The Hayloft

Microfiction / Horror

Photo by Wallace Bentt on Unsplash

The barn sat back from the road, abandoned. One swift wind could knock it down in a hurry, yet this didn’t deter the group of teens who met to play Dungeons & Dragons in the hayloft.

Cattle branding and drunken beatings were once customary in this very place. Thirteen years ago, the old farmer’s wife hung herself from a crossbeam. Nobody found her—or cared to look—for days.

If the teens had known any of this, they probably would have found a less sinister setting for their adventures. But on and on they journeyed, rolling dice and laughing into the night.

Melinda Gray still watches over them, dangling from the beam—toes brushing past their tousled heads.  

Thanks so much for reading “The Hayloft” today. I appreciate you being here!

I’ve been hosting family from out of state the past few nights, so sharing a short tale from the vault felt like the correct course of action for this week. I originally published “The Hayloft” in September 2021.

My plan is to concoct a horror-related Fifties by the Fire prompt for Friday, October 27. It’s been rainy here in the Northeast of late, and I need a moment for some of this firewood to dry out again.

Take care, all, and I hope you have a wonderful week!