The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!
Price of Immortality
by Bailey Hunter
The frenzied sounds of Stravinsky’s ‘Rite of Spring’ pounded furiously through the workshop, spilling out into the quiet streets below as the artist waited, impatient for the bronze to liquefy. This was to be his best sculpture yet.
His excitement built with every second. He was sure to win awards with this piece. The world would see his brilliance at last. No more being ignored. They’d have to recognise him after this.
The gallery owner’s words creeped into his mind again, weaving around his brain, scratching themselves into his skull… Your work is technically sound, but it lacks soul. Not this time. He had given every ounce of heart and soul he had into this piece. She’d see. They’d all see.
“Finally!”
Carefully he started to pour the molten metal into the cast, capturing the essence of that soul that had been missing from his previous works. A crescendo of strings filled the night air like a raging fire raging consuming the artist, until he was ripped from the ecstasy by a terrible screeching sound.
With a scornful gaze he turned to his wife.
“Quit your screaming, Jean. After all, it was you who demanded I immortalize you in bronze.”
Fiction © Copyright Bailey Hunter
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
More from Bailey Hunter:
Bailey is a publisher with Dark Recesses Press.
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