Tag: mystery

Flagged Down for Minor Offense (6SS)

April 23, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/04/22/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-68/

Oh good, I’m jumping up and down with excitement…another round of talented writers and their 6-Sentence Stories!!  Denise, our lovely host, always serves up intriguing prompt words…by which I mean, “oh gosh, what am I gonna do with that?”  And yet I keep showing up!  If you’re new here, click on her link above to get all the needed info–and get hooked on 6SS!! 

~👮‍♂️~

When the Birchwick-Westling Municipal cop flagged him down, Judd expected the ancient Caddy must have a taillight out–he was wrong…the young officer was writing him up for speeding.

Judd was irritable, handed his ID out the window, watched the kid’s eyebrows raise–“problem?” he asked with no inflection.

“No, I’m just surprised–this says you’re a detective, retired…what’s your hurry today, Sir?”

“I have an appointment with the pastor in Birchwick Cliff–I guess I wasn’t paying attention, my thoughts wandered…” (maybe he’d get a pass, consideration for a veteran who might have heroic stories from the old days, and commendations–but nope, no favors).

“Hey, it happens,”–the young cop was jovial, and in no rush–“so you know him, the pastor who wrote a book about Birchwick Cliff’s haunting…do you think all those things happened like he said in the book?”

Judd took a long moment’s ponder, remembering Richard’s description of the Cliff’s sole lawman who came across worse than Barney Fife when Richard first arrived: a superior attitude frosted with suspicion–and useless as boobs on a boar; he nodded, said, “Yes, the pastor is a straight arrow–he didn’t write a novel, he penned his nightmare…and two nights ago I had the identical one myself.”

~ Cale

 

Mercurial March ~ 6SS

March 26, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/25/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-64/

Ahh…in the rustling wind I hear stories, lots of  ’em, and they’re all 6-sentence perfection.  Click the link above, if you’re unfamiliar with this weekly writing challenge hosted by Denise.  You’ll find all the information there, meet the crowd of fine authors–and be invited to write your own 6-sentence story–Yes!  Her briliant prompt this week is “MARCH”!

~♥~

March is widely considered a mercurial month, and Lorelei had followed suit: tearful, insatiable passion, wistful sighs, singing as she cooked, and distant–all in one day, or worse, within an hour.

But she was calm as Richard pointed to the vacant school, where his first contact in the town had been with the last remaining teacher–who’d seemed normal, friendly enough; the teacher and students were gone, and the building now served as an all-purpose auditorium for town meetings, rummage sales, receptions and various exhibitions.

“Tell Judd about the kids”, Lorelei urged, “how, prior to your arrival, there were no more children being born.”

Judd watched Richard’s face for any ‘tells’ of dissembling or outright lies–Lorelei’s request seemed to rock him just a bit, but he shrugged, grinned, said, “small town, ageing population–there wasn’t anything to offer young families looking for a place to settle, after the last graduating class moved on”–he shrugged again.

Aware the detective side of his brain was tracking, Judd took up where Lorelei left off: “wasn’t there considerable illegal drug business going on under cover of the fortune teller’s shop…she was allegedly the middle man; and the spate of suicides–teenagers; and a murdered girl, also allegedly connected to the fortune teller…her trade in love potions and curses, etc–am I right?”

Richard’s expression became strained–“perhaps you’ve acquired more information than I possess, Judd; I came here after all the ‘alleged’ was past history–and I was targeted by folks who couldn’t let go of myths and mysteries so convoluted that they were suspicious of a stranger coming in, quite innocently, to write a book that had nothing whatever to do with their town and residents–I only wrote about them after I’d narrowly escaped death; now, I’d really like to show you some of the nicer points here, if you’re interested”…to which Judd backed off, smiled an apology, and gestured for Richard to lead on.

~ Cale

Not a Porch Swing In Sight ~ 6SS

March 19, 2026

Together again, we’ve gathered at the invitation of our inspiring host, Denise–who teases us each week with a word prompt sure to make writers salivate and plan their next 6-Sentence Story.  We’ve got everything, among our talented writers: engaging mystery, romance, fantasy/sci-fi, drama, humor…even some tomfoolery now and then😉. 

So you’ve come to the right spot for a creative nudge.  Everyone is welcome–come in for a meet & greet, and get the only rule:  write a story in 6 sentences using the current word prompt.  Click the link below and you’re all set!  The Prompt is SWING.

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/18/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-63/

~♥~

Judd had watched Lorelei closely for mood swings since telling her Richard would give them a tour of Birchwick Cliff, the town; she’d gone from surprised, to pleased, to quiet–which usually indicated nervousness (in this case, specifically due to their aborted first visit when warning signs at the locked gate refused them).

They were once more approaching the intimidating wrought iron gate where Richard said he’d meet them, to make certain it was unlocked–which triggered Judd’s detective sensibility: if the huge and heavy padlock and chain were secured even during daylight, how did business people and residents get in and out?

Richard had also told him he could leave his car outside the gate, “it will be safe”–(safer than inside it? Judd wondered); and as Richard appeared, Judd parked and locked it on faith, and he and his wife entered, the three of them making small talk.

Lorelie remaind quiet as Richard began describing the community’s layout, and various buildings which had received make-overs since he’d chosen to reside there, after his nightmarish initial experiences.

“Visitors’ morbid curiosity leads them to ask to see two spots immediately”, Richard said with dry amusement: ‘The Victorian’–an exaggeratedly described ‘hotel’ with only 4 guest rooms where I stayed, thinking it a quiet place to write my novel; and this”–he gestured to the inviting book store.

Judd felt like he was on the set of a movie–“Carrie” came to mind, as he recalled Lorelei’s early mention (from reading Richard’s biography) of the fortune teller’s shop catching fire and killing her…on this piece of salvaged property where they stood, silent–as though listening for her guileful ghost shuffling tarot cards.

~ Cale

(to be continued, obviously😉)

Beware Pandora’s Jar ~ 6SS, Part 2

February 28, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-60/

~♥~

Judd squinted into the woodsy shadows for some hint of an entrance to Birchwick Cliff–his wife Lorelei sat beside him, quiet as they approached the mysterious myth-bound town; she bent forward suddenly: “there, Judd–that’s the massive wrought iron gate Richard described, it really does look formidable”; he murmured, “yes”, unwilling to admit he was spooked–he couldn’t tell if it was locked, hoped so…then he could head back to the highway with no apology.

Lorelei was the brave one, brimming with enthusiasm on this adventure; she was getting out of the car when Judd grabbed her arm protectively–she grinned and shook him off– “I’m going to see if it’s open and we can drive through”.

He watched her, breath held as though on a stakeout; she had pushed inside, entered the creepy place…and his stomach rolled with nausea; she stuck her hand back out, beckoned him to join her.

Cracking his door a few inches, he said, “just tell me what you see, Love” (he was kicking himself for not calling Richard to ask him to meet them here ‘for a tour’…the sensible thing to do).

She walked back to the car and leaned against it, her face flushed with excitement as she offered intel: “there are 2 signs just past the gate, one says ‘BEWARE’, and underneath, ‘Pandora’s Jar’…and it has little painted fruits on it; I think it might be a garden shop–maybe they sell jams and preserves made by women who live here.”

Judd’s mind veered in a different direction:  from what Lorelei had read to him from Richard’s book, anything they were selling contained a risk of poisoning; death permeated ‘the Cliff’s’ history–suicides and murder (and somewhere, he’d heard the youngsters had all vanished)–his late Grandma’s admonitions to resist curiosity echoed within him:

“beware–don’t open Pandora’s Jar”).

~ Cale

Beware Pandora’s Jar ~ 6SS, Part 1

February 26, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-60/

Once again Denise’s prompt for 6 Sentence Story arrives like a life raft on a stormy sea (cue the melodramatic music)–and a wonderful prompt word it is:  SIGN.  So if you’re not familiar yet, no worries, this is a friendly island oasis–just click her link above and start typing…it’s only 6 sentences, and gets you right in the door to join a crowd of fine authors!

~♥~

Ever since reading their pastor’s locally acclaimed biography, Lorelei had badgered her husband to take a break from his work so they could drive into Birchwick Cliff and check out the sites mentioned in Richard’s book.

Judd didn’t share her fascination with the mystique of a small town’s weird history (it had never crossed his mind to have a look)–she’d told him the details of Richard’s experiences as she eagerly read each chapter, so he’d had no need to read it himself; and though he’d gladly step away from his easel to satisfy his wife’s intimate needs, he was diligent about his second career–his commissioned paintings provided income which added to his retirement pension as savings for rainy days.

But she pleaded so prettily this day that he sighed and acquiesced–it wasn’t a long drive from their home in Westling, they’d be back for dinner and Lorelei would be happy.

The church they attended was located adjacent to the border of Birchwick Cliff, the town (but not IN it–as though resisting too close an association); that was the sum total of information to be had about the village named for the cliff–unless you determined to dig for it; Birchwick Cliff didn’t appear on area maps, and was not recognized, acknowledged by GPS authority. 

Quoting Richard’s book: “if you asked how to get to Birchwick Cliff, you’d likely be told to ‘take the road to the church…behind it is the town…next is the Cliff so watch your footing’.”

Richard had written that the town was cloaked in secrecy for reasons unspeakable–no outsider, especially Richard (a writer triggered suspicion), had ever found welcome there; one entered at one’s own risk (and potential folly)…the risk, vague and veiled; and Judd–despite Lorelei’s encouragement–was not seeing a single helpful sign.

~ Cale  (Part 2 continues tomorrow!)

Check, Part 2 (6SS)

January 31, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-56/

Richard prayed a quick blessing over the meal, the lasagne’s aroma was intoxicating–after savoring the first bite, he said, “Wow, I haven’t had lasagne like this since I don’t remember when–delicious, Lorelei.”

She blushed, they talked around the subject of his book–Lorelei suggested he check with the librarian about hosting a “meet the author/book-signing”; a moment later she couldn’t contain her curiosity: “so, Richard, I’m wondering if you’re an author who enjoys discussing your book…or, not so much?”  

Judd’s foot nudged hers beneath the table and his glance said, “no fishing”, but Richard smiled, and Judd was ready to defend her: “she won’t rest unless you share a snippet–otherwise she’ll disappear into the book and finish at dawn.”

Richard laughed softly, he wasn’t keen to invite nightmares–(Judd’s use of the word disappear was unfortunate)–but she was a delightful hostess and when he nodded for her to speak, she asked, “how did you find such an obscured place, Birchwick Cliff isn’t on the maps–and was it really a cult at the time?”

He dabbed his lips with a napkin, took a shallow breath: “not a cult, no–some of the people were a bit off…others, entrenched in myths which morphed into tragic history…some were ‘normal’ like us; I hadn’t planned to go there–it was a wrong turn off the highway, I needed sleep; and I was living a 5-year mystery…so whatever direction I traveled could thoretically unearth answers.”

After another pause, he continued:  “I was engaged to be married–two weeks before the wedding my fiancee and my mom left for a weekend bonding trip, and never returned; no trace of the car…no bodies…officially declared ‘missing’; my life was T-boned–so I took a leave from work, packed the V-Dub, headed out with no destination; next thing I knew, I was driving through that imposing wrought iron gate at the entrance…into the next chapter of ‘Worst of Times’…which ultimately became a blessing I never imagined.

~ Cale

No Fishing (6-Sentence Story)

January 22, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/01/21/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-55/

If the day comes when I can only do one prompt, Six-Sentence-Story will be my hands-down choice.

This week our host, Denise, offers the prompt word FISH…a bit of a challenge, but not for long!  Click the link above to get all the information you need to join a fine group of writers, and go for it😊

🐟🐟🐟

Judd wandered into the kitchen for a 2nd cup of coffee, kissed his wife and studied her never-changing beauty before asking, “what are you serving the good reverend for dinner tonight?”

“He doesn’t go by ‘reverend’, it’s ‘Pastor Richard’–and I’m thinking my standby, lasagna…either that, or the salmon in the freezer–what say you?”

“Your lasagna is always my top choice, and eagerly received by those who’ve shared our table–salmon is just fish with a lively complexion”, he quipped.

She laughed lightly, and inquired whether he’d be going to the monthly library meeting–if so, would he check again to see if Richard’s book had been added to the acquisitions.

“I am–and I will, Love”; he paused, chose his tone and words carefully: “if his book isn’t available, it may be best that you don’t fish around for details over dinner–he might not be comfortable with your level of curiosity about his thorny introduction to our neighboring hamlet’s history.”

She frowned at what seemed his (annoying) paternal instruction; “all writers like to talk about their books…I won’t be rudely inquisitive–simply showing interest; don’t you want to know if it’s a factual biography, or fictionalized account of his first experiences in Birchwick’s Cliff…the eerie details of multiple mysteries, and how he lived to tell and had courage to make his home there…”–to which Judd gently insisted, “no bald-face-naked fishing”.

~ Cale