Death Becomes Her

It was a rosy red gown with a short tail and hung on a single shoulder quite loosely. She moved with slow precision throughout the room among the crowd. They gathered at different intervals of time. Surrounding her in conversation and charm. Women will chirp as delivered gossip like flowers of a common kind. Men will roar for her attention and then purr to capture her heart. I will tiptoe closer to those ever-changing conferences only to her speak. It bounced in ranges in a heavenly lilt and was bold as if her throat was coated in warm honey. I saw none of her throughout the whole arrangement and considered retiring. With my coat under my arms, I walked towards the double doors only to be halted by a servant. She handed me a note with slight timidness and retreated with a creature's scurry. I opened it and read it.

"Good Sir, Meet at apartment 23 by Malven Avenue."

 I noticed at close examination that the handwriting was curled and elegant as of a woman. My nose suddenly caught a whiff of a pleasant scent concocted of natural herbs that breathed life. I understood at once who was the writer of such a letter.

I was dressed smartly in a full suit with new shoes to fit the theme as opposed to my wear. I entered the building after a quick inquiry at the front desk. I ascended the stairs and arrived at the third floor. I knocked at the door and immediately was greeted by a tall young man of Indian descent. He immediately led me to the living quarters. The living quarters were designed with refined Himalayan carpets. The coffee table was three-legged with brilliant carving. The furniture was luxurious with red Chinese cushions and constructed of light bamboo. She lay on the long couch as her eyes followed me into the room. I never noticed her beauty until now as looked into her pale blue eyes obscured by her golden locks. Her face was fine with sculptured cheekbones and her lips were soft as it illuminated a pale pink. Her hand gestured for me to sit down and I obeyed her command. The introduction was tight and strict and my nerves were fired. As the conversation began with family, work and dove into hobbies. She introduced her love of theatre which I found myself admitting. We talked of plays from different eras and divulged into playwrights' lives and motivations. Our words flowed endlessly not noticing the setting sun for which Anna was delighted to invite me for dinner. We ate in the dining room as the young servant played a violin. Afterwards, we retired to the balcony as she recited poetry and sections of plays. I watched as growing admiration transformed into something so much more wonderful. We sat close with our limbs intertwined as we succumbed to our comfort. Next few days and weeks I pay her a visit as our relationship developed so did rumours around town. Anna was descended from a royal family and lived the majority of her life in a quiet village in France. Once her grandmother passed on as the only surviving member of the family she inherited great wealth. She decided to spend her travelling to experience all kinds of joys and senses before she expires. That is all I can say I know well enough of her as she will tell me the same stories of her fond childhood memories. My friends and family will question our presumed relations and only tell them we are mutual. We will attend parties together and receive a fair well of compliments and resentful comments. At one of those lavish parties, I left Anna as I joined in a smoke

with the boys. We stood outside in the cool night air under a cloudy night. A friend of mine appeared from the direction of the mansion. He asked for my presence as we walked a few miles away from the group.

"My friend, there is something strange about her."

"Who? You mean Anna?"

His head nodded slowly in agreement and continued

"While having a conversation with a group of friends. She arrived to the group with a female friend. I swear as she walked by me under the powerful perfume... I smelled death."

my eyes scanned his face as the words erupted from his lips. I laughed giddy as I heard those words but noticed a sense of seriousness.

"My friend as a chemist that has close contact with dead bodies I can say that this worrying."

I felt angry as I exploded.

"You have said enough! I can never have you say that. I have been next to her all this time and never noticed such phenomena that you mention. It might not have been her it could be her friend or anyone."

Her friend fell silent for a moment and apologised which I accepted and walked back to the party together. After that peculiar night it was all well until my visits to Anna were neglected as I received letters of sudden illness and how myself seeing in that will not suit her. I went days and then weeks as her absence birthed an anxiety that fed on my mind's security. I started believing she may be with another man or has left the city long ago. The constant worry will drain me and leave me in need to occupy my mind. I will work long hours, attend dinners with friends and go on dates with women. I still cannot forget my Anna who was so fulfilling. Until after the day of long hours of working I arrived home tired. I noticed my front door was unlocked. I became cautious as walked into my home and stalked the hallway. I walked by a staircase and noticed a strange smell from the next level. I hurried up the stairs as the smell became more strong. I followed the trail as it led me into the bathroom. On the floor were wet drips of water and footprints leading out of the bathroom. I noticed as walked closer to the bathroom that in my bathtub was some sort of liquid. I smelled it and I realised that the sweet smell was familiar. I walked out into the corridor and saw a lean figure standing in the opening doorway of my bedroom. Her pale blues almost seemed to glow as she approached me slowly like a predator. The fragmented fluorescent light reflected on her pale exposed skin. Her cold hands laid upon my shoulders in a firm grip and her pink lips moved as they revealed a grey colour in the inner edges.

"My love, will you accept me?"

I was paralysed feelings of fear set in but I found myself complying with a nod. Her lips locked with mine as a foul scent of dead carcass filled my nose and lungs.