Three Cracks of Doom (a short story)

My entry for the Arts Illustrated Short Story Contest. The instructions were to write a story in 1000 words or less, specifically based on the featured image. I didn’t win, but I enjoyed writing the story, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it!

The old lady shivered as a cold draught snuck into her room. The errand boy must have left a door open again. She edged her chair nearer the fire blazing in the hearth, gratefully warming her hands over the leaping flames. A childhood spent in poverty and...