The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Best in Show 
by Elaine Pascale

“Note how his ears are perfectly equidistant. His eyes are large and round. He’s able to hear and see past, present, and future. His fur texture is course yet soft, such a pelt does not happen overnight. This is a well-cared for familiar. Best conjuring companion and sixth place best in show is Chechnya the rabbit.”

Siggy applauded half-heartedly. She wanted the judges to move faster. Her two-headed cat, Periwinkle Louise de Waffles, had come in second ten years in a row. This was a direct snub to the de Waffles dynasty, a clan that was known for producing superior familiars for centuries. Siggy had been preparing Louise for months and was sure she would take best in show.

Siggy scanned the remaining contestants. There was a new entrant, an orange cat, Bartholomew Curtis de Costa who was still in the running. He was an ordinary single-headed feline.

“The tail is a formidable thirteen inches, providing superior stability. The teeth are sharp and clean and the tongue is an admirable length…and strong, too! Best potions protector and fifth place overall is Nicoletta the bearded dragon.”

Siggy glanced over at Bartholomew and his wizard. They were strategically placed beside the judge’s table. Siggy swore she saw the wizard muttering spells. Bartholomew appeared to move his feline lips in unison.

“Best emotional support and fourth overall, Skybird Meer the dog.”

“Don’t worry, Louise…there is no way you can come in second. You’re the most regal, the most beautiful, the most talented, and the most powerful.” Siggy stroked one black ear followed by another and another and another.

She looked again at Bartholomew. The cat’s mouth was definitely moving. Siggy believed the wizard had bewitched him along with the judges.

“Best in flight and third overall  is Chandy Lancer the owl.”

“Here it is Louise. Time to give the newbie his award and then we take all.” Siggy couldn’t imagine what that simple orange cat had over the other contestants.

“This creature moves with a regality rarely seen amongst familiars; in this case, it’s almost as if the familiar is primed to be the new supreme. Immaculate incarnation and number 2 overall is…”

Siggy knew what was coming next; yet she refused to accept it.

“Periwinkle Louise de Waffle, the two-headed cat.”

Siggy could barely breathe. She was outraged. The only way this snub was possible was trickery. She grimaced as she took the ribbon which seemed shabby and cheap in comparison to the first place that remained on the judge’s table.

How quickly they move on. Siggy thought as the announcer sprang right into the description for the best in show. “The opposable thumbs are a great advantage…”

What? Siggy looked at the feline who had regular paws.

“And the beard is trimmed into exact corners; this is exquisite grooming.”

Beard?

“Best familiar meaning best in show goes to Modesto, the human.”

Siggy swore that Bartholomew winked at her as he allowed the judges to place the winning ribbon at his feet.

..

Fiction © Copyright Elaine Pascale
Image courtesy of Pixaby.com

More from Elaine Pascale:

The Kitchen Witches

The women of Cape Cod have a story that is dying to be told. If only they could live long enough to tell it.

When Fiona Walker is contracted to write about a party attended by her social circle, her friends begin dying. She captures the competition and misery of the women around her through three different stories.

In Wishes, Melanie Voss discovers a Time Between Time where nothing that happens counts. Initially, Time Between Time is a welcome escape from a life spent watching the clock while doing chores for her family. But something sinister is in the Time Between Time and it is headed straight for Melanie.

Death and Taxes tells the story of Nashville DeCota, the Cape Capo. Nash swears that she is not the Island Impaler, nor the Tooth Snatcher, but she has just as many skeletons in her closet. When her husband, Derrick, is kidnapped, she has to come clean about her crimes if she ever wants to see him again.

Fiona tells her own story in Hazing, where she finds that the real source of evil behind the deaths of her friends is worse than she could have ever imagined.

Available on Amazon!