Flash Fiction Challenge 7 at #OurAuthorGang

 Challenge accepted by Eva Bielby

Flash fiction is a concise form of prose storytelling consisting of self-contained stories that may also be referred to as sudden fiction, short-short stories, micro-fiction, or micro-stories. This particular genre is highly regarded by renowned English writers for its ability to convey profound insights and timeless human emotions within a few short paragraphs.

Eva's challenge was to write a flash fiction story of less than 500 words, based on this picture:

THISTLEDENT MANOR 

Isaac Dent moved Dilys, his bride of ten months, into Thistledent Manor in 1742. The rambling old house was bequeathed to Isaac by Alfred Dent, his grandfather. A once healthy and active landowner, Alfred had succumbed to viral pneumonia prior to Isaac’s wedding. He’d always cherished the special bond with his grandson. Isaac enjoyed fishing, hunting and shooting, where he excelled. Venison was frequently served at the table during the dinner parties held at the Dent house, courtesy of Isaac and his prowess with a rifle. Alfred had loved to boast about Isaac’s skills.

During four hopeful years, a complicated miscarriage left Dilys unable to bear children. Isaac saw her despair; the haunted look and guilt in her eyes. He was broken. He was unsure what to do to make Dilys smile again. Late one night as his wife slept beside him, Isaac was awake and an idea formed in his head. He was going to fill the house with orphaned children.

The Battle of Culloden had been fought and many local men were killed in the bloodthirsty clash. Some of their widows were dying of malnutrition as they struggled and kept food mainly for their children. Within weeks, Isaac and Dilys had filled their home with eleven youngsters - two babies and the remainder were between three and eleven years old. Dilys was ecstatic and quickly grew to love each one of them, but she struggled despite the help from the servants. Responding to their advertisement, an older lady, Agatha McTavish, was soon taken into the fold as nanny and teacher.

After several months, Dilys noticed four or five of the children had become withdrawn and sullen. She discussed the matter with Agatha, who suggested it was the trauma of losing their parents. Dilys acknowledged that there could be some truth in Agatha’s suggestion, but continued to dwell on the matter, after all, the children had seemed happy at first during Dilys’ love and nurturing.

Dilys continued to feed and settle the two babies after dinner each evening, leaving nanny to bathe the older children and tuck them into their beds. On leaving the nursery one night, she heard shouts and screams coming from along the passageway. There was an almighty crash and Dilys arrived at the open doorway in time to witness nine-year-old Angus McArthur’s spirit leave his body. His broken body lay naked and crumpled on the floor, blood pooling beneath his head. Deep red welts covered the skin on his back. Agatha stood over him. The whip in her hand dropped to the floor when she saw Dilys.

Isaac and Dilys moved away with their ‘family’ the following morning.

Thistledent Manor remains abandoned. The villagers often hear shouts and screams, those of Agatha and poor Angus, and the crack of a whip coming from the derelict, forbidding house.

Sadly, Dilys Dent never slept much after the events at Thistledent Manor. Her disturbing dreams always ended with Agatha’s face, a deep, bloodied gash across her throat.

Eva Bielby

https://www.evabielby.co.uk

Eva Bielby was born in North Yorkshire in the Northeast of England. She has spent over thirty years of her working life as a company accountant. Eva has a keen interest in spiritualism/mediumship and has attended several workshops to develop her skills further. During her quieter moments, Eva enjoys a cryptic crossword, sudoku, and gardening.