From Jenne Gray and C.E. Ayr’s photo prompt, The Unicorn Challenge (07/07/23). No more than 250 words in length. Otherwise, let your creative flag fly!
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Inspired by subterranean graffiti below the family’s old Victorian, he lived in the basement, coming up only to grab some food for himself, or cook a meal on the rare occasions when his parents were home. His sisters fled to school and beyond, and when his parents became housebound, the girls’ annual visits dwindled and ceased. An uncurious caretaker watched over his father, keeping him fed and bathed and toileted.
And Charles finally, mostly free.
With financial oversight turned over to the son, they both enjoyed their weekly visits and the father’s ever-evolving memories. The old man relayed fantastical tales of being a war hero and a captain of industry, a novelist and a world-famous pianist and composer. There truly was a massive fortune to back up some of those those stories, but Charles was grateful when his father grew sleepy, and he could slip down to the lower levels and create his own tales.
He borrowed some images from the subterranean level: the skeletal nun, the pagan owl peering over her shoulder. A child-like green and white puff-cheeked dinosaur, terrifying in its contrast, was stashed in his maybe-later mental folder. He’d nearly finished painting the basement, and as soon as his father passed, he’d start on the main floors.
After all, with online ordering and home delivery, he could continue his work undisturbed.
Right?!
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)
Valley of the Trolls 
I’m glad it pleased! Thanks for stopping by, and your kind comment. 🐧
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Hello.
This story beautifully portrays the power of imagination and the freedom that can come from embracing one’s creativity. It’s inspiring to see Charles finding solace and joy in his own world, creating his own tales and using art as a means of expression. Well done!
Thanks for sharing.
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Now that is dedication!
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Sometimes you just do what ya gotta, at the same same time you do only as much as you must.
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I’m not quite sure where this is going, Liz, but it is certainly somewhat disquieting!
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Mission accomplished! I don’t know where it was going, either, 🤣
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Right!
Very nice, Liz! I like your very different take on this one. Well done!
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Thank you! Siphoning off a wicked mood…
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A very unusual hobby for Charles. Good story telling Liz.
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Thanks, Sadje!
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You’re welcome
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A real horror story! Sounds like quite a family! They all had their escape, the girls from the family, Charles from reality – and even more so than his father, it seems. But then, who was responsible for the gaffiti under the house? Chilling especially because of the matter-of-fact way you tell the story, Liz.
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Thank you, Jenne. Begs the question: Is it the family who’s off-tilted? Or the house?
Dun-dun-DUNN!!
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Or both?😏
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Could be! Maybe they chose each other…
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I’d like to hire him to redecorate my home. ;)
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Oh dear!
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Unicorn comment of the week!
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