27 Comments
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William Pauley III's avatar

Human sacrifice! Cannibalism! Insect swarms! This piece goes so hard! I love it. Also, that must be one of the best opening lines in the history of all fiction. 👌

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

LOL. Thank you! That's very kind of you to say.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

It was a compliment. It was a brave and impressive idea, like what King and Lynch do.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you so much, David. I really appreciate you taking the time to clarify for me. And wow, that's a helluva great compliment. :-)

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David Perlmutter's avatar

Based on the short story by Stephen King; directed by David Lynch.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thanks, David. I think. I wasn't sure if this is a compliment or a "hey someone already wrote something similar AND made a movie" comment. (I'm not great at discerning intent without more context.)

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Bill Hiatt's avatar

An interesting hybrid of deals with the devil and Greek mythology. It's also--as horror so often is--an ethical object lesson. The ones most self-centered and most eager to sacrifice someone else are exactly the ones to be sacrificed.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Very kind of you, Bill. Thank you!

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Karen's avatar

Who better to sacrifice than the ones who intended to sacrifice! Great read, as always!

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you, Karen!

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Honeygloom's avatar

So much awesome rolled into one story! This does not pull punches🖤

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you, @Honeygloom!

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Fiona Tate's avatar

Love it! I always enjoy a story when the bigots get whats coming to them.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you, Fiona!

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Sandy Rule's avatar

I loved this story. So enjoy your stories, look forward to reading them. Keep up the wonderful writing. 😊

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you so much, Sandy!

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Sandy Rule's avatar

You are so Welcome 🥰

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Hanna Delaney's avatar

Ooo, very good Michele. Worthy sacrifices. Bravo 👏

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thank you, Hanna!

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

What an enormously satisfying tale! And I’m with Eos; I like the sheriff.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

I did, too! Thanks for reading, Liz!

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EJ Trask's avatar

eat the bastards

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

That's my new motto, EJ. LOL.

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

You never disappoint, Michele!

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

That's very kind of you, Sean. Thanks!

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

I enjoy the way you ease the reader into the reality of the situation. It allows me to digest the unexpected elements as they are introduced over the course of the story.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Thanks so much, K.C.! :-)

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