The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

The Shoppe 
by Kathleen McCluskey 

The mistress’s shop was pristine; a place for everything and everything in its place. The boutique had been in her family for centuries. Now, she was the curator of the highest elite, chocolate shoppe in all of Germany. Her family’s sweet treats were extremely expensive and coveted by the wealthy. The delicacy was worth it’s weight in gold.

The happy and colorful exterior of the building hid a malevolent evil that dwelled in the tiny burg. The inviting bright colors were a beacon to innocence. The mythos of the family that inhabited the luxury condo above the shop was one that encompassed a deadly secret. Most of the locals knew of the legend surrounding the infamous chocolatiers; one that was shrouded with a veil of darkness and secrets.

As the mistress of the shop, Ingrid was always impeccably dressed in the latest fashions. She prided herself on her ability to provoke her customers into buying her newest confections. Ingrid had a smile that could rob a person of their soul.

Before opening Ingrid would check in the kitchen to see what had been created the night before. Her husband chef was an outstanding culinary genius; she never knew what he would come up with. Upon entering the kitchen, she saw four trays of chocolates that had a pink tinge to them. She smiled at her husband; he was sitting on the floor with his head in his hands. “I’m not sure how much longer I can go along with this farce.” She knelt beside him and placed her hand on his knee. She smiled again. First her smile was beautiful and welcoming then it changed. He looked at her aghast at the sight that befell his eyes. Her once straight, white teeth were replaced with rows of pointed teeth. She tossed her head back and hissed loudly in his face. She pointed to the stand-up freezer. Her terrified husband stood and went to the giant stainless-steel door. He opened it.

Ingrid’s eyes changed from pale blue to fierce red as she looked into the freezer. Hanging on the hooks were the remnants of his previous culinary confections; except one. That hook held the barely breathing remains of his latest creation. Ingrid went over to the five year old boy hanging on a meat hook; his blood slowly dripping into a pan. She lifted his head to hers and kissed him lovingly on the cheek. “I knew your blood would satisfy the needs of the coven. Child’s blood always makes the chocolate taste better, my customers will be very happy. Consuming the blood of the innocent is the only way to stay young and beautiful.” She spun him around before letting go. As she was leaving she cackled loudly, resumed her former unassuming appearance and stepped into the shop.

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!