This is my 32nd Friday Fictioneers in a row. I love doing them and I like the challenge of coming up with a unique story every week. Still, I keep thinking I need a break from blogging for a while. I was planning on doing it next week, since I have a big Korean test coming up, but I think I’ll hold off for a while. Blogging is addictive, I tell you. Also, last week I got nailed with a cold for a couple of days, so I apologize that I could not read as many of the other Fictioneers stories as I would have liked.
Copyright Randy Mazie
The Devil Guards My Wife
The infernal laugh of thunder presided over her funeral. I stood far off with a fistful of wilted posies as strangers said incantations over my wife’s casket and lowered her into hell’s clammy grip.
I never saw her body. They said she fell down the stairs of the Manor while carrying linens. I nodded and didn’t believe a word.
I don’t care now about talk of rituals up there at night, and of rumors that almost froze my blood.
But that goat won’t leave. I’d kill it but I’m too scared. So I say a prayer and keep my posies.
The Green-Walled Tower 
July 10th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Wow! Seriously spooky David. I don’t think we get too much black magic on here. Good one.
July 10th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
It looks like the kind of goat that would gnaw your face off while you slept.
July 10th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
Dear David,
This sent chills through me up one side and down the other. From the title to the end not a word was wasted.
Sh-sh-shalom,
Rochelle
July 10th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Thank you, Rochelle. That was the intended effect. 🙂 I hope you don’t dream of goats tonight.
July 10th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Gripping story
July 10th, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Compelling story! Well-done David.
July 10th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
Sounds like black magic at work here–he’s wise to stay clear of the goat. Who knows what evil lurks….Good mood story.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
In my country, pertaining to eeriness of it’s presence we’ll say that goat has been sent. You can only imagine who sent it.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Or he could stare at it until it fell over! 😀
July 10th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
I knew there was a reason I’ve never liked goats.
July 10th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
i think they are amazing animals but thanks to our culture, they have a spooky air about them. i once found a goat skull on an island. i wish id kept it.
July 10th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
yep, it worked in the movie.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Fear the guard goat. I like it David, very much!
July 11th, 2013 at 12:26 am
I always knew goats were evil…. Great story, David!
July 11th, 2013 at 12:30 am
You’re so good at these. If you take a break, I hope it’s a good one. I’ve been doing the same myself….but yes, it is addicting.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Thank you, La La. I might take a break in August, when I’m on vacation and out of town. I’ve gotten almost totally away from Facebook, but blogging is much more addictive.
July 11th, 2013 at 12:49 am
I suspect there will be a lot of stories with this tone this week, but yours is the first, and I will measure all others against yours. This is really good, so I guess I should wish the others luck.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Thank you. 🙂 I try to go in a different direction from what I think everyone else will do, but this is what I saw in the picture first.
July 11th, 2013 at 2:23 am
Whao! This brought a chill to my bones!
July 11th, 2013 at 2:47 am
David this was absolutely riveting! I’m so glad you waited until next week to take that break!
July 11th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Thank you so much. 🙂 Actually, I probably won’t even break next week. I will be going on a trip in August, so maybe then.
July 11th, 2013 at 3:25 am
I wonder what those rituals were all about. And old split-hoof still keeps watch, for sure.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
That’s the frustrating thing about 100 words; a lot of details have to be implied. I’ll let you fill in the details.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:14 am
You know, maybe he should become friends with the goat…might serve as protection 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
There’s an idea. You think positively. 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 4:28 am
Very well-written and chilling..but that’s no surprise. I know what you mean about a break. I sometimes think I want to take one, but then I’m writing and wading through all the stories and… 😉
janet
July 11th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I think if I didn’t like reading and writing blog stories, it would be easier to stop, but it’s so fun. 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 6:29 am
This is a chilling tale, never been too sure about goats..
Well done David
July 11th, 2013 at 7:24 am
Excellent story David. Intrigue at its foremost. Well done.
July 11th, 2013 at 7:36 am
Ooohhh! Scary! Very.
July 11th, 2013 at 7:52 am
This was actually my initial impression of this picture — sacrificial goat, etc… but I am glad you wrote it instead.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
🙂 I tried to think of something totally different, but that’s just what the picture said to me.
July 11th, 2013 at 8:17 am
I keep telling myself I’m going to take another blogging break so I can get my other writing done – it’s nice to have the inspiration of a community.
There is a bit of mystery you hide behind the linens
July 11th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
I do enjoy the community atmosphere of our group here.
July 12th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Me too. Sometimes I think about skipping a week, but I would definitely miss my friends.
July 11th, 2013 at 9:05 am
I read this as his wife died – innocently – as a maid in a manor occupied by voodoo’ists or cultists. Sad story never-the-less…
July 11th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Yes she was a maid in a large house owned by voodoo’ists or something like that. Still, I don’t think her death was innocent.
July 11th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
scary story..Good luck with your Korean test
July 11th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Thanks. 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
I love this. I think we saw the same thing in that goat 😉
July 11th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
Some people see cute, some see evil. 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I like it.
July 11th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
this was creepy!
July 11th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
its downright selfish but if you take break for a week I will get bored to death or we can conspire and take the break at the same time 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
That’s why I decided not to. Don’t worry, I won’t take a break without letting you know. 🙂
July 12th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
and when you do we will sync it, I too need break once in a while 🙂
July 11th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
Creepy stuff, and I’m with you about that goat. One nasty looking guy you don’t want to mess with. Also: Congrats on writing 32 stories for the Fictioneers!
July 11th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
scary stuff !
July 11th, 2013 at 11:46 pm
Moody and effective. Now I’m afraid of the goat too!
July 12th, 2013 at 6:30 am
Great writing – as always. I didn’t see the goats this way – but can see how you did.
July 12th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Wow, there’s a lot in this. Worthy of a reread or two.
Good luck with the Korean.
July 12th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Good one! You managed a story, when I had such a hard time getting anything but commentary…
July 12th, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Ring around the roses, pocket full of posies. Ashes, ashes . . . we all fall down!
How’s that for a theme song?
July 13th, 2013 at 1:31 am
After all that, I wouldn’t kill that goat either. Great story, and a chilling one.
July 13th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Dear David,
Absolutely enjoyed your chilling offering this week. You infused that innocent little goat with power and purpose. Loved it.
Re you 32nd straight post here; Congratulations. I know what it takes to put out story after good story each week and after doing it for almost a year and a half, had to take a two month break. I’m back into it on a week to week basis. Will never fault you for not getting to mine. It is a pleasure to read your work and that is all that is necessary for me. And if you can’t write one, well, I’ll just keep my eyes out in the future.
Aloha,
Doug
July 14th, 2013 at 5:56 am
Oh this is creepy. What is that goat guarding? The love and fear in the husband’s voice is so clear.
July 14th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Scawy, very Scawy! I’m keeping my lights on tonight David, when I go to bed! 🙂
July 15th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Utterly chilling. I feel it is an episode of a larger story and would like to read on, for surely good will prevail …:)
July 15th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
i really liked this story,the creepiness,mystery,superstition..well done 🙂 and goodluck with your test
July 15th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
Thanks~ 🙂