Sue Vincent of The Daily Echo once again provided a lovely photoprompt to fire our creativity. Thank you, Sue.
The Crypt
The passage stretched longer than the old priest promised. A final door scraped open into a rectangular crypt, fluted arches interwoven in the dimness. Cobwebs luffed like gossamer sails as the air stirred. Eight slender columns splayed their stone fingers, supporting the vaulted ceiling, its paint flaking from the solemn faces of watchful gods.
In three rows lay the stone sarcophagi of dead kings, their likenesses carved into the dusty lids along with narrow slots for their spirits to breathe. The princess gazed straight ahead, whispering a prayer as she walked between the ancestral corpses, skeletal reminders of her royal lineage and her father’s impending doom.
Myths of the Mirror 
Haunting. Beautifully written. You’ve captured the essence of the image wonderfully. ☺
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For some reason, this seems solemn and sad more than creepy to me, Diana. The princess is nervous hence her continued praying, but the gossamer sails of cobwebs made me feel transported into her shoes. I am wary of what may happen next. . .
The detail about the sarcophagus having a breathing hole was enlightening. Lovely flash fiction. ❤
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My thought was sadness too, Robin, with the impending death of her father, but everyone interprets these differently and I really like that. Thanks for the visit and comment, my friend 🙂
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Love your story. But how did you get a photograph of my bedroom? 😀
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Awesome. Wouldn’t that be wild?
Cold in the winter, though.
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Oh, it’s fine. My wooden box bed is very well lined.
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And I suppose the lid helps keeps you cozy 🙂
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You must be psychic.
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Wonderfully creepy, in such a good way.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. I think it actually looks beautiful, but it would be creepy if all my ancesters were moldering away in there! Happy Writing 🙂
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Ha. Yes, no doubt. Thanks lovely lady. 🙂
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A subtle yet powerful snapshot, with a verbal accompaniment that stimulates. I am going to have to explore these “photoprompt” opportunities! Thanks for sharing.
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They are all over the place, Jarrod, but I’ve latched onto Sue’s. They’re fun and they connect you instantly to other writers as Sue shares them on her blog 🙂
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What vivid imagery! I am amazed at how much you are able to weave into a short piece like this one. Ps- Hope the little one is all healed upfrom the pox! Take care, Diana.
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Wonderful bit, as always, Diana! You’ve captured the atmosphere so well.
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Thanks, Julie. I have some deadlines coming up fast, so this was a quick easy one. 🙂
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Fantastic imagery, Diana! Perfect melding of story and photo.
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Thanks for the visit, Noelle. Your book is out right? I’m headed over to visit your site and pick it up! 🙂
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“…paint flaking from the solemn faces of watchful gods.” What a fantastic line, Diana. These photoprompts were meant for you. Brava!
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Thanks, Mary. I do like these quick ones and try to do one every couple weeks. Have a great day!
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ooooh, spine-tingling, Diana! 🙂
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LOL. Thanks, Judy 🙂 Have a great week full of smiles.
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Beautifully written, D.
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Thanks so much for the visit, Mary 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it! Happy Writing.
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[…] Reblogged from D. Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror: […]
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Wow. Wonderfully creepy, Diana. 🙂
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Thanks Steven. Short and sweet (well, not so sweet) with a lot of deadlines coming up. Thanks for the visit, my friend. I’m posting your interview this Thursday (not next). Just an FYI 😀
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Thanks for letting me known. And good luck with those deadlines…they’re like rear view mirrors, except objects may appear further than they really are. 🙂
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I’m getting there!
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🙂
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It’s creepy indeed. What great descriptions. I’d say it brings the place to life, but it doesn’t fit that place. Great writing as always. Have a great week, Diana. 🙂 — Suzanne
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LOL. Thanks, Suzanne. Happy Writing 🙂
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Brilliantly creepy D! Thanks!
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Thank you, Hector 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week, my friend.
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YOU too thank you!!!
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Just the right amount of creepiness. Love the peaches!
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Thanks, Bernadette. The peaches are a little cheery for this creepy piece. They’re summery, though 🙂 Thanks for the visit!
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Love the depth in this, as always. I went to The Crypt School as a child… I really should be writing gothic horror from that background!
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The Crypt School? Is there really such a place?? Zombies qualify. Who knows what’s inside those tombs.
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There really is! Maybe it does explain my zombie love… 🙂
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Amazing!
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Wow. Your creativity sure is fired! That was an extraordinary response to the prompt. So much depth and intrigue in so few words. Visiting the Egyptian antiquities at the art museum is one of my favorite parts. I find the beliefs about the after life of the deceased just fascinating, as I’m sure you do as well! 🙂
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I would love to see that exhibit, Kelly. I’m fascinated by all that ancient history. I do feel sorry for all the folks buried with their pharaohs and kings, though. Yikes! Have a great week 😀
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So true! Hope you have a great week as well. Here’s to August! 🙂
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Diana, what a strong hook to want to read more! That last sentence is perfect! Have a wonder-filled week! 💛 Elizabeth
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You too, Elizabeth! Thanks for the visit. I have to get over and see your August sunset 🙂
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Thanks, Diana! Expect the new sunset within two days time. Just got back from vacation! 💛E
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I’ll be back. 😀 Hope you had a wonderful break!
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A lovely, shadowy short!
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Thanks for reading, Kathryn 🙂 I’m formatting today, so I kept the post short. My eyeballs are already crosssed! Have a lovely week ❤
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Formatting! ugh – one of my least favorite parts of any writing task. I started my day yesterday RE-formatting, which made a Grumpy Monday even grumpier!! (Those nasty WordPress Gremlins had overwritten over an hour of late-night work, and stripped my post of illustrations.)
A fan of the long post usually, the shorter ones allow me time to ponder.
I love the way you language your visions – so many beautiful phrases to savor.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
– ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder –
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Thanks, Madelyn. I formatted for 10 hours yesterday. I added images to a book and that messed up my page breaks, etc, etc, over and over again! All done now 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comment!
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I feel your pain – and have experienced the exhilaration when everything is finally on the page where it belonged – but TEN HOURS?! God grant me coffee.
xx,
mgh
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LOL 🙂
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Fantastic word artistry! Love this! The cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. ❤️
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Well, that’s good! Thanks for reading and the lovely comment 🙂 ❤
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That leaves a story wide open 🙂 Thanks, Diana 🙂
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Thanks for the great prompt, as always 😀
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I’ve wanted to use that one for a while 🙂
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Wow love this!
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Thanks, Lynn. A nice short one today. Have a lovely week 🙂
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I really like it, mysterious
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I too like the hook at the end – impending doom is definitely ominous!
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Ha ha. Yes, those words are somewhat ominous! Thanks for reading, Joanne 😀 Have a wonderful week!
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Fantastic! ***shiver*** 🙂
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Thanks for reading, Cynthia. Glad I got a shiver out of you. 😀 Have a great week!
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So spooky and your imagination enhances the feeling! I happened to open it right in the morning!! 🙂 still smiling because of your fantastic quality of your prose.
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Thank you, Balroop. You always say the nicest things 🙂 Have a wonderful week, my friend.
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Loved it, and you taught me a new word, too. (Luffed)
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Is that a word? I just went into a little panic. Yep. Looked it up – it’s a word! Ha ha.
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LOL Sorry, did I discombobulate you then?
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Sometimes I make up words and don’t know it 🙂 🙂
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I’ll keep a close eye out.
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Impending doom…good one, D. ☺
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Thanks, Van. That’s the hook 🙂 Glad you liked it!
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