"Go on cher, drink it up. It'll cure what ails ya."
She looked at the bright red liquid as it glistened in the bottle, tiny bubbles bumping into each other like seltzer. Sometimes she thought the bubbles looked like tiny skulls, bare teeth grinning at her. Mocking her. Mocking her fears. She took the bottle out of his hands, the leaden glass weighing heavy in her heart. She cast a suspicious look at him.
"And this'll work. This'll make him love me forever?"
He smiled an evil, cynical smile; all teeth, no lips, like the tiny bubbles within.
"Sure nuf, sis. Drink this and he'll cherish you forever."
He grabbed the bottle out of her hands, holding it just out of reach.
"For the right price, that is."
She reached into her bra and pulled out the wade of slightly damp bills, counting them out, one hundred, two hundred, three hundred. A lot of nights on her knees to get that sum, but it would be worth it. It would be worth it. To have his love forever.
He smiled again, and handed her the bottle. She pulled out the cork stopper with her teeth, grimacing slightly at the smell. Metallic. Rotting. She swallowed the bottle's contents in one gulp, coughing and sputtering as the liquid burned a path down her throat and into her stomach. Waves of nausea washed over her as she fell to her knees, a cold sweat began to pour from her brow. Her breath grew rapid and shallow, as her eye sight began to darken. Her eyes searched his with a desperate plea.
"But, I don't understand. I feel like I'm dying. Feel like I've been poisoned."
She looked at him as tears welled in her eyes. She only had strength for one last word.
"Why?"
That sick, evil smile reappeared on his face as he patted the top of her head. He crouched down next to her.
"Silly girl, don't you know? There's only one guarantee to make someone love you forever."
He held her face in his hands as he kissed her gently on the lips, whispering seductively in her ear.
"Death."
