Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Stranger - Part 6


It was the week before Christmas. For the sake the children, and her own sanity, Candice tried to put the events of the past three weeks behind her. She had a life to lead, and she wasn’t going to let a tame blackbird get in the way of rebuilding her future. There were explanations for all of the odd events that had recently taken place. Co-incidences, dreams even.


The house was a frenzy of activity. The Christmas tree was in place and the floor was strewn with ornaments and tinsel. ’Let me Mummy - let me ’ said Jack as he reached to plant a golden angel on a branch and toppled forward whilst his sister shrieked with laughter.

There was a thump on the door mat as a pile of Christmas cards fell through the letter box. Lily rushed to scoop them up. ’Let me open some Mummy - please’.

At the bottom of the pile was a letter. Candice felt sure she recognised the handwriting. It couldn’t be. Surely not. Her eye fell upon a letter ‘a’ in the address. Jimmy always made his a’s look like z’s. She had never seen anybody else do it. But the postmark said that it had been sent yesterday. Jimmy was buried weeks ago.

Suddenly those feelings began to well up inside her again. Feelings of despair. Of terror. Of lost love. Of hatred for what he was putting her through. She began shaking, and felt rage coming from deep inside her. As she walked toward the kitchen her legs turned to jelly and room began to spin. ‘You can’t do this to me Jimmy’ she whispered. Tears rolled down her cheeks. ’How DARE you do this to me Jimmy’.

She tumbled down onto a chair. Should she open it - should she throw it on the fire? No, it had to be opened. It may just give her a clue as to what the hell was going on.

It opened easily. Inside was piece of white note paper and a downy black feather. She unfolded it, wiped the tears from her eyes, and gradually focused on the three lines of typed words. Beneath them was a scratchy blotchy signature. As if it was written with a quill pen. She read the sentence over and over again, the rage building with every second that passed. She couldn’t believe what she was reading. Surely it was a joke. A practical joke. Some sick bastard was playing tricks with her mind . Just as he or she had almost every day since the day of the funeral. 'This can't be happening to me'

She read it again. Slowly. One word at a time.

‘My darling Candice - I have to tell you…………………..

‘Mummy mummy what’s the matter?’

Those were the last words she heard as she fell to the cold stone floor.


Click HERE for Part 7




24 comments:

  1. what, oh what does jimmy have to say... and from where is he writing this chilling letter...

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  2. I am new to this story and it is titilating. Is there someplace I can be directed to read the rest of this story? I am very interested in knowing what led up to this moment. Keep up the good work.

    Have a nice weekend. You can find me at www.poefiti.blogspot.com

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  3. Hey there,

    Keep it coming this is another great piece to the story. Guess what though Jimmy is watching her from somewhere very closely.

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  4. What a riveting story ... can't wait to read the next part

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  5. Great idea you have here Keith, it is a 2 for 1.

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  6. Oh, no! I want to know! What was in the letter? What?? Great writing...

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  7. Still keeping that momentum going, good one!

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  8. Hey there sir mine is up too.

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  9. Wow! you've got me hooked, I need to find time now to read all the other parts.

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  10. Oh you are killing me, Keith!!!!
    I HAVE to know!!!

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  11. awww... not fair...u stopped!!!
    do u know how long a week is :(

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  12. This is incredible. Do you know Keith everytime I read a piece of this story I move forwards to the tip of my chair Next time I am falling of. ou can't do this Can you please give the rest of the story soon

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  13. aaaaagggghhhh i cant stand it... what else does it say???????

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  14. I am getting madder and madder for leaving me in limbo, but superb piece as always- thank you Keith.

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  15. *gulp*

    How long do we have to wait till the next installment? The suspense is killing me. Great work Keith!

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  16. Keith I liked the way you ended, it did add a lot of effect.

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  17. The story is picking up great..you know how to keep us hooked.

    PS: Click on my name to reach another of my leters!

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  18. Oh my, so intriguing! But I have to say that spider of yours was distracting me - don't like them at all. But I do like your story.

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  19. Write faster! Write faster!

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  20. Intriguing story line!
    Spiders!
    BTW, I'm also tenhawk up above.

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  21. That's really awesome, Keith. I really like that I was able to join the story in progress and follow what's going on. Nicely done.

    Now I need to find out what's in that letter!!!

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  22. And then what????

    btw, I LOVE your spider!

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  23. Hi Keith, I finally managed to read the preceeding parts of 'Stranger' on the dedicated blog but it wouldn't let me comment there!
    Anyhow, keep 'em coming!

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  24. Cheeky Cheeky boy!! haha! Nasty to leave us craving more....so frustrating to know we may have to wait!! Excellent allure, beautifully written, enjoyable read! Love it! As Oliver would say “ More Please!”

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