[2021 WATTYS SHORTLIST]
TWO FRIENDS, DIVIDED. ONE STORY.
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It all begins with a murder.
Astrid Delaney, the manager of indie rock band, Water on Fire, has been brutally stabbed to death backstage just before one of their concerts. The culprit is Water on Fire's keyboardist, Boris Downing. This is no mystery.
Nicholas Flynn, lead singer of Water on Fire, wakes up in a strange place surrounded by animals wearing unfamiliar outfits with peculiar bands on their left arms. The animals tell the hyena what has become of Astrid and that Boris is possessed by a demon named Absalom. Unable to have his memory of Absalom erased and seeing an opportunity to figure out how to exorcize Boris, Nick joins the hidden organization known as the Mortal Guard which keeps the knowledge of the supernatural, known as the Other Side, from public knowledge. He is placed under the guidance of Richard Seife, a raccoon deemed mentally "damaged" by the organization.
Boris doesn't want to be a killer. Even though the otter grew up rich and well-off, minus the neglectful father, he's never quite connected to the world at large. Even so, he had been making strides to improve himself thanks to the help of he and Nick's German shepherd friend, Tyler Finlay. Now, Absalom has entered his life and made it a living hell, forcing him to murder innocent animals or face the consequences of losing everybody he loves. Boris kidnaps Tyler, as he's one of these targets, but how could he kill the animal that had just recently been helping him improve as a person?
Featuring a mental health twist, Static Reflections is an LGBT+ downward spiral of trauma and identity in an insane supernatural world where the real horrors might just be the most recognizable things in life.
True evil awaits all involved.
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Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains extremely dark themes, graphic violence, themes of suicide, and mention of sexual assault.
Cover art by upperthorso
What happens when a group of people, dealing with individual hells, find a safe haven within one another's embrace? Will they stay strong against what wishes to see them torn apart? Or will they wither away, to be nothing more than bitter memories?
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Sienna Meadows is just trying to live her life as she wishes. Tattoo for a living, a small group of amazing friends, some good pot, her books and dog are all she wants.
Simple, right?
That is until she is reminded that she's had a stalker since she was sixteen.
But what happens when Sienna catches the eye of Killian Webber, former hockey player and all things that represent the word 'male', which in turn puts her in the spotlight for his brothers?
Lennox Shepard is the ringleader. Strong willed. Not used to being told no. Sex on legs, even if his mouth ruins it sometimes.
Jhett Hallowell is the computer whiz. Acts as a buffer within the group. His filthy words can make even the strictest of nuns sin.
Bodhi Mathews is a brooding Veteran. Struggling to deal with civilian life. He doesn't need to speak a word to make a woman beg.
What happens when a deal is made but then feelings bloom?
Will they live happily ever after or will their world explode and take them all with it?
Want to find out?
Of course you do.