Ahoy, dearest wanderers in distant lands!

Quest #1 is now completed-all thanks to your wonderful entries. Your hard work was dripping from each word and your creativity left us wanting for more. It's sad and unfortunate that in every story, every legend and every poem, there is only one who reaches to the crown and becomes the victor.

The wonderful entries you submitted underwent a rigorous scoring process. The competition was so, so, so close. Remember the fight of Hector and Patroclus in the Trojan War? Just like that!

Now, without any further ado, the winner of the Halloween Mash is . . .

*Drumroll please, it's winner's time*

The winner of the Halloween Mash is @Ange_Ackerman

Congratulations!!! Your entry "Hidden Truths - A short story" was thrilling, chilling and so exquisitely crafted that we had no choice but to decide on you. We are so glad we got you with us! You'll get your badge soon to be placed on your book cover!

★

No, no! This isn't the end everyone! Where are you going? Don't be like -}

We are TheCRYPTIC_ promoting dark fiction doesn't mean we like to keep everything in the dark. We have a runner up here as well. Our second best entry of the contest was . . .

Spirits of my past (Black Hearts)
by @AnnieRosebud

This entry was magnificent and competed against the winner's entry so fiercely (thanks to our judges) that for a moment we thought "Oh who'll win?" Much love to you for making our day with your creation!

*A huge round of applause please*

Thus, here we end our contest which you made memorable by writing these wonderful stories! Remember always lovely people, victory is like another star in your own sky. Absence of one does not mean anything is lost. Congratulations to the winner and good luck to to those who will win in the future. We're grateful to you for joining this adventure with us! Thank you so much.

Until next time.

With lots of best wishes and hugs,
TheCRYPTIC_