With Eric’s new house came the end of his love-life. Soon, he found out why.
One night, she appeared before him, her translucent skin glowing in her white, silky robes. “Why look at other women when you’ve decided to move in with me?” She said, gazing at him with hollow, black eyes.
“I-I,” he stuttered.
She placed her cold lips on his. “This house belongs to me and now so do you.”
I always hope next time it’ll be different. But once they move in, sure enough, it happens again. Doors slamming; objects flying; sinister noises; sometimes blood. I love people, truly I do. But something in me sees them as a foreign body that must be attacked. They say haunted. But actually, it’s a real condition: I’m just human intolerant.
Definitely more themed ones, for like a week or fortnight maybe (not all the time, maybe just one week each month?).
Relatedly, how about a week of microchapters, each chapter requiring your prompt? so we each end up with a weird story totalling maybe 1,000 words (divided by, say 5-7 microchapters, obviously).
Yeah, on second thoughts I do agree with you - once a month would definitely be too much. Maybe once each of the four seasons, just for a week. Christmas (ghost) stories would be fun, though...
The cellar door that refused to close was the first sign, then a heavy, furtive padding in the corridor outside the bedroom door. After the first scratches appeared, deep parallel gouges that splintered the oak, he added a bolt to the lock.
After centuries of forgetfulness, no one remembered the cat buried alive beneath the foundations. To bring luck.
Whispers rustled in the walls and echoed in the halls, layered upon each other like the years of wallpaper that peeled from corners and edges. A beam of light shot through the foyer as the front door creaked open and new voices floated in. The house breathed out its stale breath and inhaled fresh innocent life. Buried shadows stirred below.
Inside the house, a man lived in peace… or so you’d think.
He experienced some happenings since moving in – he always felt chills, the floor always creaked, the TV would randomly turn on while he slept, and his food never seemed to last too long.
“Must have a poltergeist here. I should go, but the contract prohibits me,” he thought.
He finished moving in when his mobile rang. Chatting with his brother, he peered through the window.
A zombie shuffled through the neighbour’s fence, holding the gate for a bloody-faced woman behind him. Loud music and flashes of lights came out from that house.
‘John, that house across mine is having a Halloween party.’
The decrepit gabled house was a stereotype. Cracked or missing windows. Icy drafts. Threadbare furniture scattered haphazardly. Puddles of mysterious fluids. Is that blood? A chorus of ominous muffled chanting. At midnight a young woman ran shrieking from the place. The sad ghost looked back, bags packed, vowing never to return. He had been warned about haunting a fraternity house.
Thank you very much for your wonderful recaps! It’s a thrill to be included. ❤️🩷🩵
🫶🫶
Soft paws echo in empty halls,
A familiar purr, beyond the walls.
Whiskers brush against my cheek,
A phantom touch, warm and meek.
.
Two weeks gone, yet still you stay,
Guarding our home in your own way.
Shadows flicker, your tail unfurled,
Love transcending the mortal world.
.
In every corner, your presence lingers,
Sweet memories wrapped 'round my fingers.
With Eric’s new house came the end of his love-life. Soon, he found out why.
One night, she appeared before him, her translucent skin glowing in her white, silky robes. “Why look at other women when you’ve decided to move in with me?” She said, gazing at him with hollow, black eyes.
“I-I,” he stuttered.
She placed her cold lips on his. “This house belongs to me and now so do you.”
Thank you for the mention!
A HAUNTED HOUSE STORY in 60 Words.
___________________________
I always hope next time it’ll be different. But once they move in, sure enough, it happens again. Doors slamming; objects flying; sinister noises; sometimes blood. I love people, truly I do. But something in me sees them as a foreign body that must be attacked. They say haunted. But actually, it’s a real condition: I’m just human intolerant.
Definitely more themed ones, for like a week or fortnight maybe (not all the time, maybe just one week each month?).
Relatedly, how about a week of microchapters, each chapter requiring your prompt? so we each end up with a weird story totalling maybe 1,000 words (divided by, say 5-7 microchapters, obviously).
Just a few thoughts there.
And yes, this is very addictive. Keep it coming.
I'm thinking of making a week long micro-serial with about 7 chapters. I did one in June but that wasn't that well thought of.
I also don't want to overdo it with the themes, I like that Microdosing is sort of themeless and up for interpretation.
Yeah, on second thoughts I do agree with you - once a month would definitely be too much. Maybe once each of the four seasons, just for a week. Christmas (ghost) stories would be fun, though...
I've something in the lab for the Christmas season already that's not really micro stuff but It's still a lot of fun!
A quaint old custom
The cellar door that refused to close was the first sign, then a heavy, furtive padding in the corridor outside the bedroom door. After the first scratches appeared, deep parallel gouges that splintered the oak, he added a bolt to the lock.
After centuries of forgetfulness, no one remembered the cat buried alive beneath the foundations. To bring luck.
Hungry-
Whispers rustled in the walls and echoed in the halls, layered upon each other like the years of wallpaper that peeled from corners and edges. A beam of light shot through the foyer as the front door creaked open and new voices floated in. The house breathed out its stale breath and inhaled fresh innocent life. Buried shadows stirred below.
Inside the house, a man lived in peace… or so you’d think.
He experienced some happenings since moving in – he always felt chills, the floor always creaked, the TV would randomly turn on while he slept, and his food never seemed to last too long.
“Must have a poltergeist here. I should go, but the contract prohibits me,” he thought.
PROMPT: HAUNTED HOUSE
THE TABLE
Whenever a guest had outstayed their welcome and we wanted them to leave, we’d mention our resident ghost.
Then we’d put a drink on the table, so they could watch it move on its own, sliding away from them, until it smashed on the floor.
And they’d flee, convinced the house was haunted.
But really, it was just subsidence… 😎
Microdosing – 60 mg of a Haunted House
===
He finished moving in when his mobile rang. Chatting with his brother, he peered through the window.
A zombie shuffled through the neighbour’s fence, holding the gate for a bloody-faced woman behind him. Loud music and flashes of lights came out from that house.
‘John, that house across mine is having a Halloween party.’
‘Mate, it’s an empty haunted house!’
The decrepit gabled house was a stereotype. Cracked or missing windows. Icy drafts. Threadbare furniture scattered haphazardly. Puddles of mysterious fluids. Is that blood? A chorus of ominous muffled chanting. At midnight a young woman ran shrieking from the place. The sad ghost looked back, bags packed, vowing never to return. He had been warned about haunting a fraternity house.
HAUNTED HOUSE
He cried in his sleep now, haunted by a tiny ghost.
"Mom," he'd say. "Do you think Charlotte forgives me?"
Our beautiful black cat had fallen from his bedroom window.
"You told me not to open it, and I did anyway. I killed her."
He claimed he could hear her wailing all night long.
I never thought he would jump.
A good showing and many a spook by all!
Damn well done everyone—thanks for including me, Miguel!
Is it just me or is this huge now?
Well done! Thanks for mentioning me.
We’re closing on 50 writers every week 😳 it is massive 😭