GrueberFest 06: Osteophage (788 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.88 on 28 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Forensic the Tullian Zombie (View user info) at 2006-10-16 22:06:20 EDT
http://www.ubersite.com/m/94353
-Oste
prefix: of the bones
-phage
suffix: to eat or consume
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Robert Cummings sat holding his 7 year old son in the Orthopedist's private office. As Jeremy, his son, dozed in his arms, Rob stared at the new MRI series clipped to the doctor's lightbox. In a few minutes, Dr. Chad Shaffer would enter the office and discuss Jeremy's condition using the images of his son's skeleton to illustrate either progress or deterioration of Jeremy's condition.
Through a freak genetic mutation, Jeremy developed Osteogenesis Imperfecta, otherwise known as Brittle Bone Disease while he was still in the womb. Neither Rob nor his wife had a family history of the disease so it was a great shock when Jeremy's tiny little bones started to fracture during infancy. Rob and Cynthia learned quickly how to handle their son like a Faberge egg when they picked him up or changed his diapers. It became a nightmare when Jeremy started to crawl and then later took his first halting steps. Normal toddlers simply stand up when they take spills as they learn to master their tiny legs. Jeremy however would fall and break a bone. Jeremy's disease was a result of a deficiency of collagen production, not of the bones themselves. There was no treatment, no cure. If Jeremy managed to live past childhood, he would always be fragile with a skeleton riddled with fractures. If he should ever fall just right, he could break his neck as easily as someone could snap a toothpick in half. Rob swore to himself that he would simply not allow this to happen to his son.
"Rob, I don't know what to say! I'm not sure what's going on with Jeremy, but there have been no new fractures and, so help me, his bones appear to be getting stronger! He has grown a half an inch since he was in here last too. Forgive me for saying this, but that shouldn't be happening. This is simply unheard of."
Dr. Shaffer sat looking across his desk at Rob. Jeremy had been coming to him soon after he was born when his pediatrician correctly identified Jeremy's rare disorder. When he first examined the child's x-rays and MRIs, he had fractured several bones thus confirming that the boy did indeed have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Dr. Shaffer had educated Rob and Cynthia about the disorder and how to best cope with Jeremy's special needs. He also prepared them for the worst case scenario. Jeremy would probably be small statured and fragile and most probably be confined to a wheelchair.
"What are you saying, Dr. Shaffer? Are you saying that Jeremy is getting better?"
"It does appear that way, Rob. Now before we get excited here, let's wait and see. Keep doing things as you've been doing and bring Jeremy in three weeks providing he doesn't break another bone. If that happens, bring him to me immediately after his hospital discharge. I got to tell you Rob, maybe you were just lucky and kept him from more injury. This is just very unusual. At his age, these kids are breaking bones right and left."
"Alright then, see you in three weeks. Cyn and I will keep our fingers crossed. Hey, who knows, maybe Jeremy is a one in a billion case. Maybe this will reverse itself."
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"Police are baffled as the limb collector strikes again"
Larry Neumeister
Kansas City Star
The killer, named by police as the Limb Collector, has struck a fourth time sending the city into a panic. In a now familiar M.O., the killer shot the victim, now identified as Paul Mallot of Overland Park, Kansas, in the back of the head and removed his arms and legs. None of the victims so far have shared any commonalities with each other thus making the police's investigation difficult. Additionally the lack of any physical evidence left at the scenes has further hindered any identification of possible suspects by law enforcement.
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"Did you get some more?" Cynthia Cummings asked her husband.
Cynthia was watching TV in the dark when she heard her husband, Rob, come in. Rob walked around the sofa to face his wife. With relief Cynthia saw that Rob was holding several long objects in his arms.
"These are really good too, Cyn! This guy was really tall, like 6'3" or something. Is Jeremy asleep?"
"Yes, for about an hour or so now."
"Alright. Let's get busy then."
Rob and Cynthia took the baby monitor with them down into the basement. Even though Jeremy was 7, they still used his old baby monitor to listen for any activity. Lately, Jeremy had been waking up in the middle of the night and trying to take himself to the bathroom. Naturally they were worried about him tripping, or stubbing his toe, or even falling out of bed as he groggily made his way down the hall. If they heard him wake up, one of them would run to his room and guide his way to the bathroom. Right now though, the sounds of deep breathing were all they heard. Good, that meant he was fast asleep.
Down in their basement, Rob removed the plastic from the arms and legs while Cynthia got the knives and chisels ready. Working together, Rob and Cynthia stripped all the flesh from the femurs, tibias, fibulas, humeruses, radiuses, and ulnas. While Cynthia gathered up the leftover flesh and repackaged it in black plastic lawn bags, Rob clamped both femurs down on his work bench. Picking up a mallet, Rob began to split the femurs in two lengthwise with the chisel. Once he was done with the femurs, he handed the now four sections of the femurs to his wife who began to carefully scrape all the marrow from the bones and put it in a sealable plastic bowl. Every so often they would pause and listen for their son's breathing on the monitor.
Working through the night, Rob and Cynthia split all the long bones in half and removed the marrow. Rob then steamed off the little pieces of random flesh that still clung to the bones.
"Later on today, take Jeremy to the movies after the tutor leaves so I can finish this." Rob said.
Jeremy was much too fragile to attend school so Rob and Cynthia hired private tutor to home school their son. It was a shame Jeremy couldn't attend school, the tutor had said, since he was very bright for his age. He would be at the top of his class for sure. Soon, Rob thought, he would go to school with his peers. That was an oath.
Bones for bones Rob had reasoned. There was something wrong with his son's bones so he thought he would give his son good bones. If it didn't work, he would stop. If his son's skeletal system absorbed the good healthy bones given to it, Rob would keep collecting limbs. For several months, he and his wife incorporated bone powder and marrow whenever they could. Milkshakes, puddings, and spaghetti dinners. In time, Jeremy would get used to the strange gritty texture of his food. Most importantly though, his bones would grow strong! Bones for bones.
As they were finishing cleaning up, Rob and Cynthia saw the sky had begun to lighten and heard Jeremy stirring. Cynthia ran upstairs to help her son while Rob packed the bones in the refrigerator and put the large garbage bag in the trunk of his car. He would get rid of it later. Carrying the bowl of marrow with him, Rob headed back upstairs to prepare Jeremy's breakfast while Cyn dressed him for the day.
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"So what did you do for school today, GermGerm?" The tutor had left but the movie didn't start for another 45 minutes. Rob had come home from work and was now having a snack with Jeremy while Cynthia prepared to take Jeremy out for a movie treat.
"Aw Dad, can I have something else besides pudding?" Jeremy wrinkled his nose up at the small bowl of chocolate pudding Rob set in front of him.
"No son. Remember what the doctor said? Remember he said that you need all the calcium you can get? This is my special GermGerm pudding made just for you. I know you're tired of it but eat it up and I'll have mom get you a hotdog at the movies."
With a sigh, Jeremy ate his bowl of pudding and only complained once about the grainy texture to his father. As Cyn put his jacket on him, Rob handed Jeremy $5.00 and told Cynthia to let him buy a hotdog and soda at the movies. Rob waved to both of them as Cynthia backed the car down the driveway. When they were safely out of sight, Rob returned to the basement and started grinding bones into powder.
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Rob and Jeremy sat waiting for Dr. Shaffer to come and speak with them in his office. Jeremy was furiously thumb-punching away at his Gameboy while Rob sat staring at Jeremy's new x-rays with a grim smugness. Dr. Shaffer walked into the room and sat down in his chair and regarded the two of them with amazement.
"Rob, I think I'm witnessing a miracle here. Three weeks later and still no new breaks. He has grown another quarter of an inch and his old fracture sites have almost completely healed themselves. I can't explain it. Never in the history of this disorder has the progression reversed itself. It's like his skeletal system is renewing itself. Amazing! Still, I don't want us to count our chickens, so to speak. I want to monitor him every month for the next year and then we'll play it by ear."
"Absolutely." Rob confirmed.
"Now then, Mr. Jeremy Cummings, how do you feel?" Dr. Shaffer asked Jeremy as he finished up his game.
"I feel ok." Jeremy shrugged.
"Have you hurt yourself accidentally and not told anyone?" Dr. Shaffer asked as he examined Jeremy's hands and arms.
"Naw."
"Not even stubbed your toe?"
"Well yeah, I did last night. But it didn't hurt."
"Let me see it."
Jeremy peeled off his left shoe and sock and showed his doctor his perfectly intact left great toe. As a test, Dr. Shaffer gently squeezed the toe and was astounded when Jeremy didn't scream in pain. He couldn't feel a broken phalanges bone. He noticed that there wasn't even a bruise to show that the boy had injured himself. It just wasn't possible! It couldn't last. It wouldn't last. Soon enough the child will break another bone. Until then, he would pour over Jeremy's past x-rays, MRIs, lab tests, and send some deep frozen tissue he had on Jeremy out for some more genetic testing. Amazing.
"Alright then, young man, you be careful. I will see you in three weeks. Rob, whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
"Will do, Doc!" Rob said as he pumped Dr. Shaffer's hand.
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Officers Carl Duley and Jennifer Hogue stood outside the door of an insurance agency. They had been called at approximately 7:30 am by a horrified office staffer of the agency. The 50 year old office manager had unlocked the door to ready the agency for her boss and the new business day when she discovered the murdered body of the janitor who cleaned the insurance agency at night. He had been shot in the back of the head and his arms and legs had been cut off. The two officers who arrived on the scene had secured and taped off the area and waited for the lead detective to show up.
"Shit Jen, it's another one. God, this guy is good. He just shoots 'em, chops off their arms n' legs, and gets the fuck outta there. Here's something else Jen, he KNOWS what he's doing too. How much you wanna bet that they won't find anything again? No fingerprints, no shoe prints, no hair, no fibers, no nothing! C'mon, 20 bucks!"
"No Carl. I'm not betting you 20 bucks because you're right. They didn't find anything for the first four, and there is no reason to think they'll find anything for Mr. 5 in there."
"I hate to say it, but it's kind of neat that we can watch a serial killer at work. How many times does a cop get to see what goes on when a city has got one of these fuckers on the loose? Think about it, two average beat cops, not even homicide, and we get to be the first ones on the scene!"
"Don't be morbid, Carl. I hope they figure out who this guy is and quick!"
"You know, I think I'll start volunteering for some overtime. I'm going to shoot for detective next year. I need all the brownie points I can get. You know Jen, you should too. It'll get you off this beat."
"I'll think about it."
As the two officers stood at the yellow taped doorway and stared at the crime scene inside, the lead detective came up from behind them and laid hands on their shoulders.
"What have you two got for me today?" The detective's voice sounded calm and matter-of-fact as if he was asking them what they had for breakfast.
"Another one, Sir. Number 5." Officer Carl Duley pointed out the de-limbed victim laying in a large pool of congealed blood.
"Christ. Sick son of a bitch! Anyone other than the witness enter the room?"
"No Sir."
"You took her statement?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Evidence team?"
"On the way, Sir. In fact, here they are now!"
"Fine, fine. Ok, good work you two. Why don't you take a break and get some coffee. I've got it from here. We've got to catch this guy and I got my work cut out for me."
"Thank you, Sir!" As Officers Duley and Hogue started towards their patrol car, Officer Hogue paused and turned to address the detective.
"Detective Cummings, how is your son?"
Detective Robert Cummings turned to face the officer.
"He's doing great, Jennifer! The doctor says his disease may even be in remission! Cynthia and I are keeping our fingers crossed. Thanks for asking!"
Rob turned his attention back to the spotless crime scene and smiled.
User Reviews
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2007-09-26 11:53:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Another day at work and I am bored...so YOU shall be my victim today... :)
This is by far and away still the best story out of last year's Grueberfest comp.
Submitted by Wisher (user info) at 2007-02-09 03:05:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2007-01-10 11:06:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-10-20 17:01:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Now I feel bad.
I was only teasing Bonnie, I hope you're really not that mad at me or anything.
<cries>
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-10-19 21:56:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've enjoyed a lot of your posts, but I never realized you could write fiction like this until this comp. You've impressed the hell out me each time; you have a real talent for this gory shit.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-10-19 16:49:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You know, this was actually a pretty sweet story.
These people are real parents, sparing no expense for the good of their child.
Great work with a tricky title.
Submitted by WatchMyStep (user info) at 2006-10-18 22:47:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great!
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2006-10-17 15:59:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-10-17 13:27:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Police are baffled as the limb collector strikes again"
Larry Neumeister
Kansas City Star
The killer, named by police as the Limb Collector, has struck a fourth time sending the city into a panic. In a now familiar M.O., the killer shot the victim, now identified as Paul Mallot of Overland Park, Kansas, in the back of the head and removed his arms and legs. None of the victims so far have shared any commonalities with each other thus making the police's investigation difficult. Additionally the lack of any physical evidence left at the scenes has further hindered any identification of possible suspects by law enforcement.
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Sounds like your perfect boyfriend, Bonnie...
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2006-10-17 12:32:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2006-10-17 04:29:56 (#)
Ranking: 2
Larry Neumeister, huh?
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Wasn't that Leisure Suit Larry's last name?
Submitted by Anansie (user info) at 2006-10-17 12:29:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2006-10-17 08:45:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
EXCELENTE
Submitted by Targa (user info) at 2006-10-17 04:53:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Goddam, I knew there was a reason I was still sticking around this site.
Well done.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2006-10-17 04:29:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Larry Neumeister, huh?
Submitted by supadupapupa (user info) at 2006-10-17 04:10:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttt!
Submitted by ColchesterDr (user info) at 2006-10-17 02:43:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Bigmike (user info) at 2006-10-17 01:49:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Interesting read.
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2006-10-17 01:21:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:59:07 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:45:54 (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
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Fucking alter douchebag cunt.
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Touchy middle aged gas bag.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:59:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:45:54 (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
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Fucking alter douchebag cunt.
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:45:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:14:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
When Jack suggested it, I thought the title was brilliant. I didn't picture a literal translation of "bone-eater". I figured it would be a -phage more like a microphage, etc (cells endocytosing marrow, etc). However, it worked.
Also good job w/ the osteogenesis imperfecta. I've known a few folks with it and that's pretty accurate.
Good job. :)
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2006-10-16 23:02:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
**giggle**
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:42:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
That dialogue at the end really grated on me (no pun intended).
Submitted by forensicgirl3 (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:35:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Robert Cummings = Rob Zombie.
Hey, I needed a name.
Submitted by joedaddy (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:32:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bob Cummings was a crankster
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:23:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:21:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh my fucking God.
I knew you could work with this.
Great entry!
Splitting and scraping bones. Jayzuz!
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2006-10-16 22:18:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Why you...!
I'm sure I'll love it, pre-emptive +2.
I have a decent idea, and no time to write. Shit!