Spousal Support

Emily frantically made her way through town running two red lights and nearly hitting the neighbor’s dog as she screeched into the driveway. She only had time to grab her purse as she sprinted for the front door.

“You're late.”

“I'm sorry Mark. I had to stop by the grocery store on the way home.”

“Did I ask you for an excuse?”

“No, I just…”

“You know what? Yes. Yes, I do recall telling you to be home by 6:30. Do you happen to remember that by any chance?”

“Yes, I remember. It was a mistake. It won't happen again.”

“I know it won't honey,” he said and slapped her violently to the ground.

“Now look what you did. You've gone and made me hurt you. Why would you do such a terrible thing to me? You know what? I think you owe me an apology.”

“I'm sorry. I was wrong. I’ll listen better next time. I promise.”

“Good. Now go start dinner. All this stress you’ve caused me has worked up an appetite.”

Emily pulled the meatloaf from the oven and began to set the table. The kids were visiting her parents for the week, so it was just dinner for two tonight. She poured two glasses of wine and set them next to the silverware. She inspected each dish thoroughly. Mark demanded that the table be set like a king’s. Anything else would be met with his wrath. She gave the table one final glance, straightened her apron, and called out to Mark.

“Dinners ready!”

“About time. I was beginning to think you didn’t understand our discussion. I’m glad to see you showing some effort.” he said grinning.

Emily said nothing and sat down at the table. She had been married to Mark for eight years. For almost as long he had beaten her on a regular basis. She grew used to the bruises and after a while, she numbed herself to the pain. She had never called the police. She never spoke of it with her family. She wouldn't even seek medical treatment for fear of retaliation by the monster living with her. Mark ensured her silence by explaining to her the grim consequences of disobeying him. She was simply a prisoner and he was the warden. Her only hope was an escape.

The back door flew open nearly ripping itself off its hinges. Three armed men rushed in screaming at the couple.

“Get on the floor! On the floor! Both of you!” they shouted.

Terrified they dropped to the floor. The house went momentarily silent. The couple on all fours by the dinner table. The men holding them both at gunpoint.

“Look, we don’t want any trouble.” Mark pleaded.

“There won’t be any trouble if you give up the goods and keep your mouths shut!”

“I have a safe in the bedroom,” Mark said, trembling. “It has everything we have in it. Just take the money and leave.”

The men drug Mark to the bedroom and forced him to open the safe. Moments after, one of the men slammed the butt of his gun against the back of Mark's head. He fell to the ground unconscious. The men loaded a pillowcase with the contents of the safe and ran from the house leaving Emily in shock, shaking on the floor. She lied there sobbing for what seemed like hours then slowly rose to her feet. There was a lot to do and she had little time.

Mark began to come to. He couldn’t move but didn’t feel restrained. He felt the cold concrete floor of the basement under him. His clothes were wet against his skin. As if he were laying in a puddle of some sort. He shook his head trying to regain his consciousness. Slowly, his focus came back. Followed very shortly after by the worst pain he had ever felt in his life. He reached towards his chest to find it splayed open. In agony, he screamed out to Emily for help. Then suddenly he heard her voice.

“Oh, quit whining Mark!” she said walking into the basement in a blood-covered apron.

“What's going on Emily? What is this?” he screamed.

“This, honey, is me leaving you. Hurts a bit doesn't it!” she said smiling.

“What are you talking about? Call an ambulance now!”

“I realize this is sudden sweetie. It’s not exactly what I had planned. But when those men stole all that money from the safe, the money that I had planned on using myself when I left you tonight, well… I had to improvise.”

“I'm going to kill you!” Mark screamed in pain.

“Really Mark, you're starting to sound like a baby! You’re not going to kill anyone honey.”

“I’ll find you. You know I’ll find you. And when I do…” he raged.

“Look at you all feisty!” Emily snapped with a laugh. “Yes Mark! I know you would have found me. So, I made sure you’d stay here for good.” Emily said as she placed several red plastic coolers in front of Mark.

“Emily… call for help…” Mark mumbled his eyes rolling back.

“Why sweetie? Oh! Don’t you worry about me. I don’t need any help. See these coolers I picked up at the grocery store on the way home? I thought I’d need them for the drive to anywhere but here. But now… I think I have a much better use for them.”

Emily giggled opening one of the coolers so Mark could see the contents. She continued as he stared inside his face turned white.

“After all, the kids and I still need money to start our new life without you. And you'd be surprised what a kidney or liver is worth on the black market these days. It's just a shame you can't survive without yours.”

🛈 - Posted on r/shortscarystories cut to 500 words under the title Alimony. Thx for reading!

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