Do you really love someone if you won't let them go?
Tight Grip was a one-off halloween project I made in 2024, I partially used for me to mess around with certain visual effects, but also to try and tell a complete story in one go, with no dialogue. To mixed results. I think its aged a bit, and I would probably do stuff a bit differently if I were to make it again, just like I think with all my other stuff- but overall I think this turned out pretty okay.
I find that making stuff about obsessions or otherwise psychologically strange or "off " characters is quite interesting ! This is one of my stories where those themes are portrayed as the horror they actually are- as opposed to the idealized version of those traits, where its the perfect combination of toxic and non toxic to create a tolerable- even, attractive- middle ground.
Simplified to the fullest extent;
A scientist and a gravekeeper mourn the loss of their mutual friend, and try to uncover the mystery of where his stolen corpse is. However one of them, clearly knows more than the other about where their friends body is.
A scientist and a gravekeeper mourn the loss of their mutual friend, and try to uncover the mystery of where his stolen corpse is. However one of them, clearly knows more than the other about where their friends body is.
Not summarized;
Back in the day, somewhere in France- two out of three friends take up inventing and science for a profession, while their more sheepish friend works as a gravekeeper. One of the scientists is exceptional, bringing about several inventions, and generally is known by the community as a brilliant mind with a lot of potential. The other, while still competent, isn't anywhere close to as brilliant as his friend. However- contrary to what one may believe, he has a deep fondness for him as opposed to jealousy. So when an experiment goes wrong, and the once brilliant man ends up getting electrocuted, falling backwards which sets off an explosion in their shared tower, that fries him completely- no one handles it well.
After the funeral, the two remaining fellows, scientist and gravekeeper, try to move past the death of their friend. Yet when the gravekeeper gets to visiting his friends grave to pay respects once more, leave some flowers and the like, he finds it dug up, and the corpse- missing. In a blind panic, he runs to the tower where only one person resides now- and seeks out his friend for help. The scientist, quick to respond, tells him to get the sheriff and tell people in the area to keep a look out- whoever stole the body, might still be on the loose, theres no telling when it happened- and if it happened within the hour, theres a chance at catching them.
Yet as the gravekeeper runs off, vowing to do his best to catch this despicable man who stole their friends body... The scientist collects themselves, and walks up the stairs into his tower. The tower he once shared with a dear friend. The tower he still shares, with a friend he wont let go.
Even if he's beaten, broken, barely concious, he wont ever let him go.
Back in the day, somewhere in France- two out of three friends take up inventing and science for a profession, while their more sheepish friend works as a gravekeeper. One of the scientists is exceptional, bringing about several inventions, and generally is known by the community as a brilliant mind with a lot of potential. The other, while still competent, isn't anywhere close to as brilliant as his friend. However- contrary to what one may believe, he has a deep fondness for him as opposed to jealousy. So when an experiment goes wrong, and the once brilliant man ends up getting electrocuted, falling backwards which sets off an explosion in their shared tower, that fries him completely- no one handles it well.
After the funeral, the two remaining fellows, scientist and gravekeeper, try to move past the death of their friend. Yet when the gravekeeper gets to visiting his friends grave to pay respects once more, leave some flowers and the like, he finds it dug up, and the corpse- missing. In a blind panic, he runs to the tower where only one person resides now- and seeks out his friend for help. The scientist, quick to respond, tells him to get the sheriff and tell people in the area to keep a look out- whoever stole the body, might still be on the loose, theres no telling when it happened- and if it happened within the hour, theres a chance at catching them.
Yet as the gravekeeper runs off, vowing to do his best to catch this despicable man who stole their friends body... The scientist collects themselves, and walks up the stairs into his tower. The tower he once shared with a dear friend. The tower he still shares, with a friend he wont let go.
Even if he's beaten, broken, barely concious, he wont ever let him go.
Julien
The "lesser" scientist in question. He's neglected basic hygeine and has really started to mentally dissolve after Marc's passing. He doesn't nessecarily view Marc as someone he "loves" in a romantic sense, but either way he's determined to attatch himself to him like some kind of flesh eating parasite.
Marc
Once a brilliant man, now a barely concious, shambling vegetable of a person. Unable to speak, save for noises, screams and cries. Unable to walk, dragging his larger leg and pressing his whole body up against a wall to move- if he can even sit upright. Limbs have been swapped out and mismatched, skin, hair and eyes have been discolored due to all the chemicals Julien is trying to use to revive him. Nerve endings and tendons twitch and spasam uncontrollably, painfully. Particularly in his left (our right) hand and arm. A chunk has been taken out of his chest, leaving a seemingly cavernous hole in his side with major scarring. What remains of the thunder strike coats his now grey, dead skin with root like scars. The poor fellow just wants to pass on, yet he's kept here. In pain.