From XBook to X, Squared and Back Again - An Origin Story. (X, Squared Catch-Up 0 - Introduction)

In this introductory episode, we dive into the origin story of the novel X, Squared — a strange, layered narrative that began as a teenage parody and evolved into a fully realised (and still evolving) book.

PROLOGUE + Chapter 1

Crunchy, a socially awkward young man from Bridgend, begins a secretive government placement in London, but a disturbing encounter and a chaotic journey lead to a tense, gunpoint confrontation at a hidden headquarters.

Chapter 2

Undervalued F.I.B. agent Mitsuko Nakagawa navigates a tense, darkly comic partnership as her colleague’s disturbing fascinations hint at a deeper threat.

Chapter 3

New unstable recruit, Crunchy makes his first impressions on his new colleagues - the dysfunctional F.I.B. team investigating mirror-linked deaths - while battling hallucinations. Crunchy is bound to the agency by a deadly tracking collar.

Chapter 4

Rejected by his team, Crunchy’s disturbing hallucinations and possible reality distortions in the field hint at dangerous powers linked to the mirror deaths.

Chapter 5

Crunchy’s violent outburst and impossible survival expose terrifying powers as self-destruction deepens, while Hemmingway secretly harbours a blood-dependent partner, escalating the threat.

Catch-Up 1 (Chapters 1 - 5)

In this catch-up episode, we break down Chapters 1–5 of X, Squared (plus the prologue), analysing:

• Story structure and pacing

• Character introductions

• World-building techniques

• Early themes and narrative direction

And, of course… things spiral out of control when Crunchy decides to weigh in.

Chapter 6

As Crunchy battles a manipulative mirror reflection and encounters intensifying supernatural forces, the case escalates with a confirmed ghostly threat and a desperate escape.

Chapter 7

As the team confirms a mirror-based supernatural entity driving victims to suicide, they race to stop the threat while Hemmingway returns and Crunchy goes missing.

Chapter 8

After a chaotic confrontation with a gunman in London boosts his confidence, Crunchy returns determined to confront both his fears and the growing supernatural threat.

Chapter 9

Crunchy confronts his sinister mirror double in a brutal psychological battle, gaining newfound confidence while the true supernatural threat may still survive.

Chapter 10

A disastrous mission to destroy mirrors ends in arrests and public chaos, while Bunuel secretly prepares a ghost-guided trap to defeat the deadly mirror entity.

Midterm Exam

Daniel’s Nemesis is unavailable this week and next but will be back soon with a Catch-Up episode and then the following week with a chapter. Instead, it is I, Mouldy, from the original X2 + Y Files. So, I thought that we’d do something different, and as you may be able to tell by the music, that’s a quiz. 

The Daniel’s Nemesis Midterm Exam!

Catch-Up 2 (Chapters 6- 10)

Join me for an in-depth analysis of X, Squared Chapters 6–10, exploring character growth, supernatural mystery, story structure and the creative writing process.

Chapter 11

After a chaotic arrest and release, the team faces mounting tensions as Bunuel discovers that stopping the mirror entity will mean losing his ghost parents forever.

Chapter 12

After a failed mission tears the team apart, Crunchy’s psychological collapse deepens as blame, betrayal and a sinister mirror presence threaten to consume them all.

Chapter 13 (Part 1)

As Bunuel plots to save his ghost parents and a sinister mirror double gains real-world influence, dark manipulation and violent revenge threaten to unleash catastrophe.

⚠️

• Graphic self-harm (cutting) and suicidal ideation

• Strong language

• Psychological distress, paranoia, and dissociation

Chapter 13 (Part 2)

As a supernatural trap closes in, Bateman’s influence drives Crunchy into violence, betrayal and attempted murder, pushing the team toward a deadly breaking point.

⚠️

• Graphic violence and gore (shooting, decapitation, blood)

• Strong language

• Extreme psychological distress, dissociation, and paranoia

• Graphic self-harm and suicide attempt

• Violence against a child

Chapter 13 (Part 3)

As dark secrets about Crunchy’s reality-warping powers emerge, he must confront his unstable identity and help stop the deadly mirror entity before it becomes fully real.

⚠️

• Self-harm and suicide ideation/attempts

• Graphic physical abuse and violence

• Psychological distress and breakdown

• Strong language and insults

Chapter 14

As a reality-consuming anomaly spreads, devastating truths and explosive powers tear the team apart, leaving Crunchy at the centre of an escalating supernatural crisis.

⚠️

• Psychological distress and dissociation

• Self-harm themes and suicidal ideation

Chapter 15

As the reality-consuming sphere expands, Crunchy is forced into a final confrontation with his sinister mirror double, drawing the entire team into a desperate supernatural showdown.

⚠️

• Self-harm themes and suicidal ideation

Catch-Up 3 (Chapters 11 - 15)

Chapters 11 - 15 of X, Squared are given closer scrutiny. It'll be a hoot!

Chapter 16

Trapped inside a surreal supernatural nightmare, Crunchy battles his sinister mirror double before making a devastating choice that changes everything.

Chapter 17

Haunted by guilt and facing the truth behind his sinister mirror double, Crunchy makes a heartbreaking sacrifice to stop a world-ending supernatural threat.

⚠️

• Suicide and self-harm (explicit action)

• Violence and murder

• Intense self-hatred and psychological distress

• Themes of fatalism and hopelessness

• Emotional abuse / disturbing internal dialogue

Chapter 18

Trapped between life and death, Crunchy confronts the dark truth behind his sinister mirror double and must overcome his own self-destruction to reclaim his life.

⚠️

• Explicit suicidal ideation and discussion of suicide as a choice

• Self-harm imagery (graphic descriptions)

Chapter 19

As reality collapses and his sinister mirror double grows stronger, Crunchy must overcome his self-hatred and forge an uneasy alliance to stop Bateman once and for all.

⚠️

• References to suicide and self-destructive thinking