32 Comments
User's avatar
Charlotte (has) Baby Brain's avatar

Oh my god, Jim, this is TERRIFYING

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Charlotte! Thanks for stopping and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. There are two more Parts if you dare. I will tell you in advance. It doesn't lighten up. Thanks again and I understand if this is one and out for you. This kind of story isn't everybody's cup of tea so to speak. But take a deep breath and try Part 2, haha. - Jim

Expand full comment
Charlotte (has) Baby Brain's avatar

Oh, no, I love stories like this – I’ll take a look at the others this week!

Expand full comment
Saint-Lazare's avatar

Better than the movie Smile. Off to the next parts, can't wait!

Expand full comment
Jennifer James's avatar

This is nightmarish. I love an outbreak story. So many possibilities.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

And none of the possibilities are good Jennifer. It gets worse....Thanks for reading. - Jim

Expand full comment
Ken Flyingheart's avatar

Woah. Loving this. You rolled into it perfectly. Sharp and vivid. I was right there feinting away. And to think you once said you couldn’t right horror. This is gold!

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Thanks Ken, appreciate the read and comment. Coming from you, a horror master in my mind, that means a lot. - Jim

Expand full comment
K.C. Knouse's avatar

That creepy smile. Nothing good can come from that. Once you got going, you were relentless with the horror, Jim. Fantastic! I'll take that Burma monster snake over Springfield any day.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Haha, it’s Springtown, but I hear you K.C. I stole it - it’s a very small, very real, town near the small town I live in. Thanks for reading and commenting. Appreciate it! - Jim

Expand full comment
K.C. Knouse's avatar

You know, Jim, I read it as Springfield throughout the entire story. I guess I saw Spring and assumed the rest.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Funny what the mind is capable of. You had good reason to read it that way though partner. If my ‘trivial pursuit’ memory is correct there are almost 100 towns in the U.S. that share the name Springfield - with about 30 or more states having at least one Springfield? (that could be totally off base, but it is a very common town name;) - Jim

Expand full comment
K.C. Knouse's avatar

Interesting stuff, Jim. Thanks for sharing. I've been to Springfield,IL and Springfield, MO.

Expand full comment
Kyle Leonard's avatar

That chunk of boxwood hedge—through a kids eyes... Wow, I was just happily reading along and then WTH?!

Man! That story was a vivid.

Expand full comment
Dave Williams's avatar

I don't like horror stories but I can't not read this one. Next, please.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Well, thanks Dave. I'm not a horror writer either, mostly crime fiction and a little historical fiction, but I like to play in this sand box sometimes. I'll do my best. Next, is coming. Thanks for reading and commenting. - Jim

Expand full comment
Hanna Delaney's avatar

I was sinking deeper into the sofa reading this, trying to get away from it 😂 such a creepy story.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Haha, well with this type of story, I'll take that reaction any day. Thanks for reading and commenting, I really appreciate it. I've decided to continue this based on some other readers comments. Hope you like what's coming! Thanks again, Hanna. - Jim

Expand full comment
Hanna Delaney's avatar

I’m glad I could drop in and read it. The image itself was scary! Looking forward to seeing what’s next.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Yes, she's jussst a little too bright and cheery. Got lucky looking. When I saw her it was like Bing, bing, bing. Winner.

Expand full comment
Stephen Duffy's avatar

Fantastic, Jim! Crying out for a part 2. Hope you're well, buddy 👍🏻

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Thanks so much Stephen. I said one and done with this one, but - I may have to reconsider. A million ways I could go with it I suppose. Appreciate your readership and glad you liked it. Thanks again - Jim.

Expand full comment
Parker McCoy's avatar

Now that's a good creepy story. I hope Brian can get away. Great post, Jim.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Thanks Parker, appreciate it. - Jim

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

Pedal fast young man. Ain't nothing good gonna happen in Springtown. Creepy fever dream stuff here Jim. Are you going to hit us up with a part 2???

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Ha, no I don’t think so on this one. One and done, unless you convince me otherwise! Just creeped me out imagining this little scenario playing out…with a perfectly normal mom, a perfectly normal kid and a perfectly normal backyard - until…

Sometimes I worry about myself. Or maybe it’s just the lack of nicotine, eh?

Expand full comment
M.E. Proctor's avatar

Ah, what a great start for a horror fest….

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Haha, thanks M.E.! To me horror is always best when entwined with the normal, everyday, almost boring…things. - Jim

Expand full comment
M.E. Proctor's avatar

It’s most effective that way. When regular life suddenly starts slipping. I love that.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Jim Wilsky! If there is a part 2 to this creep-fest, I don't want to know. ha ha ha ha It's a good thing you let this stuff out ... a little at a time. Like a steam vent, I imagine a pressure cooker inside that skull of yours.

Expand full comment
Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Haha. This is a simple little 'one and done' story, no part 2...AND, I'm not smart enough to have a pressure cooker for a mind;) so no ticking time bombs here. Thank for reading! - Jim

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

🩷🤭

Expand full comment