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Aphrodite

By: shinigami1001
folder DarkFic › General
Rating: Adult +
Chapters: 1
Views: 782
Reviews: 0
Recommended: 0
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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

Aphrodite

~This is an English assignment, I haven’t revised at all so bare with me now, Main reason for uploading this is for feedback and seriously guys, ANY feedback would be GREATLY appreciated

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“How long has it been, Aphrodite, since I last saw you? At least 7 years.”

The sterile atmosphere of the hospital did nothing to dampen the atmosphere of the old man in the hospital bed. But old hardly did him justice, even hospitalized and dressed in one of those infuriating white gowns he had the air of an old world count. ‘Taunting, calm. In control.’ Aphrodite thought. ‘Always in control.’ ‘Soon Aphrodite. Patience.’ The voice soothed, drawing out the ‘c’ of patience like a snake.

“10 years today grandfather. Exactly 10 years since I left you.”

Her voice maintained the stoic respect that was demanded. It may have been ten years since she was driven onto the streets by her grandfather but she had not forgotten. ‘He holds you in his palm still. You won’t even dare state the truth. He drove you out. He killed your grandmother. He killed you. Say it why don’t you.’ The voice in her head was a bitter whisper, with a twisted sneer now. As always, she refrained from contradicting the voice with great self-restraint. Her mind was not trapped within the white, hygienic walls. She was there, and not there. She was back, back to the stone floor cold below her knees10 years ago. Begging the self-righteous old man to take her back. Her tears ran so easily down her 10 years old cheeks then, green eyes swollen red from crying for her grandmother’s death. A tragic accident of heart failure. The old man’s face then was forever imprinted in her mind. Recalling the incident caused Aphrodite to almost unconsciously fiddle with her hands. But she had long since disciplined herself not to look down at her hands, the hands that still bore the evidence of that night.

On the bed the old man smiled and spoke in his chilling voice again. It was chilling to Aphrodite.

“It’s been too long. You were such an unreasonable child after your grandmother died I had to let you go. Now look at you.”

The well remembered eyes raked over her, from her red summer dress, to her chaste innocent face, never pausing on her fiddling hands. Her expression just like he’d remembered. Wide-eyed, soft, and a delicious hint despair.

“A comely young lady already with a steady job at the Gap.”

The sarcasm was not missed. Aphrodite stopped fiddling with her hands.

“Yes grandfather. I have to go to work now. But I’ll be back tomorrow to see you again. Don’t worry about me, focus on getting better. The doctors say you can expect an almost full recovery from your stroke. Soon you’ll be well again.”

Here, a carefully measured smile graced her lips before she turned and retreated out of the almost unbearable white-washed walls. The same heartless walls that had stolen her grandmother those years ago and then left her homeless on one night. Her hands began to twitch again. ‘Soon hands. Soon you’ll be sated. Very very soon.’ Aphrodite’s steps quickened, right out the doors and across the street to the Gap.

The vivid colors and smiles almost blinding her. ‘What shall you wear today Aphrodite? Ah, I know. The cheerful abashed smile, the one your grandmother had found so endearing before she died.’ Aphrodite smiled. The world smiled back. Using that smile no longer brought a familiar pull on her heart strings. Just like the image of a wrinkled face brushing her soft, childish hair with a gentle hand and the faint smell of mint no longer came into focus. No that picture was hazy, of far away. Even the guilt had faded. Another, stronger emotion replaced it. An emotion Aphrodite dared not confront until the time was right. Soon.

“Excuse me miss, do you accept American Express?”

Aphrodite’s smile was dazzling. In her head, the voice smiled too.

“Of course. One moment please.”

As her hands swept over the cash register, Aphrodite’s left hand came into view from the shadows, where it previously lurked.

“What a scar there miss. Right across the back of your hand too. I bet that hurt quite a bit huh?”

The customer’s words caused Aphrodite to pause slightly. Her smile turned down a few notches.

“Yes. It hurt then. It doesn’t hurt any more though.”

“That’s good to hear. Thank you miss.”

But Aphrodite was no longer there. Not really. She was back to that night. She was 10 again, begging to be taken in. Begging. The old man’s slap threw 10 year old Aphrodite’s body across the room. Her left hand grazing the axe beside the fireplace. The one they used to cut fire wood. It was the last time Aphrodite wore white. ‘Your not white anymore Aphrodite. Don’t regret. You have every reason to do this. Your motives are justified.’ The voice condemned her.

Aphrodite gathered herself quickly. Store personels busy closing. Check. Smile dazzling. Check. Axe still behind the rack of clothes in the desolate corner. Aphrodite’s steps carried her to the corner, pulling back black shirts to reveal the same axe that gave her the scar. Check. With one swift movement the axe was hidden under her long coat and she was out the door, across the road, into the hospital, outside her grandfather’s door. ‘It’s time Aphrodite! Quickly! Those years of misery, about to be avenged!’ The voice was excited.

Aphrodite carefully pushed open the door. The setting sun’s rays penetrated the room, illuminating everything. Even the sleeping old man on the white hospital bed. Sleep erased his wrinkles, gave him back his youth and innocence. Aphrodite stepped beside the bed. The axe held in a firm grip over her head was also illuminated by the sun. As was the scar, that suddenly seemed to almost glow. The man slept on in his white hospital gown. Suddenly the voice dispensed. For the first time in 10 years Aphrodite’s mind was clear. And for a fleeting moment before the axe fell, her lost thoughts aligned into something beyond her and her past. This was not for her grandmother. This was not justified. This was… ‘Good bye dearest grandfather.’ Aphrodite’s soul whispered. The axe fell. The white was tainted red. Aphrodite’s smile faded. Her hands were red as she raised the axe again this time against her own throat. Young Aphrodite cried again, cried and screamed and tainted the white red. But before she heard the thundering footsteps, before her body fell to the tainted floor, Aphrodite thought she smelt the faint smell of mint.

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