This month, the prompts are being provided by River at Drifting Through Life.
This week, the words are
lustrum (a period of five years)
purification
provide
lullaby
manorhouse
salvage
and/or
draconian
boreal
eggs
rubbed
pans
smoothed
JENNIFER AND AUGUSTUS by Granny Annie
Jen and Gus had moved north. This home was left to them by Jen's grandparents. It was a very cold place to live and even colder as Jen could feel chills, hearing a soft lullaby constantly wafting through the walls. Gus was happy his wife had inherited the place but Jen did not have such great memories of her visits there. She had begged Gus to simply sell the place.
The area held tall tales of morbid history. The legend was back even further than the lustrum Jen and Gus had lived there. It had to do with a purification ritual known only to heirs. The manorhouse sheltered all the ancestors of Jen's family.
Gus loved how he could provide furniture for Jen from the items in the house. He loved to salvage the attic of their home as well as the surrounding barns.
Perhaps it seemed quite draconian to many that the house appeared to be haunted. It was difficult for Jen to think otherwise. The creepy age old beauty was nestled in such boreal surroundings of birch, popular and conifers. Gus loved plodding through the snow. Jennifer hated both the outside and the inside of their new confines.
Jennifer opened the refrigerator and took out some eggs. She grabbed the pan from the cabinet. Jen rubbed her hands as she smoothed and tried to warm them. Gus would be home soon and expect a hot meal awaiting him. Then Jen heard the sound she feared. The time had come for her to join the ancestors. It was a good thing Gus liked it there and maybe he could end the haunting.
Oh that was otherworldly. I love it.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ♥
What a totally creepy ending. Well told - and I do hope that there is a sequel.
ReplyDeleteThat was some story!
ReplyDeleteVery nice use of the words, although sad that Jen wasn't happy and then it was time for her to join the ancestors. Hopefully Gus can end the hauntings.
ReplyDeleteGreat story you should make a book of all your stories.
ReplyDeleteHow scary, and how awful for Gus.
ReplyDeleteWow, those were tough words and you used them well to stir our imaginations. Poor Gus.
ReplyDeleteWow. You created a complete narrative arc in such a small space. Well done.
ReplyDelete