The title of this short story, Linger Longer, suggests The Presence is doing things to linger longer. As indeed, we discover as we read the ghost does stay around and the manner which she does this, is creepy.

Who is the ghost?

Lori and Michael travel to a cabin in the woods, where they meet up with another couple, Mallory and Derek, for a holiday in nature. The first couple meet a strange woman in the cabin. She then walks away.

Mallory tells a story about how the strange woman takes over Lori’s position, as the real Lori is demoted into nothing. Slowly, Lori sees that happening. It was as if that strange woman returned to take over Lori’s life.

This short story is scary. Some writing is vague, like suggestions of that strange woman being a ghost or influence who took over Mallory, making her tell the story of Lori being ignored.

The person who tells a story, somehow knows the story will become true.

It seems the strange woman maybe a ghost, who has has exchanged places with Lori, occupying her body. Lori’s soul/ spirit is left outside the two couples’ social activities. Lori’s soul takes over the strange woman’s former role, to go around telling stories. And then occupying the new woman’s body.

It is a creepy tale of horror. The reader is left to infer what has happened.

Linger Longer by Vincent J Masterson is inside Echoes.

This is my copy. I’ve opened it to show the front and back cover.

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