Picture 2
Samantha Redstreake Geary’s Picture Choice: 1
Title: Grimm Consequence
Most fairy tales end with, “and they lived happily ever after”...
This is not one of those stories.
When my brother and I returned home, sacks bursting with food and jewels, we imagined our lives from then on would be perfect.
Our happily ever after didn’t last long.
Han’s bite from the wicked old witch never healed. He took sick, not eating, not sleeping, and the stench surrounding him grew into a choking haze, as if he was rotting away from the inside. Distraught, Papa called the doctor to come visit. The doctor said he was cursed...there was nothing he could do.
On the third day, he broke into fits of violence, forcing me to bind him to the heavy banister. He still refused to eat, and lunged towards Papa and I whenever we came near.
On the fourth day, he broke free of his bonds and his madness drove him deep into the night.
On the fifth day, the Polizei came to our home.
“What business do you have, barging into my house at this hour?” Father demands.
"Frau Bose has implicated the boy in the murder of Frau Hexe, from the Grimm woods!" the Polizei bark.
Our conniving stepmother
"That evil woman is not my wife,” Father spat as the Polizei push past him, stomping across our hearth and scattering like ants searching for sugar.
"The deceased was the grandmother of your, err...ex-wife. She found the body in the oven. Nothing was recovered from the ash,” the Polizei remarks, shaking his head in disgust. “It was a sickening sight.” He unfurls a scroll and offers it to Father. “Frau Bose has provided a description of the jewels that were stolen from the house.”
“We’ve found this, Sir, hidden under a loose floorboard.” The guard is holding our stolen velvet purse.
The Polizei inspects its contents, comparing it to the drawings. “These jewels are a match!" he says, triumph burning behind his eyes. “Seize the boy!”
“You’ll not find him here.” I tell them.
Father grabs ahold of my arms and searches my eyes for answers I cannot give. “Greta…what have you done?”
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Dark and masterfully done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mina--visiting the dark-side is a fun trip:)
DeleteWOW!!! Wonderfully dark and compelling! So intriguing, makes me want to read MORE!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to read more of this dark, modern twist on the classic; very compelling! xx
ReplyDelete