
A Cold Hug at Night for Jedidiah
Jedidiah’s father flung the covers up and groaned, “What the devil?”
“Daemon,” Jedidiah said. “It’s standing right there, inside my closet.”
“You’re too old for this—”
“The daemon—”
“For Pete’s sake, you had enough Halloween for one night. Go to bed now.” His breath smelled of spiked mulled cider.
The door closed. His dad left. But he wasn’t alone.
Jedidiah held onto his: “Is your house haunted?” A paranormal magazine, Issue No. 4, to be exact. He had a check by each box in the reddest of ink.
This was just an un-fact-checkable story, according to his father. One of which has gone the way of many campfire tales and Sunday night crokinole games at the Jessop’s. It carried no more weight than mockery. Though there was firm proof for this undeniable truth: Children are spooky little creeps who see ghosts, report past lives and chat at night with dead relatives. They all do…
He had his checklist on his lap with a flashlight shining upon it.
Do you hear voices or utterances of your own name? A red ink check was found beside that question.
Do more and more things need fixing in your home? A red check was found beside that question, as well.
And lastly, but no less importantly, have your electronics been having electrical issues as of late? This warranted both a checkmark and a circle…with five, pressure drawn arrows all pointing to it.
Jedidiah went to bed as he was told, but he was no longer brave enough to face the night. He turned on his carousel lamp and retreated under the covers. Nary a hair on his head could be seen.
He lay weeping as the room filled with the odor of Rafflesia flowers. Next a sickly, belching cloud of dark poured out from his closet. After the cloud encircled his bed, long gangling arms were revealed. They squeezed him tightly to his mattress. He could no longer move.
“I’LL NEVER LEAVE YOU.” The voice bounced off his walls from every direction.
“I know.” Jedidiah gave up. So, he hugged it back.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI love this story, Melissa. How brilliant to show the back story with questions marked by a series of checks and a circle with red arrows pointing to it, all in a paranormal magazine article. This is a superb example of economy of words, plus a lot of growing tension from each question. Your skills as a writer keep expanding! I also love the little boy’s resignation at the end – after… Read more »
Thanks you once again for the comment, Fuji. I’m glad the tension was easily picked up by the questions, I was hoping to achieve that! But I must admit, I got a tad bit carried away with this story. It was twice as long but I had to make some tough cuts. I had fun!
I do like this, Melissa. I think it’s my favourite one of your stories so far. Fuji says it all really, loved it, excellent job with this one.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much, Carrie. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your kind words.
Miss Melissa, loved your unique portrayal using a survey in a paranormal magazine. Thank you for the happy ending. How sweet to end on a hug!
Thanks for your comment, Margarida. I think Jedidiah was frightened terribly, but he had no choice, he was unable to move. Incredibly frightening for the child, I expect. But I don’t believe in that current circumstance there was any other option to be had.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello, Melissa. I love its unique approach. Fuji already says it all. Well-written. I also love the boy in your photo; his facial reaction portrays your story well.
Thanks for your comment, Lotchie. I try to take all my own pictures! So I appreciate you pointing that out. This is one of my sons, he enjoys ‘acting’ for the photos.
You’re welcome, Melissa. Your son did it well. On the other hand, I want to say, your son is handsome, Melissa. Sending my greeting to him.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAwe, thanks for that comment. He sends his greeting back to you . ?
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I also love this story, Melissa, and the way you built the tension. I especially loved the mention of the Rafflesia flowers, which are almost a horror story in themselves! For those who don’t know the flower (lucky you), their nickname is “corpse flower”, for their horrible odor. They look terrifying too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGRujABwuQ
Nice job, Melissa!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks for the comment, Julie. I was originally going to go with “rotting meat” but I thought it better to use “Rafflesia”. Also, thanks for posting the link! I don’t think it is a well known flower.
The tension is building up masterfully in this story, Melissa. The idea with a paranormal magazine is excellent and brings your young protagonist naturally into a self-fulfilling prophesy of scariness. Good job!
Reading your story reminds me that in my house here in Colombia, when we have thunderstorms, the power very often goes out. That means that I would put a checkmark on that one too! Scary!
Thunderstorms are spooky! Thanks for the comment, Christer. This story teaches us adults that we should listen to the kids more often! Yikes!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThere is a particular focus on mental, emotional, and psychological states of the protagonist in the story which frightens its audience. Superb!
Thanks for taking the time to comment , Dipayan.