This is the seventh in Dusty's stories - as you may have noticed, I came up with a numerical theme for the stories and this is number 7.
What else but the Seven Deadly Sins - and the opposing Seven Heavenly Graces - for this story.
As before, I hope you enjoy the story.
pictures from Google free to use search
The first was dead before any of them understood what was happening.
Dusty’s hand dripped gore.
The recently deceased Shudder Sister’s body was straight at last, freed from the stoop of old age.
Her head was too far back, it looked wrong – it was tipped back so that the back of her head was parallel to the floor, ninety degrees to her straightened body.
The throat was missing, yet she screamed.
It was the scream from her soul rather than her mouth.
As her body died, her soul was freed and when it realised where it was and that there really was no chance of escape or redemption, it gave one last horrific, terrifying screech of anger, bewilderment and utter agony as it was claimed and damned.
The three remaining Shudder Sisters stood before Dusty.
Two had their hands over their ears, their eyes closed, with terror etched on their faces because they realised their fate.
The third, the elder, glared at Dusty.
“Betcha didn’t foretell that future; did you?” Dusty grinned at the old woman.
“I can see your future, demon-spawn,” she said, lifting her hand to point at Dusty. “I see your future very well.”
“Yeah, well it hasn’t happened yet, so I’m not going to change it by worrying about it.”
“I see the death of your loved ones!”
“We’ve all got to die, chick,” Dusty said.
She maintained her composure but the words hit hard, like a sliver of ice through her chest.
The elder Shudder Sister caught the glimmer of pain in Dusty’s eyes and decided to press her advantage.
“Your grandparents will die in agony trying to save you and you will be oblivious to their terror. Selfish child, you could prevent the tragedy, but...” she hesitated, confused.
She frowned making the wrinkles on her brow deepen. “But how?”
Dusty had had enough.
She set a determined grimace on her face and ran at the Shudder Sisters.
The elder, the one in the middle, put up her hands to ward off the attack but she was too late and too weak.
Dusty hit her at a run, head lowered and she shoulder-barged her.
The elder Shudder Sister was propelled back towards the wall of molten rock.
Dusty thrust her back and away as they approached the wall and the momentum carried the ancient woman off her feet and into the wall.
She was absorbed into the molten rock like a body falling into quicksand.
It sucked her in at crawling pace and Dusty watched as the crone struggled to be free.
The Shudder Sisters all screamed in agony as the elder’s flesh was consumed and before her soul wailed its agony, she pointed once more at Dusty but Dusty was determined not to listen.
“I don’t want to hear it, old woman. You have nothing to say that I’m interested in hearing. You used your gift to threaten and dominate. Not just your human victims but those you called ‘sister’. I see a future for your soul. It’s going to be hell!”
Dusty turned away without another word. The two remaining Shudder Sisters clung to each other in an embrace that reminded Dusty of a childhood fairytale – Babes in the Wood. She smiled at the memory of her mother reading the story to her but then she remembered why they were there.
“Well ladies,” she said. “You’re already in hell, I suggest you stay away from Lucifer, I don’t know what he’d do to you if he found you in his domain without an appointment.”
“Take me back!” one of the women demanded as Dusty turned away from them.
“Just you; not both of you? After what I’ve just said to your sister?” Dusty said. “I think not. The world of man is well-rid of you.”
Dusty concentrated again and she was back in the derelict house.
A faint imprint of the elder Shudder Sister’s form was fading from the damp and crumbling plaster on the wall before her and Dusty’s smile was grim.
She remembered the elder’s prophecy and she knew fresh agony and bereavement was coming.
She didn’t know where, when or how, so the only thing she could do was to make the most of it while she could.
Grandma always said, “If you can’t change it by worrying about it, why waste time and energy worrying?”
Dusty thought that was very sound advice.
good morning..it is only 4:45 am here...great to see you in my feed
Dusty is always into something deep this time I might add
Her throat missing omg great images and ending this section with something that I could not agree with more.
My grandma always told me I can get glad in the same pants I am sad in
LOL
Just thought I would do a quick read...what I like about your stories is you can jump in anywhere...
Have a wonderful day my friend...what an imagination you have..love it!
What on earth are you doing awake at this time? :)
I like that saying glad/sad pants!
Yes, Dusty gets up to all sorts of adventures. I'm pleased that you enjoy my stories. Thank you :)
well around here we get up early a lot ..lol
soon to begin our morning meditation ... today I will be out doing my class assignment .. I am in several photography classes...love it! Took the beginning one a while back then signed up for photography 2 and 3. Telling you all this so you know why I am so busy and you will like this.
I chose today to shoot in the cemetery we have a beautiful one... our assignment is landscapes..we are using a hyperfocal technique...like Ansel Adams. :)
Oh wow! You really are busy! I'll check out some of your work immediately!
Sorry ..none posted.
I usually use unsplash or shoot something with my cell phone like when we have a beer.. A long time ago I did post a photo I edited into black and white I took and put it in a contest and got an honorable mention which is pretty cool seeing the work of some of the exceptionally experienced photographers in Steemit had entered the contest.
There really are lots of talented people on Steemit - I agree with you!
I took a look at your blog anyway because you always leave positive messages on mine :)
thanks for caring enough ... you help make Steemit a cool place to be.
...
Man, how I love this... No, i mean, really, HOW I LOVE THIS!!
Dusty and your Wolves are maybe two of the most powerful reasons i keep coming back to Steemit every day I possibly can.
What an awesome compliment!
Thank you!
[Grandma always said "if you can't change it by worrying about it, why waste time and energy worrying?"]
I wonder, did we have the same grandma? 😀 I don't worry.
In this particular case, I'm the grandma that says that ;)
Haha. Not my grandma then. 😉 Mine used to tell me nuggets of info like that, she was a mine of information....and I have to say, very helpful. I learned a lot.
Hello @michelle.gent how was your weekend?
this part is an excellent continuation of the previous one. There is even more mysticism and stiffness here. You play on our nerves :)
This was said in the style of harsh fighters, where the protagonist always defeated and remained unperturbed. I like how Dusty does it :)
Thank you, excellent sequel
Oops... and my weekend was a busy-busy-busy array of cars and friends!
I hope you had a great weekend too!
my weekend passed very quickly, the impression was created that they were not there :)
cars are your second passion, not often writers are fond of high-speed driving and stylish cars
I'm not sure I could list my passions in numerical order... they change with my mood :)
it's very good that you do not focus on one thing or another, but live a diverse and full life. I aspire to this :)
It's something I've learned over the years... also, this:
Learn from others' mistakes, you won't live long enough to make them all.
I agree that it is necessary to learn from other people's mistakes. It is also appropriate to say such words .... "Do today what others do not do and then tomorrow you will be able to live as others can not."
Sooner or later every person makes mistakes. But it's good, since this is a valuable experience and our mistakes make us smarter.
Thank you for picking out pieces that you like. It gives me chance to see what other people like about my writing.
Buenos días mi chiquita, rememorar los recuerdos de la infancia en especial de los seres más preciado cuando existieron para uno, como los abuelos hace más interesante la historia.
Mi abrazo caluroso para ti; esperando que tengas un día lleno de ideas nuevas y creativas. Como siempre claro, por tu extraordinario talento.. me encanto la frase de la abuela: "Si no puedes cambiarlo preocupándote por ello, ¿por qué perder tiempo y energía preocupándote?"
¡Buenos días!
Me complace que disfrutes mis historias. Espero que no disminuyan en la traducción.
El dicho no viene de mi abuela, pero viene de a abuela - yo.
This one is actually very scary and terrific. Even in real life situations, the thought of death is not appreciated at all. But it's still good one knows that death is inevitable and must surely happen. All must die.
And like Grandma said, if you can't change it by worrying about it, why waste time and energy worrying? Death cannot be changed, we should live a fulfilling life and not worry about it
I'm immortal - so far... ;)
This is a very strong part of your book dear @michelle.gent. With those images it is so powerful. And that number 7 suppose to be my lucky number, but I will think about it again... :)
Thank you. Yes, this part of the story is where it gets 'real' - Dusty is chewing gum and kicking ass and she's all out of gum! ;)
Like a nightmare... :)
Always remember that love can change people......
It's a good lesson to be learnt
Does that have anything to do with this story?
wow
I appreciate this story..wonderful writing...
This is the great story, i have appreciated about your seven series.best of luck
This is great writing dear..This series is very mickey done..Keep it up..
Thank you :)
well i think i missed few pats of it so irst i will have to read them and then this
That's the best idea.