Unfinished Business - Sample Stories
Something NEW! A Full-Size Guidebook for Unfinished Business. Book size 6 x 9 (Please note this is separate from the little guidebook that is included in the deck.)
Crowdfunding to support the printing of the expanded book will begin Sept 6th!
This book will release ahead of the deck in December.
Due to size restrictions - the guidebook for the deck will include the story (minus the notes or added details) and message for each card. The size of the guidebook is the same as the deck 3.25x5
The High Priestess:
Grace Thomas sat up quickly, her heart racing as her father's drunken rampage echoed through the house. She noticed the frame holding the last picture of her mother on the floor and sighed. It was just another reminder of the chaos that had become her life. Careful not to make a sound, Grace slipped out her bedroom window.
She ran to the edge of the swamp, glancing over her shoulder to see the light flick on in her bedroom. Suddenly, an ear-splitting roar shook the ground beneath her feet. Grace peered out into the swamp, her body trembling with fear. The darkness and murkiness of the surroundings made her feel vulnerable and exposed to the creatures lurking within, just waiting for a chance to make her their next meal.
In the distance, a light beamed through the trees. Grace moved forward, knowing the only option was to take a chance in the swamp. As she began to run, a voice came into her head. "Stop!" The sound was clear and familiar. Grace stopped just as she was about to step on a snake. "Go five paces to your left and crouch behind the tree." The voice instructed. Trusting she would be safe, Grace followed the instructions. " Don't move! Just listen." said the voice. "He is heading east. Wait, don't move yet, he'll hear you." Tears ran down Grace's face as she heard the branches breaking nearby.
Grace's body froze as she carefully listened to every sound in the murky swamp. The chitterings and howls, the croaks of frogs, and the buzzing of mosquitoes were the only things she heard until a clear voice suddenly commanded her to "RUN!"
The voice guided Grace through the darkness to an empty shack just on the other side of the swamp. Exhausted, Grace pushed the door open and collapsed on the dusty floor. As her eyes slowly opened on the floor, next to her hand was a small gold band that caught the light of the morning sun. Inside the ring was the inscription "forever mine."
It was standing room only at the church as a nervous and deeply in love fiancé stood alone at the altar, waiting for the music to start and for the first glimpse of the young bride. Lillian Windermere arrived in her wedding dress on time, ready to walk down the aisle. But then, suddenly, a thought crossed her mind; something caught her attention, a thought she could not dismiss. There was something more worth exploring; visions of joy filled her head, only the venue didn't seem right. All of a sudden, the situation felt off. She needed to go. There was one more adventure within her, and she trusted that it would all make sense in the end.
For a moment, Lillian thought about her darling groom, who often grumbled about her rash decisions and penchant for spontaneous trips, as he preferred well-organized plans. She then thought about the guests who would view her as being careless. Instead of doing what was expected, she grabbed the suitcase she had prepared for her honeymoon and slipped out the back door without a second thought.
Lillian danced down the path into the woods in her flowing white dress. She felt a weight lift; she was free to explore. Each leaf seemed more beautiful than the last, and the crows, the crows' caw cawing, sounded like a symphony between the trees. All was right in the world for Lillian. She didn't know where she was going, but she found wonder and awe every step of the way. As daylight began to wane, Lillian realized she had wandered off the path. Shrugging it off, she continued her journey, knowing that eventually, she would find the end of the woods. Lillian stood in a small clearing, marveling at how the light of the low sun glistened like copper between the trees. Taking in the beauty of the world around her, in her innocence, she could not fathom a reason to be afraid and continued on into the night.
A family searching for firewood just a few yards from a nearby campsite found Lillian's body the following day. It is said in late summer, if you are out in the woods in the wee hours of the morning, the ghost of Lillian Windermere will guide you and protect you along your journey.
Mary Flaherty, a young mother to three children, stood on the roof of her house, her eyes fixed on the dark waters of the harbor. News of a terrible storm at sea had spread throughout the small fishing town, and she was eagerly awaiting the return of her husband's boat to dock. Her red dress fluttered in the breeze, resembling a flickering flame in the wind. Wearing the red dress had become a ritual to remind her weary husband of his responsibilities at home before he headed into town. As the boats approached the shore, she counted them one by one, her heart racing with anticipation as many were still at sea. Mary looked further upon the water for a few minutes and, with no additional boats coming into the harbor, returned inside to tend to the needs of her children.
On the second night, a few more boats returned, and she spent a little longer combing the rough water, hoping to glimpse the ship. Heavy-hearted and cold, she left her post on the roof again and returned to care for her children.
The wind was harsher and cut through to the bone on the third night, but it did not prevent Mary from taking her place on the roof. Hours passed by, but Mary did not budge. The howls of the wind drowned out the cries of the children inside, who had become hungry. She searched each wave; she strained her eyes to see through the fog, but still no sign.
He would return, she told herself. He had to return; otherwise, what would become of her and her children?
Uncertainty and confusion consumed her. Hours passed, and the night sky grew darker. Droplets of ice formed at the tips of her eyelashes as the wind whipped across her face, yet she could not leave. Her husband's boat had to appear, she told herself. A boat she grown to hate and desired at the same time. She needed it to feel safe again. With each gust of wind, she felt more powerless. It was her husband who provided for the family. It was her husband who kept them safe. What was she to do without him? Mary had never felt so alone. She didn't just want him to return; she needed him to return to port. She feared if she left her post, her husband would never return. As a hard rain began to fall, deep in her heart, Mary felt her husband slip away. But still, she could not bring herself to go inside or convince herself to move. Later the next day, a neighbor found Mary standing, frozen against the railing, looking across the sea for a husband who would never return. The people of the small town claim on cold stormy nights, you can see what appears to be a woman in a red dress on top of the old Flaherty house.
Seamus O'Rourke was a photographer with an incredible talent for capturing nature's beauty. His unique eye for detail allowed him to take stunning shots that left people in awe. His latest exhibition, "Give em' the Bird," was destined to become a huge success; everyone talked about it before it even opened. Seamus was born fearless, which often played a role in his approach to photography, constantly pushing the boundaries and taking risks with his work. Throughout the art community, he was known for his creative vision and impulsive nature. His passion for adventure often led him to take bold and daring shots. Although sometimes overconfident in his abilities, Seamus was a true visionary who never let obstacles stand in his way. His hard work and dedication almost always paid off, and he became one of the most successful nature photographers of all time.
Seeing an opportunity to document a rare eagle's nest, he asked to join a group heading out on a sightseeing balloon. However, when the group denied his request, his ego took over, and he quickly turned from charming to arrogant. His temper and impatience took over. Seamus hopped into the basket before the tourists, commandeered the hot air balloon without any experience flying one in the past, and cut the ropes. "How hard can it be?" he scoffed loudly to the crowd as he rose into the air.
Despite his passion for adventure and creativity, Seamus's impatience and haughtiness proved his downfall, quite literally. He didn't know how to fly the hot air balloon and crashed in the town square. It was a tragic end to a life full of potential, and Seamus left his mark on the art world and the town square. Those who guide the hot air balloon trips for tourists claim if you hear an eagle's cry, you may also see the ghost of Seamus O'Rourke floating by.