This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Just a Few Butterflies” Down in the Dirt, v193 (the 3/22 Issue) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Ice that Was the Down in the Dirt Jan.-April 2022 issues collection book		get the 420 page Jan.-April 2022 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Order this writing in the book the 2023 flash fiction date book (the 2023 flash fiction and art weekly paperback book)		get the 146-page prose & art weekly planner as a 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

Rest in Peace

Andrea Smith

    Brandon thought it was the safest place to be. The graveyard. The final resting place. The deceased don’t tell lies. He was a lonely man now because of spending time with the wrong woman. Brandon wasn’t a heartthrob but he knew how to talk to women. He met the beautiful, hot Toni at a party. She was the perfect heady combination of brains and beauty. She knew the difference between affect and effect. The lady knew where Sarajevo was. Her school system did not fail her. She played the part until she became clingy. She would hit a hit when he didn’t answer the phone immediately. Like that time he caught the stomach flu from someone at work. Talking about puking his guts out, He was vomiting all the contents of his stomach while she incessantly called three times. When he finally recovered and called Toni back she screamed and accused him of cheating on her. As if he could deal with another high maintenance woman. He found a way to end it by saying he wants to date other people. Now she is truly stuck on the notion he was cheating. She played it cool until she went to the police about an outlandish rape story. She had the bruises and tearing to show for it. He was branded as an offender and forced to leave town.
    Brandon wants the no strings attached approach. He tries Tinder for a week before being freaked out. These women treat men like sex objects. No foreplay just fast forward to the exchange of the “naughty nakeds.” Brandon didn’t have the patience for the conversation. He attracted the blabbermouths.

    Presently his curiosity or perhaps boredom leads him to this dark domain. He knew zombies roamed here but he had a way to infiltrate. He follows Jack’s lead. He rubs dirt on his face and blood with entrails on his torso. Jack visits once a week. Cynthia was ready to settle down when she was alive. Until the night fate snatched her from her beloved, Jack. She had plenty of charisma based on the stories Brandon eavesdropped on at the graveside. He told her he found a nice lady who made him happy. The man was stifled and angry over the loss of Cynthia but he said he has grieved too long. Brandon thinks a zombie slave could be molded to his liking.
    A freshly dug grave. An injection of serum and then Cynthia emerges. It was not a problem catching her. He slowly leads her away to his home. Now what to do? He tries to make her a housewife. He attempts to teach her how to cook. Epic fail when the smoke alarm rings alerting Brandon to the pot on fire. He extinguishes it and makes a restraint for his guest until he formulates a plan.
    He goes to bed with the intention of getting up early to retrieve her and the simple pleasure of watching a movie. His slumber is peaceful. He rises to go to the bathroom. To his fright Cynthia is perched at the end of his bed. That eerie moan seems shockingly loud in the still of the night. As her head slowly lolls toward him he is frozen in fear.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...