#FF — Four and Twenty (was: The Grass is Greener) (warning: disturbing content)

FF 082124
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Four and Twenty

Ralph’s smooth features contort through surprise, excitement, and calculation.

It’s not a good look on him she thinks.

Don’t worry your pretty head about it, dear.”

Gina, are you sure?”

Why did I wait so long to be worshiped by a dumb, sexy God?

I’m sure. Now go to the bedroom and get ready.”

~ ~ ~

Preparations of a different sort take place over the next few days. The bread machine cranks out many crusts, which are popped into the deep freeze to wait. Knives are sharpened.

Harold fills twenty-four.

The soup kitchen is delighted with the surprise donation.

[100 words]

This is the third and final part to the story. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.

Read Part 1 here.
Read Part 2 here.

FF 092023

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the host of Friday Fictioneers.

42 Comments Add yours

  1. I can’t help but think this has sinister undertones

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Neil, I’d be worried if you didn’t think that. Thanks :)

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Sounds pretty dark, Lisa! :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      I hope you weren’t looking for a happy ending, Christian ;)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I kind of figured there wouldn’t be a happy end!😀

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          I guess compared to what he did, what she did is exponentially worse. I hope they get some good detectives on the case.

          Liked by 1 person

  3. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    Definitely creepy. What inspired this ending? (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Good question! I’ve been watching some dark stuff on netflix and think it has an influence. “Only the shadow knows…”

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

    I had a feeling this one would be dark…. and no one could guess that ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Max, yesterday even I never would have guessed that ending! I toyed with mercy, letting bygones be bygones, etc — but rejected them. :::evil laughter echoing:::

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

        lol… well you know I’m dark so i don’t mind….

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          Max, you are a loyal fan of my writing. I know you don’t mind dark, especially after your “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” write up :)

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:

            LOL…

            Liked by 1 person

  5. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Oh, I can guess what you haven’t written. 😱

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      :) Thanks, Sadje. A gruesome tale indeed.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        You’re welcome ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  6. James Pyles's avatar James Pyles says:

    My pies were sinister, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Just read it. Gruesome to the nth!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Dale's avatar Dale says:

    Methinks Harold deserved punishment… but this is a tad extreme.

    How long will Gina be happy with a dumb, sexy god?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      I think Gina is not a very nice person. I wanted to show how an initial impression of victimhood can flip in a chilling way. Also, I wanted to flip the script with traditionally male and female roles.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale's avatar Dale says:

        I think Gina is far from a nice person.
        You succeeded brilliantly!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          Dale, thank you. 3 parts is enough to tell a pretty good story.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Dale's avatar Dale says:

            Absolutely! 300 words giving us all sorts of scenarios possible until you gave us the official one :)

            Liked by 1 person

  8. glyn40wilton's avatar glyn40wilton says:

    I’ll have to o back….I’ve forgotten the rest of the story!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Sandra's avatar Sandra says:

    Dark and gruesome. You’ve sustained the story well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Sandra, thanks much. I tried.

      Like

  10. Angela Adams's avatar Angela Adams says:

    This did not end well. What a wrap up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Angela.

      Like

  11. Your warning was warranted! That was certainly not the ending I expected! A great three-parter, Lisa.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Keith. I enjoyed writing this three-parter.

      Like

  12. Margaret's avatar Margaret says:

    Oo. That was a gruesome plan. She wasn’t going to just walk quietly away then, was she. Revenge was what she wanted. Chilling ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Margaret, I’m not sure why she did it. It may have been for more practical reasons. Thank you for reading and your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. A chilling ending woven so well, as usual, Lisa. Well done! :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Brenda :)

      Like

  14. Laurie Bell's avatar Laurie Bell says:

    Ba! What an end to your little tale. Poor Harold…nicely done. 24 pies? Not bad conservation haha eeeew
    You set this up well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      lol! Love your comment, Laurie. Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Meha Sharma's avatar Meha Sharma says:

    Pretty dark and twisted.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      It’s a real mess isn’t it.

      Like

  16. Dear Lisa,

    Does this mean ‘the secret’s in the sauce’? Dark and creepy. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Rochelle, you could definitely say that. :) Thanks a lot.
      Shalom,
      Lisa

      Like

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Indeed. Thanks, Dawn!

      Liked by 1 person

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