Madford Mansion
Jonathan Reddoch
The couple entered Madford Mansion. Splintering floorboards groaned with each irksome step.
The warped columns and ceiling symmetry were excruciatingly discordant. Walls bulged and spewed thick membrane down peeling yellow wallpaper. The ceaseless halls were nightmare-inducing.
Yet, it wasn’t without its charm: The vintage stone fireplace held an inviting orange flame that lured many moths to death’s warm embrace.
They had longed to make a home together.
“You inherited this mess?” asked Mindy.
“Yes, provided we survive a single night within its walls,” replied Melanie.
A deep, vile oath erupted from the belfry, “Leave this place!”—pillars shook as it blasphemed—“or die!”
Melanie read Mindy’s disheartened eyes and replied, “Can we give up a four-bed, three-bath house close to the city?”
“We can make a home anywhere we’re together.”
The couple embraced.
“Nobody will ever buy this creaky old thing.”
“It’s insured?” asked Mindy.
“Full coverage.”
“Torch it.”
“Wait, what!” cried the blazing mansion as it crumbled into itself.
Jonathan Reddoch is co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. He is a father, writer, editor, and publisher. He writes sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and especially horror. He’s a prolific flash fiction author, but also writes poetry and short stories. He has been working on his enormous sci-fi novel for over a decade and would like to finish it in this lifetime if possible. He’s from southern California but lives in Salt Lake City. Notable works included in Deluxe Darkness, Darkness 101: Lessons Were Learned, and This Isn’t the Place. His work also appears in multiple Whisper House Press volumes. Find him on Instagram @JonathanReddochAuthor or Collective Tales Publishing at CTPfiction.com
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