October Flash Fiction

It's that time of year where I write a Halloween themed flash fiction that gets displayed in my local library.  Enjoy!




Slow Burn

IE Castellano



The convergence has begun, Mister Rank Ore. All is prepared. Come. I’d be honored if you joined me for the ritual.
I have kept the hairs pristine and in their original condition. Even added one from that harpy shrieking on her phone who cut in front of me in the checkout lane the other day. Yes, of course, I know I complained your ear off all about her already.
Oh, you remember that neighbor of ours a few years ago? The one who couldn’t be bothered to keep her ratty mutt out of our rose bushes. Well, I have her hair here. Too bad that mongrel predeceased her.
Anyway, Mister Rank Ore, this one is from that man who constantly clucked his tongue through four consecutive bus stops. Yes, it was quite annoying. Not to mention the he ignored my irate stare.
This dark hair here is long before your time, Mister Rank Ore. When I was a young girl, he courted me. We were going to marry. I already chose my dress and which flowers would grace my bouquet. He, well, he’ll be sorry for leaving me.
How fitting that this long, strawberry blonde strand should be twisted with his. It’s the last of hers remaining. She’ll get the final lesson about stealing what should have been mine.
The effigy looks beautiful with all its colors and textures. Don’t you agree, Mister Rank Ore? I’ve been curating my collection for some time, waiting for this exact celestial alignment.
Can you hear the chimes? It’s time to light the fire bowls. Now, I soak the effigy in the chalice. Why, yes, Mister Rank Ore, that is my blood. I saved it in the freezer.
Of course, when I do something, I do it properly. You know me so well.
Stand back while I lower the candle to the offering plate. Watch the smoke rise to deliver my vengeance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Learning from a Book Review

I offer to review books .  Usually, I will post my review here and on Goodreads as well as post links to buy the book that I got to read.  However, every once and a while, I read a book that won’t get a good review.  This is that book. This book is the author’s first book, so I will not mention the title nor the author’s name.  I have emailed the author about my poor review before posting, and actually have agreed to review the sequel.  With that said, let’s talk about the book and its issues. The premise of the book is that the main character, whose name I can’t remember (problem), becomes a masked hero to save her city from a destructive alien.  The concept is great.  The execution has major issues.  I am going to put my editor’s hat on to critique the issues in this book. The first issue is the prologue.  It could have been a chapter on its own.  I personally feel that the book should have opened on its main character.  The opening would have introduced us, the reader, to the charac
Read more

A Little Bit of Hope with a Side of Griffin

Image
Griffin: Artist's Rendition Epic fantasy has become my sole writing style this year.  My focus: The fifth book of the World In-between Series, Hope .   Beginning ten years after the end of Whispers (Book 4), the story centers around the magical struggles of Berty’s seventeen-year-old niece.  Since she first crossed the portal ten years ago, Hope straddled two worlds—the mundane modern world and the magical world between the portals.  As a Wood Listener, she struggles to find her place in life.  Unbeknownst to her uncle, her parents, and her innocent friend trailing her, Hope stoles into the other side only to find her place fraught with danger. For your reading pleasure: a sneak peek of Chapter 2. Hope climbed the stairs of the quiet outpost.  She figured that not many guards occupied a peacetime outpost, especially one out in the middle of nowhere.  The second door on the left sat open.  She knocked. “Yes?” came from behind a curtain of blond.  The hair h
Read more

Iceland in Winter: What to Pack: Clothing

Image
Cold and windy that day Iceland in late December gets cold and windy.  Expect to experience below freezing temperatures and even colder wind chills.  Be prepared for it to snow and for the wind to blow the snow into your face.  The sidewalks and streets and tourist areas, especially around water, can be slick.  And, you can wait for the bus for your tour or to the airport for quite some time in the cold. Unless you live in a city with a non-stop flight, expect at least a two hour delay in an airport and perhaps a good deal of walking between gates.  The airports are hot.  The planes themselves can be chilly unless the flight is packed.  And, no matter where in Iceland you go, the cold outside counters the hot inside. The key to regulating your temperature throughout it all is layers and your ability to zip or unzip or remove and store easily.  This is what I brought with me that kept me warm and it all fit in a carry-on backpack and personal item . Let’s start at the bottom.  Feet.  Y
Read more