This snippet picks up where last week’s left off. Shell has found a genie, but her wish isn’t going to be what he expects. This story is called Pig Roast, and it’s from my collection of short horror stories and poetry, Country Whispers.
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Excitement sparkled in the genie’s eyes. “This sounds interesting.”
“You can truly give me anything I want?”
“There are a few limitations. For example, I cannot kill for you—at least not directly.”
“Can you change someone into an animal?”
“An unusual request, but it isn’t among the restricted wishes.”
Shell smiled. This was going to be fun.
And here is a bit more, if you would like to read it:
The next few days at work passed with surprising quickness for Shell. It was easier to enjoy her shift when she knew that she had genuine power over nasty customers. Still, she could only choose three, and she wanted to be certain that the meanest, most obnoxious ones got what they deserved. With these wishes, Shell wasn’t making a stand for herself alone, but for all those who ate daily helpings of shit to survive.
She ignored the smelly woman whose bratty children emptied two bins of nails and screws all over aisle twelve. That lady had enough problems. She smiled when an old man grumbled about her being stupid because the register scanner went crazy and charged him for two paint rollers instead of one. Maybe his arthritis was getting on his nerves. She nearly called the genie when a pot-bellied guy covered in tattoos said she was a fucking vulture because the price of dog food had gone up—as if she had made that decision—but Shell just smiled instead. No, she didn’t want to waste her wishes on just any walking misery or lumbering piece of trash.
Then on Wednesday afternoon she found her beast.
About Country Whispers
Short Horror and Poetry Collection
Country Whispers is a collection of short horror tales and poems set in rural New England.
Physical Therapy – Isabel is willing to relieve more than Jim’s back pain, but her price isn’t what he expects.
Pig Roast – Is it justice or revenge for a store employee who doesn’t agree that the customer is always right?
The Eyes Have It – An old farmer who isn’t quite what he seems stalks a young convenience store clerk.
Tomorrow Burns – Travis can’t remember how he got to this outdoor party, but that doesn’t stop him from joining in–at least until sunrise.
Tornado Warnings – Camille misses the city, especially when it’s storming outside and she’s trapped in her basement with a stranger who attacks her.
Blood Runners – Ethan dreams about living the exciting life with the Midnight Bikers. Unfortunately, dreams sometimes come true.
Available as an ebook at Amazon and Smashwords.
Read snippets from other authors in the Weekend Writing Warriors Blog hop here.
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Oh, I’m sure anyone in retail or the service industry can relate. I wonder what animal she’ll pick.
Uh oh. This will not end well for the “beast”. Great spot to end the snippet–what a hook!
If they didn’t make the cut, you’ve got me wondering how BAD this Beast might be!
I love the empathy underneath the anger. She is being thoughtful, recognizing that sometimes the nastiness comes from others pain. I’ll be back to see what happens next.
SUCH an intriguing snippet and of course I can’t wait to learn who is going to deserve the transformation she has in mind.
I’m really wondering who’ll earn the Wrath of the Genie, and how that wish will turn out.
I’ll bet you’re having fun writing this. I’m curious how bad the customer has to be to warrant using one of her wishes.