The Mask of Normalcy

Each week, I send out a story via my email newsletter. Each story is around 1000 words, sometimes less, sometimes more. The stories are in a variety of genres: supernatural, thriller, sci-fi, horror, and sometimes romance, and all of my stories typically feature a gay protagonist. 

I would love it if you would subscribe to my weekly newsletter! You can do so HERE.

This is story number 23 of the series. Enjoy!


The Mask of Normalcy

Max always knew he was different. Not because he was gay—that was just a part of who he was, like having brown eyes or being left-handed. No, the difference lay deeper, hidden beneath layers of carefully crafted normalcy.

Growing up, Max’s older brother, Chad, had been his anchor. Chad recognized the void where Max’s emotions should have been and took it upon himself to teach his little brother how to navigate the world. He showed Max how to mimic feelings, how to respond appropriately to social cues, and most importantly, how to keep his darker impulses in check.

“Remember, Max,” Chad would say, his voice low and urgent. “You’re not like other people. You have to work harder to fit in. To be safe.”

And Max did work hard. He became an expert at blending in, at playing the role of a typical young man. He excelled in school, made friends, laughed and cried when it was appropriate and even had a few relationships. But beneath it all, the emptiness remained.

Now, at twenty-eight, Max sat in his sleek downtown apartment, staring at the city lights through the floor-to-ceiling windows. His boyfriend, Alex, slept peacefully in the next room, unaware of the storm brewing in Max’s mind.

Enough, Max thought. I’m tired of pretending.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Chad’s number.

“Max? It’s late. Everything okay?” Chad’s voice was groggy with sleep.

“I can’t do this anymore,” Max said, his tone flat. “I’m done playing by the rules. No more.”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. “Max, listen to me. We’ve talked about this. You know what could happen if—”

“If what, Chad? If I be myself? If I stop living a lie?” Max’s voice remained eerily calm. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m not that scared little kid anymore. I know what I want.”

“And what exactly is it that you want?” Chad asked, fear evident in his voice.

Max’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Freedom.”

He ended the call and turned back to the window, his mind already racing with possibilities. For years, he’d suppressed his true nature, but now… now he would embrace it.

The next morning, Max kissed Alex goodbye as if nothing had changed. He went to work at the marketing firm where he’d built a reputation as a creative genius. But today, his mind wasn’t on boring ad campaigns or client meetings.

During his lunch break, Max slipped out of the office and made his way to a less savory part of town. He entered a nondescript building and emerged an hour later with a small, inconspicuous package.

That evening, he invited his boss, Richard, out for drinks. Richard had always been a thorn in Max’s side, constantly taking credit for his ideas and belittling him in front of clients.

“To new beginnings,” Max said, raising his glass with a disarming smile.

Richard, already on his third whiskey, grinned sloppily. “You said it, kid. You know, I always knew you had potential.”

Max nodded, his eyes gleaming. “Oh, you have no idea.”

As the night wore on, Richard became increasingly intoxicated. Max played the part of the attentive colleague, ensuring Richard’s glass was never empty. When the older man could barely stand, Max offered to call him a cab.

“You’re a good guy, Max,” Richard slurred, stumbling out of the bar. “Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

“I won’t,” Max replied, helping Richard into the cab. He gave the driver an address—not Richard’s home, but a secluded area on the outskirts of town.

Hours later, Max stood over Richard’s unconscious form in an abandoned warehouse. The package he’d acquired earlier lay open beside him, revealing a set of gleaming surgical instruments.

“You know, Richard,” Max said conversationally as he pulled on a pair of latex gloves, “I’ve always wondered what makes people tick. What drives them, what scares them… what makes them scream.”

He picked up a scalpel, admiring how the dim light glinted off its razor-sharp edge. “I think it’s time we found out together, don’t you?”

Richard’s eyes fluttered open, confusion quickly giving way to terror as he realized his situation. He tried to speak, but the gag in his mouth muffled his cries.

Max leaned in close, his voice soft and almost gentle. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. That would be too… simple. No, I have something much more interesting in mind.”

Over the next few hours, Max explored the limits of human endurance with clinical precision. He reveled in every whimper, every muffled scream, every involuntary twitch. For the first time in his life, he felt truly alive.

As dawn broke, Max cleaned up meticulously, leaving no trace of his presence. He arranged Richard’s battered form carefully, ensuring he would be found—eventually.

Returning home, Max showered and slipped into bed beside Alex, who stirred slightly.

“Where’ve you been?” Alex mumbled sleepily.

Max pulled him close, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. “Just working late, babe. Go back to sleep.”

As Alex drifted off, Max stared at the ceiling, his mind already planning his next move. He felt invigorated, reborn. The mask he’d worn for so long was finally cracking, revealing the true Max underneath.

His phone buzzed with a text from Chad: “We need to talk. Now.”

Max smirked. His brother could wait. For now, he had a whole new world to explore.

Over the next few weeks, Max’s nighttime activities escalated. He moved through the city like a shadow, leaving a trail of traumatized victims in his wake. Each encounter pushed him further, testing the boundaries of his newfound freedom.

Meanwhile, his day-to-day life continued as normal. He excelled at work, taking over Richard’s position after his “unfortunate accident.” He doted on Alex, their relationship seemingly stronger than ever. To the outside world, Max was the picture of success and happiness.

But Chad wasn’t fooled. He watched his brother with growing horror, recognizing the signs he’d tried so hard to suppress. When Max finally agreed to meet, Chad was prepared for a confrontation.

They met in a quiet park, away from prying eyes and ears. Max lounged on a bench, the picture of relaxation, while Chad paced nervously.

“This has to stop, Max,” Chad pleaded. “You’re going to get caught, and then what? Everything we’ve worked for will be destroyed.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “Everything you’ve worked for, you mean. I never asked for this, Chad. You decided I needed fixing and appointed yourself my savior.”

Chad recoiled as if slapped. “I was trying to protect you!”

“No,” Max said, his voice sharp. “You were trying to protect everyone else from me. Well, guess what? I don’t need protection anymore. I’m finally living my truth.”

“Your truth?” Chad sputtered. “Max, you’re hurting people!”

A cold smile played across Max’s lips. “And I’m enjoying every second of it. You can’t stop me, Chad. No one can.”

As Max stood to leave, Chad grabbed his arm. “I won’t let you do this. If you don’t stop, I’ll go to the police.”

For a moment, something dark and dangerous flashed in Max’s eyes. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by a look of hurt and confusion.

“You’d really do that to me?” Max asked, his voice cracking. “Your own brother?”

Chad faltered, his grip loosening. “I… I don’t want to, but—”

Max pulled away, tears welling in his eyes. “I thought you of all people would understand. I guess I was wrong.”

As he walked away, leaving a stunned Chad behind, Max allowed himself a small, triumphant smile. His brother’s lessons in emotional manipulation had certainly paid off.

That night, as Alex slept peacefully beside him, Max made a decision. He’d pushed things as far as he could in this city. It was time for a change of scenery, a fresh start where he could truly spread his wings.

He booked two tickets to a far-off destination, smiling at the thought of the adventures that awaited him. Alex would be thrilled at the surprise vacation, never suspecting the true reason for their sudden departure.

As for Chad… well, big brother would just have to learn to let go.

Max closed his eyes, feeling a thrill of excitement course through him. The world was full of possibilities, and he intended to explore every dark, twisted one of them.

After all, he had a lifetime of suppressed desires to make up for. And he was just getting started.

THE END

Scroll to Top