Advent Ghosts: Dirty Hands

A joyous Yule or other festival of choice to everyone. As in previous years, I am participating in Loren Eaton’s Advent Ghosts 100-word scary story project. This year, a riff on a traditional creepy trope:

Dirty Hands

Light dances.

Glass explodes.

“Are you all right?” Josie appears from the kitchen.

“Vase fell off. Almost hit me.” Ryan clambers to his feet, poker raised. “Must have shoved a bit hard.”

“See you upstairs.” She turns and blows a kiss. “Night, dad.”

Ryan raises his dirty hands. “Going to grab a quick shower after I clean up the glass.”

Takes effort but I finally leave my favourite chair.

Slipping through the bathroom door, I focus.

The soap drops into the bath and jerks toward Ryan’s heel.

My daughter. He can’t put his filthy hands on her.