17 Comments
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Parker McCoy's avatar

The watchful creak. I like it. I enjoy how it flipped the creak around from monster to possible guardian. Awesome tale, Lyndsey.

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thanks for reading, Parker!

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K.M. Bennett's avatar

You know...what I found most chilling of all was how it expressed that feeling of "some things just happen" so perfectly. What a dangerous idea for a little girl to absorb, and I wonder what else she will grow up to accept in her life. So many of us in life accept things as "normal" that turn out not to be. Great job addressing such a big idea in such a small space!

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thanks, K.M. That’s true. Later on “normal” can hopefully be recognized for what it actually is.

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EJ Trask's avatar

I love short horror-- all mystery and sensation, no answers to settle you down. Well done.

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thanks, EJ!

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Jared Lambert's avatar

Love the creative naming. The creak. Childlike and chilling

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thanks, Jared!

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Pages After Dark's avatar

This was really well-written! An enjoyable read. Keep writing, fellow horror writer!

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thank you! And thank you for reading!

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

What a sweet ending, and why not? Why must we ascribe evil intent to that which we do not understand? How do we know that it is not a divine spirit of some kind?

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Nothing happened, so it’s hard to know what it was, right? Was it curious? Lonely? No way to know.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Chills and memories of childhood night terrors! I was right there with the narrator whispering “Don’t move, don’t look”!

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Katharine Kapodistria's avatar

Chilling! I love that last line, and it's brilliant how your characters are instantly full-formed and believable in so few words. I feel like I'm right there in that back room. It brought back to me all the nights I was scared as a child, and how I never said anything about it either. Great writing, as always!

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Thank you. Some kids never talk about the weird stuff. I don't know why.

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Nancy Waddell's avatar

Creepy! Loved that line: “She treated it like something to be tolerated, like chili for supper or a really long sermon at church.” —I can relate, I hate chili lol.

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Lyndsey Resnick's avatar

Haaa! Yes. The texture…

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