Note: The following was written as part of ISLF friend Eric Douglas’ Halloween-themed 100-word-story challenge. Please visit Books By Eric for more spooky tales.
“Tronie,” Henner said, scraping clay from his hands.
“Aren’t they paintings?” Joseph asked. “Archetypal portraits?” He loved the old sculptor’s studio. Had for as long as he could remember.
“Booooring, Joey. Real Housewives is on.” Khloe smacked her gum. Henner had introduced them last month.
Henner chuckled. “Usually. But I trained in the school of ben Bezalel. You know, I don’t think you two are good together.”
He passed a hand over Khloe’s forehead, smudging the luminous lettering suddenly shining beneath her skin.
She sagged, collapsed—a formless lump of earth.
“Better,” Henner said.
The flesh above Joseph’s brows burned.
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Notes
ReplyDeleteBut I trained in the school of ben Bezalel ... According to legend, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel defended Polish Jews from attack by creating a golem, a creature of clay given life by inscribing Hebraic lettering on its forehead.
This is a strange tale, to be sure. Well crafted!
ReplyDeleteYou are kind, madam. I think it's a little too short, though, to do justice to the idea of a golem as a walking archetype. But it was fun to write!
ReplyDelete