He knew because in one of her many moments of foolish bravery and fearlessness, she’d told him, with a nice little insult tacked on for good measure.
She had been so spirited. He’d truly enjoyed working on her. She’d lasted for weeks before she finally gave up, and she had fought until the very end. Each new method of torture had been met with taunting words and fiery eyes. “Is that all you’ve got?!” she had shouted at him when he’d brandished a new weapon, then spit him in the face when he came closer.
Oh yes, she had been magnificent. He sighed as he tried to get the blood out from under his cuticles. He felt empty now. She had been an unwilling player in his game, but she had become such a big part of his life. And he would like to think that she had felt something for him, too. Hate and love were just two sides of the same coin, after all. It was a shame she had to die. She had so much passion.
He would have to find a new victim now, somewhere else. Someplace where they didn’t know his name and didn’t know to fear him. He would have to choose his next victim carefully; she’d set the bar impossibly high. He’d leave in the morning, he decided.
He turned to her lifeless form on the table and cocked his head to the side, deep in contemplation. He had a body to hide. But first...
He picked up the straight razor.
First he needed to take a souvenir.
And with that disturbing little entry, I am done. Can you believe it? It is finally over, Nicky and Mike’s 30 Minus 2 Days of Murdering Our Muses ends today. The last prompt is Is that all, and please God, let that be all. No more. Ever again. (At least not until the next time.) Now go, check out We Work For Cheese for a list of the other participants, and for Nicky's apology for putting us all through this. *
Oh my, that was a bit of a downer. But an excellent piece of writing, as ever, Ziva. I'll miss your daily posts and our commenting back and forth, for sure. Stay well my friend. And go easy on the vodka, huh?
ReplyDeleteZiva, baby, I am terribly sorry for putting you through this. Please accept my sincerest and most heartfelt apologies. I beg your forgiveness. *frantically removing red nail polish from fingers*
ReplyDeleteUh, Ziva?, uh, have you thought about maybe going and talking to somebody about these thoughts?...Not that there's anything wrong, no, I would never think that, it's just we are all SO far away, and well, uh...(run, M, run...)
ReplyDeleteThis was as ever a brilliant piece of writing. I am a little creeped out, but I'll get over it...probably before I get over you and Nicky...sniff...
Now I am def not going to visit Finland ~ I don't want to be the next victim.
ReplyDeleteLuvs ya Ziva!
Wowsa. I'm kinda glad you're done. I'm feeling a bit sheepish after reading this one.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on making it through the challenge!
Ummm... well, errrrm....
ReplyDeleteSo, is there something you're like to tell us, Ziva? :)
That's one heck of a wrap up, Ziva. I, too, wonder if there is something we should know? I was certainly not expecting a serial killer, and you captured that scene perfectly. That in itself is disturbing...;)
ReplyDeleteAs disturbing as that was, it still doesn't compare to the torture of this challenge. Loved this one.
ReplyDeleteHey Ziva! This was a disturbing and outstanding finish to your campaign to be the winner of this challenge. Fantastic stuff Z, you get my vote. Indigo x
ReplyDeleteNoName, my friend, you're not getting rid of me that easily, I'll be stalking you in my stilettos come March. ;) And I'll bring vodka.
ReplyDeleteHah! Nicky, my love, you are perfectly safe with me. As long as you don't suggest another challenge anytime soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteDearest L-M, I promise I'll go talk to someone about these dark thoughts if you'll come be our sister wife.
ReplyDeleteOh Tami, if you come to Finland I promise to keep you safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Reffie! I think the stress of the challenge is what made me want to off someone. ;)
ReplyDeleteNope. No. Nada. Nothing.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda hoping that my capturing of the scene so perfectly was just an accident. ;)
ReplyDeleteOriginally, I was going to add a line: "....and his name was 30M2DoW."
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for the kind words, Indigo! :) I wasn't aware I'd been campaigning to win, but hell, I'd love to win that half-chewed salmiakki. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gruesome Finnish finish! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI think you're hiding something. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was definitely disturbing. And also, amazing. WOW.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gruesome. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first post in the entire challenge that's truly lifted my spirits. Thank you, Ziva. As far as I'm concerned, you've bested us all this month, if not every day, then on most days. That you're writing fiction for the first time and doing it so well impresses me no end.
ReplyDeleteP.J. -- Since I can't comment on your blog, I'll leave a comment here. One, run. Two, thank you for participating. I enjoyed reading your blog throughout this challenge, despite my inability to leave comments on your posts. I can't think of a reason why that's the case, but it is.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm going to hang with your photo challenge if I can.
I can't figure out why it's happening. I've never had it happen before. It's the basic Wordpress commenting system. I did disqus once, but didn't like how it worked with my blog. I might revisit it again.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you with the photo challenge. I hope it's a success. :)
Hi Ziva. Don't mind us. Nothing to see here. :)
You are such a flatterer, Michael. Thank you so much, but I don't believe a word of it, you yourself have posted some amazing entires, not to mention Malisa and Nicky and Mike and Indigo and Katherine and... well you get the point. :) Still, I am glad I could lift your spirits with this disturbing little tale. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love it that I love a comment that says "absolutely gruesome". :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meleah! :)
ReplyDeleteHah! Thank you, Boom Boom, I'm glad you liked it. ;)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, salmiakki! <3
ReplyDeleteI really want to read the next chapter of this one...
ReplyDeleteYou're as sick as I am, Shawn. I like that in a man.
ReplyDeleteThis was chilling and very well written, Ziva. It's been such a pleasure reading your entries all month long during the February challenge. You're doing so well with this fiction thing even though you claim this is your first time attempting it. Keep at it! I'm definitely a fan.
ReplyDelete