by Alyson Faye
Titus’ corpse looks as handsome in death as in life, Amelia thought, as she bent to kiss his cold cheek.
Her eyes filled with tears. She missed her husband’s voice, his touch, his laugh.
Amelia strode to the parlour door, locked it, pulled the heavy drapes closed before extracting a pair of silver stork handled sewing scissors from her velvet drawstring pouch. Bending over her dead husband’s head she snipped a lock of his blonde hair. For her locket, to be worn next to her heart.
“Mama are you there?”
Amelia smoothed her hair and opened the door. Facing her was her youngest child, Ernest. She eyed her exuberant son, then bending she whispered in his ear. Ernest nodded several times before he hop scotched his way across the hall.
The pile of black edged calling cards lay on the table. A reminder of the duties expected of her later that day. The viewing. Amelia shuddered.
Archie appeared from the library room, hair sleek as a seal. He was a man at ease in his surroundings. His smile scratched at her social façade.
“I expect you to be present at the viewing Archie.” She noted with satisfaction her brother in law’s moon face turn ashen.
The black garbed guests came to pay their respects. Finally at dusk only the widow and the brother remained.
“Come nearer Archie. You cannot see him from there.”
Archie crept closer. The gaslights flickered, at their dimmest the corpse jerked upright, lifted his right arm and pointed at Archie. A voice hissed, ‘Murderer.’
Archie’s face became a yawning scream. He huddled in a ball. “Forgive me Titus. I needed money.”
The lights flared up, revealing Ernest, hysterical with laughter, crouched under his father’s corpse, propping it upright.
“Jolly jape Mama.”
March 8, 2018 at 10:28 am
I find that it always adds to the horror when a child is involved! The boy’s innocence of playing with his father’s corpse and resulting in Acrhie’s confession is a nice touch.
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March 8, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Reblogged this on alysonfayewordpress and commented:
A new piece of flash fiction up- 300 worder- inspired by a workshop I attended at Writers’ Day Leeds Uni Trinity Horsforth
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March 8, 2018 at 1:24 pm
This had me hooked throughout. I usually have an idea of what I think the ending may be. I’m pleased to say this one came as a surprise.
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March 11, 2018 at 12:12 am
Great story. I always find that stories with kids involved are creepier
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March 21, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Ah, wonderful twist at the end. Lots of sensory information in this one. Little period details were also very nice.
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March 23, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Interesting ending , a packed story .
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March 28, 2018 at 11:13 am
Oh my goodness how Creepy! And I loved your phrasing esp hair combed sleek as a seal
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March 28, 2018 at 3:54 pm
loved the story and all the detail
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March 30, 2018 at 1:39 am
Great twist! I really liked how you captured Archie’s apprehension early on in the story with your choice of language.
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March 31, 2018 at 10:08 am
“His smile scratched at her social façade.” – my favourite line of the piece, it’s really fucking good. Sums up the relationship in seven words whilst also describing them individually too. Great stuff.
The atmosphere created was intense and the ending a cool and creepy one. Enjoyed it!
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March 31, 2018 at 10:13 am
“His smile scratched at her social façade.” – This line was my favourite. Loved how it described their relationship whilst also commenting on them as individuals, especially using the scratched with smile; really sets the tone and creepiness.
Great atmosphere throughout. Very visceral piece Enjoyed it a lot. Thanks!
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April 9, 2018 at 3:24 am
unexpected twist. loved it
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October 13, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Great ending. I really enjoyed this one.
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