FLASH CHALLENGE: October '08

[kailhofer]

The "Evil Henchman" Challenge:



We’ve all seen him, the lackey to the villain. Sometimes he’s a heavy, like Oddjob in 007's Goldfinger or Star Wars' Darth Maul. Other times, he’s more of a servant, like a classic horror movie's Igor: answering the door, chaining the victim down, or maybe hiding the body.

Any way they’re used, this character is just a facilitator--one who helps the evil villain try to complete the plan, whatever that might be. Henchmen are always underpowered, and unable to fill the role of villain themselves.

But why does a henchman... well, “hench?”

Sometimes, we know the assistant is just afraid of the villain. More often than that, however, we see even the most sniveling underling have the chance to escape his or her lot--but doesn’t choose to. It seems there’s something more to this person, perhaps something more evil than the villain. Villains try to kill, maim, & dominate because, to them, it seems like a logical use of their abilities. Henchmen rarely have the same motivation.


I challenge you to plumb the depths of the henchman/minion, and write a classic horror story that both explains their motivations as well as chills to the bone. By 'classic', I mean think old horror movie: servant to a vampire, a mad scientist, an evil monster... something of that nature. Exactly who the lead villain is should not matter all that much to the story, since the focus is the henchman. See the story at the end of this post for an example.

Come on, give it a try.


REQUIREMENTS: (1) Your classic-style horror story must focus on a henchman with some emphasis on why he or she serves their master; (2) Copyrighted figures are forbidden. No fan fiction; (3) 1,000 words or less; (4) This is a Rated 'R' or 'M' for Mature Audiences Only challenge; and (5) The characters and setting must be new, or not previously published in Aphelion; (6) Give your story a title and include a byline for when I post the list of authors. Do not bother sending me a bio. I won't use it.

If, in my judgment, any requirement is missed, I won't post the story for voting. Sorry, but rules are for everyone.

HOW TO ENTER: Stories should be submitted to me by PRIVATE MESSAGE, and NOT posted into the thread. If you've never sent a PM, all you have to do is log into this forum and click the 'PM' button at the bottom of this post. That will take you to a special message board, a kind of Aphelion-only email, where you paste your story into the body of the message and then send it to me. You are responsible for doing your own formatting, and for the sake of uniformity, leave an extra line between paragraphs, just like when you see them in the 'zine. I'm allowing different colors for now, but I'm not going to allow changed fonts or sizes, artwork, or any other embedded or external links. I want all the stories to display the same on everyone's computer. DO NOT send a regular email to me--I don't want to risk a spam filter blocking someone's hard work.

NOTE: ONLY REGISTERED MEMBERS who have posted at least one message may submit a story. Without that one post, the system will not let you send a PM. So if you wish to join the challenge, post a hello or introduction, or just put your two cents worth in on any of the discussions going on anywhere in the Forum. We'll be glad to meet you.

DEADLINE: Stories should be in by 10 p.m. Central Standard Time, Thursday, October 23, 2008. The stories will then be posted for voting. Voting will close on October 29.

VOTING: Stories will be posted "blind"--without the author's name on them, and the vote results will stay hidden until the poll is closed. This is to make things as fair as they can be, without favorites to be played, and allows for anyone to enter, from newbies to editors. Names won't be on the poll for voting, and all the story titles are literally tossed into a hat and chosen at in random order. When I close the poll after the voting week, I'll post a list of the stories and who wrote them.

If more than two stories are tied at the end of voting, there will be a succession of one-day runoff votes until a single winner is chosen or the number of winners is reduced to two.

WHAT YOU WIN: Pride and the knowledge that your story was voted by your peers the best against strong competition--there are some outstanding stories each time. Writers get improved short fiction skills, increasing their chances in the marketplace, without the lengthy investment in time a longer story would take.

If the challenge can stay in good graces, winners will once again be published in the annual "Best Of" issue in February. Many thanks to the Editors for that.

GUEST ACCESS: No guest votes are allowed. You must register to vote.

An example of what may be done follows.


Example story, not eligible for entry:



[align=right]984 Words[/align]

Wife of Wickedness

By:
N.J. Kailhofer



The choir echoed throughout the abbey, calling out their faith to... to nothing. Nothing as far as Renfro cared.

He tried to ignore the stench of incense that permeated the dark antechamber. Her body would come soon, as soon as that infernal singing stopped. The Master wanted her. He loved her.

Renfro dared to wonder what would happen if he left her to rot. Milady never had another nice word for him after that day. Never acknowledged he existed. She was beautiful, surely. He'd watched her grow from a bold, eager child to a haughty noble woman. He was nothing--the bookish son of the Exchequer. He was restricted to only the lowest levels of the castle while she roamed free.

The acolytes brought the coffin and set it at the far end of the room before leaving for vespers. The gravediggers would come for her in the morning.

The casket was open and he looked down at her face. It was innocent looking, like it was that morning.

[align=center]***[/align]

"Renfro," she hissed down the long corridor. "Are you there?"

He stepped from the shadows. "Here, milady."

"Oh, you startled me. How do you hide yourself so well?"

He shrugged. "It seems to be one of my gifts, milady."

She gave him 'that' look. "Stop calling me milady. We've known each other since we were seven years old."

He bowed. "Since the day you saved me from the footman's fists. He loved to box me."

She glared at him.

"Juliana."

She smiled. "It is my birthday and as your present to me, you will take me on an adventure."

"As I'm sure you have already found, I left a present for you."

"A book?" She made a face. "What use is that? In three months time, I am to be wed to some Earl my father wants lands from. I want a real present, something I can remember."

He sighed. "I am dressed in my best clothes. Today I must meet with a clerk from the Chancery. I may become his apprentice."

"Nonsense, you will be able to keep clean."

"Your ladies in waiting will be looking for you."

"My ladies are boring. I want something to remember."

Renfro surrendered. "Where must we go?"

[align=center]***[/align]

The pond was far from the castle, deep in the woods.

"This is it?" she asked.

"Yes, milady."

"Juliana. Is it safe?"

He shrugged. "I have never been in it before."

"Go and check it."

"My--my finest clothes. I mustn't."

She stamped her foot. "You would rather I fall prey to some snake or catch my foot in some root and be pulled to my death?"

"No, of course not, but..."

She moved behind the bushes. "Oh, take them off, then. I won't look."

He just finished folding his clothes by the bank when he realized she was next to him.

Naked.

"Juliana!" He could not take his eyes from her.

She glanced down. "Are you well? Your body changes, below."

He blushed. "Your body has also changed much since we were seven, milady."

She kissed his cheek and took his head in her hands. Looking him in the eye, she said, "You are a silly thing. Now, go and check the water."

"I--"

"Here she is! I found her!"

She turned red and looked around, frantic.

"H-Help!" she shouted. "Save me! He's trying to ravish me!"

"Juliana!" Renfro protested.


The footman tackled him, striking again and again. "Get away from her, you filth!"

She ran for her clothes, but said nothing.

The thrashing he took from the footman was nothing to what he received when her father, the Duke, was told how they were found. The castle guard beat him until his body broke and then left him for dead.

[align=center]***[/align]

Safe in the Master's catacombs, he undressed her body. Despite bearing two children for the Earl, she looked the same as she had that day by the water.

A sudden blow on Renfro's hunched back sent him to the floor.

The Master demanded, "What are you doing?"

Renfro got only to his knees. "You wanted her in the red dress, Master."

The next blow was to the side of his head. "That dress is for after, when she joins with me of her own free will. For our wedding night."

He dared look up. "Master! The Abbot gave her full rites. He anointed her himself."

"Not Brother Fergus?" The Master paused. "How unexpected. She will be useless to me. I cannot bring her back."

"Master, can I have her then?"

An eyebrow rose. "What for?"

Renfro looked at the floor. "She is still very pretty."

The Master stroked his tight beard. "Very well, but keep her deep in the catacombs that I might not see her ever again."

"Yes, Master."

As soon as the Master departed, Renfro returned to the body. He slowly ran his hands along her sides, lingered over the curves of her chest, caressed her cheeks and finally ran his fingers through her hair. He stared deep into her expressionless eyes.

He cackled and lifted her over his shoulder.

"I will tell you a secret, Juliana," he said in hushed tones as he carried her down the corridor. "I told the Master about you. I knew he'd want you. He always wants the pretties. I knew he'd give you the poison I made for him. I knew he'd steal you from your husband, the Earl, and confound your father, the Duke. I could not reach you, but the Master could."

He whispered directly in her ear. "But here's the biggest secret. You are not dead. The poison will wear off soon after we reach my bridal suite, and you will be mine. Mine alone."

Renfro smiled. He had waited years already, and even if she would not learn to love him in time, it didn't matter.

His seed was already inside her.


The End

[kailhofer]

With the creation of the Flash Index this month, this message is just to put this topic back at the top of the list.

A couple stories in so far. You have until Thursday, Oct. 23rd to submit them.

Good luck!