Rasping and wheezing, he propped himself up on one elbow, only to fall back on the bed in fatigue.
‘Wilma…’, he called out weakly, but his voice did not travel beyond the strong, oak door of the bedroom. Coughing in laboured breaths, he brought up dark, blackened blood which he was unable to wipe away with his weakened hands.
He lay there, staring up at the ornate ceiling, feeling his insides burn as the disease wracked his ravaged body.
An hour and a half later, the door opened and a woman strode in, attired in a lavender blouse and a burgundy skirt, which swept the floor in her wake. Her face was composed in a passive expression, which broke into a practised smile. Her hands bore an elegantly carved wooden tray with a single bowl of soup on it, which she proceeded to spoon into the invalid’s mouth.
The illness had destroyed his body thoroughly, much like a tornado rips through the green fields, rendering them lifeless and skeletal. But the real damage lay in his eyes as he watched Wilma feeding him. They drank in every bruise that her face showed, every scar that lined her cheek where he’d struck her, every wrinkle that masked years of domestic abuse she’d endured at his cruel hands.
Those hands were now powerless, rendered so by the arsenic that she fed him daily, in minute doses mixed with the soup.
©Shailaja V
Word count: 238
Written for the Light and Shade Challenge
This Monday’s prompt is below:
When I was sick, you gave me bitter pills;
And I must minister the like to you.
– Two Gentlemen of Verona, William Shakespeare
Writers must attempt a piece of fact/fiction/poetry in 500 words or less
“The illness had destroyed his body thoroughly, much like a tornado rips through the green fields, rendering them lifeless and skeletal. ” Wonderful, Shailaja!
Thank you very much, James 🙂 So kind of you to appreciate the imagery 🙂
Wow! Wonderful job. I did not expect that ending.
Nice story beautifully narrated, initially felt sorry for the guy but the twist explained it alll!!!
Very glad to hear that 🙂
Haha! Excellent. Nice and twisty. I love twisty!
Ally 🙂
Oh my. You are one for surprise endings. Loved this!
Interesting prompt – and this was a very powerful rendering of it; told so very simply but with detail enough and strength of word. 🙂
Started out feeling sorry for the guy then the tables turned. You’re good at this Shailaja.
Wicked 🙂 Almost feel sorry for the poor guy 🙂
Wonderfully lucid.
wow..that was something..lovely use of words!
wowww the ending!! that’s really something!! you are becoming an expert in writing wowsome stories 😀
Oh my!Only you could have imagined such a twist. Enjoyed reading this, despite its many shades of light and shade and darkness! Very well done, Shailaja
Thank you so much, Beloo. Your comments always brighten my day <3
I just didn’t expect that twist..I’m amazed by your creativity, and as always, it was very well written!
That makes me very glad 🙂 Thanks for reading 🙂
Loved the climax. ..
Thanks Nisha!
Sweet revenge!! Loved the end!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Shalini 🙂
Slow death for the man. Shailaja you have carved his anguish to perfection
Very glad you think so, Kalpana 🙂
Aah! Payback time!! Good one, Shailaja 🙂
Thanks Shilpa 🙂
Great narration 🙂
Thank you Pawan 🙂
Whoa! Amazing narration. Hats off to you!
Thank you my dear 🙂
🙂 Splendid. Loved the ending Shailaja 🙂
Thank you Shashank! 🙂