The door slammed and with the sound, another piece of her heart shattered.
It had been this way for weeks. He had always had a temper, but it had been playful, easily ignored and she hadn’t thought anything of it. Until recently. Now his mood had changed. His temper was dark and brooding, always festering. She often came home to the sound of him shouting and slamming, either doors, or his own hands on the table or counter top. He was like a wild and dangerous caricature of himself lately and she had no idea what had been the trigger.
The first time she’d heard him shouting in the kitchen, she had felt sure that there was an intruder in the house and that he was confronting him. But she was alarmed to discover that he was speaking on the phone with someone from the electricity company about an issue with their account. Something so mild eliciting such a violent reaction. She remembered him looking up from the paperwork and his eyes were wide and wild, almost unrecognisable. He hadn’t smiled or even acknowledged her presence in any way. Instead, he continued to stare into her eyes, his own eyes narrowing, while he shouted into the phone. With her skin prickling, she had retreated to the bedroom, comforted by the darkness provided by the closed curtains. She could still hear him shouting from there and had taken a shower to drown him out.
She remembered all of this now, many weeks later, as she showered, the steam fogging up the room quickly, giving her the illusion of being safe, warm, cocooned. The tension was just beginning to leave her shoulders under the heat of the shower spray when she suddenly jumped in fright as he opened the door to the bathroom.
As he stripped off to join her, she felt sickened at the thought of his hands on her skin, his lips on her throat. She realised now that she was somehow going to have to end this.
Soon.
For Andy’s Dark Side Thursday – our weekly outlet for our more dramatic writing fetishes. If you like your stories on the darker side, please visit Andy for his weekly serial story – it’s gripping!!
If you missed my dark story last week, you can find it here – Lifeless.
My story this week was NOT written on a plane. Hurrah! I thought I was not going to be able to come up with something without the boring droning of the airplane. The idea for this Dark Side Thursday story came to me last night as I was dropping off to sleep so I said “Hey Siri” and asked her to create a note for me with the first line of this story so that I would remember it this morning. I had no idea whether she could create a note, but it turns out she can – she’s such a good sidekick 🙂
Finally, a word about the photograph. I’m submitting this to Lucile’s Photo101 Rehab Clinic – the coolest place for photoaholics to hang out. This “flower” is actually a succulent plant in a pot on my patio. It’s a macro shot which I have edited to create some dark drama for this story. I rather like the darkness in this shot. I’ve also done some editing to turn it a variety of colours just like I did in my recent Pop Art Cactus post.
x desleyjane
PS – Andy if you’re wondering why I’m always so quick, it’s because I only have an hour after your post comes out before Thursday becomes Friday and my mind just won’t let me put Thursday in the title of a post that appears on a Friday – yes, I’m weird 😀
And you did it again, fablovely! You should write a novel, seriously. You are good at this.
I was so scared when he entered the bathroom! Are you going to continue this one?Please!
Your style is enticing and you grab all my attention. I dived in the story with all my senses. Totally captive. So, huge congrats. xxx
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Thank you Lucile, that really means a lot to me. Yes maybe I will try to expand this one. There is a little bit of true life in it…
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No worries. My pleasure and duty to say the truth. Please do expand only if it’s not tough, as true life (if it hurts) should just stay behind.
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It’s ok, a long time ago now. Hmmmnnn, I will see what I can do. Probably on a plane LOL.
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Ah, and you’re not weird. You are an accomplished photographer too! Wow wow wow. Stunning.
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LOL, maybe a little bit weird! Seriously, thank you. So much x.
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Not at all! You’re great!
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What she said. Soooo scary when the bathroom door opened! I think it’s a wonderful piece on it’s own, but of course don’t let that stop you from continuing 🙂 i miss reading your posts and your dramatic flowers! Haha
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Oh thanks Albert – I’ve missed seeing you in my feed as well. LOL gotta love a dramatic flower!
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hahaha yeah. My lack thereof time management skills are becoming more evident. more juicy dramatic flowers please! XD
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LOL, I’ll try my best.
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I love the story, you’re an accomplished horror writer! Keeping it coming please, on Thursday or Friday or whatever!
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Thanks so much Mara! I’m humbled.
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I’m lovin’ your Thursday “dark side” – it continually amazes me how much imagery you can get into so few words – just brilliant! 🙂
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Thank you Joanne. I am loving dark side Thursday too. It’s sooooo much fun!!
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Wow Desley
Great piece. Got me completely. Look forward to the next one.
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Thank you KK, much appreciated.
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I agree with Lucile. It’s time for you to write a novel. Im
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Thanks so much, that means a lot to me.
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I know you’re probably busy with work and a novel is a big commitment, but I know you can do it! And you should get started because I can’t wait to read it. Sorry, I’m probably being bossy. 😛
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LOL. I need bossy to get me started 😉
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Ignore the “Im.” It’s a typo that WP won’t let me edit.
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Love your work!!
Hosting a Meet & Greet!
If you get a moment stop by and introduce yourself!
https://authenticitee.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/breaking-news-blogger-authenticitee-hosts-meet-greet
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Sorry this ended up in spam!!! Is the party still going?
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Hey there you’re fine! I’m capping it in a few! Glad you made it!
Enjoy!
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Oh hell, Desley you are a genius, take this and run with it, to hell with #darksidethursday get out there and WRITE!!! x
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Oh Andy, that tickled me. So much. Thank you for such kind words!! I’m going to have to see if I have the ability to write a longer story…
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I hope you decide to do so!
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Loved the photo Desley. Have you done anything for Leanne Cole’s Monochrome madness every Wednesday? I couldn’t remember if you had or not. This is just lovely.
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Thanks Karen. No I haven’t yet, I’ve been meaning to do something… Thanks I’ll try to remember!
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Oh my gosh! I jumped with fright and felt sickened. How realistic can one get?! This is awesome writing.
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Thanks so much!!
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Wow!!! To be continued????
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Thanks PP. Yes most likely. 😀
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Good…
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Whaaaaaat!!! Incredible!!!! I’m on my way to work and reading your story makes me feel as if I’m in the movie theater, watching the latest thriller !!!!!
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LOL thank you, much appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know who’s sneaking around the corner!!
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There’s a lot of tension in that story. Well told! 🙂
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Thank you Norah 🙂
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Another fabulous tale! I lived like this too, so yes, it was frightening to read!
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Thank you, and I’m sorry you lived like this too.
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You are welcome… and it’s okay… I am free from it now 🙂
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That’s so good to hear.
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