draliman on life

It’s time for Mondays Finish the Story – a weekly 100-150 word challenge run by Barbara Beacham where we write a story based on both a photograph and an opening sentence (the opening sentence is free, word-count-wise!).

Sorry if it sounds a wee bit clunky, I had to strip 50 words out :-(. And it’s not very Chrismassy, I’m afraid 😦 :-(.

Click on the blue frog to see other contributions for this week.

The supplied opening sentence is in bold in my story, which is beneath the photo.

As the year wound down to a close, they gathered around the table and raised their glasses.

“As is our custom at year’s end, let us welcome a new member. To Simeon!”

Simeon smiled. At last – inducted into the secretive “Order of the Triple Six”!

For years he had made himself useful to the Order. None knew what they did, only that their association made one rich, powerful.

As they toasted his entry, Simeon noticed that the others were sweating, nervous, scared even. As he watched, one of the Order gazed in horror at his drink, then choked, fighting for breath. He fell to the floor, twitching. Blood sprayed from his mouth and he spasmed, face black, eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling.

Simeon dropped his glass in shock.

“There can be only Six,” intoned one.

“One in, one out,” added another.

“B…b…but why Triple Six?” stammered Simeon, shocked.

“Ah, yes. Triple Six. 666. Why don’t we take you to meet our patron?” smiled a third.