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Rated: ASR · Short Story · Contest Entry · #2247416
For the Murderous Intent Challenge
Masie Callaway had lost her mind. She wasn't sure how, or when, but it had gotten dropped along the way. It was probably sitting in a ditch somewhere, whirring and clicking and waiting for her return. Or maybe some good samaritan had picked it up, polishing it up and using it for some good and worthy cause. She didn't care at the moment, she was just trying to serve justice. She pulled her coat around her more securely and knocked on the door of her friend, Vivienne. Vivienne was a tall redhead, with delicate features and a graceful build. She was stunningly intelligent as well, with a lovely sense of humor to boot. She was perfect. Well, almost. She'd sinned just like everyone else, Masie just took this time personally. When Vivienne opened the door, smiling widely, Masie smiled back.

"I have a gift for you!"
"Oh, you shouldn't have."
"No, it's my pleasure."

She dug around in her handbag for a second, pulling out a tube of lipstick.

"Here you go, I thought it looked just your shade."
"Wow, it's lovely! Where'd you buy it?"
"Oh, the new cosmetics shop down the road, have you been by?"
"No, no I haven't, come to think of it. I'll have to drop by tomorrow."
"Too late," Masie said under her breath. Vivienne had turned towards the kitchen and was too far away to hear.
"Hmm?"
"Oh, nothing." She said quickly, coughing. "Why don't you put some lipstick on? I want to see how it looks!"
"Well, alright." Vivienne uncapped the tube, pouting into her reflection off the microwave. She smiled at herself, obviously content with the coloring.
"Well, isn't that nice?"
"Yes, it really suits you."
"You should invite Richard over, and we'll have supper!"
"Ah, yes. I'll go call him." She strode over to the phone, taking it off the cradle and dialing her husband, Richard.

"Hello? Yes, Rich, I'm at Vivienne's. She wants us to stay for dinner."
An assent could be heard over the other end.
"Perfect, I'll see you then."
She hung up, relaying the conversation to Vivienne.
"He'll be over by 8."
"Perfect!"

____________________


Richard knocked on the door sometime later, and Vivienne practically skipped to the door to let him in.
"So nice of you to make it, dinner is already on the table."
"You truly do know a way into a man's heart, Viv," Richard said with a chuckle. He was a handsome young man, early 30s, with black hair and beautiful blue eyes. "It smells wonderful."

____________________


"This soup is lovely."
"Yes, very good." Masie agreed.
Vivienne smiled, but she looked slightly pained.
"What's the matter, Viv?"
"Can't...breathe."
She went to stand up but collapsed.
"Viv! Vivienne!"
She wasn't breathing, and her face was a rather ugly shade of purple.
"Masie, call an ambulance!"
"No."
"What? Nevermind. I'll be back."
"Nope. You won't."
"What are you talking about?"
"Arsenic. In your soup. And in her lipstick."
She pulled out a knife, one of Vivienne's dinner utensils.
"It should kick in...now, actually."
Richard collapsed, grasping at the front of her housedress, gagging.
"It's too late, Rich. You should've never killed me."
He slowly realized who Masie was. He choked, then finally gave up the struggle.
"I was your daughter, I thought you loved me. See you in Hell, Richard."
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