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*Murder most foul. Rod Serling, Stephen King or Ellery Queen? Picturesque place on the edge of nowhere, small town American life. Suddenly subject to media glare, reports of the mayor's missing wife! Search parties, rescuers, all on the scene with rumors of mischief afoot. People keep asking, "What does it all mean?" Some lock their doors and stay put. “Over here,” someone yells, as a spotted owl hoots, “There’s something here under the brush." The ground shakes and rumbles heavy with boots, the now gathered crowd in a hush. As I cower in fear and stare at the scene, the victim's head's there on the ground. The body is searched for until it is clear, they'd covered the whole flippin' town. The mayor of the burg remarries so soon, suspicion’s on everyone's mind. But with nary a witness except for the moon, the law stops pursuing in time. Ten years have passed and the story's still told, the horror of what we had seen. I was a kid just eleven years old, yet the images still haunt my dreams. To this very day I've never gone back, avoiding those woods at all cost. Something transpired unholy and black, our innocence on that day was lost. But what they don't know and perhaps never will, is the way that my stepmother died. With hatchet in hand and a thrill for the kill I swung true, and never once cried. Eleven I was and a daddy's girl too, together we made such a team. And I'm happy to say, no one has a clue- as for me, I'm livin' the dream. And if you should ask where the body's been hid, I'll tell you, but don't tell a soul...

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 4/9/2024 1:02:00 PM
Aha, whispers of "That's the Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" except not even the suspected one got executed!!
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/9/2024 1:11:00 PM
Yeah she's sipping tutti frutti's in Oahu last I heard
Date: 4/9/2024 9:59:00 AM
Wow! I read that like I could hear it and it flooowed! The story is so cool and I love the ending. Reminds me of the song Lights went out in Georgia by Reba. Great story!
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/9/2024 12:39:00 PM
Ahh but do you remember the original by Vicki Lawrence? Thx much Crystol
Date: 4/8/2024 3:04:00 PM
chilling tale, well written, thanks poet
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/8/2024 3:16:00 PM
Much thx yann
Date: 4/8/2024 1:39:00 AM
A well-constructed story. People on the soup rarely recognise when it is fiction. You did very well.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/8/2024 5:08:00 AM
Thx Vic
Date: 4/7/2024 9:24:00 AM
Horrifying ending, Tom... Child murderers leave me feeling chilled to the core. That there are children who murder ",with a thrill for the kill" "and" never once cried" is a fact of life. How many little psychopaths are out there, who have never been caught, because no one would suspect that from a child? This is fiction with a factual twist in the tale. Well written! (Hugs) Aqua M
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/7/2024 2:04:00 PM
Sadly true. Thx AM
Date: 4/7/2024 3:50:00 AM
I sometimes watch murder mysteries and documentaries on YT. This has the makings of a great story. Will it continue?
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Marugu Mo
Date: 4/7/2024 6:05:00 AM
Lol. Already am pointing fingers...but anyhow great story
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/7/2024 4:48:00 AM
Unlikely, unless one of them grows a guilty conscience or someone finds the axe buried with the body. Thx Mo
Date: 4/6/2024 4:14:00 AM
ooh i like that twist at the end! stephen king had better watch his back, in more ways than one lol i used to read a lot of his though not keen on his later stuff, but i'm supposed to be commenting on you, not him lol
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/6/2024 5:36:00 AM
I've never read his books. But am aware of some of his stories. Thx for peeping in
Date: 4/5/2024 9:09:00 PM
..written right.....'yer-banned leg-end' says nobody gets a foot too close....... your store-ease packs lots in a few words ....stan
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/6/2024 5:35:00 AM
That's the goal. Thx much
Date: 4/5/2024 3:35:00 PM
Well dear Tommy, I was scared before even reading after taking a look at that sinister picture. I’m going with classic King. This is wonderful storytelling as always from you and very gripping. You set up scenes so well and the reader is transported there. Decapitated head - yuck! I’d say his new wife of ten years ought to be careful - she might fancy some more axe swinging now as a young adult. I love the formatting of the ending which is very effective. I’m also thinking:
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/5/2024 4:14:00 PM
ST TOS. All the original characters. It's a fun, humorous script with exaggerated characterizations. I can send email to anyone interested. Just soupmail me. Thx for asking
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Christina Bowring
Date: 4/5/2024 3:37:00 PM
‘ I’ll tell you but I’ll have to kill you!”. Really enjoyed it my friend. Now, one question - mini Star Trek script- what series/ characters? :):)
Date: 4/5/2024 8:03:00 AM
Chilling and thrilling tale well told. I'd say not T.Z. not Steven King, must be the other one although Dean Koontz or James Patterson's not too far off! lol. Enjoyed your discussion on who.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/5/2024 8:18:00 AM
Thx so much for read and comment
Date: 4/5/2024 7:46:00 AM
I never expected that ending. That's what scares me about thrillers! It's always the least suspected one. You really wrote this well! So talented.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/5/2024 8:17:00 AM
I'm sure the evil dad had that in mind when he enlisted his eleven year old. Who would ever suspect her? Thx for visit
Date: 4/4/2024 11:43:00 PM
Rod Serling, Stephen King or Ellery Queen? Lol, I would say all 3. I have read this before, i think. Was it on Insta Tom? It was worth the second read, every bit of it pulled me in second time around. Such a great storyteller you are ...Hugs
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/5/2024 5:46:00 AM
Hello Maria. Hoping to see you Dino story soon :)
Date: 4/4/2024 11:35:00 AM
This was so emotional … I like how you have expressed
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/4/2024 1:32:00 PM
A true love story for the ages. Thx Aura
Date: 4/4/2024 7:33:00 AM
This made for a riveting read, Tommy, and you managed to keep your trump card hidden right to the very end! ~ Enjoyed the post below by DHR Regards // paul
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/4/2024 7:42:00 AM
Good to see you're still at it Paul. Thx much
Date: 4/4/2024 4:47:00 AM
A story well told, Tom. You had me glued to your page from start to finish. The turn in the ending was a big surprise, but sadly true to life. This could be the basis for a novel.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/4/2024 6:02:00 AM
Mr. Mayor is the devil himself, using his daughter that way. Thx Veej
Date: 4/3/2024 7:20:00 PM
Dear Tom, I loved how you captured the essence of classic mystery and suspense, reminiscent of the works of Serling, King, and Queen. The suspenseful narrative kept me engaged until the shocking twist at the end. Your ability to create a tale of intrigue and darkness is truly captivating. It prompts reflection on the complexity of human nature and the secrets that lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. Your poem lingers in my mind, leaving me pondering the blurred lines between innocence and darkness. Brilliantly done. - Blessings, Daniel
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/4/2024 6:02:00 AM
Thx for awesome review Daniel.
Date: 4/3/2024 3:31:00 PM
Wow , Tom, I enjoyed to reas this poem.KIt5 held me to the very end. This is my fav. Enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene/
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Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 4/5/2024 11:20:00 AM
Hello tom Woody, Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2024 4:58:00 PM
Much thx for generous visit Darlene
Date: 4/3/2024 8:46:00 AM
Innocent until proven guilty, right ? The ending sounds like a confession to me. She's sneaky and dangerous. Not a good combination.
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Brandy Nicole
Date: 4/3/2024 2:41:00 PM
' Rainbows on the Moon. ' I like it already. :)
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2024 1:30:00 PM
PS. I have one I'm working on titled Rainbows on the Moon. Should be right up your alley
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2024 12:30:00 PM
She's a killa! Thx for stopping by
Date: 4/3/2024 7:43:00 AM
Hello, you are an awesome poet. Intriguing till the end. Thanks for stopping by
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/3/2024 12:30:00 PM
That's very kind thx
Date: 4/2/2024 5:17:00 PM
Fabulous storytelling, Tom. Such an intriguing and mysterious tale with descriptive and detailed imagery. I'm impressed. Enjoy your evening, Sara
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/2/2024 6:05:00 PM
Thanks for your loyal visits and commentary. I'm not as active as I'd like
Date: 4/2/2024 4:46:00 PM
How does she know all the details, I'm beginning to think she knows something about the death. Maybe something really personal. I always love your storytelling Tommy and I sometimes wonder how good you would write a script. To think of how the step mother died, arrgh! So sad.
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Tonye George
Date: 4/2/2024 6:21:00 PM
I'd love to read it, Tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/2/2024 4:49:00 PM
PS. I actually wrote a Star Trek mini- script a while back. I have it still, though not on here bc too long. If you ever want to see it I can email
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/2/2024 4:47:00 PM
The last lines are hers. Oh, she knows about it all right. Thx
Date: 4/2/2024 3:48:00 PM
How intriguing and haunting is this write dear tomsz, the ending is so sad, and also made me curious, and i love the way your story flows. I used to be a crazy stephen king fan, i think theres almost none that i havent read and enjoyed: i loved reading horror growing up, and i still do love reading some. Your story here is so good! With such detailed imagery, that gives goosebumps! The poor girl line was so vivid and soul hitting! Brilliant as always! Pleasure reading your work
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/2/2024 3:55:00 PM
It's an oldie but I thought it was time to bring it back with a few edits. Thx inky
Date: 4/2/2024 3:47:00 PM
Is this a true story Tom? No, right? If it is, it would have to (and obviously did) haunt you. Either way, the way you describe the events really pulled me in. I like how you mix in what the owl says in an otherwise plausible account. You da bomb Tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 4/2/2024 3:54:00 PM
Fictional story and the owl just hoots, adding to the eeriness. Thx much Robert

Book: Shattered Sighs