The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Allan   
by Kathleen McCluskey

Allan trimmed the beautiful violets along the walkway to his front door. They brought a peaceful tranquility to his turbulent life. The blooms represented a momentary calm as the beautiful flowers developed. Allan was a man that was constantly on the edge, ready to explode. His stress levels were palatable even to strangers.

As the flowers grew so did his seething rage for his neighbor. The woman was young and carefree, two traits that Allan despised. He would obsessively watch her through his living room window. Even when she wasn’t visible he would still watch her house. In a trance like state, he would mindlessly pick at the palm of his hand as he glared through the sheers. Allan was beginning to lose his grip on his sanity as thoughts of murdering her ran through his head.

The gorgeous flowers played in the summer breeze; they seemed almost magical in their serenity. Allan sat in his garden with his back against the house in the dirt. He was surrounded by the fragrant blossoms and tried to breathe in some of their tranquility. He lowered his head and sighed loudly. He thought to himself, “Today is the day, I will rid myself of that bitch.” He stood and shook the dirt off of his pants. In a catatonic stupor he opened the door to his home. He went straight to his bedroom and opened the top dresser drawer. He pulled out his old Colt .45 and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans.

Allan walked across the street; he could hear music coming from the backyard. He strained to see, through the slats in her tall wooden fence, if there was any movement in the yard. He backed away from the fence when the large door began to open. A soft voice spoke to him, “Hello, Allan. I was hoping you would eventually tire of watching me and come over. My flowers have been singing my siren’s song for over a year. You finally heard it and decided to venture over.” Allan only stood there looking at her. “I see I have confused you.” She shook her head, “I have been beckoning you. Your anxiety and hatred made you irresistible to my sisters and I.” She swung the door all the way open. “See? My beautiful ladies do love to snack on meat that has marinated in your particular style of malice.” They pulled Allan into the yard. The large door slammed shut behind him. The stunning sirens changed into hideous beasts and attacked.

The neighborhood would never miss Allan. They assumed he had just moved away. “Good riddance to bad rubbish” on neighbor commented. The sirens waited for the house to be occupied again. They knew that their beautiful purple flowers were a beacon for the tormented.

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!

The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Riverwalk 
by Kathleen McCluskey

Julia and Richard strolled arm in arm down the picturesque Riverwalk. The city always seemed to come to life for them when the warm lights of the shops began to reflect on the dark water. The Riverwalk was always so crowded during the day; for them, the night hours were more enjoyable. Julia and Richard stopped and leaned against the railing. They watched the small gondolas float down the calm water. The tourists were always easy to pinpoint. The laughter and excitement was palatable and the never ending presence of a camera or cell phone was a dead giveaway. The pair continued down the Riverwalk, looking into windows and people watching. Julia had the uncanny ability to notice when somebody felt out of sorts. She was able to infiltrate their mind and senses to bring them to Richard and herself. Richard never possessed that ability. He wasn’t envious just confused why he had to use brute force but Julia only had to smile.

They spotted a young man and woman sitting on a bench. The young woman seemed to be crying. Julia went straight to her. Without saying a word, Julia sat down and brushed the hair away from the woman’s face. The woman recoiled but as soon as her eyes met Julia’s all of her fears were pushed aside. The man began to protest but Julia looked him in the eyes and he settled. Richard stood behind the man with his hands on his shoulders. He lifted the man to his feet and walked with him to the darkened alley. Julia took the woman by the hand and they followed the two men.

Richard struck first. He grabbed the man by the back of the neck and spun him around. Richard hissed loudly at the man. That broke Julia’s mental hold on him. The man tried to scream but Richard sank his razor-sharp fangs into the man’s throat. Blood began to pulse out and seep out from between Richard’s lips. He raised his head and let out a guttural growl, “Blood always tastes sweeter when they are scared. Thank you, my love for releasing him just in time. Your timing is impeccable.” Julia smiled. She was a delicate creature and was almost timid in her approach, she lifted the woman’s wrist to her lips. She sank her sharp fangs into the woman; still holding onto her mind the woman let out a small sigh as her life drained out. Julia looked at Richard, “I enjoy it better when the blood is calm.”

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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!