To all readers, this short story genre is horror. Only read on if you’re comfortable with reading this type of material. Not to worry, Penny, the cheerful upbeat person that I am, will return on the ‘morrow after allowing her muse a bit of freedom to explore the supernatural (creepy) aspects of fiction!
“The safer side of midnight,
is always on the sunshine side.” – Penny L Howe, 2013
~
… Or not!
The first time I stepped into the long forgotten graveyard, blanketed with mossy green and flowering vines, I was mesmerized. The setting, peaceful, serene and uplifting, even though surrounded by monuments reminding of those departed. Yet still, I was comforted.
It became my calm place. A tranquil place to visit, I would go frequently; called back each time, by those lingering feelings. The dew would still be clinging to the moss covered edifices as I sat and contemplated life in the land of the dead. I certainly did not think of it in those terms at the time, I was simply at peace.
After several months of visits, it was most unexpected to hear a quiet voice speak out, “Hello there!” So softly spoken were the words, blending in with nature sounds, I thought I had imagined them.. Birds were chirping, cool soft breezes rustling nearby branches and leaves.
“Hello there.” This time I heard the voice clearly, although still very gentle like mist clinging to the air. I wasn’t afraid and looked around for the person who had broken my reverie.
I answered the greeting, “Hello?” Searching the graveyard for the companion to the voice.
No one, nothing! not at first glance anyway. And then my eyes were drawn to a faint image slowly appearing, perched atop one of the larger headstones not far from me. He was transparent, I could see through him, but he was most definitely there.
At this point, most people would have turned and run away, fast and furiously. But I am not most people. My first thoughts, pure fascination. I walked over to where the “ghost”, as I assumed it must be, was sitting.
He had a very sweet smile on his face. He gazed directly into my eyes as if searching … for something. “You don’t appear to be afraid of me,” he said, still smiling as he cocked his handsome head, bemused I believe, by my calmness.
“No,” I answered. “Why should I be?” While there was a strong feeling of surreality, I had in that moment, never felt more alive, there was a magnetism in the air. I knew it as did he. I think he was more surprised by the strength of the sensations than myself.
I watched as the bemused expression on his face slowly changed to one of awareness and then recognition and excitement. “Ahhh”, he said, “It’s YOU. This explains much. We’ve been waiting for you, for such a very long time! And it was I … I who was the first to find you!”
Those were discomfiting words to say the least. I was, now, not sure if I wanted to continue the conversation with this being who was only with me in a spiritual sense, a silvery glow cast about him, but no shadows or reflections from the glow. As I thought on what to do or say next I felt a chill, which I quickly dispelled.
“Your warmth is glorious,” he said. “You chase away the things that frighten us so much with just your thoughts. We were told it would be so. May I come nearer? You are the warmth of a fire on a chilly day,”
Moments passed in silence. Realizing I had been holding my breath, following his last words, I slowly released the air from my lungs. As he drew near I watched other apparitions taking form, throughout the graveyard.
“What do you mean Sir Ghost?” I replied a bit faintly. The dual feelings of dread and yet a longing to be here, filtered through my conscious self. The graveyard quickly filled with more and more of these beings … an eerie essence of otherness permeating my senses. Awareness growing within me.
He was no more than inches from me now, breathing in my exhaled breath with pleasure. He turned to the massing crowd of spirits and triumphantly announced, “I have found her, I have found her.” The small silvery glows now changing to a deep foreboding gray, spreading out over the assembling spirits.
And I … felt … trapped. A magnetism was pulling on me. The energy radiating all around, my soul’s purity and richness within me bursting to overflowing … as the young demon entities rushed to engulf me.
too late I remembered in countless lives from my past, why and who I had hidden from for so long … only at the very last as evil began to feed, and I lay trapped within a mixture of growing sensual desire and horror, did I realized that those feeding on me, were but minions, keeping me at bay, preparing me for their master’s voracious appetite. The one I could now hear coming to claim me. The devil who had searched for centuries for my immortal soul, had finally found me, in this lifetime, on the sunny side of Midnight!
~
A Short Story by Penny L Howe, 2013,
Hey guys, still me here, all’s well, just a little escape from reality. My question to you my friends, should there be a part two, where she escapes, or should this be a stand alone piece!
I hope you enjoyed!
The Why About This 
Just as it was getting into full flow you decided to end it, now I hope there is a second helping to this wonderful story? I like these offerings, well I would being that I enjoy horror based scripts and the like but yours is definitely worth adding to, if you have not already of course 🙂
You have so many disciplines and I am enjoying backtracking
through your Space, and by doing so there are so many gems
such as this one can be found 🙂
Have a lovely evening Penny 🙂
Andro xx
I apologise for my poor grammar 😦
Andro xx
No need! 🙂 xx
Hi Andro, was off-line for a bit (taking care of real live things) I have the sequel written actually, haven’t felt brave enough to publish it yet. Thank you! 🙂
When you do I will be happy to read it,
and I think that everyone else will enjoy
it too 🙂 I just added a romantic offering,
one of five in the series 🙂
Have a lovely evening Penny 🙂
Andro xx
You also Andro! 🙂 xx
I loved seeing this side of you. I believe it shows your depth and definitely would love to see a continuation of this story. I must admit to liking good horror stories and films…not sure what this says about me! 🙂
Hey, it says you have many facets to your personality! Thanks LuAnn, exploring the dark side (with words) is creative fun! 🙂
wow Penny, this was so different coming from you. Hope there is part 2 and that the narrator escapes the evil world
Yes, me too, so many directions to take this story! Thank you Padmini!
Loved it Penny! Eerily told throughout – my happiness at your encounter turned to horror at your loss. In your departure from uplifting me, you have thoroughly amused me! Thanks 🙂
Oh and regarding the part two, it would be interesting to listen in on a dialogue between you and the devil! 🙂
I love it, great idea, definitely necessary, okay now I have chills! 🙂
Well I’m happy I amused rather than horrified, that would have been awful! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
not used, read you a little on the dark side lol Have a good evening Penny 🙂
Hi Gys! Yes it was indeed. Something different for me. But a good “writing skill” exercise and I found myself drawn in too. I’m curious as to if she will escape or not! ha, ha, and I wrote it! 🙂 Have a wonderful evening also Gys and great tomorrow my friend! 🙂
Amazing and dark. I think this can stand on its own. It is powerful enough and draws you in.
This was definitely a writing “stretch” for me Celestine. Anyone who has followed me knows I lean way in the other direction and while familiar with the genre, not one I read or view as a personal preference. But I was curious if I could write one (skill wise), the funny thing is … it pulled me right in too, and the muse just sort of took over. That was surprising to me! 🙂
This is fantastic! While it can stand alone, it can also have a part two. If your creative juices that keep you at night desire to write more, then so you shall and it will be another great read. xo
Thanks Amber, so very much for your vote of confidence, it spurs me on! hugs to you this day, xx
AnElephantCant tell a lie here
He is usually quite scared of ghosties
But he tries to behave
Because Penny is brave
So he is totally courageous – well mostly
This stands alone perfectly and does not need any further writing.
Each reader has her/his own imagination.
Unless beautiful Christina insists, in which case AnElephant will write it himself if necessary!
Now that would be a thing to behold indeed (you’d be very very good at it, me thinks!) 🙂 xo
Thank you, Penny, for your warning. I can’t stand horror story
You are certainly welcome Yoshiko, as you know by now, I do not write from this perspective as a rule, but wanted to see if I could (writing skill wise). It was an interesting exercise. I myself have very little interest in the Horror genre so this was a reach for me, with reference to the writing of it! 🙂
Oh I see. All the best to your horror writing. I will tend to avoid seeing and reading it because it will play in my imagination and scare me in my dream. When I was young I often got nightmare due to watching horror movie and drama. Until my friend ask me, “Why I want to scare myself?”. Those words echoed in my mind until I resolved to stop reading and watching horror stories. 🙂
Your friend is very wise Yoshiko! And so were you in following the good advice! 🙂
Thank you, Penny. Yeah, my friend is wise and I’m trying to learn 🙂
This was amazing Penny!
but this was simply brilliant.
I don’t think there should be a part 2, it would end the excitement of this one or maybe not
Thank you. Its interesting because I feel the same way myself. Part of me thinks it should stand alone and part of me also wants to know what would happen next!. Thank you for your lovely compliment, most sincerely appreciated by me!
Glad we share the same thought 🙂
You’re right. Curiosity still stands above all!
Stay blessed.
Scary stuff! I really enjoyed reading it. 🙂
Thank you David! I will admit this is a side of me (creatively speaking) I’ve not really explored, so I sort of surprised myself with it! 🙂
well am not a regular reader here, but i think the story can stand on its own. Doing a sequel, to me, will stretch it, while as it is, there are many conclusions a reader can come to whatever their inclinations.
Hi, thank you for stopping by and taking your time (a lengthy piece of written words) to read. I appreciate both. I like your thoughts on it as a stand alone. This isn’t normally my style so it was a stretch for me. Again my thanks! 🙂
Hi and most welcome. You do write well and it wasn’t too long. I have seen long pieces 😛
Nice one..Awaiting for part two 🙂
Thank you, I’ll do my best! 🙂
I enjoy the dark side and I thoroughly immersed myself in the grave yard with the spirit side. Please do ‘part two’ ..let’s see what the devil has in store…
Thank you kindly, for taking the time to read my piece of fiction and share your thoughts about the story. So far the comments seem to indicate a go ahead so I’m already working out her escape in my fertile imagination! 🙂
You are welcome Penny, a popular decision and more inspiration to use your imagination and get that muse working 🙂
Reblogged this on Alastair's Blog and commented:
Penny has taken a different route … this is a truly magnificent piece by Penny. It is a horror story, so only read if you like horror’s
Thank you again, Alastair! 🙂
You’re welcome. It was a terrific read. One that needed to be shared
This was brilliant!!!
Does she escape with her immortal soul? Will there be anything she can do?
I loved this story Penny. I would love to see a part two of this
Welllllll, Christina is way bugging me to do a follow up so I’m guessing it will happen, and not a spoiler exactly but … she does escape with help from …
…. oh darn … the line cut out. I missed what you said. I will have to read the next part
🙂
Thanks for the warning! Just called in to say that – not to read! 🙂
Totally cool with that, and understand it too. An interesting thing, while very familiar with this genre, it is not one I normally read or view (almost never) but I wanted to see if I could. Have a great day today my friend! 🙂
I understand from the lovely Alastair’s re-blog that you have done a great job! Well done from afar! 🙂
Thanks Sally, Afar works for me for this written piece! 🙂
Very creepy! Well done!
Thank you Naomi, for taking the time (a fair amount) to read and comment, so very much appreciated!
Hey Penny!! No way, don’t stop!
This is different…keep going! Hugs and have a great day…Paula xxx
Thanks Paula, I’m guessing I’ll do a followup one then. You have a great day today (my tomorrow) Hope you woke up to the sun shining outside your home and inside your heart, my friend! xox
Actually today I feel great and the sun is shining today! Love to you, Penny! xxx
Part Deux…..and scary is sometimes a good escape. (◉‿◉)
Thank you Jueseppi, you are correct, sometimes escape is good indeed!
Yes Ma’am….I’m waiting on your sequel!! 😉
🙂 xx
Yes, it is quite a departure from your regular posts. But, in a way, it’s not that much different; you just added a more surreal and evil touch. Life is like the moon: it has a bright side and a dark side. Regardless of what you want from it, you have to deal with both sides.
Thank you Alejandro. You’re right of course about the dark and the light. Everyone eventually has to come to terms with it!
Ooooooohhhhhh Spooktacular!
I vote for a part two. Anybody who wants this to stand alone can chose not to read part two – LOL
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
For you, anything RoSy! 🙂 xo
And here I was, thinking it would be a ghost romance….. not. He is a demon, right? Pfffft…. I wanted a romance.
Actuallllyyyyy … while yes these are demons not ghosts, I had decided that in a second installment (if there was one) there would be a romance with the one who saves her from her current predicament! 🙂
Hello! Nice piece! If she is that important to them, keeping her away from them must be more important to some other force, so perhaps some struggle in which she is somehow freed – perhaps remember who she is and how much power she actually has might be a nice ending. But it is nice on its own, as well 🙂
Thank you. I appreciate you’re input, I honestly wasn’t sure how it might continue but you’ve given me some creative direction to pursue! 🙂
You are very welcome 🙂 I hope I didn’t overstep, but you did ask 😉
No, not a bit and now my muse is heading off in wonderful directions as a result! Thank you! 🙂
Great!! 🙂
This was indeed a different foray from your usual offerings….but what a tantalizing preview this was!! I sincerely hope there will be MORE!
I was immediately drawn in…lost in your beautiful words felt myself reading faster and faster to find out what happened next….I wasn’t expecting the twist that drew me in further…
Please….pretty pretty please will there be a part two. Inquiring minds need to know what happens next!! xoxo
As you wish! xoxoxoxo