#jar of rebuke season 2

[case-57-with-the-enclosure]

Finally listening to Shave and a Haircut (s2e23) and

1. HELL YEAH GET MULLET'D

2. my GUY* how did it take you this long to figure out you're autistic as fuck- sorry- you MIGHT be (100% are)

* gender neutral

[transbookoftheday]

Trans Horror Podcasts

My post about trans horror books last year was much more popular than I expected, and since I've recently fallen in love with fiction podcasts and audio dramas, I thought I'd make a post about trans horror podcasts as well.

If you like trans horror, please give these a try - especially if you enjoy listening to audiobooks!

Hello From The Hallowoods:

Come walk between the black pines! In this award-winning queer fiction podcast, an eldritch narrator follows the increasingly connected residents of the forest at the end of the world. It's a bittersweet story that explores queer identity, horror genre tropes, and finding hope in humanity's last moments.

Hello From The Hallowoods is my absolute favorite podcast! If you only listen to one podcast from this list, please make it this one - it's so beautifully written and super queer! Also: season 4 starts today!

Trans main characters include:

our nonbinary eye-affiliated podcast host

a nonbinary "Frankenstein's creature"

a transmasc ghost

a genderfluid storm witch

a trans woman who can visit other people's dreams

multiple characters using neopronouns

Camp Here & There:

Good morning, campers! Camp Here & There is a weekly horror comedy podcast tuned in to the loudspeakers of a small midwestern sleepaway camp plagued by supernatural terrors and natural disasters. Sydney Sargent, resident camp nurse, cheerfully reports on all the terror we must face with a big smile. Let’s hope there’s nothing weird about that!

Sydney is a trans man.

Dos: After You:

Things have changed. Deck has fallen in love with someone who isn't human, and leaves a hungry house behind to see him again. Will he be waiting for you? The world has changed… but what about him? Dos: After You is a queer urban fantasy/horror audiodrama available in both English & Spanish

Deck is a trans man.

Jar of Rebuke:

Follow Dr. Jared Hel's journey as he works to re-discover his forgotten past and finds his place within the small Indiana farm town of Wichton and the cryptozoological organization he works for called 'The Enclosure'. These audio journals, and other recordings, dive deep into Midwestern US cryptids and folklore while also telling a mystery about identity, queerness, neurodivergence, and community.

Jared is nonbinary.

Spirit Box Radio:

Spirit Box Radio is an award winning, horror audio drama podcast about a radio show for enthusiasts of all things arcane. Follow Sam Enfield a former postboy with no experience in the arcane arts, who finds themselves forced to take over running the show, following the disappearance of the previous host. Sam soon discovers there are more than ghosts haunting the show, and finds himself amidst a mystery which threatens everything he knows about the world beyond his tiny basement broadcast studio, and maybe even himself.

Sam is a trans man.

The Silt Verses:

Carpenter and Faulkner, two worshippers of an outlawed god, travel up the length of their deity’s great black river, searching for holy revelations amongst the reeds and the wetlands. As their pilgrimage lengthens and the river’s mysteries deepen, the two acolytes find themselves under threat from a police manhunt, but also come into conflict with the weirder gods that have flourished in these forgotten rural territories. This is a world where divine intervention takes place through prayer-markings scratched into stumping-posts, and offerings are left squirming to die in the flats of the delta. This is a world of ritual, and hidden language, and sacrifice. This is folk horror, and fantasy, and a dark road trip into the depths of unusual faith.

Faulkner is a trans man and Paige is a trans woman.

The Magnus Protocol:

The Magnus Archives 2: The Magnus Protocol is the prequel/sequel/”sidequel” to the internationally renowned Magnus Archives podcast. The Magnus Institute was an organisation dedicated to academic research into the esoteric and the paranormal, based out of Manchester, England. It burned to the ground in 1999. There were no survivors. Now, almost 25 years later, Alice and Sam, a pair of low-level civil service workers at the underfunded Office of Incident Assessment and Response, have stumbled across its legacy. A legacy that will put them in grave danger. If this intrigues you then it is our pleasure to welcome you to the Office of Incident, Assessment and Response. Make sure you pick up your badge at desk and report to your line manager before sitting down. Oh and stay away from I.T., seriously.

Alice is a trans woman.

[mmmelahii]

Mel audiodrama rec list!

I'm gay sad and picky, read into that how you may - in no real order - heed each show's TWs

RED VALLEY!! LOVE THIS SHOW TO DEATH. Great beginner audiodrama, such excellent audio and writing and chemistry and woayfhhtm. Cried a lot. A good amount of existential dread. Ough

Woe.begone: lots of wbg brainrot as of late. Genuinely the most scary podcast ever to me - but only if you think about it. Don't get too attached to the ARG format of the first season. Its long, a mind fuck, and not for everyone. It took me 2 tries over a year and a half to lock in properly. Best consumed in a binge as to keep the plot threads fresh in mind. Great discord server <3 cried a lot too

The Grotto: Wbg has great music but Grottos hits different. It makes me want to teeth. I adore the writing personally, but be OK with your pov character sort of being a toxic person. He's trying he really is. This show portrays nuances of grief and mental health issues so well imo. Also great discord server <3

The Kingmaker Histories: Very very charming writing and world building. The world building is alternate history in a way that the fantastical elements occur to you naturalistically as you listen. Lovely lovely cast. Self aware about its tropes and excellently uses em to their advantage. Acknowledges a lot of the darker facets of history in an almost satirical manner to its absolute benefit

The Bright Sessions: Was actually my first full audiodrama! Was obsessed with it for a while. A good comfort listen imo, it's character chemistry is definitely a strong suit; a very human look at fantastical people

Fawx & Stallion: Narm-y but so genuinely charming. I absolutely love the casting choices, I think they're all so perfect for the characters. I'd almost call it a satire played straight, where the main characters behave in nearly caricature levels of eccentricity, but their consequences are shockingly grounded. It's pleasant! Can't wait for the next season

Ethics Town: I'm a philosophy sociology student, legally cannot not recommend. It subverted my expectations for what the format of the story would be tbh! In a neutral way, it just took me by surprise the first time. The world building is very fun and relatively unique, it gets you attached in a way that can really make your stomach drop

The Mistholme Museum of Mystery, Morbidity, and Mortality: SO GOOD AND SO SLEPT ON!! I loved this show so much, its one of those that leave you craving for something to hit you the same way it did. One of my favourite anthology shows, mainly because of how interlinked the over all plot is to all of it, all while keeping the stories so fresh and invigorating. Listen to it!!!

SCP: Find Us Alive: The characters and cast are excellent; and I like how strained and tense the relationships between them get! It's not necessarily comfortable to listen to, but it's investing and leaves you on edge just like the characters would be. I like their personal lives breaching the strict professionalism of their work gradually. No prior knowledge of SCP really necessary

Jar of Rebuke: Really poignant in the alienation it portrays. I love the way Jared experiences the world and himself; his understanding of his own gender, the way that his innate abilities don't correlate to those of others, the way that he never feels quite like he's saying the right thing, it's all such mfmfjdndmdm good show. Unfortunately audio does sometimes tick off my sensory issues

Neighborly: I LOVE GOTHIC HORROR SO MUCH OH MY GOD. I love the narrative structure and the domestic horror of this show. The ambiance and the dreamy story telling all excellent. The one issue I have is that listening to it with headphones REALLY fuck with my sensory issues :((

Blake Skye Private Eye: Really slept on imo! The exaggerated noir setting and pacing are great, unfortunately the audio leveling does mess with my sensory issues :( is someone willing to lend me a better auditory system

Shelterwood: As aforementioned I LOVE GOTHIC HORROR SO MUCH. THE SUBLIME. THE DOMESTIC SUSPENCE. LOVE THAT SHIT. I really love the sound design here. Characters are so so real. Love them. Can't wait for more

Keep it Steady: Fuck fuck fuck man. I cried most of the way through heart brockoken this is so good I love it cant wait for more.

Speed round for podcasts I like to throw on for light hearted (to me) quick, queer fluff

- Love and Luck

- Kaleidotrope

- The Two Princes

- The Lavender Tavern

- Tales from the Low City

- Monstrous Agonies

[fiction-pod-recs]

Welcome to the first installment of Fiction Podcast Recommendation Thursday!

I wanted to start out with a favorite of mine, Jar of Rebuke!

[Image ID: The cover art for Jar of Rebuke is shown. It is art of a jar outlined in bright red and filled with black with various cryptid silhouettes inside it, each colored in with the same bright red. There is the top of a humans head that morphs into six tentacles, Next to that is the top half of a bigfoot waving. And in the bottom left there is a three eyed deer. Each of the creatures have their eyes filled in with black. In the center of the jar there is a large key also in red. Underneath the jar there are 6 tentacles in red holding it up, and the background is bright green corn silhouetted on a black background. in the top right "Jar of Rebuke" is spelled out in white letters. /.End ID]

Summary of the show as provided, “ Follow Dr. Jared Hel's journey as he works to re-discover his forgotten past and finds his place within the small Indiana farm town of Wichton and the cryptozoological organization he works for called 'The Enclosure'. These audio journals, and other recordings, dive deep into Midwestern US cryptids and folklore while also telling a mystery about identity, queerness, neurodivergence, and community.”

Season 1 and the first part of season 2 has been completed already with 21 episodes averaging from 10-25 minutes per episode. The second part of season 2 is currently being released with 3 episodes out now, these average around 10-ish minutes in length. Both transcript and content warnings are available!

Now, time for the less serious me gushing about it:

I love Jar of Rebuke so much, it was one of my first fiction podcasts and it is just amazing.

The sound quality is pretty good and the storyline is just aaaaaaaa /pos. I love it, it can be so cozy and so dread inducing at the same time it's amazing! It has amazing representation and i love the way it portrays it!

The voice acting is good, the storyline is good (I've said that twice now but it really is), all of the characters are complex and its just amazing! I really want more people to listen to this because it is really good.

-

Ok, I think this concludes out first fiction podcast rec Thursday. Tell me your thoughts, I am always willing to learn how to better these and if I'm being honest I never was the best at giving recommendations. But nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed and maybe found a new podcast to listen to!

[jarofrebukepodcast]

Sometimes, letting it out and talking with a loved one is what you need for a revelation. Jared and Dax have another eye-opening heart-to-heart.

TWs: This episode contains themes of declining mental health, audio distortion, dog barking, shouting, and discussing fantastical violence.

Season 2 finale is live NOW on Patreon!! An update regarding season 3 will be made live on the Jar of Rebuke & Thesperience social media pages, as well as Patreon!

This episode of “Jar of Rebuke” was written by Casper Oliver. (he/they) Assistant writers were Jason Larock (he/him), Jenny O’Sullivan (she/they), and Miche Ward (he/him) Audio is edited by Jason Larock. (he/him) Podcast artwork by Ashlee Craft (he/they)

[croik]

Anyone know if the podcast Jar of Rebuke is ongoing? Is it in break or is season 2 complete at 27 eps?

EDIT: new eps supposedly coming the end of the year, helpful moot has provided. Enjoying season 1 so glad to hear it.

[ossified-hypothesis]

Current Things

Tagged by @evenaturtleduck (thanks! ☺️)

3 ships: idk I’m not really much of a shipper! We were just talking about ships in the October Daye discord though - my favourites to come out of that convo were August x Nolan, Oberon x Sylvester (aka the Disappointing Dad Duo™️), and Toby x Literally every knowe she meets 😆

[Edit: sorry I lied a bit I forgot I’m shipping Outlaw Ty and Texas Michael after the latest WOE.BEGONE episode 😅]

Last song: decadence by woe.begone (the fact I was listening to a track from the cowboy album is pure coincidence, my music was on shuffle lol)

Currently reading: ok so I was reading The Truth by Terry Pratchett when a bunch of my library holds became available. So now I’m also reading System Collapse by Martha Wells (Murderbot my beloved 💕), Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire, and A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon 😅

Last movie: I think it might have been Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (lmao) - I remember a distinct lack of decent telly on over the holidays so I’d decided to watch this mostly out of nostalgia

If you mean in a movie theatre then I don’t think I’ve been back to the cinema since Barbie in the summer - I want to go see the boy and the heron but need to find the time lol

Currently watching: Delicious in Dungeon! And also the new series of The Great Pottery Throw Down (think bake off but for pottery). I need to watch season 4 of what we do in the shadows when I get the chance as well

Currently craving: Sleep! And maybe a cup of tea

Currently consuming: food or media?

Food I consumed this evening was leftover quorn korma with fruit and nuts, followed by a bunch of chocolate I got for Christmas

In terms of media the podcast brainrot is still going strong lol. Namely WOE.BEGONE and Hello from the Hallowoods but The Grotto and Jar of Rebuke deserve honourable mentions!

Tagging @flamefirenut, @boopblep, @felixcosm, @forbidden-fungi, @mocha-moth, @discursivetacenda and anyone else who wants to take part! (no pressure though!)

[fiction-pod-recs]

Hello! See if any of these interest you:

The Grotto is a liminal horror podcast about dealing with grief. The first season is out now with 8 episodes. (also has the best music I've ever heard in a podcast, its really amazing)

SPACE SPECKS is a Post-apocalyptic sci-fi audio drama with a queer platonic relationship and a buncha aromantic characters! The first episode releases on May 25th, which is either tomorrow or today depending on your time zone and how long it takes me to write out these recs.

Jar of Rebuke is a midwestern horror audio drama about someone working as a cryptozoologist at 'The Enclosure'. First 2 seasons are out with 27 episodes total. Its probably one of my favorites, it manages to be cozy and sometimes dread inducing its awesome.

Second Star to the Left is a sci-fi about someone sent to a planet alone to terraform it, they also have an unexpected person talking to them to make sure the sanity is kept in check. It is finished with 10 episodes. Another one of my favorites and also top comfort podcast, love it soooo much.

Do You Copy? is a horror in a shut down national park. It's hard to explain, but trust me it is very good! Season 1 is completely out with 14 episodes. It caused me physical pain, would recommend!

I saw someone recommended Witherburn Afterschool News in the replies, I'll second that! Its very cool and I love how the mystery is folding out so far.

I have some more recs if you'd like them, but I tried to just give the ones I thought were slightly relevant, haven't been recommended yet, and the ones I really enjoyed.

hey all.

I desperately need new queer fiction podcast recomendations at the moment as I have just finished camp here and there and need something to listen to while playing video games (I have the attention span of a goldfish and need at least 3 different sources of stimulation at once or I get bored).

also for the record I have already binged the entirety of TMA (several times), HFTH (also several times), WTNV, CHNT, and started listening to Malevolent but decided that it wasnt really for me.

have a nice day!

[evilittlecrow]

The new jar of rebuke episode ?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH

I've got so many thoughts about it - but most of all i'm so curious about the voice....

Your other left, dipshit

[case-57-with-the-enclosure]

Jar of Rebuke S2E7 ☝🏻🤓 spoiler ahead

"message saved" CASPER YOU FUCKER (affectionate) (praise) I'm- 😭💖💖💖💖💖

loved the ep, was thrilled to hear all these amazing voices again, and MAN if i didn't melt at Darius and Jared calling each other pet names 🤧💞✨️

[hellofromthehallowoods]

Happy spooky season! There’s a lot happening in the Hallowoods for the month of October! Here’s what to expect: 

October 5th: the Season 2 finale! Our road trip season comes to an end. 🚗

October 12th: the ‘Old Bindings’ live show, remastered! If you missed this during the spring, it’ll now be on the air for everyone to listen to. 

It stars @casperolivervo returning as Laurence Abbot to explore what’s been happening at Downing Hill all season. It’s also the sequel/finale to the ‘Athenaeums’ miniseries by @eldriitchbones! 🪲

(P.S. If you’re in need of a nice Halloween season show, Casper’s wonderful in ‘Jar of Rebuke’. Season 2 of that is coming soon!) 

October 19th & 26th: ‘A Writer Out Of Time’, a two-part miniseries that follows a desperate author scrambling to finish a novel as the world ends.

Narrated by the amazing Leeman Kessler, who you may know as the creepy Ohio mayor of the ‘Always Has Been’ series on Tiktok, or Roger from Moonbase Theta, Out! ✒️

October 31st: Season 3 premieres with Episode 97, and Episode 98 follows that Wednesday! We return to normal weekly episodes from there on out. 🖤

[jarofrebukepodcast]

Supporting @thesperience helps us fund creating season 2 of 'Jar of Rebuke' along with all of our other projects!

One of the many perks of supporting us on Patreon: you get access to EVERY zine in our library! We have three available for supporters to download, and many more will be available for monthly supporters!

Our newest zine is: "Big Boy, Big Feelings" by @jasonlarock

[boombox-fuckboy]

5 Criminally Underrated Audio Drama: Supernatural Fiction Edition

Always hard to resist a good bit of supernatural fiction, who doesn't love some good monsters and mysterious happenings? Podcasts certainly have no shortage of it, and better yet, it's almost all very queer.

There's only a few popular supernatural podcasts, most of which are more horror or fantasy leaning anyway, but there are some incredible lesser known ones that could easily fill that space! Without further ado, here are 5 absolutely quality supernatural podcasts.

Up to date as of 16th July 2021

Jar of Rebuke

"Join in Dr. Jared Hel's journey as he works to re-discover his forgotten past and learns about various entities and anomalies within the small farm town of Wichton for an organization called 'The Enclosure'. With creatures and stories based upon real legends and lore within the midwestern United States, follow along as Jared tries to figure out the secrets of the town as well as the secrets of their own identity."

Adventures of an unkillable (well, he can be killed, just doesn't stay that way) amnesiac scientist as they investigate strange creatures, make new friends, and eat lots of tasty food in the small town he's living in. Really well written and paced, full of cool creatures and enticing mystery with a dash of horror, and an absolutely endearing lead. Very queer. There are currently 18 episodes of between 10 and 27 mins each.

Jar of Rebuke is available on major podcasting platforms and Spotify. Content warnings are given at the start of each episode from season 2, though not for earlier episodes, and transcripts of each episode are available on the website. You can also follow their tumblr at @jarofrebukepodcast!

Monstrous Agonies

"From werewolves in the doghouse to new ghouls at work, there's no problem too strange for this weekly advice segment, from the UK's only dedicated radio service for the creature community"

A community advice radio show in a world where humans and monsters and creatures of all kinds live together in a world just like our own. Delightful exploration of the cultural and everyday aspects of this world, as well as individual tales of familial, platonic, romantic, and (non-explicit) sexual intimacy and conflict. Simple but clean soundwork with the absolutely most soothing narrator/presenter I've encountered, and of course, both subtle and overt queer rep. Season 1 has just finished, there are currently 35 episodes of between 10 and 20 minutes each.

Monstrous Agonies is available on major podcasting platforms and Spotify. There are no content warnings available, but transcripts are linked in the show notes of each episode. You can also follow their tumblr at @monstrousagonies!

Murray Mysteries

"A gothic-comedy audio retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula"

A super fun, super queer, and honestly super faithful modern adaptation of Dracula. Instead of Mina's diary, it's the podcast she and her flat-mate Lucy, run together! The friendship between the two feels genuine in a way shows rarely capture. Van Helsing has the same cool but weird professor energy of the original that adaptations never get quite right. Dracula himself has got the be the most fun and well thought-out modern take on him I've seen. Mina and Jonathan are still the absolute sweetest but with the inspired addition of being an acespec bi couple. Lucy's three suitors are all different genders. I could go on. It's also just, really funny. You don't have to have read Dracula to hear it, but it'll still be an extra layer of fun if you have. Season 2 is currently airing, and 21 episodes of roughly 8 minutes each are available.

Murray Mysteries is available on major podcasting platforms and Spotify. Content warnings are not given, but transcripts are linked in the show notes of each episode. You can also follow their tumblr at @knovesstorytelling!

The Night Post

"In Gilt City, conscripted couriers are both respected and shunned. They inhabit the borderlands between a growing industrial society and the untamed, arcane frontier that surrounds it. The Night Post is a weekly supernatural audio drama about survival, tradition, and the vast unknown."

After his husband goes missing, Milo is conscripted to take his place as a courier. But nights delivering the mail in and around his city are filled with unexplained strangeness even the other couriers, Val and Clementine, can't anticipate, and while looking for his husband, they find far more and far stranger. Really well made, acted, written, full of more mystery and intrigue than I can hope to do justice to here. And it's very queer. The Night Post is on break between seasons, 15 main episodes of roughly 15-20 mins each, and 4 minisodes of about 5 mins each are currently available.

The Night Post is available on major podcasting platforms and Spotify. It has content warnings at the top of the transcripts, which are linked in the show notes of each episode. You can also follow their tumblr at @thenightpost!

The Way We Haunt Now

"Eulalie Elizabeth Reed is haunted by lots of things. Paths not taken. Failed relationships. Mistakes. Fears. Hopes. But she’s never been properly haunted before. That’s about to change. The Way We Haunt Now is a lighthearted horror audio drama about female friendships, found family, and fighting the narratives that try to define us––even in the afterlife. Oh, and ghosts. Did we mention ghosts?"

Eulalie has always been a little haunted, but after she comes home with an antique phonograph, this becomes a bit more literal. What starts off unnervingly spooky and very mysterious becomes a gentle and wholesome ghost story. I love the chill vibe of it, the mystery, the optimistic outlook on humanity, well thought-out soundwork. They are currently between seasons and crowdfunding for season 2! At present there are 10 episodes of 15-20 mins each, and one 5 min minisode available.

The Way We Haunt Now is available on major podcasting platforms and Spotify. It has content warnings at the top of the transcripts, which are linked in the show notes of each episode. You can also follow their tumblr at @thewaywehauntnow!

Want more great audio content?

5 Criminally Underrated Sci-Fi Podcasts

5 Underrated Weird Fiction Podcasts

5 Underrated Sci-Fi Horror Podcasts

5 Underrated Superpowered Podcasts

5 Underrated Comedy Podcasts

[alexandenigtscreations]

Hello! I wanted to ask for your permission to share your recent JoR art piece on the Jar of Rebuke Instagram! I'd also want to know your Instagram handle if you have one for tagging!💛

Hello Casper!

Yes, please feel free to use it as you see fit ^^

I am only active on Tumblr and DeviantArt with AlexandeNight

Just really happy to see that season 2 is in the works, I've been lurking around the Jar of Rebuke page like spoiler in Jared's house XD It's been something of a comfort podcast. Just, something about midwestern queers and gothic mysteries strikes home.

Thank you for asking!

Walker

[jarofrebukepodcast]

New "Jar of Rebuke" Season 2 update on Patreon! We've dropped the first six episode names for the upcoming season! 🗝🦌

[jarofrebuke-transcripts]

Jar of Rebuke Episode 2 Unofficial Transcript

Season 1 Episode 2: Snipe Hunt

INTRO

The following audio recording is classified documentation for Case [audio distortion] with the Enclosure. Unauthorized access to this information will lead to immediate intervention. Progress further if proper clearance has been given.

JARED

Been a bit since I've done this, but man, what a week! First, I've been working with Dr. Castillo for a couple of weeks now. She's not bad by any means, but she's... well the kind of “always chipper” that comes off with a seething rage just below the surface. She always smiles with gritted teeth and is pretty passive aggressive. I mean passive aggressive for it to be notable around these parts. But I do really like her sarcastic wit. Most of our conversations are more like bickers, but we were able to finish up that research really quickly when she came on. Very intelligent, zero complaints about her skills. But I guess neither of us wanted this work partnership thrusted upon us, but that's how Todd runs things. We're making it work but I think we're both a little less than thrilled with the sudden change. When there's no work to do, she goes off and does her own thing in the lab of her computer. She keeps looking at me but doesn't say anything. It's always brief glances, but never pleasant. I don't think she hates me, but more like she really doesn't like the situation that we're in. I mean I can't blame her- she seems far more pleased with the job that she had before the sudden transfer. She wasn't working as directly with the dangerous creatures previously. I don't even think they gave her a pay raise for compensation. I don't even think anyone in the Enclosure really gets hazard pay.

Anyways, things got really nerve-wracking a few days ago when I had no projects, no anything to work on while on shift, which never happens. I was desperate for something to do so I actually went into town after work and just walked, kinda aimless mostly, but seeing and hearing everything in town was nice. More stimulating than the buzzing lab lights. I did maybe four or five laps around the downtown roundabout in total. Not in a row, I stepped into different shops as I meandered so I didn't look too weird looking for something to do. It was late afternoon so the heat was a bit much to just stand around outside anyways. Wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't so humid. First shop I went into was Mrs. Weddington's little bakery. Dr. Rahal loves that place. They've even swapped recipes, apparently. I haven't heard anyone use his first name so often till I started to frequent that bakery. Amir. It's weird to call him that but he said it's all right. As long as I'm not in his medical office for a checkup or whatever he said he's fine with a first name basis relationship.

Anyways, I went to Mrs. Wedington's bakery to pick up some snacks. She told me that the local charity snipe hunt tournament to support the local school was coming up in the next day or so, and she planned to bake a bunch of different things for it. Dr. Rahal... uh, Amir, planned on helping out with it. Not a lot of people in the enclosure go out and actively participate in town events, but he loves to do so. I've heard of the local charity snipe hunt tournaments the last few years but had never really asked about them. So I finally did. She explained that every year the town comes together for the big snipe hunt where everyone meets up in the late evening with, with bags and little noise makers for the hunt. But there's food first since no one should snipe hunt on an empty stomach. Tournament group leaders will lead groups out and explain what the snipe looks like. Eventually one person is left alone in the woods or fields that they're searching and has to use the bag and sound maker that they're given to defend themselves and make their way back. Only group leaders know who is to be left behind and they have to inform everyone else in the group for them to abandon the chosen person and return to the main event. The first duped person back wins a prize and the last duped person back suffers a punishment that varies from year to year. A rite of passage, she said. I asked what these “snipes” looked like and she told me it changes every year. “Depends on whatever the tournament group leaders are feeling that year,” she told me with a warm, almost excited smile. When she'd realized I'd never been to one she said that “I simply must!” Sure, I'm not really one for community events like this but Dr. Rahal always seems happier when he's more involved. Even for an employee of the Enclosure he's still pretty engaged with and welcomed by the townsfolk in Wichton. So, I signed up, like an idiot. Okay, not an idiot, but my luck proved itself.

So I went to the event, made my donation to the school, and I even tried to cook something to bring, but I'm not... I'm not a bad cook, I can cook, I just don't really like cooking. I prefer going out and supporting the restaurants and places in town and bringing the food home. But I did try, and I made some cookies, and they didn't end up being too bad, they were well received. Though I was told they could have done with a bit more, um, “huh, I don't know what's missing, they're still good though!” is what they said. Probably love or a bit of this, a bit of that. You know, the usual missing ingredients. I was put into a team with Holly Darling as the leader, and while Holly is a great person, they have an amount of energy that I have no clue how to keep up with. So it was me, Holly, and a bunch of high schoolers. I'm not terrible with kids but I'm not experienced with kids. At least not kids with normal eyes that don't just wander the sides of the road or knock on my door on and off for hours in the middle of the night. So I just fully let Holly take the lead. Followed with my burlap sack I was given and my flashlight in hand since it was starting to get dark. I walked behind the kids into the woods by the creek on the edge of the fields as Holly described the “snipe” that we were looking for- a sort of rodent-esque creature with the markings of a skunk, but a build more like a small dog. I couldn't tell if they were just pulling this out of their ass or not, but the teens were all on high alert for it. One had a slide whistle, another had a sort of clicker that they used to click out various things to try and stir up any sign of this mysterious snipe. In my time at the Enclosure, I've never heard or read of a snipe, so if it's a real thing then it isn't even on our radar. That doesn't mean it's not real, and that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. It just means I went into this thing totally unprepared.

As the search continued, I actually got pretty into it. Sure, I was going against a bunch of literal teenagers to catch something that I never did get an answer if it even exists, but I actually got pretty competitive. Whether it was to make up for my subpar cookies or because it was something to do, I don't know. But I got so sucked into the search and trying to best these heckling jerks of kids that I didn't even think twice when Holly whispered a bit louder than needed- “over there, the bushes, I see its tail!” (nervous laugh) I threw myself into that bush with the bag, I didn't even think i just grabbed and tried to catch whatever I could grab. What I caught was a bunch of leaves and twig that snuck behind my glasses and poked me in the eye. No living creature, no snipe. I didn't even hear laughter, which is what I'd expected to hear. When I looked up they were all gone. I never even heard or saw them take off, absolutely zero sign of them. There one second, gone the next. And I realized I was duped. I was the dupee, a dupee with a sore eye.

As soon as I realized my situation I brushed myself off and with the utmost composure, started the trek back to the main event. Survived my rite of passage, right? I’d be more part of things, right? Jumping into that damn bush would have to be worth something. But as I made my way towards the edge of the woods I realized I was suddenly much farther from the tree line than I originally was. At that point I couldn't even see the tree line anymore, but I knew what direction I had to go so I started back from where I came. I started to fidget with the burlap sack to keep my hands occupied as I walked, the sound of the cicadas in my own footsteps were all I could hear. I was more frustrated than anything. Of course I was the one ditched. I thought they would pick one of the kids, let them have their laughs and go from there, but I guess they'd get better laughs if it was someone else they could focus on together. Huh, nothing brings a community together better than casting collective judgment. As I walked back towards the tree line I eventually heard the sound of something walking behind me. I could tell there was a good distance between me and the sound but I don't like surprises. I turned around as quickly as I could and saw one of those three-eyed deer with perfectly symmetrical yet overgrown horns, and slightly humanoid hind legs. Not too uncommon in these parts, not usually much of a threat, but still unsettling to see up close. They took me a while to get used to, but this line of work desensitizes you pretty quick.

Those in town know to avoid these deer, other creatures in the woods know to avoid them too, so I should have backed off sooner. We locked eyes for what felt like hours, however long it actually was I don't know. I didn't feel threatened at first, more like I was being analyzed. But then I heard a voice in my head.

[echo-y voice] “Run.”

So I did. Not immediately, as I normally would have and definitely should have, but after one or two awkward steps away the deer bucked up and made like it was gonna charge. So then I took off. I don't know if the deer got territorial or startled or what but I didn't have time to try and figure that out at the moment. I ended up dropping the bag and flashlight and just sprinted as fast as my legs would take me towards the tree line that had only just then started to come back into view. It was definitely dark but my eyes had adjusted pretty quickly to take in what light they could from the moonlight.

[echo-y voice] “Faster.”

No matter how fast I forced my legs, the sound of hooves against the dirt and leaves were never too far behind. In fact in mere moments it was right behind me. And then I felt something slam into my back, hard. I was sent flying forward and skidded across the ground. I had never had a violent encounter with one of these deer before, but when the snipe hunt tournament leaders spoke about returning and surviving. Well... what was it about that day that made it special for them to host it on? I mean the same time every year in the same part of the woods? In the same parts of the fields. What was making the deer more volatile instead of fleeing or just staring like they tended to? I'd seen them buck but they'd never charged me. I wasn't wondering that then, of course. No, then I was scrambling back onto my feet. I'd even lost my glasses for a bit but I found them again pretty quickly, when my hand slammed down on top of them in my rush up and definitely broke part of them. Speaking of breaking, it definitely felt like the damn knot deer broke something when it bucked me or at least cracked a few ribs. They do pack a good hit when angered. Looking back I'm surprised it had stopped after hitting me just once. As if it had made its point.

[echo-y voice] “Get out.”

So with my busted glasses in hand, I booked it past the tree line and took off into the fields. In the distance I could see the lights and the bonfire and the rest of the attendees, mostly the remaining chaperones and the parents of those kids who were out on the hunt at that point. Some kids, including those that had duped me in the woods, were near the fire. No one seemed to notice me at first. And they're hurting... it hurt so much to run. And I did what you're never supposed to do and looked back over my shoulder as I ran to see if the deer was still there. It was but it just stood by the tree line. It stood still as stone, and many other of those multi-eyed not-deer were standing next to it. It could have been a whole herd of them, all watching as I rushed back to the group. All standing on their more humanoid hind legs, watching, watching as I ran back. I heard some sort of banshee screech from the woods echoing over the field which caused me to hoof it faster. But no one else at the party seemed to even react. Had they not heard it too? Sore eye, sore back, and sore lungs from the exertion. I hate this flesh prison sometimes. Eventually Holly called out my name. Their voice was obviously loud but it was hard to hear over the sound of blood rushing behind my eardrums. The fear is never dying, considering I know I'll always come back, but that doesn't mean that the pain of death doesn't suck! When the whisper in my head tells me to run, I run. Who would be stupid enough to ignore that instinct?

Once back to the gathering I was mostly relieved that the deer had stayed in the forest. But it didn't pass my attention though while I wasn't the first dupee back, I wasn't the last one either. That caused a sense of relief but to a much lesser extent. I put back on my glasses which don't fit too well anymore. One of the arms is hardly attached now. I'm gonna have to file for a better replacement pair than the spares that I'm wearing right now. But the Enclosure takes its sweet time actually getting people their replacement glasses and things like that. It wasn't until I started to get the various congratulations and two firm pats on my very tender back and handshakes from people, that I really came back into the moment. I saw Dr. Rahal, Amir, over by the food tables with Mrs. Weddington, both smiling and laughing. When Holly came and congratulated me saying they wish they'd recorded me leaping into the bush, I saw over their shoulder that Darius was there with his dads, talking to some of the other farmers in town about something or other. All smiling, all having a good time. I saw other people just enjoying the night, waiting for their kids to come home. But with the way the deer had reacted to me, I could not help but wonder why. I didn't find myself too worried about the other kids, but I was worried about why the deer were acting rather... uncharacteristically. They normally weren't so hostile, especially not when it's just a lone deer like it had been at first. I mean usually the worst you get with an encounter is a harsh stare down and a twisting in your stomach, but they don't normally attack like that. At least I'd never been attacked before and I've definitely seen them before. I even asked one of the other group leaders why they picked this time of year for the hunt. Was it the weather? Tradition? The answer was indeed tradition. It had always been done this day of the year, sometimes would even cancel school for it the next day. So why change it? Why change what has worked for so long? We don't often change traditions. Point taken, I guess.

I ended up gravitating towards Darius and his circle. I didn't necessarily join in on the conversation, I just stood nearby with my cup of hot apple cider from his family's farm and listened. They really hadn't heard the scream, or if they did they just weren't acknowledging it. Either option was equally likely and I didn't like that. Darius eventually noticed me and came over to talk which helped my nerves a bit. He asked about my glasses, mentioned that my eye looked swollen, and I just told him that I fell on my way back. He asked if I was alright and I was actually honest with him! A little shaken, a little sore but all right. He offered to drive me home but it wasn't a long drive home and I didn't have much energy to socialize anymore. And I really just wanted to melt in my bed and sleep, the pain in my back really wasn't helping my frayed nerves. I also really didn't want to have to come back here to retrieve my run-down car later. Darius said he understood but if I changed my mind to just let him know. I smiled and thanked him and then finished my cider.

I ended up heading home before the last dupee returned. When I got home I was met with another one of those black eyed children at my door. It was seated at my doorstep and stared at me the entire time I made my way from my car to the front door. It made its unintelligible whispers that eventually turned into some monotone requests for shelter. But I just avoided eye contact and went inside. The taps on my door were louder than usual. That with the pain in my back and my ribs made it hard to sleep. And it was like that for days- taps and pain, tossing and turning in bed to get comfortable, covering my head with my pillow to block out the sounds. Apparently the loser of the snipe hunt just suffered some heckling from his peers, nothing too severe, at least in my book. Damn kid didn't get bucked by a damn deer, should be grateful.

And that leads to today. On my way home from some errands in town after work I saw a singular deer in my yard. It was a normal deer, two eyes, asymmetrical antlers, much smaller than the ones in the woods that I saw a few nights back. But when I made eye contact with the deer in my yard, I heard that whisper again

[echo-y voice] “Don't look back next time.”

And then it took off, like some messenger just trying to leave after following orders. It pranced out into the fields and kept going until I couldn't see it anymore. The headaches still linger, I think any worsening was just from the run-in with the deer, or being run into by the deer, I guess. Whatever had angered the deer that night, I couldn't help but feel like there was almost a sense of warning to it. Not a territorial warning, but a warning of something else. That deer easily could have stomped me into the dirt and left me for dead if it had wanted, but it had just wanted me out. Why?

Work has kicked back up again, and there's some energy signature that keeps moving about the cornfields then they keep picking it up and saying that it's much stronger than the usual bursts they see in those fields. And they want Dr. Castillo and I to look into it. Tomorrow is going to be a much longer day at the office, but I much prefer being busy than bored. I might have to see Amir again about the pain in my back, but it's gotten better over time so I might not even worry too much about it. I almost wish the deer had killed me, at least I could have come back close to fully healed. What's a few more scars anyway, it's not like anyone ever sees them.

I'm gonna go take a hot bath to see if that helps my back any. I might see if I can find anything on what might be causing the heightened aggression from the not-dear, just ignore the tapping on my door while I can, try and get some reading done. I'll talk to you later. This is Dr. Jared Hel, signing off, again. [tapping sounds]

OUTRO

Jar of Rebuke is written and produced by Casper Oliver, who is also the voice of Dr. Jared Hel. Disembodied voice provided by Cecil Fox. The intro is read by Vanessa Rosengrant, and credits are read by Ashley Craft, who has also created the podcast official graphics. Music was created by Luke Menniss, spelled m-e-n-n-i-s-s, who you can find and support on Bandcamp, Spotify and Twitch. Find us on Twitter, Instagram and anywhere else you get your podcast fix for more Jar of Rebuke and also to get updates on upcoming official merch for our show. Support projects by this crew on Patreon to further other queer-lead projects and get neat perks. All donations are appreciated and will grant further clearance to special Jar of Rebuke content. You can also make one-time donations on Ko-fi. And special thanks to our patreon supporters Becky Thompson, Perry Bruns, and Tristan Fraud.