The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

No More Sleep
by Kim Richards

Autumn closed her eyes and let the September breeze ruffle her hair and the weakened sun kiss her face. She knew what must be done but it never came easy. For the others, sleep felt good, comfortable, and welcome. For her it was cold, lonely, and  dark after a joyous season full of color and change.

There are four whose lives depended upon the actions of one another. Sucession ordered them all. For the next to sleep, she must endure hers until the time came to rise. Should any of them falter, all would die.

She considered the death. Maybe it’s time, she thought.

She gathered her skirts about her and walked out into the crisp fall air. Taking a large basket with her, she gathered wood and stacked it next to the front door. Several trips later, she built the pile up to just beneath the house eave. Then she took another basketfull inside and laid them beside the fireplace.

Autumn walked the pathways to the little village nearby and stocked up on many goods the farmers and shop keepers offered.  Although it felt odd to gather supplies instead of overseeing their harvest and production, she picked up what would sustain her through the cold winter…nuts, dried fruits, jerky, along with pickled and preserved vegetables inside sealed clay pots. For the first time she purchased lamps and oil, plus a box of tallowed candles. When she found a small man selling bags of coal lumps, she dug deep into her pockets for enough remaining coins to purchase some. He smiled at her when she handed them over to him.

Of course, she bought a couple of pumpkins. Even with her season ending, she would make herself the pies and creamy soups. Apple cider too. She smiled. Slumber be damned!

The time came when she should lie down beneath the ground. She turned her back on it, even as Winter stirred and struggled. She knew her sister would be trapped, suffocate, and begin the succession of death.

“I am sorry,” Autumn whispered. She turned away and shut the door behind her.

Fiction © Copyright Kim Richards
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com