"A haggard figure stood, drenched in the doorway, fists clenched and peering into the stagnant gloom. Ethan rolled over on his mattress and caught a glimpse in the radiated glow of a puddle. He carefully reached down behind the bed and clasped a sharp rock that he kept there. He lifted it to his chest and held it tightly, waiting to pounce.
A dull rumble of turbines pulsed and pellets of water peppered the thin folded metal sheet that sheltered Ethan’s bed. The rest of the room was reduced to rubble; it was the remnants of an old building that had collapsed in upon itself. All that remained was a skeletal wall which led to the ruined doorway. Ethan’s eyes didn’t break from the unwanted intruder for a second. He struggled not to move and would have succeeded had it not been for his rogue eyebrows that pushed down on the rest of his facial features and he clasped his stomach in pain. Ethan lay, curled from his cramps, on the exposed membrane of his mattress that bore the scars of many nights use. The silhouette lit up a cigarette illuminating a gaunt, pallid face.
Staying as still as his worn-out body would allow, Ethan barely dared to exhale and his heart thrashed in his ears, deafening him. Casually, the figure strolled over to the only other feature of the room. Beside the bed protruded a lonely sink that lent against the mementos of wall. The hot tap failed to work but the cold still produced a steady flow of water. He coughed violently and spat his gurgitations into the sink, then swiveled to face Ethan and said,
‘Can you please stop cowering, it’s pathetic.’ The stranger lit another match and held it out, decorating Ethan’s corner in a dull, shadow-strewn glow. Before him, Ethan lay; a malnourished, bearded man clothed in a patched tracksuit and hole-ridden hoodie, squirming on the mattress as he struggled to sit upright and keep his rock concealed. Bemused, the man cocked his eyebrow and ran his leather-bound thumb and forefinger down his jaw until they met in the middle on his chin. Ethan composed himself and climbed off the mattress.
‘Who are you?’ The man headed back to the arch of the door and half turned.
‘My name is of no importance to you. I would ask you yours, but I really couldn’t give a slimy shit. What you do know, is why I am here.’
‘Well I have been waiting for someone to arrive. Honestly, I was expecting someone of more authority than you.’ said Ethan who slowly edged closer to his guest. He was barely a metre from striking distance. Turning completely away from Ethan, the man continued,
‘Then you can empathize with my disappointment. I have been expecting you to hit me with that rock since I arrived. If anything, I have been looking forward to it. Yet you continue to disappoint me.’ The man grinned and slowly ran the tip of his tongue over his top row of teeth."
Thank you for reading,
Alec:
Meat 'N' Potatoes 'N' Iron Filings:
Current Project Round-up:
-The Bloody 13, status update:
I've been busy on the Bloody XIII front this week. I have done very quick sketches of the 13 to give myself a visual representation to aid me in my writing. I would love for a more professional artist to draw me better caricatures. So look out for those once I return from my holiday and any interested artists do feel free to get in touch!
Writing of the Week:
Relating To Love [Read]
This week I have for you, a short tale Relating to Love. It is a seemingly simple love story with an ever-so-slight twist. Enjoy ='D
Quote(s) of the Week:
"A forbidden love. How romantic." ~ Minnie Mouse
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