“What IS it?” Iain asked, staring at sphere.
It was roughly the size of a grapefruit, translucent, mottled, and reflecting the gold of the cushion it rested on. The sign next to it read, “MAGIC. DO NOT TOUCH!”
Mairi reached toward it, but Iain slapped her hand away.
“DON’T TOUCH IT!” he yelled. “Can’t you read?!”
“I just want to look at it better. I can’t tell what it is,” Mairi said, her lower lip trembling.
The two children stared at ball. It had mysteriously appeared on the table.
“We should tell Mom,” Iain finally said. “It gives me the creeps.”
“She’s in the kitchen with George,” Mairi said. The tone of her voice and the accompanying eye-roll said everything about her feelings toward George.
“I’ll get her,” Iain said. “You wait here, but don’t touch it.”
She frowned and stared. “What makes it magic?” she said aloud and reached for the ball as her mother and Iain came in.
*POOF* Mairi was gone.
Iain grabbed hold of his mom, terrified. “What just happened?!” he cried.
Behind them both, a deep voice ordered, “Bring that here.”
Iain looked at George. His height and heft alone were scary, but that booming voice made Iain’s stomach feel all squeezy.
“Bring it here,” he ordered again.
“But… but…” Iain stammered.
George took a step toward him, so Iain reached for the orb.
*POOF* Iain was gone.
George slid his arm around their mother.
“Now, where were we?” he said, smiling wickedly.
This is my response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge — write a 250 word story based on the picture shown above.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Well, that was deliciously evil and I’m sure I shouldn’t be smiling. Good story.
I’m glad you persevered!
Thanks, Jenne! It made me smile too — and feel a little guilty over the smile. 🙂
George should market that, Sally.
Fun story (in a dark and horrible way!)
Thank you! Look for it in stores near you soon!
Yikes! (I mean that as a compliment.)
If she’s smart, she may want to reach out and touch the ball too.
To Alyssa’s ‘Yikes’ allow me to contribute a ‘What the hell!?’
Lol
As her’s, intended as quite a sincere compliment on a tale new age parenting.
Well that went dark fast! I don’t think George has anyone’s best interest at heart!
Only George’s
What a hoot. Well done.
Thank you!
Oh dear. Poor kiddies. That was a most enjoyable read. I do agree with you that the chuckles it raises are guilty ones, but maybe that’s the best kind. George’s sinister presence and evil power are conjured very effectively in just a few phrases.
Thank you! George just sort of happened as I wrote.
It’s magic when that happens.
Hopefully they’ve gone to a better, George-less place. Nicely done
I hope it’s a magical gorgeous George-less place 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well, that certainly came as a surprise … a wickedly delicious one!
Fun, finely crafted story!
Haha — it came as a surprise to me too
Cool!
Does that mean you would touch it?
‘Do not touch’ signs ask to be ignored, as your delightfully dark yet amusing tale proves!
A little reverse psychology often works to get children to do what you want them to. 🙂
Oh my goodness! Nicely done, Sally….quite the twist! Begs the question whether their mother was in on it, or if she’s a victim of evil George as well…..
This would be a fantastic start for one of Marla’s Pass the Baton challenges!!!!
I’m not familiar with that — what’s the link? I would love to see where someone else would take the story!
Here is the post for the September Challenge… https://marladragon.wordpress.com/2023/09/02/passthebaton-challenge-for-september/
And here is the link to the rules/overview: https://marladragon.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/passing-the-baton-story-writing-challenge-overview/
Thank you! I’ll check it out!
Sally, are you interested in joining in on September’s? K.S. Wood is looking for someone to take the baton… comment on her post if you would like to join in! https://wp.me/pdlOsu-Zd
Sorry — I just saw this! It had gone into my spam folder. I really appreciate you asking, but I think I’ll sit this one out.
Thanks for getting back to me! Maybe another time 🙂