| Table of Contents - Poetry | ||||
| One Point Zero Two Nanoseconds by Kenneth Gurney | ||||
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Revenge can be sweet, no matter how long it takes to fulfill...
FINAL RETRIBUTION
It was a raw Sunday in November. Barry was comfortably reading in his living room. Wadsworth, his large red Irish Setter, lay at his feet. When the doorbell rang, he angrily got up and walked to the door. Wadsworth obediently tagged along besides him.
“I ‘m really not in the mood for any company today,” he thought.
Opening the door, only a gust of wind and rain came rushing in. Looking out from the porch, all he saw were the swaying limbs of the bare trees that surrounded his house. Wadsworth, however, became extremely agitated, and began to bark.
“Nobody’s there, Wadsworth,” his master said. “There must be a loose connection in the bell. Let's go back inside before we get soaked.”
Inside, Wadsworth remained restless and kept looking out the window all evening.
Later during that night, Barry awoke. In the darkness he heard someone softly calling his name, but when he turned on the lights, the room was empty. Figuring it was his imagination, he went back to sleep. The next morning was bright and sunny. After dressing, he walked Wadsworth, ate a quick breakfast of donuts and coffee then went to work at his real estate agency.
During the afternoon, Barry noticed a beautiful woman with jet black hair and large bright green eyes looking in the office window. He felt a strange attraction to her. He hurried from his desk to try and catch her, but she was gone by the time he made it to the street.
It was a cold that when he returned home. At 9:00 P.M., someone rang the doorbell. Wadsworth ran ahead, gave a sniff, and then ran quickly into the bedroom.
“What's gotten into that dog?” Barry wondered as he opened the door. Standing in the threshold was the enchanting woman he had seen from his office window. She was even more beautiful than he remembered her. She gave a look of surprise.
“You’re the man I saw in the window of the real estate office this afternoon. Sorry, to bother you, but my car got a flat tire. Do you think that you could help me put on my spare?”
“Sure,” he said, feeling a surge of sexual excitement just being near her.
It took him about twenty minutes to do it. The woman looked chilled from the cold.
“Won’t you come in and having a cup of coffee to warm you?” he asked.
She affectionately touched his arm. “That’s very kind of you. I don’t even know your name.”
“Barry, Barry Harmon,” he said, giving a boyish smile women usually found irresistible.
“I’m Natalia Rimley,” she replied with a voice sweet as honey.
Inside, she took off her coat, revealing a dark-blue outfit that brought out her trim figure.
A few minutes later, the two of them were comfortably seated on the sofa, sipping coffee. Suddenly, Wadsworth walked in from the bedroom and growled at her.
Natalia wasn’t frightened at all. Her bright green eyes stared at the dog. Almost immediately, the animal became docile and lay down on the rug.
“I don't know what's gotten into Wadsworth. He's usually very friendly,” Barry apologetically said.
“Oh, don’t worry about it, “she said moving closer to him. "The animal is calm now.”
“Tell me,” he asked, curiously, “Do you come from this part of Upstate New York?"
“I grew up right here in Unionville, but have been away for years. What about you?"
“Me? I was born and raised in town. After my dad retired last year, I took over his real estate business after graduating from college.”
“I'm surprised that a young man like you decided to live in such an isolated woody area.”
Barry smiled. “All my acquaintances say the same thing. Guess I like the solitude.”
Natalia looked at her watch and got up. “Oh, I’ve got to go. It’s getting late.”
“Guess your family is waiting for you.”
“I live alone. Well, thanks for all you’ve done. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
Barry walked her to the car.
“I’d like to see you again, Natalia. Are you free to have dinner with me on Saturday evening?” He eagerly asked.
Natalia nodded. “That would be great. I live in town so you don’t have to pick me up. I’ll meet you at your office about five.”
“Perfect!“ he replied.
“Okay, I’ll see you then.” she said, giving him a light kiss on the lips before driving away.
“Wow,” he said as her car disappeared down the road. “This could be the start of something good!”
****
Barry was happy when Saturday evening finally rolled around. Natalia walked into his office just after his staff had left. She was dressed in a stunning silver outfit and had sprayed on some strong sweet-smelling perfume that enhanced his desire for her.
“I have an idea.” she said as they walked out. “Let’s have dinner at my house. I enjoy cooking. You must try the roast I made this afternoon, then for dessert, have a piece of my Black Forest cake.”
“Sounds like a real treat!” he said, looking even more forward to the evening.
***
Natalia lived in an old white colonial house that was on a dead end street.
“As a realtor, I don’t recall this place being listed for sale. How did you ever find it?” Barry asked.
“It was purely by luck” she said smiling. “On the first day I returned to town, I made a wrong turn while taking a stroll, and went down this block. A sign in the window said this house was for sale by the owner. While the place is very old, I found it to be in excellent condition. I knew it was just the right place for me and purchased it the same day.”
They entered the living room where Natalia lit the logs in a large stone fireplace.
“Sit down, Barry and make yourself comfortable. I’ll heat up the food. It shouldn’t take too long. In the meantime, have some wine; it’s an excellent vintage.” She poured him a glass then departed into the kitchen
Barry looked around. The maple furniture was so perfect for this room. It almost looked like a movie set. The warmth from the fire and the robust wine made him feel drowsy and soon he dozed off. Upon awakening, Barry was tied up and unable to move. Natalia was staring down at him.
“What’s going on?” he said. “Why am I tied up?”
“Because it’s time for retribution,” she gleefully responded. “Oh, how I have waited for this moment.”
“Retribution?” the terrified man shouted. “Retribution for what?”
“Your ancestors foil deeds. Back in 1769, both the Harmon and Brimley families practiced the art of witchcraft in this town. A rivalry soon ensued between them. Although my people tried to make a truce, yours refused. On a dark summer night while walking home on a back road, my entire family was ambushed by your clan. They were tied up and dragged away, never to be seen again. No longer having any competition, the Harmons quickly took over the town and became the most influential people in this region. However, there was still one fly in the ointment. The only daughter of the Brinmleys had managed to loosen the ropes that bound her and escaped from being murdered like the others. She swore vengeance, but wisely knew her magic wasn’t as powerful as the more experienced Harmons. Finding a hidden cavern, not far from where your house stands now, she put herself into a state of suspended animation and did not awaken until a time came when she would be safe and able to accomplish her revenge.”
Barry took a deep breath after hearing the story. “Natalia, I know this sounds impossible, but are you that daughter?”
Natalia’s green eyes glared at him. “Yes, I am.”
Barry began to tremble. “Just what do you plan to do, torture and kill me like my ancestors did?”
Natalia laughed. “I’m not as cruel as that. Besides, you’ll be perfect company for me. I always did want a pet cat.”
From a gold case she took out some sparkling, iridescent powder and sprinkled it over the incapacitated man’s body, while chanting some words in a strange language. At first nothing happened, and then Barry’s physical appearance began to change. He began screaming, but that quickly turned into the strangled yowling of a cat in anguish.
Elliot Richard Dorfman taught in the New York City school system for more than three decades, as well as giving private vocal and piano lessons. He founded Suma Play Productions, Inc., and was artistic director of the American Youth Repertory Company, Off Broadway.
After retiring, he moved with his family from the borough of Brooklyn to Johnstown, New York. Among his successful former students are American tenor, Daniel Rodriguez, and character actress, Kelly Wolf.
Forty-eight short stories have recently been published in the following magazines: Delivered, Twisted Dreams, Bewildering Stories, Golden Visions, Static Movement, NVH, The Tiny Globule, Perpetual, Black Petals, Blood Moon Rising, Demonic Tome, Short Story Library, Coffee Cramp eZine. Poems have appeared in Falling Star, Orange Room Review, Debris, StoriesThatLift.com, M-Brane Sicence Fiction, and Golden Visions.
By Amanda Lawrence Auverigne
“Hey, Tamara. Blake is coming to pick me up soon.” Lisa said.
“Should I be excited about your hook up or what?” Tamara asked.
“Yes you should. We’re going to this costume thing at the Sigma house and I need a little more time to slip into my sexy maid costume. I just need you to get the door when he shows up.” Lisa replied.
“Hey, I’m sitting right here! Why can’t I let the bastard in?” Sara asked.
“Your attitude is exactly why I want Tamara to let him in and not you.” Lisa responded.
Sara sat up on the hardwood floor. She turned away from the television and she glared at Lisa.
“There’s nothing wrong with my attitude. Blake is a bastard.” Sara said.
“You don’t even know him.” Lisa said.
“How do you know?” Tamara asked.
“I don’t’ have to know him cause its all about a person’s habits.” Sara said.
“Habits?” Tamara asked.
“Sara, what are you on today?” Lisa inquired.
“You see, Lisa here has this habit of dating losers, idiots, freaks and bastards. So judging from that fact I’m just gonna take the chance of picking the classification of bastard to describe the jerk she’s going out with tonight.” Sara stated.
Lisa fell onto the couch beside Tamara. She grabbed her friend’s hand and she pressed it against her bosom.
“Tamara, please, please, please answer the door for me.” Lisa begged.
The sound of loud knocking poured from the closed apartment door.
“It’s the jerk!” Sara yelled.
“Sara, shut up. Tamara, please get the door for me.” Lisa whispered.
“Why don’t you get the door Lisa!” Sara yelled.
“Shut up, Sara.” Lisa hissed.
Sara jumped up from the hardwood floor and she ran to the door.
“Sara no!” Lisa cried.
“What was that Lisa? You can’t get the door because you have to put in your industrial strength diaphragm? Okay, I’ll let your date in. It’ll take awhile for you to get ready I know cause there’s just so much room in there. The thing is practically swimming between your gams!” Sara shouted.
“Damnit!” Lisa cried.
Lisa jumped off of the couch and she ran from the room.
Sara stopped in front of the door. She unlocked the wooden portal and she pulled it open.
A tall dark haired young man stood in the entrance. He held a slender black bag at his side. He wore a dark velvet suit and he carried a white satin mask in his left hand.
“Uh, I’m here to see Lisa. I think this is the right apartment.” The young man said.
“Oh, you must be Blake. Nice costume dude. Come on in, she’s just getting ready.” Sara said.
Sara stepped away from the door. She lowered her form into bow while she moved her hand in a sweeping motion.
“Uh, thanks.” Blake stated.
Blake entered the apartment. He walked across the room and he stopped in front of the couch.
“Uh, hello.” Blake said.
“Hi, Blake. I’m Tamara and the space cadet behind you is Sara.” Tamara said.
“Oh, pleased to meet you.” Blake said.
Sara slammed the door with a resonant bang.
Blake and Tamara looked at Sara.
“Oh, sorry about that. We have to slam the door really hard to make sure that the cheapo lock the landlord installed will actually hold. In this neighborhood you can’t be too careful.” Sara explained.
Sara danced across the floor and she stopped near the couch. She crossed her eyes while she mouthed the words “freaking weirdo.”
Tamara turned away from her friend with a laugh.
Sara turned around. She took a few steps towards the television before she collapsed onto floor atop her bottom.
Sara stared at the television while she rubbed at her backside.
“Ow, not much of a shock absorber back there.” Sara muttered.
Tamara cleared her throat with a low cough. “Blake, come and have a seat. Lisa is in her room getting ready.” Tamara said.
“Lisa’s in there making you wait for it, pal!” Sara shouted.
“She’ll be right out.” Tamara stated quickly.
“Those diaphragms can be really tricky especially if you have to wear two.” Sara stated.
“Sara, cut it out.” Tamara whispered.
“What?” Sara asked.
“Sa-ra.” Tamara said sharply.
“Oh no, it’s the Mommy voice. Alright, I’ll cool it off for now. Lucky for the both of you, my show is on. Finally after like three years.” Sara said.
“Um, I hope that Lisa will be ready soon.” Blake said.
“I’m sure she will.” Tamara said.
Blake moved to the couch and he sat beside Tamara.
“This place is really nice. I mean, its nicer than some of the apartments in this neighborhood.” Blake said.
“It’s nice enough. It’s the biggest one we saw and the rent was reasonable.” Tamara said.
“Are you studying the planets?” Blake asked.
“Me? No, my boyfriend is an astronomy nerd. Well, his father is a real astronomer and he sent me some photos from this one satellite that’s been orbiting Jupiter for like twenty five years or something. See? Aren’t these pictures amazing?” Tamara asked.
Tamara tilted her laptop computer in Blake’s direction with a grin.
“Yes, they are. Are you sure that the planet is Jupiter?” Blake asked.
“Well, the captions say... Well, wow. Its not really Jupiter. But its so big. I just thought that it was.” Tamara said with a laugh.
“That Astro nerd sends her those pics all the time. I told you to put him on Junky Guard.” Sara stated.
“No, I like these pictures.” Tamara said.
“The galaxy is a wondrous thing.” Blake said.
“It is, I guess.” Tamara stated.
“Its alright.” Sara said with a loud burp.
“Ew.” Tamara said.
“I think its admirable that you share your boyfriend’s interests.” Blake said.
“Hey, you sounded all smart and stuff just now.” Sara said.
“I beg your pardon?” Blake asked.
“Yeah, its just that. Well, you seem like a nice, intelligent guy. You don’t have any track marks that I can see. Your pupils aren’t’ dilated and you’re not cracking your knuckles or punching in walls in preparation for a steroid rage episode. So, why are you dating
Lisa?” Sara asked.
“Uh.” Blake said.
“Sara, just leave him alone.” Tamara stated.
“Okay.” Sara said.
“Sorry about that. She’s off her meds today.” Tamara said.
“I heard that!” Sara yelled.
“Its quite alright. And to answer Sara’s question I have to say that I like Lisa a lot. And we do have a lot in common.” Blake said.
“That’s good.” Tamara said.
Sara let out a hooting laugh.
Blake slid his bag from his shoulder and he placed it in his lap. He stared at the television for a few moments before he turned to Tamara.
“Do you know how long she’ll be?” Blake inquired.
“Uh, no. She should be out soon though. Would you like something to drink while you wait maybe?” Tamara asked.
“This isn’t a restaurant.” Sara said.
“No, uh. I’m fine.” Blake said.
Tamara turned from Blake with a polite smile. She stared at her computer while she typed.
Loud chiming noises echoed from the speakers of the slim machine.
“If you’re gonna do the Instant Messaging thing, turn off the damn sound!” Sara yelled.
“Sorry.” Tamara said.
Tamara pulled a pair of bright pink ear buds from the side of the sofa. She tugged at the tangled wires of the object. She thrust the metal tipped edge of the listening device into a small circular metal port on the side of the laptop computer and the chiming noises stopped.
“How’s that?” Tamara asked.
Tamara shoved the foam tipped ear buds inside of her ears before she began typing.
“Better. Thanks. This guy is finally gonna explain why the island is all time warpy. I’ve been waiting five years for this and it had better be damned good!” Sara yelled.
“If you keep shouting about it you won’t hear it.” Tamara said.
“Shut up, he’s getting all technical.” Sara said.
“Which means you probably won’t be able to understand it.” Tamara said.
“Hardy har and har.” Sara chortled.
Sara raised her left hand and she extended her middle finger in an upwards thrusting motion.
“Now that’s just rude.” Tamara said.
“Well, what you just said wasn’t exactly a compliment. And if that weirdo freak wasn’t here I’d have given you an eyeful of my bare ass. So, consider yourself fortunate.” Sara said.
“I think that guy just talked about that time thing when you were yelling at me about your naked booty.” Tamara stated.
“Did he? Wait, okay the other people around him are standing around looking shocked. And I’ve been watching this show long enough
to know that what they’re doing means that the guy just explained something really important that’ll probably turn up a in a crazy plot twist a few seasons from now if this show lasts that long. Damn it all! Let me turn this volume up. I’m sure he’ll explain what he just said at least three more times so people like Lisa can get it.” Sara said.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Lisa sang.
Lisa entered the living room with a lively giggle.
She looked at the sofa and she let out a shrill scream.
“What in the heck? Did your three diaphragms slip out of that canyon between your gams again? Oh shit.” Sara said.
Blake sat on the edge of the sofa.
The young man was naked. He held a large butcher’s knife in his left hand. Large slash marks covered his chest, neck and abdomen.
Light trickles of blood oozed across his pale form and dripped onto the cushions of the couch.
Sara jumped to her feet and she ran to the door. She pulled at the wooden portal’s handle and the barrier remained shut.
“Fuck! Its stuck!” Sara cried.
Tamara stared at Blake’s bleeding wounds with wide eyes. She closed the lid of her laptop computer. She rose to her feet and she backed away from the couch slowly. She pressed her spine against the wall behind her and she held her computer against her chest while she gazed at Blake.
“Hey, Lisa. You look really good. But, uh. Why aren’t you covered in blood?” Blake inquired.
“What?” Lisa asked.
“I thought we agreed about our theme. I was going to go as a serial killer and you were going to be my victim. You’re not even wearing the fake cuts I brought for you. Lisa, if we can’t agree on the important stuff, I don’t think this relationship will work.” Blake said.
“About that.” Lisa said.
“Are you breaking up with me?” Blake asked.
“No.” Lisa said quickly.
“Good, then you can hurry up and get changed for the party.” Blake said.
“I don’t know if I wanna go.” Lisa said.
“Of course you wanna go. All of my friends will be there and they’re all just dying to see you. I’ve told them how incredibly sexy you are. Don’t disappoint me, Lisa. Don’t disappoint them. So, come on. Get changed so we can go.” Blake said.
“I just don’t know.” Lisa said.
“Its okay, I know you’re nervous. Let me help you.” Blake said.
Blake rose from the couch. He raised the knife in his hand and he drove the shining blade deep within Lisa’s chest. He pulled the weapon from the young woman’s form and he stabbed her repeatedly. Thick torrents of blood gushed from Lisa’s face, neck and chest during the brutal assault.
Tamara screamed as heated droplets of Lisa’s blood splashed against her face. She dropped her computer and ran. She stumbled over the fallen machine and she lost her balance. She fell to the floor and she landed on the wooden beams atop her belly.
Lisa’s raised her blood drenched hands in front of her while she backed away from Blake. She tripped over Tamara’s prostate form and she fell to the floor in a shuddering heap.
Tamara crawled away from Lisa’s trembling body. She rushed to a dim corner of the room and she wiped at the blood that dripped from her face with frantic sobs.
Blake moved to Lisa. He fell to his knees beside her and caressed her face. “There you are. Now, you’re the perfect victim. We’ll win the prize this year for sure.” Blake said.
Blake gathered Lisa into his arms. He rose to his feet and he placed her blood covered body atop his left shoulder. He pressed his left palm against the lower portion of the young woman’s spine before he walked across the room. He stopped in front of the door. He raised his right hand and he tapped at Sara’s shoulder.
Sara let out a petrified scream. She turned around and she looked at Blake.
“Do you mind? We’re late for the party.” Blake said.
Sara ran from the room with a loud shriek.
Blake pulled at the door’s brass handle.
A loud cracking sound filled the room just before the wooden portal fell open.
Blake stepped from the opened doorway of the apartment and he entered the dark hall with a cheerful whistle.
Amanda Lawrence Auverigne is a university student who writes works of dark fiction in her spare time.
by Damien Keith
"This is great stuff!” Daniel Norris said as he studied the passage on the screen and smiled.
He quickly saved the document then rose and walked over to the window. As he savored the moment, the telephone rang and the caller ID showed that it was Jay Anderson.
“Hey Jay, how you doing?” he asked over the noise of a sander in the background.
“Doing great. Hey, you should see boat; getting it ready for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, what you doing to it?” Dan asked as the sound of the sander stopped.
“Just putting a couple of finishing touches on the deck,” Jay responded enthusiastically. “So, what you up to Danny?”
“Writing,” he replied as he looked toward the laptop, “I finally crack the part of the story where Elaine confronts her brother. That was practically keeping me up nights,” he said excitedly.
“Hmm,” Jay muttered. “Called to see if you want to come out on the boat with us tomorrow. You said Lisa is away for the weekend so I thought you’d need something to do.”
“Naw, I appreciate the offer but I want to take advantage of the time alone and write.”
“Ah c’mon, we got beer and you know Dave and Matty are going to be there. Why would you want to waste the day writing when you could spend the whole day on a boat with a keg and your best buddies?”
“It’s tempting but,” Dan said unconvincingly, “I’m kinda in a flow and really want to take advantage of it.”
“Okay,” Jay responded as though he was astounding that Dan was opting out, “if you change your mind just give me a ring. We’re gonna be leaving around ten.”
“If I change my mind, I’ll certainly give you a call,” Dan said as he hung up the phone.
Glancing over his shoulder at the smiling photo of Lisa on the mantle, he suppressed the pang of guilt he felt for enjoying the solitude.
“I’m sure she’s having just as good a time at her sisters,” he said as he returned to the laptop. “What did I say I want to work on next? Ah yes, the villain,” he said as he jumped to an-other section of the document. “How do we get you into the house?”
#
“Clio, come and see!” Poly said excitedly as she burst through the door of Clio’s house. “Yes, Clio, come,” Calliope and Thalia said in unison as they fluttered outside the door.
“What have you found?” Clio asked and smiled brightly at each in turn.
“No, come and see,” Poly said playfully, taking her by the hand and pulling her toward the door.
“Oh, alright,” Clio said, tossing her book on the table, “show me what you’ve found.”
#
As the women crested the hill, Clio stopped and stared in stunned silence at the beauty of the valley. What had been a grassy plain was now transformed into a dale of unimaginable beauty. Stripped and spotted butterflies of every hue and color darted among the rows of scented flowers that lined the stream. The brilliant colors of the butterflies were matched only by the startling tones of the flowers that seem to come in a myriad of shapes and sizes. The clear water of the stream sang pleasantly as it flowed over the glistening rocks and pebbles that shone like diamonds in the water.
“Look at the light Clio,” Poly said as she pointed at the golden shafts that streamed through the newborn trees.
“It’s, it’s absolutely beautiful,” Clio said as she drifted down the hill toward Calliope, who danced on the banks of the stream. “When did this happen?” she asked Calliope, who contin-ued to dance, her eyes closed in ecstasy.
“I’m not certain; when I woke, it was here,” Calliope re-plied, dancing away and vanishing among the trees.
Clio dropped down to the velvety grass and dangled her hand in the cool water. “This is truly magnificent.”
#
Hey Dan, how’s it goin’?” Richard Lockhart asked as he pressed his ID card against the electronic sensor that unlocked the office door. “You have a good weekend?”
Dan trotted toward the glass door smiling as he readjusted the laptop bag on his shoulder. Though it was barely nine o’clock, the office was busy with staff as he stepped through the door.
“Yeah, it was great; short,” Dan said with a smile and a nod of thanks to Rich. “Lisa spent the weekend with her sister and their new baby so I was able to do plenty of writing. I worked out the part with the villain and think I have an idea for a new short story.”
Rich nodded and smiled dispassionately as he stood with his hands in his pockets and said nothing. Showing no surprise at the reaction, Dan moved on to a different topic.
“Also did a little work on the barn,” he continued as Rich’s eyebrows arched with interest.
“Oh yeah, what did you do?”
“Tore some of the old tiles off the roof so I could lay down some new roofing.”
“Now are you talking about the peaked part on the front?” Rich asked, creating an inverted “V” with his hands. “I thought you were working on the flat part near the back.”
“Yeah, I am,” Dan responded as he began walking toward his desk. “I heard we were supposed to get some rain toward the end of the week so I wanted to put plastic down.”
“I’m thinking about converting part of our attic into a workout room for the wife.”
“Really, what kind of exercises does she do?” Dan asked as he stuffed his laptop bag under his desk, glanced at the phone and saw that he had messages.
“She was into TaeBo but now she’s moved on to Pilates with a little Jazzercize.”
“Humph, let me know how that goes,” Dan said as he turned toward his workstation.
“Sure will; and you keep me posted on the barn repairs.”
#
The chime of Dan’s multiple chat windows was incessant as four instant message windows blinked simultaneously. Dan glanced at the clock and sighed heavily as 09:00 p.m. flashed back at him. He answered each window in rapid succession as the fever pitched web portal installation finally hit a lull.
“Jesus, finally,” he said as the windows remained silent and he cautiously shifted over from his work laptop to the per-sonal one sitting beside it on the table. He opened the document and, as he began to type, Lisa bounded down the stairs.
“Is the install over?” she asked, peering at his screen.
“Naw, it finally stopped to take a breath,” Dan said with a weak smile as he continued to focus on the sentence he was typ-ing.
“So what are you doing?” she asked as she slid closer to him.
“Trying to see if I can sneak in a little writing while they’re configuring the servers.”
They were both quiet as Lisa looked back and forth between the two computers then looked around the room as though bored.
“Oh, I was looking at the study and taking measurements to-day,” she said suddenly.
“Measurements; measurements for what?” Dan said, stopping for a moment and staring at her.
She shifted closer to him and nuzzled against his shoulder. “To see if a crib would fit in there,” she said softly.
“A crib?” Dan said, sounding more shocked than he had intended. “You’re not …”
“No, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared,” she said with a sultry smile.
Dan didn’t answer as the chat suddenly sprung to life again. “Damn, hoped I could get some writing in during the lull,” he said as he slid back over in front of the work computer.
“Oh honey, you wrote a couple of days ago,” Lisa said as she stood to leave.
“A couple of days ago!” Dan said with complete surprise. “Lisa, between work and everything else, I haven’t had a chance to write anything in nearly a month.”
“Really; huh, didn’t seem like that long,” she said nonchalantly.
#
“Clio, Clio, come quickly!” Poly said as she stopped and leaned breathlessly against the wooden railing of the porch.
Clio did not seem to notice her at first as she stared thoughtfully at the bulbous white clouds drifting over the hori-zon.
“Clio, you gotta come quick,” Poly said a little less breathlessly as Clio turned and lazily gazed in her direction.
“What seems to be the trouble Poly?” she asked with a pleasant smile as she closed her book and laid it across her lap.
“You gotta come and see; you gotta come now!” Poly said with growing hysteria.
“Come where; see what?” Clio responded, rising quickly.
“To Vermilion Fields,” Poly replied, grabbing Clio’s hand and pulling her off the porch.
Clio and Poly glided swiftly through the valley, leaving a trail of shimmering gold sparkles in their wake. Cresting the green carpeted hill, they stopped and slowly settled to the ground.
“See,” Poly said, pointing down into the valley in the direction of the fields; “Clio, what happened to it?”
“I, I don’t know,” she replied in sad amazement as she drifted down toward, what used to be, a swath of glistening, red-orange flowers.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked out over the sea of dead brown plants in the contorted death throes of dehydration. Clio picked up one of the flowers at her feet and studied the hard, twisted leaves and stem. She caressed it reverently only to have it crumble and slip though her fingers.
“How could this have happened?” Poly asked as she dropped to the ground at the edge of the floral graveyard.
“I don’t know,” Clio said, shifting her gaze toward the horizon and the billowy clouds that were now tinged with gray. “I honestly don’t know.”
#
Dan sat hunched over his laptop; studying the screen pen-sively. He had hit a snag in his plot outline and was searching the internet for background on natural toxins. He was deliberating the possibility of white oleander as a poison for his an-tagonist and didn’t see Lisa enter the room. She walked over to him, slipped her arms around his shoulder and nuzzled his neck.
“Hey Danny, I can think of a lot more fun things to do than surf the web,” she said amorously as she kissed his ear.
“Sweetie, I’m not surfing the web; I’m doing research,” he replied, as he kissed and patted her hand. “I’ve found a natural toxin that I think my villain can use as a poison,” he said, smiling to himself.
“Uh hmmm,” she said huskily and continued her seduction.
“Lisa honey, I really want to work on this,” he said, un-draping her arms and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. “I ha-ven’t had time to write in nearly a week and I don’t want to forget what I came up with today.”
She gave a little pout, walked to the other side of the table and plopped into the seat.
“This is gonna be great!” Dan said as his fingers flew over the keyboard. “I’ve finally figure out how the villain kills the investigator looking into his background.”
“Carol’s baby was so cute,” Lisa said almost absent-mindedly. “He was so sweet and soft; Danny you should’ve gone with me last weekend.”
“I saw him last month,” Dan said, looking up from the key-board. “Yeah, he is cute honey but how much can he change in three weeks.”
“Well, Carol said he’s smiling now and holding his head up.”
“Hmm,” Dan said with a smile as he returned to his writing.
“And Paul does this thing with his fingers where he walks them up Michael’s chest; that always makes him smile.”
“What’s all this talk about Carol’s baby?” Dan said as he made another typing error and blew out a sigh.
“Well, doesn’t it make you think? I mean, they’ve been mar-ried as long as we have,” she said as she began rubbing her foot against his beneath the table.
“Yeah, it makes me think,” he answered, folding his hands on the table. “It makes me think that a baby after only two years is too soon for us. It makes me think that a baby takes a lot of time, work and money. Lisa, I thought we agreed to put off a family for the first five years.”
“I know, I know,” she said with another pout. “It doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun in the meantime,” she continued with a wink.
Dan stared at the screen then reluctantly closed the lap-top. “Okay, let’s go upstairs.”
#
The erratic movements of the small dot in the sky drew Clio’s attention away from the darkening clouds that crept up on the horizon. The dot seemed, at first, like a large awkward bird as it fought a losing battle to maintain altitude. After one last halfhearted burst of effort, the silhouette slowly spiraled to the ground, crash-landing near a grove of trees. Clio’s heart raced as she quickly glided toward where the creature landed; fearful of what she would find once she arrived. As she reached the spot, she saw Melpomene and Thalia trying to comfort the frightened, dying creature. Melpomene stroked its flowing white mane and whispered into its ear while the stallion struggled to move its crumpled legs. Thalia started to reach for one of the twisted wings but stopped and began crying uncontrollably as the breathing of the Pegasus became increasingly shallow.
“Clio, what happened to him?” Melpomene asked, gazing up at Clio as tears streamed down her face. “Thalia and I were picking fruit in the grove when we heard a strange sound. When we went to see what it was, we found him like this.”
Thalia finally composed herself and walked, unsteadily, over to Clio. “What do you think happened to him; he just seemed to fall out of the sky?”
Clio looked down into Thalia’s large brown eyes and strug-gled to find an answer. Not having a suitable reply, she looked back at the animal as it gave a last desperate gasp.
“Clio,” Thalia said, digging something out of her bag and holding it out in Clio’s direction. Thalia repeated her name and she slowly turned toward what was in Thalia’s hand. “Mel and I went to pick fruit but, this is what we found,” she said, her eyes drifting down to the shriveled, rotting object in her hand. “They’re all like this Clio,” she continued, her voice cracking with emotion, “Every piece we picked.”
“Something is wrong with our world,” Clio said, taking the rotted fruit from Thalia and examining it closely. She then looked down at the now serene face of the dead stallion as Melpomene cradled its head in her arms. “Something is terribly wrong with our world.”
#
“It’s amazing Danno, my stock’s been going up all week. I thought about doing a little profit-taking but I wanna see how high it can go,” Roger said as his eyes scanned the stock ticker scrolling across his desktop widget. “What about you; how are your stocks doing?” Roger asked, standing up and peering over the wall of his cubicle.
“Haven’t really had time to check,” Dan replied, not look-ing up from the JavaScript code on his screen. “With these extra projects; this past couple of months I’ve barely had time to breathe.”
The phone on his desk rang and the caller ID flashed Lisa’s name.
"Hi honey," he said distractedly; "What's up?"
"Meet me at the place on Boylston Street after work okay?" she said with barely contained excitement.
"Lise honey, I'm kinda tired," he said, rubbing wearily at his forehead. "I really just want to go home and rest."
"Danny, I've already made a reservation for six; you know how hard it is to get a reservation there."
"Lisa, I know but I am really beat; can't we postpone it until the end of the week."
"Danny no; I have some really good news and I want to tell you at our special place!"
"Okay, okay; I'll meet you there a little before six," he said with a weak smile and hung up the phone.
#
Lisa was beaming as he approached the table and sat. She kneaded her hands in nervous excitement as the waiter took their drink orders and scurried away.
"Okay honey, what's so important that you wanted to meet here?"
"I look any different?" she asked with childlike excitement as Dan folded his arms on the table and studied her carefully. She stood, straightened her blue silk dress and turned slowly.
"Uh, new dress?" he asked as his weary mind searched for a difference in her appearance between this morning and now.
"Nope," she said as she sat and stared at him with a huge grin.
"Sweetie, I'm really tired; why don't you just tell me what it is."
"Well," she said, clearing her throat dramatically, "We are now officially a family."
"I'm sorry, weren't we a family before?"
"Yes, but then we were a family of two, now we're a family of three; a real family."
"Lisa, are you telling me you're …"
"Yes," she squealed as she clenched her fist and stamped her feet excitedly. "I just got the news today and the doctor thinks it may even be twins; isn't that great!"
Dan managed a weak, crooked smile as he reached for Lisa's hand. "Yeah honey, that's great; it really is."
"First thing I did was to tell Carol; she was totally jeal-ous but happy too!” she said, scrunching up her nose with de-light. “God, a baby; can you believe it!”
#
Clio was lost in her reading when a distant grumbling grabbed her attention. Shrugging it off, she returned to her book and was immediately absorbed in the story. A throaty growl quickly followed by, what sounded like, the cracking of old bones nearly caused her to drop the book. Peering out the win-dow, she saw that the sky boiled with sooty grey clouds as a wall of wind steamrolled down the valley. The invisible force flattened the grass and indiscriminately snapped the trunks of young trees. Clio’s heart raced as the darkness spread and lightening slashed the sky. The charcoal clouds now tinted with a sickening green as small whirlpools opened up in them. Clio raced to the door as several large, dark funnels dropped from the sky and began ravaging the landscape. Huge swaths of pas-toral grass and fields of wildflowers were vengefully ripped from their plots and shredded by the wind. Trees that had stood since the beginning of time were unceremoniously torn from the ground and flung in every direction. Clio screamed in agony as she saw the large, brown gashes left in the once beautiful land-scape. She looked to the east and saw dozens of other funnels tearing across the Mount of Helicon.
“The Springs,” she said as debris and vegetation twisting toward the sky. Among the wreckage she saw the brightly colored roof of Euterpe and Urania’s home before it was sucked into the angry black clouds.
“I must reach the sisters,” she said, stepping onto the porch but was immediately slammed against the wall by the force of the wind. Summoning every ounce of her strength and will, she forced herself away from the wall and turned, headlong, into the gale. She could barely see through the veil of grit, dirt and debris that battered her from every side. Wrapping her scarf around her nose and mouth, she strained to breathe through the dust-laden air. Squinting through the darkness, she struggled to keep her balance amid the maelstrom. A faint, golden glow to her left drew her attention. She turned and focused on it as the glow grew larger and, above it she could now make out a silhou-ette. Looking lost and frightened, Poly floated unsteadily to-ward her and broke into tears when she recognized Clio. Poly threw her bruised and battered arms around Clio’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably as Clio held her tight and fought back tears of her own.
“Mel and Thalia are dead; one of the trees fell on their house,” Poly said finally then hugged Clio more tightly and began sobbing again.
Clio whispered soothing words in Poly’s ear as she picked the leaves and twigs from her strawberry-blonde hair.
“We must reach the sisters,” she said as the wind snatched her words away as she said them. “I believe they will seek the safety of the Springs but, but the storms have …”
She couldn’t finish the thought or the sentence as she cradled Poly’s heart-shaped face in her hands. “Together we can make it Poly; we must get to the Springs!”
#
It took over an hour but, when Clio and Poly finally arrived at the valley beneath the mountain it was unrecognizable. The stately homes that once lined the main street were now merely piles of rubble with only telltale signs of what had stood before. Navigating around the deep crevasses and shattered trees they stopped and dug through the ruins only to find the lifeless bodies of their siblings. As they approached the shat-tered fountain, they wept as they saw the bodies scattered around the hill at the base of the mountain. Stunned and over-whelmed they dropped to the ground as the wind slowly subsided and the storm moved to the west.
“Clio, what can we do; what should we do,” Poly asked in wide-eyed desperation.
For long moments Clio said nothing then stared sadly at the broken pieces of marble that had been the fountain.
“There is nothing we can do,” she said finally, hanging her head. “For our world, I believe this is the end of days.”
Damien Keith is a novelist, screenplay and short story writer living in Waltham, Massachusetts. To date he has completed two novels; one fantasy and one science fiction, 4 screenplays, and several short stories. He has been writing for nearly ten years and, prior to that, was a fine arts painter who had been exhibiting for over fifteen years in national galleries.