Monday is usually the day that I write a story for the Mondays Finish the Story challenge. Still in recovery, I am a bit late in getting my story in. The challenge, asks that you write a story using between 100-150 words and that you use the opening line and the photo prompt to create your story. The opening line is not part of the word count. Here is my story with the opening line of the challenge in bold and italics.
The Devils Abode – © 2015, Barbara W. Beacham
“The cemetery spread along the area known as Devils Abode.” It was a sacred burial site for the Yunki tribe. Years later, the gold miners overtook the area. Recently Smithkin and Kerns, a developer, bought the land.
S&K was putting up a multi-unit condominium. It was a stick building. Framing to the third floor just completed. All burned down. Fire investigators could not explain the cause.
The insurance company paid the developer. Construction began again. Framing went up and the building burned down for the second time. What was uncovered was part of the original Yunki burial ground. Burned bones were found and the only explanation was there was a curse.
The third and last time they tried to build, someone saw a man leaning against the building. He chewed on a toothpick, and was sharply dressed. He did not approve of the building. Flipping the toothpick from his mouth, end over end it went, igniting as it landed.
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I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash and that you have had a wonderful day.
You too can join in on this challenge by clicking HERE!
Be well! ^..^
ooh great work Barbara, very creepy.. 🙂
Thank you TN!
Great last line Babs! ~ Well written 🙂
Thank you John!
Great story Barb! I loved the last paragraph! The old devil burned them up! LOL!
Had to have a bit of fun with this one Joy! 🙂
I could tell and I loved it!! LOL! You did it so brilliantly!
🙂 Gee, thanks!
Interesting take on the prompt. Not sure I would rebuild 3 times though LOL!
This actually happened to an area where I grew up. It was spooky the way that hilltop kept on burning and no one could figure out how.
Wow, spooky!
It was! 🙂
Great story, especially the ending. 🙂
🙂 Thanks Susan!
I don’t think the Yunki want a condo on top of their dearly departed. Great story!
Would you? Thanks Ali!
You have to be careful playing around with sacred ground. Good tale Barb
Thank you Michael!
The developers never learn, don’t fool with dead. Well told, loved the toothpick – PJ is right you could see it in your mind’s eye!
Thanks! I guess I did good with the toothpick! 🙂
Hope they get the point.
DJ
Me too! Thanks for stopping by DJ!
Good story, and in my mind I could picture the flipping toothpick igniting and starting the fire, well done.
Glad you enjoyed the story PJ!