A Short Story: An Unfortunate Reunion

Author’s Note: Now that we’re in October and just a few short weeks from Halloween, I thought it might be fun to explore some darker themes with this series of stories. The short story below, the fifth in an ongoing series, was drawn up based on a creative writing exercise. Here’s how it works: I pull two cards from a box of writing prompts and write whatever comes to mind — it’s that simple. Be forewarned: coarse language and darker themes follow below. This week’s topic: “reunited” and “revenge.” Below is my interpretation of that combination. I welcome your feedback and, if inspiration strikes, please do share your own version in the comments!

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It was always better when they were together, he thought. Two peas in a pod, each the perfect complement for the other. He was her king once and he would be again. Lost in thought, he returned to reality when the pencil snapped in his hand and scratched the canvas with its razor-like shards of wood and graphite.

“Fuck!”

This always happened. His passion poured through the pencil, each motion leaving exquisite beauty on the woven linen. If it wasn’t a pencil tip breaking under the pressure of his scrawling, scratching grip, it was the perspiration dripping from his forehead, smearing his masterpiece. Artistic perfection, ruined. He stabbed at the drawing…