27 Comments
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Will Boucher's avatar

Hooked right from the start. What a wild one. I felt like a tourist watching a mutant carnival whip around me. When it was over, I was left with an unnamable memory I can't quite ascribe to a particular scene--you achieved something brilliant and greater than the sum of its parts, bravo!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Will!! <3

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Bill Hiatt's avatar

Very original and definitely haunting--the kind of story that sticks with a reader.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Bill! It was a wild one to write. :)

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Sudana Krasniqi's avatar

Ahhh the Bacchus line reminded me so much of that scene in A Secret History!

What a masterfully done piece, and now I’m listening to that song too.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Ha! As soon as I wrote that line I thought about Secret History! Thank you, Sudana!

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Ika Wright's avatar

Gruesomely beautiful. You have a thing for the morbid don't you? I really can't help but picture your pieces in black and white. I don't know why, maybe it fits the mood. The atmosphere is really well written, brought about that stench of blood in my nose too.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

I love that it comes across in black and white for you. Thank you for your kind words, Ika!

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Jennifer Morrow's avatar

So engaging! Well done, and congrats!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Jennifer! <3

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Lizzy Co (she/they)'s avatar

You write good villains in your fiction, but the true killer is you, my friend. Another banger in the canon.👊

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

You're going to give me a big head! Thank you! Thank you! <3

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Lizzy Co (she/they)'s avatar

Architects in future generations shall call it the McDonnell Door, so named for its extra width, intended to accommodate a case of well-earned big-head.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

One can only dream! hahaha

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Jon T's avatar

Really well done Sean. The voice in this is so textured. Amazing language. Loved this piece!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Jon! It was a blast to write. <3

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Bridget Riley's avatar

Wow, this is incredible! Very sensory language, and you balanced mystery and clarity so well.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Bridget! It was a hot mess in the early drafts. haha

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EJ Trask's avatar

this is so good

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, EJ! <3

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Iris Shaw's avatar

Great story! I remember practicing that piece on the violin, years ago - I doubt I'll think about it the same way now.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! 🙏🏼 It’s such a beautiful song. I listened to it a lot during the writing of this story.

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Julie's avatar

Riveting!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Julie! <3

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Jp Slouch's avatar

*Chef’s Kiss

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Boyardee, is that you?? Thanks homie.

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Comment deleted
Mar 25, 2024
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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

❤️

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