VISITING

Copyright: Barbara W. Beacham

This is my weekly contribution to Monday’s Finish the Story, hosted by Barbara W. Beacham. Every Monday, Barbara supplies a new picture for the story. This week Nortina Mariela helped Barbara choose a photo and subject. Thanks go out to both Barbara and Nortina. Thank you ladies. The original story to be written should have only 100 to 150 additional words. I’ve bolded the first sentence given with the picture prompt. Be sure to click on the little blue frog in the blue box, after clicking on the link, to read the other stories.

The link for all the other stories is as follows:

https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/mondays-finish-the-story-may-25th-2015/

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Word Count: 1+13+150=164 Words

VISITING by P.S. Joshi

The only residents remaining in the small town of Miner’s Hill are spirits.

Mom and I rode in my old truck up the rutted mountain road, the noontime sun beating down on us.

Miner’s Hill looks more and more deserted as the years go by. Sagebrush and cacti are taking over the main street. The saloon sign now swings by one hinge in the dry, hot wind. Dust is swirling up in miniature dust devils. Buildings sag under the sheer weight of years.

It’s been about forty years since anyone’s lived here, anyone alive that is. Some don’t believe spirits come out in the day. I’m here to tell them they do.

We pulled up in front of the last house on Main Street. It’s an old two-story, unpainted place. We got out and climbed onto the porch.

“Mind the sagging boards son,” Mom said.

We knocked and waited. Suddenly the door opened with a loud creak.

“You’re late today,” grumbled Grandma’s spirit.