Shady Lady

This was written for a prose contest we were given one word: "Shadow" and a strict 500 word limit.


‘Hello, are you OK?’ inquired the exquisitely handsome young man looking gravely concerned ‘I’m Terry Grimes from next door.’

‘Hi I'm Joan Broom yes, I'm fine why do you ask?’

Terry looked embarrassed, ‘Oh it’s nothing really’ he said breaking eye contact.

‘When people say “Oh it’s nothing really” they usually mean quite the opposite.’

‘Yeah, I suppose’ he said ‘you live alone?’

‘Yes why?’

‘Your house is scary.’

‘Really?’

Joan had bought Shady House because she took an immediate liking to it, an attraction she couldn't explain even to herself.

Terry's face darkened ‘there's an apparition, a ghost that moves things. Rumour has it he lurks in the shadows under the stairs’ he said ominously ‘aren't you afraid?’

She laughed ‘no I find ghosts rather intriguing’ she said merrily ‘well nice to meet you Terry, must dash.’

That evening taking a shower Joan reached for the shampoo. It wasn't there. Looking around she saw it on the floor outside the cubicle. Damn she thought he’s started already.

Next day over the fence she saw an older man in Terry’s garden. ‘Good morning’ she called ‘you must be Terry’s father.’

The older man looked alarmed ‘You’ve met Terry?’ he asked nervously.

‘Yes, just yesterday, he’s a very charming young man.’

The older man came to the fence ‘Terry bought your house you know. He was working on the fuse box under the stairs when he was electrocuted.’

Joan appeared firstly startled then curious ‘When was this?

‘Twenty years ago. He’s been scaring people out ever since. I'm so sorry.’

‘Don’t worry Mr. Grimes' she said reassuringly ‘I think Terry and I will reach an understanding’ and with that she marched indoors.

Opening her briefcase she removed a small jar and a little silver bell which she tinkled vigorously ‘come out Terry’ she called. There was no response. ‘I’ll be upstairs when you've quite finished skulking.’

In her bedroom Joan sensed a slight movement in the corner ‘Ah there you are come here’ she ordered. Nothing stirred. Opening the small jar she threw some sacred salts into the corner. There was a cry of pain and Terry appeared.

‘Do you know what I am?’ she queried.

‘You’re an exorcist’ he said ‘and a good one too.’

‘Correct. You were with me in the shower last night and moved the shampoo so you could watch me bending right? He looked deeply shamed, like a young boy caught masturbating by his mother.

‘Yes.’

‘Great, my turn now, get your kit off ‘she said reaching for the salts ‘or else!’

She watched him lustfully then stripped naked and lay on the bed ‘ghosts can’t make love’ he said ‘you know that.’

‘Of course but you‘re a very beautiful boy and I'm a very wicked girl. Men run a mile when they discover I'm an exorcist.’

Reaching under her pillow she produced a large vibrator. Switching it on she cooed ‘you and I are going to get along just famously Terry.’



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