Abed

by Elizabeth Massie, Cortney Skinner (Illustrator)

Two-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author Elizabeth Massie's "Abed" - called one of the most disturbing horror stories ever written - was first published in the anthology STILL DEAD, edited by John Skipp & Craig Spector. You've seen plenty of stories of zombies, decapitation, "double-tapping" and gore...but if you've never experienced this story (now a film by Ryan Lieske...

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Short Stories, Horror Thriller, Ebooks

15 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Elizabeth (Beth) Massie is a 2-time Bram Stoker Award and Scribe Award-winning author of horror/suspense, historical fiction, media tie-ins, nonfiction, and short fiction for adults. She also writes novels for teens and middle grade readers. Her series, Ameri-Scares, is currently in development for television by Warner Horizon (Warner Brothers), LuckyChap, and Assemble Media. Stay tuned! She lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, illustrator Cortney Skinner.

Reviews

[Jordaline Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was gross and fucked up.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a lack of a better phrase, that was fucked up! Despite that the story is well written and will stay with you well after reading it, it's disgusting, horrific and not something I'd recommend to anyone but extreme horror fans.

[Richard Gerlach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was gross and shocking, don’t eat before reading this. That being said, there’s a wonderful emotional core in this story that makes it worth reading.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I was expecting a lot more from it, because Jordaline said it was the most horrific thing she read. It was gruesome at parts and it thought it well written, but it didn't scare me or anything like that. I'd recommend. It is zombie post apocalytic based short story.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

GROSS. And f****d up! I loved it. Right next to Dan Simmons' "This Year's Class Picture," my top zombie stories!

[Khia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book that is called one of the most disturbing anything ever to be written is guaranteed to get my attention. I’m a very simple woman.

What’s worse than being eaten alive in a zombie apocalypse? Ask Maggie.

This is not your run of the mill zombie book. Will it make you uncomfortable? Yes. Boundaries are crossed, triggers are ten a penny. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

The story starts off deceptively benign. A quaint farmhouse, a freshly ironed yellow dress, and a young woman and her mother in law who she lives with. From there it spirals into a twisted tale of the horrific things people will do to one another when society crumbles and ethical principles are no more.

The tone is haunting, the descriptions are graphic. Elizabeth Massie manages to pack quite the punch in a small ten minute window.

I liked it. It kept me entertained. I will say though that with the widespread controversy and the reviews, I did expect something different - something more...fucked up. I was morbidly fascinated and sad for Maggie rather than disturbed.


4 stars

🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I seriously thought I was going to throw up... Massie has real talent for delivering large amounts of terror with just a few choice descriptions.
This story isn't just scary, it's horrifying and will stay with you for years...

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow..so the ending was slightly predictable but the graphic details were shocking. Woof.

4/5

[Hokova · Rating 5 out of 5]

The horror of this story, really, isn't the supernatural element, that's just the icing on the cake. It could very well be without a zombie apocalypse and be just as disturbing. It is actually the very real, and very tragic abuse of all forms and the effect it has on the victim that's the most horrible part. That is what makes it such a good story and so memorable.

10/10, I'm never reading this again because it hits too close to home.

[Tanja L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I try not to swear when writing reviews, but this was seriously fucked up. The description of the story says it's "called one of the most disturbing horror stories ever written"and I can see why. It was too descriptive of things I didn't want described, yet it's not a bad story, the topic is just not easily digestible.

[alice(noreen alice law) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lil bite of something vile

Very short story,wonderful job at diffusing imagery. I've had this on my list for about 3years, I read the sample yet I wasn't that curious to read the rest. Then today I did,I like the unique take on the situation I thought it would go one way yet I was pleasantly let down. I enjoyed this bite I think you will too.

[Ter Caldwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expect more ngl. I got more horrified by the things I imagined could be about to happen than about the actual story.

I mean, when you read "THE disturbing, controversial short story by (...)" you expect a very fucked up story. Ay least I did (and didn't received all that much as I was promised)

About the actual written story, I must say I felt more confused than anything else. Idk.

Also, I'm not really into zombie stuff (I didn't know), so.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow that was EXTREMELY gross. And that's a lot coming from me. I love disturbing horror and it's very hard to shock me nowadays but this one did got to me. Definitely not for everyone. Not for anyone maybe. But I liked it. I guess I'm fucked up.

[Livvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A+ for visceral

That was fucked up, i don't even know how to rice this a review but I guess 5 stars for doing exactly what it meant to...gross me tf out. Yall didn't have to do all that but you did and now I'm scared for life lol

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was well written - I very much appreciate well-turned phrases. The storyline was f’ed up, but that’s what I signed up for. Not scary but very twisted in a skin crawly kind of way. Zombies? Yes. But we all know that people are far scarier.

[Rachel Kelly-Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really really fast read. I loved the unique spin on this zombie-type short story. Disturbing, yes but also really well written. It was also somewhat somber and beautiful in some ways. I really enjoyed it overall.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and packs a punch but this felt like smut to read, dunno what I was expecting! Ouf. Horrific. Same vibes Burgess' The N-Body Problem imo.

[Roschele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell! That was totally disturbing and disgusting. And with that being said, I loved it. It's a super quick read (so I can't say too much about it) and not for the squeamish.

[Alison]

i feel sick

[Jen K · Rating 4 out of 5]

EW 🤢

Believe it or not this is actually not the most disgusting/disturbing short story I've ever read. That dubious honour goes to Eric The Pie by...someone, I forget.

[Phil Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great disgusting wrong short story. Well done.

[Digi Demii · Rating 4 out of 5]

As gross as it was, it was definitely a page-turner and kind of interesting.
Just.. wow.

[Kristen]

I have no words....this is gross

[Jill - Reader in the Rue Morgue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely disgusting and not well-written at all. Even as a horror fan, I feel this went way too far. All this is is torture-p*rn. Not recommended.

[Basma Elkholy · Rating 3 out of 5]

thats just fucked up!

[JordanGabrielles · Rating 3 out of 5]

......I can’t.

[Eme Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a short story it really packs a punch. But that's not necessarily a good thing in this case. Will definitely be upsetting and triggering to some.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

🤢🤮

[❀ Alex ❀ [Hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its truly disgusting. After a long time a book made me gag, hence the 5 star rating.

[Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

What in the actual fuck did I just read?