Mr. Crabtree's House

He doesn't like being disturbed.

                                                                     

William peeked out the window and cursed the sunrise. That which had filled his heart with hope and optimism a few years earlier, now mocked his sadness. Fleeing to his dark living room, he sat on a dusty, ragged recliner.

God, this torment is too great! 

Stumbling to the bar, he rifled through the empty liquor bottles, searching for a drop of anything that might numb his pain.

No whiskey, no relief, no anything for me but this cold, empty house. One day she’ll come back to me---I just know it. She must come back!

Wracked with pain, he collapsed on the bed and stared at the spot where Karen used to lay.

It wasn’t right of you to leave me, you know. You meant everything to me. This house, once so full of life, is now my tomb. I’m waiting for you. Please come back!

As he did every day at sunrise, William cursed his surroundings and cried himself to sleep. That evening just after sunset, he awoke to loud knocking on the front door.

Who is it? Who dares to disturb my rest? Kids! I hear kid’s voices on the porch. The little villains; I hate kids!

Bang, bang, bang.

“Trick or treat!”

William stomped across the living room, pounded his fists on the door and angrily growled, “Go away!”

“Ayeeeee!” screamed the children, fleeing back to the sidewalk.

His knees knocking beneath his Dracula cloak, Arthur told the others, “See, I told you this house was haunted!”

Author's Note

An old one.

Reviews

[roarke]

So rattling of chains, old and busted, rifling of empty liquor bottles, new hotness.....
But I think ya shoulda had William chase the little beggars around a bit before ending it.... hahaaha
Nice piece.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks again. William would like to chase them with a broken whiskey bottle, I'm sure.

[Marie]

So his house really was a tomb...

[Samuel Dickens]

Yes it was.

[Mic]

Good write, Sam. Probably the cause of many a haunting as well.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks again, Mic. Mr. Crabtree may already be dead--literally.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Sam, you have made my night reading you! Smiling, this was excellent!

[Tony]

This guy is a dang good writer.

Always a pleasure, Sam.

[Murph]

The double meaning of the ending is really great, with the child thinking it's a haunted house and the man being haunted with the memories of his lost companion. Great stuff.

[Norma M Sutton]

Sad, haunted by the living dead. Well done.

[Misty_Prophet]

Wow, what an ending! I'm amazed! Really, wonderful job

[Amy Bumpas]

This is a good one to get you in the mood for something creepy on Halloween...

[Judy Ponceby]

Many a child know the truth before any adult would. An excellent tragic Halloween story Sam. Love your writes.