27 December 2023, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2233: The Problem With Having A Dead Ghostwriter

Hello Freewriter friends ! Today's post is inspired by the daily prompt in Freewriters - 27 December 2023, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2233: dead ghostwriter

Enjoy !

Image by Brian Penny from Pixabay

"The election is in two months and three days, Mr Priest. We need the draft of your autobiography like, last week. If not then, can you get it to us by tomorrow ?"

Mr Priest smoothed the lapels of his expensive Italian suit as he considered how to respond. His answer summed up the kind of politician he was. "It is in the hands of my ghostwriter. I have already emailed asking what the delay is, and telling him I'll halve his fee if he is more than 24 hours late."

As if that would satisfy his campaign manger, he turned to leave. It was his style; always maintain control and show dominance, no matter what the situation was.

That was when his mobile pinged. He pulled it from his pocket, looked at the incoming text message and went pale.

"It is from the police. My ghostwriter was found dead two hours ago. They are investigating the cause of death. Send someone round to his place to get the draft of the autobiography before they seal the scene."

At that moment, the screen of the computer in the corner flickered on. Words appeared, as if typing themselves, in glowing green.

"Just because I am dead, it doesn't stop me being your ghostwriter, Mr Priest. Actually, it helps with my research. Allow me to begin."

The cursor flickered down a couple of lines and paused. After a few moments it carried on.

"From an interview conducted in Hell today, January 7th, 2025 with one Victoria Salmon. The young lady being interviewed was the first of seventeen murders committed personally by Mr Priest but never attributed to him, after she rejected him at a high school party. Her body was found in the lake, and his parents were able to persuade the police that it was a tragic accident...."

Mr Priest visibly crumbled as the ghostly but terribly accurate autobiography appeared letter by letter on the screen. His election hopes were over, and he knew it.