Eye See You

a Flash of Horror

WARNING: This short piece of flash fiction contains images and suggestions of stalking, violence, and abduction. Not my usual thing, but you have been warned. If you are sensitive to this kind of thing, please do not read further.

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. So I crept in like a second-story man, gently prying them open, plucking them out, without a sound. And what do I find? The grey and red and slime and ichor, wrapped in your screams and wails. It is wholly unsatisfying.

And then I wake. Agitated. Frustrated.

But I still can see your eyes.

They looked at me the day we met, and I knew. You did too, although you’ll never admit it. But I saw. How you stared back. Intensity and longing and hunger that matched mine. It was in your eyes.

Oh, those eyes.

Pools of molten starlight, tinted with the ocean and pain.

Eyes so clear and full of sadness and memory.

And then you were gone. Disappearing into the crowd of the blind, the cattle then graze around us, unknowing and uncaring. Heads down in their digital troughs, gorging themselves on empty virtual calories.

But we see, you and I.

We see past the pathetic facade of the so-called civilized society we are inflicted with. We know they lie and they cheat and steal and will never have to stand for their crimes. Which is why I do what I do.

And you will do it with me because those eyes… your eyes… they see.

I return to the dream again, searching. Pushing aside the unworthy, desperately digging and carving my way through to find you. Leaving tails of broken things and names and memories behind, and then there you are. Sitting in a pool of light, quietly cross-legged and eyes closed, like you are meditating. I slow my approach, drinking in the image of you, wanting to burn it into my mind, but when your eyelids flutter open… emptiness.

Your eyes are gone. Vacant, empty holes of void.

I awake screaming.

I return to the place we met, and there you are again, sitting across the room, talking with some meat sack of a man. Conventionally handsome. In khakis and a polo shirt with sunglasses on his head, and is he wearing Topsiders?! Good gods could he be more cliche and emblematic of how infected our world is.

You are being kind, I can tell, and then you excuse yourself to the ladies’ room. I know it is my invitation, and you are waiting for me. I follow, walking right past the vapid Chad, and can’t help but laugh to myself as I pass him. He’s scented himself with Axe body spray.

In the hallway, you are there, waiting. You look up and see me, and I smile. Your face is unchanging. Eyes searching.

“Rough date?” I chuckle, laughing at the private joke between us.

“What do you mean?”

“We can go. There’s an exit here.” I point to the back service entrance. I gently take your arm to guide you to our escape.

“What are you doing?! Don’t touch me, you freak!” Fear fills your face, eyes wild and confused. Like you don't know me. The truth dawns like an eclipse. You’ve lied to me. Played the part and deceived me. How could you?! The eyes that spoke to me and drew me to you… they were just a mask.

Rage builds inside and blinds me. Searing light scorches my brain, and a roar in my ears deafens me. I feel your soft skin under my hands, slick with sweat. Or is it blood? My vision clears, and we are in my special room. The one I built for you. For us. Where I planned our future together. And now you have ruined it. Every decoration set just so. Every piece of furniture painstakingly found and arranged. For you. The bar stocked with your favorite liquors - botanical gin and French vodka, lime soda to mix - and the fancy blown glass you secretly admired at the club. All for you. And to think you never even saw me.

I look to you now, lying on the padded table, bound at the wrists and ankles. Black tape over your mouth. Naked, but properly covered. This isn't about that, you know. Your eyes are wide with fear still. Those lying, wretched eyes. Betraying with their lack of recognition.

I will take them.

NOTE: Okay, so this is my submission to the “Eye See You” Flash Fiction Challenge from

Top In Fiction

. As I mentioned, this is not my wheelhouse at all, but I figured I would give it a try.