My entry for October 2019: In Darknesss challenge on JustWriteIt. It was added to the anthology on their profile.

Description:

Bare-feet sinking in dried soil and dead leaves, she sought freedom and he delivered it on an old frayed white couch, soaking the three of them with warmth of an oozing blood trailing all the way to a makeshift bed of death.

Warning:

Death, blood.

The crunching of leaves, once a lively green but now humming the Lullaby of vibrant death, echoed throughout the empty yard. All shades of burning fire, dimming to extinguishment.

Her breath hitched, a throat constricting as fear gripped at an erratic heart. A hesitant head turned to look behind, slow movements hoping not to scare the source of her panic.

A shudder raced down a hunched spine, panic thriving when nothing but an eerie silence met her searching eyes as they darted around. Another set of scattered leaves fell victim to loud careless feet prompting her to whip around, unforgiving fingers digging in a dainty neck.

Black orbs glistened, red-rimmed lamenting her impending doom, wide as they took in his dark shrouded figure, a smirk tugging at lips she used to worship. Her body convulsed, protesting at the lack of oxygen, hands pulling at his clothes, choking noises escaping as she begged fruitlessly to be spared. Faint words rang around the walls of her mind, his lips brushing small ears.

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver blades, and bloody flows,
And pretty ladies all in a row."

The chilly breeze caressed the exposed skin before she found herself spiraling down bottomless emptiness of unconsciousness, body growing heavier. His hold loosened, a hand brushing sticky cheeks and velvety strands. His gaze, predacious in its rawness, flitted across her resting face. "Beautiful," his murmur was carried with the wind, floating around the sleepy neighborhood, leaves surrounding, protecting it.

Pulling her closer, he cradled his prize gently, hugging her to quench the aches of his body yearning for hers before carrying them both to his sanctuary inside.

The short journey offered little time to admire his most rewarding prey. Yet, he had plenty beforehand to appreciate every little thing about her, leading them to this precisely perfect moment. She was worth the lengthy delays, indeed.

Pushing the door with his foot, her body jostling slightly, he kicked it shut before trudging to the couch situated in the center. Old, squeaky and dirty. Yet, the first piece to witness and live through his demanding work. Setting her carefully, he headed out to prepare for the awaited ceremony.

Slowly, eyelids fluttered open, pain flaring across a bruised throat. A small gasp was emitted, dispersing the fogginess looming over her head. Shaky fingers pressed to her face all the way down to uncomfortable soreness before she pushed herself up.

Spots swirled around, the dim room flipping upside down, her body slumping, colliding with hardness. She groaned, drained of energy.

Her dizziness, too overwhelming, had to have another reason. Her body had been growing weaker in the past couple of years ever since...she met him. Him.

He was the reason behind everything bad happening to her. A harmless date with someone she bumped into in the library. He insisted on paying and from then wrapped himself in every aspect of her life all the way to her sheets and a ring around a delicate finger.

He was always there. Everywhere she went, breathed. His stalker-ish behavior planted seeds of wariness that blossomed in the last couple of months and she went from finding it adorable to suspicious.

Their eyes met as he entered his workshop, a bashful smile tugging at plump lips. Pools of honey glinted as he crouched before her. "Oh, Mariyah." His touch was revolting, the urge to gag in repulsiveness too overwhelming. However, the lack of much needed energy left her impotent.

His embrace fueled the need to vomit yet again as he laid her with tenderness that shattered her heart. She was in love with him. Yet, he betrayed her. Her lips parted, wanting to talk to him, bring him back to her. But, he was never as she thought him to be.

He was a monster in disguise.

"Shush, my love. You will understand." His silvery voice tore through her heaving chest as he walked away, memories of passionate whispers vanishing, leaving pain in their wake.

As words refused to be uttered, to defend, to mend, to save, Mariyah was stuck watching as a blade shone under the moonlight seeping through the window. He approached her with weighed, purposeful steps before kneeling beside the battered couch.

Feathery touch traveled down her face to a tender neck before the knife glided down her torso eliciting a hoarse frightened whimper. The cold metal dug in her smooth skin as her ribcage moved frantically, teasing the flimsy fabric of her silky baby blue chemise, the robe of the same color pooling by his knee from when she fell in a dazed heap.

His admiration had to end before he surrendered to the nagging urge to taste her one last time. He'd never get enough of his Mariyah, the epitome of purity and desire. "It's time," his lips brushed hers, their ragged breaths merging.

Her eyelids dropped as his hand descended in one swift move. A pained gasp pierced the stillness surrounding them. The moonlight, pooling through the window by her feet, illuminated his ultimate masterpiece.

One lonely drop glistened for a moment then, slid down her cheek, slowly, painfully. Agonizing, torturing. His gaze following the graceful capturing movement.

The picture before him fed his growing euphoria. Her beauty rivalled everything he's ever seen. "Dearil," She forced out, labored breaths suffocating her, the corners of her bow-like mouth turned upwards in a faint smile, groans filling his ears prompting his heart to thump harder.

Slight tremors raked her body, soft grunts chilling the air around. His eyes overflowed with unshed laments, blurring his vision as his lips mirrored her anguished smile. Feeble whimpers escaped, black eyes darting around frantically before settling back on his honey ones. He nodded at her through a curtain of tears. "Let go, Mariyah."

And, as if that was all she needed, a sigh was emitted before her back arched and then she went limp in his arms as he gathered her closer, and closer. This just had to happen.

It had to.

His Mariyah was gone and he watched her leave, encouraged her even. He was indeed her savior. He set her free. Dearil hugged her lifeless body, pathetic sobs raking his. She was gone. But, he was still there.

And, he swears she's never looked more breathtaking. Too artistic, he had to honor her. Dearil always knew death would suit her, drenched in a bath of her blood.

Her death was the lacking masterpiece in his collection. The broad smile couldn't leave his face as slender fingers danced across the canvas painting his love, her blood dripping, staining the floor and filling the emptiness in his soul.

Warmth crept up, spreading, lightening, and awaking unfathomable feelings. His fingertips pressed gently to cheeks and slid down to his neck, leaving trails of tingles, rekindling a dying fire inside. Pride swelled in his chest contemplating his finished work, a satisfied nod expressing his satisfaction.

Loud thuds reverberated around their yard as hands pulled her body by the feet, dragging her out before starting on digging a grave suitable for a masterpiece, low hums following.

"Mary, Mary, bloody Mary. Now your garden shall grow." 

This lame story is dedicated to this sweet temptation cause she's so adorable. I haven't met a lot of people on here despite being a user for so long. So, I appreciate you honey. ❤️

Dearil means call of death.

Mariyah means purity, desire.

Hope you enjoyed reading. If you did, don't forget to comment your feedback and vote.

Dreams. Xx