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THE WISE OLD OWL

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SANGEETHA KAMATH

The taxidermied owl was perched on the mantle piece, it's shiny, wise gaze fixated on her. Kim had an unsettling feeling with this sinister showpiece everytime she visited Cunningham Manor. She sat opposite Keith, going over all the details again and asking more questions. 

The investigation had drained both of them with no solution on end. It had been months. Audrey Cunningham had disappeared without a trace..

“I'm afraid we've done the best we could. We will be archiving this into the Cold Case Files in a couple of days”,sighed Kim.

Out of nowhere, a sudden gust of wind knocked the owl off the mantelpiece. It dropped near Kim’s foot with a loud thud.

A key neatly hidden key under it's talon was exposed. HELP and MUSIC BOX were etched weakly on it.
****
“Mr. Cunningham! I need to see the Music Box right now”, Kim said with an authority as she radioed the team outside. 

It held a secret compartment in which a handwritten letter by Audrey said that her life was in danger from Keith. 

With all the evidence in hand, Keith was led away in handcuffs. Kim could hear a faint hoot-hoot from inside the house thanking her.

©️ Sangeetha Kamath 
***Objects used: Taxidermy Owl, Key, Music Box***

Pic Courtesy:Image by HANSUAN FABREGAS from Pixabay


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  1. CaiMarch 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM

    Hi Sangeetha. I liked this story whose hero/ heroine is an owl. The twist at the end made me wonder if that owl has supernatural power.

    I got your website url from A to Z challenge sign-up form. I'm in too. I hope to read you again in April.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sanguine AllegoryMarch 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM

      Hi Cai, so good to hear from you and that you enjoyed my micro story. Let's have a great time blogging in April ☺️
      What's the A-Z theme you're working on?

      Delete

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