It was a hot summer day vacationing on the small
cape. She
had seen the lighthouse from a distance and it seemed to
beckon her to the shoreline. She had heard talk in town that
the lighthouse was haunted. Gathering her things in her car
she thought, how
bad could it be in daylight?
She drove down the winding road, the trees seemed to
whisper
'beware" to her listening ears. Cautiously, she drove down Lighthouse
Road. Her heart
beating in anticipation. What would she
find
within those stone walls?
Purchasing her ticket she is briefly filled in on the
lighthouse's history.
Quickly, she starts ascending the spiral staircase of 199
steps.
Each landing a welcomed reprieve.
Reaching the lighthouse room she senses a dreary
darkness. Does no
one notice the chill in the room on a hot sunny day? A cold breath
brushes against her neck, chills run down her spine. The black crows
screeching below become audible over the crashing waves. Should she
be fearful as spirits hover near?
screeching below become audible over the crashing waves. Should she
be fearful as spirits hover near?
Descending the spiraling staircase, invisible iron clad
hands stretch out
beyond the grave, grabbing her ankles holding her in
place. Legs trembling
with terror, why won't they let go? Her breathing is tense, pulse rapid
each step agonizing.
What story do these residents have to be told?
Is she the only one who feels them?
Gasping for air, standing on the final landing, she searches upward desperately
struggling for answers. A shadowy figure hovers near the window port above
and she hears the
cries of a small child.
Quickly, sprinting to her car, desperate to get far away from
this place. It
looks like rain, ominous clouds roll in. She hurriedly drives back towards town
but, somehow makes a wrong turn, finding herself back on Lighthouse Road. The first bolt of lightning strikes to the groan of thunder.
but, somehow makes a wrong turn, finding herself back on Lighthouse Road. The first bolt of lightning strikes to the groan of thunder.
I don't scare easily, but there is something about hands grabbing struggling ankles that always chills my spine. And goodness... to have nature add her thundering atmosphere to the thing, and that kid! Few things are as creepy as a phantasmagorical child.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You aren't the only one breaking the rules. I fictionalized a real experience, so did Sherry, and I suspect others might've done the same. After the fact, I was telling Sherry that I should've said "Gothic Story" instead of "Gothic Fiction". I will remember this for my future prompts.
Hi Magaly, I am glad it was okay to break the rules as this adventure spoke to me. It's one I will never forget.
DeleteWow, well written and scary, True. The hands grasping the ankles especially. I have felt that cold chill up my spine, knowing a spirit was right behind me.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, those spirits are lurking and some of us can truly feel their presence.
DeleteThis must have been pretty hard and challenging.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading it but oh ....that was heavy...
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2019/09/tulip-bistro-in-abuja-nigeria.html?m=1
It was indeed.
DeleteSometimes it pays to break the rules..i love the title and the way it reveals itself in the story - and certainly spooky
ReplyDeleteJae Rose, I guess it does at times especially when the muse wants to speak. It was indeed spooky.
DeleteThe first thing that intrigued me was the odd number of steps – 199? – and then the lighthouse – I love them, especially haunted ones. I like the way you built the story up, gradually approaching the lighthouse, and the oxymoron of dreary darkness in a room where there is usually light intended to save people. The ending is brilliant – will she ever escape Lighthouse Road?
ReplyDeleteI do have a love for lighthouses and whenever I vacation I try to make my way to one in the area. This particular one was very unique.
DeleteSure a haunting one indeed. Feeling those near or upon you would send chills up any spine.
ReplyDeleteThat it did Pat and the scariest part was trying to descend. Each step forward was indeed trying as there was a force that
Deletedidn't want to let go.
Very chilling especially if it really happened to you. Hope you didn't go in a second time!
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed chilling and let's say that was the quickest 3 point turn ever as, the storm loomed in rear view mirror.
DeleteGreat story especially the panic trying to get away at the end.
ReplyDeleteThere was definitely a sense of panic.
DeleteI love the "wrong turn" at the end that takes you right back where you don't want to be. Was it accidental or is some force guiding your return. Those cold spots really make one shiver!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if it was accidental or some other unknown force that lead to that road once again.
DeleteThis gave me chills Truedessa! Such a frightening tale, and the fact that it is from a true story adds to the terror! I love the ending so haunting!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, the makings of a true paranormal experience.
DeleteOh I definitely believe there are some places that just spew bad vibes. You conveyed the creepiness of the event well in the details.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rommy, I agree sometimes you just pick up something is not quite right.
DeleteOh boy! This is spooky! And the fact that it’s a true story is even more macabre. Well penned!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vivian.
DeleteThose iron.clad hands are so terrifying... reminds of a terrifying children's story from my childhood (the evil knight Kato in Mio, My Son)... but even more terrifying is that wrong turn in the end.
ReplyDeleteHi Bjorn, I will have to look up that story.
DeleteOoh, love that ominous ending!
ReplyDeleteWho knows what would have happened next?
DeleteThat ending was chilling! I love the way you draw up the panic by keeping it so tight to the character.
ReplyDeleteThank you, the panic was real.
DeleteThat was a fun visit. Did you ever figure out about that cold breath or have you decided it was your imagination? I've been in a few lighthouses and they are places that start the Imagination going. Now I couldn't make the 188 steps.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I am sure it was more than my imagination. I normally enjoy exploring old lighthouses but, this one was unique.
Delete