Writetober 2024, Horror Haven: Day 20: Stop & Go

Climber had always been a cheerful sort. Even after the Castle of Nations had shuttered its gates, leaving him stranded atop its crumbling turrets, he’d maintained a sunny outlook. He’d found comfort in the company of the pigeons and the occasional stray cat that sought refuge in the abandoned park. But lately, things had been...off. Clarice, the girl who had discovered him and become his unlikely caretaker, had noticed a change in him. He’d become more withdrawn, more jumpy. He’d started talking about strange noises, cold drafts, and shadows that seemed to move on their own. One evening, as Clarice sat with him on the ruined balcony of the Castle, he confided his fears. “I think I’m being haunted,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “By something from my past.” Clarice tried to reassure him. “It’s probably just the wind or your imagination,” she said, but her tone lacked conviction. Climber shook his head. “No, it’s not. I’ve seen it. A shadowy figure, like a person, but...different. It’s like a ghost of who I used to be.” As he spoke, a chill wind swept through the abandoned park. A creak echoed from the castle’s depths. And for a moment, it seemed as if the shadow of a figure was moving across the moonlit courtyard. Clarice gripped Climber’s hand tightly. “We’ll figure this out together,” she promised. But as she looked into his frightened eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down her spine.

written by Zoe