Poison Hemlocks

Author's Note

Congrats, you've reached the end.

Hi, my name is Bait. Professional menace to society. Just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for reading this offbeat thought experiment that I for some reason one day decided to put precious time and effort into writing.

A footnote; this story is not a love story. Well, it is, but traditionally, love stories have: altruistic and rootable protagonists, charming and lovable love interests, a plot that develops their relationship and chemistry in a positive direction, and a happily-ever-after.

Yeah, these elements are NOT present in the story, not in the way it should to have it qualify as a romance anyway. I don't expected it to be taken overtly seriously - it's a satire crime fiction novella with a touch of gay romantic tragedy. Because we all love a bit of homoerotic drama.

And that's the point. This story is about obsession, delusion and toxicity. It's about two men who've been fucked up by the environments they grew up in and are currently in, and how said environments have affected their relationship. It's about being more willing to live a lie than face the truth.

I never really meant for the characters to be likeable. Being rotten is kind of their whole point. It's not a story about rottenness if the characters themselves aren't rotten, right? And whether I executed that well or not is completely up to you.

All in all, writing this has been quite something. I hope you at least managed to enioy a little bit of it. I mean, why would you be here reading this and continue to engage with it if you didn't enjoy it just a tad bit, right?

That's all. Thanks. See ya.

P. S. I do not condone toxic relationships in any way, shape or form, and neither should you. Take care of yourself, buddy.