The Other Brother by Kristin Garth

published in Nauseated Drive in 2021

“Steven Stayner captured the heart of a nation 

when he helped another child escape from a 

pedophile, after enduring years of abuse and not wanting to see the child experience the same fate. Cary Stayner will forever be known for marring Yosemite’s reputation as a peaceful retreat with the brutal murders of four innocent women. “ Steven and Cary Stayner: The tale of two brothers’ horror and heroism” by Allie Yang, Joseph Rhee and

 Keren Schiffman ABC News July 19, 2019

How can two brothers be abused and choose 

such different paths?  One rescues a child,

creates more in the aftermath.  Refused 

seven years his name, christened by pedophile 

for brutalities on the road dreaming of home 

where it’s somewhat the same.  The other brother’s 

initiated in pain by someone known 

all of his life, an uncle, another 

monster devouring youth.  Unlike his sibling,

he takes this violence as proof of evil’s 

power even over himself.  Carried 

one in his arms like a bride to a kill,

in sequoia realms that he never will again see 

after he killed four women in Yosemite.