Songs of a Dead Dreamer and Grimscribe

by Thomas Ligotti

“That’s nice, I’m sure,” she said. “By the way. I’m Laura—” “O’Finney,” I finished. “Norman’s spoken quite highly of you.” “Where is the creep, anyway?” she inquired. “He’s sleeping,” I answered, lifting a finger toward the rear section of the apartment. “We’ve been hard at work on a new story, but I could wake him up.” The girl’s face assumed a disgusted expression. “Forget it,” she said, heading for the door. Then she turned and very slowly walked a little ways back toward me. “Maybe we’ll see each other again.” “Anything is possible,” I assured her. “Just do me a favor and keep Norman away from me, if you don’t mind.” “I think I can do that very easily. But first you have to do something for me.” “What?” I leaned toward her very confidentially. “Please die, Desiderata,” I whispered in her ear, while gripping her neck with both hands, cutting short a scream along with her life. Then I really went to work.