25 February 2013

What the Leprechaun Said


This month's prompt at Absolute Write: Suggest-A-Prompt

We have so many good prompt ideas that don't get used, so it's now time to mix it up. Posters get to suggest a prompt for the next blogger in line! Be sure to list the prompt and credit the suggester in your post. My prompt is "What the Leprechaun Said". Thank you, Carol, for this great inspirational challenge!

All that gold...


"He's a legendary figure, Eric." Gracie pulled gently on her son's hand. "We're late. Maybe we can come back later and visit." They shopped every year on St. Patrick's Day because it was her sister's birthday and she always waited until the last minute. Previous years were much easier. Eric's curiosity about the world had grown and there never seemed to be enough time to explain everything.

Eric didn't budge. "Is he good or bad?"

"Well, lots of people think he's good because he brings good luck. That's why he's always around a pot of gold."

"But why does he look like that?"

"Like what, Eric?" Gracie peered at the leprechaun in the display window of Macy's department store, her patience wearing thin. The same leprechaun they put out every year stood in its designated spot, a smile plastered across his green, ceramic face, and his left ear chipped at the top, exposing the white plaster beneath the paint. His lifeless eyes stared out from behind the glass and his hand held up in a gesture, waving hello, or in Gracie’s case, goodbye.

Eric wriggled away from Gracie and approached the window, placing his greasy palms flat against it. "Where is it? Where's the gold you crazy lepachon. Gimme, grrrr!"

Gracie reached down and grabbed Eric by one hand, balancing her packages in the other. "Let's go, Eric."

Unwilling at first, Eric conceded, but kept his eyes on the leprechaun while they walked away.

"Mommy, does the lepachon know where the pot of gold is?" Eric asked while Gracie tucked him into bed that night. She wished she hadn't made him wear a green shirt today and she wished she hadn't mentioned anything about leprechauns, four leaf clovers, and pinching people who didn't wear the festive color.

The reflecting light of the moon beamed through the window, casting shadows on the opposite wall. A waving hand and the outline of the leprechaun and his chipped ear appeared briefly and faded from the shadowy wall.

"Some think so, Eric. But nobody ever really saw a real leprechaun. He's just a fairy-tale character."

"Is Santa Claus a fairy-tale character, mommy?"

"Eric, that's not the same thing, honey."

"But I never saw Santa Clause, and he brings me toys on Christmas. If I ask the lepachon for a pot of gold, do you think he would bring it to me since it's St. Patrick's Day?"

Gracie knew better than to continue this conversation. She kissed Eric on the forehead and turned off the bedside lamp. "Goodnight, Eric."

The night drew on and from the shadows, a whisper. "Psst, Eric..."

***

A searing pain in the pit of her gut woke Gracie in the middle of the night. Eric sat upon her, straddling her like a horse, wriggling a knife through her stomach. "Grrrr, gimme!"

Gracie gasped and grabbed at Eric's hands. The exiting blade sliced her palms open, "What are you doing, Eric!" The pain, the rush of adrenaline, and the warm blood seeping into her night gown, all indications she was not dreaming.

His lifeless eyes looked through her and he plunged the knife in again. "The gold is in there, mommy. It's what the lepachon said!"

THE END

Visit these other participants:

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bmadsen   Cupcake Disaster
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writingismypassion   Blind Date with a Ventriloquist
katci13   Evil Cupid
KitCat   Hunting with Hounds
Angyl78   A Ghost's Bad Day
randi.lee   The Wrong Bar
Lady Cat   Visitors 
pyrosama -  (You Are HERE) What the Leprechaun Said
Ralph Pines -  Under the Bed
dclary -  Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty, Evil Ball of Fur
meowzbark -  Road Trip
SRHowen -  Faded Blue Jeans

28 comments:

  1. Talk about gold fever. That was a nasty twist ending. :)

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    1. Thanks, all I could think of was Leprechaun in the Hood! Never believed in the ole cheerful Lucky Charms type. :D

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  2. Whoa, didn't see that coming! You're a little sick, Diane, but I like it. :)

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    1. Yea, I know. It's my OCD. I can't NOT think of these things. I didn't see it coming either. lol

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  3. Ohmygosh!! Lol! Nasty surprise ending indeed! So creepy. I think I might have a nightmare tonight. Lol!

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    1. Thank you, Krystal! I like creepy. Having 2 days to produce was a challenge in itself. :D

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  4. Whoa! I was totally not expecting that ending! What a great twist - loved it!

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    1. I was hoping my ignorance of leprechauns didn't come through, but if you loved it, then I'm happy!

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  5. Okay, I didn't see that ending. I was thinking something light and fluffy. So not that. Great job!

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    1. I don't usually make such an abrupt ending, but I was at work and had to cut it off rather quickly. :D I'm happy you liked it.

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  6. Oh Diane-- you twisty turny unpredictable author, you! I think the guy I'm sitting next to on the train thinks I'm nuts because I let out an LOL at the beginning and an "oh my" at the end. Nice twist, I did not see that one coming! Oh and one more LOL at Lep. In the Hood. My friends and I had a great time drinking to that movie XD

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    1. Thank you! I hope Eric's pronunciation of leprechaun came through as creepy. :D

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  7. Very creepy. I love it! Did not see the ending coming.

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    1. Thanks. I have to work on it a bit, get the transition going so it's not too abrupt. I was under so much pressure, but that's what I like! lol

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  8. Wow Diane. You sure come up with some scary stuff. Is your last name Hitchcock? Thanks for your wonderful answers on my blog. You made me smile.

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    1. Nothing like sharing a little sunshine out in the blogosphere! :D

      If I had my choice of last names, I'd pick Poe! *teehee*

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  9. Holy freak! I've got chills. Those evil little leprechauns are always up to no good. Great story.

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    1. Thank you, Charity! This one was the most challenging, since the prompt is unknown until it's your turn! :D

      Love the challenge though. It was fun.

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  10. Oh gosh that was creepy! *Shivers* Great take on the prompt.

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  11. What a crazy ending! I did not see that coming. Boy, remind me never to mention lephechans to my kid. Great twist on the prompt.

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    1. Thanks, it was a fun one! Anytime I can twist something to be evil, I try my best to make it happen. lol

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  12. And here I thought it was going to be a cute story, maybe the kid gets a gold coin or something then WHAM! Of so very creepy! Excellent job caught me way of guard.

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    1. It was the tooth fairy that always creeped me out! I was like, "why does this person collect teeth?"

      *shudder*

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  13. Yikes! Those leprechauns are EEEEEVIL!

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    1. Anything short with pointy things on them must be evil. Look at the pointy haired boss on Dilbert.


      :)

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  14. Wow, that took a *seriously* unexpected and dark turn at the end! So well done with that.

    "That's where I saw the leprechaun! He told me to stab things!"

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    1. I thank you!

      Leprechauns are evil to the core.

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