2025 Spooky Story Competition

I was doing my usual round of Shotover park with Nellie although I had set off slightly later than usual. And it now being winter, the weak daylight hours didn’t hold much light for me to go by. All the same, I was grateful to be outside in the cold, refreshing air, ambling along at my own pace. Nellie seemed content too, rushing about in the undergrowth. I could see her white, happy tail waggling in a bush, snapping twigs, leaves – then suddenly she was off again – another smell, leaping and jumping. I could only imagine what she found so exciting about a chewed up, muddy stick. I, on the other hand, was feeling quite calm. The air was cool, but I had my scarf and coat on. I just turned a corner when I bumped into a couple walking their dog. Nellie seemed to be making friends so I stopped and said hi whilst waiting till Nellie would find interest in something else. “Oh, hi” said the lady. She looked a bit frazzled. She stared at me. “Quite cold, isn’t it?” I said to break the silence. There seemed to be a long pause until either of them registered what I said. Obviously, their minds were elsewhere. It was the man who finally answered, “Oh, yes. I think it was…” Then he trailed off as if he forgot what he was going to say. A little confused, I turned to Nellie and seeing that she looked like she was wandering off again, I too started to walk on. “Wait!” cried the woman, “I wouldn’t go down there – it’s – there’s a-” But before I could hear what she was going to say, the man shushed and elbowed her quite harshly. “Huh” I said, under my breath as the odd couple walked on, but I put it to the back of my mind and continued on my way.