Vittori

Note: An excerpt from my short story, ‘Vittori.’

On the outside, it looked like any of the other clubs that lined the dark night street, the name 'tRiNity’ flashing garish pink in bright, searing neon above the door. The inside was no different, steeped half in darkness, half in flashing, oscillating lights of every colour under the rainbow. Dozens upon dozens of young, gyrating human bodies were crammed up to the walls, filling the place with an almost claustraphobic cloak of warmth, and everywhere, the sound of techno music blared and thumped through the speakers until the whole place became a vibrating, buzzing hive of activity and sound.

Alcohol, sweat... and the sweet, salty perfume of warm human blood pumping beneath the skin. It was a veritable feast of the flesh. However tempting it might be, though, Stacey knew she had one small part to play in her role as messenger before she could go off and have some fun (and food) of her own. Earlier, she had carried out her instructions dutifully, and delivered the message to Sydney, a request from her esteemed superiors for a meeting ‘that would be of much benefit to him.’

Now she dutifully led Sydney along, skilfully slipping through the heaving clusters of humanity before them until she'd reached the back of the room, unlocked the door there and passed through. Down corridors they went, and further corridors, until finally, they reached their destination.

A bright red door stood before them, manned by two guards, dressed in the traditional penguin-black and white. Flicking her short red hair and batting her eyelashes, she snickered at the younger of the two. "Stuck on guard duty again, eh, Felix? What'd you screw up this time?"

He glared at her, scowling, "Aw, shut ya face. None of your damn business."

"Well now, that's no way to talk to your superior," she said, her voice falsely sweet as she smirked at him. "In every way, might I add. Now, are you and Silent Bob over here going to let us in or do I have to make you? We've got a very important guest in to see the boss, and trust me, neither of them will be happy if you just stand there like some gormless muppet. Move it!"

Still glaring at her, Felix nonetheless obeyed, and with his partner, they dutifully opened the door and let them past. Stacey strode past them with a smug wink and the sharp click of her heels, smiling at the sight that greeted her. "Good evening, sirs. Here he is."

The Flower Maiden

The Flower Maiden

The first five script pages for my short horror comic, 'The Flower Maiden.'

Page 1

            Poppy had always hated the way she looked.

Nose too big.

Eyes small, dull and mud-brown.

Hair limp and mousy.

She longed to make friends, but whenever she looked at those beautiful, shining, smiling girls, her confidence withered, and she shrunk back into her own little world.

Poppy would never be like them.

Page 2

During the summer, Poppy liked to explore the woods near her house. It was one of the few places she felt at ease, with nothing to fill her mind but the call of the birds, the scent of the flowers and the warm dapple of sunlight across her skin.

She thought she knew every inch of these woods, but one day… she came across something new.

A garden.

Page 3

Dazzled and envious of its beauty, in a moment of melancholy, she cupped a flower in her hands, and wished:

“I wish I could be as beautiful as one of you.”

At that… a figure emerged.

She looked like a pale, blonde young woman dressed all in white, but her face was completely covered by white flowers.

Page 4

Flower Maiden: If it’s beauty you want, beauty…

The Flower Maiden plucks a bud from the garden and hands it to Poppy.

Flower Maiden: … you shall get. Look after this flower, nourish it, nurture it, coax it to full bloom… and its beauty shall be yours for as long as you have it. Do we have a deal?

Poppy nods, and takes the flower home, planting it in a pot she keeps on her windowsill.

Page 5

The Flower Maiden’s words spoke true. As time went on and the flower blossomed, so too did Poppy. Her previously limp, mousy hair grew long, glossy and wavy, her dull, mud-brown eyes – always downcast – were now warm, gleaming and hazel, and as her transformation began, she positively glowed with confidence. Girls and boys she never even would’ve dreamed of speaking to before were slowly drawn to her, and her confidence bolstered, she soon became the shining belle of her village.