Did this story impact anyone else? I wrote it, yet I can't get it out of my mind. Although I often get lost in my stories while writing them, no other has had such a profound effect on me.

Yeah...wow. Think I'll rest the pen for a while...you've out done even yourself with this one. It sorta sticks with you. Man -- you can write dude! This story is one of those thought provoking ones that you are so good at. But this one...well, I saw where it was going and didn't want it to go there.... Hell of a piece man. Hell of a piece by a hell of a writer. 10. Yeah...a solid 10.

-Nathan

YEAH !!!!!

This one had me rigid and streaming from half-way on to the end.

And I think (in addition to the sexual stimulation that all your stories give) this one is especially effective on the psychological level. Who of us has not committed some act in the name of anger/retribution/revenge that was impossible to be taken back? Most may not have been as deliberate or dire as the act portrayed in your story, but we all have at some level had such an experience. And, therefore, this one hits us right in the gut -- or lower.

Thanks for yet another great read.

Slammr,

I cannot add anythything to what's already been said. I read this story early this morning, and like everyone else, I figured out

Nathan (imported) wrote: Sat Mar 22, 2003 2:24 am where it was going and didn't want it to go there,

but....

I think it was Connie Francis who first sang "You always hurt the one you love..."

OUT-FREAKING-STANDING Story!

You keep hitting us, making us think, or as my sister says, touching us where we live!

WOW!

I agree with Krister-what if...but what gets me most about the story-something that hit me after I finished the story-was putting myself into the minds of both father and son. Of all that the father lost, he regretted most the loss of his son-and the son, even though his mother had tried to destroy the memory of his father, had clung to it, treasuring-keeping a picture of him and his father-even though the face of his father had been blotted out. Can you imagine the despair he felt, lying there-gagged-unable to tell his father who he was-then to have this revered person mutilate him. And the father had held onto the memory of his son-and the picture-for fifteen fucking years-then to do what he did. I keep wondering-where do they go from here?

Charlie, in one of his posts, talked about how he came to care about his characters when he wrote a story. I'm the same way. I think to write well, one has to become emotionally involved with his characters-sometimes loving them-sometimes hating them, but, at all times, feeling their pain.

I’m really grateful for this thread. I don’t read very many stories on the Archive past the first paragraph or two. This is one that I had too quickly decided I would not enjoy. Then I read the comments here and went back to read the story.

I’m certainly glad that I did. This is one that really reaches off the screen and grabs you. Even though I knew where it was going, there was no way to stop reading. It sucks you into the horror and pain that both father and son would feel.

Slammr has incredible ability as an author to pull off the emotions he does in such a short piece. I am in awe of his power.