Apt Pupil -

Unlike many "coming-of-age" stories, this is a "going-into-age" story. It’s about the deliberate destruction of one’s own conscience.

Here is a blog post exploring why this story still haunts readers decades later. Apt Pupil

What starts as a power play by a bored teenager quickly spirals into a mutual parasitic relationship. As Todd listens to Dussander’s stories, he begins to lose his grip on his own morality. Conversely, the "sleeping" evil within Dussander is reawakened by Todd’s attention. What starts as a power play by a

Apt Pupil serves as a grim reminder that curiosity isn't always a virtue. Sometimes, when you stare into the abyss, the abyss doesn't just stare back—it invites you in for a seat. Apt Pupil serves as a grim reminder that

Instead, Todd blackmails him. He doesn't want money; he wants stories. He wants to hear the gruesome details of the camps that the history books leave out. The Descent into Darkness