In reply to Elenora Sabin.

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. And I still prefer the original version too–but I did enjoy coming up with the other. Which doesn’t mean I’d do it again… 🙂

I enjoyed the story. I do prefer the original ending to the added one. It is more ambiguous, but I think that’s a good thing. I mean, I get that the protagonist died, but the ambiguity lies in what is actually going on in the world around him. It left me with questions that will keep me thinking about the story, which, with the added ending, would be more forgetable.

In reply to Rebecca.

Thanks! The funny thing, from my POV, is that I didn’t know where it’d end up when I gave Santerio his name. I think I intended it as a sort of atmospheric redirection. But then…

I really enjoyed this one, finished last night just before sleep. The beginning kind of reminded me of one called Alone by TR Sullivan which I can’t stop thinking about. Once the big reveal at the end happened I understood the dog’s name – Santerio. It was a great clue.

BTW I prefer the original ending. Not all books/stories must end happily.

In reply to David.

That has got to be so fun not knowing quite where you’re going. That’s how adventures start for sure!

In reply to Shelley Bricker.

I really wondered whether people would like it at all. It was fun to write–I had no idea where it was going until suddenly I did. Which is normal for me, but this time it was more of a surprise than usual. Kinda trying to write myself into a corner just for fun, but it didn’t work. Maybe next time.

In reply to Shelley Bricker.

{8’> Found that image right away at Dreamstime.com and didn’t look any further. Sometimes I mess around with ’em but this time all I did was fade it out a bit.

In reply to Jim Parrish.

Thanks, Jim! I’ll try to keep it fun around here.

Oh and I really like the cover! Total despair.

Such an interesting story to sit and think about. I’m kind of wondering if I will dream about it when I fall asleep. Glad I read it at night so that the darkness won’t leave me for a while. Mr. Carruther’s confusion was palpable. Going to the grocery store and standing in line. I KNOW I would do the same. I liked how bits and pieces of the dream were combined slowly. Just the right amount of tension ! Thanks for another great story !