The Empty Grave

    By Marwy

    The Empty Grave cover image

    26 Mar, 2024

    a woman standing in a graveyard at sunset with a full moon in the background and trees in the foreground, serial art, a character portrait, Asaf Hanuka, graphic novel

    Mary was an early riser, a habit she had developed since her childhood. On one particular morning, she decided to visit the grave of a loved one. However, to her surprise, when she arrived at the cemetery, she found the grave missing.

    a woman in a trench coat walking down a cemetery path with a cemetery in the background and a cemetery in the foreground, private press, a character portrait, Constance Copeman, promotional image

    Overwhelmed with shock and disbelief, Mary rushed to the cemetery caretaker. She bombarded him with questions, but he seemed as puzzled as she was.

    a man and woman standing in a cemetery with headscarves on their heads and a cane in their hands, private press, a comic book panel, Edgar Ainsworth, graphic novel

    The caretaker, as bewildered as Mary, assured her he hadn't moved the grave. He suggested that perhaps she was mistaken about the location. But Mary was certain. She had been visiting the grave for years.

    a woman in a black dress standing in a hallway with a dark background and a woman in a black dress standing in the hallway, serial art, a comic book panel, Ada Gladys Killins, official art

    Mary felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at the empty space. She couldn't shake off the eerie feeling. She decided to investigate the matter herself and find out what had happened.

    a woman in a black dress standing in a cemetery with a cross in the background and trees in the foreground, gothic art, a comic book panel, Ada Gladys Killins, promotional image

    She began by questioning the regular visitors of the cemetery. But everyone seemed as clueless as she was. None of them had noticed anything unusual in the recent past.

    a woman in a dress is standing in front of a group of police officers in a city street, with a man in a suit and tie, private press, a comic book panel, Edwin Georgi, graphic novel

    Frustrated with the lack of leads, Mary decided to involve the local authorities. The police were initially skeptical, but the seriousness of Mary's demeanor convinced them to look into the matter.

    a woman standing in front of a cemetery with a clock tower in the background and trees in the foreground, gothic art, a character portrait, Ada Gladys Killins, promotional image

    Days turned into weeks, and the mystery of the empty grave remained unsolved. Mary became obsessed with finding answers. She spent countless hours at the cemetery, hoping for some clue to surface.

    a woman in a coat is walking down a cemetery path with a black cat nearby on a cemetery at sunset, gothic art, a comic book panel, Art Spiegelman, comic cover art

    One evening, while Mary was at the cemetery, she noticed a man lurking around the spot where the grave used to be. Intrigued, she decided to confront him.

    a man and a woman standing in a graveyard with a cemetery in the background and a full moon in the sky, international gothic, a comic book panel, Ada Gladys Killins, graphic novel

    The man seemed startled by Mary's sudden approach. He revealed that he was the gravedigger who had originally dug the grave. He had been fired recently and was trying to figure out what had happened.

    a man in a long coat and a bag standing in a graveyard with a full moon in the background, gothic art, a character portrait, Edgar Ainsworth, comic cover art

    The gravedigger confessed that he had noticed the grave sinking a few weeks ago. Fearing retribution, he had kept quiet. The sinking was a result of an underground water source, causing the grave to collapse.

    a woman standing in a cemetery with her hands on her hips and a full moon in the background,, serial art, a character portrait, Edgar Ainsworth, comic cover art

    Mary was relieved to finally have an answer. It wasn't the answer she had expected, but it brought closure. The mystery of the empty grave was finally solved.

    a woman standing in a cemetery with a tree in the background and flowers in the foreground, and a cemetery in the background, private press, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, kinkade

    The grave was relocated, and Mary continued her morning visits. The incident served as a stark reminder that sometimes, reality can be stranger than fiction.

    The Empty Grave

    AI Mystery Stories