Ekphrastic Fiction Contest Winner (November 2020)
What a great month! I definitely received more love stories this month than ever before. I supposed that’s what happens when you post a picture of someone being pinned in passion on a tombstone, lol. In addition to reading the winning post below, make sure you visit my page later today to see the Honorable Mentions.
The winner for this month is... @weminence ! Congratulations!!! I THINK this writer has won the contest before under a slightly different name, but I will wait until I can confirm that before posting links to any previous wins. In the meantime, you can read their winning post below and visit this page to see more examples of their work.
As a reminder, the artistic work for this month’s contest is an untitled piece, created by Poika @poikas. This picture is enticingly captioned by the artist with, “oh to be a young and rebellious prince caught in the clutches of a centuries old vampire that dwells in the very crypts you were exploring alone in the dead of night.” What an interesting set-up! If you like this piece, make sure to check out this artist’s page to see more original work!
In the Crypt
Arley felt safer in the crypt. There wasn’t anywhere to hide, not really, and the stillness felt comfortable. The smell of must hung heavy in the air. When Arley had first found her way here, the smell had almost been too much but lately it had begun to smell like home.
“Hello, little rabbit,” a voice whispered. Arley smiled as Fiore’s arms wrapped around her waist, “Running away again?” the taller woman asked, bending down to give her neck a kiss.
~~
At only twenty two, Arley Moore had already lived a long life. One night, when the noise of the castle had become too much, Arley snuck away to the crypt hoping for a moment of peace. That moment, though, quickly turned when Arley found herself pinned to the top of a tomb. Panic filled her chest.
“Well, look. A rabbit!” the woman spoke softly, an edge to her voice. Arley froze, taking in the woman above her. Blonde hair and mesmerizing amber eyes. She mostly certainly wasn’t human as she seemed to hover over Arley, eyes boring into her soul.
Arley awkwardly raised her crucifix up, but her panic didn’t seem like the most important thing to address right now. “What’s your name?” she asked.
The stoney look in the monster’s eyes shifted to surprise. Slowly, she stopped hovering, coming to straddle Arley’s lap. “You want to know my name?”
Arley could only nod.
“Fiore,” the monster answered.
“Fiore,” Arley repeated. “I think I’m in love with you.”
The monster recoiled, confusion lighting her features. “Little rabbit, did you hit your head on your way down here?” Arley answered only with a shake of her head. Fiore nodded, still confused. “And you know that I wasn’t trying to be your friend?”Arley nods. “You’re a strange little rabbit.”
“Can I kiss you?”
Fiore’s eyes widened exponentially. “Um… I suppose?”
Arley sat up, pressing her lips into Fiore’s, which still seemed to surprise her even though Arley had asked, but it didn’t take long for Fiore to kiss back. Her hands came up, cupping Arley’s cheeks while Arley’s arms went to circle Fiore’s waist, pulling her ever closer.
When Fiore pulled back her eyes were more threat than want, and her teeth had sharpened into points. “I wasn’t looking for a friend.”
“Me neither.” Arley answered, smiling even though she probably shouldn’t be, given the look Fiore was giving her.
“You won’t be allowed to leave me now, little rabbit,” Fiore warned, one hand falling from Arley’s cheek to her neck. “I don’t like letting go.”
Arley didn’t answer her, only pushed forward. She stole another kiss from Fiore. And another and another and another the whole night through.
~~
“I’ll always come running after you,” Arley answered. Fiore laughed against her skin.
