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Hanna Delaney's avatar

I can't restack for some reason, but wow, if you're already scared of the big blue sea, this is chilling. Loved this part in particular: "No dive today. Daniela is experiencing some reaction to the fluid, perhaps an infection of some sort. Her skin is dark red and deepening, the blotches no longer individual spots but connected with each other. There is a salty, tangy smell about her— bacterial I believe, but I am not an expert." I am amazed with the dark depths of your writerly mind, EJ.

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EJ Trask's avatar

thank you so much

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Hanna Delaney's avatar

Yeah, sorry I couldn't quote. It doesn't restack at the moment unless I'm on my laptop. Weird. I loved the imagery all along too, however. Not just this bit. You write the most gruesome things 😄

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Sophia Adamowicz's avatar

This is great! Reminded me of Our Wives Under the Sea, but this was the scarier and weirder of the two.

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EJ Trask's avatar

thanks! that’s really saying something haha

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Sean Thomas McDonnell's avatar

Briny. Scary. Perfect.

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EJ Trask's avatar

BRINY! word of the day. 🖤🖤

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Jared Lambert's avatar

Best deep sea horror Ive read 🤘🏽

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EJ Trask's avatar

amazing, thank you!

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JLG Noga's avatar

This was great! Deep-sea cabin fever, echoes of grief, submarine Lovecraft. Petite with a punch.

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EJ Trask's avatar

thanks! I love that description!!

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Morgan Alistair Drake's avatar

I loved how you made her (Daniela) character 'humorless', she would not see the cosmic joke if it smacked her in the face.

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Solace Solnova's avatar

I have to say as sOOn as I saw the changes in the Os I said tO myself Ej is tOO cOld with this. This played Out like a mOvie in my head. Well done 🤌🏽

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EJ Trask's avatar

yessss i’m so glad you liked it

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Fabulous! I love the sea and stories about it. This is terrifying and tempting at the same time…to return, to go home, to communicate on a grand scale…and yet it is as alien as it is familiar. Gorgeous story!

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A. R. Eldridge's avatar

Man, this was really good. Getting big Uzumaki vibes from the rings. I love deep sea stuff. Have you ever read The Deep by Nick Cutter?

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EJ Trask's avatar

thank you so much. I love the deep sea too, will read anything about it! this story was inspired by a national geographic article. and yes, I have read the deep! so creepy

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Caz Hart's avatar

Excellent slow burn.

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