Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Entry #53

Just Over the Ridge
by Josh Vogt


They’re looking for me again. My body, that is. For three weeks, dogs have snuffled by on the far side of the ridge. I’ve heard my name called and the rustle of feet kicking up the brush. I guess my picture has even been shown on television by now. I’m more popular in death than I ever was in life.

The helicopter searchlight falls twenty feet shy from where it would pick up a red scrap of shirt. The glint of a backpack zipper. A pink and white tennis shoe.

I watch the light, willing it to shift over here. Just knowing that my remains have been spotted would give me the closure I need to move on.

Then the beam whisks away, and this section is X-ed off on the map with a black, permanent marker.

Nobody calls my name anymore.

But I’m still here.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Creepy. Makes you wonder if spirits move on or wait until they're found.

wrath999 said...

Cool idea. Very nicely done. Dead narators always facinate me.

Bernita said...

Interesting take.
Deserves to be longer.

Chris Eldin said...

Reminds me to read Alice Sebold. It's on my long, long reading list.
I liked this one.

Hoodie said...

I'm a true fan of the unhorrific ghost story.
This is great.

Sarah Hina said...

Definitely gave me the shivers. Last line is deliciously macabre.

Unknown said...

This is great, nothing quite like the ghostly voice. Really liked this, Josh.

Anonymous said...

like this take a lot!

AngelConradie said...

wow, spooky and sad... i like it a lot!

Anonymous said...

Good writing evokes a lot of emotions. You did that, Josh, in 250 words or less.
Bravo.

Anonymous said...

The final words work perfectly!

SzélsőFa said...

I liked this one, too. Got me right from the start - should be worked out to a longer version...?

Anonymous said...

nice and creepy.

Anonymous said...

An excellent story, creepy enough to make me rethink just how much time I spend deep in the woods...

briliantdonkey said...

"x-ed off in a black permanant marker" Great sense of hopelessness here. Good job on the story. As others have said, it would be very interesting to see it expanded.

BD

Anonymous said...

Tough ending. Murder victims trapped in their remains is a hellish thought!