For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror.
from “The First Elegy”, Duinos Elegies by Rainer Maria Rilke
Why do so many stop short, Edward queried his alter ego, Harry. For beauty is nothing but the beginning. Of terror, not the feeling of, but the inducing and witnessing of, Edward was an expert. He’d found over decades that gaudy butterflies, and ones obsessed with preening in limelight, regrettably never lasted very long. Their pretty smiles vanished so quickly and their throats became raw from screaming until all but a rasp was possible. Their limp limbs too soon stopped responding to the instruments, until all that was left was lifeless refuse to be disposed of — by poor, dear Harry.
If only he could convince Harry to turn some of his brainy beauty friends over to him. He was sure they would last much longer and would inject a thrill of their possible escape into the game. Harry maintained over half control. Pity.
[144 words]
In case I’m being too oblique with the names, they are based on Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde from the novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886.)
Mish is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery. Mish says:
Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose no more than 144 words that includes the line given.
Tao Talk 
I like the way you split the prompt line, Lisa, and your exploration of Edward and Harry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes, Lisa! I didn’t pick up on Jekyll and Hyde, but I understood the split personality of this serial torturer/killer. Thank you for adding the warning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Merril.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Oh you DID go dark….but I think I asked for it. I love the descriptions of “gaudy butterflies” and “preening in limelight” that have a way of softening the wickedness of this prose. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Mish!
LikeLike
Before reading the note i had thought of Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde😊
Happy Monday
Much💜love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gillena. Happy Monday <3
LikeLike
I love this piece, Lisa ~ just brilliant, from start to finish!
<3
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
David, thank you! That’s high praise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you said “disturbing content” well that drove me here quickly! Scary thought…there are people walking around as two in one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Max, they are out there. Best to be prepared is my way of handling it. I remember a few years ago I was just going outside in the yard and a man was standing in the driveway. He was nice looking, smiling, but there was something that set my radar off. He said he had seen the boat in the yard when he had driven by a few times and wondered if it was for sale. I backed up slowly and said maybe, go ahead and take a look at it and tell me what you think it’s worth. He could see I was wary as I got back to the door and went back inside. I left him out there for 5 minutes or so and then approached from a distance and keeping a distance between us. I said, “why don’t you give me your number and I can let you know what I’m willing to take for it.” He hesitated and then gave me a number then said, “that’s my girlfriend’s number” so I probably won’t answer. Then he left. I checked out that number on whitepages and it was a bogus number. Me being suspicious? Or actual threat? Who knows. I say act on the side of caution and stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He sounds really creepy…I’ve known a few to give me those vibes also. I hate to say it but it’s better to think like that than to be too open to strangers and sorry.
We caught one guy taking pictures of our house where we used to live. I went out and he took off. When I went to work the next day he came back and Jennifer called the police and they got him. He never gave a reason on why he was taking pictures. He never bothered us again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, what a creep! Glad the police got him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea me also…I wouldn’t have felt good going to work if they didn’t catch him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder what that guy would have done if I had snapped a pic of him on my phone?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you didn’t find out unless you would have got it from inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You split that line so expertly and create this chilling flash. Wonderful, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
K, thank you <3
LikeLike
I don’t know the J and H very well. I saw it once on Turner. We can still read it even if we’ve not known, you wrote this well. Sort of crazy maybe?
..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jim thanks much. I think “sort of crazy maybe” fits.
LikeLike
Terror very well-executed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Reena!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen one of the Jekyll and hide films now i need to read the book your writing has encouraged this,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to hear it, Rog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robert Louis understood something about the male psyche. Too many men don’t need to split their personality or stifle the ‘good’ side, to do the most despicable things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well-said, and with the backing of institutions, they can do so without much concern about accountability.
LikeLike
There’s a lot of evil in the sporting, medical and para-medical professions. Men with access to vulnerable kids and the possibility of making a lot of money out of them
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty dark story Li
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. Thank you, Sadje.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re always welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought to myself ‘just once in my life I would love to be a gaudy butterfly’ until I read your prose and decided better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Helen.
LikeLike
Also appreciated your Note.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great piece Lisa, reflecting the split personality perfectly 🙌
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ange, thank you very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person