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Kill for Them: A Collection
A strip club owner decides it’s time to take out the trash when one of his regulars makes a bad name for himself amongst the girls.
An alcoholic struggling with his sobriety begins to lose track of himself more and more frequently in lapses of darkness.
An unstable girl with numerous identities sets out with an unsuspecting man up the east coast, her thirst for blood ever present.
Featuring seven stories primarily written between 2013-2016, KILL FOR THEM collects the entries that barely missed the cut for DEAD AS SOON AS BORN. Of this assortment, three are short stories, three are novelettes, and one is a novella. The genres span crime, drama, science-fiction, fantasy, and horror.
An alcoholic struggling with his sobriety begins to lose track of himself more and more frequently in lapses of darkness.
An unstable girl with numerous identities sets out with an unsuspecting man up the east coast, her thirst for blood ever present.
Featuring seven stories primarily written between 2013-2016, KILL FOR THEM collects the entries that barely missed the cut for DEAD AS SOON AS BORN. Of this assortment, three are short stories, three are novelettes, and one is a novella. The genres span crime, drama, science-fiction, fantasy, and horror.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
258 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2019
32 people want to read
About the author
Aiden Merchant
37 books73 followersAiden Merchant is the author of more than a hundred stories spanning numerous collections, including Sickness is in Season, Documenting Dreadful Existences, Dead as Soon as Born, Kill for Them, and his extreme horror debut Horrific Holidays. He is also the author of several novellas and screenplays. In late 2021, he published and edited Milk Teeth by Andrew Post, as well as a dark fiction anthology Blackberry Blood, which he worked on with author Julia C. Lewis. His short fiction has appeared in Wild Violence, Pulp Harvest, and Slice of Paradise.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 5, 2019
This is a thoroughly engaging collection of stories with a spectrum of themes. Running the gamut from crime, horror, psychological suspense, fantasy and science fiction, there is much to absorb with each consecutive story. The differing tropes add variety to good writing, enticing the reader to move on to each new tale without knowing what to expect. The author moves skillfully between situations and subject matters and knows how to keep the reader's attention fixed on each predicament.
While every story is different, there are some themes that interconnect. Two stories involve entrapment, mental communication and strongly gifted characters. Religion and belief systems are also challenged and explored, while mental aberrations make for suspenseful characterizations. For fans of fantasy, a colorful world is created through the use of imaginative scenery and unusual creatures. My favorite story involves a treacherous young woman cunningly stalking her prey.
This is a satisfying assortment of tales with characters that I would like to read more about. The author's notes at the end of each story provide meaningful information that gives insight to both the characters and the author. I certainly look forward to reading more of Aiden Merchant's work.
While every story is different, there are some themes that interconnect. Two stories involve entrapment, mental communication and strongly gifted characters. Religion and belief systems are also challenged and explored, while mental aberrations make for suspenseful characterizations. For fans of fantasy, a colorful world is created through the use of imaginative scenery and unusual creatures. My favorite story involves a treacherous young woman cunningly stalking her prey.
This is a satisfying assortment of tales with characters that I would like to read more about. The author's notes at the end of each story provide meaningful information that gives insight to both the characters and the author. I certainly look forward to reading more of Aiden Merchant's work.
July 26, 2020
I want to start this review by stating that I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes or affects my review.
While I didn’t enjoy this collection quite as much as the last one I read by Merchant, it was an excellent collection nonetheless! I really enjoy how the same characters pop up in different stories, I always love getting more details and background on characters. What I particularly enjoyed about this collection of stories is that Merchant doesn’t shy away from dipping his toes into different genres, he’ll tackle anything and do it with skill. This collection has something for everyone to enjoy, from science fiction to fantasy and even horror!
While I didn’t enjoy this collection quite as much as the last one I read by Merchant, it was an excellent collection nonetheless! I really enjoy how the same characters pop up in different stories, I always love getting more details and background on characters. What I particularly enjoyed about this collection of stories is that Merchant doesn’t shy away from dipping his toes into different genres, he’ll tackle anything and do it with skill. This collection has something for everyone to enjoy, from science fiction to fantasy and even horror!
July 28, 2021
Aiden Merchant is an addictive writer. Kill for Them is a pretty long collection, but once I started, I couldn't put it down, and I ended up staying up all night to finish it in one go. There's a wide variety of stories in here, and while not all will work for everyone, there is also something for everybody to enjoy.
Personal highlights include:
"Killing Two Birds With One Stone" - This crime story of warring drug dealers is set within a larger universe of tales set in the Tennessee town of Lydia's Shadow and left me eager to read more about the town, as well as the enticing character, Gina Charter.
"Broken Bottles" is another story that's more crime fiction than horror. This satisfying little tale is on the shorter side and involves a strip club proprietor taking care of a nasty client.
"Prisoner" and "Twitch" are both set in the same universe and were originally meant for comic format. They're both supernatural thrillers involving an organization that faces and contains perceived supernatural threats. I'm eager to read more in this universe and hope Merchant eventually sees those comics get made or that he chooses to otherwise take these stories further.
"Pray" might have been my absolute favorite. This creature feature really uses its snowy setting to great advantage. As a reader, the isolation of the characters and the desperation of their situation really helps ratchet up the tension. In his author's note, Merchant mentions that this story is part of a planned trilogy, and I eagerly look forward to reading the rest of it.
Coming in a close second to "Pray" is the collection's longest work, "Crimson Road: Faces," which concerns a young man on a road trip and the dangerous woman who becomes his travel companion. This is also part of a planned series, and, once I again, I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I was given a digital copy of this book by Merchant in return for an honest review, although I should note that the copy I actually ended up reading was a hard copy given to me as a gift by a friend. I should also note in this copy, the story "The Man Inside My Head" was mysteriously missing. There were more than enough good stories to make up for that error though.
Warning: One story does contain dog death. There is a list of trigger warnings conveniently found in the back of the book which warns you what stories have what content, so if this or anything else upsets you, you can check out that list and know which stories to avoid or read with caution.
Personal highlights include:
"Killing Two Birds With One Stone" - This crime story of warring drug dealers is set within a larger universe of tales set in the Tennessee town of Lydia's Shadow and left me eager to read more about the town, as well as the enticing character, Gina Charter.
"Broken Bottles" is another story that's more crime fiction than horror. This satisfying little tale is on the shorter side and involves a strip club proprietor taking care of a nasty client.
"Prisoner" and "Twitch" are both set in the same universe and were originally meant for comic format. They're both supernatural thrillers involving an organization that faces and contains perceived supernatural threats. I'm eager to read more in this universe and hope Merchant eventually sees those comics get made or that he chooses to otherwise take these stories further.
"Pray" might have been my absolute favorite. This creature feature really uses its snowy setting to great advantage. As a reader, the isolation of the characters and the desperation of their situation really helps ratchet up the tension. In his author's note, Merchant mentions that this story is part of a planned trilogy, and I eagerly look forward to reading the rest of it.
Coming in a close second to "Pray" is the collection's longest work, "Crimson Road: Faces," which concerns a young man on a road trip and the dangerous woman who becomes his travel companion. This is also part of a planned series, and, once I again, I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I was given a digital copy of this book by Merchant in return for an honest review, although I should note that the copy I actually ended up reading was a hard copy given to me as a gift by a friend. I should also note in this copy, the story "The Man Inside My Head" was mysteriously missing. There were more than enough good stories to make up for that error though.
Warning: One story does contain dog death. There is a list of trigger warnings conveniently found in the back of the book which warns you what stories have what content, so if this or anything else upsets you, you can check out that list and know which stories to avoid or read with caution.
September 4, 2019
I really enjoyed Merchant's previous collection of short stories, Dead as soon as Born, so when he asked if I'd like to read his newest short story collection, Kill for Them, I quickly said yes. Kill for Them is a collection of seven short (some short-ish) stories all loosely connected with this idea (as manifested quite differently in different stories) of killing to protect your loved ones, yourself, your way of life, even your delusions at times.
Having read Dead as soon as Born, a few people and places stood out in my memory which really just made my day. Merchant is so exact in his world building, I absolutely love how there are recurring people and places but in different times and circumstances. In Killing Two Birds with one Stone, it was so fun to see Gina again yet get a completely new side to her. It really rounds out these characters he creates and gives them an unmatched depth.
Merchant proves once again that he will not be restricted by genre boundaries; he will write what he wants, when he wants. I never thought I cared much for science fiction or fantasy yet he's piqued my interest in both. Twitch and Prisoner, I'm calling his psychological sci-fi and Climbing Skies: The Hel'Tris Mountains is fantasy I found myself enjoying and wanting more since it definitely ended on a cliffhanger. And while Climbing Skies reads as fantasy, within, Merchant explores very real topics such as death, religion, how far a father would go to save his son, and also friendship and camaraderie.
And while Merchant is adept at writing science fiction/fantasy, there is no denying his horror chops. One of my favorite stories is the last one in the collection, Taking the World by Blood. Granted, it felt a little too long at times, there were so many layers to this story, I couldn't help but enjoy it. It was the perfect ending to the collection. It definitely has the slasher, crazy girl vibe but once you sift through Ashley's craziness, it seems like her motives are noble (perhaps that's slightly too strong a word) misguided, definitely (not to mention legally and morally wrong) but purposeful. Hopefully I'm not giving her too much credit! Read it and let me know!
And now to end on a slightly mushy note, the Author's Notes are always revealing, occasionally humorous, but one really struck a chord with me. The personal nature of the Author's Note after The Man inside my Head made the story more special and really exemplifies the healing power of words, both written and read.
Having read Dead as soon as Born, a few people and places stood out in my memory which really just made my day. Merchant is so exact in his world building, I absolutely love how there are recurring people and places but in different times and circumstances. In Killing Two Birds with one Stone, it was so fun to see Gina again yet get a completely new side to her. It really rounds out these characters he creates and gives them an unmatched depth.
Merchant proves once again that he will not be restricted by genre boundaries; he will write what he wants, when he wants. I never thought I cared much for science fiction or fantasy yet he's piqued my interest in both. Twitch and Prisoner, I'm calling his psychological sci-fi and Climbing Skies: The Hel'Tris Mountains is fantasy I found myself enjoying and wanting more since it definitely ended on a cliffhanger. And while Climbing Skies reads as fantasy, within, Merchant explores very real topics such as death, religion, how far a father would go to save his son, and also friendship and camaraderie.
And while Merchant is adept at writing science fiction/fantasy, there is no denying his horror chops. One of my favorite stories is the last one in the collection, Taking the World by Blood. Granted, it felt a little too long at times, there were so many layers to this story, I couldn't help but enjoy it. It was the perfect ending to the collection. It definitely has the slasher, crazy girl vibe but once you sift through Ashley's craziness, it seems like her motives are noble (perhaps that's slightly too strong a word) misguided, definitely (not to mention legally and morally wrong) but purposeful. Hopefully I'm not giving her too much credit! Read it and let me know!
And now to end on a slightly mushy note, the Author's Notes are always revealing, occasionally humorous, but one really struck a chord with me. The personal nature of the Author's Note after The Man inside my Head made the story more special and really exemplifies the healing power of words, both written and read.
October 21, 2019
4.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads.
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
August 5, 2019
ARC review!
releasing 9/13/19
KILL FOR THEM
by Aiden Merchant
285 pages
Genre: crime, drama, science fiction, fantasy and horror.
This was my first read from Aiden and it was such a refreshing time! The book consists of 7 stories that do not disappoint!
He takes you through so many emotions— ranging from wanting to protect someone you care about so much that’s you’d kill for them (BROKEN BOTTLES), fighting to keep your sanity (TWITCH), struggling with a brain that is sick (MAN INSIDE MY HEAD), greed (KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE), deception (PRISONER), heaviness of life (THE CLIMBING SKIES: THE HEL`TRIS MOUNTAINS), jealousy (TAKING THE WORLD BY BLOOD).
I don’t normally enjoy fantasy, so when I got to the climbing skies I had my guard up. After a few pages the walls were destroyed and I was fully captivated with this story- it’s even my favorite out of them all!
Man inside my head was a close runner up! I work in neuro and I’m fascinated by the brain and what it’s capable of!
The authors note after every story was lovely. I enjoyed that insight deeper into how it was born.
Aidens style of writing was very comfortable, if that makes sense? I felt like I was reading an old friend.
This was a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! Just fantastic! Looking forward to reading more from him!
January 25, 2021
Kill For Them by Aiden Merchant is an intense collection of tales of varying length that will make your skin crawl as the terrors settle in!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. I also purchased a copy.
First things first, I have to point out how neat it is that the author included a note at the beginning to let the reader know that there is a section at the back of the book that highlights all the potential trigger warnings! I would love to see more of this from other authors.
These stories were all super captivating! I really enjoyed that their length varied and that I never knew what would happen next! I personally found each story to be horrific in their own ways.
I also love that each tale has an authors note at the end to explain little tid-bits like if the story is related to another tale, what the writing process was like, or what sparked the story idea.
Per usual, here are my quick notes on each tale-
Complete Sacrifice – 4/5
Oh my gosh, what a terrifying short to kick this collection off! This poor man is forced to do the unthinkable in order to save his children from the Corner Master. And man, would I love to know more about the Corner Master!
Degenerate – 4/5
Phew, what an intense tale. I love that this one makes you question what was real and what was in this man’s head. The scene on the train really spooked me.
Misplaced – 4/5
Yikes! In this short, we jump into a scene where the main character is running for her life. She’s in a world where everything had stopped, people disappeared, machines stopped working, and the beast is on the hunt. This one certainly had my heart pumping while reading!
Killing Two Birds With One Stone – 4/5
When this story began, we mainly centered around a drugged up guy who was sent on an assignment to end the competition that had dropped by and announced his presence in their town. Soon, a character named Gina beings to pop in and out. I LOVE Gina! I can’t wait to see more of her!
Broken Bottles – 5/5
What a slow but interesting burn this one was! Phew, that ending! What a guy Horace is.
Squirming Disease – 5/5
I had read this one before as a stand-alone. It’s brutal and it will certainly make your skin crawl!! Check out my full review here.
Nightmare – 5/5
Short and absolutely horrifying to think about!
The Other Side – 5/5
When a man finds a creek in the woods, he’s suddenly inspired and has to write after the visit! But that creek seems to draw him back. Soon, he’s heading there daily, but at what cost? This was so eerie! I loved the image of the creek that Aiden sets in readers minds!
Prisoner – 5/5
I this story, a man is on a mission to arrest a woman with powers. When the taken down doesn’t exactly go as planned, it leaves our main character questions what’s going on. I loved this one! This is one of those tales that’s just perfect as is, but I could also see it as a series of shorts or a longer novel.
Reputation – 4/5
Yikes!! I’d like to think if I had a break in I’d just call for help, but it seems like this guy may have been better off running.
The Man Inside My Head - 4/5
In this story we see a client talking to his psychiatrist. We soon learn that the client sees a man named Richard. While the psych thinks Richard is dangerous, the client has other thoughts and actually likes when Richard helps him. But what exactly is going on here, and where does the danger lie? This story was heartbreaking and terrifying all wrapped into one!
Chased – 5/5
I LOVE this drabble! The thought of being chased is creepy enough! With just 100 words to work with, this one definitely got the terror across to the reader.
Pray – 5/5
When two girls get in a wreck on their way to visit their parents, one girl leaves the vehicle but doesn’t come back. They both soon learn that that they need to fear more than just the dark and the cold in the woods. This story is terrifying and brutal!! I would love to see more stories related to this one.
Twitch – 5/5
This story centers around a man that has been locked in a bright room to be monitored and tested. Over time, he learns why he was locked up. But by then, he’s got another idea. I loved that this is in the same world as Prisoner! The call for reading material from Michael Crichton made me giggle. I love seeing my favorite authors mentioned in stories!
Crimson Road: Faces – 4/5
When a young man begins a road trip to see the US and try to get inspired to find his own calling, he meets up with a strange girl that wants to tag along. It seems to good to be true at first, and he’s about to learn that his passenger is hiding many secrets. Phew this one spooked me. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, but I dreaded what we were about to find out.
The Sinking – A Screenplay – 5/5
Phew, I don’t know why these two were fighting, but I’m already siding with Carol. Walter sure seems to be a horrible person. I loved the path this took! Man, the first scene at the wharf was wicked creepy!! I loved the camera work, especially in the scene talking about how Carole is in his head. And that ending!!
My Final Thoughts
Like a dummy, I read this out of order. I should have read Dead As Soon As Born first, but here we are. I loved each of these tales and I really enjoyed learning how many of these tales are related to one another and how they tie into stories from the other short story collection. I cannot wait to dive into that one next!
If you enjoy horror shorts, you gotta give this one a read!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. I also purchased a copy.
First things first, I have to point out how neat it is that the author included a note at the beginning to let the reader know that there is a section at the back of the book that highlights all the potential trigger warnings! I would love to see more of this from other authors.
These stories were all super captivating! I really enjoyed that their length varied and that I never knew what would happen next! I personally found each story to be horrific in their own ways.
I also love that each tale has an authors note at the end to explain little tid-bits like if the story is related to another tale, what the writing process was like, or what sparked the story idea.
Per usual, here are my quick notes on each tale-
Complete Sacrifice – 4/5
Oh my gosh, what a terrifying short to kick this collection off! This poor man is forced to do the unthinkable in order to save his children from the Corner Master. And man, would I love to know more about the Corner Master!
Degenerate – 4/5
Phew, what an intense tale. I love that this one makes you question what was real and what was in this man’s head. The scene on the train really spooked me.
Misplaced – 4/5
Yikes! In this short, we jump into a scene where the main character is running for her life. She’s in a world where everything had stopped, people disappeared, machines stopped working, and the beast is on the hunt. This one certainly had my heart pumping while reading!
Killing Two Birds With One Stone – 4/5
When this story began, we mainly centered around a drugged up guy who was sent on an assignment to end the competition that had dropped by and announced his presence in their town. Soon, a character named Gina beings to pop in and out. I LOVE Gina! I can’t wait to see more of her!
Broken Bottles – 5/5
What a slow but interesting burn this one was! Phew, that ending! What a guy Horace is.
Squirming Disease – 5/5
I had read this one before as a stand-alone. It’s brutal and it will certainly make your skin crawl!! Check out my full review here.
Nightmare – 5/5
Short and absolutely horrifying to think about!
The Other Side – 5/5
When a man finds a creek in the woods, he’s suddenly inspired and has to write after the visit! But that creek seems to draw him back. Soon, he’s heading there daily, but at what cost? This was so eerie! I loved the image of the creek that Aiden sets in readers minds!
Prisoner – 5/5
I this story, a man is on a mission to arrest a woman with powers. When the taken down doesn’t exactly go as planned, it leaves our main character questions what’s going on. I loved this one! This is one of those tales that’s just perfect as is, but I could also see it as a series of shorts or a longer novel.
Reputation – 4/5
Yikes!! I’d like to think if I had a break in I’d just call for help, but it seems like this guy may have been better off running.
The Man Inside My Head - 4/5
In this story we see a client talking to his psychiatrist. We soon learn that the client sees a man named Richard. While the psych thinks Richard is dangerous, the client has other thoughts and actually likes when Richard helps him. But what exactly is going on here, and where does the danger lie? This story was heartbreaking and terrifying all wrapped into one!
Chased – 5/5
I LOVE this drabble! The thought of being chased is creepy enough! With just 100 words to work with, this one definitely got the terror across to the reader.
Pray – 5/5
When two girls get in a wreck on their way to visit their parents, one girl leaves the vehicle but doesn’t come back. They both soon learn that that they need to fear more than just the dark and the cold in the woods. This story is terrifying and brutal!! I would love to see more stories related to this one.
Twitch – 5/5
This story centers around a man that has been locked in a bright room to be monitored and tested. Over time, he learns why he was locked up. But by then, he’s got another idea. I loved that this is in the same world as Prisoner! The call for reading material from Michael Crichton made me giggle. I love seeing my favorite authors mentioned in stories!
Crimson Road: Faces – 4/5
When a young man begins a road trip to see the US and try to get inspired to find his own calling, he meets up with a strange girl that wants to tag along. It seems to good to be true at first, and he’s about to learn that his passenger is hiding many secrets. Phew this one spooked me. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, but I dreaded what we were about to find out.
The Sinking – A Screenplay – 5/5
Phew, I don’t know why these two were fighting, but I’m already siding with Carol. Walter sure seems to be a horrible person. I loved the path this took! Man, the first scene at the wharf was wicked creepy!! I loved the camera work, especially in the scene talking about how Carole is in his head. And that ending!!
My Final Thoughts
Like a dummy, I read this out of order. I should have read Dead As Soon As Born first, but here we are. I loved each of these tales and I really enjoyed learning how many of these tales are related to one another and how they tie into stories from the other short story collection. I cannot wait to dive into that one next!
If you enjoy horror shorts, you gotta give this one a read!
March 26, 2020
I read this collection story by story picking up and putting down between each one. That being said, each story in this collection was very different and showed how well Merchant can really switch between some different genres and styles efficiently and effectively.
Broken Bottles showcases a good sense of the tough guy persona that was a fun, albeit dark and dirty read.
Twitch was a suspenseful ride throughout a mysterious man's quarantine on the other side of Prisoner's universe. I didn't initially connect the two as I did not read them closely together but when I read them both a second time, it was a really neat fit. I hope to catch some more of this side of Merchant's sci-fi as I read on. The Man Inside My Head took on some turns that brought in a psych thriller side of Merchant's writing we don't typically see this directly. Killing Two Birds With One Stone brought in the mastermind and deceit styles of companionship we all hope to never fall in line with in numerous ways. The Climbing Skies took me by surprise and I do look forward to more of this fantasy-esque perspective from Merchant in the future. Taking The World By Blood was a perfect take on the crazy girl / mysterious traveler character, and I love that almost all of them (sorry lana) nearly got out of everything leaving potential for more!
Definitely recommending Kill For Them!!
Also, I love love love Aiden Merchant's notes attached to his stories, they add an extra level to each one while keeping that touch of real humanness right around the page...er corner.
Broken Bottles showcases a good sense of the tough guy persona that was a fun, albeit dark and dirty read.
Twitch was a suspenseful ride throughout a mysterious man's quarantine on the other side of Prisoner's universe. I didn't initially connect the two as I did not read them closely together but when I read them both a second time, it was a really neat fit. I hope to catch some more of this side of Merchant's sci-fi as I read on. The Man Inside My Head took on some turns that brought in a psych thriller side of Merchant's writing we don't typically see this directly. Killing Two Birds With One Stone brought in the mastermind and deceit styles of companionship we all hope to never fall in line with in numerous ways. The Climbing Skies took me by surprise and I do look forward to more of this fantasy-esque perspective from Merchant in the future. Taking The World By Blood was a perfect take on the crazy girl / mysterious traveler character, and I love that almost all of them (sorry lana) nearly got out of everything leaving potential for more!
Definitely recommending Kill For Them!!
Also, I love love love Aiden Merchant's notes attached to his stories, they add an extra level to each one while keeping that touch of real humanness right around the page...er corner.
October 5, 2019
Wow, this was really good!
I read this collection one story at a time, savoring each bit and I come away wanting to read more from this author. Aiden proved through this short story collection that he can write in multiple genres with the same talent and I loved reading the author notes at the end of each story - which told where the inspiration for the story came from and also allowed us to get to know Aiden better.
Ratings:
The first three stories are 5⭐️ And hooked me completely.
I rated the others at 4⭐️ they were very good! I just didn’t love them like I loved the first three.
Last thought:
I REALLY want to know how The Climbing Skies ends 😆
I read this collection one story at a time, savoring each bit and I come away wanting to read more from this author. Aiden proved through this short story collection that he can write in multiple genres with the same talent and I loved reading the author notes at the end of each story - which told where the inspiration for the story came from and also allowed us to get to know Aiden better.
Ratings:
The first three stories are 5⭐️ And hooked me completely.
I rated the others at 4⭐️ they were very good! I just didn’t love them like I loved the first three.
Last thought:
I REALLY want to know how The Climbing Skies ends 😆
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July 8, 2021DNF - 30%
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