Free March 25 - 29
Jessica by Laura DeLuca
Excerpt:
Wilbur
thought he was going to collapse when Jessica wrapped one arm around his waist.
He could feel her fingers, soft as silk, touching the nape of his neck with her
other hand, and it made his flesh tingle. She even went so far as to lay her
head on his shoulder. Her hair brushed against his cheek and the fresh, flowery
scent made his vision blur. At first he thought it was just his allergies, but
then the whole room and all the people in it seemed to change. The woman all
wore full lacy gowns with their hair piled up in fancy up dos, while the men
waltzed beside them in tailored suits with long tails and top hats. Even the
music had changed from the typical sappy love song to a classical ballad played
by a string quartet. He swore he saw the musicians in the corner; their bows
sliding effortlessly over the strings of their instruments while their fingers
pulsated in perfect vibrato. Even the floor under their feet had changed from
the faded gymnasium floor, marked with the lines and circles of the basketball
court, to hand laid tile in intricate patterns reminiscent of a Victorian
ballroom.
As they
circled the dance floor in an oddly quickened pace, the faces of the dancers
started to transform even more. The beautiful nineteenth century ballroom aged
and decayed, as did the men and women that surrounded him. Grotesque monsters
with bloated skin and empty eyes dragged their decaying limbs in slow motion.
Wilbur watched them with growing horror, almost forgetting about the girl in
his arms. The monsters noticed the stranger among them. They reached for him
with fingers green from rot. Catching his breath in fear, Wilbur pulled away
from Jessica and very nearly stumbled to the ground.
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