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Brian Wilcox's avatar

Alright, here we go, glad to see a post from you Alexander. The tension was stained well throughout the piece and I liked how it shifted from the initial elevated supernatural and universal conflict to the sophomoric tension of a make-out sesh, into the all too human rambling extraction from danger and back to the world-saving energy of the opening. I really want to know more about this Ezekiel character and his inadequacy and potential ineptitude; tough to trust the character to be a mentor that clearly noted he just failed at his life mission but when there is a massive red blob swallowing up your neighborhood, maybe the mystic knows best. Nice work!

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Brian. Ahhh Ezekiel, wise warden or foolish Hatchet Cultist… where is the logic in that? He clearly was wrong about doing this alone, so your skepticism is well placed. We may need to wrap this up next time.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ah, Alexander, either Trevor or Ezekiel could wield the Logic, but we need ANYONE right now "to keep the evil spirits at bay, to drive them back, to banish them for another thousand years." The drive-in theater setting was a bit wacky, but all together, an engaging fantasy.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

I fear we’d need more than Hatchet Logic for that. Thanks for reading, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

👍🏻🥹

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Daniel O’Donnell's avatar

Really enjoyed this Alexander. It’s great to have you back, but I’m so sorry for your loss. Hope you and the family are doing OK 👍🏼

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thank you. We’re getting there.

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

So much metaphor and so many quick changes in this short fiction. Really enjoyed it!

Great to see you back :)

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks Kate. Still not 100% back. Getting there. 🙏

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

All in good time ☺️

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Ahh, this is what I enjoy. Laced with Ipfelkofer. Lots to make me smile and wonder.

Is this standalone, or the start of something new, or does it tie into something from before? Have we encountered an Ezekiel before? Or am I thinking too much of Pulp Fiction?

My faves:

When they finally stopped, breathless, sweat-soaked, and covered in brambles, in the middle of a clearing deep inside the woods, they had lost all sense of direction. A blood moon shone down upon them, and exhausted, they sat down on a slab of grey stone, shivering, looking like deer about to be slaughtered. -- so great.

A sliver of silver gleaming amidst the red carpet of fallen leaves caught Trevor’s eye. -- the sliver silver switch and sentence overall is really delightful.

“What is it with you guys and this hatchet?" -- teehee. Great dialogue from Penny.

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Thanks, Nathan. Ezekiel… indirectly, yes. We had the stellar steel forged Sabre from “Monster” a while back, as such these two are loosely linked, setting the framework for something bigger.

Pulp Fiction, eh? Well, Ezekiel is no Jules, although he may be good at giving foot massages. 😅

I’ve been cataloguing too many campy horror flicks as of late, hence the Blob reference. Glad you enjoyed it!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

I just played The Rise of the Golden Idol and there's a great scene in there where things go all crazy at a drive-in cinema. Has a very cool retro feel evocative of going to see the Blob etc.

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Mkwawa shujaa's avatar

I loved how you balanced mythic weight with playful, almost satirical beats.

I am excited to see how Trevor and Penny grow into their roles in the coming chapters which I might read on the weekend

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Feb 4
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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

As campy as it gets! ;) 🤘

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