Power by C.S. Alleyne

Author:C.S. Alleyne [Alleyne, C.S.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: dark fiction, horror, short fiction, short story
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Published: 2019-12-06T16:00:00+00:00

7

Maude made her way downstairs. She wore a new lilac wool dress. New to her, anyway. Hicklin had gone out yesterday and purchased that and a few other items from a second-hand clothes shop up the road. He’d given Maude the receipt, telling her he’d take the money from her next wages. Maude’s boots and underwear had been hung in front of the fire in the scullery since the attic didn’t extend to the luxury of a hearth. Still damp, they felt clammy against her skin.

Out of her good eye, Maude could see Hicklin standing in his usual position at the counter. She inched forward, stiff and uncomfortable, conscious of the bruises and scratches on her face and arms. Mr. Hicklin looked more furtive than usual, guilty almost. Guilty but gloating.

Her insides fluttered. She prayed today’s session would be short and trouble free.

‘Out the back with you. I’m in a hurry,’ said Hicklin.

As Maude shuffled through the shop, she thought she heard Mr. Hicklin whisper something. She turned only to find him bustling up behind her. He pushed her into the back room.

‘Come on, come on. Maude, put this on quick. I’ve got a lot to sort out today. And,’ he sniggered, ‘an important visitor you’d do well to please.’

Another gawper, no doubt.

Hicklin held out a length of gaudy material. ‘Salomé Grady, ha ha...with only one veil to go! Get to it, girl. Don’t be shy. Y’know I ain’t interested.’

His eyes flitted around the room. He strode to the table and picked out a piece of pale gauze amongst the stack of glass negatives and bottles of photographic solutions.

‘Cover your head with this. We’ll start off with your face hidden and then show more and more of the bruising. I want you to act frightened and then we’ll get a few photographs with your eyes shut as though you’re unconscious. Got that?’

Maude bit her lip as she struggled to hold down her feelings. Deaden them. If she was to save anything at all to set up a new business, and still pay her keep here, she must do what Hicklin said. She retreated behind the rattan screen but its holes exposed more than they hid. As she changed, Hicklin told her his plans. When she was in less pain, she’d be able to act like she was fighting someone off: perhaps he’d use one of his runners or even a customer—for a hefty price—to pretend to be her attacker. She didn’t think this sounded good, but as long as no one touched her, she was past caring. She fixed the gauze over her face.

‘Come on, girl. Out here quick.’

Maude stood in front of Hicklin clutching the fabric around her. Eyes and mouth downcast, she waited as he fiddled with the camera. He moved across to a thick roll of cloth and unwound it. He lifted it to show a painted scene.

‘See the trick? It’s clever. Looks like a bed for you to lie on, but you’ll be standing in front of it.

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