I’ve nothing to say other than Charlie got what he deserved.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and everyone else for reading. Oh and feel free to use my little Friday Fictioneers Badge at the bottom if you want. I made it to put on all my FF stories.
As always: comments, criticism, and half drunken rants (especially half drunken rants) are highly encouraged.
Copyright Claire Fuller
The Dare
(100 words)
“They’re coming,” Randy whispered down the stairs. “Get ready.”
Charlie crouched beside the door and waited patiently for the others to enter the decrepit church.
Leon and Kyle stopped just outside.
“Can’t we just say we went in?”
“We gotta take something from inside. You know that.”
Leon groaned.
Kyle lifted his heavy boot and planted it beside the doorknob. The rotted wood gave way easily and the door shot open.
The knob smashed into Charlie’s ribs and a pained howl erupted from his mouth. Leon and Kyle ran away screaming for their lives, sure they’d angered the ghosts inside.
Adam Ickes 
August 21st, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Well certainly Charlie must have awakened them. Nice one Adam.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:27 AM
Had there been any actual ghosts he certainly would have, but there weren’t any. The others just mistook Charlie’s howls for those of ghosts.
August 21st, 2013 at 3:58 PM
I really liked the ending – did they anger the ghosts or was it the sheer force on an old door. Great scene setting.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:28 AM
There were no ghosts. They just assumed Charlie was a ghost when he screamed out in pain and didn’t stick around to find the truth.
August 27th, 2013 at 4:13 AM
That’s great because I read it as there being no ghosts – that was clear 🙂
August 21st, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Never scream inside a church like that.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:30 AM
If he had a choice he wouldn’t have, but being hit with a heavy door sometimes has a way of making one do things they don’t mean to do.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:24 PM
I wrote a story called “The Dare” once and it occurred to me as I read this, that a story with that title never ends well for the people involved. 🙂 Great job though. They definitely got what they deserved, in any case.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:30 AM
You are correct. Things never turn out well in a story with that title.
August 21st, 2013 at 9:54 PM
Oh my!
I’d be praying the whole time.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Just kids being kids. No ghosts were harmed, or even present, in the making of this story.
August 24th, 2013 at 10:06 AM
LOL
August 22nd, 2013 at 6:13 AM
Dear Adam,
I was on both sides of that door and that story. Loved it. Why do humans like to scare the bejesus out of each other?
Aloha,
Doug
August 24th, 2013 at 8:35 AM
We were all on both sides of that coin at one point or another. If anyone wasn’t then their childhood probably wasn’t very fun. Humans scare each other because we enjoy being scared. A simple answer to a complex question. I read somewhere that it has to do with chemicals released in the brain that give us a rush or something along those lines if I remember correctly.
August 22nd, 2013 at 6:14 AM
Dear Adam,
So were there really ghosts? Spooky tale and a deft illustration of the trouble little boys can bring on themselves when going where they shouldn’t.
Shalom,
Rochelle
August 24th, 2013 at 8:36 AM
No ghosts. Just boys being boys. I can’t speak for whether or not girls do the same kinds of things, but I’m sure I’ll find out in a few years.
August 22nd, 2013 at 12:55 PM
That will teach them all, don’t you think? Excellent!
August 24th, 2013 at 8:39 AM
I’m pretty sure the only thing any of them will learn is don’t stand behind the door when you’re trying to scare someone. They’ll be up to their tricks again by morning.
August 24th, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Some people will never learn!
August 23rd, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Funny way to learn a lesson – except for poor Charlie!
August 24th, 2013 at 8:40 AM
The only lesson learned that way was which side of the door to stand on to properly scare your friends without getting yourself hurt.
August 23rd, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Ha! – the plan backfired. I loved it. Well done, Adam.
August 24th, 2013 at 8:42 AM
In a way the plan simultaneously backfired and succeeded. His goal was to scare his friends, which he did. What he didn’t count on was getting hit with a door in the process. Thanks for reading.