The Damage Done

Milk-Blood Trilogy #3

by Mark Matthews

After years of suffering with mental illness, heroin has opened up the gates of heaven for Jervis Samsa. It is all that makes life bearable. But when he gets trapped in his basement without a scrap of dope to shoot, he needs to go to any lengths to get high. The results are something monstrous, and his basement bedroom becomes a hell for those who enter.

Includes the short story 'Wicked Smart Carnie' and a sample excerpt from Milk-Blood.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Psychological

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Mark Matthews is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a licensed professional counselor who has worked in behavioral health for over 20 years. He is the author of On the Lips of Children, All Smoke Rises, Milk-Blood, and The Hobgoblin of Little Minds. He is also the editor of a trio of 'addiction horror' anthologies including Orphans of Bliss, Lullabies for Suffering and Garden of Fiends. In 2021, he was nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. His next novel, To Those Willing to Drown, is expected in May, 2025, followed by the novella, Kali's Web, in August, 2025.

Reviews

[Selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and gritty story about a man whose heroin addiction causes him to act on the suggestions made by the “voice” in his head. There’s some dark humor and a smidgen of gore, too.

Enjoyed!

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Matthews takes us on a journey into a damaged psyche, and we experience the desperation of a heroin addict's withdrawal first-hand. This reader is ready to delve deeper with Milk-Blood, a novel by the same author.

[Jason Parent · Rating 4 out of 5]

"No one ever says they want to be a junkie when they grow up," which is kinda sad really... Think of all the great art and music and, yes, even writing our world has been blessed with due to those magical powders that make hearts a flutter and always, always ALWAYS (and if you disagree I'll stab you) brings out the best in people.

Meh meh, drugs are bad. Blehh, I say to thee. I mean really? Who's ever actually died from using drugs? I mean if your heart explodes after taking cocaine, that's really just your heart telling you it's too much of a pussy to have a good time. "Oh man, I used drugs and now my liver has holes in it." Again - pussy liver. If you crash your car, or stumble in front of a car, or somehow roll your own car over yourself or die just by looking at a car while high, I say you had it coming, Mr. Twisted Sister. And I know these things, because I'm a smarty pants.

Drugs open minds, make us sexually experimentive (and also help us make up words!), bring out our adventurous sides, our zeal for life, or love of pink elephants and streaking and sleeping on the toilet and all the other things that make life wonderful.

I say: you do drugs, and you do them often, as often as Wilfred Brimley checks for Die-A-beat-Us. And while I'm on the subject, would anyone actually think Cocoon was a good movie if not for drugs?

I rest my case.

Oh... I am supposed to review this story. Part public service announcement and part fucked up horror, this story illustrates my above-mentioned, afore-said, and earlier described points. Jervis, that's our hero, is happiest when shooting up H. And why wouldn't he be? Then these fucking bitches try to make him unhappy by preaching and yabbering about getting off the H train. "Wah, Wah. You stole from me. Wah, wah, you raped my cat." Shit happens sister. Get over it.

Na, Na - I say thee nay. None of that shit please. SO guess what? If you use drugs, you is gonna die. But guess also what? If you don't use drugs, you is still gonna die. But if you never use drugs, then you never really live. Think about that. Some deep shit right there. Really blows your mind doesn't. Great cosmic fuck all. I need a sandwich.

... anyway. This story is some good horror. I like it. Most interesting about it is that, although it is a complete story within itself, the author explores at least one of the characters in more detail in a novel he subsequently (I assume) wrote. I do have to say, I am curious what more Mr. Matthews can do with the character.

I like the cover with the face better than the one I see above. I got a new Kindle Fire, and thought signing on to the big W little i big F little i would be enough to upload all my purchased books. Somehow, I only managed to get this short story, a novel I had never seen before in my life, and the Oxford Dictionary. After getting through "aardvark" (I mean, they snort shit all the time and they're doing just dandy, ducky and delightful), I switched over to this short story and was glad I did. Good stuff, Mr. Matthews.

So, in sum, do drugs and read this story, in any order you want.

Okay, fine... for anyone with an impressionable mind out there, "Drugs are bad, m'kay." - so sayeth Our Lord Mr. Mackay, in the year of the Christmas Poo.

Except weed... and mushrooms... It's like salad, plant life (yeah yeah, mushrooms are fungi, shut the fuck up), they're good for you.

I was not high when I wrote this review. You cannot prove otherwise.

[Becks! · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐'s

[Zoeytron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jervais Samsa is a resourceful young man. He is also a junkie and currently locked in the basement by his mother in order to force him to detox. With no fix in sight, his drug-ravaged mind turns to his father . . .

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story introduces us to one of the key characters in Milk Blood which I cannot recommend highly enough, a novel written by this very talented author. This short story had me fascinated (like watching a car crash) from first word to last. It can easily be read as a stand alone short story too.

The plot is brilliant and there is a lot packed in to this short tale. But it's a tale of horrifying incidents and mind blowing concepts. The dark character we meet is not the type of guy you want to bump into, ever.

When his mother locks him in the basement for three days, forcing him into heroin addiction detox alone, a new plan is hatched and born. Shocking, and distasteful. My imagination was running overtime and my mouth was gaping open in shock (not a very attractive look, I don't recommend)

The conclusion was powerful and disturbing. I can't share more as it's a super short story but packs in so much. I highly recommend to any horror fan, then do go on and read Milk Blood by Mark Matthews too.

Creeped me out. Totally. Got to love that right?

[Rupert Dreyfus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review popped up and it looked interesting. I then discovered it's a short story and currently free so I downloaded it because I'm in short story mode...

It starts off a bleak junkie story but come the end I'd say it falls in to the gloomy Gothic horror genre only with the shock factor turned up to eleven. The setting was reminiscent of old horror stories only you know that it's set in the present tense (possibly a few years ago now as it references older metal bands such as Slipknot). While it was a grim premise there was also an element of believability because we know the protagonist was pretty wired.

However, unlike a lot of Gothic and transgressive fiction this story is written in the third-person. This was a refreshing perspective because these genres almost exclusively get written in the first-person. However, Mark Matthews is fantastic at pumping the narrative full of believable depictions of addiction which made it feel just as real as any first-person account I've read.

It achieved a lot for a short story. I'll be reading more from this fella.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the Kafka/ Metamorphosis reference right at the beginning. Samsa is the protagonist's surname and the sentence mirrors the opening sentence!

*and relax*

[Adam Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific short story that deals with addiction in a brutal and forthright manner. Jervis is locked in the basement by his mother; her intentions may be pure but she didn't bank on her son's ingenuity.
I love short stories, and Mark Matthews illustrates perfectly why I do with this one. Now I can't wait to read Milk-Blood, his upcoming novel that this story is an excerpt from, if I am not mistaken.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good short story, one that leaves you wishing it was longer. Luckily Jervis features in a second book so I'll have to check that out next.

In the story Jervis is trapped in his basement desperate to get high, all is ok until the voices start and then the reader is desperate for Jervis to ignore them.

The start is almost poetic with Jervis explaining what is happening to his body, a clever way of setting the scene.

A great little story.

[Gregor Xane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw where this one was going. But I don't know if I could say it was predictable, because it went where I wanted it to go and where I would have went with it.

I like stories about drug addicts and addiction. This story had a healthy amount of griminess, too, which I'm fond of.

You can grab this sucker free from Amazon, if you'd like:

http://amzn.com/B00JWW3GA8

[Kaisersoze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visceral gut-punch of a short story that serves as a lead into Matthews' upcoming novel, Milk-Blood. And given what's on offer in these few pages, I'm so there.

4 Forced Withdrawals for The Damage Done.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Introduction into Mark Matthews longer novel, MILK-BLOOD, this tale of addiction withdrawal was brutal! It gives history to the main character of the novel, and a glimpse at a part of his past that that is truly horrifying!”

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short tale of heroin horror to wet the appetite for Marks’ upcoming book, Milk-Blood. Jervis is Jonesin’ bad. He finds himself, trapped in a cellar, living in the shadow of his abusive, junkie father, and needing a fix. The next high may just be a bad, bad trip…for everyone in the house, including Jervis. 4+ Stars.

[Riya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addiction. It's about the drug. But it's not. It's about people and how we interact, or don't, and unmet human needs. It's about inheriting our parents' demons. It's about so many things... The Damage Done exposes the darkness, the insanity that makes perfect sense. I look forward to reading more from this author!

[JESSICA · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Once His Mama Locks Jervis In The Basement, All The Disturbing Fun Begins!"

For a short story, this book was good from beginning to end. I loved the way the story flowed. Just the right amount crazy and dark. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Stuart Keane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've said it a hundred times before, in reviews, bios or interviews. The best horror comes from real life situations. Maybe you've lived through a traumatic experience, a loved one has gone through something horrible. Hell, maybe you were bullied in school and to you, it was the worst experience of your life. Everyone is different in their opinion of a horrific experience but one thing - of many - that unites us is drugs. If you've used them or not, they're bad news. Once you're on that spiral down, everyone, regardless of usage, is affected.

The Damage Done is a short, gritty novella that revolves around one man's horrific addiction to drugs. When I say short, I mean it took me about twenty minutes to complete. Don't let this put you off, those twenty minutes were excellent reading, not least due to the engaging central character. Locked up in a basement with no one to help him, and forced to consider cold turkey, the man starts to lose his mind. When he realises he's trapped, with no way out, he takes desperate measures. Measures that will shock and dismay anyone...

Don't be fooled. TDD is a short book but it crams a lot into such a short space. In fact, it's a testament to the authors ability to ensure the pages drip and ooze with the suffering of a drug addict. The pages fly by and at times, you feel like taking a shower. By the time the main character stoops so low, you're in the gutter with him and feel his anguish, his pain, and his soul-crushing desperation. It's realistic and murky and I can imagine some people becoming uncomfortable with this story. It hits home and it's a credit to the author to provide such a startling insight into a habit many take for granted.

5* - Short, effective, a great prequel to a full novel. Mark Matthews is an author with talent. He doesn't have many pages to work with but he crafts a lean, dirty story of drug abuse that will ring true with some and disgust others. Much like the habit itself. Whether the story was created through research or experience, it's an excellent, yet taut horror. After this comes Milk Blood - on this evidence, it's going to be a gripping read. Excellent novelette!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damaged goods

What a dark little story THE DAMAGE DONE is! It takes the reader to the brink of hell (and maybe beyond) with Jervis Samsa, every mother's worst nightmare.

What would you do if your son lived in the basement and was addicted to heroin? Jervis had problems to begin with but they just got worse. His girlfriend isn't around, his mom has forgiven him for the last time and he's out of drugs. Hmmm...maybe dear old Dad can help.

Eerie, creepy tale of the dark side. Prequel to upcoming book MILK-BLOOD.

[Natasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a creepy story...looking forward to the book Milk Blood.
Thx to the author for giving me a chance to read the story.

[11811 (Eleven) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent short read that depressed the hell out of me and I don't think I could ever read it again. Highly recommended.

[Ryan Leone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story out loud to my fiancé before we went to bed. It freaked her out - that someone could write something with so much dark and nightmarish imagery. I love transgressive fiction so I really respect any writer that can bring originality to this overly imitated genre.

It was a suffocating tale that was remiscent of Hubert Selby's 'The Room'. I'm a big Selby fan and what I love about his work is that his fiction is always provacative and can invoke uncomfortable feelings. Matthews' vision is disturbing and it has that same raw power.

Unlike Selby, Matthews places a horror element in his work. This constant feeling of dread, when something unspeakable could happen at any moment. It makes your heart beat faster and anyone who can do that obviously has talent.

I also liked that Jervis was dealing with a duel-diagnosis of chemical dependency and a mental health disorder. It's a psychological makeup that isn't explored enough in fiction and it really brought a unique tone to the story.

I'll be checking out Milk-Blood as well. This short story really made me want to see what Mark Matthews can do with an entire novel.

[Peter Rosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Damage Done reads like a ticking time bomb that you are enthusiastically hoping will explode. And then, it does. I've read a few of Mark's previous efforts, and though I've enjoyed them all, this prequel to Milk-Blood grabbed my full-attention and has me enthusiastically counting down the days until the full story comes hurling at us in all its terrifying glory. As always, Mark has managed to superbly weave the truth of addiction into a frightening fiction that doesn't seem that far from a possibility. Nicely done.

[Elke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is kind of a prequel to the full-length novel MILK-BLOOD, but I have read it afterwards, which may even have intensified the impact it had on me. It is about one of the characters of the novel and how he came to be what he is later on. While several details where already familiar, it was fascinating to read when and how they happened in the past, increasing the expected horror.

A great addition to the novel, The Damage Done should not be missed.

[Ken B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting short story showing the desperation of a heroin addict and possibly either a bit of madness or evil that seeps into his veins as he attempts to slake his addiction at his most desperate moment. I guess we'll find out which in Matthews' upcoming novel.

4 STARS

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great teaser story for the upcoming MILK-BLOOD NOVEL!In a short amount of time it took to finish this story, it was an entertaining a creepy read:)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and twisted tale of a drug user after his next fix.

[Pyropatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a kind, enjoyed very sick.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthews does a good job accomplishing several things with so few words. He definitely tells us story we've never heard—originality seems to be one of this author's strong suits—and he elicits sympathy for characters who in all ways seem entirely unlikable.
The writing is as blunt and direct as the content, and Matthews keeps the reader at an arm's length with his candid prose. We need this both to really understand his protagonist as the author seems to want us to, and to be prepared for the lengths to which Jervis's desperation will take him.
Definitely looking forward to the follow-up to this, and catching up on Matthews' previous releases.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could I not like a book with a title the same as a Neil Young song? This was a dark story of a heroin addict. Although it is short, we get enough background info to feel as if it were longer. The author did such a terrific job at describing things, I could just picture in my mind what the basement looked like and what went on there.

This was another great short story by the author. I look forward to reading the next book in which we learn more about Jervis. I definitely recommend The Damage Done!

[Lisa Sandberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book before I started on Milk-Blood.

The things an addict will do, my oh my. I have seen craziness like this and wondered, would he really do anything?

Scary...

This was a good short story about an addict locked in his own basement by his mother and what he ultimately does because of it.

[Rich D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Matthews' prequel to Milk-Blood blends the horrors of addiction with a supernatural element to create a unique and horrifying short story. Can't wait to read what else Mark has in store for Jervis!