The box held a delicate pair of pearl drop earrings. Ivory tears on a midnight blue pillow. An exquisite gift. It was a token, an enticement to keep her interested just a little longer. Perhaps he sensed the stirring within her, the change. She raised her eyes to his, hers feigning delight, his crinkling at the corners. No, he had no idea. She closed the box without looking again.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“As are you.”
There it was, the quick jab of pain, an inconvenience and nothing more. Much like sticking a finger with a needle, it was a necessary risk. Bring it to the lips, stop the ache, catch the blood before it falls. Not conscience or guilt. Something else. Whatever it was she embraced it now, it had become part of her. Not a friend but a counterpart.
By next week he would be gone. She had already shut herself away from him. If he bothered to look he would have seen it in her eyes, her movements. Not that there had ever been any real interest there, but she was so very good at pretending.
As always, she would do it slowly, painlessly. It was time to move on.
She poured the wine and handed him a glass as he settled onto the soft leather couch. Nothing but the best. This was not his home, but it was lavishly furnished, no doubt to impress the acquisitions he brought here. His prey. The thought made her smile.
“It’s good to see that smile.” He relaxed against the pillows, appraising her. She left her glass on the table and moved behind him.
“It’s easy to smile tonight.” Her hands massaged his neck and shoulders. There was no tension there. This was a man totally at ease. It repulsed her.
He closed his eyes. “Do I make you happy?”
She reached into her pocket, lovingly fingered the contents. She pulled back the plunger, filling the syringe with air.
“You will,” she said, and slipped the needle under his skin.
© 2009 Laurita Miller
Laurita observes, then writes. Her work has been featured at Gloom Cupboard, Six Sentences, and in several anthologies.
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The Marradith Ryder Series By: Lori Titus
August 7th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Short and powerful - nice story!
August 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Damn…talk about an air of superiority. Ouch. Lovin it, Laurita.
August 7th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
yowza…a curdler…tight!
August 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Wow, that was such a cool tale for such few words. You do this so well. Great job!!
August 7th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Bad girls kick ass! - well, and one good girl named Laurita
August 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Positively evil, Laurita.
Great visuals and tone setting.
You rock.
August 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Very nicely written Laurita. No word is wasted and you fill the few you use with vivid descriptions and powerful emotions. Great story