The New Car

A 50 word short story

The pungent aroma of Golden Virginia permeates the air of my new car.

A dashboard light warns the rear passenger to fasten their seatbelt.

But, I’m alone.

So why can I smell my fathers favourite tobacco?

I finally turn.

The back seat is empty

Only the memory of smoke remains.

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It’s been a while since I told a true story on here. I got my new car last week, and this is what happened when I climbed into it for the first time. My dad didn’t smoke a pipe that often, but I used to love the smell in the house when he did. It was a comforting, old worldly smell, and always reminded me of winter time and getting cosy during the cold days and dark nights. As the seasons change, and the leaves begin to fall, maybe that has been on mind. Maybe I just miss him. Was he really with me that morning? I’m not sure.

Despite being a huge horror fan, I am hugely sceptical about most supernatural phenomenon even though I have witnessed ghosts, people supposedly being possessed and many more things that cannot be rationally explained.

Fear is the first emotion we feel when we are born and is the last emotion we feel before we die. Fear of the unknown is also the basis for most of humanities oldest stories. Why are we here? Where do we go at the end of our life? What is in the dark waiting for us? For thousands of years we have made up tales that are the basis of our civilizations to explain these mysteries. And, sometimes, there are things out there that don’t just frighten but really terrify us. That’s when fear turns to horror.

Reading horror fiction or watching horror movies has often been dismissed as a low form of entertainment, but it’s actually the most necessary form the human race could have. It helps us deal with these fears in a controlled environment, be that in the pages of a book, or watching a movie. It’s not only life affirming but also damn good fun. And, that’s why, sceptic or not, I love it.

Last week John Ward , Shaina Read and Sean Thomas McDonnell did an excellent deep dive into the horror genre and I have attached a link to the interview here : -

Discussing Horror on Substack

This is a great discussion and I thoroughly recommend giving it a listen.

Talking of the best in horror, I’m finally getting around to publishing my article on the greatest movie, never mind horror movie, of all time. It should be out next Monday so looking forward to that.

Anyway, that’s me for this week. Hope you enjoyed my story.

Thanks for reading. Until next time.