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101 Word Short Stories

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Based on a True Story

June 10, 2025 8 Comments

By Bryan Ross

Downtown Kansas City, November 2024.

Outside, it was alternatingly crisp and cold. Inside, our historic hotel felt cozy with wood paneling and Art Deco styling. Perfect for a mini getaway.

Sharing my elevator was an unassuming gentleman. Early 50s. Flat cap. Overcoat. Scarf.

I decided to strike up a conversation.

“My wife told me this hotel is haunted. Have you heard that?”

“I hadn’t,” was his curt reply.

“She’s been looking for ghosts since we got here.”

The gentleman nodded an assent.

“Have you seen any ghosts?” I inquired.

Peering into my eyes, his monotone voice glumly choked out, “Just me.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SwayambhuP says

    June 10, 2025 at 11:22 am

    Love it! Nice one

    Reply
    • Bryan Ross says

      June 13, 2025 at 10:07 pm

      Thank you! I appreciate the compliment.

      Reply
  2. Paul D'Arcy says

    June 11, 2025 at 6:32 am

    Nice work!

    Reply
    • Bryan Ross says

      June 13, 2025 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  3. K F Lerner says

    June 12, 2025 at 1:28 pm

    I appreciate how this could be taken two ways – and that both ways are both equally haunting.

    Reply
    • Bryan Ross says

      June 13, 2025 at 10:14 pm

      Thank you. I think it’s an enjoyable little ghost story with just enough of a creepy vibe.

      Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    June 13, 2025 at 12:57 am

    Fun read.

    Reply
    • Bryan Ross says

      June 13, 2025 at 10:06 pm

      Thanks!!

      Reply

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