Jacked-up on coke, chrome-plated patriotism dripping from his grill, he roars in circles around Clio. His engine snarls, greedy for more. More of Clio splayed across a mattress. More of Clio’s silence when he revs his supercharged V8 engine, spitting twisted insults out his exhaust. More of Clio cowering in an empty room, knees bruised as he watches from his roll cage.
Daniel thundered into Clio’s world with polished boots and a rifle slung low, flashy as an Avenger with its muscle car body. Rebellious, souped-up, always ready to crush.
She wonders if she made the monster from her wanting—her skin, her softness, her silence. Did she mistake the vibration in her body for desire, not warning? Did she hand him the keys?
Wheels screech on gravel, and the scent of fuel stains the air. Since Clio went to live with Daniel, he has flattened her in the dirt. Her body rusting from the inside out, she hazes her lungs with cigarettes, and plans her escape. Searches for his kill switch. Keeps a map folded under her tongue.
Ali Mckenzie-Murdoch (UK), lives in Zürich. Her work appears in X-R-A-Y Literary, Fractured Lit, Your Impossible Voice, and more. Nominee for BSF 2025 & BMF 2025. She’s working on a novella-in-flash about liminal spaces—theater stages, no man’s land, the foreshore—places where boundaries blur.
Yay Ali! I remember this story in embryo form on Matt Kendrick's course - great to see it out in the wild. (Clodagh)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Yeah, Matt’s workshops are super inspiring!
DeleteSO good, Ali! That last line floored m. Brilliant writing as always! 😍
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelli. Tough one to write!
ReplyDeleteI loved the revved up energy and consistency of the metaphor, all the way through this piece. I’m always admiring this writer’s visceral, sensual imagery. Powerful opening line, and a skillful exit from the piece. —Nicole Brogdon.
DeleteImpressive work! She revs the engine and keeps up the energetic driving metaphor, all the way through. Powerful opening line, and skillful closing. I’m always bewitched by this writer’s visceral, sensual imagery! —Nicole Brogdon.
ReplyDelete