PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox
Iron gates work, where other metals provide only a physical barrier. In daylight, scavengers rip into walls with crowbars, looking for enough for the traps. Patching up their solar energy systems keeps the hydroponic gardens growing. Rabbits give protein and furs.
In Winter, when the nights are long, She reigns. Lost to predation, hunger, depression, and cold, every Spring there are fewer of them.
Mark and I had laughed at yet another hieroglyphic warning on the door to the mausoleum we were about to loot. I remember prying the iron-encased rubies from her eyes.
Dusk falls; I drool and wait.
[100 words]
Written in tribute to every mummy and vampire story I ever read or movie I ever saw. Also a nod to “The Omega Man.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the abiding host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Remember what happened to the guy who found King Tut
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The real guy and the real King Tut? No.
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https://www.livescience.com/44297-king-tut-curse.html
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Thanks for the link. One scoffs at their own risk, either in this life — or in the afterlife! :::maniacal laughter:::
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A fine classic horror atmpsphere
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Neil, thank you :)
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Scary scenario
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Thanks, Sadje!
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You’re welcome
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Hope the accursed metal keeps her out!
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Looting mausoleums never ends well!
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Thanks, Iain :)
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Brrr! Creepy story, Lisa. I wouldn’t like to meet that pair anywhere at all.
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I hear you! The image this week gave my muse the creeps. Thank you for reading and your comment, Penny.
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Let sleeping dogs lie as they say. (K)
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A scary little tale here. Could definitely morph into a sci-fi nightmare of a tale of aliens and such. Love it!
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Bear, thank you. Something about the rusty iron gate set me off.
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Me, too. It brought to mind images from my years of researching WW2… of course everything happening in the world is doing that these days.
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This could have been a lost episode of the Twilight Zone.
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Max, after seeing how much you appreciate Twilight Zone, I take this as a high compliment. Thank you. I could see that. What would you think if they did a TZ reboot and made sure to keep it in the same style and with the same quality as the original? I think it could be a blockbuster hit.
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Yes…keep it the same style and 30 minutes…get the best sci-fy writers available…I would love it.
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A fitting tribute and a perfect take on that atmospheric picture. Well done Lisa.
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Keith thank you, good way of describing the picture!
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Straight out of the Tales of the Unexpected. They should heed those warnings.
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Thanks, James! Agreed. Nowhere I’d want to be in that tale.
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Yikes! A bit of Tut in this …
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Yes! Thanks for reading, Na’ama!
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They are a creepy pair. Methinks they best be warned…
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Yes they are! And yes!
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Oh my, Lisa. This is a dark one. Well done.
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Thanks, Bill.
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I love a good post-apocalyptic story.
I’ve never heard of “The Omega Man.” It looks pretty good. “The last man on Earth is not alone.”
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It’s a classic.
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I’m watching it right now. It’s based on “I Am Legend.” That’s a great book. I don’t even like vampire stories, but that was well done.
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Cool. Didn’t know that it was based on a book. I’m guessing you’ve seen the Will Smith reboot? It’s also really good.
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I didn’t like the Will Smith version. Somehow, they’re making a sequel with Will Smith. (???) I almost didn’t read the book, but the book’s always better, so I tried it. I’m glad I did.
An earlier movie, “The Last Man On Earth (1964)”, starring Vincent Price, is also based on “I Am Legend.” Richard Matheson, who wrote the book, co-wrote the screenplay. I learned that last night, too.
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I saw the Vincent Price one, but it has been years since seeing it. Now I instantly recognized Richard Matheson’s name as one of the main writers of Twilight Zone. And the plot thickens.
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I didn’t know he wrote for Twilight Zone. I’ve seen every episode but missed that detail. The plot thickens indeed.
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He even wrote the one with William Shatner in it!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Matheson
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There’s a man out there.
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Dear Lisa,
Creepy goodness behind those iron bars. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you. Creepy goodness is high praise.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Excellently described post-apocalyptic story. I love “The Omega Man!!”
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Thanks, Brenda! Glad you know it and love it.
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Gave me the shivers. Lots of scary things going on here. Now is a good time for apocalyptic scenarios, I think.
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Thanks much, Margaret, for reading and your comment. Indeed.
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I can’t see this ending well for them :-o
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I hope they can find a way to trap her and put an end to the terror.
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Chances are high that will not end well.. scary story
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I agree, Vartika. Thanks for reading and your comment.
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I love the haunting title and the unwritten rest of the story. That title, though. Makes you wonder what that means, what exactly “she” has planned. And then, I think I’m okay over here, not knowing. Well done.
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Anne, thank you for reading and glad I got you wondering :)
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A bit of macabre in your tale this week, Lisa.
I think looting from graves can be a bit life-threatening in more ways than one.
I’m happy I’m reading this during the day. HA HA
Izzy 😎
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Haha! I agree with you on all counts, Izzy. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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Oooooooo creepy.
A warning discovered too late. Why do people open tombs!
Nice one.
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Thanks, Laurie :)
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Yikes! Excellent horror, Lisa!
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:) Thank you!
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Wonderfully Gothic and chilling.
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Thank you, Francine.
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Wondeful story Li you’ve a real talent for telling stories!
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Thanks much, Carol Anne :)
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