Empress Of The Void

A 12 Tweet Post I did for "Tales From The End Of The World" aka #tfteotw hosted by Marc Tizura.

1. People talked about what they were, but we never knew. Days would pass; months-- years even, and nothing fresh would emerge. Just the same old story. They'd find us, off-guard and ask to be let in.

2. We'd always say no. Of course we'd say that, because, who would invite a demon into their home or car? Then I met B, and had my answer before I knew the question.

3. A kindhearted woman if ever there was one. Sweet, beautiful and unwilling to watch another living thing suffer. That was her downfall; and mine too. Or so I thought.

4. After a late showing of a superhero film, we sat in semi-darkness watching brake lights flash as the other patrons left. We were hidden by condensation on the windows, and the cold weather made us frisky.

5. We kissed as the engine warmed, only to be interrupted by bony knuckles wrapping on the glass. "Let us in." One said. It had no pupils. No whites in its eyes. 

6. I knew immediately it was an aberration. A menace. After all, I'd seen this before. I experienced the fear and hopelessness that comes with their presence. I struggled to swallow a terror that wouldn't go down.

7. Before I could put the engine in drive, B had the door open. Asked them all in. There were three of them. I suppose she didn't see their eyes-- only their need. Skinny, red-nosed children out in the cold was all B saw. Bless her heart.

8. I couldn't drive. I was shaking too much. So I unbuckled my seat belt and tried to convince my love to run with me. But she wouldn't. I soon found out that "B" stands for B, as in Queen B. B turned towards me, her eyes matched theirs. Her hair danced in a phantom wind.

9. She said, "there's no need to run, we're going home." I didn't know what she meant, all I knew was that she looked like them. Her eyes were black as a starless night. Her skin morphed into a mottled gray nightmare, but her beauty never ebbed.

10. I would soon learn how fitting her name was, for she is B. Queen of the Children. Empress of the Void. The Black Eyed One. 

11. Envision if you will, a pit of darkness. An oubliette of terror and ugly thoughts. If such a place has a center, that's where you would find B; wearing my flesh as if it were the finest silk. 

12. You'd find her hoisted up on a throne contrived of children's bony fingers. She and all her acolytes are made full and fed well by fools like me. Those stupid, foolish ones of us who let her in.

The End...

If you have time, you should check out #tfteotw. Every week, The Host, (aka Marc) posts a short YouTube video about the theme/ prompt. Enders, or players, then post short, 10 or more tweet stories using the hashtag. 

I had a lot of fun playing this game! Everyone over at #tfteotw is super nice and supportive about your tweets, so don't be worried about posting a thread. (I was a little worried, but I got over it quickly). The Host made sure to thank me for participating and he even RTed my story backwards so folks could read it in order. 

Thumbs up! (Thanks Marc!)

The #tfteotw  game plays every Thursday, so be sure to Follow @areyouingrenin  and his lovely co-host, Megan, Follow @cch217 to stay up to date on this awesome hashtag game for short form loving wordplayers.

So, seriously, thanks for the inspo, Marc and Megan, because of #tfteotw  I've been working on a few flash fiction pieces for Wicked Shorts and I hope to post more of them soon!!!

Welp, that's all for today! Thanks for reading! And for the lova kittens, keep it creepy wouldja?