26 Comments
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Brenda - A Voice that Wonders's avatar

You certainly know how to get someone’s focus. That was dark, riveting and really suspenseful. ❤️

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Thank you Brenda. As much as I love my sci-fi stories and cat comedies, I feel I have found my lane with horror.

Brenda - A Voice that Wonders's avatar

Glad, It is your strength. The way you write, un rushed. Almost like you place each word with care, so that your reader feels locked in… seen this with all your work. Love it.

Gary Mucklow's avatar

I appreciate that Brenda ❤️

Lucy Vega's avatar

Wow 🤯 just *wow*. You build the suspense so well; the world and setting are so clear and everything layers over the story that came before to maximize the terror and her knowledge of what was happening. Such a great story! I look forward to reading more of this world, if you write more! So artfully done.

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Thank you Lucy. There may be more short stories set in this world, but the plan is to weave all of this into a novel.

I really appreciate your time reading all of these pieces.

Lucy Vega's avatar

It was time well spent. The overall concept is absolutely fascinating, and so well-developed. Especially in this longer form story, it really comes alive and pulls together all the pieces you set up. The way the void anomaly reforms in her mind cements the psychological horror aspect of the beings you created. I really enjoyed reading it and I am excited that you’re planning a longer form novel for it!

Gary Mucklow's avatar

The dream would be to get a producer to notice and run with it. But a novel is definitely in the plans.

Lucy Vega's avatar

That would make for an amazing movie. I will keep all my fingers crossed for that!

Gary Mucklow's avatar

One can dream…

Echoes of Elsewhere's avatar

Wow. The story just pulls you in...deeper and deeper. My coffee is now tepid! That was excellent. I want to know more about the collapse. And more about the project. I'm kinda glad I did not read that just before bed! Superb.

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Thank you. The other pieces build more of the background.

Echoes of Elsewhere's avatar

Aha! Ok. I’d read the third snippet previously. I had thought 1 and 2 were going to be ‘snippets’ and was waiting for ‘Iris’.

Thanks for the heads up. Just read the snippets. Ya…that really helps build the world. This universe has major legs!

Kelly Xan's avatar

That last bit took me a minute to get through. Incredibly written, but terrifying. And eyes ☹️

Gary Mucklow's avatar

I'm sorry...ish 😏

Thank you Kelly.

Liz Zimmers's avatar

Definitely visceral! We are sharing a wavelength...this is similar to my story Peripheral from my last story collection. I greatly enjoyed the world you built and the librarian.

A Writer’s Voice's avatar

That was intense. Very creepy. I’m almost speechless. Great story!

Zerenner's avatar

Hot damn, masterfully done Gary.

You paint a complex world with such few words. I wanted to know more.

Great job at building suspense through the worldbuilding, to the conflict, to the gnarly climax.

Nice central idea too---like a mind virus which manifests in your own trauma.

It reminds me a little of "Look Outside" the 2025 horror rpg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_Outside

Levi Edwards's avatar

This story made my whole body take a screenshot 👍

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Is that good?

Appreciate the comment Levi.

Wendy Russell's avatar

Spectacularly horrifying... have hidden all the screwdrivers in house....

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Probably for the best 🪛

Sylvienne Ethara's avatar

This is truly great! I thought your teasers were good; this does not disappoint. This is really setting the bar high. I can't say enough about how great this is. Cannot wait for the next one.

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Thank you. Much appreciated.

Gary Mucklow's avatar

Thank you. I have another few shorts in this world exploring more back history and lore before I delve into a full novel.

I'll check out the story linked.