Goatmandood
A vivid, first-person account of a psychedelic experience that spirals into a terrifying ordeal, blurring the lines between drug-induced paranoia and a genuinely sinister situation.
The narrative starts with an initial burst of euphoria and connection, fueled by a potent mix of LSD and other substances at a "hippie hoedown." The narrator describes a feeling of cosmic bliss and a magical encounter with a long-admired person.
However, the tone quickly shifts as a friend's irresponsible behavior and the narrator's escalating bad trip introduce a profound sense of dread. The act of comforting a vulnerable, abandoned woman provides a brief moment of altruism and a temporary anchor.
The core of the story revolves around the narrator's descent into paranoia, specifically the belief that he is being targeted by a vengeful group led by a figure named Skrim. The repeated, unsettling conversations, the ominous shanty, and the direct threats involving knives and "castration blankets" fuel this terror. The narrator's attempts to find solace or confirmation from others are met with chillingly sarcastic denials, further isolating him and intensifying his fear.
The climax of the story is the "trap" of the group hug, where the narrator feels physically ambushed and narrowly escapes. The unblinking stares and lack of concern from the group cement his conviction that he was in real danger. The story concludes with a long, terrifying walk home, leaving the reader to ponder whether the events were purely a product of a drug-fueled nightmare or if there was a genuine threat lurking beneath the surface of the festival.