SHORT STORIES : Claw

©2003 Andrew Thompson

Inside the grand room, all was at peace. The twilight breeze outside his window was light and fresh. Occasionally, the gentlest whisper of coolness touched his skin, tracing ghostly fingertips along the length of his naked body. The last rays of another pastel sunset shone eerily into the room through the filmy curtain, eventually coming to rest upon the tired body on the bed. 

Inside the grand room, all was at peace.

The last of his troubled thoughts drifted away as the pillow took the weight of his head, cushioning it like a cloud.  The swirling curtain danced across the window to its own soundless tune, and he let his gaze become lost in its hypnotising folds.  His eyes slowly closed.  The light behind his eyelids dimmed as the filmy lace curtains became an autumn mist, gently wafting on the air, coaxing him outside and into the twilight forest.

The night sounds of crickets and owls and tree-frogs grew louder.  As though in a dream, he lifted his face skyward and autumn leaves fell from the trees.  The moon drifted in and out of the now-barren branches and then a dusting of snow began to fall.  It was winter. 

He continued to stand there, the autumn leaves around his feet now covered with a pure white carpet of snow.  The air began to clear again, and tiny beads of perspiration formed on his arms.  He looked down to see the snow begin to melt, making way for the warmth and life of spring.  The scent of flowering jasmine now filled the night air, and tiny saplings began to break though the ground beneath him. 

He breathed in deeply, the enticing scents caressing his lungs, filling him with desire.  The newborn saplings caressed his feet and legs, massaging them while their roots and twigs entangled him.  He made no effort to move, for his mind and soul were mesmerised by the enchanting scents of spring.  He let himself be drawn down to the musty earth while the forest breeze cast soft erotic kisses along his spine.

Slowly, subtly, the kisses became more real; the ghostly touches now warm and vibrant flesh.  Long fingers interlaced his own then slowly released again, taking their time to trace long nails along his thighs and chest.  He shuddered in ecstasy as the touch became hungrier, and he surrendered to the roots that held him to the ground.  His lover's body pushed down from above, nails becoming claws as they held his hips possessively.  He groaned with pure lust as he felt himself entered, then thrust against the body that pinned him.  He had never felt such hunger, and he knew that he never would again.  Claws dug deep into his flesh, a dozen ruby streams flowing down his legs and thighs.  Bodies thrashing wildly beneath the pale moon, his lover suddenly arched then screamed his name.  Talons sliced lovingly into his flesh and their bodies shuddered in one final tremor that shook the forest floor.  The echoes were deafening, the union overpowering, the oneness complete and eternal.

He smiled serenely as the beautiful face came to rest on his shoulder, showering him with kisses before it slowly faded back into the night.  The roots began to retreat into the ground from where they had come, and he realised that he was free; more free than he had ever been before. His phantom lover had shown him the way, and he would sleep in this dream forever.

Inside the grand room, all was at peace. The morning breeze outside the window was light and fresh. Occasionally, the gentlest whisper of coolness would touch his skin, tracing ghostly fingertips along the length of his naked body.  The first rays of another pastel dawn shone eerily into the room through the slashed and torn curtain, eventually coming to rest upon the mutilated form upon the bed.

Inside the grand room, all was at peace.