Welcome to the 2015 October Frights Blog Hop
Join 40+ paranormal and horror authors for ten days of screaming good fun. Books and prizes to be won!
Hosted by me (Clarissa Johal)
In case you're late to the party, from October 1-10th, join me for free short stories, exclusive excerpts, and Rafflecopter contests. I'm offering signed paperbacks & ecopies of my books, AND some awesome prizes. On October 10th, there's a grand prize so be sure and stop by then.
Today is Rafflecopter recap and my final free short story. Enjoy!
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| Photo courtesy of Steven Erdmanczyk Jr via Flickr EditedTandem by Clarissa Johal |
She'd been visiting the playground alone for the past week. It was quiet at night, which allowed her the space to think. When she first noticed the swing next to her move on its own, it intrigued, rather than frightened her. She watched it creak back and forth, and then slow when she'd reach out to make a connection. Try as she might, her fingers would always grasp at nothing.
Within eyesight of the playground was a cemetery. It was her belief that the person using the swing must be a benevolent spirit from that place. Someone inclined to linger in a playground after their death. Someone who now offered comfort in her loneliness. Maybe a child, or someone like her. Someone who wished things were simple and kind. It was her belief that the spirit who joined her each evening, thought swings were more fun than headstones or mausoleums. She was unsure.
Within eyesight of the playground was a cemetery. It was her belief that the person using the swing must be a benevolent spirit from that place. Someone inclined to linger in a playground after their death. Someone who now offered comfort in her loneliness. Maybe a child, or someone like her. Someone who wished things were simple and kind. It was her belief that the spirit who joined her each evening, thought swings were more fun than headstones or mausoleums. She was unsure.
It had been a morning where she wondered if the cemetery wasn't the better place. The troublesome thought lingered all day. When night fell, she hurried to the playground, hoping the spirit would be there. It was, and they swung in tandem. What had been a fast-dying ember of happiness, grew within her being, and caught like a flame. The graveyard disappeared from her vision below, replaced by the stars above. Higher and higher she swung, until her feet almost touched the sky. Her thoughts were pulled, one by one, until nothing but elation remained. When she finally realized what had happened, she slowed until the creaking from the swing stopped completely.
Silence settled in the playground in the wake of her departure. The hulking and misshapen entity who had occupied the swing, peeled itself from it and followed her into the graveyard.
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If you haven't had the chance yet, my Giveaways are listed here:
To Enter my Giveaway Package for BETWEEN
To Enter my Giveaway Package for STRUCK
To Enter my Giveaway Package for VOICES
To Enter my Giveaway Package for THE ISLAND
4 comments:
Decidedly creepy, and a wonderful story.
Ooh, great story. Love how you gave a playground such an eerie backdrop!
I cannot thank you enough for all you're doing for us this Halloween. I'm enjoying your tales, and love all the wonderful gifts you've gathered for us to win. You've made this a truly fantastic hop.
I'm so happy you're having fun, Michelle! Thank you for stopping by!
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