Viscious

          I never said a word, not one thing when I noticed him repeatedly coming home late from work. I kept my suspicions to myself, as I gathered evidence. I had even decided to start having my own bank account, protecting my own finances from him. I have no doubt when I try to leave that he will siphon every last cent from our joint account. He is known to be cruel when even mildly inconvenienced.          It's tough, you know? Giving your all to someone and then it isn't enough. I was a fool for him since day one. A shy, nerdy girl like me could only have dreamed to catch the eye of a man his caliber. Chiseled jaw, flawless skin, perfect hair, great sense of style, athletic, a few years older and already working a nice job. I hate myself for how easily I relented to him. Looking back all the signs were there, but apparently I couldn't read them.          I to

After what felt like a century of waiting, I am now in my Corolla on my way to my little house. I have everything crammed to the roof in the back and I silently pray that no cops are out until I can make it home. I would surely catch a ticket. There are even bags in the front floorboard below Creature. I side eye him to be sure he's not into the groceries.I might as well have skipped to the door after we pull in and step out. I do not dare take Creature off his leash until he's familiar with the place and will not run off. I tie him to the porch railing as I begin to pack in all of our bags and set them in the living room floor for now. We need seating, badly. There's no living room furniture. They left a washer and dryer, a refrigerator, and the oven. The dishwasher is a built in so it remains as well a nice little nook style table. I'm glad at least to not have to shell out on the major appliances, that hit would have broken me up.

   I wake about eight in the morning. I hurriedly leap from the bed in my underwear and run into the shower. I get to work washing up, I have no idea what time he meant that he'd be by this morning and I do not want him out there waiting. I only want to get the boxsprings and come home. The quicker the trip, and quicker it's over, the better for me.         Fresh from the shower I grab lotion, deodorant, toothpaste and all the things I need from the cabinet as I begin to get ready. I do only light enough makeup not to feel self conscious while out, and I blow dryer my hair just because I have no control over what it does if it dries on it's own. I grab my canvas shoes, a pair of jeggings and an old grey bleach dyed tee. I'm dressing for comfort. I do not want him to think I am in any way trying to impress him. I thought about asking to pick up some privacy fencing to try to start it this week, but I'm not sure how he'd rea

      I barely choke back my own scream to silence the woman. I point to the house and grab Creature as I dash after her. I lock the door and draw all the blinds I motion her to the stairs. She stands there, free of all windows and possibility of being viewed, completely nude and barefoot, arms crossed tightly.  I grab a throw off the futon and cloak her as I lead her up to my room. She sobs and clutches me with one hand as soon as we stop.      "Let me find you some clothes. What happened?" I go to toss her my cell, but it's gone. "Fuck!" I screech. You don't know what you got, till it's gone!       "I'm sorry. I'm sorry! I-"      "You're fine. It's not you. I dropped my damn phone. Shit. I was going to call the police. I didn't mean to frighten you. Tell me what happened? Are you alright?"      

My throat is hoarse and dry from all my screaming and crying. Forvwhst was probably my first hour out here, I went into repetitive panic attacks. The dark and the dead bodies making me even more terrified than I already was. I can hardly see, didn't want to see them, but paranoia convinced me if i looked away they'd move.Sweat trickles all over me, making my skin crawl with the need to wipe it away, but it's hard to maneuver my hands on such short restraints. It's hot. So hot I can hardly breathe, and my dry throat feels like it might close off any seconds. It's hard to make out anything, even though it must still be daylight out, the barn is so dark. I get only a hairline crack of light through the boards.Did I mention that it's the temperature of the sun in here? The heater of whatever sort, and the spring sunshine acts like an incubator inside the barn. I'm sure I'll die before he returns. The heat only amplifies the stench of death,