Wednesday's Words on a Friday

 

The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.

This month the words/prompts are supplied by Hilary Melton-Butcher and can be found here

This week's words/prompts are:

1. paucity 

2. inglenook 

3. heft 

4. yew 

5. pergola 

and/or: 

1. greed 

2. madness 

3. myth 

4. traveller 

5. visualise

Here is my story: 

The traveller hefted his bulk into the corner seat of the inglenook, setting his briefcase on the seat beside him and reaching his hands towards the fire for some warmth. The window in the side wall looked out over a gravelled courtyard surrounded by a tall yew hedge, with smaller, clipped shrubs forming a maze leading to a pergola at the centre. 

He gazed around the interior now, finding it hard to visualise the mean little cabin that had once stood here. Certainly there was no paucity of space or fine furnishings in this hotel and by the look of the customers in the adjoining dining room, the kitchen was very well stocked too. 

The owner of the original tiny, dirty, cabin was now a very rich hotelkeeper, having decades ago traded his greedy soul for the wealth that now saw him living like a king.  When he came from the dining room to welcome the traveller, Lucifer let his disguise slip just a little and was immensely satisfied at the shock on Ray Hatley's face. "NO!", hissed Ray. "You can't take me now! It would be madness to let go of all this. I can share it with you! We can make a new deal."

He spread his arms wide and turned full circle. "Half of this can be yours. It earns a lot of money. Please don't take me," he pleaded. "Tsk Tsk, Ray," said Lucifer. "I have no need of money and you know the "second deal" is just a myth. Of course we promise that to everybody, it makes them that much keener to sign over their souls. But if you are looking for promises kept, you are dealing with the wrong angel. On the other hand, I did promise to take you...oh well."

Ray blanched and moaned slightly. "I don't want to go!" He began to sob, quietly, lest his diners hear and wonder what was going on. "Please, please, don't take me," he begged, wringing his hands and beginning to snivel. "Your time is up Ray," said Lucifer, "besides, it's winter here and you hate the cold. You'll be warm where we are going. Very, very, warm," placing his hand gently over Ray Hatley's heart, causing an instant heart attack and whisking away with his soul before Ray's body even hit the floor. No one noticed until the diners finished eating and looked around for dessert and drinks.