In tiny Woodbury, an oddly massive hospital looms, void of doctors, nurses, and beds. Locals, curious, venture to Mainhaven for medical care. Woodbury's relic is boarded-up, with a forbidden basement that lures adventurous kids. They unearth eerie, rusted tools reminiscent of horror films. Legend whispers that a century ago, the colossal structure was the state asylum, harboring bizarre events. Patients, lost in time, vanished mysteriously. Rumor suggests one transformed into the town's mayor, proving unexpectedly adept. In the shadows of Woodbury's past, whispers of a sinister era persist, casting an ominous veil over the unsuspecting town.
The scrawled note on the elevator read ‘Out of Service’. Droplets of rain turned the tiled floor treacherous. He had to run the gauntlet though the flickering bulb offered hope. Her door was ajar. His youthful nostrils discerned boiling cabbage but the name of the cloying perfume evaded him. He’d been snared before. Obliged to sit on the chaise longue with her ageing bony claw scrabbling at his thigh. Her desperate nasal whine, a flimsy housecoat revealing too much but less than she intended. He shuddered, nervously fingering the roll of twenties. “The rent, dear, we could make an arrangement”.
So, I may have miss stepped. One 100 word story prompted by the picture. One 50 word continuation of your prompt. Tried to hit the vibe I see in your newsletter. Thanks!
No such thing as a misstep with Free Writing Friday! It's intended for you to write as much as you want AND collaborate with me by adding your 50 words to mine to formulate a 100 word story if you want. You can write as many as you want! No limits! Endless possibilities!
It was followed by the howls. Preternatural and distant, but closing. “Inside! Grab the children. See to the barricades!” The crazed woman on the 3rd floor had been yelling that for days. But there were no children. No one old either. You move faster than the next one or die.
It almost looked pretty. I walked up to the building through the falling ashes. Did you know that ashes sting the eyes? Even cold? Total combustion causes that. All carbon is gone; mix with water and you get caustic potassium hydroxide. All that is left from the ovens. Caustic memories. My job? Stay out of the ovens by picking the next offering. How do I select? It is arbitrary. I am death, and I don’t care. The door opens and it is dark. I will see someone, and I will choose. Movement. You! It is Ash Wednesday. Time to go.
In tiny Woodbury, an oddly massive hospital looms, void of doctors, nurses, and beds. Locals, curious, venture to Mainhaven for medical care. Woodbury's relic is boarded-up, with a forbidden basement that lures adventurous kids. They unearth eerie, rusted tools reminiscent of horror films. Legend whispers that a century ago, the colossal structure was the state asylum, harboring bizarre events. Patients, lost in time, vanished mysteriously. Rumor suggests one transformed into the town's mayor, proving unexpectedly adept. In the shadows of Woodbury's past, whispers of a sinister era persist, casting an ominous veil over the unsuspecting town.
Landlady (flash fiction)
The scrawled note on the elevator read ‘Out of Service’. Droplets of rain turned the tiled floor treacherous. He had to run the gauntlet though the flickering bulb offered hope. Her door was ajar. His youthful nostrils discerned boiling cabbage but the name of the cloying perfume evaded him. He’d been snared before. Obliged to sit on the chaise longue with her ageing bony claw scrabbling at his thigh. Her desperate nasal whine, a flimsy housecoat revealing too much but less than she intended. He shuddered, nervously fingering the roll of twenties. “The rent, dear, we could make an arrangement”.
So, I may have miss stepped. One 100 word story prompted by the picture. One 50 word continuation of your prompt. Tried to hit the vibe I see in your newsletter. Thanks!
No such thing as a misstep with Free Writing Friday! It's intended for you to write as much as you want AND collaborate with me by adding your 50 words to mine to formulate a 100 word story if you want. You can write as many as you want! No limits! Endless possibilities!
:)
It was followed by the howls. Preternatural and distant, but closing. “Inside! Grab the children. See to the barricades!” The crazed woman on the 3rd floor had been yelling that for days. But there were no children. No one old either. You move faster than the next one or die.
It almost looked pretty. I walked up to the building through the falling ashes. Did you know that ashes sting the eyes? Even cold? Total combustion causes that. All carbon is gone; mix with water and you get caustic potassium hydroxide. All that is left from the ovens. Caustic memories. My job? Stay out of the ovens by picking the next offering. How do I select? It is arbitrary. I am death, and I don’t care. The door opens and it is dark. I will see someone, and I will choose. Movement. You! It is Ash Wednesday. Time to go.
Great picture prompt, Erica … I’m in. I’ll stir up my imagination and tease out a dark character later. Have a great weekend.