Worse than Death
Words 100
The perfect night for ghosts, he thought as he trudged into the darkness.
The winds shrieked and swirled about him ruffling the white sheet draped around his shoulders like a cape. He clutched it closer.
Why the hell did I agree to this dare?
Scare ghosts with a sheet? Sheesh.
Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa* over the rattle of the shutters, he stepped inside.
What could he take as proof?
“Mammaaa!”
Was that a…ghost?
“What are you doing here?” He asked the girl from down the street.
“Hiding.”
“Here? Aren’t you afraid of ghosts?”
“Ghosts can only kill you.”
***
* Hanuman Chalisa is considered to be one of the most powerful mantras to overcome obstacles and remove fear especially of ghosts and black magic.
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Sarah Potter for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
What was she hiding from which was worse than death?
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A live human or two?
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You are right.Only humans can be dangerous.
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Wow. That’s a powerful story. Loved where you took the prompt.
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Thank you so much!😊
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‘Ghost can only kill you’ is a terrific and terrifying last line, leaving us to imagine what she is suffering that is worse than death. Chilling. Well done.
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Thanks a lot Iain 🙂
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Very nice story, though a bit scary to think of, now i kno ill see this prompt in the night….but it was an interesting turn you took it to, and i felt the message in it come out too vocally, yes Ghosts can only scare and kill you with a shot…there is more evil around…..
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Thank you😊
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Playing hide n seek with Mamma ghost or is she lost alone in ghost land?
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Nahi re…ghar par koi aur zyaada khatarnak monster hoga.
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As usual amazing story, really like the ending. There are worse things than death
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Thanks so much Joy- your ‘as usual’ made my week 😀
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That’s clever writing, Dahlia. You write a ghost story, debunk it and fool us into believing it’s slapstick comedy, and then slap us with that last line. Well done!
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Thank you Penny for such a wonderful comment 😀
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Like the others have said, LOVE that last line! Sometimes death or if the plug is pulled quickly in any situation, it will be over and done with quickly. As you mentioned in the earlier comments…humans. Sometimes people hurt us unbelievably so much… So why not hide away and run with your imagination. Great short piece of fiction, and love the eerie feeling 😀
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Thank you Mabel! I am so happy to see you here 🙂 How have you been? Have a super weekend – chips and burger kinds 😉
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I am so happy to stop by 🙂 Haha, are you stalking me now! I did have burger just now for dinner 🍔😊 But no chips with the burger because the burger already cost so much and it was big 😞 I hope you get to eat a burger at some point 🙂
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Oh well, I’ll have the chips then 😉
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Even if it’s cold chips, I will eat it 😀
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Hey no! Those chips are mine you had the burger didnt ya🤓
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Okay, you can have the chips then. Here, let me buy you a LARGE serve of chips 😀
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Great 😀 Darn it – can’t see it anywhere… 😉
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Yeah. That’s because on the way to giving you your chips, I ate them all 😀
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I knew it!!! 😦
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This is specifically true of streets around our part of the world . Tragic and terrifying and so very sad . When will things ever change?
Great story telling, Dahlia.
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Sorry, I meant especially true, but specifically won’t be too much of an exaggeration either.
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Thanks so much Moon 🙂
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Oh God! It’s scary to even contemplate what could be that scary for her to go hide in a cemetery. But it happens. Shit like this. Some kids are not fortunate. You e captured it beautifully
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Thanks Pradita – good to see you here 🙂
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Welcome 😊
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That is a real sting in the tail. Well crafted.
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Thanks YS 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
I’ll admit that I read the comments and then went back and read your story a second time. That last line clinches the deal and makes me wonder whom she’s hiding from. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! 🙂
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I know what she was hiding from…and that frightens me to death. Well done.
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Thank you Miles for visiting and commenting 🙂
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Loved that last line too – up until then I wondered if it was all just a game. Clearly not! Nicely done, Dahlia
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Ok i am totally creeped out by that line… ghosts can only kill you…. arghhhhhhhh
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Thanks Laurie😊
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Thanks for reading Laurie😊
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Yikes! If death is lesser of two evils I dread to think what else was there.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thanks Keith
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A chilling last line, considering what the girl could be hiding from, I’m thinking something at home…
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Yes… thank you.
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chilling and like Rochelle, I went back and read it after the comments- ugh.
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Ah maybe I should edit it…thanks Y 🙂
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oh no – leave it as is – really good – and maybe even an example of great writing – the kind that comes alive with discussion or reflection.
you know how some stories and poems need expounding for good reason?
and so maybe all the richer to find more from re-reading –
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Thanks so much Y for such a wonderful comment. 😊 I am touched and honored🙌💕
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peace
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I assume the dare was that he was to go inside the haunted house and frighten the ghosts?
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Yes! 😀
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Her home life must be dire. Well written.
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Yes sometimes one cannot even conceive what goes on behind the closed doors of what should be the safest and happiest place. Thank you Lizy 🙂
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What a place she would have to call her home… uncle or father?
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I am thinking uncle…I cannot even bring myself to think father. Thank you for reading.
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That last line (like everyone said!) is a killer!
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Thanks Dale 🙂
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I wonder how many children live with something worse than death. Very well done.
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Yes even I wonder. Thank you Linda for reading.
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