I didn’t want this.
“You’re pathetic,” Satine snarls while Joe pushes her down into the nutrient bath as if he could drown her. “You should kill yourself.”
In a way he can. The heads are not waterproof.
To: YTNite777
From: Natalie Abrams
Subject: RE: Stop please stop.
The police want to talk to me. They think I’m part of this. You made me complicit. I didn’t consent.
Please stop it. You’re hurting people.
“You stupid little boy. You lonely, pathetic little man.”
The bloody parts in a dumpster. Stab wounds to the torso. Forty-seven. The limbs dismembered. They find only one arm. The hand has a French manicure.
To: Natalie Abrams
From: YTNite777
Subject: Genie out the botle
Your voice didn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know.
The police can’t tie you to this. Audio manipulation is a thing. Aren’t you grateful, Natalie?
I did this for you. I did this to help you. To avenge you for what they did. You’re worth more than this. Never settle, Natalie.
“You should kill yourself. Do us all a favor.”
A man hanging by his belt from a doorknob. His face is purple, eyes bulging, shit trickling down his legs. The neighbors were alerted by the smell.
To: YTNite777
From: Natalie Abrams
Subject: RE: Genie out the botle
Please don’t contact me again. I’m blocking you. I’m cooperating with the investigation.
“You disgusting, worthless piece of crap. You’re nothing. You’re less than nothing.”
The body hacked open with an ax. The rib cage splintered and pried apart. The heart is missing. It takes the police valuable days to determine it wasn’t human. Technically human.
To: Natalie Abrams
From: YTNite777
Subject: Awww
Don’t you like me anymore? ☹
Hey. Listen. I’ve got a surprise for you!
I’m coming to visit.
You don’t need to do this anymore.
I’ve got enough money to look after you, both of us, sweetheart, for the rest of your life.
“You call this a life.”
Brain splatter on the wall. His and hers. Bits of electronics among the tissue. They’re still holding hands, their fingers intertwined.
To: YTNite777
From: Natalie Abrams
Subject: RE: Awww
This is Natalie’s mother. Your emails have been forwarded to the police. She’s cooperating with them. If you come to Cape Town, you will be arrested and handed over to Interpol. I’m very serious. Do not attempt to contact my daughter again.
Real girls, and women, and male bystanders in the parking lot of Walmart. An AR15 makes a hell of a mess. Witnesses report that the young, white, male shooter screamed, “You made me do this, Peggy! You made me.”
“No one will ever want you.”
“No one. No one ever has.”
“No one.”
“Look at you.”
“Just look.”
“You’re barely human.”
“You.”
“You’re nothing. You’re less than nothing.”
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