Once again, I’m taking part in Loren Eaton’s Advent Ghosts shared storytelling event. The premise is simple: tell a creepy or ghostly tale in exactly 100 words, in classic spooky Christmas style.
My contribution this year is called Winterwood.
Snow drifted between the pines, obscuring his vision. Light was already falling on this midwinter’s day. Turning, he could barely see the footsteps he’d trampled through the snow. He regretted taking the shortcut; people muttered about these woods, something about bodies buried in broken ground. Fools. Except now, alone, in the watchful cold, he wasn’t so sure. A line of sweat trickled his back.
He saw light, a smudge of yellow between the boughs. He was safe.
He emerged into a clearing. The trees were a solid wall. Before him, the smudges solidified into shapes the size of human figures.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, all! As the man said, let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.
I love this one. Good job! Be careful of those shortcuts. And, finally, I agree with your sentiment. Merry Christmas!
Good story!
Rut roh. Someone’s in trouble!