IAIN KELLY

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY

He straightened from examining his ancient car engine as she approached. ‘Evening, ma’am. Can I help you?’

‘I’m a little lost. Is the road to Ashville around here?’

‘Sure is, you’re standing on it. You just follow it straight on ahead.’

Hilda looked perplexedly at the thick, untrammelled forest.

‘When you get to town tell the garage Bert needs a new carburettor.’

‘I sure will.’

‘And if you see my wife, ask her what’s taking her so long.’ The man smiled and turned back to his car.

Only then did she notice the gaping red hole where the back of his head should have been.

teds-car-in-the-woods
Copyright Ted Strutz

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

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130 responses to “IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    And he seemed like such a nice man too

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Perhaps he was… once.

      Like

      Reply
    2. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Avatar
      Kelvin M. Knight’s blog

      I read seemed as screamed!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. pensitivity101 Avatar
    pensitivity101

    Did not expect that last line Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Di, good to know I can still catch a few people out!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. pensitivity101 Avatar
        pensitivity101

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    A great piece, Iain. I liked the twist at the end.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Roberta, glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  4. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Oooh not such an innocent story was it! I am thinking she got out of there pretty fast! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I would if I was her! Thank you

      Like

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    Ah! a ghost story. Nicely told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Abhijit

      Like

      Reply
  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Great ghost story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. ladieswholunchreviews Avatar
    ladieswholunchreviews

    Yikes! Didn’t expect spooky! Very cool

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, good to hear from you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Wow! You brought me up short there! Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Good to know I can still manage a surprise, thanks Sandra.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Violet Lentz Avatar
    Violet Lentz

    brilliant twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Violet

      Like

      Reply
  10. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    U ended it spooky.. That was very creative 👌👏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    I guess he’s been waiting for that carburetor for a very long time… and I can see why the wife didn’t bring it back all of those years ago.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, eventually he may give up waiting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. notestowomen Avatar
    notestowomen

    What a spooky twist in the end. Wasn’t expecting that at all. Well crafted tale, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Apparently she sees dead people, but they don’t know they’re dead. Quite the unexpected twist at the end. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Rochelle, I wonder if it is only her who has seen him over the years…

      Like

      Reply
  14. StuHN Avatar
    StuHN

    So much to discover still: who killed him, where’s the road, where’s the wife? Nice

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Stu

      Like

      Reply
  15. kislaya Avatar
    kislaya

    I love a horror story! Would love to read more if you build upon it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, I will let you know!

      Like

      Reply
  16. 4963andypop Avatar
    4963andypop

    Reminds me of “River” on Netflix, a cop drama where one detective cant get over the death of his partner and either hes hallucinating or she basically haunts him, but in the friendliest possible way. The back of her head is a bit gruesome, too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. tidalscribe Avatar
      tidalscribe

      Yes I remebered that one, had a hard time explaining to my mother what was going on!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    2. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Not one I’ve seen or heard of being without Netflix, but it sounds good!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. 4963andypop Avatar
        4963andypop

        If you have a strong stomach. I found it riveting.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Your title put me in mind of “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” which just goes to show you really shouldn’t assume anything 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It was an intentional bit of misdirection 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. granonine Avatar
        granonine

        Worked like a charm 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    OH! So not where I thought that was going!! Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale, would love to know where you thought it was going!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Let’s Just say I was worried she could become lunch or a prisoner or something…

        Liked by 1 person

  19. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Excellent build up and great finale, Iain.
    Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you CE

      Like

      Reply
  20. Rachel Bjerke Avatar
    Rachel Bjerke

    Whew… I was not expecting that twist at the end! I love it when a story is unpredictable.

    Great read!

    -Rachel

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you so much Rachel, glad you liked it

      Like

      Reply
  21. tidalscribe Avatar
    tidalscribe

    Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Excellent story, Iain. I guessed ‘ghost’, but you caught me with the extra turn that made him a murder victim of his wife.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Penny

      Like

      Reply
  23. Alice Audrey Avatar
    Alice Audrey

    When there are only ghosts to give directions, that might be a little too far off the beaten path.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      She may have taken a wrong turn somewhere indeed

      Like

      Reply
  24. anuragbakhshi Avatar
    anuragbakhshi

    Even ghosts need a helping hand sometimes 🙂

    I wrote a similar story once, long ago: https://jagahdilmein.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/the-biker/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    This was great, Iain. Fantastic twist at the end. I loved it.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena
    PS Your couple could well fit into my story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rowena – I noted we took a similar spooky direction this week!

      Like

      Reply
  26. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    If I was the wife I wouldn’t go back… maybe she put the bullet in his head.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think she may have been involved!

      Like

      Reply
  27. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Yeek! Poor guy, doomed to wait for his carburettor and wife forever. Maybe she was the one who yanked the carburettor out of the car and smashed the back of his head in with it…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, I thought something like that may have happened. Whether he deserved it or not is the question…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar
    neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS

    Oooooooooooo…spooky to the core.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neel

      Like

      Reply
  29. Dawn Quyle Landau Avatar
    Dawn Quyle Landau

    Lordy! That took an unexpected turn. Reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Aaaah! That was spooky. And great, I love it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you G 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    I love a good ghost story, and this was certainly one! Not all ghosts are malevolent, he was quite helpful and maybe a little confused as to his own reality. I’m sure the locals stay clear. Entertaining as always! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Brenda, yeah, he seems like a nice ghost guy! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Gosh! Hilda must have run like crazy after this ghost-encounter.
    Luckily, she now knows the way thanks to the friendly ghost!
    Car In Cyclone – Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      True, he seems like a nice ghost!

      Like

      Reply
  33. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Cool ghost story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Vivian Zems Avatar
    Vivian Zems

    Ooooh! Love the twist!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Vivian 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Vivian Zems Avatar
        Vivian Zems

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  35. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    it was an ending i didn’t expect. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Good to know it was a surprise

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    A story that fits the picture, one of those ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ genre. Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you James

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  37. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ahhhh she better run.
    What a fabulous piece, gripping last line… I want to read so much more. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

      Reply
  38. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    A ghost! from a long time ago, I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  39. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Number 10 this week!! I only scraped in at number 60 I think!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’ll settle for top 10 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar
    Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    Oh my, that gave me chills. Excellent work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. Russell Avatar
    Russell

    I’d be finding my way outta those woods!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      ..and fast! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  42. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    I was expecting a picnic but this one had clever twist at the end instead.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Definitely no picnic! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  43. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Avatar
    Kelvin M. Knight’s blog

    A haunting tale for sure. Ghosts, stuck in time, travelling that road that is no longer a road. Guess that’s why we see them passing through objects? Nice one, Iain. and nice to see you, too, and I shall be checking your novel out too, although clicking on the graphic doesn’t take me there…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Kelvin, the links at the bottom of the post should take you to Amazon, or you can just search for it on there. Hope you like it, let me know what you think!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  44. Mrs Marian Green Avatar
    Mrs Marian Green

    Didn’t expect that twist at the end. Great stuff.
    gramswisewords.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  45. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    I knew something was coming and I enjoyed waiting for it. Fantastic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Margaret, glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    Oh, that last line! I wasn’t expecting that! Nearly finished A Justified State – will write a review – very good 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Clare. Glad you are enjoying it, look forward to reading your thoughts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    I knew there was something creepy going on, but that last line … Love how you build our unease wit the untrammelled woodland, but still sick us with a man with half a head missing! Lovely sleight of hand Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        My pleasure Iain

        Liked by 1 person

  48. Diary of a Dublin housewife Avatar
    Diary of a Dublin housewife

    😱

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  49. Darnell Cureton Avatar
    Darnell Cureton

    Zombie ghost story. Nice!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Darnell

      Like

      Reply
  50. Russell Gayer Avatar
    Russell Gayer

    I guess he’ll be working on the damned thing for eternity. Good one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Afraid so, thanks Russell

      Like

      Reply

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