The tree was old, but not as old as the soldier lying at its roots. When the Armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee slaughtered each other in the forest by the river, the tree was only a sky-blue berry. Trampled… Continue Reading
Gloria’s ghost seeped out from underneath the covers and tiptoed her way to her husband’s bedside. “Wake up,” she whispered, shoving Barney’s ghost awake. “Come on, wake up!” “Calm your horses.” Barney’s ghost leaned over the side of the bed… Continue Reading
“Do not step over that threshold tonight,” her mother said. “When twilight descends, lock the door and bar it.” Gilda nodded. Her mother pressed an iron key into her hand. Gilda tucked it into the pocket of her apron, white… Continue Reading
“Come on! I can’t believe we’re having this discussion again. You mind keeping it down?” A very nice vase is thrown against the wall. “Seriously? I’m trying to catch up on Game of Thrones and you’re throwing stuff now? That… Continue Reading
She came in with the rain, through an open window. It was the house of a young family. The ghost, whose name had been Amaya, gazed curiously at their cleanliness, their food-in-bar-form, and the bright newness of everything they owned.… Continue Reading
Professor Danvers stepped out into the center of the library. She held her sound detector high as she turned around in place. The lights were on; the old oak that furnished the house gave the impression of a cavern. She… Continue Reading
It was sudden. And that’s what had made it so hard. One moment they were driving down a cozy, country highway and enjoying the quiet companionship that only comes with years. And the next, the car was in the ditch… Continue Reading
It’s a story as old as time: a father’s desire to create a special Christmas memory leads to a tragic chimney accident. Yes, we thought it was strange that Dad missed the frenzy of gift-unwrapping. Yes, we noticed the smoke… Continue Reading
Elizabeth belonged to Trina’s grandfather. She was eighty-two years old, although Trina would never have guessed it to look at her; she looked old-fashioned, but not old. Trina played with Elizabeth every Christmas when they visited Grampa, although she was… Continue Reading
A lone firefighter walked through the deserted street. He saw the playground where he’d run as a boy, and watched for a moment as the swings, faded but intact, swayed in the autumn wind. A yellowed piece of paper blew… Continue Reading