24 Comments
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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Fabulous! In the Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania where I grew up there are places and creatures like this. The ancient and sentient forest tries them on like costumes. It’s got a bitter sense of humor. This story felt eerily like home.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Ohh I love this take so much! Glad you liked it, Liz! Thanks! ❤️

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Mkwawa shujaa's avatar

I liked the story and I have to say the dialogue felt so authentic. Thank you for sharing.

I also have a personal question I wanted to ask, I left it inbox, when you have time please check it out.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! I appreciate that! I'll check my DMs.

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EJ Trask's avatar

this is so sinister and weird. it’s a perfect horror story.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, EJ! ❤️ High praise.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

I didn't see the ending coming, Sean Thomas. The man who passed by was a clever misdirection.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you! It was a fun story to write. :))

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Jessica Maison's avatar

Delish!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Jessica! ❤️

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Ken Flyingheart's avatar

A powerful bit of creep. "Three strangers on a road passing." I love the shuff-shuffle-shuffle of it all. Also, is that Feathers? It's gotta be, right? With the hawk and the stick-- ah, doesn't matter! Great story, Sean!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Ken! It was Feathers! I now have three different stories with this killer. :)) Good eye!

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Jon T's avatar

Captivating storytelling. The myth-building is so strong in this piece. And tbe Pangea scab bit made me jealous.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Jon! ❤️

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Nick Buchheit's avatar

I felt like I was there and now I’m glad that I’m not. Great work, Sean. Bravo!

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Nick! I appreciate that! ❤️

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Nick Winney's avatar

This is succulent in its awfulness. hot and heavy with blood and a baking sun. the child...so pure sinister and perfect innocent bad.

this vibe is CLASSIC STMcD. 👏👏👏

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Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

Very mountains of Virginia, too. Loved it.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth! These things must be lurking all over the country! 😱

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Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

I think I'm turning into one.

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Tom Schecter's avatar

Goddamn dude. That last line.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Chomp!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Whoa! What a gem of a story, Sean. That final line is so unexpected and so very perfect.

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Mata Haggis-Burridge's avatar

Good one!

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