Something wicked this way comes … the Courier's annual Ghostwriters' Contest.

We supply the leads and you write the scary endings -- in 300 words or less. Courier Sports Editor Doug Newhoff contributed the youth lead and Arts and Special Sections Editor Melody Parker wrote the adult introduction.

The adult version is for readers 16 and older. Anyone younger can write their ghoulish entry for the children's division. First-place winners in both categories will receive $100; second-place finishers, $50; and third-place winners, $25.

Deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 17.

No exceptions.

Legible entries should be sent to Ghostwriters Contest, c/o Melody Parker, Waterloo Courier, P.O. Box 540, Waterloo 50704, or e-mailed to melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.

Please include your name, address and phone number.

Here's another twist: Vote for your favorite.

We'll select the top five entries in each category, then finalists' entries will be displayed on our Web site, where the public can vote for their favorite ending. If you're 16 or older, vote in the adult category. Children vote in their own category.

Entries will be online by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at www.wcfcourier.com. Visitors have until 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 to cast a vote. Duplicate votes will be discarded, so don't try to stuff the ballot box.

Adults' and children's winning entries will be published on Sunday, Oct. 30.

ADULT CATEGORY

Marcy stood back and watched the forklift manuever the prize-winning pumpkin off the scales and onto the flatbed. Onlookers crowded in. "C'mon, folks! Back up, please … give us some room here! Marcy -- what's the weight? Looks like it could make one big ol' Jack-o-lantern!" Marcy slapped the label on the massive squash and stepped to the microphone. "It's a record -- 613 pounds!"

The crowd cheered. Farmer Joe Butternut, who vaguely resembled a pumpkin himself, accepted high-fives and back-slaps like a prize fighter, pumping one fist in the air and gripping the $500 check with the other. Marcy went in search of a cold drink and a place to sit down.

"Oh, man, my feet are killing me," she groaned, slipping off her shoes and wiggling her toes. Justin crashed onto the bench. "Gonna be up for the street dance later? You promised. It's a killer band, I hear." Marcy grimaced and nodded. She'd forgotten about making that promise.

It was a crisp night, and the Pumpkin Show was in full swing. Ever since she could remember, the whole town turned out for the Giant Pumpkin contest, the parade, crowning of the Pumpkin King and Queen, amusement rides and pancake supper.

As a kid, she could hardly wait. It was a chance to dress up in her Halloween costume and ride the Tilt-a-Whirl until her stomach churned. Now it all seemed pretty lame.

Justin stood up and waved at friends. "I'm going into the corn maze -- wanna come?" Marcy waved him off. Rumors were flying about a big surprise at the heart of the maze, but she wasn't in the mood. Her friends disappeared, one at a time, into the maze. The dried stalks rattled like old bones.

Funny, she thought. "I've watched a dozen or more people go in there …. not a single soul has come out."

Marcy slipped on her shoes and walked to the edge of the maze. "How weird …" She felt something wrap around her ankle.

YOUTH CATEGORY

Telly Thomas knew he was in trouble. Adley Elementary was quiet -- far too quiet -- as the 9-year-old redhead rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

He sat up in the closet where he'd slipped away from Mrs. Crabb's music lessons.

Telly pushed opened the closet door and found himself enveloped in darkness. He was overcome with fear. How long had he been asleep? Did anyone know he was missing? How was he going to get home?

Thunder rattled the music room windows as Telly left his hiding place. He was more afraid than even the day when Mrs. Crabb caught him passing a note to Lucy Maxim. Telly wished Lucy was with him now. Telly wished anyone was with him now.

Slowly he inched his way across the dark, empty room. It seemed so large.

Something bumped Telly's shoulder and sent him diving to the floor. His heart was pounding as he looked across the floor and noticed a sliver of light coming from beneath the classroom door. Maybe somebody was there, he thought. Maybe he wasn't alone. Or maybe it was Mr. Herman, the school's janitor. Telly hoped it wasn't.

Mr. Herman was mean and very large. He wore a patch over one eye and he never spoke. The kids said he kept a barrel of acid in his janitor's closet and could make bad children disappear. They said he had a pet spider the size of a dodgeball.

Telly peeked down the darkened hallway. There was light coming from Mr. Herman's closet and he thought he heard movement.

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