Some prophesies fulfill themselves. The prompt is: https://pixabay.com/photos/reussstein-castle-russias-stone-2779392 PROPHESY FULFILLED The ancient pile of stone loomed over the hiking trail. “What the heck is that?” Stephan asked. “The guidebook said it’s Reusstein Castle. That’s why we came this way,” Stephan gave Kylie a wry smile. “You had this planned all along, didn’t you?” Kylie just shrugged. “My family has…a history with the place. Come on, let

Jealous covetousness can have dire consequences, but it can sometimes craft something enduring. The prompt is: https://pixabay.com/photos/chess-black-chess-pieces-6872239 THE BLACKEST QUEEN The shopkeeper handed the Black Queen to Rosalyn. “What are they made of?” He eyed Rosalyn slyly. “Ah, that is a most interesting legend.” His voice squeaked a bit like Peter Lorre’s. “What legend?” He gave Rosalyn a broad smile. “Ah, let me explain. There is a valley high on the s

Some folks will just believe anything. BTW, I figured I'd add a few words to my vocabulary this week. The prompt is: https://pixabay.com/photos/candles-pumpkins-witch-skull-1868640 THE COVEN OF THE ANTELABBIT When the woman wearing a black robe with its hood up and pulled forward to hide her face stepped out of the forest into the clearing, Jenny couldn’t help snickering. That earned her a poke in the ribs from Ron’s elbow. “You said you’d behave,” he hissed.

Do we, in some ways, desecrate what we try to preserve? Can we even judge? The prompt is: https://pixabay.com/photos/wolfe-ranch-cabin-wolfe-ranch-cabin-3777840 LOST HOME Luis stood inside the cabin and sadly shook his head. The two small windows were the only concessions to the modern world. Otherwise, the cabin could have been constructed centuries ago by the indigenous people who lived in this valley for a thousand years before the coming of the foreign invad