The Residents
The racket of running footsteps and high pitched voices and laughter had increased steadily as the night progressed. Irritated at losing yet another night sleep that had kept him feeling sluggish and disorientated during the day, Craig jumped out of bed and thumped his fist repeatedly against the wall.
‘Cut it out!’
Instead of decreasing, the noise level increased sharply, grating on Craig’s nerves.
‘You won’t get them to stop that way,’ Kelly murmured, rolling onto her side and patting his side of the bed, ‘They’re only children.’
‘Bloody naughty children,’ Craig replied, his voice heavy with exasperation.
Craig couldn’t believe that Kelly was taking the situation so calmly, but still slumped down on the bed where she’d indicated obediently.
‘I have to be up at five in the morning,’ he complained, ‘I can’t take this anymore.’
Looking up at the ceiling, Kelly clapped her hands together three times.
‘That’s enough, children,’ she called out calmly, ‘Time to be quiet.’
Instant silence followed her words and Craig lay back on the pillows with relief.
‘I know you think it’s a great atmosphere,’ he remarked as he pulled the blankets up to his chin, ‘but I’m tired of all these blasted ghosts.’
© Alison Pearce 2008
Comments
Good job on this Ali, got the email will email you back by tomorrow. Huggs and Smiles
Thanks Vickie! Love ya!
– Alison Pearce
yep, gotta have atmosphere ;) great job Ali!!!
I think it would be wonderful!!
– Alison Pearce
I like how Kelly just claps her hands together, Mary Poppins stylee!
LOL! Thanks Jeanette
– Alison Pearce
Now I wasn’t expecting that! I thought the twist would be that it was going to be their own children!
Personally I found the first paragraph a bit heavy – maybe the sentences are a bit long, but it may also be because I read someone else’s story before yours. We all have our own style!
Thanks Mark. I do tend to get a bit carried away with my sentences!
– Alison Pearce
Terrific concept, Alison. Although, if Craig knew they were ghosts, why was he angry at the start? Was Kelly the only one who could control the spirits? But I quibble — well done!
Thanks Henry. Perhaps I sometimes leave to much up to the readers imagination? In my head I imagined that Kelly talked him into buying the haunted house as it was cheap, a decision which he then regrets. I shall rethink the wording.
– Alison Pearce
very well done alison
Thanks
– Alison Pearce
Ha ha… this story makes me happy for some reason. An untypical ghost story.
Thanks Zolton
– Alison Pearce
Loved the idea and it was a good, entertaining read. I wonder if you could work in at the end that maybe she is a medium or something…have him grumbling how she shouldn’t bring work home or something?
Banal, I want you to be my editor!! LOL! Thank you, that’s a great idea
– Alison Pearce
Kelly clapped her hands together three times. ‘That’s enough, children,’ she called out calmly, ‘Time to be quiet.’ Were you a teacher in a former life? This is spot on.
I like Banal’s suggestion by the way – I think it would give the ending a bit of extra wallop.
Thanks Matthew, I love Banal’s ideas and totally agree with you both.
p.s. I was a teacher aide once, so close!
– Alison Pearce
he he he….. if only they were all that obedient!
Great story.
Thanks Lightsmith!
– Alison Pearce