The witch’s spirit hovered overhead, watching the operation. The artificial heart sat ready to replace her own. It hadn’t been easy to arrange for the transplant, but the lore was clear — her heart had to be destroyed to kill her. If it couldn’t be, she would live forever.
Hours passed before the surgery was complete.
Joy threatened to overwhelm her until she noticed the nurse carried her heart, not toward the cold box the witch had provided, but to the biohazard incinerator chute. She had time for fearful realization to kick in before her body went up in flames.
Author’s Note: I loved reading fairy tales where the heroine had to find the witch’s heart to destroy her. Wouldn’t it be so much simpler if it never got hidden away in the first place, though?
[…] And if you want to read a little more from me today, you remember when I posted the questions with Alex Fayle that I said I had some drabbles coming up there? Today’s the first one, “A Heartbeat Away.” […]
I love this. The final paragraph is elegant in the most magical sort of way.
Unique! I love it.
[…] A Heartbeat Away by Erin M. Hartshorn […]