The Ghost Diva

A Halloween offering...

The Ghost Diva                  by Sami S. Khalil

Ghosts pique my interest. It is the curious sightings that befit this phenomenon. As we know, some spirits refuse to leave or depart. They keep haunting people and places with wispy manifestations. As alleged victims of these frolicking culprits, it behooves us to investigate as skeptics or believers.

As a reporter, a night watchman at a local theatre confided in me the appearance of a woman wearing a white dress, carrying a lantern across the stage, then disappearing through a solid wall. Other times, he would spontaneously hear tap dancing; see the eerie gliding across the room with bizarre howling sounds; tapping on shoulders; flickering lights and gardening shears cutting inside plants.

Everyone called her “The Ghost Diva”, a legendary actress, tap dancer wearing her full regalia in her heyday, before her mysterious death and stalking of the theatre. As far as fans were concerned, she did not have any botched performances even according to the impresario and her dancing troupe. The details of her mysterious death and the theatre going bankrupt (since then a new buyer purchased and renovated it), had me linger after the shock. As I was invited by the watchman to do my investigation and make a report (I worked for a Halloween magazine). To my bewilderment, those nocturnal events perturbed me. I had felt many sudden twinges in my knees from the sightings of revenants. Even the large crystal chandelier almost fell over my head, casting aside my skeptical disbelief. The night watchman persuaded me to go on the hunt or be hunted.

The bowels of the theatre had a sense of eeriness. My voracious consummation or religious exorcisms and uttering of powerful prayers could not ward off the malevolent spirits, so I thought. As in a sword fight, it was daunting. One day, I saw the entity walking across the stage on a tightrope. The woman appeared to cry out: “Fred, Fred!” as she was draped in twilight shadows. Then upon disappearing, she would give way to plodding feet pronouncing the same name. Suddenly, blood appeared on the encrusted walls with the name written boldly.

After many clues and investigations, scaring the wits out of any one, the hapless actress revealed to me the murderer. She led me to the mechanical room where her blood-soaked dress was, stowed away in a barrel by the night watchman. She was raped and killed by this beast for he was obsessed by her beauty. After the arrest and death sentence conviction, the presence vanished unearthly.

I finally had a true story…floating around. As I clutched my pen to start writing, sipping my coffee in a ceramic mug, I felt the clicking of another cup and the faint whispers of “Cheers”!!!  

      

 

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful ghostly tale my friend. I liked the artwork too. Those ancient and ghostly places. Perfect for reading the scary tales. Thank you Sami for sharing the outstanding tale.
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

Hello Coyote. Thank you so much sir for this amazing review and kind visit. I'm glad you like the horror genre too. Be blessed and safe.

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked this one Sami and you are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiiirrrr. Gracie Milleee.....

[barleygirl]

This is one of your best stories that I've read. Sometimes you have so much lively leaping detail crammed into your imagination, it tumbles out in a rush, so your stories can feel like a jumble of ideas & sensations, with the storyline getting a little lost here & there. This story is revealed in a slow & deliberate way that enhances the ghostly effects. I love how you take your time, starting way back with a general ghost commentary, then putting the reader inside the theater, but still not doing the full reveal, taking everything step by step. This is the most deliberate storytelling I've seen from you & it's totally embellished to a delightful degree with your vivid & dynamic descriptions. Great way to offer up something unexpected in the Halloween genre! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! An honor indeed coming from you dear poet. A great validation of how this site can help us hone our beloved form of art. I guess I'm getting calmer and more focused(Hehehe) and my mind is getting smoother from firing up on all cylinders. I'm truly humbled and lovingly appreciable.

[emmajoy]

Great ending What a long winding path you had to travel to discover this and that.. not saying more on that cos others will be calling in to read, Sami. But stop and go, you added events, sightings, possibilites and the inevitable fall.out about situations like the above. You tell such ripe stories, in fact this could be the most vivid yet?!

( creepiest place i've ever visited had been a vicarage but become a walker'/climbers' hostel. Was
freezing even in mid Summer, we couldn't wait to get outside. Never told or learned any history of it. Weird.)

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! You have wonderful tales to tell and a knack for the weird and the unknown as I do. I keep an open mind Em for possibilities especially in the otherworldliness. Our spirits are housed in a body, but when we shed it, many things happen, appear or tend to communicate. Have a Happy and Ghoulish Halloween. Thank you for the time and visit muchly...

[emmajoy]

Whit I don't do Halloween, what some call spooky or creepy, I find plausible and fascinating. Think some buildings absorb emotions, happenings; think same of people, they soak up strong emotions if in them long enough.. might only be overnigh. Have you ever walked into a building or met a person and felt a sudden distaste or even fear from it or that being?

Sorry, blathering here. U agreed with your comments and responded. Take care, keep safe""

[Sami Khalil]

All are possible dear poet. I do not rule them out. Thank you again and be safe too. Until the next time, I'm vanishing into thin air.

[emmajoy]

And there he goes... and goes.. and goes.. gone!

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe........

[emmajoy]

OOps he forgot to take his keys!

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehehe......

[Einstein Noodle]

cheers indeed! :))))))))))))))))) there are too many unexplainable things in the world ... witnessed and testified to by credible, everyday people ... being sensitive and aware is something we all should practice in my opinion, ... not to taunt ghosts .. or demand a "presence" ... but just to be in the moment and aware .. i have had a ball staying at "haunted" hotels like "The Crescent Hotel" in Eureka Springs, AR and the "Bullock" and "Roosevelt" in Deadwood, SD ... the "Stanley" in Estes Park, Co. to name a few .. i have to say the Stanley is by far my favorite .. with the Crescent close behind. a jolly good Boo to you sir ... happy Halloween!
E.

[Sami Khalil]

"there are too many unexplainable things in the world ... witnessed and testified to by credible, everyday people ... being sensitive and aware is something we all should practice in my opinion, ... not to taunt ghosts .. or demand a "presence" ... but just to be in the moment and aware .."
Golden words from a wise soul and witness. I can't agree more sir Einstein Noodle. I love to see you write some stories about your travels and encounters for they will be so interesting and exciting using your unique style. As I told Patricia Wedel, the unseen world is yet to be discovered but we need spiritual eyes and other faculties. So people see above and beyond for they are tuning in somehow. Many Boos and hugs(hopefully after the Covid...) and Happy Halloween to you too. A gracious and warm thank you coming your way.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Sami .. we are on the same page eh!? .. i had not thought of writing about them .. thanks for planting that in me... it will have to germinate a while .. that's the way i am ;} your an original sir .. God be with you.

[Sami Khalil]

All wonderful things. Thank you kindly again.

[Patricia Wedel]

I am a believer... of the Mysterious. Quite a tightrope story and I was mesmerized. I believe in Goblins and Witches that fly into trees on Halloween. The eerie quietness when 🎃
Pumpkins glow and children with Masks wander with Glow Sticks to houses for “trick or treat.
truly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

I truly believe in the mysterious and the reality of the unseen world. The spiritual world is timeless and vast. If we can only see with different sets of eyes, we can see clearly how great God's Handiwork and hidden ones too. I'm a believer like yourself dear poet and fellow spiritual pilgrim. Thank you so much Patricia and keep your eyes set on the unseen world which we will see one day with our spiritual faculties. God bless...

[Patricia Wedel]

Sami... I love being a "Spiritual Pilgrim"... yes, someday we will see the mysteries with our spiritual faculties. In the meantime, our loved ones who have gone before... most likely are aware of our perils and in their own "light" may be our guide and direct our oath. Amen... gently, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow!. I love it. You are so right and gracious.

[Astro]

Nice one Sami, I think if you wanted you could easily expand this and make a great story/script. If this was part of a contest and the length was part of the criteria, my apologies then it was simply well done.

[Sami Khalil]

Hi Astro. I missed you my friend. This was just one of my short stories that I like to make it exciting and compact. Will try novels or novellas one day. Glad you like it. Thank you kindly. Keep visiting.

[Astro]

Will do. Take care

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrrrr...

[Sami Khalil]

"To my bewilderment, those nocturnal events perturbed me. I had felt many sudden twinges in my knees from the sightings of revenants."
S.K.