The Decimation by Matt Read

Word Count: 5986 words | Critique type preference: In Person

Content warnings:

Abuse, Death/Dying, Disregard for personal autonomy (kidnapping / enslavement / abduction)

Author Notes:

This is a standalone short story written for a particular market, but I’d like to work it up to have broader appeal.

I’d love to gauge general responses and thoughts, but for a couple of leading questions:

1. Is the recurring running count of dates and lost freedoms (overly) obstructive to the flow?
2. Does the scene in the bar work emotionally?
4. Did the ending land?

Submitted: 19 March 2026

Last updated: 10 June 2026 at 23:20

Author Email: ma*******@***il.com