Hello all you lovely people! Time for another dose of Friday Fiction, a wonderful opportunity to try out new ideas, themes and styles in a 100 word composition based on a photo prompt. If you’d like to know more, visit Rochelle’s blog. Join in, it’s fun and sometimes even educational!
This week I have mostly been thinking about long-distance hiking. But enough of that, read on … if you dare.
(c) Jennifer Pendergast
A Late Night Tale For Those That Like That Sort Of Thing
Ring-a-ring o’ roses.
The sound of a young child singing echoed down the wide stone stairwell. I edged cautiously upwards, hand sliding along the icy metal handrail. The light crackled, flickered and died.
In total darkness I flattened myself against the wall, hands pressed against cold stone.
The singer started to descend the staircase, edging ever closer. I held my breath and prayed that my pounding heart wouldn’t give me away.
Suddenly the light returned, driving away the shadows. Of the singer, there was no sign. But the last notes of the song lingered in the air.
All fall down.
Write On Dude! 
This story took me back to a childhood ghost story we use to tell in the dark with the flash light. I felt fear, really. Excellent work.
Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end! Very creepy.
Very, very sinister. I can still hear those childlike tones… Well done.
Chilling and spooky! Great story.
Suddenly, the light returned. Good job.
I like the use of children singing to send a chill. Well done.
ouuuuuu, eerie. Me likes it! All fall down…. childrens songs can sometimes be soooo terrifying….
Good! A really chilly tale. Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/friday-fictioneers-482013-bye-bye-genre-horror/
Pete, I like the matter-of-fact horror of this and letting us draw our own morbid conclusions.
janet
Nice writing! I felt chilled.
Ahmm, Sally go round the roses…Very well done… and very visceral, too.
Ooooh. Love it. You build the tension very well, and a great touch of mystery at the end. Very vivid imagery and excellent storytelling.
Best last line I’ve read this week! Totally creepy.
Oooh, a great ghost story is a wonderful way to start the day! Thank you.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/procrastination/
I don’t know why, but I had visions of being haunted by the ghost of Morrisey while reading this – this was awesome!
Creepy! I think the nursery rhyme makes it especially so.
Good one, Dude!
Oooh, creepy! Gave me the shivers 🙂
This picture has inspired a good amount of scary and macabre stories but this is one of the scariest I’ve read so far. Great ending. 🙂
Dear Pete,
The child singing is a nice touch to add to the sinister atmosphere. Puts me in mind of a particular episode of Sapphire and Steel. Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Ooo…I love it!
I found myself caught in the tension, trying to make myself smaller… good words.
Oh, what a sweet little night tale. Loved it.
Aloha,
Doug
Sppoky and very well crafted.
ooh, properly eerie this one – I love the bookending of the song. Great job!
I liked this one a lot. You craft a complete story, and that’s hard to do. I like the juxtaposition of the child’s song with the heart-pounding terror of the narrator.
Spooky! Very well done.