Games Between Lovers

Written for Mid-Week Blues Buster

 

 

 

 

The bar was smoky when Andrew stepped inside. The haze stung his eyes and he tried not to breathe too deeply; there was no telling what kind of poison was in the air. All eyes were on him before the door closed, especially the women’s… all that is except for her. She purposely avoided looking in his direction, choosing instead to bend over the pool table and make her move. He felt a pain in his own when the balls shattered against each from the impact of her shot.

 

“Maria, come with me,” he said, taking her arm. A big guy who had been watching Maria stood, trying to look threatening. He was dressed like a lumber jack and put Andrew in mind of Paul Bunyan. He towered over Andrew and a lesser man would have backed down… or a smarter one.

 

“She’s my wife.”

 

The big man smirked. “Looks like she’s lost interest in the marriage. Go home.”

 

“Maria?” Andrew turned her towards him, forcing her to look into his eyes.

 

She looked briefly and then looked away. “You know I’m no good.”

 

“I know that you’re mine. Come on.” He pulled her towards the door while she struggled to get loose from his grip. A hand on his shoulder stopped him.

 

“I tried to warn you,” the big man said, and then threw a punch that would knock any man on his ass. Andrew wasn’t any man. He stood there and absorbed the blow while the giant’s face turned from anger to shock.

 

“My turn,” Andrew said. He reached for Maria’s would be protector, grabbing for his arm. Then he pulled and twisted, ripping the limb from its socket and tossing it across the room. The arm landed on one of the tables, spilling a couple bottles of beer before anyone had a chance to register what had just happened. The lumberjack fell to his knees, putting him at just the right height for Andrew, who ripped his head off.

 

The screaming began then. Andrew picked Maria up and threw her over his shoulder, smacking her on the ass for good measure. He only made it a few feet before another man… this one even taller than the first. This one, a biker, at least had the decency to look scared as he addressed Andrew.

 

“You aren’t going anywhere.”

 

Chairs scraping against the floor and Andrew looked behind him. He counted seven more men, all looking angry. On the floor, another was bent over the lumberjack. He looked up and Andrew knew this wasn’t over. It never was.

 

He set Maria down. “Are you happy now,” he asked her.

 

The first ran at him, trying to knock him backwards, but just as before, Andrew didn’t budge. The man however fell backwards. Andrew left him there, turning towards the advancing horde. Blood was everywhere when he was finished, as well as arms, legs and a few severed heads. Everyone else had fled the bar, except for the man on the floor. He was staring at Andrew in terror. Then, realizing he was the only one left, he began backing towards the door. Andrew took hold of his leg and pulled him back to the middle of the room, placing him in front of Maria.

 

“Is this what you wanted?” He asked. “More death. You know how jealous I get, why do you push me?”

 

Maria didn’t answer, looking between Andrew and the terrified biker. She knew this was all her fault and she felt a thrill, knowing she had such power over him. In the two-hundred plus years they’d been together, she never got tired of making him fight for her. She fell on the floor, covering the man with her body while she drank his blood. Andrew waited patiently. When they got home he would punish her severely. Or she would punish him… He would never admit it, but he loved the games they played.

Word Count: 657
@jezri1

Elijah's Revenge

This is my entry for Jeff Tsuruoka's Mid-Week Blues Buster. He provides a song as a prompt. The song doesn't have to be mentioned. Just inspire.

 

Elijah’s Revenge

By Lisa McCourt Hollar

 

Elijah pushed back the brim of his hat and stepped back against the building, hoping to blend into the shadows. The moon was full tonight and lit the street well. He could see Dolly and the man she was speaking to, just as clearly as if the sun were high in the sky. Of course if the sun was out, he wouldn’t be there. Neither would the man.

“It’s taken me three years, Parker, but I’ve finally found you.”

The man looked in his direction and smiled. Elijah wondered if he’d heard him. A wagon went past, blocking his view. A couple of drunken yahoos leaned out the side and leered at the girls hanging around the saloon door. When it passed,  Dolly leaning against Parker and whispered something in his ear. She put her hand on his back, and then lowered it.  She was really trying to earn her pay. Parker grinned, wolfishly, and took her arm. Together they walked towards Baker’s Lodge. Elijah followed at a discreet pace.

He waited outside of Room One until he heard her scream. The sound was cut off almost immediately. Elijah kicked the door open.  Parker was bent over the woman, his mouth on her throat. The smell of blood greeted Elijah. Parker looked up, grinning with blood stained teeth. Just like he had three years ago.

“I wondered if you would decide to join me, or continue to hide in the shadows.” He tossed the barely breathing woman towards Elijah. “I’m afraid there’s not much left.”

“I didn’t come for her blood, I came for yours.”

Parker laughed. “Still angry? I would have thought you’d have moved on by now.”

“She was my wife.”

“Was. Before you died and were reborn a god. When that happened, she became food. Maybe I made a mistake turning you. You can’t seem to let go of the past.” He looked pointedly at Elijah’s badge. “Still fancy yourself a man of the law… and what’s this?” He reached behind Elijah and pulled a book from his pocket. Elijah just stood there, allowing him to take it. “A Bible?”

“I do the Lord’s work now.”

Parker laughed. Elijah waited for him to stop and then continued. “It took my dying to find God. All those years Janice tried to get me to go to church with her. I never knew my best friend was the devil.”

“Overly dramatic.  I did you a favor.” He nudged the prostitute towards Elijjah. “Now drink and then we’ll go out and have fun.”

“I’ll tell you what, how about I rip your head off instead.”

Parker rushed him. Elijah stood there waiting. He reached up, grabbing his former friends head and twisted. Parker’s eyes widened in surprise and then Elijah gave his head a hard jerk. Parker’s head came off, covering Elijah in blood. Elijah closed his eyes, thanking the Lord for the bountiful meal he was about to consume.

 

Word Count: 490

Living Room

Wrote this for Midweek Blues. The music prompt was Living Room, by Paris Combo.

 

Living Room

By Lisa McCourt Hollar

 

The woman on the stage was captivating. I found myself staring into her eyes while she sang. They were a pale blue. Everything about her was pale, except for her lips, which were ruby red and her dark hair, which framed her face, accentuating her eyes.

Never a dancer, I was surprised to find my toes tapping to the music. Before long my legs joined in. I felt her eyes on me and everyone else faded. It was as though she and I were alone in the room. I was performing for her and she for me.

After the show she invited me back stage. It was on the leather couch that she whispered her name to me, Lilith, and then a sharp pain in my neck followed by darkness.

“Wake up.”

I opened my eyes, confused. My wife stood over me, her hair in curlers, wearing that ratty pink robe she insisted on wearing all day, every day.

“What…” I covered my eyes and squinted through the cracks in my fingers. Why was it so bright?

“Your boss called. He said if he doesn’t see you walking through the door in fifteen minutes not to bother coming in. Ever.”

“Shit. I overslept?” I sat up, knocking a pile of beer cans to the floor. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

Joan snorted. I knew the answer to that. I don’t think she’d been up before one in, well, over a year. When our son died. That was also when I started sleeping on the couch.

I was wearing my clothes from the day before. I smoothed out the wrinkles. If I made all the lights, I could make it to work within the fifteen minute time frame.

I got stopped by every single one. Twenty minutes after leaving the house I was walking through the office doors. Maybe I could smooth things with my boss.

The elevator doors opened and she was inside. Lilith. She stared at me, her blue eyes searching my soul. The pain of losing Alex came back, Joan distancing herself from me, the drinking to forget… my heart screamed for release. I closed my eyes and begged for death.

When I opened my eyes I saw Joan staring at me, her gaze cold, uncaring. I was in my living room again, on my couch. My clothes were stained and I smelled like death.

“I’m leaving.”

I sat there while she packed her bag. I didn’t do anything to stop her. I popped open a can and drank my sorrows away.

I was in the club again, dancing for her.

“Who are you?” I asked.

She answered, “Death and Life.”

We danced. A dark man played a cello… or was it a double bass? I wasn’t sure. I only wanted to dance and feel her in my arms. I could feel my heart beating with the music.

I looked into her eyes and saw myself as I had been the last year. I was alive, but I wasn’t living.

She whispered into my ears, “I can show you how to live.” She kissed me and my heart slowed. The music faded and I only heard the rush of my blood as she drank.

When I woke, she was still with me. I’d accepted the gift she had to offer. I looked around my living room one last time, then took her hand and went out into the night. It was strange… I was now dead, but had been reborn. It was time to start living again.

 

Word Count: 593