The Woman He Knew A Dark Psychological Short

This story contains themes suitable for adults. Please proceed only if you are 18+

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Previous 10 What She Saw

J.E. Nickerson

“We think we know what someone will do, then they show us what they’re truly capable of.”

The door creaked inward, a dry, protesting sound that seemed too loud for the stillness of the room. Kevin paused on the threshold, his hand still gripping the edge of the frame. He could hear the sound of laughter and moaning further down the hallway.

The space around him was small, dimly lit by a single lamp that cast long, distorted shadows across the peeling wallpaper. He moved further down the hallway until he came to an open room. In the center, near the narrow couch, were two figures. The first person he recognized was Lianne. Her hair was disheveled, falling across her face as she leaned into the embrace, her hips moving rhythmically as the man ran his hands over her ribs, then cupped her breasts.

The man holding her—someone Kevin didn’t recognize—had his back turned, his shoulders broad and tense, his mouth sliding over Lianne’s neck. Lianne’s hands were pressed flat against the man’s chest, her fingers clutching at his shirt, while his arms were wrapped tightly around her waist. As Kevin watched them, the air in the room felt suffocatingly heavy.

Kevin started to say something, but he knew it wouldn’t change anything. He watched from behind the doorframe, half hidden in shadow. He watched the way Lianne’s head tilted back, her eyes closed, as a faint, gasping sound escaped her lips. It wasn’t a cry, and it wasn’t a laugh; it was something else, something that made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. He hadn’t seen her in seven years. That was enough time for him to rehearse dozens of lines he had thought of telling her. But none of them mattered anymore.

Lianne’s movements became more intense. Then her eyes lifted from the man’s face and looked toward the doorway. For a moment, Kevin thought of pulling back so she couldn’t see him. But he didn’t. He stood there. Lianne’s gaze locked on his. A thin smile began to spread across Lianne’s face. She reached out and pulled the man’s face against her chest, smothering his face as her movements became more frantic.

Kevin continued to watch her. He knew that she always liked to be seen. To be watched.

Kevin didn’t know the man, yet seeing Lianne with him felt strangely choreographed, a private play unfolding just for him. He blinked, trying to make sense of the reason she was with him. There was always a reason why she chose the men in her life. The man’s hand pressed firmly against the small of Lianne’s back. A low moan escaped his mouth.

As Kevin continued to watch, he saw Lianne’s left hand move behind the cushion, keeping the man’s head between her breasts. With an almost imperceptible slowness, Lianne removed a large carving knife from between the cushions.

Kevin’s stomach tightened. He felt the urge to say something. To warn the man. But he didn’t. Whoever this man was might not deserve whatever Lianne was about to do. Or maybe he did. Kevin decided that choice wasn’t up to him.

Lianne continued her frantic movements until a cry broke from her lips, raw and uncontrolled. Before the man could release his hold on her, she plunged the edge of the knife into the side of the man’s neck. The man’s reaction was immediate, a loud roar that cut through the air. Lianne raised the knife again and plunged it deeper, staining the cushions with red.

When she finished, she stared at the man’s body. Her gaze did not return to Kevin. Her chest heaved as she sat on top of the man for another moment.

Silence filled the room like a blanket.

Then without a sound, Lianne pulled back, stood up, and wiped the knife off on the man’s skin before moving through the room with an unhurried gait.

Kevin continued to watch as her hips swayed. The warmth of the room was still present, but a chill ran down his spine and wrapped itself around him. His breath hitched as he watched Lianne.

After several moments, Lianne walked into the bathroom. The sound of water striking the basin filled the air.

Minutes passed before the water shut off. When she returned to the room, the knife wasn’t in her hand.

“Are you going to keep standing there watching me, or are you going to come in?” Lianne asked. Her voice was steady and calm. It held no hint of remorse for the horror Kevin had just witnessed.

Quiet Pressure Thrillers

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