‘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
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
Amazon.in / Amazon.au / Amazon.ca
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just beware those strangers inviting you into their homes out of kindness! 😉 Have a great day
LikeLike
Hahaha! Gee, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kind of suspected foul play 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You guessed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘How does your garden grow?’… hmmm….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very good source of fertiliser…. 😉
LikeLike
Green too 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enticing story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t give in to her invite! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fortunately she’s not my type!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh, the gates hide a sad secret. Excellent story Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Helene
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knowing you I sensed there would be an issue here. I love that gate though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it a lovely gate? I so wanted to write an uplifting story to go with it! Maybe next week! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written horror story, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Ian I just knew you’d twist this brilliantly ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
😜🤭💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure all the neighbourhood gossips will be nodding and saying ‘I knew there was something odd about her!’
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a great piece. I would pick up this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Michele
LikeLike
Wow, Iain, this is riveting! Your writing really pulled me in. 🙂 Thank you.
Blessings,
Debbie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debbie
LikeLike
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/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Keith I will try and check it out
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh gosh, spooky-good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love DIY stories. Great build up to the omnious ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, thanks!
LikeLike
Wow…… You sure like dark stuff and I like to read that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, glad you like it!
LikeLike
a little on the dark and creepy side…but I like it ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person