In honor of the upcoming holiday, I’m giving you a story I wrote, in installments. Here is part one.
June 25, 1896
My dear sister Anna,
The medallion is around my neck, although it will be there for only a few more hours. Upon opening the box accompanying this letter, you will be surprised to find it, our one family heirloom, which I send to you with love. Guard the medallion with your life. Why? You will understand when you finish reading this letter. What I am about to tell you could be dangerous to you and your children. Please commit the contents of this missive to memory, then burn it.
I imagine you are sighing aloud and wondering why I again assume the role of dramatic, imperious elder sister. This time you must trust that I am serious. I fear for our lives if what I am about to tell you is true. And I am beginning to think that it may be so.
Written here for the first time are the stories that Father told me before he died. You have always thought that I am the brave, strong one, but you are wrong. I am weak and frightened and I have been too cowardly to tell you anything of importance: these stories or that I was abandoning you. I know now that I was destined to come to these mountains, to this wilderness. This place is so similar to our distant homeland. But I digress. I am putting off the inevitable.
I must disappear, again, and I do not know when or whether I shall be able to write to you. So, I must reveal, painful as it may be, what I know.
According to Father, there is an ancient curse upon our family. I know this sounds strange and you must think that your sister has regressed to the crazy beliefs of our peasant ancestors, but please, for the sake of your children, read on. Father did not know much about the curse, only that it is entwined with the history of the medallion. Now I will finally tell you what he told me–the story behind the ancient family heirloom that you are holding in your strong hands as you read this. Prepare yourself.
More!
Ok… I’m on the hook. When do we see the rest?
is this a diff. version than I have read?
csg
I loved it. Waiting for part 2.
I, too, like it.
If I was reading it as an editor, I’d say that the phrase “According to Father” strikes me as wrong, out of place for the character who’s writing. I would expect something closer to “Father spoke of an ancient curse…” or something.
But, my editorial leanings aside, I’m really intrigued to read more now…
Story is still very strong in my mind and freaks me out!
I like it too!
Oh, I have read this one before, and it is just as good if not better the second time.
I can’t get the image of Greg licking his own balls out of my head.
make it stop.\
T.
Ahhh, some of you recognize this? Yes, it’s excerpted from Storm Mountain, although I’ve rewritten it so that it stands as short story. More to come soon.
I like stories.
Oh, and thanks, SC. Edits are always appreciated!
I’m back. I’m hooked. And while waiting for the next installment I’m wondering how you have managed to characterize my sister so accurately. I’m simply amazed.