Laughing In Her Sleep, Boys (1867 hits)
Category: NoneLabels: one-part_stories red_right_hand
Rating: 1.91 on 86 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Stagger Lee (View user info) at 2006-09-12 04:25:35 EDT
It is noon on the third day. She is practically dead where she sits. The ropes cut into her and the sand burns her feet. The tree to which she is tied provides a negligible amount of shade.
I approach, and regard her. They've taken their time to ensure her misery. Parts of her hair have been crudely shaved, and a mirror propped slightly to one side in the sand. Cigarettes have been stubbed on her bare arms. Her face is bloody, and there is a cut running down from her eye to the lobe of her ear. I wonder if it will make her look prettier or uglier, if she survives. I wonder if she cares.
I don't realise she's conscious until she looks up at me. Only one eye is visible; the other eye is swollen shut and bruised. The open eye is clear, pale green and so filled with hate that I nearly recoil.
She spits in the sand, a red gobbet of saliva and blood, pocking the surface of the beach with a dirty crater.
"Fuck you," she says.
Charming. And I haven't even said a word yet.
"Perhaps your captors might not treat you in the fashion if you were more civil?" I ask, and I hoist one eyebrow up my forehead, like a sardonic flag of enquiry.
"Fuck you."
"Don't tempt me, miss," I say, and I allow a chuckle of fearless good humour to run from my throat and enliven the world.
The one good, green eye narrows and she regards me properly for the first time. The hate in her face does not lessen, but she sees me, she sees me very well.
"My dear girl," I say, and I pause to let the wave crash upon the shore, "You appear to have run afoul of a predicament, to say the very least. You're going to die here, on a forsaken beach beneath a dull grey sky." I let this sink in. Oh, she knows already, of course, in an abstract, intellectual fashion. But she hasn't heard it out loud. She hasn't heard the vocalisation of her fate. The idea would be there, but I have given it form. I've given it some air to breathe.
She nods, just once, but not at all reluctantly. Perhaps she has accepted more than I realise.
"Yet," I continue, "That's not the only fate you'll suffer. I know what they've done, dear girl. I know about every cut, every burn, every bruise, every indignity. I know how deep they've been inside you." I spread my arms wide; I cannot resist posing in this manner. "I know every violation they've perpetrated upon you and every violation still to come!"
I lean close to her and examine her face. She is shaken now, of that I am sure. Her lip is trembling visibly even through the swelling. Her one clear eye is blinking rather rapidly.
"But it doesn't have to be that way," I tell her, gently, calmly, like a kindly parent or possibly a teacher whose wisdom is only exceeded by the warmth of his heart.
She looks at me, right in my eyes with her single eye. I almost recoil, because I have the impression that she can actually see my eyes, which should be impossible. But I settle myself. I know she can't.
"It doesn't?"
"No," I say, "It doesn't. Shortly, those men will return. And they've been drinking again, and they have fire in their bellies and hate in their minds and what you've experienced so far will be nothing compared to what they have in store for you this afternoon. The sea breeze is going to wash over you sweetly and you won't even feel it through the pain. You won't hear the waves or the bird calls or their grunts. You won't feel anything but agony and fear, and your death might actually bring you comfort."
She lowers her gaze to the sand between her bloodied thighs.
"But you can go back to your life," I tell her, and I'm telling her the truth, friends, I always tell the truth. "You can wake up in your bed tomorrow, none the worse for wear. Well, not too much. You'll heal. You'll rise from these injuries like the phoenix from the ashes, my child."
I wave my hand. "All you have to do is repay these men in kind. A fair trade. Repay their cruelty, their hate, their small-minded rage. You'll enjoy it. You'll positively glow. Everyone likes justice, my dear, everyone approves."
She regards me. Her disdain has renewed. I can feel it, burning off her skin.
"I'll do no such thing," she says. "I was right at first. Fuck you."
"Justice!" I exclaim, "Vengeance! It's positively righteous!"
"Not like that," she tells me, and there is a flat finality to her tone.
I glare at her, contorting my face and baring my teeth. She spits into the sand again and glares right back at me.
I know when to walk away. So I do. I turn on my heel and stomp down the beach. On my face, the scowl is still present, but inside I am almost smiling. I can't help but respect her a little.
They'll do everything I told her, and more. Her screams will rip the air apart all up and down this coast.
It feels good to lose occasionally. Makes winning worthwhile, and it's probably good for you or something. I'm whistling by the time I make it off the sand.
User Reviews
Submitted by DasHeer (user info) at 2007-05-24 08:08:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
not bad at all
Submitted by blytheelover (user info) at 2007-05-24 07:45:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
enjoyed reading this so much the person i was on the phone too hung up!!
Submitted by mynameisandy (user info) at 2007-05-24 07:04:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Captivating from the first paragraph to the last.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2007-05-24 05:34:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Fey (user info) at 2007-05-24 05:24:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I enjoyed his appreciation of her. I enjoyed her strength. This was great.
Submitted by DonovanMD (user info) at 2007-05-24 03:40:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucking linkwhores. Normally I'd auto -2 DIE, but this was pretty decent.
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2006-12-19 08:51:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-25 09:43:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Why, thank you, Merlina.
1111 hits. Wierd.
Submitted by Merlina (user info) at 2006-09-25 09:11:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good luck for Ubermadness..
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-22 05:43:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Earth collapse, what are you talking about?
Apollo, I'll check that out later.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-21 22:51:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/27775
classic uber.
Submitted by earth_collapse (user info) at 2006-09-19 23:10:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It was an experiment, that's why.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-14 00:56:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cheers, Allyson.
But he'd kung-fu you, apollo. With his studs on.
He's been in quite a few French movies since then.
Submitted by Allyson (user info) at 2006-09-14 00:22:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i like it alot
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-14 00:18:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ah yes the genius and the cunt.
i would have willingy gone to prison or australia for just ONE swing at his smug french face.
good times.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:56:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I know. It's ok.
Ask Sacrilicious for a description if you must.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:54:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:53:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Too young to remember George Best, old enough to remember Eric Cantona.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:53:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm just curious.
Email it to me.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:52:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
My face isn't important.
Yes, I know that's something that an ugly person would say. I was disfigured in a farming accident.
Alright, so maybe I wasn't, that's not the point.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:51:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
How young?
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:42:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm curious too see the visage that lies behind the genius. You should post one.
Go read my post!
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:34:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:25:14 (#)
Ranking: 2
Do you have a camwhore?
--------------
Nope, why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:24:53 (#)
Ranking: 2
There is a word for this. And that word is 'sinister.'
-----------------------------------------------------
Cool.
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Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:17:02 (#)
Ranking: 2
that was never a penalty.
-------------------------
It was a bit soft, I'll grant you. But it was foul. And a foul in the box should be a penalty. I'm sick of refs who seem to believe it needs to be assault in the box to get a penatly.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:25:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Do you have a camwhore?
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:24:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
There is a word for this. And that word is 'sinister.'
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-13 23:17:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
that was never a penalty.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 21:58:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks.
*Professional nod at babycakes*
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2006-09-13 19:47:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-09-13 10:30:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Babycakes.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 01:16:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks.
She's laughing in her sleep, boys
I can feel it in my bones.
I may have misheard the first line. I know someone who disagrees with me and feels that the word is "sleeve".
I like "sleep" better, though.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:30:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very compelling. There is some really good stuff on the front page today. So much of the rest is awful in comparison.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:26:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cheers Velvet.
Submitted by CoachMagirk27 (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:09:53 (#)
Ranking: 1
do you listen to nick cave? and is your name max?
-----
Yes, and no, in that order.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:10:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
mmmmmm
I love Thai.
I like UM as well - there is more writing like this when it comes around
Submitted by CoachMagirk27 (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:09:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
do you listen to nick cave? and is your name max?
Submitted by VelvetElvis (user info) at 2006-09-12 23:59:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I so wasn't in the mood to read something good tonight, i do that all week, and come here to get away from it. Buzz kill.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 23:41:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cheers, Crystle and Jay.
Bubba, I think it's some kind of Thai dish.
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2006-09-12 23:28:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Again I ask: What is UM? Is it some sorta contest?
Farkin' A. . . .
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-09-12 23:16:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
good
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2006-09-12 22:42:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dear lord, if I have to face Stag in UM, please temporarily smite his internet connection.
PLease?
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-12 22:36:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yeah not the best performance but a decent battling one.
mancscum v celtic should be interesting - i'm going to nip out at lunch and watch it.
shhhh don't grass.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 22:21:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, guys.
Cheers very much, Apollo.
Decent result for your lot last night. An away goal would've been nice, but a clean sheet is always good in the Champs League.
Now I have to get up at 4:30 am tomorrow morning to watch United v Celtic.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:55:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2006-09-12 17:10:19 (#)
Ranking: 2
You're going to win Ubermadness.""
the best work does not win ubermadness.
I think the decent writers WILL have more of a chance this time with the double elimination bollocks.
having said that I hope he does.
If it's not me of course!
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:52:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you are one of the best writers on here.
this is the only piece in almost a year that has made we want to read more rather than rate and instantly forget.
Submitted by WatchMyStep (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:48:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:36:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Stag can pull of an excellent story, anonymous or not. Some of us need the
anonynimity to fend off the constant barrage of assholes.
What the fuck is UM?
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:06:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'll beat Stagger any day.
Well, any day I can figure out a half-decent ending to a story.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-09-12 20:51:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:22:01 (#)
Ranking: 2
Don't worry -- Im'a cookin' somethin' up.
Stagger, you in Ubermadness? What about you, Sacrilicious?
===
You cooked something up alright. Something glorious.
Like I'd could compete with you guys in UM. I'll enjoy reading and rating, though.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 18:30:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Cheers, everyone.
Jeaneee, that's a HUGE call...
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2006-09-12 18:10:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-12 17:48:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
GOOD WORK
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-09-12 17:10:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
awesome, as usual
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2006-09-12 17:10:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're going to win Ubermadness.
Submitted by MouthSore (user info) at 2006-09-12 14:41:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2006-09-12 14:21:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ahahahaha! Awesome!
Submitted by MANICMOTHER (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:57:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:55:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn it you're good. I love the feel of this.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:40:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
beauty eh
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:25:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And yes, I'm in ubermadness.
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:24:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Red right hand was something out of Paradise Lost. Something to do with the red right hand of god. Nick Cave took the line and made a song from it.
Sawing On A Jawbone Violin...I stole that title from a Tom Waits song.
I steal a lot of titles.
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:22:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Don't worry -- Im'a cookin' somethin' up.
Stagger, you in Ubermadness? What about you, Sacrilicious?
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:20:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I follow. What's the meaning of 'red right hand'?
(Sawing on a Jawbone Violin -- sweet title.)
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:18:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:15:52 (#)
---
WRITE SOMETHING, YOU.
um..I mean.."Hi. It's nice to see you."
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:17:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It's a sort of devil, I guess. Check these out.
http://www.ubersite.com/u/Stagger_Lee/l/red_right_hand
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:15:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Yeah, I don't know what I've really read here.
A few small clues as to the identity of her 'saviour' (offering salvation through revenge, can't see his eyes) but they were lost on me. My guess is the same as the lone stranger's: satan.
Care to enlighten?
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:06:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Alright then.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-09-12 12:05:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 11:44:32 (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, everyone.
Saccy, something you wanted to say there?
---
Nope. I thought the "..." worked nicely.
(This was good).
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 11:57:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
FUCK, WHERE?!
Submitted by the_lone_stranger (user info) at 2006-09-12 11:56:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
SATAN!?
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-09-12 11:44:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, everyone.
Saccy, something you wanted to say there?
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-09-12 11:03:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
...
Submitted by Susie_Derkins (user info) at 2006-09-12 10:46:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Clearly painted picture without being completely obvious. Good show.
Submitted by St_Jimmy (user info) at 2006-09-12 10:25:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Outstanding.
Submitted by stok (user info) at 2006-09-12 08:16:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
well does he cum or what?
Submitted by Ducky (user info) at 2006-09-12 08:09:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Maltese (user info) at 2006-09-12 08:03:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was good.
Submitted by sexualchocolate1984 (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:47:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome! Best thing on here for quite some time.
Submitted by ICO (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:22:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"and I hoist one eyebrow up my forehead, like a sardonic flag of enquiry"
Hearty me, that was a nice way to put forth yee olde raising of the brow.
Submitted by matnotharry (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:10:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:08:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
A+
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-09-12 06:36:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What a smashing interpretation of nether bastards.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-09-12 06:31:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Pithy.
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2006-09-12 06:13:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wicked!
Submitted by Konerak (user info) at 2006-09-12 05:28:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
More?
Submitted by yhywstudios (user info) at 2006-09-12 05:04:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JoeyG (user info) at 2006-09-12 04:47:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nice written style
Submitted by bcm (user info) at 2006-09-12 04:34:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I liked this. It reminded me somewhat of Paulo Coelho, which is a good thing i think.