Permanent Shade of Blue
By tollam
- 313 reads
Eyes, shiny and black as coal, dead, unseeing, not
responsible, floated frightneningly close, always present, always
hunting in nightmares. Pupils engorged to swallow any light, any hope
of reprise. Hands brutal, rough. Thick fingers, their nails permanently
dirty, half bitten half torn, closing round a
throat.
The man sat impassively, watching as its
progeny shifted in the chair. Heavy lung-crushing pressure divided the
air. Who will talk first? High noon...who is weaker? They both knew the
answer.
Evan swallowed, mouth dry, throat like
scratched barbs.
&;quot;Mum asked me to come. She
said you were ill&;quot;
The old man sneered a
smile, enjoying the spectacle. Yes, the power was undoubtedly
his.
&;quot;I'm surprised you came. I didn't know
you cared&;quot;
Evan winced. The cancer before it
seemed infectious somehow, crumbling strength, raping will, sucking the
very life out.
&;quot;I can't stay
long&;quot;
A smile flickered across its face
&;quot;No hug for your old man?&;quot;
The
child could feel itself slip, feel itself fall into anger, the bile
rising, ready to erupt, bubbling dangerously close to the surface now.
Stay calm. Try to keep control.
&;quot;I'm staying
with friends. I'll visit you on the
weekend&;quot;
The old man wheezed, playing the
part of martyr to perfection, false contrition etched on his face. All
the nurses loved him of course. What a nice man, what a generous and
funny and caring man.
Evan stood up and stared at the
wreck opposite. Why did the righteous die young? Does evil persist,
linger on because it is evil? because it's own venom sustains
it?
&;quot;I've got to go&;quot; the child
mumbled &;quot;I won't be back&;quot;
The
puppet master flinched, suddenly uncertain. It's progeny turned,
scuffing its shoes up the chalky steps. It reached the doors, holding
them open for a moment, allowing the stale smell of bleach,
disinfectant and piss in the corridor outside to waft into the room.
Then, without turning, it left.
The old man sat
expectantly under the acid yellow light of the ward and waited. His own
stench mingled with the others and it smelt like
death.
He waited alone...defeated at
last.
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