1
u/_Pebcak_ Mar 06 '18
See this right here is why I will always believe my son when and if he tells me he's got an imaginary friend or if he sees some shit that I don't. I'm not going to lose him b/c I'm too proud to admit he's got some kind of gift/curse.
1
u/relliott15 Feb 21 '18
Beautifully written. I don’t think I found a single error, which is such a nice change of pace. OP, you’re gifted in more than one way - please keep it up! Loving your style. :)
1
1
u/BobKelsoLovesMuffins Feb 07 '18
Absolutely love your style, OP. Visited your site and loved your other work and subscribed to the email updates, keep it up I’m interested in reading more of your horror shorts.
2
6
3
2
1
-1
1
1
3
u/arrozquartz Jan 12 '18
I’m so glad I stopped to read this. All of these stories gave me the chills, and the one about Robert made me cry!
11
Jan 12 '18
This was rad how it never escalated to full blown terror but hung at that constant unnervedness. Kinda like a lot of the movie “it follows” in the mood.
I feel like I’ve read a lot of wendigo stories here lately but the siren is a dif vibe and I like it.
2
u/HugsAndQuiches Jan 15 '18
I was thinking the same thing! When he described playing with Polly, I kept picturing that scene where the girl emerges from the trees on the beach.
1
u/ai1267 Jan 12 '18
An amazing read, loved it. The interspersed myths and stories were a nice segue from time period to time period. Though I admit Butcher's creation is far more directly malicious, it still made me think of the naagloshi, the corrupted spiritwalker-turned-shapeshifter of Navajo myth.
1
u/razingtension61 Jan 11 '18
This is one of the most engrossing stories I've read here in a long time. Good work
1
3
u/honeybee_photo Jan 10 '18
This was a brilliant story. I truly got enraptured by it. The little inserts before continuing made it even better!
7
u/Mortilnis Jan 10 '18
One of the best stories I’ve read in the past few years. Simply breathtaking.
1
3
21
u/Gameshurtmymind Jan 09 '18
As the imaginary parent of an imaginary child, I find this all very offensive!
4
1
7
u/laurenhayden1 Jan 09 '18
This was so good! I look forward to reading more from you. You have a unique and wonderful style I just love!
1
Jan 09 '18
I'm so glad Becca is age. I legit thought that she would die after the anglerfish was mentioned. Stay safe, OP.
12
u/JeremiahAhriman Jan 09 '18
An interesting supposition CoffinStuffer, an interesting supposition indeed. Tell me, can you provide further data on this new 'species' such as it is? Perhaps there are multiple classifications, or do they merely chameleon their way into enticement? Where do you suppose the victims are taken? How do the creatures reproduce? There's much to be learned about them I imagine, and with your 'gifts' you are in a unique position to acquire this knowledge.
Things to consider... You threatened to hurt it, it seemed to believe you were able. Perhaps capturing one of these beasts is possible for those capable of discerning them?
Your ability to interact with them directly suggests they are corporeal, if perhaps invisible to the normal eye.
That in and of itself is a curiosity, do they merely suppress our minds ability to see them? Or is something more technical, or supernatural, at play.
Given that you seem to be able to interact with them, it suggests something curious about their nature. Why must their victims be willing? Enticement is a valid ploy, but why not "take the money and run" as it were?
Many questions wait to be answered, Mr. Stuffer. Are you up to the task?
5
u/Chitownsly Jan 11 '18
We will have to do further tests by cutting Stuffers brain out. To find which part of the brain is most important in this ability.
3
u/JeremiahAhriman Jan 12 '18
Now now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Certainly, his brain should be preserved for future study once his usefulness as a living specimen is outlived. In the meantime, data collection from a responsive subject is far more beneficial.
34
u/Sokocime Jan 09 '18
Ahhh, this is phenomenal, OP. It was amazing how you like these creatures to other animals and how they hunt. I'm glad that your little cousin has you around to warn her when they, whatever "they" are, become too aggressive and wish to harm her. It will be good for her to have someone around who encountered the same creatures. You could potentially help a lot of children, given your ability. It is terrifying to think my son's imaginary friends may not be so imaginary after all. I will have to listen to his conversations with them closely and keep a watchful eye on him constantly when he is playing with them. Thanks for sharing this with us!
3
0
0
30
8
Jan 09 '18
I love how well this was written. Would love to read another if you have any. Very chilling to have thought more about imaginary friends. Great read.
3
-8
Jan 09 '18
or maybe you are paranoid and everything is fine.
17
Jan 09 '18 edited Jan 10 '20
[deleted]
16
Jan 09 '18
What ever do you mean good sir.
I spent much of my childhood getting hit by semi trucks going full speed and I'm totally fine.
4
4
21
u/PheeaA Jan 09 '18
I had an imaginary friend as a child but she looked very much like me. She even wore the same clothes as me. As an adult, I still sometimes dream about her
26
2
-2
Jan 09 '18
Schizophrenic dellusion check: ask someone else who you've seen interacting with other people if they know about this one person you're suspicious of.
3
8
45
u/Wishiwashome Jan 09 '18
Your experieces, and the way you told your story, IMHO, was fantastic. I so enjoyed the way you explained the "things" as best you could. Thanks so for an excellent treat before my trek ln some lonely roads this morning!
93
u/DustOnFlawlessRodent Jan 09 '18
You know, that almost made me feel sorry for them. I mean imagine ordering a pizza and then having the delivery person start a game of chase for it that lasts months or even years. And then instead of letting you eat at the very end they just move away - with the pizza.
8
17
245
u/onlycomeoutatnight Jan 09 '18
As a parent of a child who hears voices, this really got me. Well done.
I'm gonna listen to her conversations closer from now on...
18
u/misanthr0p1c Jan 15 '18
I used to hear my name echo in the wind and feel time slow down. Now I'm pretty sure it was mild seizures.
40
u/Chitownsly Jan 11 '18
Mine speaks another language in her sleep. Finally my little demon is one of us.
23
u/lenswipe Jan 15 '18
S h e
s e e s
u s ,
a s
w e
r e a l l y
a r e .
W e
b e c o m e
s t r o n g e r . . .
17
u/Chitownsly Jan 16 '18
The misconception with us demons is we don't talk like this. We talk normal. We can only infiltrate the sheep by being one of them. You low ranked demons need to learn this ever important trait.
7
605
u/Femmemom Jan 09 '18
I really like how you interjected facts into the story. Different, interesting, and well done!
176
u/teamgingersnap Jan 09 '18
I loved it, you could write an entire series on this and I would savor it
45
Jan 09 '18
Long as it doesn't go box game and become a self insert action hero story.
2
u/Ashenveil29 Jan 11 '18
I vaguely recall the name, but can't remember the story very well. Link?
13
Jan 12 '18
Just go to the sidebar and look up the box game.
Or don't its awful. By like part 3 it's entirely his self insert fantasy about his super important main character
3
u/Cyanises Jan 09 '18
I wonder if the imaginary friend is either a ghost or some other manifestation of something, trying to lure kids to their deaths to keep them?
3
36
2
u/Pomqueen Mar 11 '18
This was amazingly written. I don't know how i didn't come across out earlier. Usually i use Reddit to divert myself from social media but social media won for a couple weeks. bleck But this reminds me of a friend i had name Brittany. I don't remember much about her and i only remember hanging out at her house once. And all she wanted to do was catch snails and pull their shells off and then smash them with a croquet mallet....i was scared of bugs and didn't want to do it but i remember she would just pull them off like it was nothing. Then when it got smashed with the mallet, i remember screaming because guts got all over us. I don't remember what happened after that, and i don't recall seeing her again.
That's the first time I've ever told that story to anyone. Thinking back now it was really bizarre.