First Campaigner Challenge

My entry for the First Campaigner Challenge. I will be doing the rounds checking out the competition.

Write a short story/ story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open”. 

The door swung open. There was no one there. It might have been the wind, but it would take a pretty strong gust to push open a locked door.

            I sat frozen in my chair as the sound of footsteps came closer. And closer. There was just me in the room. Just me, my books, and that presence.

            The footsteps stopped. The pen on the desk next to me rolled from side to side and then rose into the air.

“Who’s there?” I said, voice trembling. Trembling with excitement.

My whole life I had sought proof for the existence of an afterlife, whether it be demons or angels or poltergeist, and here it was when I’d all but given up. Year and years of being laughed at, of being made to look a fool, of  a family’s disappointment weighing heavy. I didn’t feel scared, I felt elated. Finally, finally.

            The pen left a scrawl across the top page of my research notes. It read: I still feel the raw sting of Father’s death. His failures were too great a burden. At least now he will have found his answer.

            There was no mistaking my son’s handwriting.

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I'm currently subbing the latest draft of my WiP "Planet Janet" over on www.critiquecircle.com, if you're a member please give it a look to see if maybe you'd be interested in doing a crit. It's in the Mystery-Horror-Suspense queue. I return all reads. 

If you aren't a member of Critique Circle, why the hell not? Easily the best online workshop for getting feedback on your writing. Bar none.