The Stench

Macabre Monday Entry

Veronica pulled her shirt over her nose, retching into the fabric.

“What is that?”

Patrick’s face pinched into an expression of confusion as his nostrils flared, taking in the air.

“I don’t smell anything.”

“Are you serious? It smells like rotten meat.”

Patrick stared at her for a while before shaking his head.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about, but it looks like the truck is empty. I have to get going. James is already pissed that I helped you move on our anniversary, so you better buy me something nice, bitch.”

Veronica rolled her eyes and gave Patrick a quick hug before heading back into her apartment. After her friend’s departure, the stench worsened. She checked underneath the furniture for any dead rodents that may have stowed away but found nothing.

A half-filled canister of Lysol spray sat in a bucket underneath the sink. Veronica compressed the plunger and moved her arm in wide arcing motions. She sniffed and coughed violently. Even after depleting the cannister the aroma still emanated from every pore of the apartment.

Maybe it’s coming from outside?

Veronica walked out of the front door and inhaled. It was gone. Even when she stood inches outside of the door, there was no trace of the scent. When she stepped back through the threshold, her senses were overwhelmed. How did Patrick not notice?

Weeks went by and Veronica tried every home remedy she could find online, but nothing worked. After fumigating the apartment with a mixture of chemicals, she became physically ill. Patrick offered to let her stay with him and James, but ridding the dwelling of the vaporous intruder became an obsession. She even called a professional cleaning company, hoping the experts might have an answer. The cleaner said she didn’t notice an odor but still did a thorough job. Unfortunately, her efforts were fruitless.

When the smell still lingered, she requested to switch units. The apartment manager asked no questions and gave her a room in a different building on the other side of the property. Veronica was relieved, but after moving she was horrified to find the pungent aroma followed her. The sulfuric scent burned her eyes, and she noticed in the early hours of the morning the temperature inside the room reached infernal heights. It was like being boiled alive.

The next day Veronica dialed Patrick and asked if she could stay with him and James for a few nights. Patrick agreed and for the first time in months, Veronica felt relieved.

“I set some pillows and a blanket on the couch. Wake us up if you need anything.”

“Thank you, I’m sorry about this.”

“What are friends for? Get some sleep.”

Veronica pulled the cover over her shoulders as she laid back on the mattress. She sighed and took a deep breath. The smell of death swirled in her nostrils and something whispered her name. Its breath burned the nape of her neck, and an intense feeling of dread filled her chest.

Promp: Negative Spaces. A horror story revolving around what is not seen.