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The Scampering

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Melinda hates squirrels. She blames them for her husband's death, and as time goes forward, instead of trying to move on, her obsessive anger only grows. But what has led Melinda to blame the little rodents for her husband's demise? And where will this hateful path ultimately lead her?

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2022

18 people are currently reading
275 people want to read

About the author

Alana K. Drex

13 books99 followers
I like to read a range of horror and i like to write a range of horror. It can get messed up. W/ Love, Be Warned

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5 stars
109 (24%)
4 stars
143 (32%)
3 stars
123 (27%)
2 stars
43 (9%)
1 star
23 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
Profile Image for Brandon Baker.
Author 3 books10.6k followers
July 3, 2023
It’s like 25 pages, and is about a woman consumed with hatred towards squirrels after they caused her husbands death. The squirrels end up fighting back. 😅😂 it’s exactly what I thought it was going to be, made me laugh and cringe.
Profile Image for Michael Benavidez.
Author 9 books83 followers
August 12, 2022
At 32 pages long and tagged as Extreme Horror you should know exactly what you're getting into.
While the cover is cute with a smidge of blood, the story within is....less so.

While I knew the squirrels would be the terrorizor, I didn't really expect the intro that we got into WHY. And holy fucking shit balls, was I laughing my ass off in a straight, what the ever living fuck have I just fallen into.

After that beginning, you're in. Buckled tight, no escape, you're locked, loaded, gagged with a nice fluffy squirrely tale, and stuck with the ride. There's some moments I just smirked so hard for how things were, and others where I cringed hard.

There's just something so delightful about a book that knows what it is, what it wants to be, and just takes pleasure in letting loose.

Got a book hangover after an exhausting read or just indecisive on what to pick up next? Let this short little fun thing bridge that gap for you. It's the perfect length for some inventive squirrel horror.
Profile Image for Felix Dimaro.
Author 18 books111 followers
June 25, 2022
When I saw that Alana K. Drex and A.W. Mason were joining forces to put out a short story about a woman who has an unreasonable hatred of squirrels, I knew I had to read it.

I don’t trust these little critters. I think squirrels are creepy, mischievous, can look in too many directions at the same time for my liking, and are likely plotting – Pinky and the Brain-like – to take over the world.

This story did nothing to settle my concerns. It is a short, brutal (and fun), exploration of exactly why I am right to not trust squirrels. Read this one at your own risk, it’ll likely change the way you look at squirrels going forward.

#squirrelsarejustratsbutfluffier
Profile Image for Damien Casey.
Author 26 books88 followers
June 11, 2022
Do you think Cronenberg is afraid of squirrels? Maybe Clive Barker is? I need the answers because this story reads like they both sat around talking about how shit-scared-Janet they both are of them. A fun and quick read with a wild plot that left me looking like that guy in the meme. You know the one. Squirrel burritos. K thx.
Profile Image for Becks!.
407 reviews47 followers
November 19, 2022
Squirrels...

Ok, I am not sure who the evil character is in this story. The widow, or the squirrels? Really, its a toss up!
I will say this though, squirrel breakfast burritos, um no!!
Profile Image for Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem).
274 reviews105 followers
March 25, 2023
Super quick and fun read for those not opposed to some good old fashioned gore! Look at that adorable little face on the cover! How can anyone hate squirrels? Well, Melinda had a very good reason for it. She had declared all out war on the critters. Which side wins, Melinda or the tree rats? Does the bonus recipe at the end of the story really serve 20 people? I guess you’ll have to read it for yourself to learn the answers to these and other tantalizing questions!
Profile Image for Diane .
364 reviews11 followers
July 11, 2023
I wouldn't call this book extreme horror...just medium horror,there wasn't that much gore!!! A short revenge story that ended in a full circle of human verses squirrel... squirrel verses human!🐿️🐿️🐿️🐿️🐿️ You go little fellows🤮 Oh... And I think I'll be giving the bonus recipe a miss...thanks anyway🤢
Profile Image for Stuart Knott.
Author 21 books63 followers
June 24, 2022
“The Scampering” advertises itself as “An Extreme Horror” story and it certainly lives up to that branding! Authors Drex and Mason have crafted a short, snappy, vicious little tale wherein Melinda becomes obsessed with eradicating squirrels after a life-changing car crash that saw her husband brutally killed and left her broken and scarred, both mentally and physically. Now, Melinda actively runs squirrels down in her car, sets traps for them in her garden, puts up anonymous flyers all over her town warning people abut the “evil” squirrels, and has even taken to cooking them up in various ways!

However, Melinda’s vendetta comes back to (literally) bite her in the most gruesome of ways when the squirrels invade her home and take ghastly, bloody revenge upon her. Authors Drex and Mason really outdo themselves with their descriptions of mutilation and assault, meaning that “The Scampering” definitely isn’t for those with a poor constitution…but, personally, I loved it! the descriptions of the squirrels’ revenge reminded me of “Trick ‘r Treat” (Dougherty, 2007) and “Battleground” (King, 1972) and the authors definitely didn’t shy away from going all-in with their descriptions of bloody carnage and dark comedy.

If you’re a fan of squirrels and cute little animals then Melinda’s unwavering hatred of them may make you a bit uneasy, but all proceeds from the story go to the Animal Welfare Institute and at no point are her actions portrayed in a positive light. Ultimately, “The Scampering” was a very imaginative and macabre read; I enjoyed its unapologetic depictions of gore and unsettling imagery and definitely think fans of extreme or gory horror should give this one a go.
Profile Image for Christopher.
Author 19 books345 followers
June 11, 2022
For years I have dismissed my dog's dire warnings about the coming of the squirrels. His low growls at the scampering little bastards fell on deaf ears. Alana K. Drex and A.W. Mason clearly are in on the squirrel agenda. Melinda, this short story's protagonist, also knows the nibbly critters were responsible for her husband's death, and she's not about to let them away with it. Is she crazy? Maybe. Is she wrong? Well, wait and see, but fair warning: The Scampering is nuts in the best way with some gross horror that's sure to make you a tad squirrely. No squirrels were harmed in the making of this story, and giving it a read even helps with profits going to the Animal Welfare Institute.
Profile Image for Kelly| Just Another Horror Reader .
509 reviews349 followers
June 27, 2022
I just finished reading this and it was exactly what I needed today. It was a total blast! The MC, Melinda, despises squirrels for a very good reason. She’s obsessed with eradicating the bushy tailed critters until one day the squirrels turn the tables. I think fans of gory or extreme reads would really enjoy this one!
Profile Image for Precious.
171 reviews22 followers
March 30, 2024
More books where the animals get revenge please. Animals lovers will love this.
Profile Image for Casey.
48 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2022
I was not prepared 😂 but it was so good I shouted at the Kindle. This was an enjoyable read, loved it.

Tacos anyone ?
Profile Image for Rachael.
140 reviews11 followers
July 20, 2022
Well this is certainly an extreme horror story. A whole ball of crazy, with bucketloads of gore. I really hope this is made in to a novel one day.
Profile Image for Hamelin Bird.
Author 8 books70 followers
June 14, 2022
I had the pleasure of reading an earlier version of The Scampering, and had just as much fun on the reread. This is a fast-paced, well-written story concerning Melinda, a young woman with a tragic past and a vendetta against those responsible. I love that we get to know a bit about Melinda before the, shall we say, final showdown, and there were parts of this story that had me laughing out loud—and others that had me gleeful with its gross-out fun. The climax will not be soon forgotten, and will make you look a little closer at that cover lol. Definitely check this one out if you’re down for some macabre, Rats-like gory fun!
Profile Image for Billy Jr..
Author 6 books26 followers
June 21, 2022
When squirrels attack ... viciously! The Scampering is a very short story with so much strange charm and oddities that you will laugh, be a little grossed out, and be thoroughly entertained. Definitely different to say the least, as a woman goes mad from a past incident with a squirrel that caused her trauma, little does she know, these little guys are out for bloody revenge. You won't look at a squirrel the same way ever again.
Profile Image for Bethany.
549 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2022
A very well written, intense, brutal short horror story that grips you to the pages and has you wondering who you're meant to be feeling sympathy for! Really enjoyed this book and those unforgettable descriptions!
Profile Image for Meghin.
218 reviews686 followers
March 4, 2024
Idk what’s worse the squirrels or the usage of canola oil
Profile Image for H. Everend.
Author 21 books119 followers
July 2, 2022
Horrific bloody little read! I wasn't sure what to expect going into this story with the cute little squirrel on the front and the semi-cute title of "The Scampering"...until I saw the extreme horror part. There were some really nasty, visceral moments in this story -- and the MC was INSANE! I'm personally glad she got was coming to her...or did she? Either way, I love the teamwork of Drex and Mason on this story. Can't wait to see what they have in store for their next project!
Profile Image for Rachel.
86 reviews6 followers
August 14, 2022
"Bitterness becomes an entity of its own making. And when it's uncontainable, it spreads"
-unknown

Melinda completely loathes squirrels and her hatred for them only intensifies over time. Blaming them for the death of her husband her newfound aim in life is vengeance. Her target? Yup....you got it!

The Scampering: An Extreme Horror Story lives up to its title indeed. Squirrels have taken over my feed and I can see why. Absolutely Insane! Just under 30 pages and this short story packs one hell of a punch. Pure jaw dropping entertainment with its outrageously brutal and graphic scenes. At the same time, Melinda's actions and thoughts in her state of mind were so comical. I was either laughing or squirming. I think watching the facial expressions of anyone reading this gem would be amusing in itself. This was such a fun, gruesome and carefree read that leaves its mark. I really enjoyed this one. If you are a fan of horror and short stories, I highly recommend scooping up a copy. All the proceeds go to the Animal Welfare Institute which is awesome.
Profile Image for Emily Lorié.
224 reviews27 followers
June 10, 2022
A body horror masterpiece that will make your skin crawl long after it’s over. I laughed, I gagged, I gasped in horror. It was a grand ol’ time!
Profile Image for Kristina.
373 reviews30 followers
June 16, 2022
This is definitely a short and sweet extreme horror story that has undertones of revenge and grief. I don't really want to say much about it considering it's short and I always find it more enjoyable going into stories without knowng anything.

With this, you get what you're expecting--grossness, body horror, ridiculousness and weird.

It's a fun thing to read while you are waiting in line somewhere or in a waiting room--quick and easy to read.
As you might suspect there are content warnings so look into them if you have any sensitivities at all.

Also, the cover is just...perfect.

5/5
Profile Image for Sophie Leigh.
439 reviews27 followers
March 3, 2024
Trigger warning for animal abuse & eating

This may be a short story, but that doesn't mean it's not disturbing. The Scampering is a gory tale following a woman who hates squirrels as they caused her husband's death so she's on a mission to get revenge.
It was so grim but in the best way possible. Especially knowing that some of the profits go to an Animal Welfare charity 👏
Profile Image for Lindsay Crook.
1,076 reviews38 followers
June 10, 2022
That's nuts

Melinda hated squirrels and for good reason. Those bushy tailed nut eating rodents are blood thirsty.
This was a fun little read I would of loved a little bit more blood and gore though.
Profile Image for Mrsgmamma.
209 reviews39 followers
January 27, 2024
Melinda hates squirrels, her husband and her got into a car accident when a squirrel darted out in front of the car, ended up killing her husband. Now she will do anything to take revenge out on all the squirrels she comes in contact with. In the end pay back is a bitch 😂
Profile Image for Xtina Reads.
178 reviews30 followers
November 4, 2023
This is a tale about Melinda and her beef with squirrels lol I had fun with this one.
Profile Image for Dustin Ekman.
28 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2024
A short and sweet book clocking in at 32 pages (including a recipe!), The Scampering is a sick and twisted look at a woman who hates squirrels. Why? They killed her husband. Kind of. Maybe?
Profile Image for Brittany Johnson.
Author 5 books54 followers
July 23, 2022
Twisted, Gory, Fun, and Shocking!

——

holy hell what did I just read? 🤯

Extreme horror indeed! This short story got right to the gruesome, cringe-worthy, oh-my-god-that-did-not-just-happen point. Great writing with detailed descriptions that made my gut turn—ones I will never be able to get out of my head.

I’ve never read anything like this before and I loved it! Plus, proceeds go to a great cause supporting The Animal Welfare institute.
Profile Image for Willie Heredia.
Author 6 books21 followers
July 12, 2022
Read at your own risk! Though short in length, this story takes the term 'extreme' in face value, then rips it apart... But DAMN the story is one wild, fun ride. The collaboration between Alana K. Drex and A.W. Mason blends perfectly among both talented authors. Alana is a quickly growing voice in Horror and I'm excited to see where her talent takes her. I also have A.W. Mason's work in my TBR. Bravo to the both of you! AND THAT COVER!
Profile Image for Jackie.
59 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2024
Made me cringe, super odd. But, do read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews

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