This challenge is produced by GirlieOnTheEdge with the following simple rules:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word – STRUCTURE
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Scary
I’ve never been the nervous type, and I’m certainly not superstitious, but this is by far the scariest place I’ve ever been.
The high trees, mostly larch, shield the grim earth from the sun, never too warm in these northern climes, which means that the grey rocks and flat stones scattered around are always damp, so the scales of the grey-green lichen creep inexorably upwards.
The larch, although a conifer, sheds its needles and cones as though it were deciduous, and these form a sodden carpet which deadens all sound except the mournful whinge of the wind as it keens through the gaps in the dry-stone wall and through the ancient blood-stained remains of the crumbling structure.
As shadows lengthen into near total darkness, no small creatures, no mice, voles or hedgehogs, are ever seen, even the owls and bats avoid this dreadful spot, perhaps sensing the malignant atmosphere that permeates the night air.
Even the most courageous, and the least imaginative, of our people baulk at the prospect of having to make the short walk across this evil-reeking plot, so how do you think I feel about having to spend all my time here?
I admit I was already pretty unhappy about being brutally beaten to death but, more than that, I really wish they could have found somewhere less ghastly to bury me.






Great story with nice twist ending. Love it!
Great pace. Even better voice. Loved it
Thank you. Thank you. And thank you again!
I wanted to ask what software do you use for the recordings
I use Voice Recorder on my Samsung phone then convert it to mp3 on the laptop.
Nothing very clever!
Feel free to ask if there’s anything else I can help with.
A creepy telling, CE, full of rich, dark images. That’s one disgruntled ghost to be buried there.
Thanks, Ford, but there’s just no satisfying some folk
Timely topic for this season, and very descriptive, emoting an atmosphere of decay throughout. Your spook must have been a restless party animal, not liking the peace and quiet of the cemetery.
I think he’s just scared of ghosts, old chap!
They could have at least beaten you to death in a pub cellar.
Absolutely, Keith, some folk just have no breeding!
Surprise ending
Thanks, UP
I didn’t expect the ending. Well told description of an “evil-reeking plot”.
Cool! I like when my misdirection works, Frank!
I guess the only solution is to get here as one of the first Readers rather than an ‘after Doug Reader’*
Hey! A bit of rhetorical simpatico this week yo. I totally tip the hat (that I never wear) to your evoking the season and time of year. Totally etched-plate art.
*not such an admirable quality of mine, but Comments should, imo, reflect the experience of the Reader (both good and bad), but your buddy Doug, for some reason or another always keys in (and comments) on the points that shine for me when I read a Six. In this case, the lichen thing…
Glad it worked for you, Clark, but time zones are tricky dudes, eh!
*hands clapping* Excellent storytelling ceayr! Loved the audio.
You are too kind, Denise (bowing)
A brilliant and terrifyingly evocative combination of picture, word and voice.
Every word counts – as ever – in this build-up to the merciless twist – which did, I admit, also make me smile.
Poor guy, though!
A wee masterpiece.
It isn’t easy being dead, as someone somewhere once nearly said!
Quite the twist ending! Loved it.
Thanks, Dora, I do like to mislead!
What a creepy place, no one would want to be a spook there.
I remember my grandmother was quite pleased to see a window very close by when they visit the mausoleum in which the family had just bought a vault.
So the spirits could have a wee keek at what’s happening out there. I get that, Mimi.
A refreshing relief from your penchant for terminating the lives of others with extreme prejudice. 🙂 Hat doffed to ‘the scales of the grey-green lichen creep inexorably upwards’ and ‘a sodden carpet which deadens all sound except the mournful whinge of the wind ‘.
I don’t really kill that many folk, do I, Doug? Although, to be fair, there are a lot of wee turds out there who deserve it!
Indeed. 🙂
Ghosts are people too! Gosh! Wonderful Six.
Exactly, Susan! Just because you’re dead doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings, does it?
🤣
Ooooooowww 🥶😱
Laughing. Thanks, Cassa!
Wonderfully terrifying! I had goosebumps, perhaps due in part to the fact that the town in which I live was name after the copious number of larch trees in the area. 😳
Ooh, spooky, the bogeyman loves larch trees!
Well it figures! I live very near to Sleepy Hollow, the area of the famed Headless Horseman! Very spooky indeed!