8 Comments
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The Convergence Project's avatar

Gives me creepy memories of traipsing through the swampy North Carolina forests and stepping into a yellow jackets nest.

Garen Glazier's avatar

This was such a visceral read. And you're right, the obvious love between the brothers and their tragic shared history give the horror weight. I read it on the edge of my seat.

GrousyGirl's avatar

Ooh, so creepy. And sad.

Aaron Martinez's avatar

Thank you! I try to use other emotions to contrast and/or accent the fear. I’m glad the sadness landed.

Waymon Hudson's avatar

This starts so quiet it almost disarms you.

Two brothers, soft memories, strawberries…

and then it just turns.

The horror isn’t rushed… it creeps in, builds, and then fully commits.

And you don’t pull back from it.

But the part that lands hardest is the ending…

that recognition, that moment of “it’s still him.”

That’s brutal in the best way.

EJ Trask's avatar

horrible!! (complimentary)

Gregory Blair's avatar

This is bloody horrifying!

(That's a compliment, by the way!)

W.N: Paper & Progress's avatar

Officially never ever ever going to sleep again…. 🦟 🐝