It Pierces the Surface

By James Ferace

When he's disfigured in an accident, a man receives major reconstructive surgery. However, he begins to feel his face resembles that of the man who raped and killed his wife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365903182

Book preview

It Pierces the Surface

It Pierces the Surface

By James Ferace

Stamps weren't even such a thing once.  To arbitrate the rate of the postage, the letter was once held in front of a candle.  The less light shone through, the cheaper the cost.  It's true.  Not unlike the candle which burns now.  Emitting a crimson glow across my collection as I run my rough hands across the smooth cases.  Peppermint scented.  Bought it at Christmas, I believe, for the wife.  Yes, the wife.  My God, how she hated this avocation of mine.  Said it made her feel jealous, the love I had for it.  No matter how many times I told her I would take a torch to the entire thing for her.  I think she believed deep down that my words were fraudulent.  But I meant it.  I meant it all.  Even now as I run my fingers along each crease in between their individual holders...I could burn them all.  I could burn everything.  Even my Penny Black.  The rarest I owned.  I stared at it.  That old withered face, chipped away at by time.  Creased and crumpled.  A fold right across her cheek.  Marred, but it was the best one I could find.  Nearly cleaned me out.  Still, she looked...off.  Mutated.  Malformed.  She looked...like me.  Me.  A beast.  Vicious and foul.

The desk was cold.  I only leaned my arm on it because the seat was even worse.  The whole place gave was glacial, in fact.  With its crisp grey walls and domed ceiling.  You'd think it would be bright, but he had the Venetian blinds slanted upwards.  A few shapes moving slowly across the high corners were the best you could hope for.  He was just as frigid as the room itself.  Glasses perched right