Copyright-John Nixon
Every day, the sky is a cauldron churning with hell’s wrath.
Every night, the stars watch my back like a constellation of vengeful eyes.
A voice hisses through the trees. “Turn around.”
I don’t.
The ligneous limbs reach for me.
“Turn around.” The voice mimics my wife’s.
I gaze ahead, not knowing who or what’s behind me…
“Turn around, daddy.”
I stop.
I’ve forgotten what she looked like… why we were so ashamed of her… why we felt the need to bury her ugliness in these woods.
I’ve been walking for a long time.
Maybe it’s time to turn around…
The Eclectic Eccentric 
A perfect take.
thank you 🙂
Oh, how sad! Reminds me of Richard Matheson’s “Born of Man and Woman” told through the eyes of a mutant child locked in the dark basement of a normal couple. It’s pretty horrifying because it humanizes the creature. You got it here, too. Great!
I scream, “Do not turn around!!!”
janet
mindblowing
I loved ‘ligneous limbs’. there’s always so much stuffed into your writing, I’m surprised it doesn’t explode.
I won’t turn around even if they pay me a million dollars! You won’t even be able to see my legs – that is how fast I will be running! Well done KZ. 😀
lol same here. 🙂 thanks
I loved how you built up to the ending. This felt almost poetic in the beginning. Very intriguing
Wow. That summed up another aspect of my show which inspired my post. Nicely done especially with the play on the idea of turning around 🙂 well done KZ.
A creepy KZ masterpiece. Don’t turn around 🙂
Clearly he has not watched enough horror flicks. NEVER TURN AROUND!!!
Ah.. the poetic voice you took almost made me think this for once was going to be sweet… but instead it become creepier than ever…
If something tells me to turn around, there is no way I’m doing it! But it sounds like his guilty conscious will make him do it. Great story kz!
Oh, god, what’s behind him I cannot fathom! Still chilling as ever, kz, and always surprising.
Wow. A very powerful and intriguing ending….
KZ, that’s a great place to leave it. I think I would be tempted to, but I hope I wouldn’t. The writer just needs to take off running, I think. The ghosts of the past are out for revenge, perhaps.
Ending right where you should have after the nice buildup.. tantalizing ! 🙂
Superbly paced. Well done.
a little tame this time. just as i like it. 🙂
Great!
thank you 🙂
Creepy but such a beautifully written creepy tale. And such a poetic start too.
I knew you’d go dark; this prompt is made for you, KZ! However, you’ve actually surprised me. There’s a human side to this that makes it even scarier. Bravo… as always!
You’re writing is always so deliciously scary! Oh I love it K.Z.!!
Nice build up with a bone chilling ending.
I’m always in awe at your ability to weave together such enthralling and chilling description. You painted the scene wonderfully, engaging all of the senses. Great work!
Parents who bury their daughter in the woods out of shame makes me wonder who is the ugliest.
I thought for a moment this was going to have a less scary ending… should have known better!
Well done kz
Dee
thanks, Dee. Oh, I hope you got my email, by the way 🙂
Yes I did, will hopefully post this weekend but will let you know x
Interesting turn. Neatly handled, K.Z.
Kind regards,
MG
Spooky and mysterious, K.Z. A wonderful take!
Beautifully written, wonderful take KZ.
Dear K.Z.
The subtlety and back story of hiding the child’s ugliness somehow makes this one of the most powerful pieces I’ve read of yours. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Damn that must have been one ugly kid…. Way to haunt!
Shame, guilt, fear, you’ve addressed them all here.
Hi KZ,
Burying ugly children. Good idea. They grow into ugly adults. You’re always trying to make the world a better place. Ron
Good grief, that’s disturbing! Well done!
You know he turned around…they AWAYS turn around! 🙂
Absolutely bewitching tale of sadness with your usual touch of fantastical treachery…
A dark tale beautifully written. Sometimes the greatest horror is that which we create in our own lives. I hope he turned round and got what he deserved
What a great POV – you get sucked in and NEED to see what’s behind you, but are afraid to. Well done. Sometimes what you DON’T see is scariest.
Scary yet laden with such a heavy sadness!To have to kill and bury a chils cos she was “abnormal: in some way and feel haunted for the rest of your life-terrible!And then that end–very moving !Am again awed by your skills Kz-excellent!
*child
Wow! I didn’t get a scary or creepy feel, but rather heard the regret in your character’s ‘voice’. Hauntingly well done.
Good gosh KZ, you are so good as this scary stuff! Awesome, brilliant, and I love it! Nan 🙂
love how you take us into your character’s guilty mind as if we need to make the decision whether to turn around or not…awesome story, KZ. 🙂
Love those ‘ligneous limbs’ and the child’s voice is so plaintive. Just the right amount of creepiness.