#FFFC – Page 2 – Tina Stewart Brakebill

She used to worry. Why was she so unhappy? He gave her everything.

Every day his people came. They made sure that every part of her body was taut and sleek and limber. Masseuses and yogis. Stylists and waxers. Doctors and manicurists. Poking and prodding. Smoothing and stretching. Watching.

Then they’d go. And she’d be alone for a few precious minutes. Before he came back.

Every day, he’d stroke her hair and tell her she was beautiful.

But still she was unhappy.

She never told him. He’d been taking care of her since she was fourteen. He would never understand. He’d call her ungrateful. Or do worse.

But still she was unhappy.

She’d become accustomed to the feeling. Wore it like an invisible shield while she smiled at him. But, now.

Now she worried about something else. It had been two years. Something had shifted. She’d heard whispers. His attention was wandering. She could feel it.

What would happen to her? He’d never take her back. But what if he was gone? Then could she go back? She could barely remember their faces. They probably were fine without her. Why would they want her now? Did she even deserve to go home? After everything.

She shut her eyes and gripped the scissors she had stealthily pocketed from the stylist’s tray. He’d be back any moment. She had to stop worrying. She had to decide. So she did.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt happy.

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I’ve begun to think I’ve only got a dark side! I blame the current state of the world. I’m actually quite funny IRL! Anyway, thanks to Fandango’s FFFC for today’s dark inspiration.

Spiders from Mars. That’s the first thing that came into her head when she saw it. Thinking of Ziggy Stardust made her smile. She’d always loved Bowie. But that thing—whatever that thing was supposed to be—most certainly did not make her smile. The assignment had been simple enough. Create an original art piece for her foyer. Something simple and elegant that reflected her eclectic personality without being offensive or ugly. Something whimsical but with gravitas. Something deeply personal but not too revealing. She didn’t want to seem too transparent. That kind of thing led to requests. For favors. Or money. God she hoped he didn’t expect to get paid for this monstrosity. It was a shame. He was a beautiful boy. But still, she’d couldn’t have that thing staring at her. Her smile widened as she stepped towards him.

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Spiders from Mars. That had been the thing that came into his head when he first met her. Well really that one line. “Like some cat from Japan, he could lick ’em by smiling. He could leave ’em to hang.” He loved Bowie—as Ziggy and every other incarnation—but he’d never really felt that lyric. Then he met her. Slick. Shiny. Smiling. Always fuckin’ smiling. Telling him she loved him. Loved his work. But nothing behind the eyes. She’d definitely charm you then leave you to hang. He’d heard her requirements for the “art piece” but he didn’t really listen. He couldn’t get the spiders from mars out of his head. He should’ve told her no, but he really needed the cash. Plus, it really was perfect. Cold eyes. Crass. Mind screwed by her ego. Or maybe he had been wrong about her. She seemed to actually like it. After all, she was smiling.

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This weird piece of Flash Fiction was inspired by the image (above) from AdnaeInviere at DeviantArt.com courtesy of Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #9 and by Ziggy Stardust himself. I LOVE David Bowie. There will never be another one like him.

Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders from Mars

Tag: #FFFC

She Used To Worry

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