50 Word Thursday – A Wonderful World

I was used to travelling in the East. I had spent more of my life away from England than I had there. England held no sense of wonder for me. It was afternoon tea and Cricket, civilised and boring. I preferred to explore the far flung areas of the world.

On this particular trip, I was in Penang enjoying walking through the markets selling all manner of exotic spices. One stall selling small items carved from sandalwood was doing a roaring trade, an elderly man sat behind the display carving more objects rapidly trying to keep up with demand, such was the turnover.

That was when I first heard of the House of Wonder. I knew it for what it truly was, a trap for gullible tourists who would end up with their throats slit and their belongings sold on. I knew enough to keep away from it.

For reasons of my own, I had decided to remain in Penang for a while, I had found congenial company amongst a few of the natives and was in no hurry to move on.

I was not the only Englishman staying there. I had struck up a friendship with a fellow named Carstairs. We used to play cards, drink whisky and chat.

One day I saw Carstairs at the market talking to a fellow near the Wonder House.

I heard him ask ““Ah! The Wonder House! Can any enter?” and the man nodded.

I cried out “Wait!”.

Carstairs was never seen again.

[250 words]

This story was written for the 50 Word Thursday challenge, click on the link below.

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2019/04/10/50-word-thursday-15/

It is not too late to take part in this challenge, it finishes Wednesday and a new one will be posted on Thursday.

This story also contains the following word prompts:

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/world/

FOWC with Fandango — Turnover

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/rdp-monday-wait/