PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi.
Twelve-year-old Isabella used to resent having to spend two-weeks in January in Dad’s frozen cabin in the middle of nowhere. Two solid weeks of cold, gray suck.
She was in the mud room getting ready to go outside so Dad and step-mom could “try to make her a baby sibling.”
“Disgusting.”
She grabbed her skates. She would never use them again after she almost fell through the ice. Billy saved her just in time. Since then, she went to the pond to talk with Billy every day. He’d fallen through when he was her age. Now he’s the pond’s ghost.
Screenshot from Facebook.
It’s Wednesday and once again time to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ 19 January 2024 edition of Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image up top as the inspiration for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
I have ghost stories on my mind, mainly because I’m considering submitting a short story to an open submissions call. I have a ready-made tale I could send in, or the one in my head which you’ve just read a sliver of. All that plus it’s freezing cold outside.
To read other stories based on the prompt, visit inlinkz.
Speaking of drabbles, I have nine of them published in Pocket SciFi: Drabble Contest One. If you like science fiction and 100 word stories, this could be the one for you.
poweredbyrobots.com 
A story that fits the weather here too. At least she did not end up alone, some consolation.
LikeLike
In the extended version (in my head) the ghost tries to get her to stay permanently because he’s lonely. I haven’t made up my mind yet if she drowns or is saved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does she love him? If so, then I vote for drowned. If he’s evil, then save her! This was a good story but I would have liked more.
LikeLike
She’s 12.
LikeLike
Fascinating, shades of The Water Babies
LikeLike
Thanks, Michael.
LikeLike
I love a good ghost story. I wonder if maybe she too will become a ghost .
LikeLike
Depends if Billy tries to turn her into one. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
I think I’d rather go talk to ghost than listen to dad and stepmom try to make a baby. 😉 But then is Billy a friend or a risk?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A little of both.
LikeLike
I wonder if Billy should have known better than to skate on thin ice. Loneliness creates wonderful friends.
LikeLike
That was a long time ago and accidents happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She grabbed her skates… Hopefully Billy doesn’t convince her to go skating again.
I like this, James.
LikeLike
Thanks. She grabbed her skates to show Dad and Step-Mom that she was going to the pond, presumably to skate. She couldn’t very well tell them about the ghost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes, I did realise that. I’m still worried a little bit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Ah, at least she has a ghost sibling already. Of sorts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story, especially an icy one to go with our bone-chilling weather?
That was a great read, James. The last sentence summed it all up beautifully. Best of luck with your ghost story submissions …. not that you need it!
LikeLike
Thanks and I’ll take all the luck I can get.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, James!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this James, it could take off in many interesting directions 🙌
LikeLike
It could indeed. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful story. Glad she has a friend.
LikeLike
Thank you. Her “friend” might try to turn her into a ghost for company, so the relationship isn’t necessarily safe.
LikeLike
Winter is the perfect time for ghost stories! Well written.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting story.
LikeLike
Thanks, Bill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well-written story. Thank goodness for Billy.
LikeLike
Thanks. Maybe. What happens when she tries to leave?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Billy waits until next next year when she visits? Or maybe Billy wanted company — but then why would he save her? I’d keep her new little sibling away from the pond though.
LikeLike
There’s always next summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i didn’t anticipate that twist in the end. well-crafted.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was good.
Enjoyable read.
LikeLike
Thanks, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderfully narrated.
Hope she is well.
Poor girl had to suffer in that weather while other things were the priority of her parents 😦
LikeLike
The weather was the least of her problems. Thanks, Anita.
LikeLike