24 Comments
User's avatar
Bradley Vee's avatar

As I read this, I was there in your entomological, post-apocalyptic slime-world. I got me some Stockholm Syndrome and felt like necksluggin', but then realized I might be dinner. Thanks for the incredibly-imaginative story, but I'm outta here!

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

What are you sayin', that it's too much for you?

There's a lovely third part still to come and you haven't finished your cold reconstituted protein broth yet.

Expand full comment
Bradley Vee's avatar

It is too much, but I want more. I have become a host.

Expand full comment
Jon T's avatar

Luckily its a meal so nice youll taste it thrice. Stay tuned slurry maggot.

Expand full comment
Bradley Vee's avatar

Will do as told. Need more text protein.

Expand full comment
Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

What plane of existence are you cats living on? I think my mind just melted. This has such a consistent but unique voice, it's hard to even tell it's a collab. Tres dope.

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

Thanks Sean, it's great that you're enjoying it. In fact we used a mind meld and became one, which was embarrassing to all concerned.

Expand full comment
Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

"My thoughts to your thoughts. My mind to your mind--Oh God, you listen to Sum 41?"

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

I don't but since Jon does I do too

Expand full comment
enfanterribleidiotsavantgarden's avatar

Aww man, this reminded me of that old SEGA game, Another World.

Was it an inspiration?

Cheers

Expand full comment
Jon T's avatar

Had to look it up, “The game tells the story of Lester, a young scientist who, as a result of an experiment gone wrong, finds himself on a dangerous alien world where he is forced to fight for his survival”

Not the inspiration for this but for something else? Hell ya! Thank you for reading.

Expand full comment
enfanterribleidiotsavantgarden's avatar

Look it up, the art is incredible. I used to play when I was a little brat -I still am.

The imagery amazed me, it was unique, those black worms, the ambiance, the sounds, and the animation.

Reading this here instantly brought this back, thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XPmzFhtY-g

Hope it serves as a creative input for ya.

Expand full comment
Kathrine Elaine's avatar

This is as dystopian as it gets. Gruesomely tangled. Thank you. I think.😅🩶

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

Last part out today - read if you're up to it. Maybe have a lie-down first though.

Expand full comment
Kathrine Elaine's avatar

Oh, no, I’ll be fine. It kinda reminds me of my art studies. I was much more open-minded to experimental crossover art stuff back then. I was like “wow, that’s nice! What is it?!”😂 the videos and the visuals you guys did are cool.

Expand full comment
Jon T's avatar

What is it indeed. We are all still finding out I suppose. Thanks for appreciating Kathrine. And we always love to be compared to ECA - even the vintage stuff. Kinda like us.

Expand full comment
EJ Trask's avatar

oh I can’t wait for these two to finally meet and annihilate some neck slugs or themselves or whatever

Expand full comment
Jon T's avatar

Why not all of the above. Who knows?

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

Almost certain to be a messy business I'm sure you'll agree.

Expand full comment
Michael Edward's avatar

The descriptions in this piece, make this strange world so vivid that I feel uncomfortable reading — as if I’m there. Trapped.

It’s very good :)

Expand full comment
Jon T's avatar

We’ll spring you loose in part three. Thanks for reading Michael. No strain no gain as they say.

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

New high, for sure. Everything I loved in part 1 you only added to and dug out further. So many beautiful, disturbing lines: "Girthday", such a nice touch. "Side-eyeing stray polyps and forecasting your dissolve date gets real old real fast". Even the back story of the girl was a creep show, beautifully handled. Mastery. Pure and simple. Can't wait for 3!

Expand full comment
A.P. Murphy's avatar

Thanks Ken as always for your perceptive reading. Part 3 coming imminently, Substack jank permitting!

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Excited!

Expand full comment