“This game is rigged”, Annabella Appleton complained.
Another failed job interview
She slammed down her leather briefcase on the kitchen counter.
“Oh, sweetie-pie let me give you a hug”, Anita closed her laptop and met her stepdaughter in a warm embrace. A mother’s embrace.
“It’s like there’s an evil mastermind somewhere”, Annabella sobbed, “Everytime they seem to know my juvenile problems”.
Anita let the blond mane of her stepdaughter trickle through her fingers, knowing that Annabella would remain under her control forever.
“Would you like my home-cooked Bolognese for dinner tonight”. purred Anita.
“I love you so, mother”, whimpered Annabella.
This image made me think of the mastermind behind the game, so I used that for a little family drama. I will try to get around a bit earlier this week, but at latest I will return on Sunday.
Rochelle sets up the challenge with a picture and we write. It’s highly addictive trying to capture a story in the image.
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October 31, 2018
Björn Rudbergs writings 
And so the cycle is perpetuated. Nicely done, Bjorn
Indeed… I wonder how Annabella will act when she’s free from the talons of Anita.
I wasn’t expecting that to turn so sinister! Thanks for surprising me.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
There are always new ways to be evil… a little bit like Münchhaussen by proxy.
An evil step-mother! Creepy take Bjorn, nice one.
Sometimes the subtle way of evil hurts more.
That took me by surprise. There’s no end to the ways that people can find to do others harm for their own ends.
I wonder if she wanted to keep the stepdaughter in control just to be able to control the father too
Don’t eat the apple, Annabella!
And for desert I made you apple pie.
Dear Björn,
Oh that’s one slimy stepmother. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
There are so many ways to be evil… just thought I would do a little more of subtle one…
What a mean woman! I love where you took this prompt. Well done!
meanness come in many flavors, but all are bitter.
Yet another evil stepmother in the tradition of Cinderella’s and Jane Eyre’s
Indeed… there are so many ways to be evil
No wonder step-mothers keep being called evil… there are some out there! Wickedly good.
There are real mothers who are evil too 🙂
That is for sure.
The evil mastermind is closer than she thinks.
The evil ones are often very very close.
Anita is caging Annabelle in her home by informing interviewers of her childhood problem? Suffocating Annabelle with her love?
I do not think it’s love… more something like Munchhausen by proxy
What is munchhausen?
Munchhausen by proxy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder_imposed_on_another
Oh boy, I was just thinking what a sweet stepmother, then it all turned a bit sinister. Nice one!
Oh dear manipulation… it sucks to be Annabella
Just when I thought we were going to see a nice stepmother. Nice twist.
I’m sure she had her good sides as well … **laughing wickedly**
I can just imagine 😊
That suddenly turned in a direction I was not expecting. Sad.
Indeed sad… very sad
didn’t see that coming at all. Who would have thought mom was the mastermind? Nicely done.
It happens sometimes.
Now that is a cruel form of love. Nicely written. Didn’t see it coming.
Love or ownership… wicked it is.
i didn’t expect the twist in the end. you had camouflaged it very well. 🙂
Manipulators are the worst.
Ooh, good twist in the tale there. Nice one!
Thank you.
I do love a wicked stepmother. Let’s hope the prince doesn’t barge in and try to save the girl, then she’ll be in real trouble!
I think she will find a way to save herself.
We both seem to have hit on the theme of parents foiling their children’s plans. Nice parental interference, makes me wonder what the mom’s motive could be? A most unhealthy love for sure.
I imagine that she would be viewed as a very comforting stepmother… Like Munchhausen by proxy, she will look like a good person.
things never change.
Ha.. evil always find new ways.
Wow. The evil step-mother personified. A scary woman.
I think until we know about her ways people will find her to be very nice woman.
Evil often wears a beautiful disguise.
Wicked stepmothers come in all kinds of guises.
Wicked stepmothers come in all shapes and disguises.
Great twist. Well-written.
I don’t know why but this made me think of Mother Gothel and Rapunzel in Tangled… Great work!
Poor girl, without a job, she can’t leave or move out, trapped in Anita’s manipulative world. Great stuff
A sinister tale of a mother’s manipulative control. Nicely done and creepy too. =)
The evil stepmom reminded me of the Wicked Queen. Poor Annabella!
Annabella is stuck under an evil power, how will she come to realise this and fight to get out form under it?
Ooooooo creepy. That stepmother is a manipulative creature isn’t she? Great piece.
A bit of a manipulator in this one, Bjorn.
I felt sad for Annabella. It felt like my 1st job interview.
A good story with a sinister umbrella hovering above.
Isadora 😎