This year's Fall Writing Frenzy, a writing challenge/competition based on photo prompts, inspired something that is different than my usual work. The challenge is to come in at 200 words or less inspired by one of the photos provided at Lydia Lukidis's site HERE.
I was inspired by the 13th photo. Seems appropriate for a Halloween theme, right? Just imagine walking those halls. It would be easy to get lost. Imagine being a teen, full of anxiety, afraid of this new place or embarrassment, or a million other hard knocks from life, but desperate to join in the carefree Halloween celebrations.
Without further ado:
The Ghost
Everyone says the house is haunted.
Old, eerie, dark, and complex.
But the only ghost here is me.
Drifting from room to room.
Hiding from my old life.
The fears, the demons.
Not dead, but not living.
Afraid to live.
Until tonight.
Tonight will be the night I breakthrough.
Join the living dressed as the dead.
Costumes and paint can hide what is truly scary.
Can hide me from the prying eyes that judge my scars.
A candy given.
A sweet smile.
Maybe tonight is the last night I live as a ghost.
And finally live.
Happy Halloween.
