Catacombs by ucarr

Baden December 16, 2024 at 17:08 175 views 29 comments
What’s that marking on the wall just ahead? It’s an arrow! Hallelujah! And it’s the same color as the last arrow. And best of all, it’s pointing in the same direction. Maybe I’ve got a chance of getting out of here after all. Got to keep finding more arrows pointing the way back. How I long to climb up through the tunnel, finally pushing back the grating and entering the courtyard of the cathedral.

Just think, this misery started with a glass of Merlot.


“Justin, my connection in Bordeaux has finally come through.”
Lars handed me the glass of dark wine and, delighted, I sipped it.
“I await your opinion.”
“Lars, you know I’m a complete blank when it comes to wines.”
“Your smile is telling me something.”
“It’s very smooth, and the taste…”
“Yes?”
“Why, it’s so good, I’m almost afraid.”
His slowly expanding smile was diabolical.


I’m still trying to fathom my willingness to fly to Paris on short notice, beckoned by Lars. What could make me abandon the encampment at the base of the Sierra Nevadas? The geological dig with my colleagues at Southwestern College had been planned more than a year in advance.
I must be falling apart. Now I’m without my geological hammer down in these deadly catacombs below Paris for the second time. Millions of bodies buried here, dating back to the 18th century. In these close and suffocating tunnels one might use a pick hammer to clear breathing space.
What’s that drawing over there? A crude likeness of a woman’s face. Olga? Must be seeing things. Now that I’m hopelessly lost, down here in the lower depths some three hundred feet below the surface, I’m overheated, sweating profusely… and hallucinating.
“Olga! Is that you? Beautiful Olga. I miss you so. Oh no. I’m still vice-gripped in the throes of guilt. Stop it! Don’t go off the deep end. Keep your cool. You’re okay. You’ll get out. Check your light. It’s your lifeline. Dim! No longer hurts my eyes. That’s Bad.”


She was a fetching blonde with big eyes and a surplus of charm.
“Justin, I want you to meet Olga. She’ll be joining us for the expedition to the catacombs.”
“Very nice to know you, Justin.”
“Same here. Say, is that a Swedish accent stroking my eardrums?”
Lars, annoyed, shot me a disapproving glance. I crashed to earth, embarrassed at being so blatant.
“No. It’s my Norwegian accent. Sorry to disappoint.”
“No disappointment. Norwegian will do just as well.
I glanced at Lars. No disapproval this time.


What? What! Who is that lying over there? The blonde hair. Could it be her? Still lying where we left her? No. No. No. Turning around. Can’t turn around. This is the only way out. Besides, Lars is back there, advancing. This is the only way back to fresh air and life and love! Back to pretty girls who don’t fall down caverns and die. Olga? Is that you still lying there, where we left you… three years ago?


“Keep holding onto my hand, Olga! Keep holding! Lars! She’s slipping away! Her fingers are slipping out of my hand!”
Sharp, electric shriek of sudden death. Silence.


Delirium. Confession to the stone walls closing in on me.
The first expedition to the Paris catacombs was my idea. I’m a geologist. Working catacombs is my thing. Convinced Lars, anthropologist. A million French bones from antiquity? That is his thing. Olga, biologist. Life was her thing.
I convinced us to break the law. Steal into the restricted area. I convinced Lars to leave her bones amongst the million French bones. Bones that haunt me.
Now, on this second expedition, I’m on the run from Lars. I don’t trust his intentions.
“’Rage against the dying of the light,”’ wrote the poet. My light goes out. Utter blackness. What’s that sound?! A pick hammer, cutting rock, getting closer.
“Lars?!”

Comments (29)

hypericin December 17, 2024 at 02:40 #954026
A lot of stylistic problems here. People don't talk or think like this. It introduces the reader to one thing after another, without giving them a reason to care. I didn't understand the twist, whatever it was , I'd lost interest by then anyway.

Sorry dear author, this one whiffed for me.

Quoting Baden
. Say, is that a Swedish accent stroking my eardrums?”


I'll be sure to try this guaranteed winner out.
javi2541997 December 17, 2024 at 06:34 #954044
I liked the story. It grabs your attention since the beginning, but I missed some aspects: First, I wish the story was a bit longer. The plot is very interesting, and it starts very well, but suddenly everything seems to pass very quickly; secondly, I also missed more implication of Olga. It looked like an important link to Justin and Lars, and I think she deserved more attention and not just a description of her appearance and accent.

Look, I really liked this part:

Quoting Baden
“Olga! Is that you? Beautiful Olga. I miss you so. Oh no. I’m still vice-gripped in the throes of guilt. Stop it! Don’t go off the deep end. Keep your cool. You’re okay. You’ll get out. Check your light. It’s your lifeline. Dim! No longer hurts my eyes. That’s Bad.”


The protagonist misses her. It might be just my taste, but I wanted to know more about Olga. I mean, more involvement from her in the plot. As she quickly appears in the story, she leaves early.

If only she would have had more presence, I think the readers would have also felt that feeling of missing her that I guess it is the intention of the author. Poor Olga! :sad:

The rest of the story and the core idea are pretty good, honestly. Stay away from Lars! :smile:
Amity December 17, 2024 at 10:21 #954081
Catacombs

Underground place of the dead. I've never been tempted to visit any. Dark, claustrophobic and spooky, I would freak out. So, the title already intrigues and fills me with dread.

Quoting Baden
What’s that marking on the wall just ahead? It’s an arrow! Hallelujah!


Praise be to God, a sign to follow. To safety? Who would leave the arrows? Or is it simply for visitors, enter here and follow the yellow brick road...climbing up to the Cathedral courtyard.

I'm down there, now, in the dark. What next?

Quoting Baden
Just think, this misery started with a glass of Merlot.


A single stand-out line, great hook. Merlot and misery, hmmm, what's not to like?

Short and sweet dialogue to introduce the characters, Justin (narrator) and Lars (a Scandinavian devil?)

Quoting Baden
Why, it’s so good, I’m almost afraid.”
His slowly expanding smile was diabolical.


Back to the present with J questioning just how he got here - manipulated by Lars to leave an important excavation project. J is one curious guy. What is the attraction?

He has returned to a place of death without his tool to unpick old truth or a way out.
Short and succinct description of the atmosphere:
Quoting Baden
Millions of bodies buried here, dating back to the 18th century. In these close and suffocating tunnels one might use a pick hammer to clear breathing space.


Then, another question or hallucination as J sees a ghost in a drawing. Olga? I can imagine a faded picture hung alongside the dead in memory. I feel the overwhelming sense of loss of place, person and direction. This, an excellent capture:

Quoting Baden
What’s that drawing over there? A crude likeness of a woman’s face. Olga? Must be seeing things. Now that I’m hopelessly lost, down here in the lower depths some three hundred feet below the surface, I’m overheated, sweating profusely… and hallucinating.


Followed by frantic questions and the attempt to keep mentally stable. Brilliant short phrases echoing gasps of breath, guilt (why?) and fear of losing the light:
Quoting Baden
“Olga! Is that you? Beautiful Olga. I miss you so. Oh no. I’m still vice-gripped in the throes of guilt. Stop it! Don’t go off the deep end. Keep your cool. You’re okay. You’ll get out. Check your light. It’s your lifeline. Dim! No longer hurts my eyes. That’s Bad.”


As a reader, I begin to care. Who is Olga? The author's brief description and the introduction dialogue shows her impact on J very well. He fell in love! For some reason Lars didn't approve and J cares about this. Why? Interesting - the competition between Sweden and Norway. Do we have a love triangle?

Back to the present with more questions, exclamations and the past. J wants to escape from all of this.
But there is no going back. He wants 'fresh air and life and love'. Far away from the guilt he still carries. Olga dead but not forgotten. The memory of the incident screams at him. He recalls every word, action and sound, ending with:

Quoting Baden
Sharp, electric shriek of sudden death. Silence.


I love J's 'confession to the stone walls closing in on me'. Is he about to die and this tomb will be his final resting place? The story and music of the past, starting with an idea, a project attracting like and unlike minds. The geologist, the anthropologist, the biologist. What? No philosopher? Or perhaps they were among the dead...

J is the guilty party. Or is he? His passion made him break the law. And, finally, was complicit in leaving another set of bones, adding to the pile. Now, he is paying for it. Why is Lars so angry? Now, after 3yrs...
Brooding and planning all this time?

Quoting Baden
Now, on this second expedition, I’m on the run from Lars. I don’t trust his intentions.
“’Rage against the dying of the light,”’ wrote the poet. My light goes out. Utter blackness. What’s that sound?! A pick hammer, cutting rock, getting closer.
“Lars?!”


We are left not knowing the end. Fearing for the life of Justin. But perhaps the quote holds a clue.
Light and the fight against darkness. The will to live...

***

Excellent writing! :flower: :sparkle:

















Amity December 17, 2024 at 10:28 #954083
Quoting hypericin
A lot of stylistic problems here. People don't talk or think like this. It introduces the reader to one thing after another, without giving them a reason to care.


Ah well, it seems we differ! I enjoyed the balance of dialogue and description.

Quoting javi2541997
I also missed more implication of Olga. It looked like an important link to Justin and Lars, and I think she deserved more attention and not just a description of her appearance and accent.


Olga is there throughout. In J's mind, in the hallucinatory picture, his memories. In life and death.
Now a ghost. Being dug up.

Quoting javi2541997
If only she would have had more presence, I think the readers would have also felt that feeling of missing her that I guess it is the intention of the author.


Again, Olga is deeply present. The reason why J and L are there in the first place.



fdrake December 17, 2024 at 14:57 #954110
I enjoy the dreadfully melodramatic perspective of the story. The style feels a bit gothic to me. I think this would have landed better for me with more words and contextual details, because it turns on investment in the characters, and their otherworldly prose isn't firmly set in an otherworld.
Vera Mont December 17, 2024 at 15:21 #954113
Quoting Baden
I’m still trying to fathom my willingness to fly to Paris on short notice, beckoned by Lars.


me too! sounds as if he'd come all this way for a glass of wine - somewhat reminiscent of amonitllado - then suddenly there is a woman and miles of uncharted catacomb - twice? i can't see the characters, their motivation, or the woman' death. it seems she fell into an unexplained hole, where they could have brought her out from, but didn't, and nobody else was looking for her.... all very strange.
Nils Loc December 17, 2024 at 17:30 #954143
So Olga died accidentally, in the Indiana Jones style, and was abandoned conveniently in the Paris catacombs by these two tossers she was unlucky enough to become entangled with. Strange moral failing on part of these professionals, further unwinding as they return to the scene of the accident for another accident? A solid well organized artful entry.

A playful nonchalance on part of the narrator over a grave circumstance.

Two men and a woman go into the underground. Two men come out. Psychopathic character traits in men. Two men return to the underground and suffer the paranoia of more grave possibilities?

Back to pretty girls who don’t fall down caverns and die.


:chin:

Something about the perennial pursuit of sex and its accidents. A psychosexual parable.
Love triangles, or giddy man boys, need a fourth wheel chaperone, especially in the catacombs.




Jack Cummins December 19, 2024 at 08:32 #954550
Reply to fdrake
I like the gothic feel but agree that more words, for detail may help to bring it forward in a starker way. The character of Olga is worthwhile and central and greater detail may have enabled her to stand out more, although the story does work as it is.
Christoffer December 19, 2024 at 11:25 #954557
I think the reflective line of thoughts about his situation works as a concept and ideas for a story about a failed tomb raider type of character, but it might need to slow down some and not time jump back and forth so much. It becomes confusing as there's a lot of telling and less showing.

Oh no. I’m still vice-gripped in the throes of guilt.


...is just telling us of his feelings. Especially for being in that dire situation he's a bit too lucid and observant of his situation for us to sense him really feeling in danger. Instead of him just saying what he's experiencing, show it. Let the perfume scent of Olga cut through the damp moist of moldy skeletons, let her voice echo from the dark to his confusion. Expand the emotions to events that makes the reader feel the feeling rather than being told that's how he feels.

And it rushes through too fast. If the story spent a little more time on getting to know the characters, showing the physical atmosphere of being buried in the catacombs with guilt. Build up the tension more, then the reader aligns emotionally with his predicament.

Right now it skips back and forth in time in a way that mostly just confuses and we get almost nothing about Olga before she falls to death. Also, what's an "electric shriek of sudden death"?

And I really don't get what the plot is about beyond is guilt and being trapped. Olga died three years ago, but now he's back on a second expedition and feeling guilty? Was the second expedition there for him to face his guilt? To finally find Olgas bones? But why is he on the run from Lars? Why doesn't he trust Lars intentions? And what was the purpose of illegally going down into the catacombs? Both times the "crew" discuss things, they discuss wine and Swedish accents, not the purpose of what they're about to do, or hint at some shadiness from Lars that would trigger his thoughts about Lars not being trustworthy.

So, I think this needs to be fleshed out a lot more. Less statements about the situation and more describing the experience through actions, sensory sensations, and things that happen; more character moments that are substantial for the characters and why they care about each other.

It works as a form of first draft, but needs more work..



hypericin December 20, 2024 at 22:46 #954888
Read though it again. The narrative is clearer to me now. Now, I'm thinking the main problem is that the author didn't take enough time with it. Both to polish, and to expand it, let the story breathe. As it stands, the whole thing feels very condensed, rushed, and stifling, almost as claustrophobic as the action in the story. I do like the idea of flipping between the present and the events that led up to it. The problem is that each of these sections is so rushed, it is more disorienting than anything.

And some of the lines are just stinkers. In addition to the Swedish Eardrums,

Quoting Baden
Oh no. I’m still vice-gripped in the throes of guilt.


made me groan inwardly. If we had a compendium of all world history's internal monologues, I doubt a ctrl-f seach would yield that one.

Overall I liked it better this time around, but still not my favorite. But that's just me, take it for what its worth. I'm glad other readers have a different take, especially @Amity and the very helpful window she gives into her reading experience.
Amity December 21, 2024 at 01:08 #954921
Reply to hypericin Thanks for the mention. I know authors appreciate hearing from different perspectives. Every time I read a story and its feedback, I see something new. Sometimes, I cringe at what I've written, other times I am pleased. I enjoy all the interaction. It stimulates thought and sparks new connections. Thanks to all.

Generally, constructive criticism is bound to be helpful. But at times, the same criticism is repeated and at length. From different people. For me, it can be 'heavy handed' and a bit of a pile-on, when e.g. everyone agrees that more should or could be written. Well, yes and no. For different reasons.

I 'get' the point re the internal dialogue. I looked again. And wonder how I missed it. I tend to sidestep or slide over things that annoy others. I think I don't groan enough. Sometimes, what makes one person frown in confusion or annoyance, makes me smile. I wonder at the author's reaction - their thoughts and feelings. If we will ever know.

I apologise for any unwarranted negativity I've shown re other readers' feedback.
We're all here to do our best. To make this whole experience enjoyable and to learn. It's all good.

Enough about me, me, me. It's all about the story! :flower: :sparkle:
There are still more to read, enjoy and blether about. Best wishes. :pray:




Amity December 21, 2024 at 01:36 #954923
Yes. I love this light touch and sense of humour. It makes me smile :cool:

Quoting Nils Loc
A playful nonchalance on part of the narrator over a grave circumstance.

Two men and a woman go into the underground. Two men come out. Psychopathic character traits in men. Two men return to the underground and suffer the paranoia of more grave possibilities?


Vera Mont December 21, 2024 at 01:36 #954924
every story tells us something about its subject - whether we understand it at the time or not. in some of these discussions, we get more information from other readers, or a different perspective on it, or a dimension we'd never considered. that happened to me in three of these stories - gifts!
i don't quite make sense of this one, but i hope the author will shed light.
Amity December 21, 2024 at 01:40 #954925
Quoting Vera Mont
i don't quite make sense of this one, but i hope the author will shed light.

I hope so too. It's often the case that I get things SO wrong, it's laughable.

This help? :wink:
Quoting Nils Loc
A psychosexual parable.

Vera Mont December 21, 2024 at 03:45 #954938
Reply to Amity
sorry, no. i got that there was something sexual between their being introduced and his abandonment of her body in a crypt, but i've no idea what happened in between.
even if you sneak in, they don't look as they did in the story. the suspicion that this might be the case bothered me some when i was reading it.
Amity December 21, 2024 at 08:42 #954952
Quoting Vera Mont
i got that there was something sexual between their being introduced and his abandonment of her body in a crypt, but i've no idea what happened in between


Ah, OK. Do you mean in the 3yr interval? This is unknown and open to imagination. My guess would be that the 2 guys separated and continued with whatever project occupied their minds. But with a growing anger on the part of Lars.

He had been 'convinced' to take part in the original plan, then to break the law, finally to leave the body behind. We don't know how he was persuaded, perhaps Justin fluttered his eyes, perhaps he was excited at the prospect of being in a private, dark place with both his loves, perhaps he was scared of the consequences of the police enquiry and the public anger. Of being put in prison.

Olga possibly slipped down a sub-subterranean passage, to a place they couldn't reach. There's an assumption that her death was sudden, no great suffering. Perhaps, her ghost haunted Lars and convinced him to return, to take revenge on Justin, the prime manipulator.

Quoting Vera Mont
even if you sneak in, they don't look as they did in the story. the suspicion that this might be the case bothered me some when i was reading it.


I don't understand what you mean?

The author had fun with this story and the main character, even in the dialogue. A bit of an Indiana Jones, without the morals.

The Catacombs have a fascinating history. I learned a new word 'catophile' ! The site is known to be dangerous and unstable, due to previous mine workings with hundreds of miles of tunnels.

Quoting Top 20 Scary Facts about the Paris Catacombs
14. A group of criminals used the catacombs to pull off a wine heist.
The thieves in question drilled into a wine cellar from the catacombs and made off with more than 300 bottles of vintage wine, reportedly worth €250,000.


Lars might have been casing the joint?! :scream:
The possibilities are endless. I think the author will want to continue exploring.
Who can fill the boots of Harrison Ford :chin:
Vera Mont December 21, 2024 at 16:07 #954983
Quoting Amity
Do you mean in the 3yr interval?

i meant before that. preamble; interaction leading up to and during the first expedition. all very sketchy. i had a little trouble, too, with a geologist's interest in human remains.
he abruptly leaves the site he's working, flies to paris without his tools, has a glass of wine, is introduced to a girl and spends what might turn out to be the rest of his life in deserted mine-shafts.
i'm not good at filling in the blanks
i would have accepted all of it, given a little more story.
praxis December 21, 2024 at 16:20 #954987
Love triangles tend to end badly.
Amity December 21, 2024 at 16:56 #954989
Quoting praxis
Love triangles tend to end badly.


That's your story!

I prefer green ones. They're quality. Right up my street! Yum :yum:
hypericin December 21, 2024 at 19:00 #955004
Quoting Amity
I think I don't groan enough. Sometimes, what makes one person frown in confusion or annoyance, makes me smile.


You are a uniquely sympathetic reader. Don't ever change that! Unfortunately I am grumpier.

Quoting Amity
Generally, constructive criticism is bound to be helpful. But at times, the same criticism is repeated and at length. From different people. For me, it can be 'heavy handed' and a bit of a pile-on, when e.g. everyone agrees that more should or could be written.


I hope people aren't just piling on. Rather I'd suggest that this almost unanimity is a strong signal that something is indeed amiss. As painful as it might be to hear.

That said I was definitely too harsh on this one. Forgive me, author!
Christoffer December 21, 2024 at 19:56 #955008
Quoting Amity
But at times, the same criticism is repeated and at length. From different people. For me, it can be 'heavy handed' and a bit of a pile-on, when e.g. everyone agrees that more should or could be written. Well, yes and no. For different reasons.


Quoting hypericin
I hope people aren't just piling on. Rather I'd suggest that this almost unanimity is a strong signal that something is indeed amiss. As painful as it might be to hear.

That said I was definitely too harsh on this one. Forgive me, author!


This is the same thing as screenings for movies during post production. Gathering a consensus of critique in order to find issues that aren’t just individual preferences by the viewers.

So I’d say that if many say the same thing, that’s invaluable feedback for the author to grow from.
Amity December 21, 2024 at 19:57 #955009
Quoting hypericin
I hope people aren't just piling on. Rather I'd suggest that this almost unanimity is a strong signal that something is indeed amiss. As painful as it might be to hear.


OK. I intend, now, to focus on reading what is left of the stories. This Activity is a joy.
Best wishes to all :pray:











praxis December 22, 2024 at 02:53 #955032
Quoting Amity
That's your story!

I prefer green ones. They're quality. Right up my street! Yum :yum:


I ordered a pizza today because this made me think of yummy triangles. I’m too suggestible.
Caldwell December 23, 2024 at 04:32 #955202
The title tells a lot. But, I do not find that the style of narration has accomplished what it set out to do. It's a desperate attempt of the narrator to escape the catacomb -- losing his pick and then his light. We are supposed to expect that he will eventually die in there. But the horror that should accompany his attempt to escape seems to be missing.

This is a difficult segment to write coming from the first-person perspective. I imagine that a third-person narrator would be more effective in describing the horror of being entombed while alive. [I mean entombed, because there was no escape for him. This we know].
Amity January 13, 2025 at 14:45 #960353
@ucarr - I hope all is well with you. I wonder at your silence. No feedback? It's not like you. :chin:

Anything to say about your story. How it came about...?
ucarr January 13, 2025 at 17:15 #960394
Reply to Amity

Hello, Amity,

I'm delighted to have this note of concern from you. I'm flattered by your caring attention. Thank-you. Happily, I can quickly explain my diminished presence in this year's fiction event, which I love, and for which I especially look forward to because of your fiction and your expository writing.

I'm busy writing my novel, so presently I don't have much time for our fiction events. I pulled my imitation Poe story out of the drawer and tossed it in last minute because my ego is too inflated to miss an opportunity for attention. As Wilde said, "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."

I'd been procrastinating dangerously with the launching of my novel, but now I'm in gear and going right along. Perhaps you can see where this is going.

I can't think of a reason why you're not chief editor at one of the major publishing houses, unless you specifically don't want to be doing that.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if you'd... take a look at the first draft of my novel... when it's ready... in the not too distant future?

Uriah

Amity January 13, 2025 at 19:11 #960423
Hello, Uriah,

With reference to this:

Quoting ucarr
I'm delighted to have this note of concern from you. I'm flattered by your caring attention. Thank-you. Happily, I can quickly explain my diminished presence in this year's fiction event, which I love, and for which I especially look forward to because of your fiction and your expository writing.


I'm delighted by your swift response. Thank you. For your writing and style charmant.

Quoting ucarr
I'm busy writing my novel, so presently I don't have much time for our fiction events. I pulled my imitation Poe story out of the drawer and tossed it in last minute because my ego is too inflated to miss an opportunity for attention. As Wilde said, "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."


Writing a novel is one of the more acceptable reasons for not having the time to fully engage.
However, you are not supposed to pull and toss anything out of your drawers. Such tantalising exposure should be present and in the moment. Together and at one.

I keep meaning to read Poe. But always something else crops up.
Would you care to enlarge on the whats and hows of your imitation? That sure would be swell!

Until then, I only have this:
https://literarydevices.net/literary-writing-style-of-edgar-allan-poe/
https://classic-literature.co.uk/library/edgar-allan-poe/

Quoting ucarr
I can't think of a reason why you're not chief editor at one of the major publishing houses, unless you specifically don't want to be doing that.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if you'd... take a look at the first draft of my novel... when it's ready... in the not too distant future?


If the thought of being such had even crossed my mind at an earlier age...
Alas, alack...twas not meant to be...

I am sure I would be honoured to read the first draft of your novel. And, of course, there are other writers/readers here more experienced at giving such feedback. @Vera Mont springs instantly to mind.
And, you will know, there are creative writing groups designed for this task. Not sure of the best...

Amity :sparkle:







Vera Mont January 13, 2025 at 19:27 #960426
Quoting Amity
And, of course, there are other writers/readers here more experienced at giving such feedback. Vera Mont springs instantly to mind.
And, you will know, there are creative writing groups designed for this task. Not sure of the best...

I'm not at all sure he'd want me pawing his newborn ms, given how negative I was about this story. However, a novel I had already agreed to comment on here has been pushed to the back burner, for reasons known only to the author; I'm not working on anything atm and my cast comes off a week from today, enabling me to type as badly as ever... So, I'm free - and free.
ucarr January 13, 2025 at 19:45 #960430
Reply to Amity Reply to Vera Mont

Ladies, I look forward to you both having a go at my first draft. Amity will supply the joyful perspicacity; Vera Mont will supple the hammer-to-the-head realism. I need both desperately!

Who could've guessed I'd garner excellent peer review for my first draft by nearly missing the latest fiction writing event at TPF?

I'm going to email you some pages. You'll let me know if you care to read further.

Here's my email address: ucarr88@gmail.com

P.S. Amity - Regarding Poe, I'm drawn to the new era of dark romance he ushered in. It has the passion of love, but the tooth of crime lies always near. Poe gets credit for inventing the detective story. Well, dark romance plus detection equals film noir. Now, strangely, I'm lousy at detection and film noir, so perhaps that's the reason my story here is so short.

Well, I'll say ta-ta, creatives

Uriah