The backyard

Jason and Rebecca Simms bought their new house because Rebecca fell in love with the backyard. The deck, the grass, even the flowers were typical, but the big Hawthorne tree in the back corner, with it’s white blossoms already giving way to the pink buds that covered the branches, had grabbed her heart.

“This is it Jason,” she whispered.

They moved a month later, and every day Rebecca stood in the backyard looking at the Hawthorne, listening as the wind swayed the branches She would think, this is a good place for kids.

Then one day, there came a voice, making Rebecca jump, “you’re right.” A young girl stood next to her. “Let’s play hide and seek. You seek first,” and she ran off toward the tree.

“Wait... who are you?” She received no answer from the little girl, and she was gone. “Come on it’s late and you should get home.” Rebecca walked out to the tree thinking, she must be behind it.

“Becca? What are you doing?” Jason asked from the back door.

“There’s a little girl back here wanting to play hide and seek. She ran toward the tree.”

“You’re getting warmer.” The whisper was soft, and Rebecca thought at first it was just the wind.

“Becca, what did she look like?” Jason watched his wife. The neighbors had come to say hi, and hinted to him the house was haunted. He thought they were crazy, but now he wondered.

“She was about four, dark eyes and curly light brown hair.” Rebecca sighed, “help me find her.”

“Becca, we need to talk.” Jason started towards his wife.

Rebecca turned towards Jason, only to hear the child cry out, “You can’t go.”

Jason watched as a child appeared out of nowhere behind Rebecca.

“Don’t leave me. You have to find me.” The child’s voice was watery from the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Rebecca turned, “but you’re standing right in front of me.”

“Find me, please.” They watched as she turned towards the tree, became transparent as she walked, and disappeared.

“Jason, did you see that?” Rebecca stood, staring at the tree in disbelief.

“Yeah, um… listen, the neighbors told me the people who sold us the house had a daughter that disappeared when she was four. That was 5 years ago, and they said they used to hear crying in the backyard, but assumed it was the mother. The little girl was never found.”

“Oh God, Jason, she’s buried under the tree.” Rebecca covered her mouth and screamed.


Rebecca and Jason watched from their kitchen as the crime scene people tore out the Hawthorne tree and started digging. Rebecca cried when they lifted a garbage sack out of the hole. She saw the coroner open the bag, look to the detective and nod. She prayed her backyard would be secret free now, and a little girl would finally get to rest; found.


Word Count = 500

Written for

ID: 1063687   (Rated: 18+) A Flicker of Madness  Now open! Weekly supernatural flash fiction contest with a monthly grand prize winner! by AliceNgoreland

Prompt: Write about a backyard with a secret