A short story

Keith's Ramblings

For The Sunday Muse  which is hosted by ❤️Carrie.

‘0000

.

There’s a rundown apartment block across the road from mine. Soon it will be gone, I imagine.

I thought it was empty until I saw someone looking from a window. A girl at number four.

I started to see her every day. She’d sit on the sill, just for a minute or two, and hold out her hand. Birds would descend from the sky and flutter around her as she offered them food.

One day I saw a man standing behind the girl at number four. She looked across at me as she closed the curtain. I wondered why.

Last week, Thursday I think it was, she stared into my eyes, smiled and beckoned me. How could I refuse? 

I crossed the road and approached the door, which was slightly ajar. I entered and as I started climbing the stairs, a workman was descending them.

 ‘What do you want?’ he asked. ‘I’m looking for the girl at number four’ I replied. 

‘There’s nobody living here’, he said.

‘At least let me knock on the door of number four’ I pleaded.

‘Do as you wish’ he said, ‘but you’ll be disappointed’.

He was right.

.

Just now I looked out at the rundown apartment block across the road from mine.

I thought it was empty until I saw someone looking from a window. The girl at number four.

.

 

000

Untitled design (39)

30 thoughts on “A short story”

  1. Suzette Benjamin May 14, 2023 / 16:07

    Oh very well done, mystery, and the unexplained in one. Love how the last lines relate back to the story’s beginning!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Patricia May 14, 2023 / 16:46

    You do know how to write stories that make me wanting to know more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Sherry Marr May 14, 2023 / 17:16

    Wow, this is so well done – the face in the window, then no one there….a mystery . Wonderfully done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. poetisatinta May 14, 2023 / 20:25

    Wow Keith, this is a departure from your usual comic stories – I love it ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Carrie V. H. May 14, 2023 / 23:28

    I love this captivating story Kieth! Wonderful writing! Thank you for being an amazing poet and friend at the Muse!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings May 15, 2023 / 13:39

      Thanks so much, Carrie, after next week Sundays will never be the same again!

      Like

      Reply
  7. Rob Kistner May 14, 2023 / 23:38

    Love the mystery and intrigue here, Keith, very nicely written my friend. 🙂👍🏼✌🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Helen May 15, 2023 / 00:51

    This gave me CHILLS! And as usual with your stories, I want more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Jim May 15, 2023 / 03:09

    A surprise. Reminds me of a mirage in the desert. Ever see one?
    ..

    Like

    Reply
  13. The Sicilian Storyteller May 15, 2023 / 11:33

    Excellent, Keith! At first I thought this was going to be a “Rear Window” type of story; it turned out to be much eerier than that. Very well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. kaykuala May 15, 2023 / 17:09

    Love your poem Keith! Good strategy to employ a mystifying story -line. Readers are held back wanting to know more. Well done!

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Gillena Cox May 15, 2023 / 21:35

    Intriguing story.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog.

    Much💖love

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Truedessa May 18, 2023 / 02:07

    Keith this a great piece of flash fiction. Wonderful build of characters, setting , plot and haunting. Bravo…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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