29 Comments
User's avatar
Jon T's avatar

i'm gonna start a postering campaign to find this kid, poor guy needs a new bucket meal at the very least. Jeez Sean, let's get this guy some mushyfruits and hold the bread.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

He’s stoked man! His bud is back!

troy adkins's avatar

josie's back... gonna pretend everything is fine

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

The right friend in your life makes a world of difference. Thanks for reading, Troy! <3

Keith Long's avatar

Yeeeesh. Excellent

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you Keith! Glad we’re going to be in Give Us This Day together! <3

Keith Long's avatar

Same x10

Adriane Lord's avatar

Aww this was sweet and sad and horrifying at the same time lol. Enjoyed it 😊

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

I’m so happy you liked it. Thank you for reading! 🖤

Caitriana NicNeacail's avatar

Ooooffff, this one is so.. heartbreaking.. so painful and heavy and yet streaked with glimmers of beauty, like light that's been reflected down a dark corridor from a muddy puddle but still gives something to see by.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you for letting me know how it made you feel. That’s such a gift! 🖤

Garen Marie's avatar

The juxtaposition of emotion and setting here is so poignant. It had a really interesting effect on me while reading. Will be thinking about your story for a while!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thanks, Garen! It was an interesting piece to write. <3

Feasts and Fables's avatar

Brilliantly dark.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

<3<3<3 Thank you! I appreciate that!

Will Boucher's avatar

Well...I want a cow now...this is my fav thing I've read in a while

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

I saw a couple calves this morning and they were soooo cute. One of them wanted to come to me, I could tell. The mom didn’t look thrilled. What I’m saying is I can get you one but the shipping might be up there.

Will Boucher's avatar

whatever it costs, i’ll make it happen

A.P. Murphy's avatar

Excellent stuff Shony, very heartrending in its portrayal of utter abandonment, perhaps the saddest of all fates for the vulnerable.

There are more horrific things that can happen to a child, but maybe nothing so melancholy as to be left completely alone.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Completely agree. This was me thinking, how can one not only survive this, but also remain human.

Liz Zimmers's avatar

I’ve never felt happier or more at peace reading a sad, horrific story. What a magnificent command of emotion conjuring you have!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Liz! I love this comment so much. Exactly what I wanted! ❤️

Nick Winney's avatar

You keep this happy go lucky tone all the way through a story that, when you stop the tinkly happy music, is absolutely horrific and... what the actual hell is in the bucket???

is it a bucket...?

Does the resident of the bucket know what it is?

Where is everyone else?

Where did you get this one from???

Top marks from me for the mind bendery!

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Thank you, Nick! This one came from a couple different places. I read this horrific account of a boy locked away from the age of 12, finally escaping in his 30s. Then I was passing by a tin shed in an open field a few months ago and thought, someone could totally be in there.

Nick Winney's avatar

its great where inspiration finds you isnt it!

EJ Trask's avatar

this is so sad and strange but reading it is like laying in the sun. you are so good at this.

Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Yes! Like laying in the sun. Perfect.

Annie Hendrix's avatar

Yesssss