It’s not often these days that I get to participate in Friday Fictioneers, but I love the photos Rochelle chooses, as well as reading what people come up with. And so, this fantasy drabble sprang forth. Hope you like it.
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
House-Called
genre: fantasy
Pearl placed the last of the enchantments. Each spike brimmed with unseen poison; every adamantine bar thrummed with mojo enough to keep terrors at bay.
“Are you really sure?” Jonah stayed partly buried behind the thick trunk of the hemlock. “Remember that time it barrelled nearly through the fence? I was petrified!”
“It’s safe. I promise.”
They moved back from the gate. Turning to survey her work, she nodded as the ground grumbled and the house miraged.
“Come. Our next appointment waits. For now, Ramsay manor is reality-shackled to satisfaction. It shan’t be making misery for a good, long time.”
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If you’d like to participate in the current Friday Fictioneers flash fiction (microfiction/drabble) challenge, there’s still time. Read, write, comment, enjoy!
Leigh's Wordsmithery 
Let’s hope her enchantments hold. I love the phrase “reality-shackled” 🙂
This definitely makes me want to read more–I wonder what the terror is and what it means to be “reality-shackled to satisfaction”!
Dear Leigh,
I’m glad you could participate this week. I liked reality shackled, too. We have neighbors Pearl needs to visit. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Love the ending. Excellent write as always.
Yes, please send Pearl my way so I can reality shackle them too! This was fun!
I’d love to borrow Pearl for a few days!
Several have said that, Bob. Maybe I should use her on my terrible neighbor first, though? 😉
I’ll gladly wait my turn!
Nice take on the prompt.
‘reality shackled’ – lovely!
I have pleasant neighbours now, but certainly some of my past neighbours could have done with reality-shackling by Pearl. I’m sure she’s much more effective at doing her job than law enforcement or council officials are.
Wonderful to have you participating in Friday Fictioneers this week, Leigh (or rather, last week by now), as it was through you that I first heard of this weekly challenge!
Pearl sounds like she’s doing a valuable service – I like the way you subverted the obvious by the enchantments being for good!
Thanks for noticing that and commenting, Andrea. For me the house itself was alive and the ‘source,’ if you will, of the evil that Pearl worked to contain. Thank you again, Andrea!
Interesting! Love this – “Each spike brimmed with unseen poison; every adamantine bar thrummed with mojo enough to keep terrors at bay.” What’s the “next appointment”, please?
We had some neighbour issues a few years ago. Came totally out of the blue. Not much fun. Loved your writing as always Leigh. Reality shackled. Brilliant.