Day 14 of my drabble-a-day challenge. Here is today’s drabble:
Just Like Cats
Martha's dining room was unbelievable: huge fireplace, minstrels’ gallery, ancestral portraits, the lot. After dinner, an unholy wailing started up outside. Martha rolled her eyes, and opened the window.
"Come on, then. Either come in, or stay out. Make your mind up."
A grey shape slid in. Human, with wild hair and staring eyes.
Martha shrugged. "Banshees are like cats."
"Aren't they omens of death?"
The banshee grew taller, and showed its teeth.
"You have to define your own reality, dear," said Martha. "They're just like cats."
The banshee closed its mouth, and went to curl up on the hearthrug.
I don’t know why I have a persistent desire to make banshees unscary, but apparently I do. I find something very enjoyable in the idea of a spectral being that can be a screaming terror, but can also be kind of domestic and friendly.