A gentle candlelight flickers from the pumpkin's throat. Detailed rings of flesh have been carved inside, still glistening with moisture. Enthralled, you walk onto the porch, hoping to admire the craftsmanship up close.

Your wish comes true. The Jack-o'-lantern's flames burn white-hot, rendering you blind. When your vision returns, it looms over you, mischievous flames dancing in its eyes. That wicked grin grows wider, carved jaws parting as gooey strands of pumpkin innards decorate its mouth. A tongue lolls out, quivering in anticipation of what your special flavor will be.

It lunges forth in a wobble and snaps you up. Hot air fills your nose, smelling of mulched leaves and pumpkin spice. It takes a minute to play with you, rolling you about its yellow tongue, pressing you in the clumps of squash that stick to its cheeks. But, like the glorious season of Halloween, all good things must come to an end.

A casual flick of its tongue sends you careening into that squishy, undulating gullet. Your body is seized by wet rings of flesh, dragged deeper as orange muck buries you. The pumpkin's eyes burn with satisfaction, and it begins to scan the empty street for its next victim.

You've been tricked, and now you're nothing but a treat.

---

A fun little thing I put together to have a thumbnail for the upcoming (as in, tomorrow, hot dang!) Voretober. The shading is pretty messy and there's a lot that could be improved, but overall, I'm really happy with how it came out.

Have fun churning into squash, nerd. :p