In the spirit of Halloween, Pegman ventures to one of the creepiest places in the United States, the condemned Overbrook Lunatic Asylum in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. A quick Google search will reveal to the writer many horrifying facts about this cursed place, some of which may inspire up to 150 original words to be shared with fellow Pegman adventurers. Feel free to stroll around until you find something you like, then post your work to the InLinks site. Have fun, and happy Halloween!
I’m not sure how original my 150 words are. This story is somewhat out of my comfort zone, which I’m told is a good thing for a writer. 😉 I guess you could say it haunted me.
Many thanks to Josh and Karen for this challenge which is all about location, location, location.
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Word Count: 150
SEEKING ASYLUM
My brother kicked a pile of chipped paint and crumbled floor. “What a shame they’re tearing down this old loony bin.”
“Yeah.” Light beamed through a broken window, illuminating a broken-down piano. “Guess we’ll have to find somewhere else.”
“They say it’s haunted.”
I startled. The voice belonged to a girl sitting in a lopsided chair. She skimmed her fingertips across the yellowed keys, a faraway look in her sky-blue eyes. “I don’t believe it for a minute, do you?”
I pointed to her old-fashion nurse’s cap and uniform. “Halloween costume?”
“Tis the season.” She giggled. “Wanna hear some Scott Joplin?”
“Maple Leaf Rag” shook the walls.
When she finished I applauded and turned to my brother. “Is she amazing or what?”
He scratched his head and sent me a puzzled look. “Who?”
I whipped back around to see a tattered nurse’s cap on the keyboard. “Umm…nobody. Race ya home.”
Great story! Love the old piano. Think of all the the music it played and the stories it could tell.
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That piano captured me, too. Had to write about it. Thank you whoever you are. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gave me shivers! Perfect for Halloween — very spooky, Rochelle. You’re a natural at this.
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Dear Joy,
I was going for the shiver effect. So glad it worked. 😉 Thank you so much for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant piece of writing, Rochelle.
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😀 Thank you so much, Violet. You’ve started my day with smiles in my coffee.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And, the scariest voices are the ones only YOU hear. I would have been out of there so fast that my brother would have wondered where I went. Lol. Good story for Halloween. lol
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Yep, I would’ve been right behind you…or in front of you. As the girl said, “Tis the season.” 😉 Thanks m’luv.
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One of the best, most authentic-sounding, Halloween stories I’ve heard. And thanks for the music. Perfect.
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Dear Crispina,
It means a lot to get such a reassuring comment. Thank you so much. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoy your writing
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That place certainly is creepy. I imagine if you slowed down the Maple Leaf Rag (written when Joplin was the house pianist at the Maple Leaf Club, I recently read), it could sound like a horror dirge. Great story.
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Dear Josh,
I imagine you’re correct. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Wonderful spooky story with a classic piano piece! And just like a boy, he heard nothing 😉
Shalom and lotsa spooky luv!
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Boys grow up to become men. (Nuff said, eh?) Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa ghostly hugs,
Rochelle
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That they do… And I shall remain mum 😉
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Well done! I’d hate to read what you’d write “IN” you “Comfort Zone” This was great!
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Dear Jen,
Your comment has me smiling broadly. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re smile gave me a smile. Thank you! 😊💜
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Your description of the nurse makes this even creepier. Plus the timeliness of the piano piece. Loved this spooky little piece beginning to end. Race you home!
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Dear Lish,
The most challenging thing about writing this one was deciding between Chopin and Joplin. 😉 You’re on for the race. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fitting story for the season! Great to see you this week. I think my favorite part is that the ghost does not believe in ghosts!
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Dear Karen,
I’m so glad you caught that. It was deliberate. 😉 It’s good to be here this week. I just couldn’t resist. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A really clever story! Great work. Btw, I clicked on the link to the “lunatic asylum” and couldn’t find much. A comment from last spring says it’s not there anymore, it’s been demolished!
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Dear Genia,
I’m so pleased you liked my story. 😀 As for the link, it’s unfortunate. However I don’t facilitate this particular challenge. I’m merely a participant. 😉 For my picture I lifted it from a video documentary about the hospital. What a pity it’s demolished. The outside was beautiful. Seems to me they could’ve made it into a museum. Ah well…”pave Paradise, put up a parking lot.” Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent song! Perfect! When I looked at the picture, I thought of Stephen Foster’s “Old Black Joe” . . . . “Gone are the days – where my heart was young and gay . . .
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Dear Nan,
We used to sing that song in Girl Scouts around the campfire. Glad you liked Maple Leaf Rag. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess such places can really activate the mind.
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