The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Deal
by Kathleen McCluskey

Linda climbed the stairs of the abbey as night began to fall. She meandered through the portraits of herself, her husband and her sons. She paused at the wall size painting of the four of them together. She sighed as pride washed over her. Her manicured nails ran across the painting and a shiver ran down her spine. She spun around as if to see an intruder and was met with the barren hallway. She continued towards her luxury suite in the massive structure.

In her room she clicked on the lights and turned on the television. She began to undress and felt that same chill roll down her spine. She spun around again, this time her breath became visible and was met with the empty room. Linda continued to change into her robe and sat down on her couch. Her face ran pale as a loud booming voice began to speak, “Hello, Linda. I have been searching for you for a very long time. Your contract is up your spoiled bitch.” She began to stammer her words, “How? How? How can you be in here? This is sacred ground. This was used as a convent before I bought it.” “I was once an angel, you fool. I can stand where I please. Your arrogance is only matched by your greed.” Out of the darkness with an opened pocket watch in his hand was the demon. His large cloven feet making dents in the floor, “See this? Tick tock, tick tock.” He gave a cool smile filled with malice, “times a-wastin’.” She could feel her face begin to change as her blood formed a puddle at her feet. Her beautiful skin was slowly vanishing. She tried to scream but only dust came out of her mouth. She looked longingly at the demon and they both vanished.

Fiction © Copyright Kathleen McCluskey
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from Kathleen McCluskey:

The Long Fall: Book 1: The Inception of Horror

Lucifer always cunning and intelligent challenges father to a battle of wits. Being the angel of light he casts a judgemental eye upon mankind. He begins a war with his fellow archangels and God. Michael, along with his siblings defend their home and mankind from their deranged brother. Broad swords and hand to hand combat drench heaven in blood. The four apocalyptic steeds are released, each having their own destructive power. Betrayal and lust are at biblical levels. Understand the very creation of evil and the consequenses that transpire in the first of THE LONG FALL series.

Available on Amazon!