Anti-Villains

By Andrea Stanet

Antiheroes lack typical heroic qualities-morals, idealism, caring, possibly proper hygiene. They lean into dark qualities like narcissism and violence.

Meet the Anti-Villains

...goddesses and powerful female figures who are saddled with negative rap sheets but are much more complex t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragonlight Press
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987885437

Book preview

Anti-Villains

Anti-Villains

Anti-Villains

Andrea Stanet

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Dragonlight Press

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

From the Mud

Devils on Her Shoulders

Song of Vengeance

Three Generations of Brujas

One Night in Harlem

Jackie in the Box

Medusa

Omega and Alpha

About the Author

Copyright © 2023 by Andrea Stanet

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Printing, 2023

The stories in this collection are fictional. Historical figures are mentioned, but the roles they play in these works are fictionalized, re-imagined, and creations of the author’s imagination. Any historical events or places that appear are represented as faithfully as possible with some creative license taken by the author.

Dedicated with much love to all my strong, powerful, and amazing sisters.

Keep shining and stay fierce.

Introduction

Have you ever had a goddess visit you out of the blue, at the crack of dawn, making demands on your life? (That doesn’t happen to everyone?)

About a year ago, Lilith came to me during my AM yoga and (rudely) insisted that I needed to write a book in defense of dark goddesses. At first irritated, I quickly warmed to the idea, and Anti-Villains was conceived. The initial premise was to deconstruct certain myths that demonize strong women in general, but these stories came to explore themes of resentment, desperation, betrayal, and rage through a particularly black, female lens. Is this a book only for black women? Certainly not. The intention is not to divide but to convey authentic emotions that black women contend with due to our history, struggles, and generational trauma.

When you start focusing on dark subjects, the work can get heavy. Please be aware that some stories, most notably Song of Vengeance, contain graphic violence. However, each story also holds notes of hope and healing once you get past the darkness. Don’t be scared. These characters and stories may seem a little intimidating, but in the end, they’re just doing their best.

Aren’t we all?

~Andrea Stanet

From the Mud

In the beginning, there was light, followed by earth, vegetation, the celestial heavens, and animals. Since none of those things were conversational, the Creator went a step further. From the mud, they formed two humans. The first was perfectly formed and beautiful. With the second, the mud dripped down, giving the creature three dangling parts between its legs. The Creator poked a hole in the first and voila, they fit together perfectly. They were woman and man, respectively.

The Creator gave woman and man voices and the ability to speak, tasking them to name the other creations. Man pointed to a tall object with a rough brown bottom and lush green parts the fluttered in the breeze. Ungh.

Woman scowled and shook her head. "Hmm… tree?"

Man ran over to a majestic four-legged creature white with black spots and piercing yellow eyes. Ungh ungh! he said, narrowly avoiding the creature’s sharp-clawed swipe before it bounded up into the tree.

Woman quickly recognized that she would have to do the heavy lifting or things would become very confusing in this place. "We will call that a jaguar, and this place will be a garden. Our garden. Despite being somewhat dim, Man was quite nice to look at, and those dangling bits were… interesting. For some unknown reason, she loved him. Don’t you think we should have names too, my love?"

He nodded enthusiastically and pointed to himself. Uuugh. He then pointed to her with a huge, self-satisfied grin. Ooogh. Man puffed his chest.

Woman lifted her eyes toward the heavens and smiled without showing her teeth. Would it be rude to ask if there is a way to just have the dangling bits? I could manage here perfectly fine alone with just those.

The heavens darkened and crashed over her head.

Fine. Dear one, we will call you Adam, and I will be named Lilith. How do you like that? Mentally exhausted, she drew her mate, who was smiling endearingly, beneath the shade of the tree. She laid him down and experimented with his hanging parts to see what they were for. She discovered they weren’t always so floppy, and together, to their mutual pleasure and surprise, they learned one thing those parts could do.

Lilith couldn’t quite settle on what to call the one in the center. The two round ones she called orbs. The name didn’t seem exactly right, but it would do for the moment.

In the coming days, Lilith taught Adam words, and named the creations on the Earth. In the evenings, they would gaze at the heavens and try to see pictures in the stars. When the moon rose high in the sky, they made love. Life was good.

One morning lying in the shelter they had made of palm fronds, Adam rolled onto his side and pulled Lilith closer. He nuzzled her neck until she giggled. My beautiful wife, can I ask a favor?

Of course, my love. What is it?

I’m hungry. Could you get me some fruit? He trailed kisses along her jawline.

I can. But why don’t you come with me? We could take a swim under the waterfall and gather breakfast on the way back. If he didn’t swim every other day at least, he would begin to smell like horse droppings, but she didn’t want to make him feel bad. As far as he knew, she just really loved to swim.

Adam pouted and flashed her sad eyes. But I’m so tired.

What could he possibly be tired from? All their needs were provided. They literally did nothing all day. Lilith made a mental note to talk to Creator about what they might do for entertainment. She had lots of ideas. All right, Adam. But will you swim with me later?

He nodded as he rolled over and went back to sleep.

He was in the same position when she returned with nuts, berries, and peas that she had picked. The sun was nearly at its highest point. Couldn’t he have risen and tidied the shelter? Or milked the cows so they would have a drink with the breakfast Lilith had gathered?

Adam? Are you alright? Why are you still sleeping, my love?

He stretched and yawned with a sleepy grin. I’m fine. I just thought you had everything under control. Is that food?

Indeed, she did have everything under control but didn’t see any reason for him not to help. But Lilith wasn’t too bothered by this. If she requested help, Adam was usually happy to do as he was asked. Usually.

In their paradise, Adam found ways to use a sharp rock to take some of the hair from the sheep, and Lilith fashioned cushions and blankets from it. He learned to use similar stones attached to sticks to chop larger branches from other trees to expand their dwelling. Lilith was pleased and proud of their home. They even experimented with a strange red flower that provided heat and changed their food when it came in contact. Lilith named this flower fire.

One evening they cuddled near the fire garden, and Lilith wanted some of the sweet fruit she had harvested earlier in the day. Adam, my love, could you bring me some dates from over there?

Why can’t you get them? They’re so far, and it’s very comfortable near the fire. He nuzzled her neck.

Well, yes, it is, love. Which is why I would like to stay here. Don’t you think it’s fair that I get to rest since I gathered the dates, and dinner, and prepared it as well? My feet are sore. Can’t you do this for your wife?

Fair? Is that the green fruit that’s shaped like your hips?

Lilith sighed. That’s a pear. Never mind, Adam. She ate the dates and went to sleep.

Later, he woke her. She had learned that his dangling part needed significantly more attention than most of the creatures in the garden. She didn’t mind giving that attention at all, enjoyed it in fact, but this night Lilith found herself becoming frustrated. So close to the ecstasy he could bring her, she needed him to shift just a tiny bit to the left.

My love, can you turn a bit this way? Just a smidge…

He must have been lost in his own pleasure and not heard her, because he continued on without adjusting.

Love, if you could… she asked again, louder.

Shh…stop telling me what to do.

Lilith understood that he was likely trying to focus and that she might be interrupting his moment, yet her own need was growing. She tried shifting beneath him, but that didn’t work.

She hooked one of his legs with her ankle, and before he could protest, flipped him onto his back and straddled him.

What are you doing? he cried.

Trying something new. It’s alright, you can just lay there and let me do the work.

He seemed to like it when she did the other work in the garden after all. This should be a treat.

But something was wrong.

Inside her, Adam’s part softened. No, woman! he said sharply. I am the husband. I belong on top. Look at the other animals.

Lilith kept her composure. What a time for him to start thinking. Yes, my love. The male animals usually dominate the females, but aren’t we more than the animals in our care? She began to touch and kiss him in the places she knew he couldn’t resist. The animals don’t talk, either.

Stop it, Lilith! You…Uuunngh… He finally quieted as his best part rose back to life.

Yes! she shouted in triumph as she finally guided it to the right spot. They reached their peaks together. Afterwards, she climbed off him and tried to cuddle with him.

Adam turned toward her, his arms crossed between them. His expression resembled that of their male mule when it was pulled away from the apple trees to help with the chores. What did you do to me? You…Wwnchh…Ddmmmnn…Ugh! Apparently, he was so angered he was reverting to his former attempts at language. There must not have been words yet for what he was trying to say.

Lilith couldn’t help but to be amused. She noticed that he had the most adorable dimple in his forehead when he was irritated. Witch? Demon? What are these things you are trying to name me, my love? Why not relax, be sweet, and hold me?

But her amusement seemed to make things worse. He turned away, giving her nothing but his back. It was their first fight.

The next day, while Lilith was swimming in the lagoon, she spoke out loud. Creator, I love and appreciate everything you’ve provided for us, but is there anything to be done about Adam? He seems to expect me to do everything to take care of him.

Listen, dear one. I only created you. Please don’t involve me. I’m working on my next project. Would you like to hear about it?

Lilith listened, but the words all flowed through her mind, unregistered. After she left, she pondered, wandering up grassy hills and across flower-filled meadows until she came to a large rock outcropping next to a lake. The sun glistened off the water’s surface. If the Creator won’t intervene, what am I going to do with Adam?

A ripple appeared on top of the water and moved toward her. It was a small, green snake. It slither-swam right up to the bank, and then worked its body up onto the rock next to Lilith. Oh, hello little one. Have I stolen your favorite sunning rock? I can move. She sat on the ground next to the rock. "See? That’s cooperation! Give and take. Sharing—I had a turn with the rock, and now it’s your turn."

The snake’s tongue flicked forward, and it watched Lilith with tiny black eyes.

Hmm… yes, perhaps if he had to do everything himself for a few days, he’d be more sympathetic. And then he’ll be more considerate.

So, she hiked back to the shelter where Adam was sunning himself outside as usual. Shaking her head in disbelief, she went into the shelter, packed the blanket she had made and some food she’d gathered, and then went to stand over her husband. Adam, have you been here all day?

Mmm. Where else would I be? He squinted up at her through one eye.

There are lots of things to do in order that we may eat and be comfortable.

Yes, but we don’t both need to do those things, and you want to be the husband now. Didn’t you say I can just lay here while you do all the work?

Unbothered by having her words used against her, Lilith said, "Fine. I’m going off for a rest. If you want to eat, you’ll have to gather fruit and nuts for yourself. Don’t eat the bright red berries." And she left.

Lilith traveled until sunset and found a small cave where she could spend the night. She sighed in contentment as she drifted off to the sounds of crickets and night frogs. It was usually difficult to hear them over Adam’s snoring.

The next morning, she trekked home and slipped into the hut expecting to find Adam asleep in his usual position. He wasn’t there. She searched their garden and found him near the largest tree. When Lilith tried to shake him awake, he didn’t stir. In fact, his body was rather stiff. Alarmed, she called out to the Creator. What is wrong with him?

How should I know? I was off working. The Creator summoned a green snake that looked very much like the one from the lake. Did you see what happened here? In a series of hisses, the snake explained its tale. Hmm. I see. The Creator turned their attention to Lilith. "Apparently, after you left him to his own devices,