Tis the Season To Be Eerie
In blog years gone by, I use to post a scary story here in October. I stopped because the feeling everyone left the room when I posted my story is too sad for me. The cyber echo blocked out my desire to continue the yearly scary tales. (Sorry if I posted about this before.)
Being raised by a generation with gloomy grim Victorian vibes, it is no wonder to me that I like ghost stories. In addition to that, my father liked to scare us kids with his true accounts of the paranormal world. In high school I became interested in Edgar Allen Poe. I also read HP Lovecraft and other ghost stories.
Alas, Goth isn't a style I followed. The Bohemian morphing into Hippiedom is where my youth melded into tender adulthood. When life became too real, I moved into the mystery genre where I remain.
In writing, I can only get so far with a horror narrative before I feel scared that it could happen in real life. (More about that another time.) Then one day on the way home from my father's, on a rainy, cold and dark night, I had a not normal experience.
There wasn't a blur, a quick noise or something in the corner of my eye. The sound was clearly the result of something intelligent moving objects in the stuff I was taking home. I actually stopped, parked and got out of my vehicle, after going through the toll booth, to let it escape, run away. Nothing ran, flew, jumped or slithered away. If it had, then there was enough open space for it to be seen.
Feeling the interior is free (enough) of whatever it was, I continued driving into the night north through New Hampshire and Vermont. And so did it.
At home, I can still see myself standing in front of my vehicle deciding to wait until the morning to bring things indoors in the daylight.
We have two objects in our home currently that two different beings are attached to. Having a house full of antiques we were bound to have something come home with us. Once the first ghostly being let me know he was here when the clock started chiming by itself and we had not wound it up. It is a long story, but I was thanking this being for actually saving our house from burning down and I truly believe it made the clock chime to let me know it was him. I respect them and in turn I believe they enjoy living amongst us. Tundra our dog lets us know occasionally too when they are roaming around. So yes I do believe you may have brought something home with you. Owning an antique store, I have seen way too many things on camera to not believe. Janice
ReplyDeleteJanice,
DeleteFor sure antiques do carry spirits along. You have a good relationship with them, respect.
There was a TV show about a man that collected objects with spirits attached to them.
I never was good at writing scary stories -- or for that matter, anything with a plot. I'd get all in it, set it up -- but then not be able to end it! So, I'd say you are well ahead of where I'd be at this point!
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
DeleteEndings seem to be a problem for some creative people.
Outlines are a help easing the tension of the ending.
I think if we begin with the ending, writing might be less stressful. That's the glory of writing drafts, changes are expected.
You had me right there, screaming, “No,” as you got out to look.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt always told scary stories, part of the Irish culture of rural Newfoundland. I loved them but hated them…you know…
Marie,
DeleteYes, like you, I know.
I got out of the car so fast, there's no way I would have missed seeing something leave.
I smile, my father's side is all Irish.
If I wasn't so scared of my father's family home, then my life might have been happier. Even mother told us how she saw doorknobs move, the door open and close on its own. I almost lived there as a teen, but I was too scared to stay there.
I usually stay away from scary stories. Life is scary enough. :)
ReplyDeleteBill,
DeleteTrue words!
I stopped reading HP Lovecraft for that very reason.
I haven't watched a horror film, I think, since the late 1990s.
that's an awesome picture and a very cool story!! i am not one for scary movies or stories....this is very well written!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
DeleteThank you. I blush.
Not a fan of being frightened, I can feel entertained by a light ghost story. But, I'd watch a holiday Hallmark movie before a horror movie, except for the ones like Hocus Pocus.