The Things They Left Behind
| Company type | Book anthology |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founder | Ed McBain (editor) |
| Products | Short story collection |
The Things They Left Behind is a short narrative penned by American writer Stephen King. It initially appeared in the collection Transgressions: Volume Two, overseen by editor Ed McBain and published through Forge Books. Additionally, it is included in the audiobook Terror's Echo, part of the "Transgressions" series, with narration by John Bedford Lloyd, and was subsequently republished in King's 2008 anthology Just After Sunset.
Plot summary
The story takes place nearly one year following the events of 9/11 and centers on Scott Staley, an employee who worked on the 110th floor of the World Trade Center. He survived the tragedy after an inner instinct compelled him to skip work that day. Burdened by survivor’s remorse, Scott begins to discover personal effects belonging to his deceased coworkers mysteriously appearing inside his home. Despite his efforts to dispose of these items, they consistently return. With assistance from his neighbor Paula—who experiences distressing dreams after briefly holding one of the objects—Scott understands that he must deliver these possessions back to the families of those lost. This process gradually helps ease his emotional burden.
Adaptations
Pablo Macho Maysonet IV adapted the story into a longer short film for Shattered Dreams Productions. A fresh adaptation, directed by Guillaume Heulard and Stéphane Valette, is currently being showcased at various film festivals.