“Phantom View” by John Wiswell

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Story can be read on-line: https://reactormag.com/phantom-view-john-wiswell/

Rating: 3/5 Stars.

A man is taking care of his ailing father. While scrolling through photos of his father, he suddenly notices parts of a phantom chin appearing in them. On a closer examination, he discovers the phantom also appears in his father’s painting.

After some experiments, he discovers a way to find and ‘feel’ the phantom. A crisis occurs that make him ask the phantom for help with his father while he goes to settle insurance matters. In return, he finds a way to ‘free’ the phantom from his father. Sometime later, after the father’s death, the phantom seeks out the son, now alone. Through hints and motions, he nudges the son in ways to make him consider living a life without his father.

Story read from 2026/08/13 to 2026/08/13.