Arthur senses he is being watched. He stands very still, tensing his muscles, ready for flight.
He stares straight ahead, waiting, watching.
She walks round the table, noticing all the clutter. What a mess. She remembers the tidy, spotless kitchen of her childhood, no mess or spills allowed. She remembers the cupboard under the stairs.
Dark, cold, silent.
Arthur tries a high-pitched meow but it gets no response.
She stares at the cat. She has always disliked cats. Now it doesn’t matter.
Now she can see him, but he can’t see her.
Thanks to Rochelle for continuing Friday Fictioneers and to Scott Vannatter for the photo this week
40again's Blog 
Dear Dee,
Love the emotional aspects of this but I’m a bit confused by point of view and who’s real and who isn’t.
Thanks for commenting on mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fabulous! Gave me chills.
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so she’s a ghost now?… cool story.
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Thanks for visiting KZ and yes it was a ghost story
See
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i was getting a clue at “she remembered the tidy, spotless….” well done. very enjoyable. now i have to wonder how she “left” and why she’s “back.”
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Hi Rich
I wrote a short story ages ago about a house and its “visitors”.
This effort was taken from that. I think I made it too obscure.
Thanks as usual for your comments they are always appreciated.
Hope you have Happy Christmas
Dee
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not too obscure. just enough for the reader to have to really pay attention.
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Thanks Rich 🙂
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Definitely creepy and sad because of the punishment of being put in the closet. I get that she sees the cat but he can’t see her–just not sure why. I’m guessing that he made the messes for which she was punished.
On a happier note–have a merry Christmas! 🙂
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Gave me chills too. I see a ghost. I’m thinking a woman who has ‘come back’ and sees what her life had become. But, the cupboard under the stairs? Maybe a child, confined there… maybe died there? I liked your story, glad you came back.
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excuse the ‘glad you came back’… was thinking of a new writer.
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Thanks Ted, glad you saw the ghost too. Great to hear from you, have a lovely Christmas
Dee
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i’m assuming the reason Arthur can’t see her is because he is old and blind. As a cat lover, I hope she is kind to him.
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I get ghost story from this, not an old, blind cat. just the way my mind bends, i guess. Good job.
Aloha,
Doug
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Hi Doug – yes you’re right it is a ghost story.
I’m glad you saw it that way, I was beginning to think I had been too obscure in my handling of it.
Trying to convey that with such few words, without actually saying ‘This is a ghost story’ was difficult this time and I had a few rewrites before pressing ‘submit’.
My thanks as usual for your time in commenting and reading.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.
Dee
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Reblogged this on 40again's Blog and commented:
For the last Friday Fictioneers of 2015, Rochelle has reposted Scott’s photo from a couple of years ago. This is the post I wrote then. I hope you all have a happy holiday, however you celebrate it and look forward to catching up with you in 2016.
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