Pegman – Lost Souls
Here is my story for What Pegman Saw, which takes us to Buckhorn, Iowa. It is the one year anniversary, though I haven’t been doing it for that long, and this is where it started!
I’m quite late this week with my story. I have a nasty cold – chesty cough, headache, the full shebang, and my brain refused to come up with a story. I finally got there, so here it is 🙂 Hope it reads okay, I had to edit out 60-odd words.

Copyright Google
The bus drew up and the children disembarked. The graveyard seemed to stretch on forever.
“This is the Graveyard of Lost Souls,” explained Miss Tembleton. “Can anyone tell me why it’s called that?”
A small boy raised his hand. “Because no-one knows where the souls went, Miss.”
“That’s correct. During the early days of the Soul Wars, we didn’t know how to help those affected. Their bodies died but their life essence lingered.”
The children shuddered. “So where are they, Miss?”
“We don’t know. Floating around the place, maybe? I’m joking, of course. Now, back on the bus.”
She felt a coldness seep into her body, heard the Voice in her mind.
Well done, Tembleton. Continue to bring us vessels and your own children will remain safe.
Shivering, she looked around. Two of the children had strange looks on their faces, their eyes seeming far too old for their eight-year-old bodies.
Wow, that’s creepy Ali. That would make a great short story or novel. That teacher is in big trouble.
— Suzanne
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She’s stuck between a rock and a hard place and can’t see a way out. I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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Dear Ali,
So sorry about your cold, there’s a lot of that going around. Hope you’re better soon. However, you did a great job despite clogged nasal passages. Creepy story…well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, everyone seems to have something at the moment. Still, this is my last day off so being back at work will take my mind off it.
I’m glad you enjoyed my creepy story!
Ali
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Not a good time of year to come down with a cold – especially in your neck of the woods.Hope you’re soon back to full strength. That was a great story, Ali, and worthy of Pegman and The Twilight Zone. How long before their parents notice all is not as it should be?
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There are a lot of colds going round at the moment. It always seems to be Christmas with me. At least the weather’s not too bad here. We still haven’t had a day/night below freezing this winter.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story! It’s probably better for their parents’ health if they never find out there is something badly amiss…
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Beautifully creepy. Get well soon.
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Thanks. And thanks 🙂
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Great story. Well done.
Did you read that “they” have now discovered that Man Flu is real!
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Yeah, I saw it on “Have I Got News For You”. Real research with a tongue-in-cheek conclusion, apparently 🙂
I’m glad you liked the story!
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Love this concept and the haunting telling of it. Sorry you’re sick but it isn’t doing your storytelling ability any harm. I want the whole book that goes with this snippet!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it! Maybe I could get a “Netflix Original” out of it 🙂
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This definitely has the fever dream quality. Well done.
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I wrote it in a flu-induced trace 🙂 I’m glad you liked it!
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I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well! It hasn’t affected your story-writing; nice and creepy! Sending healing energy! 🙂
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I’ll take all the healing energy I can get right now, especially as I’m now back at work! I’m glad you liked my story 🙂
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Yeouch – soulless soul snatchers. I wonder where the children’s souls went? Not as humorous as your usual fare, Ali, but enjoyable nonetheless.
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I tried to do a humorous Voodoo-related story and got stuck on it which is why I’m a bit later this week. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I was going to do something with the children’s souls but sadly had no words left.
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You’ll have to do a follow up. I for one would gladly read it.
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Thanks, maybe I will!
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Poor Miss Tembleton…what a horrible predicament. You did a good job creeping me out. Hope you make a full recovery soon!
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She is in a terrible situation, I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for your well-wishes 🙂
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Wow! One of your best, Ali!! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks! It’s been a while since I wrote a non-comedy 🙂
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This is great. More please.
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I’m glad you liked it! I’ll have to try to do more creepy ones 🙂
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So creepy!
Hope you feel better soon!
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Shame I missed Halloween on this one 🙂
Thanks!
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I thought it was weird when my class was taken on a school field trip to a funeral home. A field trip to a graveyard…. I’m surprised the parental permission slips even got filled out.
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Wow, your school picked all the best venues!
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We also got a tour of the county jail (On a different trip, not the same one). It was much more fun than the art museum…
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I guess that was intended to “scare you straight”.
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Hope you feel better and how cool that Pegman is one year 0- woo hoo
and like your piece – succinct and could feel the chill – and maybe even the tension of losing innocence – the youngens being scared.
also – recently saw an old version of xmas carol (Dickens) and the piece you wrote here felt like the part when the window opens and it shows the souls wandering
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Thanks!
I’m glad you liked the story. I don’t remember that bit in A Christmas Carol, but I’ve never seen older versions of it.
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Ooh, this is is bit creepy. Soul snatchers aren’t nice to know – at least I don’t think they are, but I’ve never met one, personally. Let’s hope Tembledon’s ‘deal’ with them backfires on her before too long. A well written story and engaging story, especially as you’ve had that awful bug that everyone seems to have had recently. It hit Nick and I big time. Hope it all clears up before Christmas. It’s a very persistent thing!
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! Hopefully her own children won’t suffer for her mistakes, though.
I think I’m finally on the mend today, fingers crossed 🙂
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Wow, that was a perfect horror story.
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Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Oh, that’s chilling! Poor children!
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Sacrifices for some other-worldly power 😦
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