NEHS announces horror themed writing contest winner
On Oct. 28, McLean High School’s chapter of National English Honor Society announced the winner of its Lit Love horror themed writing contest.
Over 20 entries were judged by 11 judges. After multiple rounds, Lauren Von Elm’s piece took the win and the Itunes gift card prize. (Image obtained via Creative Commons)
November 10, 2018
Congratulations to Lauren Von Elm, whose short story amazed judges and took the crown in NEHS’ horror themed writing contest this fall. You can read the winning short story below.
Subject: We need a babysitter.
From: [email protected] Apr 7, 2017 9:37 PM
Hello,
Tizra Claaw
My name is Hellen Raven and my husband and I need a baby/housesitter for May 2nd to May 24th as we are going on a business trip that we are not allowed to bring our lovely daughter, Violet, with us. We got your contact information from a friend of yours, Rebecca Shrew. She held you in very high regard and we are offering $120/day. Please respond when you find appropriate and we will discuss further details.
You have my regards,
Hellen Raven.
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 8, 2017 3:39 AM
120 per DAAAAAY!!!!!! Where do i sign? :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 8, 2017, 7:18 PM
Hey, I apologize for that first response. I hadn’t slept in a few day’s due to doing a really important project that I kind of forgot existed and the last thing I did before crashing for the last couple hours was respond to your email. I would love to take the job and I would like to know more about the job.
Thank you for this opportunity,
Tizra Claaw
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 8, 2017 9:43 PM
Dear,
Tizra Claaw
Thank you for accepting the job. You have no idea how much this means to us. Now, your job is fairly simple. You are to stay at our home from May 2nd to May 24th while my husband and I are on a business trip. You will take care of our daughter, Violet, and the house while we are gone. We will not be available during the trip so any questions or concerns you have will need to be voiced now. Our daughter also loves playing with slime and if she asks you to play with her and the slime, please, just play with the slime. Food will be stocked in the fridge, we will not supply you with pizza money, and the plants in the house are fake so don’t water them.
With regards,
Hellen Raven
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 9, 2017, 5:12 PM
Dear, Ms. Raven
Thank you (again) for this opportunity. I actually do have a few questions. 1) Is Violet allergic to anything? 2) Are there any specific topics I should avoid while talking to Violet? 3) Does Violet have any imaginary friends? 4) What is your address? 5) What bedroom am I staying in? I think that’s it.
Thanks,
Tizra Claaw
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 9, 2017, 9:52 PM
Dear,
Tizra Claaw
To answer your questions,
- No, Violet is not allergic to anything, but with her aversion to broccoli you would think she was.
- Don’t ask if she’s seen anything strange going on, she may be sweet, but the stories she pulls out of that head of hers has scared off the last three babysitters.
- Yes, one by the name of “Mania”. Mania is this specific purple-pink slime that she has on her at all times, except when she’s bathing, then she goes off and hide’s the slime somewhere. She often talks to mania, who apparently is to be referred to as a they. Never try to remove the slime from her reach. Doing so is a disaster. I don’t know how I forgot to put this all in the last email.
- We are the gray house on 39 sixth street in the county of Jerson. Do keep a sharp eye out when you drive out here, the mailbox is in desperate need of a new paint job and is very easy to miss.
- You can stay in either the guest bed room or in a tent in the backyard. The master bedroom will be locked in our absence and Violet would be livid if you try to sleep in her room. Don’t worry about finding the rooms, we will place note cards on the doors and a small map to help you navigate the house.
With regards,
Hellen Raven
Subject:We need a babysitter
From: [email protected] Apr 9, 2017, 11:17 PM
Great! See you on May 2nd! Can’t wait to meet Violet!
Subject: Guess who’s going to be rich!!!!!!
From: [email protected] Apr 10, 2017, 12:03 PM
Rebecca! I owe you big time! Do you remember recommending me to a family named the Ravens? Cus, they just hired me for 22 days for 120 dollars per day! I’m rich!!!!!! All I have to do is make sure the house doesn’t get destroyed and that their kid doesn’t die or something like that! Easy money!
Subject: Guess who’s going to be rich!!!!!!
From: [email protected] Apr 10, 2017, 12:27 AM
WHAT! I vaguely remember a lady approaching me about a job sometime in may, but I had to decline basically immediately because Mr. Maker has a bunch of lectures and a mandatory class one of those weeks! I gave them your email and told them that you were the “mom” friend and hard working. Lucky! You’re going to make 2640 dollars! That’s crazy! Too bad it’s all going to go to college debt. : (
Be sure to keep in touch while your there okay Tizy?
Subject: Guess who’s going to be rich!!!!!!
From: [email protected] Apr 10, 2017, 12:53 AM
I will try, but I don’t know how good the wifi is so I might be a little spotty. Hey, if it’s spotty enough don’t be surprised if you get a actual paper letter Becc. : )
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 10:42 PM
Hey, i finally got set up at the house. Sorry I couldn’t email earlier, the girl, Violet, kept me pretty busy. She is so obsessed with her imaginary slime friend, Mania, i’m starting to get concerned and i’ve only been here a few hours. She’s a little strange but aren’t all kids a little odd in their own way? Anyway how’s class going?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 10:59 PM
1) imaginary slime friend??? 2) getting a little philosophical there aren’t we? 3) i have this really long essay that i need to finish by the end of the month and a few smaller things, but nothing i can’t handle. Though seriously, what’s this kid like?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:10 PM
I never did tell you about the girl i’m taking care of did I? She’s this small girl looks about seven or eight and she is super obsessed with slime. I forgot to ask how old the girl was before the parent’s left and the girl refuses to tell me their age. She showed me around this “house” even though i’m pretty sure that the word mansion describes it way better, and her room is covered wall to wall with slime in all different types of containers. She could probably make good money selling the stuff.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:16 PM
Ok, and Mania is a “imaginary slime friend”? What’s that all about?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:28 PM
Oh, yah, Mania is this special black slime that she always has with her. She talks to it like it’s a human being or a cat. According to the mom, I’m not supposed to try to remove it from her or else she’ll throw a temper tantrum. She only ever takes it off to bath apparently. But that’s not the strangest thing about her. We went outside so she could show me the backyard and immediately all the raven’s in a quarter mile rediouse just flew up and surrounded her. She didn’t even react! I swear she’s some Disney princess in training, except mixed with the addams family. Also the slime uses they/them pronouns.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:46 PM
Oh my god! The slime uses they/them pronouns. I’m dying right now. Mania’s part of the LGBTQ community, that is awsome. Also I don’t know whether the thing with the ravens is funny or creepy. Her last name is Raven, so it would make some sense. Anyway, i’m going to be pretty filled up with homework, do you think we could keep these sessions to a minimum? Maybe only email if any thing else creepy and/or funny happen’s?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:50 PM
Yah, I can do that. Night Becc
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 2, 2017, 11:51 PM
Thanks, Tizy.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 7, 2017, 1:17 PM
Hey, Shrew? I know your in class right now, but something weird is happening, I know it, I just can’t figure out what. Well, I can but, It’s just really confusing. So one of the things that I was told not to do was to ask Violet if “anything strange was going on” because she managed to scare off the last three babysitter’s with the story’s she came up with. Now apparently that includes mentioning anything feeling off, because I said, “It’s kind of weird going from living in a cramped dorm room in the suburbs to this spacious mansion in the middle of nowhere.” and Violet responded, “What if those were your last words?” while casually mixing some more slime. The way she said it was so casual, It was like she was asking me what my favorite color is. I definitely made a face and she responded, “I’m not saying those will be your last word’s, I’m just saying, what if they were?” and then went back to her slime like she hadn’t created my new nightmare for the next couple days.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 7, 2017, 4:57 PM
That sounds like the beginning of a creepypasta. Are you sure that kid isn’t planning your murder? Look, just stay calm and try not to mention anything like that for the remainder of your stay. Did you say anything to provoke her? Maybe you said something and this is her way of getting back at you?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 7, 2017, 10:13 PM
I don’t know. I probably did. I’ll try doing some yoga or something. Thanks Rebecca.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 7, 2017, 11:36 PM
Your welcome, Tizra.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 15, 2017, 9:47 PM
Hey, I helped make slime with violet today and there’s a extra step to her slime making process. A really weird chant. It sounds like you mixed latin, spanish, french, and a bit of chinese and spoke that backward’s. I don’t know what it’s supposed to do, but it’s super freaky.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 15, 2017, 9:58 PM
Probably just some secret language, right? Little kids are always coming of with gibberish language.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 15, 2017, 10:12 PM
This both sounded polished and like an actual language. No kid comes up with stuff like this on the fly. I’m legitimately thinking about just walking out the door with my stuff. This place is way too creepy.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 15, 2017, 10:28 PM
You can’t just leave a child unattended! That’s illegal! Look I know it’s really weird, but your getting a lot of money! Just stay calm. You’re over halfway there.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 15, 2017, 10:34 PM
Thank’s Rebecca. I needed that.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 19, 2017, 9:26 PM
More weirdness. I swear every time i leave Violet alone now, I can hear another voice in the room with her. It’s kind of low and growly, like a dog growling, but with word’s. I haven’t mentioned it to Violet because of the earlier last word’s incident. Am I going crazy?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 19, 2017, 9:48 PM
I think the house is getting to you. You only have a few more days left, so try to keep your sanity for the rest of the week, ok? And I agree with not bringing it up with Violet, I would bet hard money that she’s up to something.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 19, 2017, 9:52 PM
I’m a bit suspicious too. Thanks for not calling the crazy farm on me yet.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 19, 2017, 9:55 PM
You’re studying to be a phycologist. How on earth would you go crazy? Later Tizy.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 19, 2017, 9:58 PM
Type you later Becc.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 23, 2017, 11:47 PM
I’m hiding in the bed room right now. Barricaded the door with a cabinet. The girl’s possessed by a demon. Help. i’m not crazy.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 23, 2017, 11:56 PM
That goop, Mania, is alive or some undead thing. It’s possessing the girl. Trying to kill me or catch me. Sacrifice? I don’t know, but the thing has been ponding on the door really hard. Door may break.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 23, 2017, 11:57 PM
Tizra? What’s happening? What goop? Mania? What’s going on?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:01 AM
The job was a ploy. The goop was pretending to be the adult’s and the girl is a host or something like that.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:09 AM
Rebecca, I love you. I’m not sure if it’s friend love or Love love, but I’m going to miss you. The thing is almost through the door.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:11 AM
Tizra? What’s happening?
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:17 AM
Tizra, your scaring me.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:20 AM
Tizar, please reply, it’s not funny.
Subject: Babysitting communication
From: [email protected] May 24, 2017, 12:28 AM
Hi, you must be our babysitters friend! happy to chat with you! Unhappily, your friend will be unable to chat right now until aboouuuuut forever. I am not a fan of breaking up friendship or love. That part was sooo cute! : ))) But what must be done must be done. Mania is telling me to stop typing soon, so i’ll say bye now. Don’t worry about Tizra, i’ll make sure her naps aren’t forever nap’s.
Bye! –Mania and Violet.: )