Scotty’s Horror Short Showcase: ‘Skin Baby’

Written by Scott Edwards 

There are many ways to pay tribute to someone that is no longer with us. Some people choose to write, others may draw, some may mourn, some may celebrate the life and others may get a tattoo. While everyone has their own way that works for them, there is no wrong way as long as you are able to accept the loss. It is a difficult thing to do and while they say that time heals all wounds, there can be other things that help as well, so keep that in mind when dealing with a loss.

After leaving a tattoo parlor in a huff, Rosie is stopped by an employee that wants to try and help her out. Not being able to do the tattoo that Rosie wants in the parlor, Kayla offers to do it at her personal residence to keep from getting into trouble. Agreeing to this, Rosie has her photo in hand of what she wants the tattoo to look like and Kayla is shocked to see that it is a fetal photo of what would have been Rosie’s son. With the template in hand, Kayla can help give Rosie what she wants, to have her baby boy back where he belongs after her miscarriage.

With a tattoo of her baby boy on her stomach, Rosie feels like her boy is with her once again. Hearing the baby’s heartbeat and getting the feeling that she is pregnant; Rosie no longer has to deal with her previous loss. With a smile on her face and a skip back in her step, Rosie crosses paths with her baby’s daddy, who wants nothing to do with the woman any longer. Seeing the new tattoo, Dylan knows that Rosie has lost her marbles and tries to make that clear to the grieving woman, but she is not willing to accept it. Running him down, Rosie now has to worry about what will happen to her next, since she will not go to prison and leave her baby for the state to take care of. Taking it to the next level, Rosie pulls out a knife and does the only thing that she can think of to keep her baby safe, with the only person she is willing to trust, but will that keep her from getting even more unhinged in the future?

Interesting short horror story, as I have many friends that have paid homage to the ones they have lost over the years in the way of a tattoo. I once asked them if it really helps in the long run and the answer was always, ‘yes’, it puts a piece of their loved one’s in and on them and whenever they feel the need for comfort, all they have to do is give the tattoo a quick look to know that they will be okay. This is what Rosie tries in this story and while it seems to work that way for her, it goes to an entire new level with the tattoo taking on a life of its own, at least in Rosie’s eyes. Watching as she feels comforted by the tattoo and maddened by the rest of the world really shows that she is not ready to move on, at least not until she takes care of her unfinished business. With a distraught former mother to be, a new lease on life, a friendly tattoo artist, a fuzzy couch, a new tattoo, some strange emotions, the hatred of an ex, an auto accident and the fear of losing one’s baby for crimes committed, this horror short takes you what seems to be Hell and back without pulling any punches, because dealing with a personal loss is much harder when you are alone and don’t have a shoulder to cry on. Stay Scared.

See ‘Skin Baby’ on Amazon Prime Video.

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