17 Comments
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RM Greta's avatar

You're scary! Haha. Great story. Too real. Glad to read another banger by G Brogan.

Gaby Brogan's avatar

Haha thank you, I’ll take that! I always struggled with horror but figured I’d give it a go. Glad to be back!

Neural Foundry's avatar

The way you weave Instagram's algorithm into a horror framework is chilling. The idea that people would endure surgery without painkillers to match their filtered photos takes our very real anxieties about social media to their logical, terrifying conclusion. Iv'e seen friends get suked into comparing themselves to impossible standards but never imagined it quite this visceral. The slime imagery throughout adds a disturbing tactile element.

Gaby Brogan's avatar

Thank you! I was trying to think how extreme it could go, and also to think about the culty element of it - how we all seem to lose our minds around social media. Really appreciate your comment

Alexis Scullin's avatar

oh my goodness gracious, i hate that i love this

Gaby Brogan's avatar

Haha I will take that as a compliment! Thank you for reading 😊

Walt Shuler's avatar

Whooooaaaa. 🔪 🎃

MA Knight's avatar

Damnnnnnnnnn 👏

Gaby Brogan's avatar

Thaaaaaank youuuu 😊

Emily's avatar

Gaby, this is brilliant. I spend so much time thinking about social media and my relationship with it. I love how you've woven this social commentary on the algorithm and its influence over society into a horror story like this! Just chilling.

Brittany Kwentua's avatar

Probably shouldn't have read this before trying to go to sleep 😅 Great read!

Paul R. Pace's avatar

Good stuff here Gaby. Great pace to the story and i like the parallels.

Andrea Jai Devi Brogan's avatar

Another awesome story Gaby. I liked this one because you took what might/could happen into it’s terrible conclusion. Great writing!!!

Nikita E-L's avatar

The descriptions of the pumpkin carving were so good, exactly what I crave in the dead of winter!

Saint-Lazare's avatar

Okay, I'm out 🫣 really enjoyed the mystery of the scars, cults are the creepiest things and mixed with social media a nightmare, good golly!

Sapna's avatar

I am so freaked out right now. You're so good, Gaby