Squirming Disease: An Extreme Horror Novelette

by Aiden Merchant

Across the world, new plants are sprouting from the ground; in the woods, in your own backyard. And with them comes a frightening infestation: swarms of tiny, black bugs that feast on blood, muscle, and bone...

SQUIRMING DISEASE is a horror novelette. The paperback edition contains three additional stories - "Complete Sacrifice," "Change," and "The Scar Opens - and a preview of the upcoming screenplay series, CHARTERS. The e-book edition does not include these bonuses.

Genres: Horror, Novella

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2022

About the author

Aiden 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.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well as the name of the book suggests, be prepared for some gross details of a truly disgusting and horrifying disease/infestation. Perhaps not one to read over breakfast as I did! Lol!

I liked the Adam character, the guys suffers though, and his poor friend Kendra does not fair any better.

Plenty of blood, gore and guts with a good level of detail not so over the top it becomes just about gore but it serves the story well.

The book was nicely written, seemed realistic and down to Earth and nicely imagined.

It’s only a short story, my version was just 34 pages long but other versions have extra bits to read and expands the story somewhat, or so I gather. I’d get a longer one if you can, I was left wanting a little bit more.

Overall a gross but good fun read and everything I wanted from a book like this, my only negative is that it was so short.

Almost perfect for me so 4.5, rounded up to 5/5

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this thinking I was not the intended horror-loving audience and that I wasn't going to like it much. Bug infestation horror stories are usually the worse for their grossness which isn't my thing at all! However, and really quite surprisingly, I really enjoyed this. I even thought it could have stood to be more gruesome as I didn't mind all the grossness at all, except maybe I was a bit freaked out reading the first half of this book with a toothache! Overall it was an entertaining, fast-paced,  quick read. It will give you the heebie jeebies for sure, especially if you have a toothache.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Squiggley, crunching good fun - crawl, crawl, crawl!'

Adam and Kendra quickly discover that they have a big bug infestation problem which rapidly swells and spreads into an urgent case of extreme pest control. Can the colony be kept under control before matters really do get out of hand?

A great, little story which is packed full of beautiful, beastly gruesomeness - just a shame that this aphid adventure was terminated so, so suddenly.

The three chapters:

1. The Squirm- Creative and imaginative 'adult' entertainment, without being disturbingly OTT. Excellent.

2. The Disease - Infection and treatment. Would have liked to have read about more graphic, gory and maybe alarming detail in relation to the response and 'practical, hands-on' support provided by the authorities. Very good: Highly entertaining - but with opportunities to increase the level of grotesque horror on offer even further.

3 The Spread - Into the future. Good -Informative and succinct but disappointingly, abruptly short. Lots of scope for detailed expansion.

Overall - A thoroughly enjoyable story which would have been even better with more grisly, disturbing incidents and horrific, gruesome detail, but in a longer format, a much, much longer format. Actually, after enjoying it so much I actually felt a little cheated by the end - but in a nice way!

Credit to the author - I'll definitely be reading much more of his work in future- bravo!
Rating: 4.2 stars.

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary

Adam fails to notice the new plant that's sprung up in his yard. It doesn't help that he's been very ill and full of aches and pains.
After stopping by to visit, his girlfriend Kendra also becomes very ill. By the time doctors realize the connection, it's already too late.

Personal Opinion

This short story is perfect to read all in one sitting and sure to make you squirm.
I'm easily grossed out by bugs so this one really creeped me out. It's just gory enough to make it a gross, addictive read.
The pacing was good with Adam's portion highlighting the beginning and Kendra's part being downright cringe worthy.
This one is worth a read!

[Mylene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The spread

Well-written short horror story. It’s a quick read with a simple infestation plot. It didn’t blow me away but it flowed and was short. You can tell the author can write. May try one of his longer novels.

[Kim Napolitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this perfectly terrifying story today from the author. The story is exactly what it sounds like and I’ll mark it into the bizzaro genre that’s having its day lately.

Adam is not feeling well at all, pain, muscle aches and jaw swelling, weakness and terrifying nightmares plague him and then soon his girlfriend is not well and then her girlfriend, you get the picture but this plague is a little bit.. well.. different. This is a short novella so no spoilers. Blood and gore and just creepy (you’ll see why).

I love that I cared about the characters in such a short story. Mr. Merchant never disappoints. Highly recommended!

[Erica Robyn Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Squirming Disease by Aiden Merchant is a collection of three absolutely terrifying tales that are all connected. At the start, it’s unclear what is going on but it’s not long before you learn more about the symptoms… Eek, I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it!

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.

This collection of three storylines was so wonderfully terrifying. The first story is unsettling and has a brutal ending. The next one is even more terrifying and even more brutal!! Then the third story… I didn’t think it could get any more terrifying. I was wrong.

Here are my quick notes about each:

The Squirming
Holy god. This story was terrifying! Every time I get a toothache now, I’m going to think of this story! That poor guy, Adam. And did he infect his girlfriend?!

The Disease
Ah! A story from Kendras perspective. Oh my good lord…. this was absolutely terrifying! What an ending to this one!

The Spread
Just when I didn’t think this collection could get any more terrifying… THAT ENDING!!

I loved every second of this horrific read! I especially love the titles that Mr. Merchant chose for each of the three sections.

In my copy of this book, it also came with a bonus; one flash fiction tale and two short stories. Here are my quick notes about those.

Complete Sacrifice
A piece of flash fiction
Phew!! I love flash fiction that leaves you wanting more but also feeling satisfied with the burst of content that you were given. That was certainly the case here. I’d happily read more about this character so we could see how he had gotten to that point.

Change
A short story
Oh. My. Gosh! This one kept getting more and more intense and interesting! I can’t wait to read more from this storyline!

The Scar Opens
A short story
I loved this one so much! A group of three boys going to search for this lost friend and quickly realizing they should have left that property alone. This one was so creepy!! Another screaming for an adaptation! This one felt like The Body mixed with some really dark Goosebumps-like tales! I loved it!

My Final Thoughts
I loved each and every second of each of the tales!

If you enjoy stories that will make you squirm with discomfort and fear, you gotta pick this one up! Just make sure you get the physical copy to get the bonus stories!

[Zoey Erby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say, bravo. This was definitely a favorite. It is just raw, body-horror, done so right. It really did its' job so effectively. I'm not sure if you've seen the movie Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (weird reference probably, but the part with the dick was equally as nasty), but this kind of had that vibe. Like, Merchant was not afraid to really go there and attack some very sensitive areas. Mostly, the teeth! I'm so squeamish about my teeth, the thought of them being colonized and rotting and just falling out is grossing me out just to talk about. Literally, one word to describe this novelette: disgusting (but in the best way). The kind of horror that makes your body almost hurt in sympathy. Merchant did a fantastic job with the descriptions, they were so captivating.

There is some dog death, so if that's triggering to you, be weary. There is also some graphic sexual content, so be warned (it didn't bother me, but It feels like something of note). I don't have many complaints, the dialogue felt a bit stiff at times but overall it's not that much of hinderance. If you want to read some short, high-quality body horror, then you need to read this one high-key.

[Syeda Sumayya Tariq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed reading this one. It's short and real fast paced, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. This is exactly what the title suggests, squirming insects that know no mercy. This one does not come slow on graphic descriptions of blood and gore, some scenes actually disturbed me but in a good way. It combines all the horrors you'd expect from such a read in one. What I especially liked was the description of how the disease slowly progressed, very compelling, and scary.
This might be my most favorite of all that I've read by this author, and would have liked it even more if there were maybe other different ways in which the major characters contracted the disease. Nevertheless, it's absolutely enjoyable.

Thanks to the author for sharing an e-copy of this book with me in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelby W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novelette is very descriptive, at this moment, I feel like I have the squirming disease. A horrific tale, but most definitely a good one. Really, looking forward to reading more stories by this author.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story definitely packs a punch! I’d love to read a full length version! What’s the story with the plants & horrific bugs.

The author mentions taking inspiration from the scarab scenes from The Mummy movie. As I was reading the carnage caused by the pests in this book those exact Mummy scenes came to mind!! Those scarabs used to give me nightmares after I watched them burrow into people, hopefully this book won’t disrupt my dreams too much 😬

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an e-book ARC copy of the reissue for Squirming Disease from the author Aiden Merchant in return for my honest review, which follows below. He included three bonus stories that will only appear in the paperback release of this title; 1. Complete Sacrifice, 2. Change, and 3. The Scar Opens. I thank him for this opportunity.

I rated this 5 stars for all the stories listed.
The stories were of that quality, and I appreciate how he always has author’s notes at the end of each; it gives you insight to the story’s inspiration, connection to other stories, and the story’s growth from the original. He also has the sweetest dedications to his wife, who seems to not be a horror fan (to which I can relate), but very supportive. Reading his work over time makes you feel familiar with him as a person too. I enjoy reading anything extra authors add at the end or beginning of their books, it usually helps me settle into their writing style more comfortably, for example Stephen King and his son Joe Hill fall into their own categories now; their writers voice is each so distinctive to them, at least to me.

Squirming Disease – So for every part of this story that Adam was in, I’m pretty sure I was making the same but ever changing facial expression: a mix of distress and growing horror; he was not having a good time. We have all been extremely ill, the kind where you should have made an appointment with your regular doc days ago but instead… home cure. I had walking pneumonia once as a teenager, but the dragging death, muscle fatigue feeling haunts me to this day. Adam had that beat, because he also along the way hurt his penis. I do not have a penis, but my husband does; when one of our children inevitably kicks or otherwise hits him there by accident I feel bad for him, it does not look fun. I do not understand how Adam did not go straight to the hospital when that injury occurred, just saying. The plants showing up brought to mind Little Shop of Horrors, though there are no musical numbers planned to smooth out all the death here, at least not yet. I can’t think of anyone that could read this and not get a creeping feeling somewhere on their arm, or their neck...The path the story takes felt very realistic to me, which makes it that more haunting.

What follows are reviews for the added stories, but remember they will only appear in the paperback issues, they will not be in the e-books.

Complete Sacrifice – This piece of flash fiction throws you right into the deep end. A returning character of sorts, the Corner Master is up to his old tricks, which from what I have read of him so far; copious amounts of death, tormenting humans into doing his bidding. You’ll just have to read it, I can’t really say more without spoilers, but it’s worth the read.

Change – You know at the beginning of a zombie movie, when things are starting to go wrong? But not in a big enough, or widespread enough way for anything to really be done about it? That’s the feeling I got while reading this; people acting strange, violent, and no known reason. Oh crud, everybody’s gonna die, aren’t they? The author’s notes say this is all going to tie into a larger novel that is in the works, which sounds really interesting.

The Scar Opens – For some reason I kept thinking of the movie Drag Me to Hell after reading this one. My husband does not like horror, anymore; Drag Me to Hell was the last movie he would ever really watch that counts as horror. It messed him up, he loathes that movie with a passion. Some of the actions of the old woman in the house made me think of the old woman in the movie, and I could just see this story being filmed. I loved the Cryptkeeper growing up, watching Tales From The Crypt scared the pants off of me, but he would make me laugh and I could keep watching. I could see this showing, scary and menacing, and then maybe someone would lighten the mood with a horror(ible) joke. I really liked this one, partly because of the memories it brought back.

[Cassandra Vella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, graphic thriller does not disappoint! King-esque thrill in this story will keep you glued to your seat and itching for more - literally these bugs sound terrifying. Merchant really caught onto some relatable fears with this one from the sex injuries to the mysterious body bug/s, to the teeth popping out, to the hospital quarantine all in one.

Cannot wait to see what Merchant has in store for the connected universe with this one, it had me gripping my seat all the way through.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story (novelette, if you will) is in top running for the grossest thing I've read this year. And that's absolutely a good thing. I won't spoil anything, but if you love bugs, rapid human deterioration, and just general nastiness, this comes HIGHLY recommended!

[T.F. Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the premise a of this novelette. Aiden is at his best describing the effect of the infection in graphic, nauseous detail. The pacing is quick and the prose efficient.

[Tabatha Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic writing by Merchant as usual. Kept me hooked all the way to the end. Short but perfectly formed and intelligently plotted from start to finish, it is brutal and unsettling and gloriously intense.

[Karen (kmo.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine waking up in horrific pain having no idea where it is coming from. That is what happened to Adam. Little insects had invaded his body. The insects are eating him from the inside out. He passed it to others not realizing it. What has he just unleashed?

I love all the graphic descriptions used to show how Adam was feeling.

"His head felt like an explosion. His ears rang in ungodly pitches, his skull vibrated, and his mouth hurt as if someone had dropped a cinder block onto it."

This novelette is definitely a must read for any horror fan. Thank you to Aiden Merchant for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is written with skill; good descriptions and a good understanding of fear and suspense.
However, I don’t think I’m the right audience for this kind of a story. I was too grossed out to really enjoy it.