boone? This is how he speaks to me!” 

  His dad just grunted, then stood from the table and left the dining room. His plate was empty, every bit of food on it gone. A moment later, they heard the groan of his dad’s bedframe as he climbed into bed. Realizing that his dad wasn’t going to be a factor in the argument, Elmer shot his mom a dirty look, then stood and picked up his plate. 

  “You know what happens to little boys who refuse to eat their vegetables,” his mom warned. 

  Elmer carried the plate to the refuse bin and tilted it, sending untouched carrots and broccoli into the trash. 

  “Granny Shakes has no patience for nasty little boys like you,” his mom said. 

  Elmer whirled around and put his hands on his hips. 

  “Granny Shakes isn’t real!” he shouted. 

  He’d never shouted at his mother before. A mixture of shame and power swirled in his chest, and oddly he felt like crying. He stomped out of the room before that happened. Elmer went into his room and leapt onto his small bed, burying his face in his pillow. At ten years old, he was grown enough to be made to work with his dad in the fields. In his mind, that meant he was also old enough to make his own decisions about what he did and didn’t eat. Still, being mean to his mom wasn’t sitting right with him, and he silently sobbed into his pillow. 

  A little while later, he heard his mom come into his room. He stopped crying and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep so she wouldn’t yell at him. His mom always knew when he was pretending, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she came near enough to blow out the oil lamp on his nightstand, then left the room. It didn’t take long for Elmer’s tired body to fall asleep. 

  The sound of scratching woke him. It was a high-pitched, irritating noise, slow and insidious. He wasn’t sure how long it had been going on, but as he glanced at the window, he noticed two things. It was storming out. And a person was standing right outside, their dark silhouette pressed against the window. He watched as they ran their long fingernails down the glass. 

  Heart racing, Elmer sat up in bed, pulling his legs tight to his body, trying to keep himself as far from the window as possible. 

  “Someone’s been very bad," a scratchy, ancient voice said from outside. “Don’t you know only nasty boys refuse to eat their vegetables?” 

  Elmer’s eyes went wide and his mouth started to quiver. He could barely choke out his response. 

  “G-g-g-granny Shakes?” 

  At the sound of her name, she came through the wall, not as a ghostly apparition, but like a blast of dynamite. The wall exploded inward, flipping Elmer’s bed and launching him across the room. He hit the floor and rolled out into the hallway. 

  “A ha ha ha ha ha!” Granny Shakes screeched as she entered the house. 

  Elmer crawled on his hands and knees, knowing what must be done. The side of his head dripped blood, but the terror he felt overwrote the pain. He moved into the dining area. Heavy footsteps sounded behind him as Granny Shakes followed. 

  Reaching the refuse bin, Elmer tipped it over, spilling garbage all over the floor. He grabbed two handfuls, then flipped over onto his back and held them up. The house was dark, but he could make out some of Granny Shakes’ horrifying features. She had a swooping, hooked nose, and eyes as red as fire. Her green-tinged skin was covered in bumps and abnormalities. 

  “Watch!” Elmer cried. “I’m eating them!” 

  He started shoving trash into his mouth. Some was the vegetables he’d discarded, but most was not. Foul flavors and juices filled his cheeks, but he chewed and swallowed as fast as he could. His body convulsed, trying to vomit, but Elmer fought against it, forcing the mass of garbage down. He immediately shoved more into his mouth and chewed, eyes wide as Granny Shakes stepped closer. 

  “Too late, nasty boy!” she screeched. 

  She grabbed him by the foot and flung him. He twisted in the air, flying right for the front door. He covered his face, but just before he struck it, the door opened of its own accord. Elmer flew outside, landing in the muddy street. Rain poured down on him, soaking his clothes. He groaned and rolled onto his back. A bolt of lightning tore across the dark sky, illuminating the horrifying figure standing over him. 

  “You belong to Granny Shakes now,” she said with a grin. 

  The terrible being threw her head back and cackled. The entire town heard the noise, but none dared look outside.