Diaspora | ✘

A shriek in the night, a lightning strike and lost of sight, a guest here wakes up in the bed, and somewhere, somebody, is dead.

The fifty tenants gradually wake to panic and disorder at the Black Estate-and gather around the dining room, where Delilah Black has met his doom.

Hushed whispers, faces turned, a rumbling suspension-natural death or a deadly disposition?

Whose hands has enacted Black's final fate? Who forced the living to abdicate? Was it the widow-are those tears of joy? Or the disgruntled maid in Black's employ?

"The jealous friend!" One supplies.

"The reckless teen!" The voices rise.

"No, the man who sought fortune and fame! He's the one-"

"Enough! She's the one to blame for Black's demise!"

The doctor sighs, and rises with a dark display, "The man has died from foul play. Fifty guests and one attack-we must decide who killed Delilah Black."

¿

Award:

3rd place in short story 2020 Seasonal Awards (1st addition)