Read Online Marked for Vengeance by S.J. Pierce - Free Book Online Page B

couldn’t decide if it would be appropriate or not. Plus, he knew
Micah used his sympathies for not going out today to his benefit -- and it
worked. “Ok, you weasel. We’ll leave in an hour. And if you feel well enough,
we can get a bite afterwards.”
    “Yes!” Micah
cheered.
    “But clean up
your room first.”
    “Yes, sir!”
    Isaac only had a
few more strokes of green for the grass before beginning on the centerpiece of
his creation; the unusual creature, who had permanently seared its image into
his mind. He closed his eyes to recall her haunting face. Blurred, resembling a
Monet. From far away you could tell she was attractive, but what overshadowed
everything – including the dazzling night sky – were her eyes, her completely
black, fiery eyes.
    When the last
blade of grass stroked into place, he painted a heart-shaped face of fleshy
pink and blew on it to encourage its drying. As it set, he chose a smaller
brush with long, thin bristles and delicately tapped the end into the black paint
for the outline of her eyes. His tongue curled over his top lip as he leaned
closer to paint two small arches within the pink face and filled them in before
adding white marks to make them shine.
    He stopped to
assess what he had painted, and a smile toyed with his lips. The thrill of a
vision coming to life on his canvas was what he lived for, his creative-self
sated. If he merely lived to work and die, his soul would always thirst for
something more. His paintings were an escape into the surreal, a way to cope
with the humdrum of everyday life. With every well-placed stroke, he would
escape further into whatever world he envisioned, its atmosphere a temporary
break from reality. One way he was able to stay sane after losing Rachel and
raising a child on his own.
    He picked up the
brush with the flesh-colored paint and recreated her willowy neck and arms. The
hair would be next, and her wavy lochs needed something to flourish around.
Once complete, he rinsed the brush and mixed a dab of brown paint with the
outer edge of the black to lighten the hue only slightly. Long, curvy strokes
framed her face and fell around her shoulders, bringing his creature to life.
    He rinsed the
brush again and dabbed it in the white. Her hair wouldn’t be complete without
its distinguishing streak. With a light hand, the brush followed along the wave
of her hair on the right side to the end of her mane, tainting her perfect
tresses. He stood from the stool and stepped back a few paces to study his
work. His many, careful brush strokes had officially brought his dream to life,
and the image ran chills over his body. It was as if he was there again.
    Regardless of
how unsettling the visual was, he felt the same gravitational pull to her
still. Her fierce beauty almost possessed an angelic quality. “My Dark Angel,”
he said in a hushed voice. That’s what I’ll call this painting.   
      “Your dark WHAT? ”
Micah said behind him.
    Isaac jumped,
dropping his paintbrush. “Dammit, Micah!” he yelled and wiped the paint that
had spattered along his pant leg.
     Micah threw his
head back, roaring with laughter.
     He spun around
and jabbed him in the arm. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you, funny guy?”
     Micah wiped the
tears from his eyes. “Dad seriously though, Dark Angel ?”
    “Well it fits
though, right? Look at her.”
    He studied the
painting and shrugged. “I don’t know, dad. Whatever you say.”  
    Isaac shook his
head in frustration and waved him away. “Alright, off with you then. We’ll be
leavin’ in a little.” God he reminds me of myself.
    He refocused on
his masterpiece to find that his former creative inspiration had officially
left. Micah had stolen the moment away. It was time to close up the studio
until tomorrow.
    While twisting
the caps onto the tubes of paint, he glanced at the skyline. The shadowy figure
wasn’t there. It was too early in the day, but he could practically pinpoint
where they