Mini Contest Entry - Brigits Flame
Title: The Ghost
Author: Pamela MacLean ( aurumsisters)
Prompt: small town, gothic, freeloader
Rating: general
Length: 608 words
Disclaimer: none
Author’s Note:brigits_flame mini contest entry
“It was a dark and stormy night”
She wrote the words across the top of her page and stared at them. Something didn’t seem right - these words were too cliché for her story.
Outside her window, the rain beat against the windowpane in a rhythmic pattern. Thunder sounded in the distance, followed by a bolt of lightning across the sky. A shadow loomed against the trees. She ignored it like she did every midnight.
The shadow continued in front of her window, creeping down the road, peering in windows.
She had heard the legends - she chose to ignore them. Legends stated that a dashing revolutionary soldier had perished somewhere in their small town. He was left to the elements long before this town was founded. None in town could recall his name and he had no relatives to claim him.
The shadow continued around her house, out of sight. He made no noise amongst the pitter of rain and clatter of thunder.
She knew his course of action. She could predict it with every fiber in her bone. She knew where he was headed and how he would get there. It was the same routine every night.
He would waltz around to the backdoor. It would creak slightly as he used the spare key to open it. His thin fingers would return the key to its proper hiding place before continuing across the threshold.
She would hold her breath, waiting for the moment he entered the living room. She knew his story better than anyone and yet she wasn’t afraid. Chills shot down her arm as she waited.
He entered the room, feet quiet against the wood floor. His body glided seamlessly across the hall. She didn’t hear him enter the room, but she knew he was there.
He stopped behind her, taking in her beauty. Her dark hair flowed smooth against the white of her night gown. She turned to face him, a tight smile on her face.
“Hello Elizabeth,” he said, his voice all formalities.
“Daniel,” she replied, backing up.
“You look lovely tonight.” His fingers reached for her hair, slipping right through it.
“You look the same.” She said, watching his hands and thankful that they couldn’t touch her hair.
His hand reached for a rose and plucked it from the nearby vase. He was bound by the laws of spirits - bodies were off limits, objects were not. He held the rose out to her. “For you, my dear.”
“Not tonight,” she told him, with a gentle shake of her head.
His eyes question as he looked at her. He didn’t understand the sudden shift in her mood. Ordinarily, she would accept his presence with a smile and giggle.
“What has happened?” He asked, looking her in the eyes.
“You’ve been doing it again.” She said, sitting in a plush armchair.
“Doing what?” He looked out the window as he waited for her reply.
“Stealing from the neighbors.”
“Only the things they don’t need.”
“I won’t have it, Daniel,” she told him, standing to face him. “I won’t have you stealing form my friends.”
“You don’t have much control, do you?” He asked, laying a hand on her shoulder to no avail.
“I have more control than you think,” she replied, holding up an amulet.
“What sort?” Daniel asked, his eyes quivering.
“A way to rid this town of you,” she said, swinging the necklace slightly. “A way for you to move on.” Her voice had softened. She knew he truly wanted this.
“To move on?” His voice cracked at the concept. “To no longer exist?”
“It’s for the best,” she said, her voice breaking.