The Body at the Bottom of the Stairs

"Thump."

And then particles rolling, gaps in sound. Gaps...missing teeth across long front stairs.

I knew even as I lay in bed calming my heart. Three bathrobes, a ski cap, wool slippers, sliding with the shadows to the front door, and turning the knob. Paint chips, like always, crackled to the floor as I peered out to the gold condensed Halloween morning.

Chunks of chimney.

I'd held the ladder countless times. Now my turn was up. Alone.

I mixed mortar.

Blocked wobbly legs.

"Hold," I said to the ghosts.

Then climbed, bowl-n-trowel in-hand teetering, over-40'up.

Afraid of heights.

10.31.2023

Horror-challenge@Ferryman