The Things They Left Behind

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Things They Left Behind" is short story by Stephen King, originally published in the compilation Terror's Echo edited by Ed McBain. It is one of three stories in this compilation that are also available on audiobook, read by John Bedford Lloyd.

[edit] Plot summary

Almost a year after 9/11, strange things start happening to narrator Scott Staley, who – at the time of the attacks – is employed at 'Light and Bell Insurance' on the 110th floor of the World Trade Center. Not only is Scott unable to get rid of his survivor's guilt (on 9/11 he followed an inner voice that told him to take a day off to enjoy the sun), but things belonging to his late colleagues start to appear in his apartment. A pair of sunglasses, a baseball bat, a farting cushion – Scott can easily identify them all. After convincing himself that they are no delusion and that others can see them, he tries throwing them away, yet they reappear after his return home.

He confides in Paula, a neighbor, who offers to stow away one of the things. It triggers the most horrible nightmare of Paula's life, recreating in her mind the last minutes of its proprietor. Paula immediately returns the object, but makes Scott understand his mission: he must give the things to the victims' immediate family – and on seeing the joy on their faces, he feels his guilt slowly fade away.