A Deity in Therapy, For the Love of Art, and What Kind of Monster? originally appeared in Flashshot Magazine.

A Deity in Therapy

Nyx spread her cloak of starlight across the therapist’s couch then settled her raven head against the leather arm.

“Why would one as old as you need a mortal’s help?” The doctor scrawled a note in his journal.

She laid a hand made of midnight clouds against her brow. “When you are the mother of many discordant deities, it tends to wear you down. My dark children clamor to me for advice. To settle their ceaseless disputes.”

The psychiatrist nodded.

“At least my offspring who roam the day are blessed. Such a carefree existence in the light.”

For the Love of Art

She slid the hammer over his throat. A winter wind fluttered through the open window and plucked the hair from her cheek.

“Wouldn’t you prefer the blade?” Her face held the beauty of deep concern.

“No.” He smiled and kissed her slender wrist. “I want it to be messy. My death should be like my art—chaotic.”

Biting her ruby-painted lip, she drew the claw-head up and back over her head. “I’ll paint a cityscape with your brains, lover.”

“That will be nice, dear.” He nodded, before the blunt, round steel smashed his skull open.

What Kind of Monster?

Ramona shivered as she secured the manacle around his thick wrist. “No idea?”

He shook his bent head. “None.”

Water trickled down the dungeon walls and blended with his blue-black hair.

“The transformation begins.” She swallowed. “We’ll soon find out.”

“No, we won’t.” His voice sounded like metal dragged over broken glass.

Ramona watched as his body contorted into something between animal and human. “My god,” she cried. “What are you?”

“I wish I knew.” He leapt forward and broke the chains, then he tore her throat out.

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Copyright 2004 – 2016 Louise Bohmer. All rights reserved.