‘Do come in,’ she beckoned to the people passing her gate.
They veered away from the old crone. When she was younger they had come more easily, enticed by her warm, youthful face.
Back then the community had been poorer. Beggars who lived on the streets and cripples returning from the war had gladly accepted her charity. She wanted to do some good, to end some of the suffering and misery she saw among the less well off.
Now the town was affluent, the poor cared for by society, it was harder to find anyone who would accept her invitation.
Teenagers laughed and joked, parents gave sympathetic smiles and averted their eyes, young children backed away in fear. Perhaps they could sense the truth. No one complained, the local policeman left her alone, even giving a polite greeting as he passed by on his regular beat.
Until she had become desperate.
Until the dark voices in her head pushed her to break her vow: Never take them unless they volunteered.
Until she had snatched the little girl.
Now the police entered the gate uninvited.
Now they would discover the graveyard all of her own making.

This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Invitation curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
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OH dear! What a way to start my morning! LOL!
I did like it, and very glad that the police finally are on to her, good ending. 🙂
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Just beware those strangers inviting you into their homes out of kindness! 😉 Have a great day
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Hahaha! Gee, thanks!
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I kind of suspected foul play 🙂
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You guessed it!
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‘How does your garden grow?’… hmmm….
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Very good source of fertiliser…. 😉
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Green too 😉
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Enticing story!
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Don’t give in to her invite! 😉
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Fortunately she’s not my type!
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Scary!
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Thank you!
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Oh, the gates hide a sad secret. Excellent story Iain.
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Thank you so much Helene
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🙂
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Knowing you I sensed there would be an issue here. I love that gate though!
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Isn’t it a lovely gate? I so wanted to write an uplifting story to go with it! Maybe next week! 🙂
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Very well written horror story, Iain.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ian I just knew you’d twist this brilliantly ❤️
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Thank you so much 🙂
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😜🤭💜💜
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Hmm, she should have been more careful about who she chose 😉 From the description of her now, I’m sure nobody was surprised. Great story.
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I’m sure all the neighbourhood gossips will be nodding and saying ‘I knew there was something odd about her!’
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This is a great piece. I would pick up this book.
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Thank you Michele
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Wow, Iain, this is riveting! Your writing really pulled me in. 🙂 Thank you.
Blessings,
Debbie
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Thank you Debbie
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Let’s hope the cops don’t end up in the graveyard too!
Here’s another invitation Iain! I was tagged by Fandango to continue a story, which I just have. I now need someone to add a bit more and I thought of you! Please don’t feel obliged to do so.
https://keithsramblings.net/2019/03/01/finish-the-story-parts-1-to-3/
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Thanks Keith I will try and check it out
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Oooo!
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🙂
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Oh gosh, spooky-good!
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I just love DIY stories. Great build up to the omnious ending.
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Ha, thanks!
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Wow…… You sure like dark stuff and I like to read that…
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Thank you, glad you like it!
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a little on the dark and creepy side…but I like it ☺️
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Thanks Kate 😉
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