She was beautiful. Still as beautiful as the day he had first seen her, despite the intervening years. She lay on the bed, eyes closed, her hair fanning delicately across the pillow, deep in the world of dreams. He loved to watch her like this, a picture of absolute peacefulness.
She was his muse, his inspiration, his life- his everything. She was the reason for his long hours, she was why he had worked endlessly to perfect his technique.
Now, finally, it was time. Through trial and error he had become a master and now he could put his skill to the ultimate test.
He put his bag down on her bedside table and opened it, careful not to make any noise. She habitually took strong sleeping pills, but he still didn’t want to make any more noise than absolutely necessary.
She stirred slightly as he took out his syringe, unwittingly exposing her arm for the needle. He whispered a thank you as he injected a strong paralysing drug.
She was awake now, but that was okay. He wanted her to see what he was doing, wanted her to appreciate his skill. He spoke to her gently as he took out his tools, explaining exactly what he was going to do with each one.
“The ancient Egyptians, for all their fame, never mastered the technique,” he told her. “But I have. I think their main failing was in waiting until after death to begin the process. But it will be different for you. You will be perfectly preserved. You will be beautiful forever.”
© Kari Fay
Al Bruno III said:
So much for getting some beauty rest!
A nice story
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Kari Fay said:
Heh, brings a whole new meaning to that phrase doesn’t it! Glad you liked it.
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adamjkeeper said:
Dark stuff, can imagine him spending years honing his skills while she is totally unaware. The Egyptian ref made it feel quite gothic too.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you for your comment. The Egyptian reference was added almost as an afterthought so I’m glad it added something!
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windspiritgirl said:
Holy cow. Ugh. What a diabolical way to save something (not sure I would say someone) you love. Very, very well-done.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you.
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asthemoonclimbs said:
I thought this was going to be a stricter take on Sleeping Beauty, but oh, what a twist. Creepy as they come.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you. I swear I start these stories quite innocently and then the characters decide to creep me out…
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Tony Noland said:
Creepy!
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Kari Fay said:
Thanks for stopping by. Sweet dreams tonight 😉
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Eric J. Krause said:
Wow, that was certainly dark. Creepy, creepy stuff. Loved it!
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Kari Fay said:
Heh, thank you very much!
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Deanna Schrayer said:
Oh, the title and first few lines make it sound as if we’re going to hear a feel-good romance, but no, we get chilling! I like chilling, I like this. Well told Kari.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you very much, Deanna!
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Aidan Fritz said:
He gets under my skin in a creepy way. Nicely written.
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Kari Fay said:
Ooh, I don’t think you want him under your skin! Thank you for the comment 🙂
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A. S. Boudreau said:
This gave me the chills! 🙂 Well done!
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Kari Fay said:
Glad you liked it 🙂
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Rachel Blackbirdsong said:
I was not expecting the turn this story took. I totally bought into the devotion he had for her at the beginning of this piece and expected it to be some kind of love story. Boy was I wrong and happily so. Great job.
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Kari Fay said:
Thanks, Rachel, glad you liked it.
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Steve Green said:
Nice horror fiction.
I think most people are terrified by the thought of being paralysed, and awake, whilst at the mercy of someones dark design.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you. It is a horrible thought isn’t it?
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Rebecca said:
Oh that is so creepy! Very well written, well done.
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Kari Fay said:
Thank you! I have to say I’ve been rather surprised by the reception I’ve got on this story!
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