Written for Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts
Weekend Challenge, incorporating the word
‘silhouette’. Today’s amazing graphic
is by Kevin @ The Beginning At Last/
No Theme Thursday. This is my story.
As twilight draped the monastery in a cloak of shadows, Brother Elias kneeled at the window, his silhouette framed against the fading light. Every evening he prayed fervently, seeking guidance for a secret that haunted his heart.
The air was thick with incense, mingling with the chill of the approaching night. Tonight, however, the stillness was broken by an eerie rustling outside. Elias peered into the dusky night, his heart racing. Was it merely a nocturnal creature or something more sinister? He recalled the disturbing stories of a stranger lurking in the village – a figure cloaked in mystery, whispering secrets of the past.
As the bell rang for vespers, Elias felt a chill envelope him as unseen hands tugged at him, trying to drag him into the shadows. With each fervent word mumbled in prayer, he sensed the weight of the hidden truth pressing against the monastery walls, closing in on him.
At that moment Elias knew he would do whatever was necessary to keep the secret from being uncovered by the enigmatic presence lurking beyond.
NAR©2025
This is “Holy Diver” by Dio
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Oh my, this is creepy!
I got the Video Unavailable message too, but I found it on YouTube – a perfect musical accompaniment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those cranky copyright laws! I really don’t know why that happens when these videos are so readily available to everyone on YouTube.
Glad to know you enjoyed the story and song – once you found it!
LikeLike
A foreboding but enigmatic photo and story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s not looking good for Elias! Thanks, Gerry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OK, I want to know what’s going on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! 😂
Thanks, Iris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And with my luck, he is part of a silent order, so we’ll never know what evil lurks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! He’s taken a vow of silence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve created such an eerie sense of atmosphere there. Well done, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Esther. I really enjoy writing for a variety of prompts. It’s a great challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chilling story. Which is a worse sin: the secret? Or the lengths he’ll go to to keep it hidden?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent question! Some may say perpetuating the lies to keep the secret hidden. Others will say the original secret, for without the secret, there would be no reason to lie.
Great comment, Liz. Thanks!
LikeLike
A supernatural chill in the air! Thank you for taking part in the challenge, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, Sue! Participating in these challenges is my very great pleasure. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Secrets are always bad news – telling or hiding them, both choices are fraught with anxiety.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, Laura! We have all experienced that feeling at one time or another; it’s definitely no fun. Thanks for a great comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, if walls could talk … I love the metaphysical mystery of your story, Nancy … whoops the ‘Video is Unavailable’
LikeLiked by 1 person
😖 Oh, those damn copyright laws! You never know which video will suffer. Thanks, Dear Ivor. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
What secrets do those walls hold? We may never know…
Well done, Nancy! Excellent! 👏👏👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kevin. Another great graphic for my story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! Scary … delish! Creeping evil 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sis! I’m glad you liked this one. Must be one hell of a secret! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooo, I definitely felt the chills, and will Elias keep the secret, …I tried the video Nancy, ..it says unavailable, …(maybe the grasping hands got to it,…although Fandango heard it so, maybe it’s my iPad) 💫🤫💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Penn! It’s usually something to do with copyright laws when the videos won’t play. Sorry about that; that’s why I always provide the name of the song and the artist. It happens!
LikeLiked by 2 people
No probs Nancy, …I’ll drop by and make note, …🎶🎶🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
A chilling story and a song that is new to me. Well done, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That comment was from me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for letting me know, Fan. A great tune by Dio!
LikeLiked by 1 person