Eerie, Indiana fanfiction: Infestation

[froodle]

Written for Day 13 of the 31_days fanfiction challenge. The prompt was "fallen leaves"



Marshall Teller stood in the open doorway that lead into his parent's back yard and surveyed the autumnal garden with a frown.

He was around 90% sure that there were pixies hiding in the drifts of dead leaves that lay across the grey-green grass like land mines. Earlier that morning, he'd gone to fetch the spare puncture kit from the garden shed and something small and glittering had darted across his field of vision. He supposed it could have been a dragonfly, but the tiny cook-fires that smoked and smouldered beneath the leaf litter told a different story.

Last week, he'd unearthed a partially eaten hedgehog while raking the yard. He supposed that it could have been the work of the feral cats that prowled the neighborhood, but it seemed unlikely. As far as he was aware, Eerie's snide and snooty feline population would not stoop to something so pedestrian as flavoring their kills with barbecue sauce.

There were the tiny bibs and doll-sized knives and forks to consider, as well. His parents had been at him to mow the lawn before the first frost came, but he wasn't sure how well the ancient family mower would cope if cutlery made from fairy metals were to get jammed in it's inner workings.

Marshall crossed the barren garden, avoiding the bright patches of fallen leaves as though he was six and Syndi had once again convinced him that the red-gold foliage scattering the ground were actually lava pits waiting to burn up the unwary. The shed was cluttered and cobwebbed, full of all the things that don't have an everyday use but are none-the-less kept on hand in case they should be needed. The flamethrower in it's hard plastic carry-case. The silver netting they used to keep ghosts out of the tent on camping trips. The cold-iron fly swatter that had dispersed an attacking swarm of demonic mosquitoes bent on sucking Eerie's souls out through their bloodstream.

He was just pondering if bathing the rear garden in cleansing holy-fire would count as "mowing" on his side of the chore wheel, when he heard high-pitched giggling from behind the fence. It was followed by a series of crunching noises, and a chorus of faint but horrified screams.

Marshall stood on tiptoe and peered over the fence to Simon's neglected yard. Harley, in what looked like a home-made Halloween mask fashioned from a paper plate and a piece of string, was climbing the sagging porch steps and launching himself feet-first into a mound of autumn leaves. From the failing toes of his battered sneakers to the unruly strands of blonde hair that stood out from his face at odd angles, he was coated in a thin glittering layer of pixie dust.

"Oh," said Marshall. Then, "Hey, Harley?"

Harley looked up. There were fairy wings caught in his teeth when he grinned, and his hands were sticky with iridescent goo that sparkled in the wan light as he waved hello.

Marshall smiled, trying to banish the feeling of a lizard crawling around inside his jeans on a Halloween night.

"You want to come over and play in our leaves when you're done?"

Harley shrugged.

"'Kay," he said.





Holmes Brothers

The End by froodle, in which Simon reads Harley a bedtime story

Drains by froodle, in which clowns are evil, murderous sacks of shit, and Simon is having none of it

Kaleidoscope by froodle, in which Simon has cause to regret buying cheap toys at the World o' Stuff

Sneakers by froodle, in which the latest Sky Monsters are released

Reception by froodle, in which Simon has problems with his mobile phone

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo






Trusted Associates, Inc.

Halloween by froodle, in which Mars and Simon celebrate a Von Orloff-free All Hallows Eve

Surprise by froodle, in which Mars tries to make sure Simon's birthday goes a little better this year

The Glade by froodle, in which Simon and Mars visit a place that only exists on February 29th

Egg Hunt by froodle, in which Simon and Mars partake of some traditional Easter activities

Boardwalk by froodle, in which Simon and Mars are swayed by radio advertising

Lady in Red by froodle, in which Simon experiments on the old-fashioned radio in the Secret Spot, and horror ensues

Waiting In by froodle, in which there is an ice-storm and a handyman does not arrive

Seafoam by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the seaside

A Night at the Circus by froodle, in which a carnivale comes to town, and Marshall and Simon do not enjoy themselves

Taking a Break by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall enjoy some much-needed R&R

Model Railway by froodle, in which a new business prepares to open in Eerie

Shoreline by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall investigate strange happenings on the shores of Lake Eerie

Parade by froodle, in which Mars takes issue with the Eerie Beekeepers Association's choice of mascot

Homestead by froodle, in which Marshall finally gets something useful out of shop class

Hound by froodle, in which Simon makes a friend

Errands by froodle, in which Simon has a to-do list

Slyboots by froodle, in which a certain corporal of the infernal regions comes to Eerie. Crossover with Johannes Cabal the Necromancer.

Waterlogged by froodle, in which Eerie experiences heavy rainfall

Festival by froodle, in which Eerie's local businesses celebrate the summer

Strawberry by froodle, in which there is unauthorised hubbub in Eerie

Wildlife by froodle, in which Simon and Marshall go to the beach

Facilities by froodle, in which the Eerie Bus Station and Supper Club has a problem with the men's toilet

Anticipation by froodle, in which Simon and Harley look forward to the Equinox

Castle by froodle, in which there is unexpected architecture in Eerie

Visitor in which Marshall's grandma comes to stay

Euclid by froodle, in which Marshall and Simon investigate strange events at the Eerie Cemetery

The Hut by froodle, in which Simon takes on the forces of Eerie solo

Comments

[deifire]

OMG, this is perfect! Oh, Harley! <3

[froodle]

Oh Harley, you tiny Godzilla-level threat to the fauna of Eerie

[eviinsanemonkey.livejournal.com]

this is glorious!

[froodle]

Thank you!