Belongings and Possessions

By Deidre J Owen, K.B. Bailey and J.B. Rockwell

Sometimes it's the people. Sometimes it's the structure. Sometimes it's the land itself. But once a deep evil settles in, it can transcend time and space. Three powerful voices in women's horror share this tale of woe. Together, their stories weave a dark tapestry about a pervasive malevolence luring generation after generation of hapless, innocent victims into the demon's snare.

In "They Belong to Her," a newly renovated ballet studio at Heathermeade is beset by an ominous presence intent upon claiming a young dancer as its own. Although Anya's family is increasingly aware of the mounting threat, the distraction of a famed ballet troupe's arrival incites deadly jealousy from beyond the veil.

In "Longing to Belong," Lily is an exceptional dancer, but she feels like an outcast at dance school. Her secondhand ballet shoes draw the attention of jealous classmates who mock Lily mercilessly. When Lily hears the story of the vengeful spirit Margaret Lee, she decides to call on the ghost for help...but summoning such a spirit isn't always wise.

In "We Always Belonged Here," a day in the country seems harmless enough when Nana Hazel invites Essie to tag along. Only, the troubled teen didn't think to ask enough questions about the crumbling old Mallory House. Murder, mayhem, something wickedly evil—Essie finds it all there, where the catkins grow.

Belongings and Possessions is a Mannison Triplet by Deidre J Owen, K. B. Bailey, and J. B. Rockwell, published by Mannison press.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mannison Press, LLC
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215227442

Deidre J Owen

Deidre J Owen was born in Lexington, Kentucky, but aside from a stint in the Canadian Maritimes she has spent a majority of her time in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. A versatile writer, Deidre has taken joy in a variety of genres including science fiction, weird fiction, speculative fiction, horror, humor, children's books, and Christian themes. She has a published children's picture book series called "The Heaven Zoo" as well as a number of short stories, novelettes, and novellas.In 2019, she partnered with editor and fellow indie author Ronald Linson to establish independent publishing house Mannison Press. Specializing in short-form fiction, Mannison Press publishes in a wide variety of genres of varying lengths, including flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, and novellas.Although formerly a certified veterinary technician by trade (with a quirky history of random interests), Deidre is currently loving life with her husband in Lithia, Florida, as a writer, publisher, and work-from-home mother to the couple’s young daughter.

Book preview

Belongings and Possessions

By

Deidre J Owen

K. B. Bailey

J. B. Rockwell

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2023

Published by Mannison Press, LLC at Smashwords

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

CONTENT WARNING:

The stories in this collection contain violence, gore, excessive bullying, and suicide. Discretion is advised.

You should open these doors with care and caution—but, first, you must know how to close them. And above all, you must know which doors should be left unopened...

― Michael Bentine, Doors of the Mind

Contents

They Belong to Her

About Deidre J Owen

Longing to Belong

About K. B. Bailey

We Always Belonged Here

About J. B. Rockwell

Thank You

They Belong to Her

Deidre J Owen

She must have been in the tub for hours. Douglas had spent all afternoon and well into the evening planting new trees on the property, working until it was too dark to see; Myriam had been occupied making wild strawberry jam. If she had snuck upstairs right after class, then some six hours could've passed. Six hours, dead in a broken bathtub.

Why, child? Oh, dear God, why did you do this to yourself? Douglas took the girl's cold fingers between his hands and sobbed, his tears mixing with her blood. The students aren't even allowed up here, it's why I rope off the stairs…it's why I rope off the stairs! He coughed, choking on his sorrow. I told you we was gonna help ya find new shoes. That was our deal, wasn't it? You teach us to read, an-an' Myriam'd find ya new shoes. Ones with good laces. I told you not to listen to those other girls, and tha-that we was gonna help you. We was gonna help! Oh, God!

He slumped to the dusty floor next to the bathtub and ran his hands through his hair, smearing her blood into his scalp.

I don't want you to go, I don't want you to go, he mumbled through his hiccups. All you girls is our family, but you…you was special! You had a gift and a heart and, oh, God! Why'dya do this to yourself?

Douglas wiped his nose on his sleeve and sat up, his jaw set. He lifted the girl out of the tub and cradled her in his arms, steeling himself against the task that lay before him…and the screams of his wife when she saw.

The freshly turned earth under the tender new willows made her interment a simple undertaking. Myriam could only sob into her apron while Douglas worked and ranted angrily. His ravings provided counterpoint for the chorus of frogs and country crickets, unimpeded by the open land and echoing off the house on the far side of the yard.

For years, we've taken care of this property and the company. Years! This is our home, our people, our dancers, our children. Why were they so mean to the little one? Oh, my li'l friend! Just 'cause you was smaller, and your mama couldn't afford the fancy things. It's foolishness! I don' know why they was so mean to you. So mean! I know it made ya sad. I tol' them to leave ya be, that all ya wanted was a friend. You're all jus-just children, my children…but look what ya done! Look…look what they done…

Douglas laid her in the cool soil, tucking her arms against her sides lest the coagulated gashes on her wrists sully her costume further. Myriam kneeled and reached down to smooth out the stained ivory tutu and adjust the bodice for modesty.

Oh, sweet, sweet girl, Myriam lamented. She gently lifted a wisp of hair off the girl's forehead and then tucked a sprig of fragrant white flowers behind her ear. It's that sweet jasmine from down by the road, she told the girl in repose. They was always your favorite.

Douglas began to retie the laces on her slippers but changed his mind and unwound them instead. He slipped the worn pointe shoes from her delicate feet and drew them to his chest, succumbing to a new wave of grief.

I'm so sorry, child, he said to the shoes, his quivering lips wet with tears. So, so sorry. I guess the one thing we couldn't protect you from was yourself. With that, the pair crumpled forward into a broken heap of agony and anguish.

* * *

Mom! A petite adolescent, all arms and legs, launched herself out of an idling taxi. Sprinting down the sidewalk, she deftly wove through a sea of luggage and people.

Rosie! Oh, my girl! Jackie released the handle of the wheeled suitcase she'd been pulling and threw her arms wide. The girl flung herself against her mother and the two tangled themselves together.

Rosie eased her embrace just enough to turn her face upward. Is it true, Mom? Did you really catch him?

I really did. Jackie brushed a chestnut wisp of hair out of her daughter's eyes and gazed into them briefly before planting rapid-fire kisses across the girl's forehead.

Tell me how you did it, Rosie demanded.

Jackie chuckled. I'll tell you all about it on the way to Aunt Christina's. Is Daddy still in the car?

Yup. Well, we came in a taxi, said Rosie, helpfully grabbing the handle of her mother's suitcase. The van's still in the shop, and Dad said this worked out cheaper than renting a car. She led the way back to where her father stood waiting. Once the luggage was stowed and Rosie safely inside the cab, Jackie sank into her husband's kiss.

Oh, David, she whispered into his neck. I know I wasn't gone long, but this one was a real doozy.

It's just the letdown, he replied, kissing her hair. You've been chasing The Gangster for four years. C'mon. Let's get going so you can decompress.

Over the course of the next half hour, Jackie recounted the exciting events leading up to the climactic arrest.

So, he was hiding out in that creepy old mining camp? asked a wide-eyed Rosie.

He was. In fact, when we finally apprehended him, we found him with no pants on eating French silk pie straight from the pan and conducting opera with a fork.

David barked out a laugh. Please tell me you said something about catching him with his pants down.

Nope, left that one for my partner. I went with, 'It's over, Darby. The fat lady's singing.'

Rosie threw her head back and shrieked with laughter. What color was his underwear?

Green. The color of money. And forever immortalized in his arrest record. But you know what really surprised me?

What? asked Rosie.

That the guy is a total putz.