PHOTO PROMPT © Alicia Jamtaas
Only a keen eye notices the garlic; if they do, they know I am a gardener and think nothing of it. Six summers ago, neighborhood pets start disappearing. By August, it is children.
In December, l lay the trap, and on New Year’s Eve, it takes the bait. Its silver cage rests behind the facade. Only a keen ear hears its shrieking in the night and shudders. My grim smile under dark-circled eyes waits.
Professor VanHelsing arrives on Monday, to assist with Mindy’s birthday celebration.
“You would have been ten today, baby girl. May your soul rest in peace.”
[100 words]
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the creative host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
The garlic doesn’t work? Help!
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It’s plan b, just in case it wiggles out of the silver cage. Thanks, Neil 🙂
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Is it something like a vampire? I hear that by now they have developed an immunity to garlic
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Silver, a stake to the heart, and garlic are the only things that DO work. It’s the cross that doesn’t work anymore.
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Tantalizing tale Li.
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Thank you, Sadje. I just felt that wall was hiding something and when I saw the garlic…
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I went back for a closer look to find the garlic.
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Not the birthday present on the vampires wishlist I imagine! Good take.
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Thanks, Iain!
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I saw what I think is baby’s breath, but didn’t see the garlic :).
What a fascinating horror story. Yikes!
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Thank you. It’s a horror story of the worst kind, having your child turned into a vampire and then having to kill her 😦
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Vampires? I think, although i’m unskilled in such things. Brilliantly written as ever. Nicely done
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Yes, vampires, and her daughter has been “turned” and is caged and awaiting “release” on her birthday. Thank you and glad you enjoyed the story, Shrawl.
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You know all about this horror thing…(k)
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The first thing I saw in the picture was the bike, which reminded me of my bike and the fact I still need to have it serviced – sigh!
As to your story, it’s a good horror tale!
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Tsk tsk, Christian, you need to get on it. Could you take it in on Saturday?? Thanks on the story.
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I know I’m looking like a slacker. This Saturday, I’ll be out all day at the aforementioned Rock the Farm festival. At least I feel music is a somewhat valid excuse! 🙂
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Sounds like fun, guess I missed that aforemention.
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🙂
https://christiansmusicmusings.wordpress.com/2022/08/30/get-ready-to-rock-the-farm/
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Groovy! Thanks for the link. Looks like a fun time.
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Really psyched about it! I also love the fact that the event supports an important cause!
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Yikes! I would be out of there in a nano second.
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I don’t know why she waited so long to call Van Helsing!
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I like this one…love the horror feel.
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Good. It’s been awhile since I wrote straight scary.
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I like scary and the scifi ones a lot.
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Can you imagine a vampire loose in your neighborhood, biting your child and turning them into a vampire and then you have to keep her in cage until VanHelsing shows up and helps you kill her? YIPES. That would be a great plot for a movie!
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Yes it would! Vampires are scary… my favorite vampire is Nosferatu…it was made in 1922 but still scares me.
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I agree Nosferatu is scary as heck. Gary Oldman in one where Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise were vampires was scary also. Have you seen The Hunger with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve? I remember that one as being part erotic and part terrifying.
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Yes I saw Interview with a Vampire…I think that was it right? It was good. No I never saw The Hunger
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Yes that’s the name. The Hunger is worth a watch but I think it gets real scary in parts.
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Good the more the better…I’ll check it out….Oh…my comments Saturday and Sunday will be slow…We are taking Bailey and Maria to Memphis to see Graceland and Beale Street.
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Awesome! Maria must be having the thrill of her life. I’m sure the US is so very different than Germany.
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She keeps saying that people are so open and nice here. In Germany people are more closed. They spent 4 days in New York and they just spent around 3 days in Nashville. Bailey said New York was sketchy but mostly good…
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Well spotted! Very spooky.
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Thanks much, Sandra!
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How sad! Hopefully, the hell is over. Well written.
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Thank you, Tannille!
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Ohhhh dear me.
This does not sound good.
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We were a bit concerned when ourdaughter became a goth, with black clothes, black hair and pale makeup. We were quite relieved when she developed a taste for garlic bread!
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LOL! “All’s well that ends well.”
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Great take. I am sure that is exactly what all of that garlic is for.
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Thanks, Trent!
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Great Vampie story there, Jade. Like the last line, caused me to read it again.
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Thanks much, “Someone”
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Horror and me do not get on, but I appreciated the hidden depths that you put into this story
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Michael, thank you, and glad you liked it.
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Hi yes I was drawn to your garlic like a moth to a flame!! 🙂
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🙂
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Ya gotta love vampire stories, Lisa. With or without the garlic. Well done.
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Thanks, Bill!
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Oh, what a hporr tale is this! Loved it. as usual.
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Thanks so much, Neel 🙂
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Ooh. That last line brings it home hard. Well played.
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Thanks, Nobbin!
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Dear Lisa,
Spooky tale with Halloween looming on the horizon. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thanks much!
Shalom,
Lisa
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i guess vampires are like viruses. they evolve. It’s only a matter of time before traditional cures become ineffective.
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Plaridel, I think you’re right.
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Wow. How awful! Awful but good. Great story. I’m not up with vampires, having to ‘release’ a vampire that was once a daughter. Very clever storyline.
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Fleur, thank you very much.
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You are welcome
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There’s so much to this story and very well written. Horrifically sad about her daughter, but glad she is contained in the silver cage. Van Helsing will be a great help. Entertaining story, Lisa!
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Brenda, thank you very much. Rochelle is right, when the weather turns toward chilly my mind goes dark.
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Wow! Gloriously Gothic and excellently composed!
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Thank you, Stars!
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Wow! Very exciting story here. Sounds like the monster’s death to come is a very deserved one. Pesky vampires
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Thanks, Laurie!
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