September 19, 2023, prompt: Write a story that includes a blanket in 99 words (no more, no less). Any interpretation works! What happens to a story when you give a character the prop of a blanket? Is the blanket the story? Is it a memory container, a source of comfort, or smothering? Go where the prompt leads! See September 19: Story Challenge in 99 words for more details.
My Grandmother’s Quilt – by Hugh W. Roberts
A chilling breeze whispered through the creaking timbers as night descended upon the cabin I found myself in.
Shivering, I reached for my grandmother’s old quilt draped across the armchair. As the tattered blanket settled around me, it seemed to come alive. Shadows danced on its faded patchwork, taking sinister forms.
Goosebumps prickled my skin as I watched in horror. Then, a spectral hand emerged, beckoning me into its ghostly embrace.
My screams echoed through the cabin, but the blanket absorbed them.
From that night, the cabin was empty, except for the eerie blanket, waiting for its next victim.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
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Holy Cannoli, Hugh! Was your Gramma Baba Yaga, the old witch in the woods?! 🧙♀️🐈😂
Lol, I hope not, Liz. Although she could be pretty scary when I was much younger and put salt in her sugar bowl.
😂 You were a cheeky little guy, eh?
Well, I didn’t think so, but some would disagree.
😂😂
Oh my! I guess she must have used some poisonous dyes or thread!
Or have been from the dark side? Now I know where I got it from.
I remember a quilt that my mother had. It was a heavy quilt. I swear that if anyone lay under it, they would immediately fall asleep. It was like a huge loving arm wrapped around you, in comfort. I miss that quilt, And I miss my mother even more.
You’re mother’s quilt sounds like the type everybody would want to own, especially those of us who have difficulty sleeping.
Hugh, I had a warm feeling about My Grandmother’s Quilt, until I got to the word “sinister.” After that a cold chill went through me! Glad I never ever had any kind of a quilt with memories good or bad. You do have a creative way with words, whatever you write. Bravo! 📚🎶 Christine
Why, thank you, Christine. Now, had I titled this piece of flash differently with a dark theme, everybody would have guessed where I was going with this story. Sometimes, the titles of stories give the whole story away. I didn’t want that to happen.
Yikes! I have an old quilt somewhere… perhaps I need to find it a new home.
I thinks that sounds like a good idea, Janis. But you’ll need to test it out first.
That would be a big NOPE. :)
Nice story Hugh!
I loved the ending!
Thanks, Carol Anne. Anything in the story that made you like it (apart from the ending?).
Yes, the spooky atmosphere of the story was great 💕
Brilliant. I’m glad iot came over like that, Carol Anne. Thanks so much.
I guess I should’ve named my story. I’ll call it The Quilt.
After a long week at work, Caleb plopped down in the easy chair to watch the news. He draped himself in the colorful quilt that he grabbed earlier from the foot of his bed on the way to the family room.
“Finally, you might want to look in that old steamer trunk for the quilt you stuffed in there years ago. Auction houses are on the lookout for old quilts from the 70s. One type in particular, with a diamond pattern, can fetch upwards of $75,000! So, good luck, folks!”
Caleb studied his quilt-draped arms. Could this be …?
Yes, these old retro items can be worth so much money now, Can’t they? But i don’t think I’d want to own the quilt in this story.
A chilling piece
Thank you. What was it that made you think it was chilling?
The fact that it was the grandmother’s blanket. We automatically trust family.
We do, don’t we?
Thanks for the feedback. It helps me with future posts.
Great story👏👏
Thank you. Can you let me know why you thought it was great? Feedback always helps.
I like the twist with it being alive…I like reading and writing stories with a twist, something you don’t expect.
I’m a big fan of the Twilight Zone and it’s creator Rod Serling. He’s the master of twists.
Yes, I use to watch that show and have seen all the seasons numerous times…Alfred Hitchcock did that so well as a director too…taking the story and creating suspense in the same way.
Yes, I agree. Two of my favourite people. I’d love to have had dinner with them. So many questions.
A great story Hugh ! …did Grandma not like you much? 💜💜💕
Who knows, Willow? I’m happy to say that it was not me in the story. It was the me that writes dark stories.
I guessed that 😀😀😀
Yikes! We all remember one of those blankets (or afghans).
And some of us still have one in the house, Dan.
I’d recommend putting it in a bag tonight ;-)