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Curing Humanity

   (10 reviews)

Atticus is a commander of the Earth Defense Force. He and his second in command, John, are members of an elite group whose mission is to retain the purity of the human race in the face of a parasitic infection ravaging the planet. "The worm" is insidious, silent, and impossible to condone. This is their story. Within these pages are the steps they take to retain their humanity. No matter the cost.

This story is complete and will be updated weekly.

I wrote this over about ten days. I don't know what happened, but this just wanted out. It's like nothing I've ever written. Stylistically, it's sparse and spare. I attempted to capture a military vibe, and maybe that's why I leaned that way this time. It's not a long story (five chapters), but I do like how it ended up. I hope you enjoy it.
Copyright © 2025 Wayne Gray; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (17 members)

  • Action Packed 7
  • Addictive/Pacing 15
  • Characters 16
  • Chills 4
  • Cliffhanger 4
  • Compelling 16
  • Feel-Good 8
  • Humor 4
  • Smoldering 5
  • Tearjerker 2
  • Unique 16
  • World Building 11


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centexhairysub

   11 of 11 members found this review helpful 11 / 11 members

Something really different, but it pulls you in from the first moment.  The character development and writing are first rate as always, but the story is wonderful.

Way to short, but I think that helps with the impact of it, and the impact is so unexpected.

We get a glimpse at what might be if only fear did not keep us from the truth.

Response from the author:

Thanks for reading, commenting, and reviewing! This one certainly is different, at least for me.

I liked the vibe in this one. The thriller+erotic elements were awfully fun to juxtapose and lean into when paired with a slow awakening of connections between people. It felt unique.

The length is something I wondered about. But, as you said, I think it works for the story.

Thank you again.

  • Like 4
  • Love 8
Mikiesboy

   10 of 10 members found this review helpful 10 / 10 members

What can I say here except if you choose not to read this, then you're making a big mistake.  The writing is inspired and sometimes beautiful.

The story is not 'the norm' at all. Thank goodness. It's about humanity, love, and empathy, things we are not seeing a lot of during these dark times.  It is not harsh and loud, but gentle, quiet and desired.  It is what we all want. 

Read Wayne's wonderful tale of our world changed - for the better.  You will not regret it for a second.

Response from the author:

Thank you for the nice review, tim. And for the interest/support in this story.

I know it's very different. It felt that way while writing it. One of those things when you're doing something and you're not sure exactly where it's going to go, but you know the journey alone is worth the effort. I'm happy the end result turned out how it did.

Humanity, love, empathy. Yes. The best things about being human. That's what it's about. A perfect distillation. 

Thanks again, tim. xoxo

  • Like 2
  • Love 9
chris191070

   10 of 10 members found this review helpful 10 / 10 members

Before you start reading this is something totally different from Wayne, so expect the unexpected.

We join Atticus and John, members of cairn seventy-one. They are members of the EDF (Earth Defence Force) and they are tasked with keeping the purity of there cairn and the human race, from a deadly parasite (the worm).

As they discover the worm is silent and impossible to condone. But as they soon discover, everything about the worm is not as it seems.

This is the story of cairn seventy-one and the steps they take to retain there humanity, at whatever the cost.

Give it it a read, it's an awesome story, you will not be disappointed.

Response from the author:

Thank you, Chris!

I'm happy you enjoyed this one. It was great fun to write, read the comments, and respond to folks. But more, it was almost like a lottery dream. You play the lotto to dream about winning and what you'd do. This felt similar. "What if this was real? What kind of world would exist? What kind of place would that be?" That's sort of what it felt like.

Thanks again. See you next time.

  • Like 2
  • Love 9
weinerdog

   7 of 7 members found this review helpful 7 / 7 members

I can't add a thing to anything all the smart reviewers have already stated .I'm just adding another five star review so readers notice how many 5 star reviews this story has and will be motivated to read this.Please do

Response from the author:

Thank you for reading, commenting, rating, and for the nice review! All of that is very appreciated.

There are some pretty smart and thoughtful people reading this one. That's flattering and welcome. I am humbled and gratified by that. So, thank you for being a part of that.

I hope to see you next time around.

  • Like 2
  • Love 5
Sherye Story Reader

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

Here is a story of how world peace might actually happen! Are we all going to stand by and see wars and anger happen? Are we going to stand by and see the world get destroyed? Then by all means, let us read this story and put our heads together and think of something that would help us! Wayne, knew what he was doing when he wrote this story cause of the hatred the world has for each other! He should be commended for his belief in it by writing something to actually stop it! Let's give him a round of applause for what he believes in! 

Response from the author:

Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the nice review!

I'm happy you enjoyed this one. It's fun to think about what the world might be like with a little more empathy. Or ... a lot more, as the case may be.

I do hope this tale inspires others to think about what the world could be. We have power, and we can make change. We just have to believe we can.

Thanks again.

  • Like 2
  • Love 6
pvtguy

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

What if a world could exist where empathy was the central force that motivated humanity?  This is a powerfully written tale that poses that possibility in 5 impactful chapters and an epilogue. I not only recommend it - I implore you to read and truly consider the question posed above. You won’t be sorry!!!

Response from the author:

Thank you, Tony! Your comments, ratings, and review are all welcome. I appreciate the time you've spent on all of that.

It's such an interesting mental exercise. "What if?" I mean, what would that look like? How would things change? So much. So much would change. And it'd almost all be better. There'd be an adjustment as societies shift and pivot and that'd be disruptive. But the end result? More than worth it.

Thank you again. There's more to come from me.

  • Like 2
  • Love 4
Cane23

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

parasite - noun

1. an organism living in, on, or with another organism in order to obtain nutrients, grow, or multiply often in a state that directly or indirectly harms the host.

2. someone or something that resembles a biological parasite in living off of, being dependent on, or exploiting another while giving little or nothing in return

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

This is definition but, what if...? What if parasite and host make symbioses that makes humanity striving for empathy, love and peace? What if parasite is that small trigger that has made such a fundamental change in human mentality, a final step of evolution from a beast to noble, supreme being...

A statement from a certain politician that too much empathy is dangerous, inspired @Wayne Gray to write this dystopian and utopian sci-fi story, to prove that empathy can make this world a better place.

This story is @Wayne Gray's prose version of Lennon's song Imagine, and that makes it so wonderful and unique...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Response from the author:

Wow. Thanks for the nice review!

I struggled a bit with the "parasite" definition. I know it doesn't quite qualify, but it landed close enough for my purposes, so here we are.

I'm so happy that people found this one engaging. It felt good writing it. Editing it. Posting and replying to comments on it. Yeah, it was just ... good. All around. It's one of those rare stories that flows without a lot of obstacles.

Thanks again. There's more coming from me, and I hope to see you there too.

  • Like 1
  • Love 4
kbois

   9 of 10 members found this review helpful 9 / 10 members

This story is an intriguing tale that makes you ask a lot of "what ifs". 

It makes you question everything you think you know about humanity as we know it and how we can imagine it to be. 

Don't think. Just read. You'll be glad you did.

Response from the author:

Thanks for taking the time to read, comment, bounce ideas with me, and review this one!

It's such a different kind of story, both in terms of anything I've written and anything I've read, too. The idea hooked me immediately, and I'm super happy with how it turned out in practice.

Thanks again. See you in the DiC!

  • Like 3
  • Love 8
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