The Killer Butcher

But slaughtering him like the pig he was, was not justifiable murder and she went to prison.

created by author using NightCafe

Yes, Carina had killed a man.

She admitted it and there was no trial. She went to the police station herself and told them what she did. That it was self-defense was not a question – there were cameras on the premises. Or that her boss had attacked her.

But slaughtering him like the pig he was, was not justifiable murder and she went to prison. It had not hardened Carina anymore than she was already hardened and although she said she was sorry when she was up for parole she was not.

He had hurt her.

But she was released from prison and was given a job again.

As a butcher.

Her boss Roger was nice to her and said he would give her a chance since he knew her story. Carina just wanted a job not sympathy.

Roger was nice to her and it discomforted her. This was how it started before. Every time Roger came over, she saw Roy’s shadow. Carina had been young then and did not know. She could not read the signs that Roy would take advantage of her.

Roger promoted her to Head Butcher and that made Carina even more scared. It was even scarier because she knew if he tried something, she would slaughter him the same way she had slaughtered Roy.

Just because she killed Roy did not mean that she had enjoyed it. In fact, his dismembered body parts haunted her dreams.

All of his blood splatter too.

“Carina,” Roger said to her. “I am really happy I hired you. You are the best worker I have ever had… I have something you…”

Carina’s heart raced. That was the same thing Roy said to her before –

“Carina!!!” Roger screamed.

Roger grabbed Carina before her head accidentally hit the edge of the steel table when she fainted.

“Carina!” he kept screaming.

He was scared because he could not imagine what would have happened if she hit her head.

He could not bear to lose her.

He held her and grabbed his phone to call 911.

“Get off of me! Get off of me!” she screamed and he gently let her go.

He finished his call with 911 and she grabbed a butcher knife. Thankfully he saw her out of the corner of his eye.

He grabbed her wrist.

“What did you do to me?!?” she screamed.

Roger was calm, she was hysterical and he realized what was going on. What she must be reliving. He had asked her if the butcher shop would be too much for her.

She had said no.

“You passed out Carina. I promise I did not do anything to you.”

Carina put her hand down and cried. Roger looked at her.

“I wanted to give you this bonus check with your promotion. I think Carina you thought – ”

“I did Roger, I did. He hurt me.”

Roger saw the younger Carina and the fear she must have felt.

“I know, I called the ambulance. They are on the way.”

She sobbed silently.

They both heard the sirens in the background.

EMS came and there was no reason to take her to the hospital. Roger went to his office.

“If you need me, Carina…I will be in my office.

When he sat down, Carina was in front of him.

“You’re a good man,” she said.

Roger covered his face with his hand.

“I promised to do right by you Carina. I was a young butcher too when your case was on the news. I always thought you were so brave. You took responsibility for what you did. You never shied away from that.”

“Roger, I have to confess to you. I had a crush on Roy, but I never meant to make him do what he did to me.”

“That was not your fault Carina, please. Please do not believe that.”

“I was a young woman alone with my male boss. I was pretty they said.”

“You are beautiful.”

Carina looked at him and bit her lip.

“You think I am beautiful?”

“Carina, what man doesn’t? But it’s your character that makes you more so.”

“Roger, I have another thing to confess. I have a crush on you but it scared me.”

He folded his hands.

“I would never hurt you Carina – I like you too.”

“I don’t know what to do!” she said, covering her face like a teenager.

“Nothing Carina, you had a scare tonight and I just want you to get settled. We can start tomorrow fresh.”

“Will you take me home?”

“Do you want me to?”

“I do.”

Going home with Roger was scary, but it was the first time in years the blackness of Roy’s spirit was not covering her.

Carina was able to see Roger.

He dropped her off and she waved.

The next day at work, she smiled when he walked in. He smiled back at her. How easily lost an art it had been for her to just smile at someone and feel joy.

Their flirtation was sweet covert smiles and glances. They were nervous around each other, but they both knew.

Carina knew it had to be her if anything happened because Roger would be scared she would faint again or otherwise break down.

“Roger?”

He looked up at her.

She wore a little black dress and makeup. Her hair out.

“I made a charcuterie board in the kitchen – would you like to join me?

There were candles, cured meats, cheese and wine – what could be more romantic?

More romantic was their first kiss that tasted of cured meat and a hint of wine.

Light filled Carina’s life again. She saw Roy’s dark shadow flee and dreamt less about dead parts … more about Roger’s warm body parts eventually.

This story inspired my 2023 NaNoWriMo novel.

Thank you to May More who asked for stories on X and inspired this story. She is amazing—go explore her writing. May is a master of many genres.