Lili grips the piano, coughing. Bloody notes splatter her half-composed score.
She must finish. Barely twenty-four, her life a semi-quaver in history’s melody, but her music will live forever.
Breathless, she plays.
Death hesitates, his skeletal hand on her shoulder, ivory fingers tapping along, obsessed with knowing how it ends.
Lucy Mac writes short stories, flash fiction, and microfiction. She won the New Writers 100-word competition 2025 and has been longlisted for New York Midnight, Bath Flash Fiction, Yeovil Literary Prize, and Not Quite Write. Find her on Instagram/Bluesky at @lucymacwrites.
Difficult situation, all too real, beautifully handled.
‘… ivory fingers tapping along …’
Thank you, Michael! I really appreciate the read and you taking the time to comment. – Lucy
Your story SO resonates with this septuagenarian piano player/singer/songwriter, Lucy, so much so that I recently started a YouTube channel so my songs won’t die when I do. GREAT first story here! Grandioso!! Bravissima!!!
Thank you so much Trevor! Your YouTube channel sounds wonderful!
Your story is so poignant! The musicality is woven in beautifully. The image of death waiting for her last masterpiece is so moving.
Thank you, Mary for your kind comments and for taking the time to read, very much appreciate it! Lucy
Brilliant, Lucy!
Amadeus vibes.
Thanks Paul! Just read, Still Life – it is gorgeous!