–from the Tales of Skadi meic Beorh

Soon enough, side and back exits were being utilized with more and more regularity, and by February only little Martha Stumbles would meander into the phantom atrium with her china doll Miss Pipkin and play about as if nothing were amiss, to the great consternation of anyone who happened by.

“Don’t be sad,” Martha was often heard whispering to the house. “I’m here to comfort you. Don’t cry now. Please don’t cry.”

Some few of the braver employees ventured to admit that they had actually heard the walls weeping, and had observed wee Martha reach up on her tippy-toes and with her embroidered handkerchief wipe an abnormal wetness from them. These remarks were written off in public as unnecessary frightening flights of fancy…

-

– from “The Stunned House,” published in The Willows Magazine

___________