PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bulltot
Surrounded by the ruins of his childhood home, Griffin spun slowly, taking in the decay. A familiar noise—the laughter of a child, barely heard on the breeze—tickled his ears. The fears of his youth flooded back, and his arms prickled with goosebumps.
“I’m not afraid of you anymore,” he said, his voice cracking.
The laughter came again. Closer. Directly behind him.
He spun quickly, only to find himself face to face with… nothing. Absolutely nothing. He almost laughed at his foolishness. Ghosts aren’t real.
“When you leave this time, I’m coming too,” a voice whispered, again behind him.
—
Sometimes it’s better to leave the past in the past. And by sometimes I mean almost always, especially when it concerns a ghost who tormented you as a child.
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Click here to read stories from the other Fictioneers.
Adam Ickes 
August 30th, 2017 at 10:28 PM
i guess it’s time for him to seek professional help before it’s too late. 🙂
September 1st, 2017 at 8:47 PM
Time to call the Ghostbusters!
August 30th, 2017 at 10:39 PM
Ooh, that was creepy-licious!
September 1st, 2017 at 8:48 PM
Thanks, but I don’t think Griffin would agree.
August 31st, 2017 at 2:03 AM
Oh dear, a ghost whose been elevated, or elevated themselves, from being stuck in time to stuck shadow.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:49 PM
Griffin is in for some dark days (and nights) ahead. Poor guy should have stayed away.
August 31st, 2017 at 6:16 AM
Wow, spooky!
Click to read my FriFic
September 1st, 2017 at 8:49 PM
Thanks, Keith.
August 31st, 2017 at 7:49 AM
Oh dear. He’ll rue the day he went back.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:52 PM
That is an absolute certainty. Know any good ghost exterminators he can call?
August 31st, 2017 at 8:25 AM
This is very spooky, well done. Never dismiss a persistent ghost.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:53 PM
I think he’d convinced himself as he got older that it was all in his head as a kid. He shouldn’t have done that.
August 31st, 2017 at 8:52 AM
Doesn’t seem like he’s going to be able to shake off this ghost easily. Nice creepy story.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:54 PM
Thanks, Iain. Glad you enjoyed it.
August 31st, 2017 at 9:29 AM
Your own personal haunt. There’ll be no escape this time.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:55 PM
Doesn’t sound like a very good time. I think I’ll pass on that.
August 31st, 2017 at 12:56 PM
So much for no longer being afraid… Too bad he couldn’t stay away because now he won’t be able to get rid of it…
Well done!
September 1st, 2017 at 8:56 PM
I fear that he’s going to get a lot of lessons in fear for the foreseeable future.
August 31st, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Okay, this one has me looking behind me 🙂 Good job!
September 1st, 2017 at 8:56 PM
Don’t worry. There’s nothing there. Or at least you can keep telling yourself that. 😉
September 1st, 2017 at 9:15 PM
🙂
August 31st, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Looks like the tormenting isn’t over for Griffin. Creepy tale!
September 1st, 2017 at 8:57 PM
He should have left well enough alone and stayed away. Hindsight as they say.
August 31st, 2017 at 6:18 PM
One feels sad for anyone who knows this ghost.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:58 PM
Indeed. Poor guy is in for a rough future.
August 31st, 2017 at 11:45 PM
Good story,. Always check behind you, I say
September 1st, 2017 at 8:59 PM
Sounds like good advice to me.
September 1st, 2017 at 5:11 AM
A great spooky tale, wonder why he loves Griffin so much .🙂
September 1st, 2017 at 9:00 PM
Thanks. Your guess is as good as mine on that one.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:32 AM
Ya’ know, they do say that ghosts can/do attach themselves to individuals, objects, buildings…. A very haunting little story. Better watch your back. heheheheeeeeee
September 1st, 2017 at 9:01 PM
If I were a ghost I wouldn’t attach to anything. I’d travel around and spook people everywhere I go, but that’s just me. 😀
September 2nd, 2017 at 9:51 AM
Sounds like fun.
September 1st, 2017 at 9:35 AM
Everywhere your go, your past comes with you. In your mind.
September 1st, 2017 at 9:02 PM
Very true, but now he’s got a ghost tagging along as well.
September 1st, 2017 at 9:46 AM
Dear Adam,
That was an ominously haunting tale. I’ve heard of the past coming back to bite you, but you’ve taken that to a new level. Creepy goodness.
Shalom,
Rochelle
September 1st, 2017 at 9:04 PM
Thanks, Rochelle. His past is certainly coming back with a vengeance. Poor guy.
September 5th, 2017 at 10:41 PM
I think we all can relate to this! lol
October 10th, 2017 at 9:08 AM
Agreed, most often the past should stay in the past. If only the ghosts would leave it would be so much easier.