Description

The days since Venessa let down her walls have been refreshingly calm. That is, until she begins hearing strange voices inside her head. Strange even to someone who has psychic powers. She finds herself quickly succumbing to the madness of this Hostility named Delirium who keeps intruding her mind. Yet, later, she finds that Delirium only has as much power as she gives him.

What readers say about Confoundment

“The story very much reminds me of the old serials—those bite-sized adventures that once filled the pages of pulp and sci-fi magazines. In fact, I often wish this author had such a platform today, because their work feels like it belongs right alongside thos…”

Matthew P CamachoRoyal Road4.5 / 5

Community Reviews(1)

Matthew P CamachoRoyal Road

★★★★★ 4.5

The story very much reminds me of the old serials—those bite-sized adventures that once filled the pages of pulp and sci-fi magazines. In fact, I often wish this author had such a platform today, because their work feels like it belongs right alongside those classics.
What strikes me most is the dialogue. For many writers, dialogue can be the most difficult element to balance—it’s easy for it to feel forced, flat, or overly expository. But here it does the opposite. The dialogue carries the pace, sharp and natural, keeping the story moving forward without ever bloating or dragging. It creates rhythm, momentum, and character all at once.
Even in the short story format, where space is tight and every word must earn its place, the author demonstrates restraint. They strip away what isn’t needed, leaving only the clean, essential parts—the good stuff. This makes the piece feel immediate and alive, rather than weighed down by excess detail.
As a fellow writer, I’ll admit to a bit of envy. This author shows not just a grasp of dialogue, but an ability to use it as a tool to shift tone, flow, and focus with subtle precision. It’s more than just writing in a style—it feels like they’re pushing, refining, and perfecting something greater, a craft that could easily grow into a much larger body of work.
This isn’t just a short story—it’s a glimpse of what could be a long-running series, the kind of storytelling that builds worlds and invites readers to keep coming back for more.