The Quiet Boy by Nick Antosca (Antlers Short Story Fan Read)

Hey friends! Here's a Halloween treat for your enjoyment. Turned the demo into a full-read of a short horror story, The Quiet Boy, by Nick Antosca.
You can download the read audio here to listen at your leisure: tinyurl.com/y629athc
You can read the short story here: www.guernicamag.com/the-quiet...
There is no money involved in this - it started as a small read for a demo reel. I was enjoying the process (even in preparing for the session) and decided to finish the whole thing.
A new friend of mine, Adam, was kind enough to take a couple of passes at the mastering side of things. He did some stellar work with my less than stellar recording process (built a vocal booth to fix those issues since the recording, for the next one)!
Would love your feedback.
I've wanted to give this a go for a good, long while.
There's already a list of things I would do differently, (will do differently on the next one) but unselfconsciously. This was a blast.
Thanks, Adam and cheers, everyone.

[@TheArtofTheBrave]

who else came here cos of the Antlers trailer???

[@BenWamberg]

Dude, I read it because of the Antlers Trailer. I need to go ahead and just tweet this at Mr. Del Toro and Co.

[@charleshampton4279]

Yup 😁😁😁😁

[@JT-ss6si]

I came here for the ending, i was curious to know if it really was his pops. And surely it was! Shame that Lucas goes to him at the end...

[@tommyfox854]

@@JT-ss6si Yeah, warn a guy when your gonna spoil something willya? Sheesh!

[@evol9201]

Str8 up!!!!!!

[@TheSuperMoshie]

I wonder if this reading will blow up? It's hard to find the story, so thanks for reading this for us :)

[@BenWamberg]

My pleasure. When I couldn't find a version of it recorded it seemed to good an opportunity to pass up! Thank you kindly for giving it a listen!

[@DarkSideOfTheBrightSide]

It will. I searched this out to find the inspiration of antlers(movie); what the film is based on.

[@xxmakeuplover05xx]

I know this was a month ago and I don't mean to give any less credit to the reader in this video, but I looked it up and it's like the first thing that pops up on Google. I read it haha

[@summerlea06]

Oh heres a link to the story if you’re still interested in reading it as well. www.guernicamag.com/the-quiet-boy/ I think there’s also a link in the description for the video. Edited for typos

[@rneustel388]

Wow, what an incredibly suspenseful story, but am I the only one who wants to say, “If she’d only let well enough alone?”

[@abent1034]

I just relisted to it. Played it for my niece on the drive to drop off food for my uncle her great uncle, long dark county road. Scared the crap out of her...at the end she was like can we turn this off it too scary. She is 21...hahaha

[@DarkSideOfTheBrightSide]

May the algorithm gods bless thee for this incredible work.

[@BenWamberg]

EBK SCORSESE Bless 😂👍

[@user-hg1mz9pb1r]

Hahahaha man this comment is gold

[@s4mcote]

I love the effect you used for the creatures’s voice, it’s really creepy. Great job, man. Been obsessed with this story since I saw the Antlers trailer, can’t wait to see the movie and I hope the ending will be just as dark as the short story.

[@tbartskate164]

What minute?

[@franwelsh775]

You did a good job man. There were a couple of times you had to go back and correct yourself but it was nothing major. You did it gracefully and stayed on track. I would listen to you again if you decided to do more

[@BenWamberg]

Thank you! I missed those in the editing process. My mistake. Thanks for taking the time to listen and leave some feedback!

[@richardmathew8817]

i guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost my account password. I would love any help you can offer me!

[@maxtonjake3920]

@Richard Mathew Instablaster ;)

[@richardmathew8817]

@Maxton Jake I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@richardmathew8817]

@Maxton Jake it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass !

[@daggerpardus1216]

This story gave me chills! Thank you for narrating this gem! 💜

[@Cipher132]

Artillery Man Um What?

[@BenWamberg]

daggerpardus1216 Thank you, kindly. Mr. Antosca wrote a heck of a story!

[@atq8148]

The narrator is so good. I enjoyed this even more because of him ❤️

[@RedRabbitAI]

One of the best reading I have ever heard. Your voice is just perfect. Thank you for recording this, it was a blast.

[@Sky-ps9ev]

So I’m probs gonna get some hate for this but it’s just my opinion , if you liked the film that’s fine . But I really wish they had just followed this plot line for the film . I read the story before I went to see the film and was so disappointed. Then re listening to it here I’m even more disappointed. This story might as well been handed to them on a silver platter as a guaranteed horror gem , and they still chose to change or omit the creepiest parts of the story and add in plots that went absolutely no where . The films ending was also just … obvious . I guess they wanted ( like most films do ) to open it up to sequels . I think they should focus on remaking the film to follow this amazing story much more closely , give it the adaptation it deserves including this spine chilling ending . Well done on the reading btw !!! They way you read the creatures talking actually gave me chills !!

[@lesliecarpio365]

I had to read this for an English class and I was lucky enough to find this ! Great job I think hearing it being read made it so much better for me I was so enveloped in it thanks for narrating!

[@zXnum]

Thank you for taking the time out and doing this

[@BenWamberg]

My pleasure! It’s a stellar story.

[@rebeccabridges4193]

I've listened to this now four times. I really wanted to see Antlers but ... Covid. But then I found you / this audio recording :D Thank you so much for this it made my 2021 so less ... 2021

[@TBone4Breakfast]

Youve definitely got a voice for horror stories. Really hope to hear more in the future from you!

[@jenni5104]

The way you told this story - I'm a big grown woman and not scared of any horror film etc, but with this, I made a pillow fort in my bed and then couldn't sleep.. 🤣

[@turtle6486]

Hello. This is an incredible reading. You voice is perfect for this story. Even when you do different voices within the story. Your voice for Lucas is really good! Great job! Your reading of this story os way better than then movie. Thank you.

[@justanotherimperialfist]

Thought I'd stop by to listen to this on my commute to prepare for "Antlers" once I found out about it. Your voice is phenomenal for this sort of content. you made a few fumbles but you were able to pick right back up afterwards. If I were to nitpick one thing, though, it would be the pacing. There isn't much space between paragraphs - especially those that mark the start of a short skip in time or location, making it a little jarring on the occasions to happen. If I might suggest for future reading, mark down where that sort of instance occurs and give yourself a second or two to breathe and let the scene close before starting back up again. I hope this gets much more attention and your channel gets a chance to grow more or get picked up by somebody!

[@BenWamberg]

Ryder Ethanol fantastic recommendations! Thank you, Ryder!

[@justanotherimperialfist]

@@BenWamberg No problem!

[@ryanhealey1521]

Great job! Thank you for recording this.

[@BenWamberg]

Thanks for listening! It was a pleasure to read. Hope life is treating you well!

[@myaccount9120]

I was hoping to find a reading of this.Thanks Ben!

[@leegray2441]

Love this narration!! Please do more!!

[@BenWamberg]

Thank you, Lee! I'm planning to.

[@dh827]

You have a lovely voice, and you did a great job reading this story. I thoroughly enjoyed listening, and if you do more narrations I am absolutely on board. Thank you for doing this!

[@BenWamberg]

DH thank you so much! I’m planning on more here shortly. I’m working a number of different jobs but as I am able, I’ll make sure to narrate some more!

[@mellow_ren]

Great work on this! Love the sound of your voice, fits the story perfectly, I could just listen to it for days, for sure:D Please, do more audiobooks, if you'd like to! I think you've got talent for that:)

[@BenWamberg]

Thank you, Ren! I appreciate your encouragement, dude. I’ve been playing around with some ideas on what to read next. There are some excellent public domain, horror and sci-fi classics.

[@temporaryfind9048]

This is the only way we can get it for free, I wasn’t expecting much but you read it amazingly. Thank you so much for uploading

[@BenWamberg]

When I read it there wasn’t an audiobook version available! I’m stoked to support the author. Dude wrote a superb short story. Thanks for listening!

[@kayskaht2052]

This was so dope!!! Thanks for making this dude!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BenWamberg]

It was a pleasure, Michela! Thank you for the listen and encouragement!

[@omen2171]

Well done! gave me chills

[@camillepenney3760]

This was a great read to listen to. You did a fantastic job.

[@Menchi42]

This was an incredible reading!

[@BenWamberg]

Thank you, Dave! Appreciate your time listening and feedback, sir.

[@avaphynx]

I've been listening to this short story, over and over again. It still creeps me out lol

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

This was amazing! Thank you!

[@crazybanana2228]

Thank you and can’t wait for the movie!!!

[@rainbowsandunicorns9196]

Omg wow this is so exciting and scary!!! Love this book and so excited about the film

[@BenWamberg]

I am so excited for the movie! It looks awesome. The trailer is what started me in search of the story and then audiobook.

[@rainbowsandunicorns9196]

@@BenWamberg the trailer scared me to death I love horror film s

[@rainbowsandunicorns9196]

I will by the book

[@chuckcarney2099]

Hey Brother, you have a Very Good Narration Voice, and this is a Great Story. I'm not criticizing , or pointing out problems, but I would love to to hear "Do Over". Your voice and the Story Deserve it. Much appreciated

[@Kojoanna]

Good story, good reading👍

[@BenWamberg]

Kojoanna thanks, dude!

[@echothepotato]

Thanks a lot for this, you're amazing!

[@BenWamberg]

Thanks for listening!

[@zeroxcrusher]

This was so good

[@stephenishola6205]

This movie is about to be wild… I seriously can’t wait

[@BenWamberg]

Too right!

[@katdroidd]

I enjoyed your reading very much!

[@abent1034]

Man I was rooting for her...this was good.

[@NotYourFriendPal]

Great Job. Thank you sir!

[@BenWamberg]

Nick, thank you, dude!

[@abruh5322]

Damn this is a good story can’t wait for the movie

[@adamlopez5504]

Well now I know what to expect when I see antlers. Want to see if the motion picture is better or worse.

[@nikanika4003]

Do you know when the new airdate is?

[@cjay6664]

This was an awsome story and great narration of it. I actually got scared listening to this alone in the dark of my room

[@BenWamberg]

Well compadre, that right there is one massive compliment. Thank you!

[@noah7221]

this is literally the whole movie

[@alliterativealias3936]

I just watched the movie and am eager to devour (pun intended) all I can about this world. Great job narrating this story. Keep up the great work. I listen to audiobooks all day long. Have you narrated anything else? I’ll be sure to check ‘em out.

[@BenWamberg]

Most of my other narration has been on commercials and faith-based projects but I was thinking about dropping a few more of these in the near future. Lots of life changes this last year prevented much investment into voice acting / voiceover narration. They’ve been good but kept my family and I really busy! Thank you so much for the encouragement, AA. It means a lot!

[@michaelmartin5494]

Well done!

[@2serveand2protect]

Very good!

[@TheArtofTheBrave]

great story, and a very nice reading - i wonder why you didnt edit out the few tiny errors in the read? no one would notice, its what everyone else does - no one sight reads an entire story without errors man :) heck recording artists often just sing a single line or even one word at a time and its cobbled together in production - anyway, you have great articulation - please do more :)

[@BenWamberg]

To be honest, a buddy and I put this together in about 48 hours - after I sent the recording off to him to get mastered I only had a day to spend getting the clean-up editing done in time for it to be present for Halloween. I'd be happy to take another crack at it in the future. Thanks so much for the feedback and for taking the time to give it a listen! Cheers, man!

[@NK-xw8ok]

this was amazing ! that was done really great writing! not sure if the movie “Antlers” will be able to hold a candle to it! especially since it’s taken so long to release it! with the delay the movie “Antlers” has had. such a long delay like it’s had, could really end up hurting the reputation of those involved with the production of the film! it makes them appear insecure and unsure about the story all together! i only hope that wasn’t the case . My hope is with as long as it’s taken to release “Antlers” , it used all that time, to make improvements , making it a far better film in the end, then what they had to began with!

[@missmarie_8790]

Am I the only weirdo, who is excited to see the baby Wendigo, when the movie finally comes out, I’m so excited to see it lol!

[@MusikNLyfe]

I don't usually listen audiobooks but this was so engrossing.

[@illidian33]

Nice job!

[@FlowerPatchH]

Wow!

[@ajscarecraft5560]

This story scared me so much I didn’t go to sleep until 5 am

[@BenWamberg]

Well, dude, I hope you get some excellent rest tonight!

[@michaelwirick1849]

This just totally creeped me out

[@suehenry4645]

If she got them to go inside they could have burned the house down

[@BenWamberg]

Definitely an option if they could be trapped effectively. The movie suggests yes but my layman understanding of the Wendigo legend is of an entity in constant, furious motion. The short story also suggests more of a supernatural presentation of the monster, versus what the trailers have led me to believe. But goodness, I am excited.

[@isaacmartinez7557]

Welp. I’m never helping a child that ain’t my own.. just get torn to pieces for my trouble? No thanks

[@orionknott9877]

This needs more views Jesus

[@floramonia94]

I like your voice, I think you would do well on a podcast, maybe you could make one where you read stories. I know that’s very time consuming but judging by this video I think there would be a lot of people that would listen.

[@BenWamberg]

Thank you, sir! I'm looking into it.

[@thejaredmyers]

Yeah I need this movie Antlers to be out already, F U Corona for making me wait.

[@dbzgal04]

It will finally be in theaters in just over a month (October 29th)!

[@thejaredmyers]

@@dbzgal04 im so excited for this movie!!! and i had put it out of my mind, thanks for the reminder

[@amandac7270]

Ran here right after that ending explained. Terrifying story.

[@papagnerd1943]

Fucking hell... bad ass story and can't wait for Antlers

[@BenWamberg]

Dude, I am stoked too!

[@kuromi8384]

Let's hope the movie is just as good!

[@3layerdipstack726]

Listened to this just for the movie tbh

[@kuromi8384]

@@3layerdipstack726 same I hope the movie doesn't disappoint I've waited almost 2 years for it 💀

[@3layerdipstack726]

@@kuromi8384 if they pushed it back this much then it has to be at least somewhat good

[@dbzgal04]

I'd like to see an illustration of Frank and Todd Weaver in their wendigo forms. BTW, I saw the movie tonight...I loved it!!! 💖

[@lawrencedavis5459]

It really was a good film.

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

I just came across you this made me become a instead fan.

[@lifewithlee6298]

is there a thory why the dad got him and his son turnerd into monsters? was that done on purpouse or just a drunk accident? or its left up to us to guess?

[@avaphynx]

I think he was trying to summon something to be powerful and death was the way he got the power. Hence the suicide with rat poison. I believe he didn't want to live in utter poverty and they were probably starving. I don't think they resorted to cannibalism like the regular Wendigo. Especially the way they feed, which is off of pain and not flesh. He definitely did it on purpose, the ritualistic carvings in the house points to that.

[@cheshproductions03]

Well I’m gonna like this movie

[@david-bo2mo]

Heard this was the short story Antlers is based off of so I came to check it out after watching that steamy and moist shit pile of a movie

[@TheRealYaotzinKing]

SPOILER QUESTION FOR THE STORY. So when they say she’s all over the floor. Did that mean they ripped her apart?

[@zeroxcrusher]

Yes

[@MALLYGEEZ1]

This story is way better than the movie.

[@BenWamberg]

I enjoy this one more, too. They told a different story entirely for the film but I still enjoyed it. The visuals and majority of the script worked for me, personally. Thanks for checking it out, here!

[@ChannelZero1031]

So basically the father comes back for his Wendigo son? Or was the father only the Wendigo?

[@alexg9693]

do you think you could do Tent by Kealan Patrick Burke?

[@BenWamberg]

alex g - I’ll read it and see! Thank you kindly for the suggestion!

[@BenWamberg]

As the work has been published s its own paid release, I would be in breach of copyright laws to read it - the reason I could make this story happen is that it was published for public consumption online, for free. By keeping ads turned off for the video, and taking no other methods of payment, I attempted to simply share in another way what the author has already released. I have some public domain stories in the pipeline that are pretty solid that I’m excited to tackle in the future though!

[@fslayer1290]

Bleak.

[@BenWamberg]

fslayer1290 quite.

[@johntrains1317]

That ending is way better than the silly movie ending. This thing kills a bear and like 5 men, but this silly girl w a stick kills it 😂. No, the book makes way more sense.

[@aaronshouting588]

So.... what are they? 🤔

[@BenWamberg]

:::Possible spoilers::: In the short story, my best guess is that they made a deal with demonic somethings and in exchange for their lives, that dad requested power, and got body snatched by the crew he tried to bargain with for his trouble. In the movie, to me it looks like a somewhat traditional version of myth/urban legend, The Wendigo - in the forests near Canada, someone eats human flesh and is cursed to become a beast who is always in terrible pain (possibly from hunger) and runs forever with the wind.

[@stuffynosepatrol]

They are wendigos

[@religiousotaku9926]

I just saw the movie and I listened to this……..only words I have is HOLY…..SHIT

[@Dovah963]

Holy fuck this is terrifying

[@Ace71NC]

Hmm

[@chipperleon7204]

where do i get the permission to narrate this

[@jklsimon2252]

Wow that story was so creepy

[@rkp5893]

The teacher died in the end right?

[@stacitowery4461]

I want to know too

[@man-uk1gj]

Does she die in the end ?

[@abhirajmandiwal9982]

Yes

[@mykelgreene911]

Wendigo?antlers? Quite boy..

[@filipinowhiteboy]

So, I got my hands on a copy of the script. Seems like the ending was changed and we might end up getting a happy ending out of this.....and a slightly longer story. Basically, whats-her-name survives the attack on her house (the boy is kidnapped though) she goes back to the mine to find him and they both successfully kill wendigo Weaver.

[@BenWamberg]

filipinowhiteboy I really hope that’s how it goes.

[@filipinowhiteboy]

@@BenWamberg yeah, the boy doesn't escape unscathed though. Basically, he undergoes some sort of infection that can turn him into a wendigo too. But he can prevent this by going into the woods and eating animals raw or something. Oh, and he gets adopted by the teacher too.

[@BenWamberg]

filipinowhiteboy dude. Into it. They could totally do that with subtlety and make it a stellar ending. Interesting that they opted for the traditional wendigo idea rather than the demonic trade angle. Probably people are tired of even the word “demon” in horror. It has been done to death, and largely to no great effect in storytelling.

[@filipinowhiteboy]

@@BenWamberg Nah it definitely is a proper wendigo. They even kill it the proper way; by cutting out it's heart.

[@filipinowhiteboy]

@@BenWamberg If you're interested, I can link you a copy of the script.

[@AkPredatorFitnesS]

here after antlers film

[@jakhatake3744]

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no No way I’m sleeping tonight

[@stacitowery4461]

The teacher gets killed??

[@AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHs]

So did she die?

[@aregusters]

She was all over the floor...sounds dead to me.

[@avaphynx]

Frank tore her apart

[@JT-ss6si]

OH NO! Lucas goes with his father!

[@NinjaRaiden56]

J T spoilers bruh

[@BenWamberg]

Holy Spoilers, Batman.

[@tommyfox854]

@@NinjaRaiden56 I don't think JT gets it.

[@Ace71NC]

In antlers it was the 3 bears

[@dunktastic8681]

Now I don’t have to go see antlers!

[@BenWamberg]

LordLanky please support the film when you can! It looks so good. I wanted to read this to share my excitement for it!

[@aaronhoosiershrm-cpphr8362]

Jesus fucking Christ man, I listened to this last night it gave me fucking a nightmare. Not sure if it was the writing or the way his guy read the story. I am a horror nut and normally love hellish dreams but this was not cool. Note to self pick better bed time stories.

[@Shilohpreston]

The story is good, but You read it too fast. I had to slow it down to 0,75 speed to feel the climate and understand the contents.