Romance

Stockholm by Freekydisaster18

Seriously, who died for true love anyway? You fall in love, your heart breaks so you get drunk and then you move on but this was an entirely new twisted view to the story. Could you imagine if Shakespeare had decided to write that Romeo had kidnapped Juliet? She had fallen victim to Stockholm syndrome and had fallen in love with her captor?

Nominated.

Freekydisaster18 weaves a unique and frankly disturbing plot. Short and to the point, we are told the dark story of Alice and Austin which left me literally speechless. Even now, I'm struggling to find the words to express the feelings this short story has left me with. I don't generally like stories that leave me feeling darker emotions, and these are certainly that.

Austin is a serial killer. He kidnaps women and alters their appearance and name to that of Alexandria, be that a past love that he killed or died I'm not sure of, but the fact that he does alter future women and end up killing them is disturbing enough.

Normally when considering whether I enjoyed or liked a story I think about the main character. This is more complicated here, for obvious reasons you'll see when you read it, but we'll take Alexandria/Alice. I don't like her as such, I hate the way she speaks about her past life as Alice, about Austin, but that is where the writing is perfect. I've never encountered someone with Stockholm syndrome, never read of someone who has been manipulated into falling for their captor and not actually have been them to decide to, but this is how I think it should go, realistically.

The only negative thing I can think to say is the constant use of said-isms. Each to their own, but I'm one for said is the stronger word in most cases, the said-ism should be written into the dialogue in way that means it can be left unsaid.

Well I feel I've rambled on enough, whilst I'm so confused about what I'm feeling. If that's not the sign of a good story I don't know what is.

If you're one for sick and twisted, dark and desperate stories this is one for you; if you're one for happy endings or sweet, mutual seperations and heartache, I personally would still say you should give this one a try.

- Karla