i. HOME chris schistad [EDITING]

cigarettes and the beloved mother;

(Flashback)

   The first time Ellinor Rasmussen took a drag was in eighth year.

--

   Elli's mother was a bitch. Whilst Mr Rasmussen turned to the use of verbal and physical violence, Mrs Rasmussen subsided to gentle and ignorant physical torture.

--

   The last time Elli and her mother had a substantial interaction was in eighth year.

--

   Fingers traced along Elli's body.

   'See, your father and I never have any fun anymore...'

   Elli's body shuddered as she tried to squeeze her eyes shut.

   'Your father, God bless him, believes woman are only useful for sex. Do you agree?'
   'I- I don't know...'
   'I think you do. I agree.'
   'Okay--'
   'Do you want to make Daddy proud?'
   'I-'

   'Make yourself useful,'
   Lips murmured against Elli's ear;
   'The only way women can.'

--

   Elli didn't know how she had ended up in the bad part of Oslo.
   She was smoking a cigarette, dressed in silk lingerie and high heels. Her mother wanted to play dress up.
   'A young girl, on the streets, dressed like you are... Some people might get the wrong idea.'
   A young man in a business suit had approached Elli.
   'I do not wish to sell my body, trust me.'
   'Let me take you home, Ellinor.'
   'How do you kn- Oh, you work with my father.'
   'I do.'
   'I don't want to go back, nor do I want him to know where I've been tonight.'
   'I understand...'
   'What do I have to do to make you keep this a secret?'
   'I think it's pretty obvious.'

published: 13.Mar.2017