Hugh Albertson nurses a deep and unsettling fixation. As he grows from a little boy into a young man, that singular desire can only be filled through increasingly morbid acts. Author Robert Creekmore weaves a tale of obsession and a foot fetish into a nightmare scenario in his short story, “Sole Survivor” featured in the ezine, Cinnabar Moth Literary Collection Issue 4, Volume 3.
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The Plot
Five-year-old Hugh witnesses the lustful encounter of his teenage cousins Amelia and Kelvin from a hidden space beneath a bed in his great aunt Bonnie’s home. From his vantage point, the feet of each lover are front and center, especially Amelia’s Pepto-Bismal painted toenails. The experience leaves an indelible latent impression on Hugh’s sexuality. His specific appetites become very clear to him in his last years of high school setting him on the path to becoming a podiatrist.
Although he satisfies his desires with women’s shoe catalogs, the need for real women’s feet can’t be ignored for long. The death of his cousin Amelia is the catalyst that sets the thirst to pursue his predilection into motion. Hugh starts with coaxing a willing girlfriend to allow him to nibble on her soft arches but one night takes the role play too far. He realizes what he really wants won’t come from a living partner.
Hugh begins a cycle of digging up fresh graves of young women and securing their feet for his sexual pleasure. When the flesh is no longer fresh, he cleans and bleaches the bones to create an articulated foot. As Hugh’s collection of bone feet grows, he discovers that young already dead female bodies are getting harder to come by, so he must take his fetish a step further.
Hugh creates the pipeline he needs to fulfill his fantasy.
He tracks a drunk pretty young woman at the local bar one Saturday night. Hugh’s so anxious to get his inebriated and drugged victim out the door that he doesn’t realize the tables have turned. On him. Hugh discovers this mysterious woman is more than he bargained for.
She has a secret.
Turns out, the feet Hugh has procured in the past belonged to this mystery woman’s victims and she’s not too pleased that Hugh has had his way with HER trophies. And she wants satisfaction of her own.
What Lies Underneath
Hugh’s first impressions of sexual contact imprints upon his young mind in unimaginable ways. Hugh embraces the darkness in his pleasure. He spirals into unapologetic deviant behavior that the reader is shocked by but also relates to in his singular determination to find a way to do as he pleases.
What Makes It Killer
The journey from Hugh’s childhood perspective to self-destruction is a dangerous road filled with impulsive and risky maneuvers. “Sole Survivor” is a twisted tale that ramps up the wickedness, ending in a pure “what comes around goes around” moment. It is a rollercoaster ride into Hugh’s deplorable and unbridled acts that the reader won’t soon forget.
Short Story Title: “Sole Survivor”
Publisher: Cinnabar Moth Literary Collection
Robert’s other books are available wherever books are sold:
Book #1: Prophet’s Debt
Book #2: Prophet’s Lamentation
Book #3: Prophet’s Death
Robert’s Socials:
