Deliveries from Temptation

Deliveries from Temptation

The chocolate company was a viable concern and Betty felt extremely proud to be part of a leading team that excelled in making all manner of artistry out of chocolate..The recipe was a closely guarded secret with all employees expected to maintain a policy of strict confidentiality or be fired. It was to do with quantity, mixing and a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ added to the compound that made it a true speciality. The name of the company had been aptly named Temptation as Betty had found out during her time of service and Temptation chocolate was truly delicious. Staff here were permitted to try the products as one of their perks and their mark of approval was of the essence. Management had reasoned that it would eliminate any acts of petty theft with the secret added ingredient adding a permanent smile to everyone’s faces. When prospective buyers were shown around, it was observed that they all looked happy although a tad buxom. Production had increased to satisfy increasing demand, consequently profits had doubled and were now booming. Although Betty was happy, she bemoaned her two stone increase and was now determined not to succumb to Temptation’s irresistable delicacies, with goals that yearned for a size twelve once again. Management was aware of her desire to diet and so did not expect her to take part in any tasting sessions for the moment.

This particular evening was one that was of great importance to her. Betty had her weekly weight watcher’s meeting to attend and although strict dieting had been painstaking, she was now beginning to lose weight. At least she wouldn’t have to don the ‘I am a greedy fat pig’ placard like her cheating counterparts. At present she was upstairs working on an order for a regular customer putting in the finishing touches to an almost life size model of Frosty the Snowman. Why should Mrs Astell-Jones want one on such a grand scale she thought. Because Mrs Astell-Jones always wants to go one better. There were plenty of smaller versions that were just as good, but never mind. The customer was always right as long as they had plenty of dosh and Mrs Astell-Smith was definitely not short of a bob or two. Betty found herself completely immersed in her creation as she piped Frosty’s mouth, She stepped back to survey her work then gasped. A flicker of light or shadow maybe, but Frosty the Snowman appeared to be winking. Pull yourself together dear, she thought, you’re on overload. She did not notice the bang of doors and exchange of farewells coming from below. She did not notice the echoey silence that ensued or much else apart from winking Frosty until a glance at the clock told her she was now well into self imposed overtime. Betty rushed down the clattery metallic steps that led to the ground floor. She was met with an eerie dark stillness and as her eyes adjusted, the miscellaneous hulks of chocolate figures being prepared for sale. The realization of entrapment increased as she checked all routes of exit. Every door was securely locked and worse the car park was void of vehicles. She was on her own. The company phones were in a different part of the building and could not be accessed and her mobile at home. She sat heavily down taking toll of her dire situation. She was in for a long night alongside the very products that had made her fat and her biggest challenge was to resist temptation. This was indeed an exercise in self control with no thanks to company policy and as the night wore on, she began to find herself a victim of her own imagination. Tiredness, pangs of hunger and a state of semi awareness contributed to her distorted perception. The silence had now begun to be infiltrated with whisperings and movement. The chocolate models appeared to be changing stance and position upon each glance. Even Betty, a hardened sceptic to paranormal activity was beginning to feel a certain discomfort and worse Frosty the Snowman was definitely closer. Drink some water girl, she told herself. Dehydration can play havoc with your mind. How can a bunch of chocolate models became animate. And Betty was beginning to talk herself into a much needed doze away from her plight and tummy rumblings even though the whisperings had taken on a more audible sound. She drifted into temporary oblivion with the mocking words. ‘You can’t resist temptation. You can’t…..’

The tap on her shoulder came all too soon and Betty abruptly came into consciousness immediately confronting the perpetrator. Frosty the Snowman was peering curiously at her with the partial smile she had given him. ‘I was just wondering when you were going to finish me.’ He said. Betty let out a scream that caused Frosty to stagger back in disbelief. How could his creator react this way. While Betty found herself falling, slipping away from this bizarre circumstance, escaping into a lengthy swoon that would take her to morning and the start of the working day. Horrified Frosty gently caressed her shoulders placing something into her hands. He then resumed his original position but with watchful eye and concern for his maker. He didn’t want anything to happen to her. After all she had to finish him.

The sound of extinguished car engines, human voices and doors being unlocked infiltrated the gray icy day. Snow was definitely in the atmosphere with probably a good scattering of it by late afternoon. Betty awoke to a hubbub of worried voices crooning around her. She felt dazed and confused, but relieved to find she was in the presence of fellow humans. There was something sticky in her right hand and it was oozing between her fingers, a brown viscous substance barely recognizable. Amazingly it had retained some of its shape and Betty now knew what it was. It was a miniature version of Frosty the Snowman. She had work to do, but not yet.

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