Spirited Tales – Blind Lust

One of the perks I’m giving to Patreon supporters is something I’m calling Spirited Tales.

Basically, they are micro fiction tales set to atmospheric music & effects and available as a video to watch online.

As a patron, you get exclusive first-look at these videos, as well as other content like short stories, Altered Words (“found” poetry) and other goodies – so feel free to sign up.

But now it’s your turn to enjoy the first in the Spirited Tales series entitled BLIND LUST.

INKLINGS: THE EVOLUTION OF BLIND LUST
I was originally going to write Blind Lust as “proper” flash fiction. I took a seed from my current novella-in-progress and decided to flesh it out and make it into an offshoot – set in the same world but not necessarily spotlighting any of the same characters. But as I was brainstorming and adding to the story, I felt like that little seed was getting lost. The part I really wanted to highlight was being overshadowed and I really wanted it to shine.

Changing the story from flash to a drabble was more difficult than I thought! Trying to fit an entire story into 100 words is challenge enough. Having it make sense is another thing entirely.

THE CONCEPT

In my story world, body modification is on the verge of being strictly governed. In my many hours of research, I was reading about subdermal implants and how people have been getting various implants to enhance their appearance (everything from fake horns to these snazzy skull implants I saw online).

I also came across the concept of Braille tattoos. Not just simple phrases for esthetics or visual appeal but functional tattoos that are tactile and readable by the blind.

There are two ways to achieve the desired effect – scarification, which as the name implies, means the tattoo artist goes over the same designs over and over again to “build up” the scars into raised bumps.

Another method, and the one shown in Blind Lust, is subdermal implants, where small “beads” are implanted under the skin and can be read by touch the same way Braille is. This one appealed to me more, so I took that and set out to come up with characters, their desires, an “interesting problem” and a solution/ending.

THE STORY
I know, it sounds like a lot of prep for a 100-word story, but the concept was already there in my novella. I just plucked that little thread out and spotlighted it in the most finite way.

My initial thought was to make Sara the victim since her blindness may be seen as a vulnerability, but I decided she should use that to her own end, making herself seem like easy prey to someone who might want to take advantage of her when in reality, she has the upperhand.

BLIND LUST

Unlike other clubs where titillation was purely visual, touching was allowed but only after members passed a strict screening process. Sara wouldn’t go home with a stranger otherwise. Forget faces, she could barely see shadows anymore.

“Y’know what I like,” he slurred. “It’s your turn to share.”

He overpowered her, then slid his fingertips across a series of tiny subdermal implants scattered across her shoulders.

The booze slowed his comprehension but when he’d translated the full phrase, his exploration halted.

“Should I spell it out for you?” Sara said over the metallic k-shhk of the switchblade. “Or will this suffice?”

YOUR THOUGHTS
So, what did you think of Blind Lust? Did you get it or did you need to read the INKLINGS before the story clicked? Was the twist clear or did the story need something more? Don’t be shy, share your thoughts!

Either way, I hope you enjoyed it and stay tuned for me to explore the idea more in future stories!