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 tale style.
My contribution this year is called Shortcut.
Laden with Christmas shopping, he took the churchyard shortcut. The gravestones, the cold tolling of the bell on the quarter-hour, the white moon through the Yew: there was nothing to fear. People muttered stories about the thing that happened, the resentful dead, but it was clearly ridiculous.
A fox screeched from the darkness. He gasped and stopped. Was it a fox? Did foxes sound so … anguished? Something moved behind the Yew, silhouette shifting. Mist crept through the air, obscuring details. He suddenly couldn’t see the gate.
Despite himself, he ran. The first icy hand grasped him a moment later.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, all! As the man said, let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.
For more hundred-word advent ghost stories, check out Loren’s blog.
So, my oldest kiddo is on a zombie kick. He thinks they’re, like, the coolest thing ever. Should he happen to read this story, I think he would find the concept significantly more terrifying. Nicely done.
What not to do when Christmas shopping! So creepy and well done! Thank you!
Elegant, well-honed fright. I enjoyed this one!
Very creepy. I like it!
Excellent. Well done, Simon.
I have the same issue when my wife wants to hold hands : )
Fabulous. What does the fox say?