Host

Life for package delivery worker Whipps changes forever the night he handles a box of thawing pig remains. By morning he is host to a virulent new parasite, one that releases mind-altering secretions as it wrecks massive internal damage. As Whipps' existence becomes more and more surreal, a college professor pieces together the connection between a missing student and a trailer of mutilated swine. Her search takes her to a valley of toxic industry where she stumbles upon a nightmare of unregulated waste, clandestine animal research, and a depraved drug lord. And all the while Whipps' stowaway is developing, preparing for the stage when it will bring back reality, with exponentially increasing pain. . .

From the Publisher

A rare Delirium trade paperback release. This was previously released in a limited edition hardcover of only 50 copies, as Exclusives Series, book #1. Due to popular demand, this book is now available as an unsigned trade paperback.

From the Back Cover

SOMETHING IS GROWING INSIDE VENZEL WHIPPS Life for package delivery worker Whipps changes forever the night he handles a box of thawing pig remains. By morning he is host to a vicious new parasite, one that releases mind-altering secretions as it wrecks massive internal damage. As Whipps slips from reality, a college professor looks for the connection between a missing student and a trailer of mutilated swine. Her search leads her to a valley of toxic industry where illegal dumping, clandestine research, and the whims of a depraved drug lord have created an ecological nightmare. And all the while Whipps stowaway grows, nearing the stage where secretions stop and clarity comes screaming back along with exponentially-building pain.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Another staggeringly dull night of truck loading at APS changed abruptly when Morgan found himself holding a damp, dripping package. Glimpsing its contents through a ragged tear, he heaved it away in disgust, nostrils stinging from a stench as thick as rotting carp. Watching its arcing trajectory he realized he had just violated company rules; still, he had three reasons not to regret his decision: The package was already damaged. The package was leaking. The package contained a thawing, mutilated pig s head. The box hit the trailer bed on one saturated corner and split open, vomiting its contents in a splatter of slush, dry ice fog and whirling flesh. The head somersaulted out, ears pinwheeling and flinging viscous drops until it smacked the rollers in the center of the trailer and came to rest, facing him. One eyelid was closed, the other at half-mast, revealing a pupil that looked like a penny pressed into curdled egg white. If Morgan needed just one more reason to quit this worthless job it was looking right at him.

About the Author

Alternately described as "scary," "surly," and "sick," allowances should be made for the author for enduring nearly a decade of corporate slavery. A consistent diet of horror fiction, music and films has also contributed to his current state. Mr. Eytcheson has lived in Iowa, California, and Colorado, where he currently resides with his family on the edge of a particularly flammable forest. On a good day, when the smoke is blowing the other way and the pine beetles are dormant, he even thinks about staying. Then he laughs himself silly. A long-time champion of intense underground music, he has published the fanzines Morbid and Moribund, and contributed to Throat Culture magazine. He is currently working on a new novel, several short stories, and his overall attitude. Host is his first novel.

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