Deadly Lover
©2003 Elizabeth L. Clark

A battered calendar hung from a tack, swinging in the breeze from a dirty fan. Yesterday's paper was scattered all over the floor along with coke cans.

She sat at the filthy table, moving the over cooked egg around on the dirty plate. How had it all come to this? She looked in a nearby mirror and began to weep. Greasy hair hanging around a bone thin face marred by life and addictions.

Once she had been fresh, beautiful Now she was used and disfigured. She had chosen badly, taken on a lover that was nothing but darkness and ruin.

As she wept she picked up the needle, filling it too full, her tear filled eyes not seeing the deadly mistake. Into her scarred arm it went, pain that lead to sick pleasure.

Her weeping stopped, as did her heart. She slumped over the table, another lost soul with no one to mourn her passing.