One thing that I noticed about the writing in this story immediately is the prevalent use of referencing quotes and lines from a bunch of different novels and philosophy. The most notable chapter names I can recognize are lines from novel authors like Harlan Ellison, Franz Kafka, and Jean Paul Sartre. While there are also some philosophical quotes from Socrates and Rene Descartes.

I actually really enjoyed the use of these lines as it directly corresponds to the overall message and ending of the story. As a philosophical writer and researcher myself, I have to applaud to this story’s use of these quotes because it made it fun for me to read.

The psychological horror works with those philosophical references too. A lot of the horror in the story comes from identity, guilt, memory, and self awareness rather than just supernatural stuff. It feels very existential in a way that matches the Kafka/Sartre inspirations really naturally.

What I liked most is that the quotes actually mean something to the story instead of just being there to sound deep. By the ending, especially with the fourth wall break, it genuinely feels like the story is questioning both the characters and the reader at the same time.

As someone interested in philosophy myself, I thought it was handled surprisingly well. Good job.