Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest

Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is running this writing contest on her blog:    https://mathiseverywhere439319476.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/kidlit-fall-writing-frenzy/.
The rules are to "pick one of the Fall Images (shown) and write about it. You can write a poem, a story, a mood piece, whatever comes to mind. Happy, scary, beautiful, grotesque, whatever suits your fancy for any kidlit age: board book through young adult.  Maximum length: 200 words. My entry follows.

Jennifer Raudenbush
Twitter:  @jenraudenbush 
Middle Grade short story opening
image #11; 197 words
MG prize (or PB)
United States
                                                                                     The Crook in the Lane
 
            The sun crept low behind the crooked tree, stealing any traces of warmth. A stinging wind rattled the branches like cracked bones, nipping the crow brothers’ beaks and stinging their beady, black eyes. Their inky bodies cast eerie shadows onto the rumpled blanket of decaying leaves. Maleek sniffed and caught a scent—of old magic and mystery.
            It was the perfect night for mischief.
           The carefree whoops of boys playing manhunt carried from around the bend.
            “Sounds like we have some volunteers for our mayhem,” croaked Krall.
            From the other end of the crook in the lane, a girl’s humming floated through the autumn air.
           “Hold on,” said Maleek, raising an ebony wing. “I think a plaything is wandering right toward us.”
           As Daisy skipped, her footfalls echoed and her braid swished across her shoulders. She rounded the bend to their silhouettes looming against the sunset’s last glowing embers. “Why, hello!”  
           “Caw!” Krall warned, raising a menacing claw.
           “Screech!” Maleek shrieked, swooping toward her head.
           Daisy reached calmly into her cloak and …
           …with a flourish of her wand, poofed the crows into a couple of squawking chickens.  
           After all, it was the perfect night for mischief.