!["They can't help themselves." [Warm-up Sketch]](https://img5.xaiju.com/storage/2/wv/yy/d38796-019e8d95-27fb-796d-8e05-a0b461964ede.jpg)
"They can't help themselves." [Warm-up Sketch]
Added 2025-02-03 07:45:05 +0000 UTC"They can't help themselves.
They can never truly conceal it. There's always something deeply off about the facade, no matter how minute the flaw. I noticed one while walking in the park, sitting with someone I presume she had befriended, a person she considered distinct from her countless victims, a pet. I deliberately locked eyes with her as I passed by, holding a gaze just to see how she would react.
Moments before, she had been warmly admiring the person beside her. But upon meeting my eyes, her expression shifted, becoming cold and sinister, her stare unwavering, like that of a big cat hidden in the brush stalking its prey. She had striking irises, like a bird of prey—a true predator. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise and quickly averted my eyes. I could feel her studying me as I quickened my pace and distanced myself. I'd never felt more vulnerable, more aware of my role in the bastardized food chain these individuals have imposed on the city. I don't imagine her companion had ever experienced what I just had. She's regarded as something different from me after all.
It was a mistake exposing myself like that with a knowing look. I won't be returning to the park; that much I can help."
Comments
I've talked about this before, but there's a writer that I love that describes this perfectly: "A lazy tiger watching a toddler and trying to decide if it's worth the effort." I love the instant shift trope in horror, when the mask dips, and our POV as an audience gets transported into the media and we get a real, honest look at this character we're (oftentimes) romanticizing. We're meat on a plate. Gum on a shoe. Prey.
Neil S
2025-02-06 21:29:51 +0000 UTCgod i love this.
blyatbrat
2025-02-04 19:10:20 +0000 UTCLoooooore! You might consider submitting the word heavy things to story subreddits. This reminded me about how much I love r/HFY. I *love* some of the stories there and many have voracious consumers (pun intended). But one thing I always wished for was for some of these writers to like maybe, half assed sketch some of the things they are talking about. There's a demand out there for sure and your work is multifaceted.
Gothic Crow
2025-02-03 22:37:30 +0000 UTCNon gremlin Ellie has *some* self control, lol
Alex Lilly
2025-02-03 19:02:39 +0000 UTCI know this dude goes unscathed. Not all of them fall victim astoundingly haha
Caroline Catlett Gates
2025-02-03 18:52:40 +0000 UTCI enjoy both the serious story and the whacky one offs. Like I'm wondering if Ellie just found her next meal with this guy.
Alex Lilly
2025-02-03 18:50:17 +0000 UTCTVD has a shit load of this kind of thing. "Sydney" in particular only scratched the surface. I can see significantly verbose pages will not perform as well on public platforms, and I so will need to time the releases properly in between wacky one offs.
Caroline Catlett Gates
2025-02-03 18:43:42 +0000 UTCEver thought of just writing a novel with these characters? That was really good. But then we'd miss your fantastic art with it.
Alex Lilly
2025-02-03 18:39:09 +0000 UTC(insert Ralph Wiggums meme) I'm in danger!
Shane Openo
2025-02-03 13:18:47 +0000 UTCYou done messed up A-A-RON....Fantastic writing and most excellent sketch. You can feel that stare analyzing you the more you look at it.
Charles
2025-02-03 13:11:40 +0000 UTCDude! Killer sketch and excellent writing!
Andrew Duffy
2025-02-03 11:39:54 +0000 UTCHYPE!
Shane Openo
2025-02-03 09:19:29 +0000 UTCOoooh!! Sinister observer!
the.adhd.tiger
2025-02-03 07:51:05 +0000 UTCRECKONING: Part 1 arriving to reddit in 4 hours. Working on Part 2 lines.
Caroline Catlett Gates
2025-02-03 07:46:11 +0000 UTC
