A short story

Keith's Ramblings

for Six Sentence Stories where the given word is Labyrinth.

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As a child, she loved venturing inside the mystical labyrinth with her friends, but in recent years they’d all departed and being of poor health she was determined to return there once more while she was still able. 

Clutching a torch in one hand, her cane in the other, she crept in, “hello” she called…

…it echoed.

Visited only by them it was an eerie place where they played hide and seek and had fun scaring each other, and to make it their own they’d each painted their names on the rugged brickwork.

They were still just visible but beneath each of them, even hers was etched RIP and on the floor were scattered wildflowers, like the ones they used to love gathering.

She felt a chill draft and heard a distant rumbling, “hello?” she called again… 

…it echoed.

She seemed at peace when they found her.

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Click the pic to see what others have contributed.

Thanks to Denise at GirlieOnTheEdge for hosting.

32 thoughts on “A short story”

  3. Spira Jul 7, 2022 / 01:20

    Glad I did read this before bed 🙂
    Begs for a soundtrack.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Frank Hubeny Jul 7, 2022 / 01:21

    I like the echo and response echo. Spooky. I’d probably not go back into that labyrinth.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Staarlz Jul 7, 2022 / 05:13

    Oh wow…initially I was sad more than scared, but since she’s at peace I’m glad and grateful 🙂 I love your posts, Keith–and the additions of art…is the 6-S-S with flowers copyrighted, or can we use it? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jul 7, 2022 / 08:39

      Thanks for your delightful comment Staarlz. Please feel free to use any of my graphics, I’d be honoured.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Staarlz Jul 7, 2022 / 08:41

        Oh wow again–thanks muchly, Keith!! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. UP Jul 7, 2022 / 16:56

    good ghost story, i too am glad i went to bed prior to seeing this

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Christine Goodnough Jul 7, 2022 / 18:45

    Another intriguing tale! I’d say she should have taken her grandkids along. They’d have chased off any lingering spooks. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. jenne49 Jul 7, 2022 / 19:21

    I like this, Keith… The otherworldliness is light-filled and it seems fitting that she comes full circle and goes to sleep in the heart of the mystical labyrinth. Quite delightful.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. clark Jul 7, 2022 / 21:38

    Dude! Excellent story. It has, (to my eyes) the quiet stillness found in pretty much all scary stories, almost like an etching, simple and direct, no frills needed.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jul 8, 2022 / 09:33

      Thanks, Clark. An interesting comparison. I do like to keep things simple, particularly in tales such as this!

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  14. Liz H Jul 8, 2022 / 22:28

    Oh my! It seems her friends’ departure was more permanent than expected. May they all find peace and happieness beyond.
    Nice use of the fancy typeface, btw!

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  15. GirlieOnTheEdge Jul 9, 2022 / 16:38

    My first reaction after reading your Six, Keith – “holy S$#*” So good. I love it.
    You have a talent for packing emotion, mystery, drama, pathos (but not really), in a mere 6 sentences.
    You sir, a born story- teller.

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