A Drop of Stone, A Ripple Followed (Oneshots)

Ghost Story

A group of teenagers are huddled together in a room with no lights, only a candle as their primary source of light, at one summer night. They decided to tell scary stories or ghost stories to each other, wanting to see their scared faces. 

Now, it's someone else's turn to tell a story. 

"I have one... although I can't recall... I've forgotten almost the whole story..."

"All right, then. Here we go."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Once, there was a little girl together with her mother. She was nicknamed 'My little blossom'. They lived on a mountain in peace and a simple life.

To the little girl, her mother was her whole world.

One day, her mother came to her and said, 'I'll be gone for a little while. So be a good girl and wait for me, all right My little blossom?'

The little girl replied and nodded energetically.

Her mother left, and the little girl was all alone in the house now. Since this was the first time it happened, she didn't know what to do. So she decided to explore the house.

The little girl found a basement. She peered into the basement. It was deep, dark, and cold. No light could penetrate it. The little girl was scared. But being a young child, innocent and naïve, she thought that if she gets to explore the inside, she'll be able to tell her mother and she will get praised for being brave/courageous.

So down the stairs she went. Even with a torchlight, she slipped and stumbled in the dark, groping her way in. The air was so cold for a little child to experience, as if it was seeping through her bones. Being a child, tears were already streaming down her face in fear.

After a grueling progress, at last she arrived at the last flight of stairs.

At the place, it was totally dark. The torchlight was of no use. Then... she heard a voice.

It was a hoarse voice.

The little girl was already overcome with fear. She dashed towards the exit.

She got out of the basement. She cried her heart out in relief. But in return, it was already dark, and she couldn't find her mother. There was no sign of her beloved mother.

It was a very dark and long night for the little girl. She was already feeling scared and lonely. And yet, the little girl diligently waited for her mother.

Then, she heard something...

It was from the basement.

'My little blossom... My little blossom...' A hoarse voice moaned.

The voice was full of pain.

'My nickname...' The little girl thought.

'Mom! She must be in the basement, calling for my help!' The little girl thought in alarm.

So, she once again ventured into the basement. She was still overcome with fear, but reminding herself of her mother, she mustered up her courage and went in. The voice was getting louder on every step she took.

At last, she arrived at the last flight of stairs.

Then, she saw...

An old woman.

Her hair is long and white. Her back hunched towards the little girl.

The little girl was so scared, she wanted to run away. Yet her feet won't move. She shivered from the cold and fear.

'Mom~' The little girl cried. She desperately wanted to see her mother. To hug her... to hear her comforting voice.

The little girl looked at the old woman. She was tightly clutching a rectangular object.

Then the old woman stood up. The little girl had a chance to look at her. The old woman's face was wrinkled and etched with such deep, deep remorse. Tears sparkled in her dull eyes. She placed the rectangular thing on a cabinet.

The old woman slowly walked towards the stairs, old limbs and bones creaking from such a simple task.

The little girl was left alone once again.

'That's right! I have to find mom!' She reminded herself.

But the little girl couldn't help glancing at the cabinet, where the old woman placed something. On it, vases of flowers and incense were placed.

She flashed her torchlight on the rectangular thing, and she went pale as cold sweat trickled down her cheeks.

... 

...

...

It was a picture of her.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"The end."

"SO! Who's up for a game of test of courage?"