Real by Joel Abernathy

Nothing is more dangerous than a beautiful lie.

Unable to cope with the death of his beloved son, the brilliant but eccentric alchemist Gustavo crafts an automaton in his likeness. Desperate and mad with grief, Gustavo makes a deal with a strange angel to breathe familiar life into his new creation, but he soon learns that wrenching a soul from the hands of death comes at too great a cost.
When it becomes apparent that Gustavo’s magnum opus is not the innocent boy he intended to resurrect, what started as an act of love turns into a dark and dangerous obsession.

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Author’s Note: This dark MM retelling of Pinocchio is a twisted tale of transformation, redemption, and what it truly means to be human. This is a darker story that may be upsetting for some readers. Please see the author’s website for content details.