The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Livinia
by Tawny Kipphorn

It is the absolute law in this place to never speak of who lives deep within its heart, or rather, what. I walked beneath the star studded skies, along the cobblestone road, straight into the woman in white. She is not just a woman however, she’s something much more, something far worse. In this place, she is known as the devil’s daughter, the taker of souls. Her name only lingers upon the lips of the dead, and on nights when the moon is full and the world is silent, you can hear them whispering. I could never decipher what exactly was being said, but I just knew it was about her, as the feeling of dread seeped into my skin and deep within my bones.

As the sun slowly died, the mist began to rise as everyone gathered over the still waters. I wanted to run away but my feet wouldn’t budge, and when I looked up I noticed all the people staring at me. They warned me of my impending demise, that Livinia was coming for me. I tried to understand how I could hear them speak so clearly without their mouths ever moving. Then, just like the Red Sea, the people parted, and without any time to think, I was face to face with her. She said nothing to me, but rather began to kiss me. I could feel my body growing weaker as I slowly fell to the ground. After some time, I awakened to everyone gathered around me, but the woman was gone. I wish I had the sense to stay inside that night, but it didn’t occur to me that all the people walking around were already dead, and that I’d become one of them too.

Fiction © Copyright Tawny Kipphorn
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from Author Tawny Kipphorn:

A Shadow of Autumn

Fall—a season as beautiful as it is foreboding. A Shadow of Autumn takes you back to childhood nostalgia while peeling away the mask to reveal things that haunt your worst nightmares. Within these pages, you’ll find the usual denizens of the holiday—demons, witches, ghosts, and bloodsuckers—along with strange and unknown creatures lurking everywhere from innocuous cornfields and pumpkin patches to basement hatches and high school dances. These fourteen tales of fall magic and Halloween horrors will keep you looking over your shoulder long after the last light of October has waned. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…

Available on Amazon!