One of the 13 stories in A Friday the 13th Story #9: Godwin’s Folly by Krysta
Scott
Fun Fact:
My family descends from the McEwen clan in Scotland. McEwen was, until recently, a broken clan because it lacked a Chief. The castle McEwen deteriorated into ruins. According to the family lore, anyone from the McEwen blood line was forbidden to cross the threshold of the ruins. If they did, they would die. This curse is the inspiration for Godwin’s Folly. Imagine my disappointment when I was unable to find any reference to any McEwen curse during my research of the book.
About Godwin’s Folly:
At twelve, Abigail Lyons dared her sister Ellie to enter the cursed ruins of Godwin’s Folly—Ellie vanished and was never seen again. Eighteen years later, Abigail inherits the family castle in Glenfallow, Scotland, forcing her to return to the place that shattered her childhood.
With the help of her medium best friend, she uncovers journals, legends, and dark secrets surrounding the folly. But someone in Glenfallow knows what really happened—and will do anything to keep the truth buried.
Excerpt:
“Oh, it’s more than that, love.” He shrugged. “When the moon is full, you can hear wailing coming from behind that wall. It sounds like a girl is crying or lost.”
“Okay,” Rachel waved off his spooky story. “Sounds like every ghost story I’ve heard. A place is haunted. Someone is wailing. Nothing new here.”
I knew Rachel was baiting him into saying more. It’s what she did to get to the root of a legend. Most of the time it ended up being a disappointing rumor that had grown with too many renditions.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss it.” Gavin grabbed a towel and wiped the counter. “I’ve heard the wailing myself. A more mournful sound you won’t hear anywhere else.”
“Did you spend the night there?” I don’t know what possessed me to ask the question.
Gavin shook his head. “No. I could never get over the wall. Every time I got close, it was like some forcefield kept me back.”
“You’re making that up.” He had Rachel’s interest now.
“Did any of your friends make it across?” I cocked my head, curiosity getting the better of me.
“No. As I said something kept us from success.”
Rachel rubbed the back of her neck. “Any other stories about the castle?”
“I don’t know if this is true but there is talk that there used to be sacrifices on that land.”
“You can’t be serious.” I reeled back.
“It’s just some talk. Most of us have heard the wailing. But there are few people who are still alive who attended the parties. Master Lyons was just a boy when his parents entertained.”
I crossed my arms. Gavin’s prattle seemed more like a wives’ tale than anything that could carry some truth. Then my heart stopped at his next words.
“The family stopped entertaining once Godwin built his Folly. Rumor is that the tower was built to mark where the bodies are.”
A chill went up my spine. Don’t go in. Uncle Godwin had been very clear on that point. “That doesn’t make sense. Ellie…”
Gavin regarded me with what I could only see was pity. “The whole town felt bad about that missing girl. Bad business that. The lads and I have a theory that she is the one who wails.”
I frowned still trying to process the information.
“If I were you,” Gavin continued. “I’d get far away from that place as soon as possible. A ghost will get you. Just like they did her.”
About the Author:
Krysta Scott is the author of the novel, Shadow Dancer. Since publishing her first book through the Wild Rose Press, she has published two novellas in the Martini Club 4 series and eight novellas in the Friday the Thirteenth series. Godwin’s Folly is the latest story in the series. When she is not writing, she can often be found watching Hallmark movies, true crime shows or reading a good thriller. She is a retired attorney who lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dog.
Author Alicia Dean 