Bleach New Novels & Stories

he screamed, stepping back. I grabbed the bleach bottle and hit him on the side his head as hard as I could, causing him to step backward. I took advantage of his momentary unbalance as he rubbed his eyes, knowing that I only had a second. I unscrewed the cap from the bleach bottle and threw the contents at him, causing him to scream out in pain as bleach covered his face and hair. I grabbed the broom and, finding sudden strength, rammed my foot into the wooden handle, breaking it in half.

I dive to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Even that part of my morning routine is far from positive. As I reach the sink, I wonder for a second why our anti bac wipes – the ones that I used to clean the toilet yesterday – are sitting where I expected my make up remover wipes to be. I realise why, when I gaze into the mirror and see my face; I look like I’ve undergone a skin graft on a burns unit. Oh Christ. Only I, would encourage my best friend to nuzzle his face into my boobs and remove my make up with household bleach in a single bloody evening. How do I manage it?

For a moment, I was back there in a life I didn’t want to remember, surrounded by faces I’d long tried to forget. I tore my gaze away, heart pounding a little faster. I couldn’t let it show. Not even a hint of that past could resurface. Not here. Not now. I squared my shoulders and nodded at my reflection. “Time to bleach you out of existence.” The smell of bleach filled the tiny bathroom, making my nose wrinkle in disgust. I felt like I was withering away. It was pungent, seeping into every corner, mixing with the dampness of old tiles and mildew. I worked quickly, fingers gloved and precise, painting over every traitorous strand until I was satisfied. I watched as the brown vanished, repla