“Housewarming” is a 242 word flash-fiction story written for the Verdant Raven 2026 writing competition on WritingBattle.com using the prompts: Haunted House (genre), Party Organizer (Character), and Cane (object). It placed in the top 16 in the Final Showdown.

Sofia woke gasping, fists knotted in the bedspread.

Faint afternoon light crept through the window. Her bedroom felt unfamiliar, but naps often clouded her mind.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and gripped her knee. Pain—her permanent reminder of the accident. She reached for her cane and frowned at the empty nightstand. Hadn’t there been a family photo there? Her gaze fell on her wedding ring. Edward, her husband. Smiling, she drew a deep breath and hauled herself up.

A man called from downstairs, “It’s almost time, people.” Muffled voices followed.

Edward must have friends over. If only I could clear my head.

She made her way into the hall and down the stairs, where costumed strangers fluttered past, greeting her with smiles. A dark-haired man seemed to be organizing them all. He lifted his hands. “Ah, Sleeping Beauty is finally awake.”

“Sorry,” Sofia said. “I must have dozed off.”

“It happens to the best of us.” He grinned.

Sofia pressed her fingers to her temple. “Where’s my husband?”

“He’s just pulling up now.” The man drifted away. “Preparations are almost done.”

Sofia glanced through the sidelight. Her hand flew to her mouth. In the driveway stood a red-haired woman, Edward, now graying, and a young boy—her son, but older?

“What’s going on?” Tears sprang to her eyes. “Preparations for what?”

She turned. Others circled her and the dark-haired man. “We’re here to help you haunt your husband.”

Photo by Wesley Sanchez on Unsplash

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