This is part of the annual Advent Ghosts tradition, hosted by Loren Eaton of “I Saw Lightning Fall“. Participants write a holiday ghost story of exactly 100 words. You can read more of them here. Enjoy!
“Attic Ghosts”
On Christmas Eve, the ghosts in the attic flowed downstairs at midnight to possess the toys. A good selection: teddy bears, rocking horses, little tin soldiers– almost enough for all the ghosts to claim one for their own and play.
Almost.
Little Agatha, the youngest ghost, dead not one year yet, sat on the stairs and wept. While the others cavorted through shredded wrapping paper, she’d been too slow, and missed her chance.
A bulb crashed. Agatha hadn’t noticed the Christmas tree. Unoccupied. She flowed into its trunk.
The tree took a tentative step forward, and then began to waltz.
Wow. That ending. Is it possible for something to be both comic and sinister? Because I think this piece has that going on.
Well done. I like the image of the waltzing tree.
Excellent.
I really enjoyed your story, Rachael.