
He lurked in the shadows of the evening, his heart pounding in his chest.
A cool breeze whispered through the narrow alley, as if urging him to reconsider his choices.
The call of his addiction drowned out any rational thoughts that tried to penetrate his mind.
He was a thief, a desperate soul whose existence revolved around opioids.
Tonight, he had targeted a house, one he had been observing for days. The owners, an ordinary couple, were about to leave for an evening out. It was the perfect opportunity to strike.
With trembling hands, he pulled his ski mask over his face and adjusted the gloves on his hands, ready to break into their world and gather the merchandise he needed to sell for his next high.
As the minutes ticked by, his anxiety grew. Every passing second felt like an eternity. He stood outside their house, hidden in the shadows, waiting for them to leave. Finally, the front door swung open, and the couple stepped out, laughing and oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.
His heart raced with anticipation, an addiction by itself.
Once they were out of sight, he swiftly moved toward the house, his footsteps silent against the pavement. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he bypassed the security system and slipped through a slightly ajar window.
He found himself in their living room, a space filled with comfort and warmth, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness that consumed his life.
His eyes darted around the room, searching for valuable items to steal. He could feel the weight of his addiction pushing him forward, urging him to find something valuable enough to fund his next fix. He moved with practiced precision, his fingers delicately touching the objects in the room, searching for something worthy of his efforts.
Just as he was about to make his way upstairs, a sound pierced the silence. His heart leaped into his throat as he froze, his senses on high alert. Panic gripped him as he thought he heard the couple returning home earlier than expected. Frantically, he looked for a place to hide, his eyes landing on a sunroom next to the living room.
He dashed into the sunroom and crouched behind a large, exotic plant. Its vibrant green leaves cascaded down, providing the perfect camouflage.
As he caught his breath and observed his surroundings, he noticed something unsettling.
The plant was unlike any he had ever seen before. It resembled a Venus Flytrap, with its deceptive beauty and dangerous allure.
The plant seemed to sense his presence, its leaves slowly creeping toward him.
Fear welled up inside him as he realized the dire situation he had unwittingly placed himself in.
He tried to move away, but his body felt sluggish. A sickening realization washed over him—the plant was not just an ordinary decorative piece; it was a carnivorous creature, capable of trapping and devouring its prey.
Desperation consumed him as he struggled to break free from the plant’s paralyzing grip.
It was futile.
The more he fought, the tighter its hold became.
The plant’s jaws closed around him, its sharp teeth piercing through his flesh. Pain shot through every nerve in his body as he became trapped in its deadly embrace.
As he gasped for breath, his mind raced with regret. He had become a victim of his own addiction, lured by the false promise of euphoria. In his pursuit of temporary relief, he had lost everything—his freedom, his life, and any chance of redemption.
As the darkness closed in, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was the fate he deserved. A thief, a slave to his cravings, forever consumed by the very darkness he had embraced.
In the end, the Venus Flytrap-like plant ingested him whole—clothes and all, erasing any trace of his existence.
Author’s Note
Check out other Halloween/horror-themed posts at the Halloween link
My new book, The Edges, is now available in digital and paperback formats
Upcoming…
A narrative poem about confronting the past:
Ghost Riders, 12 October 2024
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