Temple resolves to exit a toxic relationship. He knows it won’t be easy, but he is unprepared for the reality.

Temple, exhausted, resolved to leave his wife; their atrocious quarrels were killing him; he was still shaken by the furies of this morning’s disagreement when he returned home with bitter reluctance; difficult to get free of Sarah, but it must be done; Temple was resolved.

She met him in the sombre lane that led to their house, and clung to his arm in silence; she was repentant, no doubt, but Temple would not relent; he was mute and tried to shake her off, but she clung with great tenacity.

When they reached their home he found it full of commotion; out of a phantasmagoria someone told him that his wife had been discovered in the pond–“Suicide, poor thing!” and his brother whispered: “You’re free.”

But Temple grinned at the spiteful shape hugging his arm and knew he never could be free from Sarah.


Marjorie Bowen - 1927

I encountered this utterly GORGEOUS piece of flash fiction while catching up on old episodes of my favourite short-horror-fiction podcast: Pseudopod. It is episode 916, which also includes the equally GORGEOUS "Three Awakenings: Hello, World" by Kat Day. Go listen! You won't be disappointed! This story has been in the public domain since 2023, so unlike my other content, this isn't covered by any license, you're free to do with it what you like. I only hope you enjoy it and that maybe you look into other stories by Marjorie Bowen as a result.

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