* Hotter Blood *
Richard Laymon, Ray Garton’s (etc…), Hotter Blood
I decided to break away from my normal reading material and shoot for this book that’s full of short stories. They’re easily consumed in minutes and you get to start anew everytime you pick up the book. I picked and chose by way of my favorite authors and was very pleased with my decision.
The first story “The Tub” was typical at first, but towards the end I was very surprised and even still when I thought I had the ending all solved, i was DEAD wrong. Plus, it made me laugh. Interesting result for a horror story, huh.
My second choice was “The Picture of Health”. Which by the way…after finishing this story, I now completely comprehend the title Garton chose. This one confused me a bit and didn’t seem like it fit into the horror genre, but I kept to it and read on. Viola!…it all made cents and dollars. So, it’s all about this rock star who’s swimming in hearsay/rumors…and it’s not until the climax hits that they all unravel…and let me tell you, it’s gross! So!… you should read it! : P
I didn’t read more because I tasted all I set out to devour. Bon Appetite!
Excerpts:
Pg. 21- ‘ The bastard. I’m perfect the way I am. ‘
Pg. 59- ‘And the hands…they chilled her…so patient and motionless as they held up the globe lights. ‘
*Out Of Control*
There’s a monster; an evil; a demon that resides within me.
It takes advantage of me and always overstays its welcome.
It’s manipulative and demands my attention, and all of it.
The control it holds over me is great and powerful.
I know I should resist is and push it away but I cannot.
Without it I would be lost.
Without it my direction and motive would twist into a knot.
As crazy as it sounds -
I cannot let go.
It’s what I rely on and fall back upon repetitively.
I can see the negative change it brings.
The death that does not become me.
I deny it all.
I lie to myself, encourage myself.
The cycle continues to drag me deeper and deeper.
I no longer listen to that little voice.
It’s dead.
I’ve suffocated it and ignored it.
The damage is already done.
Deterioration is on the horizon.
I can see my future but I don’t change.
It’s a dark one of mourning and pain.
Death is in my future and there’s no way to escape.
-2004
