A devoted, longtime pet was Susan Wright’s inspiration for “The Night Walk,” the winning story in our 2016 Halloween Fiction Contest. ZuZu, a 15-year-old German shepherd mix, was a trusty companion to his Makakilo family — although in real life his story came to a sad end, just as Wright learned she had won first place in the writing contest.

Suffering the effects of his advanced years, the Wrights had to say goodbye to their dog Tuesday.

“I’ll miss our walks together. He was protective but so loving and gentle. He could sense energy very well,” said Wright, 46. “The loyalty and love we get from wonderful pets coming into our lives … the timing of (the contest win) is very moving.”

That eternal bond between pet and master is the foundation of her winning story. A former movie studio publicity agent who at one time worked for a literary agency, Wright said she took time off to care for her young son, now 6. Instilled with a love of words by her late father, she decided to commit to the craft on a regular basis, joining a local writing group.

Wright’s spooky story, which earned her a $200 cash prize, was among the 75 entries submitted for the annual contest, judged by newspaper staff writers. Second place and $100 went to Moiliili pediatrician Jeffrey Lim’s “Nightcall,” based on the Hawaiian legend of the night marchers. Patricia Godfrey’s “Security Guard,” on the terrifying consequences of grave robbing, captured third place and a $50 prize.

Said one of the judges, “All three are winners in the way they created an atmosphere of suspense, fright and surprise. Good reads on a spooky night.”

Finalists included Lee Tonouchi’s “37818,” about a grandmother’s enduring love; past winner Donald Carreira Ching’s “Pocket Monsters,” a cautionary tale on the Pokemon Go craze; Alan Hudson’s “This Pole Wasn’t Mean to Catch Fish,” detailing a ghoulish catch; and Keith Okazaki’s “Volcano Village,” about a resourceful blind woman who lives alone in the forest, earning her living from pakalolo and delicious meat pies.