On the first morning, Helen woke shivering on the bathroom mat. She was naked, her knees tucked into her chest. On the second she still had her pyjamas on, but this time she was squashed in a corner of the hall. And on the third she woke under the magnolia, a petal cupping her cheek. Her feet were muddy and when she returned to the house the front door was open. In the afternoon she drove into town and bought a video camera to catch herself sleepwalking . The next day when she played it back she saw no one. Her bed was empty.
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This is a Friday Fictioneers story. 100 (or so) writers writing 100-words (or so) inspired by the picture above (supplied this week by Madison Woods.) Join in or read some more stories.
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Vote for Our Endless Numbered Days in the Edinburgh First Book Prize, and you could win a copy of all 56 books.
I love the mystery.
Thank you!
Dear Claire,
I found it interesting that both of our stories have to do with sleepwalkers. As always, you put me in the scene. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I haven’t read yours yet – I’ll go and do that now. And thanks.
spooky!
I was in the grasp of these 100 words.
I wasn’t expecting that ending either!
Great!
Thanks Emily!
Got my full attention, Claire. Of course I want more! 🙂
Excellent. But I’m not sure what happens next!
Neat little mystery.
Thanks Craig!
Healthy dose of creepy first thing this morning. You gave me the shivers, and left me wanting more. I haven’t read much horror in recent years but this brought back the fun of being safely terrified. Well done.
Horror is difficult in 100 words – no space for suspense. But thanks!
The ways she finds herself when she wakes, dressed, naked, with Magnolia petals… all that makes this extra intriguing. Great story.
Thanks. I have no idea what’s going on!
Very frightening, actually. Well done.
Thanks Sandra. Glad to give you a little chill on a Thursday!
Horror in such a small tale….nicely done.
Thanks!
I loved this story, Claire! Beautiful build-up of tension, and then, the climax. It’s a perfect mystery, the kind I love.
Thanks for visiting my page (it used to be V-Hypnagogic Logic, but I made that private, and started my new blog, StrangeLander2015 at http://magicsurrealist2013.me — I was trying to avoid a creepy person.)
Ah – I remember that website. Such a shame when you have to change something to get away from an Internet creep! And glad you liked the story.
Sleepwalking is an interesting place to go. The thought has always creeped me out (although I’ve never been one who sleepwalks.) Well done. (I went to the Edinburgh First Book Prize site and voted for you, of course! I absolutely love your book.)
It is a kind weird creepy thing. And thanks so much for voting for OEND Alicia – I really appreciate it. And hope you win the 56 books!
A little camera shy, I guess.
Our son was a sleep walker. My wife would place furniture in front of the doors. At least then if he moved them it would wake us up.
I loved the ending. Great job, Claire.
Hah – yes, perhaps that’s all it was. There is something odd about sleepwalking.
Interesting, makes me envision her as a ghost. Hmmm, really makes you wonder. Well done! Love horror anytime of day.
Maybe a ghost, I’m not sure what’s going on!
Wonderful – creepy good!
Thanks!
Perfect and fun!
Thanks Cynthia, glad you liked it.
Spooky, Claire! Well done. I want more.
Thanks Amy!
What? I have to know more! Darned these 100-word stories! You really twisted this one (and me) at the very end. You have a way of doing that! 🙂
Hah! Thanks Lorna, glad to know it got to you.
This one is big-gulp level eerie.
Hah! I like that. Thanks Hilary
Nicely done, and creepy too! 🙂
That was a seriously creepy ending that took me by surprise.
Thanks Liz, glad you liked it.
Oh very creepy. There’s something very odd going on in that house.
Yes, but just not sure what it is!
Reminded me of SJ Watson’s “Before I Go To Sleep”.
Good piece.
Thanks – I really enjoyed that book.