He saw something he wanted, different from him.
Observing, he found her vulnerabilities.
It was a fire not easily lit, but after resistance, a flicker appeared, and once the flames roared into life, no wind or counsel could snuff them.
Hotter than a crematorium, she felt the burn, not realizing until it was too late that his desire was a whim. The heavy ash of him, formed by his ego-filled, dishonest, and untrustworthy ways, made it so heavy that a breeze couldn't carry it away. Still, the fires in her burned, shutting out reason, blocking the truth within her.
Charming
Lies
Charming lies
Smiles
Charming and lying smiles
Cheater in all things of his life, including his marriage vows, but the vulnerable one didn't know, would not see, could not admit.
Fire burned so hot she could barely breathe when he was near.
Forsaking others, she took the brittle burn, like a coating of burnt cotton candy, absorbing the scars, unable to block that charm or his shining, lying smiles.
Bonfires full of excitement and daring.
Charming, gleaming lies, orange flickers of truth, embedded in her soul.
A friend's honest words rang a knell, breaking the spell, and, in the confrontation, he dared to smile and shrug, dousing the blaze that consumed her heart and emotions.
Simmering into a frozen despair, she faced his smirk of exploitation, devoid of empathy, those cold, reptilian eyes, leering at her sharp words.
Torched soles of her feet burned footprints into the street.
Statue-like, she held his frigid gaze, a dying fire pulsing slowly, pushing at her ribcage. Her stomach circled in sickening somersaults, and she asked why.
Then she laid a line of kerosene between them and struck a match. She squatted down over the line, looking up at the charming liar. Running her fingers through the kerosene, she flicked them towards his ankles, spraying droplets.
As he begged her to put out the match, she grinned at him, giggling softly.
"Why?" she asked, but then put her finger to her lips and said, "shhh," as she touched the match to the finishing line.
Copyright © 11/30/2025 by Andrea O. Corwin
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About the Creator
Andrea Corwin
🐘Wildlife 🌳 Environment 🥋3rd° See nature through my eyes
Poetry, fiction, horror, life experiences, and author photos. Written without A.I. © Andrea O. Corwin
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Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts6 days ago in Longevity
Comments (10)
When love and hate become one in the same. Great job.
Andi. This was absolutely genius. Reading it after your robin poem was a weird mood shift but crikey this is great. I love how you bring out the fire and heat not just directly but as it shifts towards the climax. Impressive to say the least. Fantastic entry full of far too many jawdropping lines to quote here. Well done.
"Torched soles of her feet burned footprints into the street." - what an image this is! ☺
Oh wow! Very intense. Love it
Ashes to ashes...flame to goodbye. I love the act of setting the flame as he watches strength pit itself against ego. Well executed.
Love this piece and how she gets Her revenge in the end. What’s fair is fair!
Omgggg, I aspire to be her! She's so badass at the end!
Beautifully written and so scary. Very defined visions woven in great writing.
Phew. It serves him right!!!
Very good storytelling!