"Shattered Like a Glass Goblin" by Harlan Ellison, published in Deathbird Stories (1975), delves into the dehumanizing effects of drug abuse. Rudy, searching for his fiancée Kris at a hippie commune called The Hill, discovers a world of rampant drug use and bizarre transformations. As he becomes involved with the residents, including Kris, he is gradually drawn into their destructive lifestyle. Over time, Rudy's own transformation takes a horrifying turn, culminating in his physical dissolution into millions of shattered pieces, a symbol of his complete loss of self amidst the chaos of addiction. This short story explores themes of alienation, addiction, and identity.
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