Claire Hennessy

Pretty

by Claire Hennessy 

 

Once upon a time is how stories begin. One day. . .one night. . .once at a party. . .

Many stories begin at night. The inhibitions slink off into the shadows.

“You’re so pretty,” she says to the boy, red-lipped, long-legged and giddy in heels.

He gleams, his teeth white in the dark. His mouth on hers. Sucking the life out of her.

This is how you do it. Not the vampiric draining of the neck. The kiss. The air is pulled out. The lungs collapse.

She falls into his arms. This is what they mean by falling for someone.

He carries her home. The perfect gentleman. Pulls aside her knickers and puts his fingers inside. Then kicks off his trousers. Thrusts in and out. Her head rolls back. Her eyelids shut.

Later he will burn the body. Fire and soot. It takes so much kindling to ignite a fire large enough to eat a whole girl.

For now he moves a finger down her cheek. “You’re so pretty,” he says.

 

Claire Hennessy is a writer, creative writing facilitator, and editor based in Dublin. She is the author of several novels for young adults and children, and is currently working on a collection of short fiction for adults, supported by an Arts Council bursary. She can be found online at www.clairehennessy.com or on twitter (@clairehennessy).