#BlogBattles, My Writing Journey, short stories

Secrets Eat Away Like Worms

Rachael Ritchey

#BlogBattle 44: Worm

genre: drama

The beast within growled and clawed, leaving marks on the walls of Sam’s heart that would fester if left untended. But she didn’t care. She was tired of being taken advantage of by swine who called themselves men.

Where had all the good men gone anyway?

“What? You think you can just worm your way into my good graces by spouting off some lame story about an accident?” she asked, her arms linked tight across her chest.

His gaping mouth and over-exaggerated stance of incredulity made Sam sure he was lying through his perfect teeth. His Armani suit was rumpled and looked to have been thrown on in haste.

“Babe, please. I’m sorry I’m late–“

“Don’t even bother with excuses. I can’t believe a word you say. I know you’re lying to me.”

He took a step toward her, a placating expression overtaking his face, but Sam stepped back to keep the short distance between them.

“Sam, I’m really sorry. I want to explain more, but I can’t. I . . . it’s not what you think.”

“What I think is you’re lower than a worm. We’ve been together for a year, and if you’re not late, you leave suddenly. Or you just never show. Then you give me excuse after excuse.”

Nothing. The apologetic look in his eye almost tamed the rage she harbored, but Sam shook her head, unwilling to be taken in by yet another false show of regret.

“You know, I’m done. If you can’t tell me the truth then we can’t do this anymore.”

She wanted to believe it was panic, terrible regret, sorrow, something degrading that she saw flash across his face. The stiffening of his body upon her pronouncement seemed to indicate it, but it was too much to hope he’d actually feel something so unpleasant.

Sam let go of the breath she held and made for the door, unsure if she’d be able to stem the tide of tears pressing at the corners of her eyes. In the times they were together, when he didn’t suddenly leave, he was hers completely. All his attention had been focused, as though he truly cared. She wanted to believe it wasn’t all an act, but his continual denials and lies followed up by that horrible silence upon her pronouncement of breaking off their relationship dashed all hope.

She let the tears flow as she stumbled down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.

 * * *

He watched Sam go, but his heart broke as he held himself in check. He couldn’t tell her his secret. She’d be in too much danger if she knew. It was better this way. She would find someone else to love. He, on the other hand, would only ever want her. If he could just tell her so . . . tell her everything.

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Published by Rachael Ritchey

Rachael Ritchey is a dreamer who believes in the resilience of the human spirit. She never wants to forget we are not what has happened to us or what we've done. She believes we are deep wells of compassion and strength, and when unleashed, these subtle super powers can change the world, even if only just one person at a time. Rachael writes with an eye toward exemplifying these attributes. Her clean but real and true-to-self YA fiction reflects these qualities with daring adventure and sweet romance that almost anyone can enjoy. Rachael lives in Spokane, WA with her husband, kids, and their dog named Hashtag.

37 thoughts on “Secrets Eat Away Like Worms”

  3. Pingback: Tie-Breaker Needed for #BlogBattle “Worm” – Chronicles of the Twelve Realms

    1. Thanks! I hope I am improving. I tend to get a little too cheesy when it comes to romantic stuff. haha Hey! While I’m thinking about it, what’s the easiest way to start reading Roxie’s story? I would need to start at the beginning, of course. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Pingback: #BlogBattle 44 “Worm” Entries & Voting – Rachael Ritchey

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