Digest

This podcast episode begins with an advertisement for Mailchimp and then introduces a reading of R.K. Combrink's short story, "Seleno." The story follows Calvin, who moves into a creepy old house and soon becomes the target of his neighbor, Timmy. Timmy, consumed by guilt over an affair that led to his wife's suicide, has been plagued by Seleno, a supernatural entity that feeds on the flesh of the guilty and prevents them from dying. Timmy kidnaps Calvin, intending to make him the new host for Seleno. Timmy confesses his infidelity and his horrifying encounters with Seleno, detailing how she keeps him alive by feeding him the flesh of the dead. The story culminates in a confrontation where Timmy is shot by the police. The ending leaves the listener wondering if Seleno is still present, leaving Calvin's fate uncertain and highlighting the lasting impact of guilt and the ambiguous nature of supernatural consequences.

Outlines

00:00:00

Podcast Introduction & Story Setup

The podcast introduces itself and then sets the stage for the reading of R.K. Combrink's "Seleno," a story about guilt, infidelity, and supernatural consequences.

00:02:00

Calvin's Arrival and Initial Encounters

Calvin moves into a dilapidated house, grappling with guilt over an affair while discovering unsettling signs of previous inhabitants and a cockroach infestation.

00:03:45

Kidnapping and Timmy's Confession

Calvin is kidnapped by his neighbor, Timmy, who confesses his affair and the subsequent suicide of his wife, Melissa.

00:17:22

Seleno's Influence and Timmy's Torment

Timmy reveals his encounters with Seleno, a supernatural being who feeds him human flesh and prevents his death, highlighting the consequences of his guilt.

01:07:18

The Confrontation and Timmy's Fate

Timmy's plan to transfer Seleno's burden to Calvin leads to a confrontation and his death at the hands of the police.

01:16:11

Aftermath and Ambiguous Conclusion

A month later, Calvin reflects on the events, haunted by the memory of Timmy and the lingering presence of Seleno, leaving the ending open to interpretation.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Seleno's role in the story?

  Seleno is a supernatural being who feeds on the flesh of the guilty, preventing their death and acting as a gruesome punishment.

• What is the central conflict in "Seleno"?

  Timmy's desperate attempt to escape Seleno's torment by transferring his burden to Calvin.

• What are the main themes explored in "Seleno"?

  Guilt, infidelity, consequences of actions, the supernatural's impact on the human psyche, and the complexities of redemption.

• How does the story end?

  The story ends ambiguously, with Timmy's death but the lingering presence of Seleno, leaving Calvin's fate uncertain.

• Who is the author of "Seleno"?

  R.K. Combrink

• What genre is the story "Seleno"?

  Supernatural Horror, Psychological Horror, Dark Fiction

Show Notes