A couple of weeks had passed since the hostage-taking of Hannah’s English class. The school had slowly returned to what most would consider routine. The focus now would be on homecoming season. Hannah hadn’t planned on attending the dance, but her friends talked her into it. Hannah was nervous and unsure while she got ready ...

The first of many tales from a store where weirder than normal things happen.

Beth, Lori, and I watched the flames consume the lilies. I heard Beth say something under her breath that sounded like, “Finally.” But before I could ask her to repeat it, a shout of alarm came from across the lawn. “No! What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?” Madam Cromwell was running towards ...

Blood and bone. Blood and bone. The lilies’ commingled voices echoed in Emma’s head as she stood there immobile. Several moments passed before she shook free from her daze. “Well, you will be disappointed at this harvest party. My friend and I ensured the workers have family or friends who will miss them. There are no ...

The preparation days sped by, and all too soon it was the morning of the harvest party. Garlands in fall colors of orange, brown, deep red, and yellow adorned the front porch. They filled vases with autumn flowers such as chrysanthemums, asters, and celosias. The dining room table sported a golden runner and white and ...

Read the previous installments of The Secret Of The Lilies. I kept my promise to Lori and called home as soon as I got to my room.  “Emma? Oh, Emma! George, come to the phone. Emma’s called!” The joy and relief in my mother’s voice increased my guilt.  I heard the extension click and then ...

Read The Secret Of The Lilies – Part 4. Beth and I took a few minutes to outline a plan to help keep the temporary workers safe. It was only after we went our separate ways to finish the day’s work that I started to wonder who was telling me the truth: Beth or the ...

She sighed then turned to face me. “It’s the harvest. The Cromwells always throw a party, and every time someone from the temporary staff ends up missing afterward.”

Read The Secret Of The Lilies – Part 2. Esther gave me the once over with her dark little eyes before proclaiming, “You’ll do. Follow me.”  She brushed past me and moved to the stairwell at the end of the hall. Like the passageways that allow servants to move from one main room of the ...

Read The Secret Of The Lilies – Part 1. I winced as I plunged the pan into the hot water. My hands felt raw from the heat and scrubbing, but there was still a stack of dishes next to the sink. The yeasty smell of freshly baked bread wafted towards me, but I ignored my ...