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Lia's avatar

POLTERGEIST

Of course I don’t believe in poltergeists. Ghost stories are for children at Halloween.

But I also don’t believe a book just flying off the shelves and landing at my feet. His favorite noir: Raymond Chandler’s “The Big Sleep.”

Was it him? Does that mean he’s not asleep at all?

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

PROMPT: POLTERGEIST

THE BOOKS

Whenever she went to the school library, a playful spirit would follow her, and throw books off the shelves.

But she was never scared.

Because they’d always fall open at useful pages.

And she’d smile.

Even though he was gone, her big brother was still helping her with her homework… 📚😎📚

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Lia's avatar

Whoa! I never read other people's stories before posting my own. You'll just have to take my word for it, Chris.

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Miguel S.'s avatar

Haha, you both made it work in unique ways tho!

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

That's definitely a spooky coincidence. Which is rather appropriate, I suppose, considering it's Halloween Week. Haha! I'm amazed similar stories don't happen more often, really, when we're all looking at the same word to base things on... 😎

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

So many great writers throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the season of chills. Well written, everyone!

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Miguel S.'s avatar

It's awesome to see the number of writers go up each week!

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olivia s's avatar

Thank you Miguel for the mention and another fun batch!

===

Microdosing – 50mg of a Poltergeist

===

It’s their annual conference.

The first participant presented his work on severe flooding.

Second participant claimed to spread many viral diseases.

The attendees were sceptical. Wall was shaking, chairs were flying.

Finally, it’s her turn. She’d been specializing in deleting AI-created posts online.

Unfortunately, she had no evidence to present.

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Lia's avatar

I haven't enjoyed the spooky season so much since childhood! Great to read the other stories and thanks for including mine. Like your Poltergeist story too. A heartbreaker in 50 words.

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Miguel S.'s avatar

I’m glad! Thank you, I like that one a lot :)

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Rolando Andrade's avatar

Thank you for the mention @Miguel S. I am happy to be included alongside all this amazing writers

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Jeannine's avatar

She pouted at the broken window. "Wasn't me, Mommy! Screamy did it!"

"Fine, no TV for a week," I replied, unplugging the television.

"No fair! Screamy, help!" Suddenly Elmo danced on the screen. I stared at the cord in my hand. What if your child's imaginary friend is a poltergeist?

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Miguel S.'s avatar

When a kid says something that doesn’t exist did it, you should probably start packing your bags.

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Jeannine's avatar

Heh, mine did it all the time. 😅

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Dylan Delgado's avatar

Thanks for the mention and highlighting my Haunted House story. Now for today's micro - on poltergeists:

------

When my mother died, there was a period of grief.

Over time, the grief transitioned from sorrow, to anger, to acceptance.

However, she never left my presence. Her form – now a mere poltergeist in my psyche – followed me everywhere I went, ready to haunt me at the most inopportune times.

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Chris J. Franklin's avatar

Another fun week there. Well done everyone! 😎

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Jeannine's avatar

Oh, your poltergeist story is wonderful!

I didn't realize that you did a round-up like this, cool! I'll have to go back and read more micros later on today. Thank you for the mention, btw..

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Miguel S.'s avatar

Yup! I do one almost every Sunday :)

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Jeannine's avatar

Awesome, I'm looking forward to next Sunday!

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Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

Thank you for the mention of my post about my beloved cat, Sweetie Pie. So very very kind of you, Miguel. ❤️

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Tania Tyler 🌿's avatar

Thank you for the prompts and including my little dose Miguel!

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Scott MacLeod's avatar

Thx for another killer story and roundup.

Todd was as rambunctious a poltergeist as you’d ever hear. Rattled that radiator like a xylophone; bedeviled his helpless host’s apartment, really the whole building. Until old Fern in 4G from the condo committee passed away. She drifted up with her spectral clipboard and ghost-certified noise complaint and muzzled Todd good.

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Snowyteller's avatar

Hope you're hanging in there good Dealer! Quite a large number taking part!

Great to see everyone pumping those creative juices.

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Logan the Lobotomizer's avatar

Thank you!

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Arnaly Arriaga Blanco's avatar

The best part of this challenge is to read the other writer’s stories. It’s so interesting to read inside other people’s minds!! 🙂

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Miguel S.'s avatar

I love that too! So cool to see the variety of stories that can come up from the same word.

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