Dear Diary,
I dreamed of her again, but this time she wasn’t screaming.
I wondered if the dreams would return once I saw the sold
sign on the old Williams house yesterday. I touched the wrought iron fence to
see if I could feel anything besides cold metal. Nothing.
But I did hear hellos from some workmen cleaning things up before the new owners move in. I said hello, talked about the weather.
Because that’s what you’re supposed to do. And kept walking.
I know she’ll be back. I just need to find a way to keep her
from screaming.
Song Choice: Creep by Radiohead
Gateway, photo by J Hardy Carroll
This poem was inspired by the picture prompt given over at Friday Fictioneers. To see what the other Fictioneers based on this picture, just follow the link.
Dear Rommy,
ReplyDeleteChilling story of recurring nightmares. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Glad it inspired chills.
DeleteWow! Oh wow oh wow. That is so well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. It was a bit of a departure from my usual.
DeleteYikes! So casually scary!
ReplyDeleteLike the best psychological thrillers!
DeleteYay! Just what I was going for.
DeleteDisquieting.
ReplyDeleteI had to search for the right word and that is the best I could do.
Love the story.
I am very pleased with that descriptor.
DeleteUnsettling. I wonder who the screaming girl is?
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good question.
DeleteIntriguing and vaguely disturbing.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was going for.
DeleteNothing more delicious than an old house bursting with screams. I wonder how long the dreamer will be able to keep her from screaming... and from the new owners.
ReplyDeleteI wonder as well. This might be one to play with in a larger format.
DeleteGreat ending. Talk about a big question mark
ReplyDeleteI like to keep a little mystery in there
DeleteThat was something else. I loved this
ReplyDeleteThanks Dale!
DeleteI love the diary entry approach. You've left a lot to the imagination here. I like that. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe small word count really forces me to make use of the negative spaces (all the things implied but unsaid).
DeleteThe start of your piece is stunning.. it could be a classic. It reminds me of Rebecca actually:
ReplyDeleteLast night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.
That's one that I keep meaning to read, but just haven't gotten to yet.
DeleteNice. Spookily vague. I look forward to seeing more of your work
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCreepy to be sure!(love that song!)
ReplyDeleteClick to read my story
Thanks. I felt the song went well with what I wanted to get across.
DeleteI couldn't decide is she was real or imagined. I also couldn't decide if she was tied to the house or him. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteTo tell the truth - I haven't decided that either yet. But I think this one would be fun to jump more deeply into.
DeleteLovely and menacing all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was going for - thanks!
DeleteCreepy, Scary! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteYay! Thank you <3
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