#BlogBattle: Conceal

 Writing challenges can be . . . a challenge! They take me in unexpected directions. This week's prompt comes from #BlogBattle. Writers are asked to post a short story (under 1,000 words) in response to one word. September's word, CONCEAL, led me to this dark tale, just 279 words."Conceal"    Mary was eleven. As she walked to school, past the hedge that marked the line between the duplex where