27 October 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2903: One Of Us - Or Maybe Not

This post was inspired by today's 5-minute writing prompt in the Freewriters Community - One of Us

Enjoy !

Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio

It was dark, autumnal, and pissing down with rain. Julie had been driving for hours, and was sure the hotel had to be around here somewhere. But there were no road signs, and no-one to ask in the dark, wet countryside.

Eventually she saw a building, and pulled over. This had to be the place ! It was the only thing she'd seen bigger than a farmhouse. A large ornate building, perhaps once a stately home, now converted to an hotel, although there was no sign outside.

She walked in; there was a reception desk, and before she had the chance to speak, the receptionist greeted her.

"You're just in time. If you go to Room B-7 on the second floor, you'll find dry clothes. Put them on and go down to the ballroom, you should just make it in time."

Slightly confused, but utterly exhausted from driving around unlit country roads in the dark and the rain, just happy to have the chance to get warm and dry, Julie went to the room. There, she found a long black gown. Very stylish ! Putting it on quickly, she went down to the ballroom.

There were a few people milling around. All women, she noticed, and all wearing identical gowns.

A tall blonde lady clapped her hands to attract everyone's attention.

"Ladies, I think we're all here. Gather around, everyone, form a circle in the centre of the room and be seated."

Even more confused, but not wanting to be the odd one out, Julie followed the instructions along with everyone else.

The blonde lady clapped again. "I call to order the First Coven of Samhain, the gathering of witches from far and wide. Wait.... every coven has thirteen witches. Why are there fourteen people here ? Okay, which one of you is not one of us ?"