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The Candle in the Window
≡ Image prompt:

Do not depict: Child Abuse, Suicide, Explicit sexual content or nudity, Extreme graphic violence or gore, Deeply nihilistic or hopeless themes, Drug/alcohol use. Generate an illustration for a choose-your-own-adventure story. Style: Digital illustration, vivid colours, suitable for a web story. Do not include any text or lettering in the image. A single large candle flickering dangerously in a dark wooden village hall at night, cold shadows creeping along the stone walls, warm golden light struggling against surrounding darkness. in Watercolor style, Soft pastel

The Candle in the Window


Tonight is the longest night of the year. You are Pip, and you are watching the Great Candle burn in the village hall. Its warm glow is the only thing keeping the Old Dark away.

Then you feel it. A cold breath creeps through the cracks in the wall. The flame bends low. Very low.

The Elder is asleep in her chair. The candle is flickering. You must do something — right now.


Wake the Elder right away.
Shield the flame yourself with your hands.

? The flame won't wait long!

© 2026 Evan Prael