I should be posting more often, but at least the Blog Hop is a reminder to post once in a while. sigh
This month’s story comes to you via Holly Lisle’s very excellent podcast, Alone In A Room With Invisible People. Last year, Holly and Becca did a Halloween episode and invited their listeners to submit spooky flash stories of no more than 500 words. It was such a success that this year they did it again!
Apparently, mildly disturbing, atmospheric ghost stories are a thing for me. Here’s the one I wrote last year.
And here’s this year’s offering.
The Road
“Mia, don’t go.”
Mia stared, unblinking. “You know it’s not about you, right? You know I have to go. He’s been gone so long.”
“I don’t think it’s about me. It’s totally about you. It always is. I just…” Kit shifted to avoid her sister’s blank gaze.
The town clock struck it’s rattling gong. Eleven o’clock. It wouldn’t be long now, one way or another.
Stilling a shudder that threatened to climb her spine, Kit spoke again. “I need you. I don’t want you to go.”
“I know. But I have to. He’s expecting me.”
A deflating sigh escaped Kit. This wasn’t right. It wasn’t what she wanted. But this was her only sister and Mia was stubborn. Her decision wouldn’t change. “I’m going with you,” she said.
“Kit, you can’t…”
“Just as far as the road, Mia. I at least want to say goodbye when he comes for you.”
The two stared at each other for a moment, then Mia nodded. “Only to the road. But we have to go now—there’s no more time to spare.”
*
Chill, damp night seeped through Kit’s sweater as they walked along the darkened street. Only hours ago the laughter of children filled the air, but not now. Now the town was utterly still. Wan light from a few windows did little to dispel the gloom, the flicker of dying jack-o-lanterns even less. Though there was a full moon this Hallow’s Eve, deepening clouds hid it’s silvered surface.
Kit could barely keep up with her sister. The black of Mia’s jeans, her jacket, and her hair almost disappeared in the dark making her almost ghostly. Hard to follow.
“Slow down,” she said, racing to catch up. “Or are you trying to leave me behind before we even get there?”
“He’s coming and if I’m not there… I can’t miss him, Kit. I won’t take that chance.”
“You’re always taking chances,” Kit muttered. “Why not that one?”
Mia didn’t answer, but Kit thought her pace slowed just a bit. Her sister’s hand, chill as death, took hold of hers as they walked.
“Kit, I’m sorry. Thank you for coming with me.”
“I’m your sister,” said Kit. “I’d never let you go alone.”
*
When they reached the edge of the old road, Mia stopped. “This is as far as you can come,” she said. “Stay here.”
Tears spilled from Kit’s eyes as she folded her arms around her sister, hoping to hold her back.
“I love you, Kit.” Mia said, then pulled away and stepped onto the road.
The rustle of leaves announced a stirring of wind that stabbed with icy fingers and parted the clouds. Silver light slipped from between the trees just as midnight began to sound in the distance.
“Mia,” Kit whispered one last time, “don’t go.”
Her sister didn’t hear. Couldn’t hear. She was drifting down the old ghost road, finally reunited with her lost love.
Kit ran to collapse on the mound that was once her sister and wept.
Enjoying this post? Join my mailing list to get content as a weekly digest in your email, plus extras that you won't find on my blog!
Copyright Notice: Please note that I fully assert my right to be associated as the author of this story, and while it is complete, it may not be finished. This story may be subject to alteration at the author’s discretion. Please do not copy, quote, or post this story or excerpts anywhere in any format. You are, however, free to share the link with anyone who might be interested.
Links
I hope you’ll take the time to read the other stories in this Hop. These are some great writers and wonderful people. And if you like what you read, I hope you’ll consider joining their lists too. The world is a richer place when there are more stories to tell.
Please note, if you find links that don’t work, try again later. Sometimes it takes a little time to get the gremlins worked out.
As a reminder, many of these stories, and a bunch more spooky tales, can be heard on Holly’s podcast: Alone In A Room With Invisible People.
- The Road by Elizabeth McCleary (YOU ARE HERE!)
- Storytime Blog Hop by C. T. Bridges
- Storytime Blog Hop by Warp World Books
- Family Time by Bonnie Burns
- The Exception by Vanessa Wells
- Number 99 by Juneta Key
- Edda’s Second Chance by Katharina Gerlach
- Very Thin Line by Rebecca Anne Dillon
- Henry Moves House by Nic Steven
- For The Ghost The Bell Tolls by James Husum
- Never Alone by Melanie Drake
- The Neighbor by Meghan Collins
- Storytime Blog Hop by Raven O’Fiernan
- Loney Lucy by Bill Bush
- The Traveler by Barbara Lund
- Evening by Karen Lynn
- Man Of Your Dreams by Gina Fabio
- The Undertaker’s Daughter by J. Q. Rose
Lovely and well written as all your stories. Write more, publish more. That#s an order.
Yes ma’am!
Beautiful and heart-wrenching. And what Cat said – write more!
Glad you liked it!
I loved this story and my heart hurt for Kit.
Loved the way it touched my emotions. Well done.
Kind of Wuthering Heights-esque. (My favorite novel, so high praise!)
So sad. Well-written.
Very nice! Sad and halloween-y. (Although there is something to be said for… uhm… you know… locking your sister in a cellar when she starts talking about running away with ghosts.)