I never planned to murder June.
I loved her, but my rage had built within and suddenly I found myself with a carving knife in my hand, her warm corpse before my feet.
No it was never my intention, but she tried to force herself upon me.
“I am the real victim”, I whisper under my breath, as I close her eyes.
The soil was moist and soft so I dug the grave with ease where I pray to God that she may lie forever.
With unopened eye I faced the moon, my only witness, knowing well that she would never tell on me and tiptoed past the farms on hidden paths.
Soon I reached the open roads again, free of obligations from my misstep.
I whistled as I walked free from June, free from evidence of sin, free from you, my unborn son.

Edvard Munch
Today Melissa hosts Prosery at dVerse where we are supposed to incorporate the lines:
I pray to God that she may lie
Forever with unopened eye
From his poem “Sleeper”, which may be read in its entirety here.
My complete text is 144 words which is the maximum amount we are allowed to use.
Of course the text is purely fictional but just to add some music I think Nick Cave is called for.
June 3, 2024
Truly chilling. That whistling at the end went to my marrow. Skillful breaking up of the line.
With unopened eye I faced the moon, my only witness,
p.s. I think he had every intention of murdering June!
I think so too…
Also, that image you chose is truly unnerving! Was Munch sane? After seeing this and the scream one, I have to wonder.
I think that his painting depicts his mental problems… many of his poems are very dark and show an inner turmoil.
Sheer skill in writing — you are in your element there! Chilling ending….
Thank you… murder stories are my home turf….
I love how much you managed to do with a story with just dialogue, and how you broke up the line so you could pray for her to lie…
I agree- this is a truly chilling story.
Yes.. we need something truly warm after this.
I thought you’d like this prompt, and you did a wonderful job with it. So chilling! The Munch is perfect, too.
Munch is always good for dark topics.
I agree–though he has a few that are not dark.
The story, the painting and the song, a wonderful trifecta. 💙⭐️
^dark
Thank you… darkness telling is my home-turf
I agree this is truly chilling, especially the twisted ending. The painting does give it an even more sinister feel.
Munch is a master in the painting of dark emotions.
That last line chills to the bone!
From dark to darker.
The art works well with the prose… of course, you write this murder genre so well.. !
Thank you… picking out artwork for my writing is half of the enjoyment, and Munch almost always works.
Oh this is a gory tale from the perspective of the murderer.
It is gory, and also sad…
Very sad. 😔
A fantastic piece of flash fiction, Björn, with a classic hook as an opening sentence! A great first person character, very convincing and creepy. And you split that prompt line expertly. No tell-tale moon for your murderer, and the whistle was a really chilling touch, as is the Munch painting you chose to illustrate your story.
Thank you… I did enjoy to use that hook to start with, but of course there has to be a twist in the end.
Dark and chilling! I loved it. 👏👏👏
Very dark
sounds like he has many excuses but none of them good. But to walk away whistling indicates he never needed one.
Exactly.. a very very selfish person.
Brilliantly written, truly twisted story. Love it.
Thank you… the twisted mind fascinates I think
Well everyone here is pretty spot on in response of “chilling” “twisted” “skillful” (the writing and the deed?) “whistling” (that got me) “dark” “sinister” “unnerving” …
Well, with “murder stories are my home turf …” you are definitely at home here.
Now, by the way, if there is ever an invite to a party or some sort of get together of yours I might just have to beg out, ya know, just in case. 🙂
Well done Bjorn.
Ha… rest assured. No personal reality in my tale(s)
Golly, Bjorn, you know how to do these scenes so well. I like how you broke the required lines. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
This is a brilliant scene of murderous foul play. Great story. I love how you split the line. The whistling makes it so evil… Bravo maestro of the horror tale. 👏🖤
This was delightful and shivery, Björne! I love the creepy ending, too!!
Excellent write, Björn! I was with you every step but still did not expect that last line. A dark one with the perfect music accompaniment.
Psychopath or narcissist he is only for himself, I love this ugly character and his transparent darkness.