Note: The following piece was written as part of crime writer Patti Abbot's drabble challenge. Patti has published numerous short stories in various literary journals and crime zines and has released a short-fiction anthology entitled Monkey Justice. Visit her blog pattinase for more 100-word stories.
Eventually, they returned to rest at the old church. The encroaching grasslands didn't surprise them. But two boys squatting on crumbling pews did.
"Here's the story," the big one began, eyes winking conspiratorily in an overfed face.
The smaller child stared, engrossed. Blanche held a finger to her lips. Jasper nodded.
The fat boy continued: "The old beau there by the pulpit. Bang. Bang. Got both of 'em."
Jasper shook his head. "No. Not there."
The little one whirled. "You hear something?"
Blanche whispered, "We should go."
"Nah," the fat boy laughed. "Just us here."
And then, suddenly, it was.
The Dry Places by I Saw Lightning Fall
Postscript: If the above widget is giving you trouble, visit ISLF's Soundcloud page or consider subscribing to the podcast to listen to audio recordings of this and other stories.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
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10 comments:
I loved hearing you read it. Amazing.
Great ghost story, Loren!!
Wow, that was so cool to get to hear it too. Thanks, Loren!
Thanks for hosting it, Patti. I always enjoy these.
You're too kind, Sandra!
Thanks so much, Seana. I'm a little uncomfortable with my own voice, but I keep trying to make my little podcast work.
Lovely, sad and chilling.
You're right. Very close. Maybe even the same ghosts. Nice reading as well. Reminds me of some of those Noir at the Bar nights where writers read their stories. Of course, the producer in me then saw Patti's images projected behind a group of the readers who each stood in a single spotlight.
Thanks, Paul. That was exactly what I was aiming for.
Jack,
Man, I'd love to go to a Noir at the Bar sometime. They never seem to come to south Florida, though. Also, small kiddos have largely restricted nighttime activities.
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