applespice: it is a sparkly fairy ([girls] dark lady)
How About Them Apples? ([personal profile] applespice) wrote2011-11-07 07:28 pm
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LJ Idol - Week 3 - Coprolite

Her fair hair gleamed in the moonlight, so blond it was almost silver. When she walked, the tapping of her high heeled boots and the swish of her coat seemed a quiet, nocturnal music. Her dark eyes were fixed ahead of her, her stride sure-footed and confident. She was not a stranger to the night, this neon-lit nymph, and the knowledge of it read in every line of her slim, statuesque body.

He fell in love with her immediately, just as he had done a hundred times before with a hundred different women. Her straight back, her fashionable coat, the way her pale, tapered fingers curved around her satin clutch – all sent the familiar tingling rush into his blood. Almost unconsciously, he dropped his cigarette and ground it underfoot, pushing away from the brick-walled club in which he had been loitering for the past two hours, his gaze sliding unarrested from one short skirt to another. What a waste of time that had been – he should have known even before entering the place that he’d never find someone interesting there. It had just been so long…

The staccato clicking of her heels increased in tempo - she had sensed him approaching. He was quiet, his steps barely registering above the nighttime din of partygoers, but women had a kind of intuition about being followed. Still, she did not turn to look; her silvery hair swung behind her like a silken pendulum as her pace quickened. If he was going to speak to her, he knew now was the time - if he waited any longer she would think he was a pervert, the kind of person who followed beautiful women home from nightclubs and stared between the cracks in their curtains as they kicked off their heels and stripped off their dresses.

So he hurried up to walk beside her, keeping a respectable distance between them as he matched her stride. When she glanced over, the planes of her face tense in the semidarkness, he flashed her a quick, shy smile, the kind he knew from experience helped set a woman at ease.

"I'm sorry to charge toward you in the dark like this, but I hope you'll let me walk with you to the end of this street. There are some rough men around here tonight, and I'm afraid they'll harass a woman walking alone."

She looked at him suspiciously, her eyebrows drawing together. She veered farther away from him. He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Of course, you can always tell me to take off - I won't be offended! But I promise I won't come any closer to you than I am right now. I just want to keep you company until you reach the end of this street. The main thoroughfare is well-lit, and I'll feel better if I know you've reached it safely."

Now a hint of amusement came into her pale, lovely face. A thrill went through him at the change he had wrought in her with his words alone. He imagined her face flickering through an array of expressions - a laugh, a tender smile, her mouth open and moaning in the throes of passion.

When she spoke, her voice was cool, but a ripple of laughter seemed to lurk beneath the words. "And how many other women have you assisted tonight? Have you accompanied untold scores of women down this dark little street, or have you let them all venture into danger until you had me in your sights?"

He shrugged and let his face fall sheepishly. "Truthfully? You're the first."

"And why is that?"

"You want honesty, I can tell - you're that sort of woman. Honestly, I couldn't resist you."

She remained silent, her dark eyes fixed on him and her eyebrows quirked. She wanted to hear more. She couldn't help herself.

"It's just... well, don't think I'm a creep, but you're extraordinarily beautiful."

When she smiled - the slow, indulgent smile that meant she secretly exulted in a stranger's notice - he knew he had her. He looked down again, a practiced blush spreading over his features. "I'm sorry," he added. "I shouldn't have said anything. I've had a little bit to drink and it's made me braver than I ought to be."

"It's all right," she said, smiling her knowing little smile. She edged closer. "I kind of like it."

They were nearing the end of the shadowy little street. The lights of the main drag sparkled ahead. He took a deep breath, and turned toward her with his most engaging smile. "How about if we walk together just a little bit longer?"

Her teeth glinted in the darkness as she returned his grin. "I'd like that."

----------

Dawn broke cold over the sleeping city. Frost glittered in the gutters and at the corners of windows. Lovers snuggled closer together under the blankets, taking comfort in each other's warmth. And in one apartment, the smell of blood clung to the walls and windows like a suit of skin.

A long knife sat on the draining board, beside it a cleaver. The counters had been scrubbed clean, but in the deep well of the sink a single drop of blood shone against the stainless steel. In the refrigerator, slabs of paper-wrapped meet were stacked with careful precision beside a staring head, its eyes fixed interminably on the mustard in the shelf on the door.

In the breakfast nook, a cup of coffee added its bitter scent to the scene. Yawning languorously, she settled into the chair before it, drinking in the sight of the dawn-lit city beyond the window. She settled a plate of sizzling bacon on the table beside the mug, a smile coming unbidden to her lips at the sight of the meat. It was always better fresh.

As she lifted the first morsel to her teeth, she played back the events of the night before. It was always the same with men like that - the little games, the lies. She hadn't intended on taking anyone that night, not until he had approached her. It had been a long day and she was tired, ready to slip into bed and wake to the usual chewy pork sausage in the morning... And then there he was, smiling that disingenuous smile, and the anger at his presumption had risen in her like a monster from the deep.

They were all the same. Just the same old shit, every day.

But the meat was tender, and her tastes were sated. For now. Until another man approached her on a darkened street, lied to her, put himself willingly into her hands.

[identity profile] similiesslip.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Well that was a surprise ending all right! Great job surprising me!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
Woohoo! Thanks!

[identity profile] michellerz.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
Whoaaaa!! Nice ending! Is she human or is that supposed to be left for us to question? ;)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
I'll never tell! ;)
ext_40819: Shifty-eyed starfish from Nemo  (HP Harry - EW!)

[identity profile] karaz.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
For some reason the first half of this got me singing, Short skirt long jacket and then.... *shudders* so much for that.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
That's my ringtone! I wonder if I was unconsciously inspired by it!

[identity profile] noodledays.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
and talk about odd coincidences, as I'm reading this thread, that very song comes on. O_o

[identity profile] lilycobalt.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 02:03 am (UTC)(link)

Did I know that Creepy "Nice Guy" Serial Rapist was going to bite it as soon as he appeared? Yes. Did I enjoy watching him utterly fail to realize who he was dealing with? Yes. Did I enjoy your entry? Of course!

I have missed these stories from you.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
You know me too well, I think... ;)

[identity profile] lilycobalt.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps. But I don't think that's a bad thing.

[identity profile] java-fiend.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
Somehow, I just knew that Casanova there wasn't going to make it through the whole story. Didn't matter though, your writing is as engaging as always and kept me going to see just how he'd meet his end. Really great read. :-)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks! I need to try some new tricks, I think... I'm too predictable!

[identity profile] java-fiend.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
For what it's worth, I don't think you're predictable at all!

[identity profile] basric.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
Another creepy story, Well done.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] sileri.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
Reminds me of Hannibal Lecter.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
I can get onboard with that!

[identity profile] copyright1983.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
Whoa. Very nicely done!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] sarahgonecrazy.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
I knew someone would end up dead...but definitely was delightfully surprised that it was him. :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
Yay! I'm glad that I can still surprise people every now and again :D

[identity profile] 38.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
Ahahaha wow,what an unexpected twist! This is brilliant.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:47 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!!

[identity profile] baxaphobia.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
EWWW! Great but creepy!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I will wear that "ewww" like a badge of honor! ;)

[identity profile] noodledays.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
hahaha, very nice twist. :)

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!!

[identity profile] blythe025.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I had a feeling that this was going to get turned around on him. Still, well executed. :)

[identity profile] n3m3sis42.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Same here, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. :D

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
I can't resist busting up on some dudes, it's true. Thank you!

[identity profile] draconic-rogue.livejournal.com 2011-11-08 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
This sent a wonderful little chill up my spine. Great job and great take on the prompt!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! :)

[identity profile] soprano1790.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
Oh... Just... wow. I didn't expect that. I mean, I didn't expect her to be the monster... Nice story.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] shimmerdream.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, chilling. And I loved all the descriptions.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] standgale.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
great story, very beautifully rendered. Would like to hear more about this unusual woman. very engaging.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! Maybe she'll make a reappearance later in the season - who knows?

[identity profile] scorbolt.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Wonderful twist! This really had me pouring over it until I finished the whole thing.

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] poppetawoppet.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Was waiting for that twist and was not disappointed :D

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad I could meet the expectation! :)

[identity profile] karmasoup.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I think I'm in love. Truly beautiful, even though I saw it coming from the first line (mostly because that's just how my mind works, but also partially because I've told the same story a few times), I still really enjoyed the ride. Thanks for telling it so well!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you :)

[identity profile] myrna-bird.livejournal.com 2011-11-09 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh Yummy horror. Love it!

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com 2011-11-10 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Always gotta be careful of the pretty ones. The ending wasn't a surprise to me, but I tend to assume the worst. :) Good entry.

Dan

[identity profile] applespicy.livejournal.com 2011-11-11 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] iamthesea.livejournal.com 2011-11-12 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
this one is my favourite so far :D