People are oblivious. In my case, it was a good thing. As long as I kept up the normal routine, no one noticed that Marty had disappeared. Even after the sale sign went up in front of the house, the neighbors weren’t suspicious. “Where y’all headed?” they would ask. “Moving closer to the in-laws now that they’re getting up in years,” I’d answer. And that would be the end of it.
The human body has 206 bones, 79 organs, as well as muscle, connective tissue, and fat. Marty was a big man so he took a long time to dispose of. I started by draining the five liters of blood. It was a struggle to prop him up in the bathtub, but I’m a strong woman and the adrenaline was still pumping at that point. My hand shook as I severed the femoral artery.
After that, I separated the limbs and the head with my sharpest knife and wrapped them up in the freezer. That left the torso with it’s mass of organs and fat. I put my oven and my largest stock pots to work, cooking up a stew that fed the dogs for weeks. Still, nobody was missing Marty.
I kept the window washing business going all by myself. Sure it took a little longer now that I was doing it alone but I managed to keep our clients satisfied. “Where’s your other half?” someone would occasionally ask. “He’s off on another job,” I’d answer. And that would be the end of it.
Each time I went out —to work, to the supermarket, to grab lunch at McDonald’s, a small bag would go into the public trash can. That way, I disposed of a few of Marty’s bones at a time. They were dry and well wrapped so that no one would ever discover them in amongst the rest of the landfill debris.
It’s funny how fast I was able to recover our finances now that Marty wasn’t drinking away all our income. I was able to sell all the frivolous items he’d bought over the years too. The big screen TVs, the stereo equipment and the overpriced, underpowered “classic” Mustang he’d bought to restore. Even I knew the 90’s were a bad decade for Mustangs.
It took a full year. But it was time well spent. I slowly put everything in my name. It was easier than you might think. Even selling the house, I told the realtor my husband had to go on ahead to care for his sick parents and he’d left it all to me. It turns out you can have your contracts signed electronically which meant I could sign an approximate version of Marty’s signature for him. Nobody raised an eyebrow.
When it was done, I hauled all the furniture to an auctioneer and sold it for whatever I could. I packed the dogs and my clothes in the back of my old Jeep and drove west, not knowing where we’d land but knowing anywhere was better than here.
People are oblivious. No one ever noticed the bruises on my legs or the burn marks on my arms. Or how I kept my hair over one blackened eye or the other. For twenty years, I wished that someone would pay attention but no one ever did. Lucky for me, no one decided to start now.
This was a truly scary story. I kept thinking why would she do this? And why no one missed Marty? As you stated, people are oblivious. Then came the answer to my questions. Empowerment can come at any time to set matters straight. I bet someone noticed… but was oblivious.
-Well Done Meg-
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Thanks so much, Darnell! I was hoping for that reaction. At first thinking she’s the monster, then getting the rest of the story. 🙏
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Yes. It’s always two sides to every story, even gruesome ones.
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Exactly!
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It gave a shivers at the beginning 😧
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Thank you!
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Is it bad I want a McDonald’s? 😉
Great stuff Meg. A lot of detail packed in, which is what all really good short stories need.
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Thanks, Alex! It’s a bit gruesome, but I couldn’t see any other way to write it. I’m glad you like it!
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Excellent Meg. It’s amazing what having to put your feet up can do!
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Thanks, Peter! Yes, I need to make good use of this time!
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Great work! 👏
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Thanks, Alex!
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Hahaha! You’ve given someone a bright idea after they’ve read this, I’m sure of it. I’m NOT letting J read this one. 😃😃
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Yes, that’s what H said. And he’s watching his back! 😂😂
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Probably wise. 😃
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Wow–gruesome and powerful. Well done!
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Thanks, Rebecca!
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Enjoyed your story Meg but I think you would need something more substantial than a sharp knife to cut off limbs and a head…electric saw perhaps! This comes not from experience but from watching a lot of horror films! LOL. 😂
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Ok, phew! I’m glad you don’t know from personal experience! Lol! But yes, that’s a good point. Noted for editing. Thank you! 😃
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Fabulous! I hope H is not too concerned, lol!
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Thanks, Dee! Fortunately, he’s used to my devious mind at this point! Lol!
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Excellent work! Quite gruesome and a great little how-to!😉 Those poor dogs, though…
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Haha! Yes, human stew! Gross. Thanks so much, Eilene!
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What a grisly little story! You really packed a nice piece into a few short paragraphs. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I am not going to lie, that was a little creepy, but it inspired me to write! You managed to pack so much in so few words, I love when authors are able to do that.
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Thank you so much. I’m glad it motivated you to write!
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Oooh I like this. Good premise and scarily enough more than a little true.
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Thanks, Simon! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Intense! Great details and nice counterbalance with how oblivious people can be relating to the suffering she would have endured being abused by a husband she later killed. Well written! 🙂
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Thank you very much! 😃
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When I was reading about the cutting part It brought me back to today’s experience. I had to cut a whole chicken in pieces. It was terrifying! I put both experiences together in my head. I loved the story!
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That’s awesome! 😃 Thanks so much!
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This is a fantastic story Meg! What a woman can do when she realises her worth!
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Thanks so much, Prema! Glad you enjoyed!
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An intense and scary story. This is a good one.
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Thank you so much!
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Oh wow! A stunner of an ending. Marty had it coming. Great short story Meg.
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A little gruesome but fun to write, thank you!
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You’ve an imagination big as all outdoors. I love that!!!
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Haha! Thank you! 💕
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💕
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I absolutely adore this short piece, and I would love to see it being turned into a series or even a longer novella. I get a vibe of “Gone Girl” from your piece, but it’s a very good vibe. I appreciate how you gradually slither the idea of domestic abuse and society’s ignorance into the story’s plot. All in all, great work!
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Thank you so much! I might consider expanding this story at some point. Have to think what happens next!
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Very well written!
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Thank you!
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i enjoy creepy / weird stories that make people uncomfortable. Super interesting to read!
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Haha! That is some sweet revenge right there. I like how they took the obliviousness of people and used it to their advantage. That’s how you survive! Great read!
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Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it!
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Fantastic job
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Thank you!
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From the beginning you had me! Wow
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Thank you! So glad you liked it!
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The beauty is in the detail. Well written
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Thank you very much!
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Wow you got me thinking you might be a serial killer until that ending. Brilliant work!
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Thank you so much!
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i love it!
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Thank you!
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Wow, that was a heavy read in a short package. I like the punch at the end. Thank you for sharing your work!
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Thank you. I’m happy you liked it!
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Interesting read…
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Thank you!
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That was dark. Even darker knowing that it’s not as impossible as people might think seeing that a lot of us don’t even know our neighbours!
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Isn’t that the truth? I was thinking that when I recently moved. If I hadn’t gotten their mail by accident once in a while, I’d have never met any of them!
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A very captivating story. I really enjoyed it!
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Thank you very much!
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Great read. Loved the ending!
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Thank you!
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Great story
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Thank you!
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Awesome work! I also write short horror stories !
Be sure to check them out 🙂
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Thank you!
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Excellent work, the more I read, the more I felt interested.
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Thank you so much!
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