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| PHOTO PROMPT © Valerie J. Barrett |
(NOTE: this is an abbreviated version of my story for the letter T for the 2019 A to Z Challenge)
She thrust the tea cup into my hands. "Don't drink all. Leave some."
I did as I was told, setting it down on the table between us when there was a little left.
"Hold in left hand. Swirl three times. To the right."
I swirled the contents, mesmerized by the agitated leaves. I held the cup towards her but she shook her head. "Upside down on saucer. Slowly."
Next she lifted the cup, peering inside. "GO!"
"What?"
"Now!"
Still arguing, she pushed me out the door. What had she seen that so terrified-
My thoughts were cut short by the bullet that killed me.
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She asked him to leave so that he could be killed?
ReplyDeleteThat too after making him do all those tricks with the tea?
That's cruel.
Three Musketeers - Anita
Ah, but all she could do was tell the fortune she read in the tea leaves!
DeletePretty cruel of her to shove him to his death.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
My take was it was going to happen regardless and she didn't want it to happen inside her establishment. LOL!
DeletePerhaps she just wasn't very good at her job
ReplyDeleteOr maybe too good? Thanks for stopping by, Neil.
DeleteCoo, lumme! That was a surprise! Your description of the act of fortune telling was concise and very effective, and your abrupt change to one word sentences "Go!" "What?" "Now" ratcheted up the tension alarmingly. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you! I did include a link at the top to the full(er) story from my A to Z collection. You might enjoy that as well. Much appreciate the visit!
DeleteWhat a shame. There should be a back door to the place. I wonder if she loses many customers that way. A good story, Donna. Good writing. :) --- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne. So glad you liked it. It was a fun write...
DeleteA splendid thriller!
ReplyDeleteWhat an original take on the prompt! He/she stood no chance it would appear...
ReplyDeleteI know - fate. ;)
DeleteI loved the description of the tea leaves reading, what a great idea for the prompt. That poor protagonist though, having to tell the story as a ghost. He probably doesn't quite know what's happening yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Appreciate the stop by and the comment.
DeleteNow either the patron's death was imminent no matter where they were at a particular time or the leaf-reader was part of the death plot. In either case tautly told tale!
ReplyDeleteJade Li@ http://tao-talk.com
Thanks so much, Jade. I appreciate it!
DeleteOuch... leaving for the imminent danger in tea-leaves
ReplyDeleteThanks! Appreciate the stop by and read!
DeleteI was so absorbed in your description of the business with the tea leaves that I was completely shocked at the bullet that killed her? Him? Anyway, really good work!
ReplyDeleteThere's a better, fuller description in the original story I linked to at the top...it was fun to research.
DeleteYup, him or her...not sure it mattered. LOL!
Wow, surprise ending. Was the fortune teller trying to save her or pushing her in front of the bullet?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, good question! Thanks for visiting, Michael.
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