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Denouement

September 6, 2022 23 Comments

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The man in handcuffs watched intently as the forensics team dug up the area he had led them to in exchange for a life sentence rather than the death penalty.

“We found something!” an investigator called out. She held up a dirty, rotting ballerina slipper from the little girl’s Halloween costume. Five years had passed since she disappeared from the neighborhood party at the rec center.

“We got her,” said Detective Castillo. “At least the family will have closure.”

Detective Harrison yanked the prisoner’s arm. “Come on, asshole.”

The suspect pulled away. “Wait!”

“What?”

“I want to touch it,” he whispered.

By Sheri White

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Derek says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:13 am

    I have not come across the word “Denouement” recently. This is a frightening tale with a very creepy ending. Well done.

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 6, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Trevor Berndt says

    September 6, 2022 at 7:24 pm

    ooh, this is creepy, well done!

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 6, 2022 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
    • Wendy says

      September 7, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      Ooh, that sent a shiver through me, well done.

      Reply
      • Sheri says

        September 7, 2022 at 11:28 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
  3. Scott Brian Blanke says

    September 6, 2022 at 9:46 pm

    Super story, my only complaint is the scuzball does not deserve to be only called a ‘suspect’. But legally I do understand.

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 7, 2022 at 11:28 pm

      Thanks! Maybe he’ll get the death penalty. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Joanie says

    September 7, 2022 at 7:53 am

    Great! The last sentence packing the punch!

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 7, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      Thank you! It was fun to write.

      Reply
  5. Gary Earl Ross says

    September 7, 2022 at 11:15 am

    Chilling. Bravo!

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 7, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Joyce Jacobo says

    September 7, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Oooh, this sent chills down my spine. Nice job.

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 7, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      Thank you! I was hoping for that result. 🙂

      Reply
      • Joyce Jacobo says

        September 10, 2022 at 4:27 pm

        Awesome. You definitely achieved it.

        Reply
  7. S. Webb says

    September 7, 2022 at 10:06 pm

    Great write.

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 7, 2022 at 11:30 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Justin Nagundi says

    September 8, 2022 at 5:43 am

    When will he get enough?

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 14, 2022 at 9:48 pm

      Someone like this? Never.

      Reply
  9. Melissa says

    September 8, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    Yooo I hate this story because it gave me such a squicky feeling. (But I love this story because it’s extremely well done and… believable. Which leads me back to my first sentence!) So creepy, so unsettling. That last line especially.

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 14, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      Thank you! That is quite a review. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Corey says

    September 10, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    Very twisted read. A little dip into madness

    Reply
    • Sheri says

      September 14, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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