Faded Cafe

A man talks to a stranger in a Cafe.

A man sat across the small, circular table from me, staring,

He was of an indeterminate age and his eyes were dark gray,

He just gazes at me knowingly, a wry grin on his strange face

After a minute he begins to speak in a weird, monotone voice,

"So, what is your secret?" He asks, still grinning, ear to ear.

"Excuse me?" I ask, confused by his question.

The man remains silent and expectant,

as If I had answered him incorrectly.

"Don't be coy with me." He replies, chuckling.

He smiles even wider, revealing blackened teeth and gums.

I glance around and what seems to be fog pervades the Cafe,

While everyone else here fail to react, going about their way.

I sit, knowing I'm stuck, unable to move without talking to him.

"What is your secret?" The man demands, forcefully, glaring at me.

I think hard, not knowing quite how to reply to this question,

Then I realize what I have to say, what I need to tell him.

"My secret is that I killed you years ago..." I answer, truthfully.

The man laughs, cracking a deranged smile while he smokes a Camel.

"You are correct, my friend!" He nearly yells.

I begin to rot and decay down to who I really am, deep down,

Where once I feared to tread but has come up, naked and humble.

Author's Note

I thought this would be a somewhat interesting concept. I added another line to the ending. I think I've improved it a bit.

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

What if the decay starts as soon as he catches the guys eye...slowly like fingernails discolour and teeth feel loose - heat of his body starts to drop. Then his hair goes grey (he sees it in the reflection of the chrome of the baristas machine) - then he smells a putrid smell which he thinks is the guy but it dawns on him that it's himself he smells.
Slow and graphic decay ...
lol

I liked this one Lc - I liked the premise - it would make a good Twilight Zone episode.

[Lovecraft]

Thanks. I do like your idea, but it would have to be slow but fairly subtle to be more effective.

[Tony Jordan]

Oh yeah - I totally agree - it would test your skill to still make the reveal a surprise but allude to the decay throughout - if anyone can do it - you can Lc.

[Lovecraft]

I may very well try then. :)

[Dr. YumnaKay]

This is interesting and intriguing for me. When I read that killing dialogue I was like wtf is he now talking to a zombie?
It's a good one, though. You always manage to get on the creepy side, LC 😛

[Lovecraft]

Thanks. He is more of an older "Soul" who is doing this because of his sin. When he gets another to confide their crime, he "moves" on. Also the protagonist is already dead. ;)

I wrote a sequel to it too.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Oh okay.. And yeah I saw that. Would be checking up on that one ;)
You're welcome :)

[Giulia King]

When I read "My secret is that I killed you years ago..." I answer, truthfully." I yelled yoooooo! Lmao.
This is so good! I really wish it was longer! Amazing job :)

[Lovecraft]

Thanks. Maybe I could write a "Sequel" of sorts. :)

[Giulia King]

Yes! Do it! :)

[Lovecraft]

Already cycling through some idea's and titles. :P

[Giulia King]

Can't wait to read :)

[Harley Quinn]

This was very thrilling. My eyes literally widened. I loved how I didn't know what was coming.

[Ken Simm.]

Not only a brilliant idea but excellently written also. I like the way you have used the subject to inform the way you have written it. Its also as horror filled as hell. Your namesake would be proud.

[Lovecraft]

Thank you, Ken. I would hoe Lovecraft would be proud as he is kind of my idol. :)

[Ken Simm.]

That I gathered.