27 Comments
User's avatar
Anoushka's avatar

that was a WILD RIDE and ohmygosh i loved it!!! so horrifying and the descriptions made everything feel so realistic!! i can't wait for more!!!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Hey, thanks a lot! Glad you enjoyed it ❤️

Expand full comment
Sandy Shaller's avatar

Stephen, I just read the first chapter of "Brianna" and I shall be back for more. Your writing is very smooth and wonderfully descriptive. I can tell that you put a lot of work to creating a scene that draws the reader right in. I loved it. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Ah, thanks Sandy! Always a pleasure to have you read my work.

And stick with it — you're in for a treat 👌🏻

Expand full comment
Peter Smetanick's avatar

Really enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing and keep those stories coming my friend!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks a lot Peter. Glad you enjoyed it!

Expand full comment
Nicole Paton's avatar

Holy crap! This was SO intense! I have stupidly read it just before bed. I thought I'd just start it... But then, I couldn't stop. And now I have to sleep with the lights on, just in case Huxley is still on the loose! This was awesome!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thank you Nicole. And I can confirm that Huxley is very much on the loose!

Expand full comment
Nicole Paton's avatar

Oh good lord, no! And just when I managed to turn the lights off! They'll be back on again tonight!

Expand full comment
Paul's Perspective's avatar

Outstanding Stephen. Had no idea how that was going to end, but was leaning towards Jimmy getting eaten too!

Pleasantly surprised mate. Great stuff.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks Paul! And poor Jimmy had been through enough enough so had to let him go lol.

Expand full comment
Paul's Perspective's avatar

Can’t argue with that!

Expand full comment
Jada Poe's avatar

This story is reminiscent of the fairytale of Hansel and Gretel but with an obvious twist that leads down a darker, more sinister path. I like how you’ve weaponized the traditional image of an old lady – warm, inviting, and loving – into something she uses to manipulate the pair.

Also, I’m not sure if I'm reading too much into it, but was this Jimmy’s reality or an addiction-induced one that was the catalyst for his change? Wonderful story, and I'm looking forward to reading other ones!!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thank you so much Jade, glad you enjoyed it!

I actually did think a lot about Hansel & Gretel when I was writing it.

And I can confirm that this really did happen - Jimmy wasn't imagining any of it!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Oh and with regards to the warm, inviting old lady, that was the creepiest part for me!

Expand full comment
EJ Trask's avatar

This is so great. It has something nostalgic about it, like a classic horror story, and at the same time it's totally original. So good.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks a lot EJ! 🖤

Expand full comment
Shaina Read's avatar

“Hi Jimmy.” A perfect ending to this story. I love where you took this. Looking forward to reading more from you!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks Shaina! 🖤🩶

Expand full comment
Graeme Hague's avatar

Suddenly I'm re-evaluating tomorrow's roast dinner.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

🤣🤣 sorry!

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

Such a terrifying and somewhat accurate way to explore addiction. Welcome to Macabre Monday

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks Jessica. It was really important to me that I got the addiction element right ❤️

Expand full comment
Bill Hiatt's avatar

A most chilling debut!

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks Bill. Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻

Expand full comment
Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Loved this introduction to your writing, Stephen! Really fun story.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Thanks Sean, you're too kind 🖤🩶

Expand full comment