The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Together 
by Linda Lee Rice 

I remember when my younger sister was born, and my crown of being an only child was removed. Of course, I didn’t overthink it at the time since I was in the thrall of having a baby sister. But as the days passed, I noticed… something.

My sister had big baby blue eyes covering most of her face. Her eyes and her long, thick curly lashes were the first things that people noticed. It wasn’t long until she realized the power she had over people by just batting her eyes.

So, it began. She took away my parents as they spoiled her, giving her everything she wanted. I was ignored, my requests were never granted, and told to always “take care of my baby sister.” She would smile this smug smile whenever I was denied something, or she received what I had asked for instead.

Soon, once she reached her teen years and into adulthood, she would steal my boyfriends and, later, my lovers. Oh, she would start out uninterested, and as soon as she knew I cared about someone, she would begin.

First, it would be the slight blush on her cheeks when my love would talk to her. Then the soft southern drawl in that whispery voice that sounded like a breeze whispering across your ears. The batting of the eyelashes, the downcast shy look, and finally, the looking up from under her lashes. Oh, she knew all the tricks.

I never blamed my boyfriends or lovers; they were like sheep led to slaughter. They hadn’t a chance. But then, Jasper came into my life. My sister tried her hardest for him to fall for her charms, but he ignored her. He was polite without being condescending. Charming without being overwhelmed by her guiles…she hated it.

One day, he became ill after drinking a glass of sweet tea my sister had made for him. The doctor didn’t know what ailed him, and soon after, he passed away. I was left alone…except for my sister. Years passed, and her suitors moved on after figuring out what an energy vampire she was. She took and took but never gave anything in return.

My sister and I live in our family home. Our parents have long since passed away. The house was left to my sister, of course. She allows me to live here but has me granting her every whim. She has run me ragged, and I have finally had enough.

She is drinking the special sweet tea that I made for her. So it shouldn’t be long until I finally have what I wanted all these years…and I smile.

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Fiction © Copyright Linda Lee Rice
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More about Linda Lee Rice:

Linda Lee Rice aka Ruzicka has poetry published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Descending Darkness, Writing Village, Spine, and Page, Muses Gallery, Bloodbond, Lycan Valley Press Publishers, Alban Lake, Highland Park Poetry, Rosette Maleficarum, The Siren’s Call, Edify Fiction and the June Cotner anthology, “House Blessings” and “Garden Blessings

She has short stories published in The Grit, and Reminisce, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family, FrostFire Worlds. Plus, a personal essay at Mamalode. She also has various articles and blogs published online as a freelance writer.