Eleanor Watson
The circle expanded over the words: “Leave now.”
“Leave now?” she questioned. Her voice felt blunted. She was seated at a cherry wood desk, which had the words “Halloween 1867” carved onto it. Next to her was a grandfather clock bearing only the numbers twelve and nine. The second hand was stuck in a loop, ticking one movement forwards and then one back: tick-tick-tick-tick.
Surrounding her were bookshelves: dusty, white, with no cover. She had no recollection of entering the library, selecting this book, or choosing that desk. Between her fingers the pages felt like parchment, and she had no memory of reading a single word. “Leave now” were the only words within its pages, which were bound with tough ligaments.
She read the spine: “The Final Hour of Eleanor Watson”. The words were barely readable—they were in bleeding, black, chicken scratch. Eleanor Watson? That name held nostalgic, unknown origins.
“My name?” she asked herself. Scared, she stood and slammed the book down. Her eyes welled up. “Leave now” cycled through her head, emerging with every tick of that clock.
A sudden coldness crawled into her body. She ran down the shelves of books. On either side, the view was identical rows of books, with a cherry wood desk at the end, and a grandfather clock.
Her heart in her throat, that checker floor with its erratic color pattern made her green. Sound was absent, besides that ticking. She snatched all the books she could hold—she pelted them at the clock. Each book was an exact copy of the last. On the final page the words “leave now” were circled by a round, wetted spot. “The Final Hour of Eleanor Watson” was etched into each spine… bleeding, black, chicken scratch.
“Why!?” she bayed. She raced down dozens, possibly fifty aisles, until she found her. A woman, at a desk, with a white book in her hand. A tear fell from the woman’s eyes onto the page. She looked scared. She stood before slamming the book.
“Leave now!” She screamed.
The woman stepped through her and shivered.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleFinding oneself in the pages of another’s story is one thing, but when the story takes on ominous overtones, Eleanor must find a way out. The writer has done an excellent job of leading the reader through Eleanor’s journey out of her own nightmare. Well written!

Melissa, I love this story! It is truly scary. It’s amazing how simple, everyday elements – bookshelves, a desk, a book – can become horrifying in the hands of a good writer. Your grandfather clock description alone will haunt me for days – maybe weeks! Excellent writing.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Fuji. I like how you mentioned everyday elements, I think we can use anything that surrounds us and make it scary. It was a fun thing to write.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI forgot to ask you one question, Melissa. Which “she” screamed “Leave Now” in the next to the last paragraph/sentence? It’s hard to tell, since there are now two women in the tale. I LOVE the last sentence. Perfect. Happy Halloween!
Thanks for the question, Fuji. I wanted to write it so it looped just like the clock. I don’t want to give too much away here but I did mention earlier in the story that this woman couldn’t remember her own name. That all desks, rows of books and clocks were identical to each other. That she found ‘her‘. Maybe they are one of the same? I’ll leave the rest up to… Read more »
Oh my, this puts a different slant on things. I am even more terrified now. This is one of your best stories ever, Melissa.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you for these kind words, Fuji. Scary stories have always been my favorite! I’m glad you liked it.
Very scary, Melissa, and you made it so realistic my room seemed to spin around me and I was tempted to check my bookshelves and all the spines! I was going to visit our local library today but I think I’ll leave it until another day! Very well done ?
I’ve always thought a library would be a scary place at night, I’m thinking a ‘Groundhog Day’ scenerio in a hellscape might be worse! ? I hope you get to the library tomorrow,Sandra. Just come home if it has a cherry wood desk in it!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is my favourite type of story. The tension builds and little clues are dropped until the climax and reveal with the last sentence. I’m guessing you must really like horror stories because you’re REALLY good at it. Excellent scary writing. ? ?
You would be correct in your guess, Preston! I love a good horror story and movie–I’ve been watching them all week. Thanks for your comment! Also, and correct me if I’m wrong, you are Canadian as well? Happy Thanksgiving to you if you are! If I’m wrong I apologize! ?
Yes, another Canadian! I’m living in Victoria, BC and I see you’re in Ontario. So Happy Thanksgiving back to you too! ?
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello, Melissa. Your story is truly spine-chilling. So scary. Well done.
Thank you, Lotchie!
You’re welcome.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleNow this is what is called a ‘horror’ story! And one of your best, Melissa. The clues you left are so cleverly done and the repetition just adds to the tension. My understanding is that the woman and Eleanor are one in the same. You are a very gifted writer.
Your comment made my day, Linda! And you’re right, Eleanor and the woman are one of the same. I’m glad you were able to pick up on that. Thank you for your kind words once again!
Oh I loved this Melissa! This might be my new favourite of yours! I loved the build up and those little clues scattered throughout — a truly great piece of writing and spooky to boot!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks for your comment, Emily! Halloween stories are so fun to write– I’m glad you enjoyed it!
My favorite line was, “A sudden coldness crawled into her body.” Oh! So good! You have a way with words! Great story.
Thank you so much, Heather! It was a fun story to write– I’m happy you liked it.
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleMelissa, a great atmospheric read! I especially liked the description and repetition centred on the clock and cherry wood desk. How scary to run and always find these same objects at the end of each aisle! Your story reminds me of the female protagonist in “Labyrinth” hunting for her baby brother but ending up at the same spot. Cheers, Melissa.
It certainly would be scary! There’s something eerie about being surrounded by books, by assumed knowledge, yet no answers can be found! Thank you so much for your comment, Margarida.
Congratulations on a well-deserved win, Melissa. This was probably my favorite story in this contest. I keep thinking of it and shivering …
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Fuji!
Congratulations on your win Melissa. I can imagine your protagonist trapped in a cycle of terror, eternally warning her younger self to get out. Great writing.
Thank you!
Comments without a personalized avatar will not be published.
To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with Google