Curses and Clowns

Not only is the editing moving along, I managed to write something for both prompts. They’re not particularly good pieces, but they’re something. And I’d like to take a moment to remind you that they’re completely unedited.


Prompt One:
You put your house on the market and on the first day an extremely old woman comes knocking on your door. She’s not interested in buying your house though. Instead she tells you that this is the house she lived in as a child. The friendly mood suddenly changes when she reveals something terrible that took place in the house years ago.

The viewing of the house was supposed to be by appointment only. So Vanessa was a little surprised by the old woman who showed up on her doorstep.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Vanessa told her politely. “But if you want to see the house you’ll need to make an appointment through the realtor.”

“You misunderstand me, my dear. I don’t want to view the house – I know all its nooks and crannies first hand. I wish to talk to you about the house. There’s something you need to know.”

Vanessa’s curiosity was piqued. It would have been easy to dismiss the old lady, tell her firmly no and close the door, but in the light of what had been going on lately she figured she had nothing to lose.

“Why don’t you come in,” she said, opening the door wider.

She had the woman seat herself in the small living room while she hurried into the kitchen to make some tea.

“Thank you, dear,” the woman said when Vanessa set the tea tray down and handed her a cup.

“You said there was something I needed to know, Miss . . .” Vanessa prompted.

“Rose, you may call me Rose,” the woman said, taking a sip. “Skipping the niceties and straight to the point, I like that.” She nodded. “Saves time.”

“About my house?”

With a sigh Rose put her cup down. “You know of course the house is haunted?”

Vanessa’s cup rattled in its saucer. “Haunted? What makes you say that?”

“Come, come, my dear. The visions, things moving around, the voices?”

“How—how did you know?”

“Because the same thing has happened to every other owner of this house.” Rose leaned a little closer. “This house isn’t just haunted, it’s cursed.”

For a moment all Vanessa could do was gape at her. Then, “Cursed? What kind of curse?”

Rose relaxed in her seat again. “The original owner of this house was a witch. She was powerful but for the most part tried to do good. But for all of her power there was one thing she could do – halt time.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She got old,” Rose said dryly. “So she created a spell, one that would let her live forever. All she needed was a sacrifice, once every seven years.”

“Seven years?” Vanessa repeated faintly. She’d been in this house for almost seven years.

“There were only two catches. First, the spell wouldn’t reverse the aging that had already taken place. And second, the sacrifice had to have lived under this roof for at least part of those seven years.”

Vanessa felt a numbness starting to spread through her. “And the ghosts? They’re what’s left of her victims?”

“My, you are a sharp one, catching on so quickly. Yes, the poor things were trying to warn you to get out before it’s too late.”

Vanessa stared at her mutely, unable to move.

“But don’t fret dear, you’ll be joining them soon. You can talk to them all you want then. Won’t that be nice?”


Prompt Two:
Your wealthy Aunt Edna has died and left you all of her money. At first you’re excited as you’ve been living paycheck-to-paycheck your whole life, and this newfound money offers you endless possibilities. But, in her will, Aunt Edna left one big catch – and, if you don’t do it, all the money is to be given to your most unlikeable cousin, Wilfred.

Candace pulled the wig more firmly down on her head, the bright red curls jiggling madly. Satisfied it was secure, she inspected herself as best she could in the hand-held mirror. Face paint – check. Big, billowy, polka-dot outfit – check. Floppy shoes – check. But there was something missing . . .

Right. She dug around in the makeup case until she found it. One big red nose, coming right up.

This was the last time she’d have to do this, and truth be told she was going to miss it. The first time had been nerve-racking, but the joy she brought was infectious.

The terms of Aunt Edna’s will had been clear. Once each month she was to make a charitable donation dressed as a clown. The lawyer had the list of recipients as well as the envelopes with the cash. All she had to do was dress up like a clown and make sure no one uncovered her secret identity.

Candace had no idea what had prompted Aunt Edna to make such a stipulation in her will, but she was willing to do just about anything to keep her smarmy cousin Wilfred from getting his grimy paws on Edna’s money.

The newspapers had taken to calling her the Benevolent Bozo. Each month there was speculation on where he or she (there was no telling under the voluminous costume) was going to show up and who would receive the next envelope of cash. She wondered what they’d say next month when she failed to make an appearance. The thought made her sad.

Wait a minute. Candace stopped as a sudden thought struck her. After today, Edna’s vast fortune would be hers. There was no reason she couldn’t keep making these gifts if she wanted to.

No reason at all.