The woman looped the necklace around her neck, wincing as the cold pearls touched her skin. The blue sapphire pendant glowed just as coldly. It was time.
Her husband sat at the piano, dressed in his Sunday best. Next to him sat the little girl, choosing the evening’s song. She had their daughter’s sunny curls and voice like wind-chimes, but she was not their daughter.
“Let’s play Satie’s Gymnopedies today,” the little girl said.
“Perhaps, we can rest—”
“No!” Blue flames jumped into the little girl’s eyes. The sapphire on the pearl necklace burned a bright furious cobalt. The woman clawed at her neck as the pearls tightened around her throat like a noose.
“Darling, we’ll play Satie’s Gymnopedies!” Her husband cried. “Please don’t—please don’t hurt her.”
“Okay, then play.”
The sapphire cooled and the woman gasped at the sudden influx of air. The first notes of the song floated into the air as she caught her husband’s distraught gaze. They would live to play another day.
© Jade M. Wong
Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers.
Erik Satie’s Gymnopedies are some of my favorite piano pieces. They’re hauntingly beautiful, striking that balance between melancholy and happiness, simultaneously serene and heartbreaking.
I was listening to Satie in the background as I was trying to figure out what to write for this week’s prompt when my muse decided to draw inspiration from the music.
For anyone interested, I included Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1, my favorite of his gymnopedies.
Wow didn’t take the little girl to be the evil one. I’ve read stories seen TV shows where this was the case butthe most obvious ones don’t come to mind at this time. What a terrible little devil she is.
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Indeed Mandi, thanks for reading! 🙂
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The little girl’s very creepy. Excellent story.
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Thanks! I was hoping the creep-factor would be conveyed 🙂
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Geeeeez. This is haaunting! What a “twisted” take on the prompt! And listening to the piano. it is soothing but listening to it after the story makes me feel chills. (or maybe i am just a scaredy cat. HAHA)
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Nothing wrong with being a scaredy cat, I’m a scaredy cat too!
The piano piece is definitely a little eerie, so paired with the story, I understand the chills.
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yay! glad to know i am not alone. (p.s. have youy watched the trailer of IT)
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I have not watched the trailer of IT…but Stephen King’s books are soooo creepy (I’m constantly torn by how scared of his books I am and how much I love his books LOL) Have you seen the trailer or read the book?
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I have seen the trailer. HAHA And i have no plans on reading the book after seeing it! HAHA
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I prefer horror books to movies so…I might read the book but not watch the movie unless I have someone to hide behind LOL
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hahahaha. i will not do anything! HAHA
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woah this little girl is scarier than the children of the corn. I never thought I’d say that, let alone type it.
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Haha, creepy children is definitely up there on things that are bound ro scare me, but they’re also so much fun to write. Oh, the dilemma of a writer LOL
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I agree on all counts!
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Love the music and the story. Wonder if I will be able to disassociate the two from here forward.
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Thank you 🙂 Glad to hear the music and story both resonated with you.
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Awesome! Loved it. At first, in the reader, all I saw was the first paragraph, and that knocked my brain for a further looksee. Glad I came out. This was an excellent write. 🙂 ❤
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Aww thank you! So glad you were intrigued enough to keep reading. That’s the perfect compliment ❤
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What a unique take Jade! Chilling and perfect!
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Thank you Shivangi! Glad you liked the story ^_^
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Now that’s one child I have no wish to meet! What a creepy picture you’ve drawn from the idyllic scene in the picture!
My tale is called ‘One beautiful day’
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I don’t blame you, I don’t think I want to meet her either lol. Thank you for reading Keith 🙂
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Lovely piece of music Jade. A shame they are trapped playing it indefinitely! Good work.
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It is a shame indeed. Thank you for reading Iain 🙂 Glad you liked the story and song!
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A creative and unusual story, I enjoyed it very much,
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Thank you for reading Michael 🙂 Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
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Awesome story Jade! So well told! I love your spin on the prompt and the chilling side of your story of a “devil” child! Great story!
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Thank you PJ ^_^ Glad to hear you liked it!
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I loved it!
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It is dangerous to be at the mercy of a child. Well done.
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Thank you James, glad you liked the story 🙂 Yes, children can be quite dangerous and temperamental, I think…
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That was scary! Amazing!
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Thanks! Appreciate the read & comment ^_^
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That was very sinister – both story and child. As always, I’d love to know more: what happened to their real child? The necklace? Music? So many questions. So little answers. Also – I once played Satie’s Gnossiene No. 3. It’s the haunting notes and how expressive it can be. That’s what makes his work so beautiful.
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I asked myself all those questions too, and my muse has yet to come up with those answers, but hopefully there will be a sequel (or prequel?) to this soon. I’m curious about this family too!
Oh, I also love his Gnossienes! I agree completely-his compositions are haunting and expressive in the rawest and most lovely way.
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Hopefully! I look forward to it. Or maybe a short story altogether. Depending on how long it needs to be.
Yes! It’s very nice to listen to on a rainy day. Though maybe not in the middle of the night, like I did – I kept glancing over my shoulder once when I did it.
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I completely agree—a rainy day would be perfect for his music, and LOL no, I definitely won’t be listening at night.
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Chilling! The sweet beauty with a sinister side. The curls and laces not enough to hide her evil side. This could be the start of a really thrilling tale. Love how you spin the words! I never suspected from the start it would have such deep dark implications.
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Thank you Gina 😀 I’m glad to hear the twist worked well.
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You’ve tapped into one of my greatest fears: creepy children. GAH! Nicely done.
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Thank you! Hope no creepy children cross your path-er-orbit? 🙂
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I hope not too! 😐
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The gloomy vibe of this story is beautiful. Good job!!
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Thank you very much for reading and commenting! Glad you enjoyed the gloomy tale 🙂
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It’s a pleasure 😊
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What a tale!! Superb!
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Thank you! Glad you stopped by & left a comment 🙂
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Welcome, it’s my pleasure 🙂
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flash -fiction
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I love at how you and your muse created such an amazing connection between the blue sapphire pendant and the little girl’s eyes closing it down to playing the piece….and yes live another day…
Your a brilliant story teller Jade..one of your stories which i will again share to my daughters who are now becoming fan of your fan -fics
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Aww thank you so much! Your comment brought such a big smile to my face, and I’m glad you and your daughter are enjoying my work ^_^.
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