The markings were crude at best. Pagan symbols written in blood on the wall were meant to portray a cult following but their vulgar simplicity meant only one thing, Victor was not taking his medication again. She knew he had been acting strangely but she dismissed the possibility that his anger had escalated. He was her only child and she would not see him incarcerated. He would never survive containment.
She tugged at the rubber gloves until they snapped just above her wrists and her hand plunged into the tepid water to reach for the scrub brush. She had lost count when it came to the number of times she had scoured these cellar walls. The stench of decay was overwhelming and it permeated her nostrils. Her senses adjusted once again and her muscles ached and objected to the physical labor. The vast field beyond their home was filled with too many unmarked graves but she would never see Victor left as a mere number in a row of inmates.
Victor’s father had left only minutes ago with shovel in hand to turn over the newest patch of earth. She could hear Victor’s sobbing in the distance. She was sure the tears were a sign of remorse and that is the belief she would take to her grave. If only she could see that her husband was not just digging a single grave.
~
Written for the Trifectra Challenge – (perhaps I should have written this when I wasn’t thinking about the dark character in my book)
CRUDE
1: existing in a natural state and unaltered by cooking or processing <crude oil>
2 archaic : unripe, immature
3: marked by the primitive, gross, or elemental or by uncultivated simplicity or vulgarity <a crude stereotype>
4: rough or inexpert in plan or execution <a crude shelter>
5: lacking a covering, glossing, or concealing element :obvious <crude facts>
6: tabulated without being broken down into classes <thecrude death rate>
- Your response must be between 33 and 333 words.
- You must use the 3rd definition of the given word in your post.
- The word itself needs to be included in your response.
- You may not use a variation of the word; it needs to be exactly as stated above.
- Only one entry per writer.
- If your post doesn’t meet our requirements, please leave your link in the comments section, not in the linkz.
- Trifecta is open to everyone. Please join us.
– See more at: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/#sthash.PNRbwkef.dpuf
polysyllabic profundities 
Wow. This is powerful stuff. An incredible piece that illustrates the lengths to which will go to protect the ones we love.
I have a slightly warped brain when it comes to fiction.
A mother’s love is a powerful thing but, in this case, it has blinded her to her own danger. Deliciously dark and sick and twisted. Well done! 🙂
Thank you! My brain works in mysterious ways.
Oof, creeptastic, seriously. There have been a different occasions that have warranted discussions about what you would do if your child did something awful (like the South Park Pet Semetary episode) but it was always a hypothetical one off or accidental situation. This, ha well, this just creeps me out and takes that concept to the nth degree, really well done.
Thank you very much!
some parents will do anything for their kids. she can’t see her ‘protection’ of her son only bringing ruin to other families. lovely write.
I appreciate that….thank you.
Oh, wow! Nicely done! In particular, the pace of the reveal was absolutely pitch perfect.:))
Thanks so much!! 🙂
Yikes, this was creepy. As a parent, I get the desire to want to protect our children. However, ” The vast field beyond their home was filled with too many unmarked graves” would be a sign that something had to be done besides more scrubbing and digging!
My brain works in strange ways!!
Wow…and her grave awaits, apparently. She ignored her chances to save lives more innocent than her own. Tragic and eerie.
Not quite sure why I went that way, but I go where the words take me.
This is most creepy. The mother’s devotion is both creepy and inspiring.
I blame Dean Koontz for the way my mind works!! 🙂
The lengths a mother will go to protect her child can be terrifying. A spooky, creative piece. Thank you for linking up. Please don’t forget to return for the voting!
Reading through right now!
Fantastic Post! I know this reply comes belated as I was out of town. I don’t want to sound repetitious as per the previous replies. Indeed a Mother Will Do Whatever She Can To Protect Her Children. I know I Certainly Feel That Way About My Kids. I know this was a writing challenge, however I Would Love to see where this particular story goes….
Anastasia