Short Scary Story

Little Old Spider

Ghost Over LightI remember it all so well …

My grandma sent me to the basement to retrieve the three missing costumes. She was cleaning up after her annual Halloween party and I’d been dropped off to help her out.

After I gave her tea and toast in bed for her headache, she told me to check the back room in the basement for the missing items.

“Okay, no problem grandma. Anything else?” I questioned.

“Yes, there is. Turn on my CD player and put on that wonderful opera singer. You can turn it up loud, too! Thanks, honey,” she replied.

I complied as told. It seemed as I left the room the sun was setting; I waved goodbye, not sure why. She smiled and began her quirky hand movements flowing with the music.

“Old people,” I muttered to myself. They’ve seen it all. I’d get her to tell me a story tonight when I bring her dinner to her at eight. She ate late on weekends she told me. It reminded her of the good old days.

You see Grandma had had a slight stroke. Nothing serious. She just needed TLC my mother the nurse told me. TLC stood for tender loving care.

I walked the long hall headed for the steps, and out of the corner of my eye I swear I caught a glimpse of a ghost just above the light. That didn’t scare me but I did take a second look after I blinked. I hadn’t even been scared of the costumes last night at the party, or trick or treating to the houses. I was seven now and pretty much a big guy.

Her music faded as I opened the basement door and entered the passage below to her dungeon, I mean very old house. My nose smelled something foreign, probably old clothes of Grandpas who’d been dead five years now. I pulled the chain for the light at the bottom of the stairs. Broke. Great, I thought. I’d have to walk in the dark to the backroom. I’m a big guy I told myself a couple more times.

My body shivered when the cricket let out its joy tune. My hands now felt like I had rubbed lotion on them, and when I swallowed three cotton balls coated my throat. Geez, I thought as my eyebrows curled up with the pull of my forehead. I felt for the door and hoped the light wasn’t broken inside the back room. Darn those cousins who played back here last night and left their costumes for me to get. Next time I saw them they owed me a favor.

My hand with no blood supply turned the nob, while the hairs on my forearm stood in the attendance line at a foreign military school I’d never been to. It opened. Good. Why didn’t I bring a flashlight? I thought. Shut up! Just get the costumes.

I walked slowly in the dark and lost my footing. I heard the door slam shut as I fell to the cold slab of basement cement.

Later on …

The back of my head hurt but I opened my eyes and saw her staring at me.

Was she a good witch? Her eyes glowed green and she wore black with orange and green striped leggings, and then she came for me rustling along on her broom. I blinked.

Was I dreaming? No. I saw her. She turned and howled, and then she lost her pointed hat as she swooped back over me. That’s when I saw him, Dracula, walking my way. Man, I need to bust out of here, I thought.

I couldn’t move, I must be pinned down. Wait. Someone help me.

Scream for grandma, I decided. “Grandma,” I screamed but it was all breath not a sound.

I heard a noise as Dracula made his way over to me. I blinked my wet eyeballs but he was still coming for me. I turned to see where the noise was coming from, and my eyes became glued to a vision I’d seen on television. Grandma told me not to watch the zombie show. OH NO.

At this point I fainted. I’m sure I did.

When I woke the vampire was looking over me licking his lips. Smiling. They were glowing red and dripping the hot juice right on me. My neck hurt. I couldn’t touch it. I still couldn’t move.

Who would save me from this terrible nightmare? Except, I wasn’t dreaming. It was real. I said a quick prayer for any angel that might be in my presence. I sure hoped the zombie went for the vampire, and then the two of them got knocked over by the witch. Evil or good, she might be my hero.

Just then the door opened and someone said, “Here he is!”

“Oh! Honey are you okay?” asked my mom.

“No. I’m not!” I yelled back.

“Your head is bleeding,” she said as she flashed a light upon me. “And it’s all over your neck!” She exclaimed.

My heart skipped a beat and tried to jump from my chest like a frog.

“What?” I asked. “Mom, get me outta here.”

I stood up and ran from the room towards the steps. Mom said be careful of the spider web at the top. She flashed the light on the staircase.

I replied. “A little old spider doesn’t scare me mom. Nope. Never.”

Spider and Web

Story by Caroline Clemens (pen for Kim Troike) for Kelly Elmore Friday Fiction.

Photography by Kim Troike.

Miss these weekly writing/poetry prompts! Must do again. Thanks to all my followers and prompt writers for your encouragement. Kim

Guest Author Nicholas Rossis

Sharing an author interview here from The Opening Sentence Blog. Read the how-to of a very thorough proof and editing process by an author from Greece. Isn’t it wonderful how we can truly learn from the world?

The Opening Sentence

Many of you who blog on WordPress will be familiar with Nicholas Rossis’ blog. It’s a deep mine of information on all aspects of writing and publishing. But what about Nicholas’s novels? In this comprehensive interview we find out Nicholas’s writing process, inspiration, and the state of affairs in Greece concerning the publishing industry. It’s a fascinating read and my thanks to Nicholas for taking up the challenge. . . .


Many thanks for the interview! It’s great to be here 🙂

Being Greek you come from a culture of storytelling. Of all the mythologies in the world, why do you think Greek Mythology still has so much presence in modern culture?

That’s a great question. I guess it has to do with how much the Latins were influenced by Greeks. When they conquered, well, pretty much everything, they spread their love of anything Greek throughout Europe. Alexander had already…

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Vineyards in Georgia

Monteluce VineyardPicture taken by me at Monteluce Vineyard in Dahlonega, Georgia while lunching at the vineyard with friends. Stunning views and a wonderful lunch with ladies was had while tasting their wines. I recommend this short drive to northern Georgia from Atlanta. See previous blog post from my sister site theivorytide.com.

Vineyards in Georgia

 

29 Childrens’ Misunderstandings of Biblical Proportions

Bet you will laugh or smile big when you read the following. I did; don’t tell Jesus I like gambling. I like it when Mary sings the Magna Carta!

In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree.

Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.

Noah built the ark, which the animals came on in pears.

Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.

The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals.

Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a jezebel like Delilah.

Sampson slated the Philistines with the axe of apostles.

Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients.

The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert.

Afterward, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments.

The first commandment was when Eve told…

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Seventy Nine Word Story Challenge

Why do I love challenges? Not sure. I just do!

My friend Jane on WordPress passed this challenge on to me from Andrew Joyce blog & Chris thestoryreadingapeblog (see below). Each little story was so different. I was delighted reading each one. These short bursts help to inspire you as your time is used up nowadays. Then I killed two birds with one stone/post as they say. Mine is a blurb about the story I’m working on right now.

1920's North Depot 1922

Robert Stephens joins Emmaline Johnson, Rose, Fitz & Lilly, childhood friends, at their summer houses in North Carolina near Asheville in 1919.

With the war over and prohibition in the future, not to mention women’s suffrage, these kids have no idea where life will take them, but for now, a secret binds Robert and Emmaline and they share it most every day.

Years later they meet in New York with resolve to answer a mystery while pursuing their fate.
By Kim Troike

The First Seven ’79 Words Story’ Entrants…

These are tremendous, so fun to read! Not sure if I have the time. Wow.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

79 WSC

Further to the fun 79 word challenge set byAuthor Andrew Joyce– clickHEREto check out HIS story.

I’m delighted to post the first seven entries received (to visit the writers blogs, click on their names or photos) as follows:

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The Scent‘ by Emily Gmitter

Emily Gmitter

She stood at the stove, wearing one of his white business shirts over her birthday suit. Maple-flavored bacon sizzled in the pan.

The scent must have awakened him; she felt his arms encircle her waist. She did not turn around. They stood in silence for a moment before he whispered in her ear.

That was a great fight last night.”

With her back still to him, she said softly, “I hate you.”

He stroked her hair gently. “I know.”

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Change by Gigi Sedimayer

Gigi Sedlmayer

I wandered aimlessly, as I did so many times before, around the outback of Australia…

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Flying Machines

Thanks for this concise blog post on flying, and getting over the whole concept; just enjoy the skies when up in the air!

The ISA Journal

Stephen Sanders is a student at Lander University and an ISA Featured Blogger. He is currently studying abroad with EuroScholars in Geneva, Switzerland.

I have been in a lot of airports. At first it’s frustrating, and even a little frightening. But the more you fly, the more you become accustomed to hubbub and interminable lines. Looking back on the first time I’d ever flown and how spastic the whole experience was, I’d like to offer my past self a bit of advice: (1) The moment you step through those glass doors, consider yourself a Stoic. (2) Stop thinking about the airport, and think about how amazing it is that you’re about to fly.

It’s really astounding just how mundane commercial flight has become. For most of human history, people dreamed about escaping into the skies; but Icarus’s wings melted too fast, and Da Vinci’s wicked-looking flying machines…

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