Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff Fields at Addicted to Purple for hosting another week of the Addicting Friday Fictioneer. It is a where a bunch of us ink junkies use our talents to create a 100 word story using a photo prompt. Below is the photo and my story this week. Come try it out.
Photo Credit Janet Webb
I usually keep my stories at exactly 100 words.
The Inheritance
Mattie once turned a warehouse into an upscale living space. Converting this barn into a dream home will be easy. She plans to build her inheritance into a utopia that would do her ancestor proud.
She‘ll replace the wood with glass panels. She’ll trim the shrubs into lawn sculptures. Then create a rose garden, gazebo and a Koi pond.
Mattie was lost in thought when startled by a bang and the rattling of chains. “Leave my barn,” a voice yelled. “It’s been my haunting place since I was whipped to death for teaching slaves to read three hundred years ago.”
February 20, 2013 at 1:26 PM
Nah…just keep at it, do it up and sell it, but don’t mention the ghost!
February 20, 2013 at 1:56 PM
Yea that’s just what I was thinking. But her plans would have been beautiful,
February 25, 2013 at 3:23 AM
Hehehehehe! Mr Pirate is a practical man, eh?
February 20, 2013 at 4:16 PM
That’s a problem not often experienced by decorators and architects!! I agree with putting the place quietly on the market and hoping the ghost stays quiet during any viewings!
janet
February 20, 2013 at 4:17 PM
Yes that would help.
February 20, 2013 at 4:17 PM
Chilling! Great story!
February 20, 2013 at 4:21 PM
I wanted to get that effect.
February 20, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Oh, what will Mattie do now?
February 20, 2013 at 4:25 PM
The other comments were saying sell. Sounds like a good idea to me. I can’t see a ghost adhering to an eviction notice.
February 20, 2013 at 5:09 PM
That was a shocker, you never know the dark secrets lurking!
February 20, 2013 at 5:10 PM
This is true,
February 20, 2013 at 7:37 PM
he seems like a nice guy, for teaching slaves to read.. maybe Mattie can reason with him.. help him move towards the light, THEN she can fix the place and do what she wants with it
great story
February 20, 2013 at 7:48 PM
That’s an idea. Thanks I’m glad you liked it.
February 20, 2013 at 7:50 PM
Haha… I luv this, Kim…. The ending was totally unexpected..
BTW: I’ve ‘tagged’ you….
http://abcofspiritalk.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/thank-you-xoxoxo/
February 20, 2013 at 8:11 PM
Yes I saw thank you. Happy Birthday. Seems we share the same birthday month. Mine was on the 3rd. Thanks for complimenting on my story.
February 20, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Happy belated birthday to you…
February 20, 2013 at 8:29 PM
Thanks.
February 20, 2013 at 7:56 PM
Got me. I sat up and took notice with a chill. Nice.
February 20, 2013 at 8:08 PM
Thanks. I’m proud I gave you chill.
February 20, 2013 at 7:57 PM
Awesome story, Kim, and loved the twist at the end!
February 20, 2013 at 8:13 PM
Thanks Laurent.
February 21, 2013 at 2:14 AM
I liked the ending the twist was handled well. Well done!
February 21, 2013 at 5:08 AM
Spooky – I wouldn’t need telling twice. Unexpected twist – nicely executed.
February 21, 2013 at 5:09 AM
this was a good one:)
February 21, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Thank you.
February 21, 2013 at 5:50 AM
Dear Kim,
. That barn’s a fixer upper with a back story. I agree…she should proceed and make friends with the ghost. He has a great story to tell. .
Love what you’ve done with your blog…so purple-y
shalom,
Rochelle
February 21, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Yes that is an option. Becoming friends with the ghost and sharing where we are today. BTW I’m a lover of purple too. February born and my Aunt use to tell me I looked good in purple when I was a child. Funny I prefer to wear brown, beige and black. It’s and old school NY thing.
February 21, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Very nice twist at the end. The ghost has braggin rights and claim to the spot. I noticed your inlinkz total to be 70, but on mine it only shows 40 some additions this week. I am not sure why the difference.
February 21, 2013 at 9:57 AM
I don’t know why it links to this weeks.
February 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM
It is a curious little differnce.
February 21, 2013 at 10:02 AM
February 21, 2013 at 10:04 AM
I am looking at one right now with a total of 45 links. Who knows it is some kind of computer thingy!
February 21, 2013 at 10:09 AM
I have no answers. However I just posted something else and the link took me to that post first and then you have to scroll down to find the 100 word challenge.
February 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Was Mattie’s ancestor the one who whipped the ghost–if so, best to leave the place alone and quicly move on.
February 21, 2013 at 2:21 PM
I think so. Mattie was a city girl. The property was in the family for hundreds of years and she was the last living relative. She saw it as an investment property. Hummm……sounds like I can make more of this FF this week.
February 21, 2013 at 1:34 PM
A DIY haunting improvement.
February 21, 2013 at 3:36 PM
Yes I would think.
February 21, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Oh God … what a ghostly twist !!!
February 21, 2013 at 3:36 PM
Yes a bit of one.
February 21, 2013 at 2:04 PM
I would say he has a bit of a right to the place!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/3797/
February 21, 2013 at 5:43 PM
I think she should turn it into a hotel. People pay big money to spend the night in haunted place. It’s real popular in Eureka Springs, AR
February 21, 2013 at 5:44 PM
That’s an idea. Thanks.
February 21, 2013 at 6:38 PM
Hi Kim,
Use of future tense was interesting, and then we were jerked back into the present by a voice from the past. Nicely done. Ron
February 21, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Thanks Ron for your insight. Wow now I impressed myself. Thanks
February 21, 2013 at 7:20 PM
Ghosts can be a tricky thing. Each one is different. But Russell makes a very good point, people will pay good money to stay in haunted hotels. The one down here in San Diego has a one year waiting list for the room with the most noted haunted occurrences. Personally, I lean towards helping them move on to the light if it’s at all possible. He sounds like an intelligent spectral, rather than a time imprint, so it may be possible..
February 21, 2013 at 8:45 PM
I have so many ideas to expand this story. We will see. Thanks for reading.
February 21, 2013 at 7:53 PM
I wonder if they heard ? Who listens dares to listen to the whispers of the past?
February 21, 2013 at 8:47 PM
Metaphysical thought to expand on all the above thoughts.
February 21, 2013 at 8:54 PM
do our children hear the quiet voice of the past?
have they learned to listen in the silent times and spaces?
February 21, 2013 at 9:42 PM
I think the silence of the past that whisper to the children don’t want to hear.
February 21, 2013 at 9:24 PM
I wouldn’t want to do anything in that house lol. I really like your take on the prompt. Very well done
February 21, 2013 at 9:43 PM
Not with an angry ghost.
February 22, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Haunting, indeed!
February 22, 2013 at 3:21 PM
February 22, 2013 at 1:35 PM
oh oh, she may have to re-think any plans. Really good story.
February 22, 2013 at 3:23 PM
February 22, 2013 at 4:44 PM
That ghost will a perfect match to the koi pond.
February 22, 2013 at 4:52 PM
February 23, 2013 at 9:24 AM
nice spin to the story. Great ending. very enjoyable read
But maybe it’s time to free the shackles of the ghost and set him/her free.
Randy
February 23, 2013 at 11:27 AM
That is definitely a thought. Thanks for reading.
February 23, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Great story! Unexpected ending.
Poor soul – we need to pray for him & set him free.
February 23, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Yes I’m sure his soul can use some prayer.
February 24, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Nice payoff, sounds like she’ll have a struggle on her hands, but the ghost might be reasonable. Think she’ll need to look for some flayed bones…then perhaps she can make a tidy profit or her dream home at last! Liked the description leading up to the reveal, too. The ghost is a bit wordy on his introduction, but it effectively gets the point to us that he might not be such a violent spirit after all. Let’s hope
nice job!
February 24, 2013 at 8:54 PM
So many possibilities with this ghost.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
February 25, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Guess Mattie needs an exterminator first. I liked the surprise ending.
March 6, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Nicely twisted at the end, and perhaps she’ll think twice about putting taupe on the walls too
March 6, 2013 at 12:58 PM