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euclaise

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WritingPrompts_preferences

like 7

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Dr. Adalay looked deep into my eyes. She'd realized what the data meant too. \"We need more time,\" she whispered, more for herself than me. \"We did it, but-\" Dr. Adalay trailed off but I could fit in the missing pieces. We'd created teleportation, motivated and funding by replacing all forms of travel to a carbon free alternative but- \n\n2 Degrees, that had been the reasonable range that we predicted for manageable climate change. A 2 degree change in Earth's average temperature would have been devastating but manageable. Instead we were already nearly at 2 degrees and four degrees was nearly unavoidable. \n\nWe'd engineered a marvel, and it was too little too late.\n\nDr. Adalay, Maude, flopped down onto one of the many rolling stools around the lab and drifted off toward the corner. I leaned against the desk where the computer that ran the calculations was. We hadn't run the data of our teleporter becasue we always knew there was no point unless we could make it happen...\n\nBut now? Now we'd just made travel more convienent for the billions of peolpe staring doom in the face. Ignorant Governments that had let companies burn and burn until now it was that Eartht hat was burning. \n\nIn the corner, Maude sobbed once, and then the tears just flowed without her really crying. \n\nWe didn't deserve this. We'd tried so hard and it was their fucking fault. I'd missed birthdays, Maude had missed her Dad's funeral, we'd burned every bridge we'd ever built. We'd given up everything but each other and.... We'd get nothing for it. At least nothing that we'd tried for.\n\n\"This is so fucking stupid,\" she said.\n\n\"I know,\" I answerd.\n\n\"What can we do?\" she asked, but we both knew there weren't more steps that she or I knew how to take. \n\n\"Why does the teleporter only go short distances?\" I asked.\n\n\"Because the closer you get to the speed of light and evenutally exceed it during instatannous transport the less instatatnious that transport becomes outside of the-\" she trailed off. I didn't know if she had the same idea that I did, but it was a dark one. \n\n\"Let's remove that limit,\" I suggested, \"go as far as we can, and then come back. We can blink a thousand years away.\"\n\n\"You're crazy\" she said.\n\n\"I know.\"\n\n\"What about-\" she started but she didn't have someone to suggest to me. Burned bridges. \"What's even the point?\"\n\n\"It could be better, we could have figured it out a thousand years from now,\" I pointed out. \"maybe somehow this thing,\" I pointed to the teleporter in the corner, \"saves everyone.\"\n\n\"What if we come back and everything's dead?\" she asked.\n\n\"Then we didn't have to watch it die.\" I took a step toward the teleporter, carefully laying the plans somewhere where someone would find them. \"I don't need to stay now,\" I pointed out.\n\nMaude pulled herself from the chair. She was dead behind the eyes, but you had to be, to make a choice like this. \n\nDr. Adalay grabbed my hand, and together we left the present behind." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1620991885", "1620994177" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The phone rang, like it usually didn't. By fulfilling its function, it showed that it was not a phony.\n\nKenta was a phony, in that he had positioned himself not to use that phone as much as possible.\n\nBut Kenta got another phony role as a result of his careful positioning: he would redirect calls to the wrong number back to the right one. He was a modern switchboard operator on the rare occasions that called for one. A suitable position for the ninth generation of the Amaya clan that ruled over a small Japanese candy store in a small Japanese city.\n\nHence, Kenta's response was poised. \"Good morning, this is the Amaya Candy Store. How may I direct your call?\"\n\n\"Hello, is this Kenta?\"\n\nKenta lost his composure, hardly having had to hear his name through that phone through that polite a tone.\n\nAfter a pause, he spluttered through a \"yes, hi, I'm Kenta, how can I help?\"\n\n\"I heard that you were the director for extraterrestrial hiring?\"\n\nThis was not the phony role Kenta had expected to hear about. \"Yes,\" he answered wondering if a family member had hired somebody to create just enough work for Kenta to get up and do something. Little did they know, Kenta was determined that no matter how insignificant the task was, he would fail. Unless it was just redirecting calls. Though, he mused, he could fail at that too.\n\n\"That's amazingly forward-thinking of you.\"\n\n\"Thank you.\" So that was the ploy?\n\n\"We're trying to establish a space colony and have been having a hard time convincing people that they could employ our residents.\"\n\n\"Oh. Are they worried about taxes?\" Kenta's curiosity began to prevail as he tried to unravel this caller's plot.\n\n\"Yeah, and some of the logistics.\"\n\n\"Logistics?\"\n\n\"Yes, even if we build our space elevator, the commute will be a killer.\"\n\n\"Ah.\"\n\n\"And well, we'll have to see about labor laws. Anti-discrimination.\"\n\n\"That might be tough.\"\n\n\"Tell me about it! We already discriminate so heavily based on relocation costs. Can you imagine having to relocate a house from space?\"\n\n\"I can't, no.\"\n\n\"So, can we count on the Amaya Candy Store's support when we petition for legal changes?\"\n\n\"Sure. Just tell them that Kenta supports you.\"\n\n\"Thank you! I'll be mailing over some of our drafts. Please let us know if you would like to see any changes.\"\n\n\"Of course.\" Really, Kenta already knew that he'd only read these papers out of boredom and telling the caller that their ideas were going to save the world would suffice.\n\nBut he'd save his platitudes for small doses. To milk each one fully. He was, afterall, a phony." ]

[ 1, 6 ]

[ "1621467807", "1621478297" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Stepping out of the Ford Transit with one of dozens of magnetic signs set on the side, Mike thinks out loud to himself, \" Another home, another wire tap... What-a-life Mikey.\"\n\nWhen he enters the house with the home warranty confirmation number, he new he could make more money by fixing the requester instead of the target and could get more money if the target only new he was the true subject of repair... Troubleshot until resolved.\n\nWithout stating the obvious, Mikey could not get the target to catch on or decipher any hints during the duration of fixing a broken garbage disposal, as Mike's Mole, sabatoged with acid to melt the insides with.\n\nMikey gives up... Confesses to the target he is there to fix him but decides to follow through and finishes the job. While cleaning the last touches, his pager goes off and he inhales deep, breathing out slowly, then continues to finish." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1621637836", "1621641677" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/DearYou-, this submission has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/ni67o5/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1621641246", "1621663491" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"How many men have died because of your schemes?\" Theia screams back. \"I killed some men, but how many died because of you?\"\n\n\"None!\" I yell, my accent starting to show through my anger. \"My plans only ever hurt you or me!\"\n\nTheia's arms reappear from her disembodied torso as she gets angrier and angrier. \"Your bombs in Central Park?\"\n\n\"You see those computers behind you?\" I swing an arm, gesturing to a large panel of beeping machinery, complete with flashing red lights and green bar graphs. \"Those monitor everything I do, stopping it just before things go badly wrong. You killed 90% of my henchmen without remorse!\"\n\n\"They committed crimes!\"\n\n\"So did I!\" I shriek back. My accent is out in full force. Gone is \"Emily Johnson,\" now, there's Isadora Montes standing, ready to beat Theia into submission.\n\nA shriek rises from a back room, followed by hysterical sobbing. A mother found her son or daughter, a wife her husband, a sister her brother. Tears well in my eyes. My henchmen, my employees...they're my family. They're each other's families. And now almost all of them are dead. The building feels hollow and empty. It's like the soul of the building has been sucked out of it. I fall to my knees, silently grieving the loss of my family.\n\n\"Your crimes weren't worth death!\" Theia says, her voice finally at a respectable volume.\n\n\"And theirs were?\" I say, choking on tears. \"They did less than I ever did. Their only crime was needing a job, needing money to live! All the people I hired couldn't get a job other ways. Inescapable medical debt, felony convictions...I hired everyone.\"\n\nTheia disappears again, her entire body going away and reflecting the wall behind it. \"I never killed your henchmen!\"\n\n\"Me cago en la mar!\" I yell against my better judgment. The world knows me as a quiet American girl, not the loud, angry, Hispanic woman I am. \"I can't believe you! They're dead and I certainly didn't do anything.\" I take a deep breath and look Theia right in the eyes. Using all of my power, I Compell her to answer me. \"Tell me what happened.\" I discreetly press a button behind Theia's back. She comes back to the real world, as solid as a brick wall.\n\nShe breaks. \"I needed to get in, to get to you. I knew that you'd come out if I killed your henchmen. There was only one way. The doors opened, and Theia, Hurricane of Destruction, entered the building. Killing them was the only way. And I'm. Not. Sorry.\"\n\nI smile. Theia realizes what she did. She just confessed all her crimes to me. My slow clapping tips her off to the larger problem. A red light blinks right in front of her face. A camera was recording that entire confession. My wide smile widens.\n\n\"Did you hear that, people? Your Theia, superhero, saviour of the city, is nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer.\"\n\nHer face falls. \"No! You--You can't do this!\"\n\nI smile and find time for one last quip. \"Enjoy prison, Theia. No me busques porque me encuentras.\"\n\nTwo of my bodyguards enter the room. Thankfully, they were spared. One of them takes each arm of Theia's visible body. She's dragged out of the room to the waiting police, kicking and screaming. I wave goodbye, mockingly, like a child.\n\n\"Did you hear that, people? Your Theia, superhero, savior of the city, is nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer.\"", "Laughter. Unexpected and crude, cut through the air.\n\nHe was laughing at the statement. Smiling even, the grin lit in a haunting array by the flames from the manor. Blood dripped off his chin in the cold air, giving him an almost inhuman look.\n\n\"I'm sorry.\" He recovered, snorting slightly. \"It's just. I always wanted to say that to you.\"\n\nPerhaps he'd hit a nerve with this guy. Oliver had always enjoyed dealing with these heroic types. This one however, as the last 45 minutes taught him, was anything but.\n\nHe racked his mind to remember where he knew his face from. If he even knew him in the first place. It didn't help the guy was circling him casually. He knew the style. Making sure he was in fact unarmed.\n\nHis wounds definitely confirmed he was in a roundabout way. Oliver was doing his best to keep it together as everything he worked for went up in smoke.\n\n\"I don't remember you.\" Oliver spat.\n\nHe crouched now. Closing the gap on him to give him a better look. But still nothing rang.\n\n\"No?\" He clapped. \"That's too bad.\"\n\nHe dragged him through the snow now. The cold biting his last moments at every turn. The trees cleared above. The fire seemed like a scenic glow now. A shining city on the hill. The irony wasn't wasted on his attacker. He'd stopped to admire his work at least twice.\n\n\"Tell me what you want.\" Oliver asked again.\n\n\"I want you to know who I am.\"\n\nThe sound jarred his senses once more. Chains on his ankles, the feeling of a padlock snapping shut over a broken leg. He recognized the place now. He'd built this landing for his boats on the lake. The snow had silenced much now, the ice still and grey. He shackled the other end of the chain to something next to him and sat down to look at what he'd created.\n\n\"My stepbrother was an attorney. I know I know. Lawyer jokes, feel free to say them now.\"\n\nOliver didn't. That was good.\n\n\"And well, he wasn't like me. He had a family. Good job. Kept me out of more trouble than I usually was in... going somewhere?\"\n\nDespite the chains, he'd tried to crawl away. He been rolled back, and shown a picture on a phone of who he'd forgotten. In the very background of the photo, he spotted the same person looking at him now.\n\n\"What about all those people?\" He breathed. \"My coworkers? Why them? They didn't deserve to die.\"\n\n\"...Well like you said earlier. I guess we're even.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry.\"\n\n\" I'm proud of you. I'm not.\"\n\nOliver never even got his name. He simply slipped the 4x4 out of gear and began pushing it towards the water. Oliver's last images of the world he'd built for himself were of water and encroaching darkness.\n\nWhen the spring thaw came, only those still looking for their greatest adversary bothered to to do so.", "Exceller tilted his head to the side. \"I'm not sure I follow your logic.\"\n\nCameron Vilks, the billionaire and secret head of the Disastrous Organization, sneered. \"Of course you don't. To you, the world is so simple. You will punch some poor schizophrenic inventor or a man trying to pull himself out of poverty, and consider it justified because the media labels them a villain. And now you've gotten careless, so certain of your moral superiority that you've decided to play executioner. Your hands are dripping with-\"\n\nExceller held up a hand. \"I am well aware of the high school philosophy student explanations you use to try and justify your villainy. I'm just confused at where you think that I've caused more deaths here than you have.\"\n\nVilks waved his arm, camera footage showing a blue-suited blur ripping through the base, tearing through several henchmen in flashes of gore. \"You think you can deny it? This footage is live, Excel-cutioner! Everyone will see-\"\n\n\"54 men who died as I was stopping the nuclear powered laser that you were trying to shoot the moon with. Which would have unleashed a radioactive cloud which would have engulfed most of the state upon firing. Of those men, 51 had killed someone while in your employ. True, most of the deaths they caused were 'accidents', but I doubt that Andrew George, age 6, cares that his death via drowning was due to your henchmen accidentally forcing his family's car off a bridge while trying to make a getaway.\"\n\n\"I-\"\n\n\"And I also doubt that the 9,612 people who have died from cancers caused by stray radiation from your many death machines will care that their deaths were 'incidental'. No doubt, you have a chain of logic that would tell me exactly why your hands are clean of their deaths, why the fact that you didn't pull the trigger personally matters, and why their deaths lay at the feet of me and my fellow heroes.\"\n\nVilks snarled. \"You can't-\"\n\n\"But truthfully, I'm not here as a hero. If you had let me finish earlier, 'if I would kill you, I wouldn't be any better than you' might be what you expect me to say. But I'm not here as Exceller, the hero who must prove himself to be a paragon of humanity.\"\n\n\"I'm here as Trevor Vicente. Father of Alicia, who died this morning from an inoperable tumor, caused by your scheme last month, where yet another of your radioactive devices bathed a local elementary school with lethal doses of radiation.\"\n\n\"So, please, don't bother stopping the Livestream. Because I want the world to see exactly what needs to happen to 'clean-handed villains' who cross the line.\"", "My eyes widened and he grinned wickedly. I kept my grip on his neck tight, still dangling him six inches off the ground, my gun pressed against his temple. But he was right, though, wasn't he?\n\nHere I was, contemplating the morals of taking the life of this... this _monster_, when all his henchmen lay bleeding out on the floor. Most of them probably weren't so bad, just got drawn in by the good pay he could offer. Heck, I've been pretty bad off before. I'd like to think that I wouldn't have gone this way, but then again, I have these powers now, so I guess we'll never know what little Gregg would have done if he'd been stuck in that dead end job, not making the rent and ready to be kicked out. Yes, I could certainly understand that temptation.\n\nYet I hadn't hesitated. Without remorse, I took them all out. I mean, sure, they were shooting at me. But I can dodge bullets now. How much of a threat were they, really? Was it really self defense? Not really.\n\nSometimes, in saving the world, you lose yourself.\n\n\"You know what, doc? You've got a point there.\"\n\nAnd I pulled the trigger.", "The hero Jhoul pauses, stuttering with indecisiveness as he spoke. \"Well- er- that's different! They were evil! You- you're different, Natas!\" Natas's surviving henchman runs toward Jhoul with rage-infused tears streaming down their faces. With his sword in hand, he slices through the air seamlessly, cutting a horde of them in half without making contact. Blood and guts pour to the ground, splashing over the ground of the destroyed building they stood in.\n\n\"My name is quite literally an anagram for Satan, and the shit I've seen you do to try and get me over to your side is worse than the fuckload of disasters I've caused! Compared to you, I'm a fucking saint!\"\n\n\"Natas, I know how you feel. You're so much of a good guy that you refuse to abandon any of your friends. Isn't that right?\" Jhoul spoke with edging confidence in a convincing tone as he placed his sword back into its sheath with indifference and trust.\n\n\"Fuck no! Look!\" Natas shouts out in a wave of otherworldly anger, trembling with rage as veins formed over his crimson red face. He grabs one of his men by his head in his giant claw of a hand and crushes him with no hesitation. Blood seeps out of the cracks between his jagged fingers, followed by a gushy pink substance.\n\n\"Wait, if you killed your friend, does that mean you're on my side now?\" Jhoul asked, pondering with his head tilted, placing his palm under his chin, and using his free hand to tap against his skull.\n\n\"No! I'm attempting to show you what I think of my underlings! They're nothing to me! Just tools used to achieve my goals!\"\n\n\"So... what you're trying to say is... you like me?\" Jhoul spoke in a teasing manner. In a fit of rage, Natas throws a giant piece of rubble toward Jhoul with killing intent. Jhoul stands unwaveringly, still pondering Natas's last words. IT smacks against him, dust and rubble disperse across the room. The smoke clears, revealing an unharmed Jhoul with his hand still under his chin, tapping his feet against the ground.\n\n\"For fucks sake. You ideological, mentally deficient, mind-boggling, freak of nature- I hate you, your mother, your mother's mother, and on the off chance you manage to have offspring, I'll hate them too!\" Natas screeched. He began reaching down into the rubble, throwing blocks of stone and serrated pieces of splintered wood toward Jhoul. Jhoul tanks every hit and walks toward Natas with a dark scowl on his face. His eyes appear to be shadowed, hidden beneath his spiked hair as the armor he wore clanked with each step.\n\n\"You're. My. Friend.\" He spoke calmly. His walking transformed into a full-on sprint. He dashed toward Natas instantly, hugging him tightly with tears streaming down his face. He squeezes tightly. Natas feels his organs being reorganized. He begins coughing up blood as his body crunched with the pass of each second. He faints, unable to fight back, and is dragged across the rugged ground of the trash and rubble.\n\nNatas awakens hours later, inside of white space. His arms and legs are bound alongside his mouth. He struggles against his bindings only to feel a sharp shock shoot through his body. He faints again, only awakening after he feels the touch of a man. Jhoul stands in front of him with a wide grin, staring deep into his eyes with sheer goodwill.\n\n\"Now that you're here, you're my one-hundredth friend! That makes you special, by the way!\" Jhoul spoke, still smiling with winced eyes.\n\nNatas turns his gaze, scanning the room, only to notice various other well-known villains gagged and bound in the same way he is.\n\n\"Jhoul! We've got another friend for you to make!\" A man shouts out to Jhoul from another room.\n\n\"Really!? Sorry Natas, we'll have to talk later, okay?\" Jhoul spoke with excitement and with a hint of disappointment as he finished his sentence. Natas grunts through his gag, his eyes darting back and forth in a panic.\n\n\"Coming!\" Jhoul shouted as he began skipping out of the white room as if he were a child at a park.\n\n\"I'll bring you back some new friends too! Ones that don't break so easily!\" Jhoul shouted as he left Natas's sights. He struggles against his bindings to no avail. He looks upward, falling flat to his back, and sees a number alongside words on the white ceiling of the room he dwelled in, \"Friend #7062.\"\n\n​\n\n\\---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nu/AlfredoOreos", "\nAvenger's armoured suit cut deep into his shoulders, it's black metallic mesh hugging his chest in a tight embrace. Long strands of hair fell past dark sunglasses, sticking to his sweat covered face in thick clumps. Relaxed fingers systematically picked at the metallic pockmarks adorning his chest, idly flicking the spent bullets to the ground with a clang. \n\n\"Are you even listening?!\" The doctor panted, starring up at the towering figure with a malevolent gaze. \n\n\"Henchman.\" He snorted, lazily waving a hand at the blood slowly creeping into the cracks of concentrate floor. \"Henchboys would be more accurate with shooting like that.\" \n\n\"Don't you even care?! They were people, they had hope's, dreams, they had families for Gods sake.\" \n\n\"Oh I care deeply.\" Avenger smiled, kicking a cold hand carelessly with a heavy boot. \"Indeed I feel bad that I couldn't kill the other 10%.\" \n\n\"You son of a bitch, you wanted to kill them. You didn't come here for some notion of justice or heroism, did you? All you wanted was to murder.\" The Doctor shouted. \n\nAvenger stepped towards the man deliberately, crunching loose stones under his heavy boots as he moved. He crouched down bringing his face close enough to smell the sour stench of the Doctors breath. \n\n\"I'm not concerned with petty things like murder. But you're right I didn't come here for justice in fact I really don't care who you hurt or what you've done. You know what's going to happen once this is all done, they'll pin a medal on my chest and sing my praises, hell I might even get a movie deal. The Masked Avenger vs Doctor Desperado, sounds pretty good doesn't it.\" \n\n\"Just kill me and get it over with.\" The Doctor pleaded. \n\n\"Now that wouldn't be good PR would it?\"  Avenger mocked. \n\n\"If you don't I will tell the world everything, the truth of what you are.\" \n\nA thin smile crept over Avengers face. \n\n\"And why would they believe you? After all you're the villain.\"", "\"What!? No! They're all sleeping!\"\n\nDestro's flames quickly extinguished as he reeled in shock.\n\n\"… What?\" asked Patriot, now also feeling a bit confused why Destro deactivated his flames. He was still levitating off the ground, ready for any sudden moves.\n\n\"You think they're… what exactly?\" asked Destro, his metallic voice being completely void of emotion.\n\n\"Have I hit you so hard that you've gone deaf, Destro?\" Patriot now floated himself upright. \"They're sleeping.\"\n\nDestro's metallic body started glowing a mellow red. He pointed a finger at the ceiling, about 10 feet behind where the Patriot was levitating.\n\n\"That guy is named Eric Witherspoon. He has a wife and a 3-year old son. He came to me asking for a job because nobody else hires anybody with a criminal record. You uppercut him so hard that he's now lodged in the ceiling boards and he hasn't so much as twitched a muscle.\"\n\n\"Exactly my point! Sleeping!\"\n\nDestro pointed to Patriot's left.\n\n\"That guy is Mark Walton. He never finished high school because he had to take care of his grandma. The price of insulin went up so instead of a job flipping burgers, he took this job to pay for his grandma's insulin. You literally speared him through 6-inch steel doors to get in here.\"\n\n\"And he's soundly asleep. What's the problem?\"\n\nDestro could not process what he was hearing. The Patriot genuinely believed that all the people he'd hit with the force of a speeding truck were just sound asleep.\n\n\"… Patriot, you have x-ray vision, correct?\"\n\n\"Of course, how do you think I found your hideout?\"\n\n\"So you can see people's hearts, correct?\"\n\n\"… Yeah? You going somewhere with this?\" Patriot uttered, starting to run out of patience.\n\n\"Do people's hearts beat in their sleep?\"\n\n\"Of course. If your heart stops beating, you're dead. Everyone knows that.\"\n\n\"Well, use your x-ray vision and look at the people in the room.\"\n\n\"I'm not falling for your tricks, Destro.\" said Patriot, as he shifted into a fighting stance.\n\n\"Fine. Deactive Firestorm Armor, code 7-3-Alpha-9-Gamma.\"\n\nDestro's armor powered down and opened to reveal the man inside.\n\n\"There. Armor's off. I'm not a threat to you. Now, ***look at these people's hearts***.\"\n\n\"Fine,\" Patriot lowered himself to the floor. His blue eyes turned into a washed-out grey and he began looking around the room.\n\n\"I'm telling you these guys are…\" Patriot's voice trailed off. \"These guys are… oh… oh no.\"\n\nPatriot started moving to each body around the room with his super speed to take a closer look. He lightly slapped their cheeks to see if they'll wake.\n\n\"Nooo. No no no nonononononono.\"\n\nPatriot kept looking at Destro… hoping.\n\n\"This can't be right.\"\n\nPatriot looked up at the ceiling. His eyes returned to their usual color, and he let out a lightly powered eye laser beam at a sprinkler.\n\n*FSHHHH*\n\nThe room started raining with water from the sprinkler system. Patriot kept zooming around to each body and tapping their faces again, this time with the water from the sprinklers raining gently on them. But nobody he \n checked on, moved.\n\n\"… Oh god\"\n\n---\n\nr/KenTZWrites for a \"best of\" collection of my writings. :)", "\"Don't try to weasel out of this,\" said Marc the hero.\n\n\"Weasel out of this? WEASEL OUT OF THIS? Holy mother of God!\"\n\nA vein was throbbing painfully on Caleb's bald forehead.\n\n\"Fueled by a desire for justice, you broke into a police station to get every file on me, knocking out two officers to avoid being spotted. Said guys are still under therapy and will have lifelong consequences. Then you staged a robbery at the northern bank and the walmart next door as a false flag operation. You shot witnesses with sedative. HORSE SEDATIVE you clusterfuck of an avenger. It's been three weeks and they are still sleeping! Then you had sex with the mole I planted, and cheated on her with the walmart cashier you met during the heist but didn't shot because she had great assets. Great lot of good it did to her because the mole murdered her before sending her goons after you, which you convinced to kill the one giving the order, thinking it was me.\n\n\"They killed a car salesman 'cause I train my moles well. But the police got the goons and you know what? They do their work well because they put together information and got to the mole who is serving life in prison now. She started a pen friendship with the dead salesman wife. Then you ditched your family \\*for their security\\* in a cabin up in the Canadian mountains. They were found near dead from freezing because it wasn't your cabin, but a summer cabin without any warm coats and certainly not built to pass winter in it.\n\n\"Then you smuggled drugs across the border to fund an information network, Found my hideout by getting a trainee journalist blackout drunk and decided on a whim to undercut our great country's drug problem. You did that by spiking the very drug you were smuggling. Congrats, the percentage of drug addicts has severely decreased, as has the available workforce.\n\n\"Now, public enemy number 1, hated by your family, your justice system and country, mass murderer, cheater and serial moron, you won't kill me because you don't want to be as bad as me?!\n\n\"All I ever did was pull your pants down at the gym in highsch...\"\n\nThe bullet went through Caleb's skull and obliterated his masterplans alongside his life.\n\n\"You monster!\" shouted Marc, who had been gifted the skills, body and intelect of a superhero but the forgiveness of a sociopath." ]

[ 1, 2, 21, 24, 26, 65, 301, 344, 726 ]

[ "1622141795", "1622175255", "1622158961", "1622174202", "1622168153", "1622157193", "1622146983", "1622149587", "1622146344" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It happened again. I was out walking past Parker's Point when I heard that voice again. I don't know what's happening with me, but I do think I'm starting to lose it. Dan had said that crazy people don't know their crazy. They simply assume their sane and process life as if the voices they've heard as an everyday occurrence. Like that guy from that movie, where he started to hear voices and later developed that math equation and stuff, he was convinced the entire time that he was sane. I looked into his story afterwards and one of the reasons he never discounted the voices he heard was because they were the same ones who gave him the equations that he later became famous for. He just thought it was aliens tuning into his brain and he was lucky enough to get the information and pass it on to the rest of humanity. But hey, at least his voices were giving him complex math problems. Mine only seems to want me to jump off Parker's Point. \r \n\r \nIt's crazy, I know it is. I brought it up once to my therapist, in a roundabout way to probe if I was really starting to lose it. Williams said that these impulses, these thoughts, were simply intrusive thoughts. We all got them, he explained. From time to time, you'll be minding your own business when WHAM you're struck with the idea to grab a brick and smash it into a strangers face. The way he said that made me think that he's had that particular intrusive thought several times. It sure as hell didn't make the rest of the session easier considering the fact that his office walls were red bricked as well. \r \n\r \nEither way, the way he explained it was that these were simply thoughts. Over time, they'll fade away and as long as you focused on the important things, you'd forget that you'd even had one. Anyone and everyone gets them. Sometimes they were shameful, horrible things that we normally wouldn't come up with our own. These things just have a tendency to swim beneath the surface of our minds while we go around our daily business. The problem, he mentioned, is when people misunderstand these impulsive thoughts and try to rationalize them into the real world. Worse still, some people even acted on them. He mentioned that some school shooters started off this way, where they would have intrusive thoughts that they didn't know how to handle and took it as a stepping stone into something worse. I believed him when he told me. Like he said in our final session, it was only a matter of time before they disappeared. Yet, these past couple of months have filled me with... doubt.\r \n\r \nInitially, the thought of jumping from Parker's Point into the icy ocean seems like a natural idea. I mean, besides a table, a few park benches and the railing, there's not a whole lot to see or do from that vista. Jumping off would probably occur to most folks, especially when looking over the edge. As time went on, that idea began to slowly progress into something more... substantial. I began having nightly dreams of falling into the ocean, my mind screaming with both fear & joy as I plunged into the icy depths, only to vanish into the abyss. These dreams were always incredibly vivid, and it always felt that there was something deep beneath the waves for me to find. Or perhaps, someone was waiting for me, deep below.\r \n\r \nBut I pressed on. I even began to avoid that road to work and started taking the longer commute. But, as luck would have it, the 768 no longer goes back to my place. Instead, I have to take the shorter, more scenic route with the 831. Right past Parker's Point. Every goddamn day.\r \n\r \nThe voices only started a while back. At first, they were only in my dreams. Whenever I was sinking down below the water's cold embrace, I could feel, almost a magnetic pull, of something or someone calling out me from unseen depths below. It would croon out my name, almost pleading for me to sink faster. Yet, as I thrashed in the water, eventually dragged down by an unseen force, part of me was glad I was sinking. Almost as if I was going home.\r \n\r \nHome. Whatever that means.\r \n\r \nStill, each time I pass by there, I find my eyes are drawn to that cliff. I first began sitting on the opposite side of the bus, the vertigo of being in a window seat as it sped down the road was always dizzying for me. But, for some unknown reason, I'm now regularly sitting on the side closest to the cliffs. And each time I pass it by, I can almost feel those voices from my dream calling out to me, begging me to return home. \n\n​\n\nI've tried reading and listening to music, but anytime I'm anywhere near that vicinity, the thoughts, the voices in my head begin creeping in, overriding everything else. They always seem to whisper excitedly to me, as if we're about to approach some great secret. The noise becomes almost unbearable until where it suddenly dies down, the further away I get away from that cliff. Yet, each and every day I feel like I'm getting closer to the edge. \n\n​\n\nI've started walking on the beach, eventually following the road. I've had the police stop me a few times, telling me I needed to either take the bus up to Parker's Point than sidle along the highway. Sometimes I'll only spend a few minutes, but lately, I've been spending more and more time there.\n\nIt's become almost sacrosanct, like a holy exodus. I don't know how long I'll keep doing this, but a part of me, the rational side of me, is beginning to dread what'll happen to me if I stop. Or worse, if I continue to go.\n\n​\n\nI don't know how much longer this can go on. While I'm there, even though I'm entirely alone, with the occasional car whizzing past, there's always a moment when the noise dies down and the wind gently picks up. It's when I'm closest to the edge that I can feel, almost hear something in the water deep below calling out to me.\n\n​\n\nIt feels like I've been marked. By someone or something. I'm terrified what'll happen if I give in. As Williams used to say, it's only a matter of time." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1623104726", "1623111267" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The Milky Way is a dangerous place, it is a galaxy of extra-dimensional horrors and psychotic life. A space of the deadliest animals and bloodthirsty pirates, reluctantly I shut down the display. Its iridescent particles fading into the twisting nether of warp space as I lament my life choices. Ambient noise from the various federation species movement fading as I speculate where it went wrong. \n\n With the heist that is, was it doomed from the moment we started our preparations, or was it something else? That intangible reason that lead to this death sentence for recompense for a failed robbery. Whoever can say is certainly not on this exiled vessel, silently I notice the dull orange haze that has fallen over my propped up legs. That ever so rare feature of my race of bipedal sentience and the dull grey robe and the presence lingering just out of sight. \n\nA slight movement of my neck bringing my sight to the shadow of loosely connected crystals. Several scarce moments passing in silence before the apparition moved on without a word. The rather ethereal beast vanishing behind a row of other unlucky bridge crew as I steadied myself. I could honestly see why that thing was on this ship given the brief encounter. \n\nMy train of thought is once more interrupted as the captain stepped into the bridge, the metal deck plating groaning under the old pirate's robotic weight. The pair of avian guards at its heels excitedly chattering as the ambient noise subsided. An uneasy tension lingering as the raider stalked forward eyeing the new additions to the crew myself included. \n\nHis search ending at the foot of a diminutive mammal his face inches away from its snout. The birds hanging over the sod's shoulders their claws drawing blood as they gripped into the mammal's flesh. A voice of brittle iron reverberating off the walls of the enclosed space \"Get Him Off My Ship.\" \n\nThis cyborg's goons dragging it into one of the adjoining hallway, the ship dropping out of warp as the mammal disappeared beyond the bulkhead. Dozens of faint glittering lights appearing in the abyss as Captain Jerl addressed the room. A titanic graveyard of destroyed ships hanging above a dead world behind the behemoth. \n\nJerl's titanic metal frame twisting towards the forward observation window as he held a single hand outstretched. A small puff of atmosphere escaping from the airlock below as the suffocating officer drifted into the abyss. \"This is my ship I hope you remember that because the humans will not be as forgiving as I am.\" " ]

[ 1, 9 ]

[ "1623291010", "1623294701" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The automaton lay in a pitiful state of ruin. The dull chrome of its main body cylinder was rent from axis to axis, and the ugly, snaking contents of its interior spilled lifelessly on the gravel.\n\n\"Is it... is it a Facilitator?\" My voice sounded afraid and confused, even to my own ears, and I frowned. \n\n\"If it is, it's the oldest blasted one I've ever seen.\" \n\nLagaine spat in the direction of the metallic corpse, and scowled down at the third in our party, as if the dwarf was somehow responsible for the mess. The dwarf, called Shuman, smiled widely at the much taller Lagaine, the bright skylight glinting in the black lenses of his goggles.\n\n\"Lagaine, you really are nothing if not dazzlingly unfair to me, to poor old master Shuman, erm?\" \n\nThe dwarf spoke to the half-giant over his shoulder, his attention fixed to the ruined automaton before him. He reached into his bag without looking, the clinking of unorganized tools and scraps preceding the emergence of exactly the implement he desired. This one looked rather like the claw of some skybeast, although made entirely of something dull, non-metallic. I was amazed, as I had been each of the previous times he'd pulled off the feat, that he could manage to keep all of his stubby fingers intact.\n\n\"Really my dear, I've learned to read that particular glare of yours over the course of these last months we've shared. Quite an accomplishment, if you'll allow me to brag. This one says, 'Shuman you killed our last Facilitator, and somehow you must be to blame for this one too. Grr!'\"\n\nThe dwarf worked quickly as he spoke, using the jaws of his peculiar tool to pry apart the ugly crack in the dead Facilitator's body.\n\n\"I assure you, you are wrong on both points! I simply observed our last chromed companion, really, not even a diagnostic prod to see--\"\n\nThe soliloquy was cut short as Lagaine crouched over the mess of metal and wire, their lips pulled back into a grotesque mask, fangs slightly bared, neck muscles bulging. \n\n\"Call me 'dear' again, you filthy whoreson mechanic, and I'll send you to whatever hell this rusted bucket is in. Would you like that?!\"\n\nShuman's look of surprise was gone almost instantly. He paused for a wide moment.\n\n\"It's 'filthy whoreson mechanic, third rank'. Don't forget, I ascended before our last companion's, ah, unfortunate demise. A little respect will open many doors, my glowing Lagaine.\"\n\nI thought Lagaine was surely going to hit the mouthy dwarf, but just then the claw-tool made a strange noise, like a blade across mail plate. A smile spread across Shuman's face as he reached into the dim internals of the dead automaton, pulling a shard of crystal from within. The dwarf's toothy smile widened.\n\n\"You're up, Pip.\"\n\nThe anxiety crawled sickeningly in my belly. The whole trek had been one long string of unfortunate events. The job, a bit beyond my levels and experience, only having achieved Archivist of rank two just before setting out. The party, seemingly always at odds with each other, tempered only by the uneasy truce of necessity. The loss of our Facilitator, our guide through the Realms, and at such an inopportune moment. \n\nAnd now this, whatever _this_ was. I took the crystal from Shuman's outstretched palm as Lagaine looked on, their fury forgotten in an instant.\n\nI swallowed hard, and peered into the depths of the clear stone.\n\n\"It's... it's an archive of some sort. Notes, written in the archaic form.\"\n\nMy brow scrunched tightly, and I struggled to remember my training.\n\n“It says... it says... hrm. This is an archive of some sort, notes I think. They aren’t really organized. Just here, there’s a bit about a... master I think? Hrm... just here, this is a part about Ranks and Classes, I think. I don't quite understand the rest. These are old runes, I don’t recognize them all...”\n\nI bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, a spring of anxiety welling from my core. \n\n“I’m sorry...”\n\nShuman looked at me, his wide smile not faltering an inch. \n\n“Don’t bother with the frown my dear. You've greatly illuminated me-- _us_. Odd that a Facilitator has notes on Ranks and Classes, I'm sure you agree. I didn't think they quite had the faculties for things like note-taking, erm? We’ll get to the bottom of it I’m sure.”\n\nShuman reached out and I placed the crystal back in his open palm. \n\n“Nobody is gonna call themselves the master of me.”\n\nLagaine’s voice was a low growl. They scared me, but I was inclined to agree.\n\n\"Very much agreed, my luminous Lagaine. That bit is the strangest of all.\"\n\nThe dwarf's smile faltered, his brows knitted in deep thought. He looked at Lagaine for a long moment, and then at me.\n\n\"Well, I doubt we'll get anything else half as useful from our unfortunate friend here. And since we still have no Facilitator, we must continue back to the Hub, and inquire after a new one, or go our separate ways. I see no other option.\"\n\nMy stomach twisted uneasily. I looked out at the horizon, the dull grey earth stretching out and up to meet the bright grey sky. It was a long way back to the Hub, and all the more perilous without a Facilitator to guide the way.\n\nI swallowed hard, and nodded at the dwarf. Nothing else to do but push forward", "Hrongmere's light blade cut through the Shadowtouched Cultist. The Cultist shook as electrical energy coursed from his harness and rendered him unconcious. A gout of flame erupted from Kylina's hands as the Sorceress threw her signature fireball into a group of the Shadowtouched Summoners summoned minions. From his own harness Hrongmere registered both the experience he had gained for the kill and a slight warmth that told him he was very close to Kylina's area of effect, but it didn't register any damage.\n\n\"Hey!\" Hron snapped at the Sorceress even as the summoned minions dissipated and two more cultists were rendered unconcious by their harnesses. \"Cutting it a little damned close aren't you?\"\n\n\"Relax meat head,\" Kylina muttered even as she checked the rewards her harness had registered. They'd earned quite a bit of gold and experience from defeating those members of the Shadowtouched. Their own clan the Gearbloods usually didn't venture this far into the Magus' Lair but they had been paid to brave the perils and the rewards were worth the risk of reset.\n\nHron glanced back at the scrawny Priest that followed in their wake. Hell, he wasn't even a Cleric, he was an actual Priest! Hron didn't respect Priests but he knew they were essential. They performed the complex rituals that prevented God's Wrath and maintained the sacred armor and weapons that adventurers used. The scrawny Priest had even tuned up Hron's light sword and Kylina's mage glove before they had left and the improved accuracy was nothing to sneeze at.\n\n\"What happens to them?\" Dovane the Priest asked looking at the three downed foes.\n\nKylina shook her blonde head at the Priest's ignorance. Had he never been outside the Clanhold's walls? She looked at the harness he wore. He was so high level for never adventuring. She could only imagine how touched by God this Priest must have been to earn the creds and experience to reach his level. Had he really done it all through holy rituals? Had he never risked a respawn?\n\n\"They'll wake up in an hour or two,\" Hron shrugged and toed one of the bodies. He was careful to be gentle, he wasn't about to risk the God of Battle's wrath for harming a downed foe. \"Then they'll head back to the Shadowtouched Hold and touch the resurrection altar to be respawned at level one.\"\n\n\"Level One!\" Dovane seemed alarmed. \"I didn't know... We can be dropped back to start out here?!\"\n\n\"Yeah, welcome to the red zone,\" Kylina glanced through her inventory on a screen on her arm. She grinned. \"Got some health pots from the last guy. I sent you each one.\"\n\nHron glanced at his arm and tapped the pot. His health bar registered the healing and he was glad to see he was almost at full. The Cultist had done some damage before he had been able to take them down.\n\n\"In the green zone you just lose some XP and creds for death,\" Hron explained as he looked around watching warily for enemies or more Shadowtouched. \"The yellow you can lose levels. In red... you reset. That's why the Clans stay out of each other's territory. Our Green Zone is Red for them and vice versa. So Green is generally safe for newbs but if you want the real loot and creds you gotta go to the yellow zones or even into red. There is an XP multiplier for the increased difficulty too. That's why some of you Priests are so stinking rich and high level.\"\n\n\"Wait you mean because the Dawnstriders and Shadowtouched hire us to perform their yearly rituals?\" Dovane asked quizzically. \"The Gearbloods are the smallest clan but our Priests do know the old rituals better than most.\"\n\n\"Yeah and the Dawnstriders and Shadowtouched know it and resent it,\" Kylina shrugged she cast a spell by making a gesture with her hand and a floating ball of light appeared next to her. \"Now come on we're close to the place you said you wanted to go. This had better be worth it.\"\n\n\"It will be, I promise,\" Dovane muttered, they had already passed through the yellow zone and were in the Magus' Lair. The Lair was a no man's land, patrolled by the monsters generated from the ambient mana and they had beaten their way through a dozen trolls and a literal horde of goblins to get this far. \"We just need to find Comcon...\"\n\nIt was another fourty minutes of searching before Kylina cried out. When Dovane examined the wall she was looking at his heart skipped a beat. Faintly nearly worn away with age were two sets of words. COM and some distance away CON. Dovane almost thought he saw other letters beneath the grime and wear but he dismissed it. \n\nLooking around Dovane found a panel in the wall. Opening it he examined the magic's within. The sacred rituals hadn't been performed here in ages. Pulling out his holy instruments he set to correcting that oversight. When the holy conduits were aligned, and the divine fibers repaired the panel hummed with the song of the gods. Placing his hand on the panel Dovane said the words for the divine right.\n\n\"O holy, Computer grant your humble servant access, Command Code Alpha-Zulu-Seven-Nine-Five-Three-Seven-Romeo...\" The chant finished, Dovane waited, holding his breath. The panel blinked green, a sign that his prayer was heard and answered. The wall slid away into itself.\n\nBeyond the door a massive temple awaited the three. Altars to various Gods and Goddesses stood scattered around. Dovane recognized some. There was the God of Battle, the Goddess of Life, and the strange God known as the Traveler... He sank to his knees and prayed even as Kylina and Hron stared in awe, though the seasoned adventurers also kept a wary eye out for danger.\n\nThe pair only relaxed after all three had stepped inside the temple and the wall had silently slid back in place. They began to search, looking for loot boxes and item icons that were common in rooms like this. Dovane ignored them having spotted something far more valuable, books.\n\n\"These are holy tomes!\" The Priest exclaimed. \"They detail rituals I have never dreamed of! For parts of the Starhome I have never even seen! And these... do either of you know what Proxima Centauri means?\"\n\nThe pair shook their heads, their brows furrowed in disappointment as they had yet to find any chests or loot icons. The Priest might enjoy old dusty tomes but they needed Creds for new gear and to buy food and drink. The Goddess of Life did not dispense those from her altars without tithes. \n\n\"What the heck is this?\" Dovane muttered, a seemingly newer and much different tome lay atop a table. Handwritten instead of the uniform script of the gods it had a title. \"Dungeon Master's Notes.\" Running his fingers over the cover Dovane somehow knew this was important. As he flipped open the cover he saw nearly every aspect of their lives laid out before him.\n\nAs the pages turned Dovane saw all of the monsters and creatures they had fought. He saw that something called \"the day shift\" had been the ancestors of the Dawnstriders and \"the night shift\" were the Shadowtouched. His own clan the Gearbloods were something called \"maintenance and engineering.\" He saw the cred system and the designs for the mage gloves that let casters do magic. He saw the light weapons that the martial classes used in battle. There were even illustrations of the harnesses. But it was the final chapter that drew his attention.\n\nThe Story was the chapter title and Dovane knew, somehow that this should explain it all. Why their world functioned as it did, why they were locked in eternal struggle. What plans the Gods had in store for them. He turned the page...\n\n\"Just wing it...\"", "\"The path to Water is one through Fire.\"\n\n\"And that means what, exactly?\"\n\nA pause and a sigh from the robed woman. \"The truth? I'm not sure. I am still an apprentice, sent to the upper wilds to learn my magicks. The code comes to Caller from the cacophony of conflict. You can't just read it in a book.\"\n\n\"Wait,\" Heredrog said, letting his ax slump down to scrap the polycarbonate floor of the hallway. \"The Consul send me an apprentice? You do realize I'm paying for you, right? Twelve doves a day, in fact.\"\n\n\"I assure you, I am quite capable of navigating dungeons.\" Punctuating her words, her hand raised, calling a phantom hand to mimic hers atop the screen on the wall. Her fingers looked dainty, beautiful but somehow otherworldly.\n\n\"Janitorial override, access granted,\" the world voice offered with an affirming green glow. The mirrored hand faded away with the Caller's magic.\n\nShe gestured towards the door in mock graciousness towards Heredrog. The action had taken no willpower on her part, it seemed. Perhaps she merely hid it well. He never trusted a mage.\n\nThe door he had hammered on for two weeks opened noiselessly. A thin hiss came as the ozone smell of the Sitosign filled the space. She had opened the path to the edge of the world and his one chance for redemption along with it.\n\n\"Now that I have got you here, Warrior,\" the nameless Mage said as she crossed the threshold. Gleaming fresh steel girders greeted them, spiraling up and off into the cloudy distance of the Sitosign. \"What business does a flesh cutter have in the Fresh? A Digitogorie, no less.\" She gestured to the two finger stumps on his left hand.\n\nHeredrog had seen the impossibly large rooms of the upper wilds before but it still drove him a little mad to know no comforting wall was near him. He made no move to hide the scars of his hand. \"You know the ways of our people?\"\n\n\"The Consul gathers all knowledge, useful and otherwise.\" With an indifferent gesture, the mage activated some spiraling stairs to rise up to the floors above. \"This is how we go further. There won't be elevators through here until the next generation.\"\n\nHeredrog felt his heart flutter in his chest. There would be monsters up there, digging in the mud of the fresh rooms. Only ten years ago, this huge space hadn't existed. The thought almost sent him spinning again. \"I come to capture a Builder, tame it and bring it back to my people to end my exile.\"\n\n\"Well, I wasn't expecting that.\" The mage whistled lightly. \"You realize a builder usually ends up killing anyone unlucky enough to spot one? They surround themselves with choking air.\"\n\n\"I do, but I have raised automatons my whole life, before I left my village. I take the path of the warrior through desperation, not preference.\" He walked up the stairs, not creaking at all under his weight. The air felt light in his lungs. \"If I see one, I can take it without becoming a corpse.\"\n\n\"Speak of the devil,\" the mage said, poking at some rags hung in the staircase. \"I've heard of this. The staircase when summoned, sometimes drag something from the old deep. It's still warm, from being in the heat of course, not life. This one must have died a hundred years ago, at least. Maybe much longer.\"\n\n\"You found a body? And you're touching it?\" Heredrog curled his lip in disgust before performing the heaven sign on himself.\n\n\"Yes, we at the Consul don't discard knowledge merely because of an unsavory wrapper. The hard truth, Steel Dommer, is the Gods are all sleeping or dead. We are maggots upon their bodies, nothing more. We can hardly offend them.\"\n\n\"Nonsense,\" Heredrog said, watching as the woman pulled a thin crystal tome from the jacket of the mummified remains.\n\n\"Janitorial override denied.\" the world voice said as the mage tried to open the tome. \"Personal journal contents.\"\n\nShe changed her hand sign slightly, typing against the tome.\n\n\"Emergency override requested. Your access will be flagged for review. Proceed?\"\n\nShe opened the tome without further effort. She deciphered the runes on her own, without help from the world voice. If this is what an apprentice could do, what was a master like? \"Well, heathen. What does it say?\"\n\n\"Dungeon Master Notes. It contains a lot of math. I will have to spend time with this. Whoever wrote this was clearly a powerful adventurer. It details a five-person group traveling through the upper wilds. Truly remarkable.\"\n\n\"Couldn't be too powerful if he was killed by a staircase. Let me see.\" Heredrog took the tome from the mage's hand, scrolling to the end. \"World voice, read to me.\"\n\n\"I was messing around with editing the new room creation protocols for the Seed Ship,\" the world voice said blankly, reading the last thoughts of this ancient mummy. \"Somehow, I deleted the master plans, so my designs are all that's left. The ship defaulted to those, across all sectors. Every repair drone is trying to tear down the central spire. They're building my world. I have to stop them.\"\n\n\"How curious,\" the mage said, taking the tome back as the grinding of metal came from above. \"I wonder what it means.\"\n\nHeredrog drew the heaven sign again. \"It means this man controlled the builders. I have to learn how he did it.\"\n\n\"That's absurd,\" the mage said. \"This has to be fantasy of some-\"\n\nThe scraping grew louder and Heredrog drew his ax. The spiral stairs were too narrow for good swings. As long as it wasn't anything too large coming for them, they'd be fine.\n\nHeredrog spotted them through the slats. Three colossal Orks, skin gossamer-thin and green cackled as they ran down the steps two at a time. Heredrog turned and ran, scooping up the mage as he increased his speed. You don't fight orks. You run and hide or you die.\n\n\"Wait,\" the mage yelled without taking her eyes from the tome. \"I want to try something. Put me down.\"\n\nHeredrog stumbled instead, sending them both crashing to the base of the stairs, Orks still hot on their trail.\n\nThe mage was already standing, holding some small flame to the wall scanner, rubbing it up and down.\n\n\"Fire suppression system activated.\" The world voice said before a torrid of foaming water shot from nowhere, everywhere.\n\nFrom up the stairs, Heredrog could hear the Orks screaming before bits starting melting down in fat, bloody drops. Water was lethal to them?\n\n\"Still think I'm not worth the money?\" the mage asked with a laugh as she stepped around a puddle of still sizzling ork.\n\nHeredrog wiped the foam from his eyes but said nothing, following behind the Water Caller up the stairs.\n\n[Part 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/nyqkxu/wp_to_avoid_boredom_an_intergalactic_colony_ship/h1m9ax0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)\n\n​\n\n/r/surinical" ]

[ 1, 4, 44, 216 ]

[ "1623566701", "1623583942", "1623582646", "1623570307" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Her dark blonde hair was short enough so that, despite wearing earrings, feminine glasses, and skirts, she still got called \"sir\" sometimes. She had an expressive, even cartoony face; her big blue eyes and wide mouth just had to react to the conversation, the song on the radio, and even her daydreams. Obviously, poker wasn't her game.\n\nHer body looked soft, pudgy, and lived in. She preferred to dress it with loose clothing, both to avoid calling attention to her fat belly, and to stay comfortable. She had an affinity for skirts and long dresses.\n\nShe was optimistic, appreciative, and generous. She also struggled with social anxiety, though, which caused some people to wrongly label her as cold and aloof. She would gladly give her parking money, her second cheeseburger, or the beanie from her head to a panhandler, but the thought of asking a coworker about their weekend gave her heart palpitations.\n\nFrom the outside, she looked like a somewhat normal middle aged lady. The buzzcut and her constant exhaustion were the only indications that something might be off. Inside, there was a war going on. Her breasts and bones were riddled with tumors, small ones for now, desperately trying to evolve and become immune to the chemotherapy pills she had to take every day.", "He had a chiselled jaw and piercing eyes, although his nose looked like a birds beak and earned him his nickname \"Pigdeon\". He always wanted to be known as Falcon, or Crow, or some other cool name but friends were merciless. He was only glad that the nickname stuck before he want bald.\n\nHe was pudgy at some point, but constant laughs made him hit the gym and exchange some fat for muscles. He liked to think he was strong willed and determined, but fear of being ridiculled was working miracles.\n\nHeight was one thing he was always fond of and never wanted to change. He towered over his classmates and later coworkers.\n\nHe was always regretful that his hight wasn't a dealbreaker for more of the girls, but it was always just wishful thinking. The real reason why he rarely spoke with girls was because he was shy. Never could hold a meaningful conversation and was fumbling with words when anxious.\n\nThis anxiety also led to reading a lot. He could often be found with a book and music playing in his headphones. He liked stories. First the written ones, later spoken or even sang. Finally, ultimately, just lately, he started writing his own.", "His skin was a dark brown, and his smile was warm, thought it was rare. His black hair was dirty and messy. He never cared about what he wore as long as it fit.\n\nHe wouldn't initiate a conversation unless he had to, but if you spoke to him, he would respond. Always absorbed in his computer, he wasn't very athletic, even though he did enjoy a few different sports, mainly boxing.\n\nEven in the face of academic failure, he kept calm. However, he was easily scared and excitable. Often friendly, he always tried to conduct himself calmly, though he was easy to anger, and resorted to violence three times too many. It ate him up inside.\n\nHe always faced life with a stoic calm. Sometimes, he seemed cold and uncaring, but he was mostly anything but. He knew he wasn't the best at anything, but he would try. He often swore and threatened, but was a good person when it was time to be a good person." ]

[ 1, 3, 3, 4 ]

[ "1623685852", "1623694207", "1623696468", "1623686335" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "For the longest time, I couldn’t breathe. I’d long switched off to what the team behind me were saying, for my head spun with memories of another time.\n\nAnother place. Another team. Where the danger was high but the comradery was second to none.\n\nI’d been the sharpshooter of the team. They'd called me *Spit* because my accuracy reminded them of a spitting cobra. As such, I was usually behind my team, offering cover fire. That last day, the enemy came in behind me and I’d had to fight hand to hand with someone half my size again. I’d won, but I’d lost too. A bullet had penetrated my left lung and two more were lodged in my gut. I’d heard gunfire ahead and dragged myself back to my rifle. It was a shit show. An ambush. I gave my unit as much cover fire as I could for them to withdraw.\n\nI heard them calling my name over the coms, and I remember smiling to myself as I closed my eyes because that meant they’d gotten out.\n\nThat should’ve been where the story ended for me, but the next thing I knew someone had me by the wrist and I felt myself getting hauled over a shoulder. “Not today, Spit,” was the last thing I heard our sergeant say before I fully passed out.\n\nThe road to recovery had been hard. One of those gut shots had damaged my spine, ending my military career, much to the joy of my family, who hadn’t wanted me there in the first place.\n\nI hadn’t kept in touch with the guys. I'd heard through the grapevine that over half of them hadn’t come back that day and the guilt ate me alive.\n\nYet here I stood, in my ten thousand dollar suit with a group of ass-kissing monkeys who wouldn’t know the first thing about the kind of comradery I shared with the unkempt man who glared at me hatefully from the floor.\n\nI squatted down in front of him, remembering how strong he’d been in the past, even though he’d lost a lot of muscle definition. Through the torn and ratty long-sleeved shirt, I could see the pinpoint scars in the elbow, showing me just how far he’d fallen.\n\n“Sarge?” I barely whispered, hoping it was him and praying it wasn’t at the same time. The homeless around us skittered away like rats. I’m sure they all had their stories, but I was only interested in one, and he hunched his shoulders defensively.\n\nI felt the hand of my lead architect on my shoulder, but I shrugged her off. This man had been safely away and come back for me. I was alive because of him. “Sarge, look at me.” He tried to duck away, but I took his shoulders, trying to force him to see me.\n\nHe struggled with me, shouting and throwing wild punches, thinking … god knows what. That I was going to hurt him? Kick him while he was down? I’d rather cut off my arm! “Sarge, it’s me! Spit! *SPIT!”*\n\nThe thrashing eased as my words penetrated and his gaze flickered to different points of my face, searching for confirmation. I forced myself to smile even as tears streamed down my face. “It’s me, sarge.”\n\nThen, something other than recognition entered his eyes.\n\n*Shame.*\n\nIt made me angry. Not at him, but at the world that had reduced him to this.\n\nAnd just as he had done so long ago, I took him by the wrist and hauled him up until I had my shoulder tucked under his arm with most of his weight supported by me.\n\nFrom there, I walked him past my gobsmacked staff.\n\n“Not today, sarge,” I whispered.\n\n\\* \\* \\*\n\n((All comments welcome. Good or bad, I'd love to hear your thoughts 🥰🤗))\n\nFor more of my work including WPs: r/Angel466 or an index of previous [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Angel466/comments/m4p5f2/wp_index_take_two/)." ]

[ 1, 14 ]

[ "1623715028", "1623725774" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Rowlett_75, this submission has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/o31kwf/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1624054326", "1624056103" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/itspaulieho, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**No recent reposts, even if changing small details** Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\r\n\r\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n* *[From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/o7nrqs/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1624627922", "1624640283" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Avriw, this submission has been removed.\n\n**Politics:** We are not currently allowing political prompts (see rule #7) as the aim of the sub is to encourage people to write and political prompts are leading to arguments instead of stories. \n\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\n\n---\n\n**Real-World Drama:** No prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) \n\n* *From Rule 7: [Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/o96feo/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1624830493", "1624839834" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "In the past, whenever an enemy terrorized the city of Astoria, one of the transient heroes residing within would step up to fight the threat. As a child, Gordon lived in awe of these saviors and aspired to be a hero himself. Their glistening metal armor, extraordinary bearing, and formidable weaponry left a deep impression on his young mind. Yet, as he aged, he realized his most fervent desire would not come to pass. Time had taught him that some dreams are not meant to be dreamt, and he resigned himself to opening an equipment store to aid others in their heroic endeavors. \n\n...\n\nIt was a bright morning in the middle of summer, and another day of profits for the shops on Astoria Avenue. Most of the businesses on this strip had stood for more than a century, with deep histories spanning generations of ancestors. Their customers were of the elite class, as the common man made in a year what it would cost to purchase a single item of medicore quality. For this reason, the owners of these stores felt the newest addition to their number was quite an eyesore. \n\nWhere these giants of commerce towered hundreds of feet with multiples floors and dozens of attendants, *Gordon's Equipment and Wares for the Discerning Adventurer* certainly distinguished itself from the pack. Nestled at the very end of the avenue, its outward appearance marked it as a store of modest means. There were no fancy adornments on the exterior, no intricate furnishings within, and no doorman to open the entryway for customers. Any person, no matter how distinguished, had to let themselves in. If this deterred someone from entering, Gordon was happy to see them leave.\n\nThe other businesses prided themselves on serving only the highest echelon of society, and priced their wares accordingly. This unassuming shop, however, was in a different market entirely. The items and prices were targeted towards the average person, with the most expensive being a half-month of wages for a common laborer. Before Gordon opened his store, only the wealthy had any reason to find themselves on Astoria Avenue. Now, all kinds of individuals populated the sidewalks, and the sight of rag-wearing poor folk mixed with aristocrats in silk robes made for an astonishing sight.\n\nWhen Gordon recognized his inability to be like the heroes he admired, he spent many days wallowing in a mire of depression. But he could only exist like that for so long before reality pressed up against his door. He needed to find a way to earn a living and support himself. He still often thought regretfully about how he hadn't the means to become a hero himself, and during one of these moping sessions, a spark of inspiration struck and resonated so deeply that he instantly knew what to do. Why not give others the means he didn't have? Open up a shop that could provide the average person with the resources, both the physical materials and the education, to become an adventurer! And he had followed through with that idea until, through a combination of hard work and luck, lots and lots of luck, he ended up where he was today, operating a store on the wealthiest street in Astoria.\n\nGordon was currently dealing with a customer of significant background, a rich dilettante of some important family. Even though he catered mostly to the common man, he still kept a selection of wares that would interest those in the upper crust of society, and his prices were so much lower than the competition that nobles who liked to be frugal with their coin chose his shop to do business. \n\n\"I've only just received word about the artifact from one of my men in Valerium. I still can't be entirely certain of its quality until I examine it for myself. Why don't you wait a few more days? Once the product arrives on my shelf, I'll contact you.\" \n\nThe dilettante curled his lips in displeasure. This item was important to his family, and his goal was to reserve it before any other families caught wind and tried to sink their claws into it. Knowing that Gordon wouldn't be cowed by his background, he erased the irritation from his face and adopted a bright smile.\n\n\"Mr. Gordon, sir, this piece is extremely important to the head of my family, and he told me that any price would be acceptable so long as we can guarantee its acquisition. Please, sir, try to make an exception this once.\" \n\n\"I really am sorry, friend, but I wouldn't feel comfortable accepting any amount of money from you until I can examine the object and put an appropriate price on it. There isn't much else to-\"\n\nGordon was cut short by a clarion peal from somewhere in the city. Every citizen knew the sound of the Warning Bell by heart, and it only rung when a threat to the city appeared. The bell boomed again, shocking Gordon into motion. Rushing the dilettante out the door, he latched all the doors and windows, then ran to the basement. He wasn't a coward, but knew himself well. There were others far more suited to fighting than he was, and there should be many of them in the city ready to take up the call.\n\nExcept, the bell wouldn't stop tolling. Usually, when an enemy was engaged by a defender of the city, the Warning Bell would go quiet, its purpose served. For one excruciating minute, Gordon listened to the repeated chiming. Was no one answering the call? Why else would the bell keep ringing?\n\nAnxiety tore at his insides like a trapped animal. He was powerless to help the situation, and if there truly was nobody to fight the threat, he could only wait for annihilation. \n\nAmidst his internal panic, an errant thought crossed his mind and made itself known. *Someone* had to do something, right? Why not him? He had the equipment and the knowledge, even if he was lacking in experience. The more he thought about it, the more certain he was. This his chance to be like the heroes he dreamed about. If the city needed a defender, he would be that defender. \n\nHe moved to grab all the equipment he might need. He donned a set of light armor, grabbed a sword, packed a bag with some first aid items, and ran out the door.\n\nNow that he was outside, the sound of the Warning Bell was magnified, but he could hear other sounds as well. There was the telltale screech of metal clashing with metal, presumably citizens fighting back against the invaders, but another, more horrifying sound made its way to the forefront of his perception. Screams. Heartbreaking screams came from all corners of the city, and the desolate atmosphere was a heavy weight that crushed his shoulders and deadened his limbs. He wasn't going to be a hero today. No one was.\n\nInterspersed with those screams were inhuman shrieks of glee, which Gordon could identify due to his extensive knowledge of the monsters that adventurers encountered on their travels.\n\n*Goblins. It's a goblin invasion. The city is doomed.*\n\nAstoria Avenue was deep in the heart of the city, and it seemed the goblins were still a distance away. A quick glance around showed people standing outside the shops, looks of fear and uncertainty on their faces. It chilled Gordon's heart when he realized the majority of them were unlikely to survive. \n\nGordon projected his voice so that everyone could hear him.\n\n\"It's a goblin invasion! It sounds like they broke through the main gate! We need to head in the other direction and escape the city before they catch up to us!\"\n\nA goblin invasion was a death sentence for a city. After they killed the residents, the goblins would turn it into a stronghold for their own kind. Maybe a group of righteous warriors would eventually storm the overtaken city, kill the goblins, and gain revenge for the innocent souls lost in the invasion, but that was of no help now. Anyone who stayed behind was guaranteed to die. Having warned everyone, he took off towards the southern gate of the city, hoping he could escape the clutches of the goblin horde.\n\n\n\n*Not quite what the prompt was intending, but my attempt nevertheless. Any comments or critiques are appreciated. Thanks for reading!*" ]

[ 1, 6 ]

[ "1625143328", "1625162043" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "“Alright, Hiro, Oda Nobunaga has tasked us with sneaking into the castle and assassinating the daimyo without anyone knowing it was us.” Kenji glanced towards the imposing walls of the fortress, wondering how they could enter unseen. “It is imperative that we use stealth for this mission, which is why we….” Kenji turned towards his companion. “W-why do you have a machine gun? Where did you even get a machine gun? This is 16th century feudal Japan.”\n\n“Kenji. Ask no questions.” Hiro loaded an extended 7.62x51mm belt magazine into the ammo feed of his M60. “Take no prisoners.”\n\n“Hiro, what are you talking ab-”\n\nHiro charged off with a battle cry Kenji had never heard before. \n\n“LEEEEROOOYYYY JEEEENKIIIINSSS!”" ]

[ 1, 12 ]

[ "1625362177", "1625367138" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The sound of shoes clopping on tile \nechoed through the hallway as a man carrying hastily gathered papers ran to the physicist’s study.\n\nAs the large door slammed open, the \nphysicist’s head shot up in the direction of the door. Despite having just been quietly reading, his eyes were wide and attentive as he watched the man approach his desk.\n\n“Doctor, we’ve got a bad reading,” said\nthe man. He squeezed the papers to his chest like he could not afford to let even one drop to the ground.\n\n“What is it?” The physicist asked \nforcefully. \n \n“Well, if our theory is correct, things are \nabout to get a lot worse,” the man explained worriedly.\n\n“Well don’t just stand there, show me!” \nThe physicist exclaimed, now standing up and clearing off his desk, pushing binders and books to the side. The man jumped a little at the PhD’s sudden jump in volume, then dropped the papers on the desk, turning them for the physicist to see.\n\n“Our Theory of Connection states, ‘The \nbinding force that connects gravity to the smallest particles of our universe that makes up all matter is the rate at which Poland is being conquered and reconquered,’” the man explained.\n\n“Yes, I know this; I wrote it, of course,” the \nphysicist said proudly.\n\n“Right, right. Well, our readings show a \ncomplete absence of conflict - the factor that guides conquest and reformation.”\n\nThe physicist's eyes widened slightly and \nhis head leaned back in just the slightest, showing his true, uncharacteristic fear.\n\n“My god…”\n\n“Yes, sir. It’s bad. We need you \ndownstairs now to consult with the board.”\n\n“Of course, run down and tell them I’m on \nmy way,” the physicist urged.\n\nThe messenger nodded and ran out of \nthe door, swinging it backwards into the wall with a thud. The physicist had to sit down and take a moment to take in the info. He leaned his elbows onto the desk and pressed his palms into his forehead.\n\n*The end of conflict in the land of Poland \nsurely would spell the doom of humanity and all creation,* thought the physicist. *If they didn’t get something started there, then they had little time left to live.*\n\nThe man took a deep breath to calm \nhimself, and took action. He got up, grabbed the papers the messenger had forgotten to take with him, and sped out of the room to the staircase. After two flights of stairs, he reached the elevator to the bunker.\n\nAfter the long process of getting the \nelevator to take him to the bottom, including two keys and a fingerprint scanner, the physicist had left the contraption and was running down to the conference room.\n\nThe sounds of scientists and \nmathematicians’ deliberations bounced about the large conference room as the physicist walked in. The physicist walked over to the head of the table and set his papers down. The room began to hush as he did so until the only sounds left were people scooting the chairs in and out. The only one standing was the physicist.\n\n“I assume you all know what we’re \ndealing with already,” the physicist stated. The mathematicians responded with nods and grunts. “Well then, what have we come up with?”\n\nThe people in the room looked around at \neach other, waiting for someone to respond.\n\n“We could blame Poland for an \nassassination,” blurted one mathematician.\n\n“Or forge documents in Poland’s name,” \nsaid another. The physicist nodded his head contemplatively as if considering both.\n\n“The only problem is,” one member \nstarted. “We aren't a militia or any type of government. Planning out international conflict isn’t exactly our forte, so to speak.”\n\n“That’s a good point. However, our \nimportance gives us ruling say over the military with the president’s permission, so we need something to say,” the physicist reasoned. “We always believed that the driving force of Poland’s conflict would be a constant variable; we never thought we’d see the day that war was resolved and the government was stable. This is the biggest problem we’ve seen in our lifetime.”\n\nThe group solemnly nodded their heads, \nlooking at the physicist with narrowed and worried eyes. The physicist once again took a deep breath and let out a large exhale, the only thing to break the silence.\n\n“Subterfuge will take too long to have any \neffect - we’ll probably be gone by then. We need direct action from the military,” the physicist finished softly, scratching his chin nervously. He had started pacing back and forth, but after a few seconds he stopped and dropped his hand to his side in finality. \n\n“Launch a full scale invasion of Poland, \nmoving through as many neighboring nations along the way,” the physicist commanded. The room let out a slight gasp and intake of breath as they readied for further instruction. “Tell them that it's because of potential corruption. We can’t let the real reason get out there. Get to it.”\n\nThe whole room erupted as chairs \nscraped against the floor and scientists shouted commands and deliberated amongst each other, leaving the physicist in the room with a few others.\n\nThe physicist walked over to the room’s \nwindow and laid his hands on his hips. He contemplated their current, unbelievable situation: when did Poland become an inconsistent variable?\n\nHe laughed to himself. *It’s ironic, isn’t it. \nWe were bringing ourselves into conflict now because we now know that our world relies on it,* he thought. *A conflict paradox.*\n\nA mathematician sitting behind him stood \nup out of his chair and looked at the physicist as he stared through the window.\n\n“Sir, are you okay?” He asked. The \nphysicist just lowered his head and shook it, frustrated with it all.\n\n“It’s all just Poland, it always will be.”\n\n*First story on this subreddit, I like writing, I guess thats why Im here.*" ]

[ 1, 11 ]

[ "1625404803", "1625452767" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "# Taran Tulah\n\n**The Boy, The Man**\n\n*It's him, this is how you messed it up before, follow the plan!* \n\"Batman!\" You yell at your seven year-old self. He turns in confusion. \nYou ask, \"Your comic! Where did you get it?\" His confusion fades and he smiles from where he stands half a block away, so you start walking towards him. You've tried to stay in shape, but seventy-seven years lived as a man in the 20th century took its toll on you. \n\"The comic store, it's under the...\" he's trying to figure out the directions in words, something you were never good at. You can see him getting frustrated, frowning in confusion.\n\n\"Hey, it's okay. Is it over there?\" You point to where you know the store is, in a converted basement under a sort of downtown vertical mini-mall. He nods. \n\"I can find it, I think. My god-daughter's birthday is coming up and I wanted to get her some comics.\" \nThis gets his attention, \"Girls like comics?\" \n\"Definitely, there are even a lot of superheroes that are women. Like Wonder Woman, she's strong for those who haven't found their strength and she protects the truth. While Batman keeps people safe who can't protect themselves in a cruel world, she brings light to it and hope.\" You didn't plan on saying all that, but it has him thinking.\n\n\"What about poor people?\" \nYou think on that and decide to stall. You nod, \"There are some, but I need to get back to work soon kid, I'm on my lunch.\" \n\"I'm... Joel.\" He frowns again. \nYou laugh, \"Not the best name is it?\" \nHe nods, so you say, \"I know, I've had it a bit longer than you.\"\n\nHe looks up. \"It's your name too?\" He looks puzzled. \nYou sigh, \"John Jacob et cetera, yeah. C'mon, you take me to the shop and I'll buy you a few quarter comics and some more from the ten cent boxes. Deal?\" \n\"Deal!\" And you have to grind those worn muscles into motion to keep up, achy joints screeching with the discomfort of it all. But Taran's plan worked, at least so far.\n\n​\n\n**Are Stories True?**\n\nYou're browsing, picking out comics for your younger self. Poor people? Ragman was always a favorite there. Then some Supergirl, lots of Wonder Woman, that 1989 Catwoman four-part and Catwoman: Defiant, some Huntress, Blackhawk, Outsiders, Firestorm, the new JSA comic, and finally what you could find of The Legion of Super-Heroes. Then you noticed that the kid, that your younger self was sitting on the floor reading a comic.\n\n\"Hey,\" you whisper, knees crackling as you kneel to talk to him. \n*Is it time?* you hear Taran say in your head, but it's not time yet.\n\nThe younger-you looks up, \"Huh?\"\n\n\"You aren't supposed to read them, just buy them. You don't want to get kicked out.\" \n*Not like last time,* she hisses, but you ignore that. \n\"I got you some comics I thought you'd enjoy. I couldn't find the Ragman or the Amethyst maxi-series, so keep an eye out for them. Ragman is a poor guy, though. And Amethyst is a gem sorceress from a magical world near ours, but raised here as a normal kid. Clueless about her true identity and actual family. You might also like Raven from the Teen Titans, but I think you should save stuff like that and Doom Patrol for when you're older.\"\n\nHe nods, standing up. What a good kid you were... *shame about how our life went,* Taran bitterly mocks you. \n*I'm trying to fix it, you have your part to play, try to be patient Taran.* \nThe angry silence indicates assent, so you ask the kid, \"Why are you wandering around downtown like this? It's been awhile, you mom must be worried. Or angry.\"\n\nHe frowns and nods, \"Waiting for dad. He was supposed to get off work early to pick me up, Fridays are half-days. He's not here, though.\" \n\"Maybe you should see what's holding him up, hold on.\" \nYou walk to counter where the clerk is leafing through a Heavy Metal lazily. \n\"Oh hey, sorry,\" he says when he finally notices you there. Then he sees the pile of comics you have and his eyes widen enough so that he looks almost conscious. \n\"It's alright, I just wondered if I could buy these. And use your phone.\" *That pervert, I bet he was thinking dirty things before he noticed us.* Taran's voice might be cruel, but she's probably right. You had never noticed what he was reading as a kid, your eyes were always looking at the ground. \nHe starts ringing up comics and bagging them, so you tell him to keep yours separate from the main pile and the handful the kid gives you, so he does. \n\n\nThen the kid tells you it's hard to dial the phone. Of course it is, rotary phones always gave you headaches, but thirty-three years of practice have made it easier. So you take your father's business card from your younger self and dial, then pass the kid the handset when it starts ringing. And though you try not to overhear their conversation, Taran is intent on eavesdropping.\n\nThe conversation is short and disappointing, Dad being hung up at his New Age store again. Some crisis that's more important than you ever were. *Cat's in the cradle...* Taran starts singing to you. *Shh, let's get this over with,* you reply.\n\n\"He's gonna be awhile, some supplier is...\" younger-you tries to explain, but just ends up frowning sadly instead. You pay the clerk and take the pile of comics, including the small handful that younger-you picked out. He thought he'd have to choose which and seeing that you got him all of them made him smile.\n\nYou could feel Taran's sadness growing, which pushed you to keep going on your mission. \n\"Joel,\" you say as if you know him. *Though you do, don't you?* \n\"Yeah?\" \n\"They're going to closed soon, let's head to Subway. I can call my office and tell them I'll be late.\" A luxury your father never had, always scraping to pursue his dreams of success, never around for anything but arguments with your mom after she finally got home from support both of you. He nods and you head off.\n\n​\n\n**Submerged Selves**\n\nYou've barely managed to take three bites of your sandwich before the kid finishes his. \n\"Can I get a cookie?\" \nYou didn't even think to order one. \n\"Of course, I forgot to ask if you want-\" \n\"Chocolate. Mom never lets me, she says I'll get fat.\" \nYou remember that now. \n\"That's silly, you're a kid. And you're not fat, again: you're a kid. You should be able to enjoy food, right? Food is energy and-\" \n\"Okay, I get it!\" \n\"Let me finish my sandwich, it's unhygenic to handle bills while you eat.\" *Nice stall,* Taran teases you without affection.\n\n\"Let me ask you a question, kid.\" \nHe's contemplating the cookie like it's the last bit of food on the planet, but he looks up from it long enough to say, \"Huh?\" \nYou sigh, \"I have a question for you.\" \n\"Oh, okay.\" \nHe hates questions, you can see him retreating into himself to listen to his version of Taran, whispering prophecies of doom. \n\"Are you happy?\" \n\"What?\" \nYou can see her voice getting louder in his head, you can almost hear it, *He's not, you know he's not... try again,* your Taran hisses. \n\"Sorry, I mean... is your life the way you want it? Do you feel like you can be who you want?\" \nYou can see the conversation in his head, them asking each other about this, then finally a soft, \"No...\" \n\"I know. Because I'm you, you if your life doesn't go the way that you want it to. You if you never say or do the things you want.\" \n\n\n**The End... for now.**", "With my cane, I instantly smacked the lad hopping up and down the street on his back.\n\n\"Hey, the Mason's are offering a discount on their newest LeDo sets.(Not a typo)\n\nBefore the hot tempered little racoon can snarl at me.\n\nHis face instantly lit up.\n\nWithout a word, he darted off from under my still outstretched arms.\n\nI smacked my lips and hailed a teenager on an electric scooter.\n\n\"After my grandson, I will give you a tenner.\"\n\nThe teen dragged me onto his tiny ride with such eagerness, my flimsy feet dangled in the air.\n\nI fished out a stack of bills and dabbed my fingers on my desert dry shrinked tongue.\n\nEmm, cannot count money the faster way now...\n\nSo, as the the tiny pumpkin in the red t-shirt zoomed down the street, I was already waiting for him with a cup of hot chocolate in my hands.\n\nHe darted into the store and came out red faced a few minutes later.\n\n\"You lied to me!\"\n\nI gave the lad a five pound note.\n\n\"How's that for your trouble?\"\n\nThe younger me paused and shook his head, \"Can not.\" He pursed his lips but his eyes gazed at the bill like a fledgling hawk.\n\n\"How about I hire you as a guide? I am new in town and I would like to get to Arlington bookstore.\"\n\nThe kid snatched the bill and pulled on my hospital gawn.\n\n\"This way, old man.\"\n\n\"You will be as old as me one day.\"\n\n\"Sure, not in a million years.\"\n\nI watched the kid as he pulled me ahead, the same messy black hair, the pale skin and that scar on the right side of the face.\n\nI looked up at the sky and felt a rain drop on my cheek.\n\nThe antique door bell ringed merrily as the pair of us walked in.\n\nYounger me suddenly stopped dead in his track.\n\n\"You!\" He screamed at the top of his lungs and lounged toward a girl in black, reading a book in a graceful way.\n\nShe give him a kick to the leg and the lad fell face first into a pile of soft pillows.\n\nHer elegant face made a naughty face.\n\nAnd a sense of overwhelming nastagia and longing washed over me, the young she is still just like her.\n\nMaybe this time, all will be different.", "When will the city fix these damn sidewalks, you think to yourself as make your way down the uneven pavement. Every hobbling step brings the dull pain of arthritic joints, even with a cane to help take some of the weight.\n\nWell, you know the answer to that question. Never. The city was never wealthy to begin with, and after decades manufacturing shutdowns, international, outsourcing, and ill thought out policies the city was barely hanging on. Abandoned homes, abandoned businesses, and empty industrial parks made large areas of the city look like a demilitarized zone. The only upside to all of this is that crime wasn't rampant. No one had anything worth stealing.\n\nAnd sadly, you watched it all play out over the rough decades of your life. You were born here, you were raised here, and in the very near future you would die here as well. A life without accomplishment, merit, or note. No wife, no children, no family, and the only friends who weren't already dead were in care facilities in various stages of mental decline.\n\nYou continue your daily walk in a somewhat futile attempt to fend of further mobility degradation, rounding the corner where graffitied plywood covers the old corner store's windows. You shake your head to yourself. It's not like you didn't have offers or opportunities. You just didn't take them. \n\nWhy? The crazy old man all those years ago. You didn't know who he was, but there was something...familiar about him. Something that almost compelled you to believe what he told you. He seemed to know you, even though after all these years of living in this neighborhood you had never seen him before that one time, nor ever again after. \n\nIt's funny. You've forgotten what that old man looked like but you remember everything he said like it was yesterday. Because in spite of everything, you foolishly disregarded everything he said. As time went on and the old man proved more and more correct, it just made you angrier, more stubborn, and more desperate to prove the old man wrong. \n\nIn the end, you never did.\n\nYou round the corner onto the old street you used live on as a kid. Well what do you know? This sidewalk has been fixed! Will miracles never cease! As you continue your slow steady walk, you see a white rubber ball rolling towards you, appearing wink as the blue band around the middle and red star on the top continually swap places. It bounces off your cane and rolls to a stop.\n\nYou look at it confused. The homes that used to be here are either abandoned or had long since become empty lots overgrown with grass. You hadn't seen a kid here in at least a decade.\n\n\"Hey mister! Can I have my ball back?\" a young brown haired boy called out from across the street. You look up. Its your street, from your childhood. All the homes were suddenly there in there full 1940's and 1950's glory. Freshly washed cars populated the driveways. People and families he remembered were mingling a chatting with each other across fences and hedges. The road still contained the light fragrance of fresh asphalt, lined on both sides with straight, level sidewalks.\n\nEyes round in absolute surprise, you look behind you, then in front of you. You reach up and rub your eyes. You reach down and pinch yourself. Hard. It was real. You were in your old neighborhood. You even know the day. June 16th, 1951, the day after school had let out.\n\n\"Mister? Mister? Hey Mister!\", the boy said, coming across the street. \"Can you hear me?\" The boy peers up at you, blue eyes sparkling the way kids eyes do. \"Are you okay?\"\n\nYou gasp. It's...it's you! You when you were seven years old! You remember! You had kicked your ball across the street and it hit the old man's cane! This was it! You were the crazy old man!\n\n\"Justin? Do you know who I am?\" You ask with a smile.\n\nHe studies you for a long moment. \"I don't think so. You kinda look like my dad. But you're way older.\"\n\nYou laugh. \"That's okay Justin. I'd like to talk to you for moment if don't mind.\"\n\nJustin raised his little eyebrow. \"I...guess so. Here, we can sit on that,\" he said, point to short retaining wall in one of the neighbors yards.\n\nYou think back to what the old man (you!) had told yourself the first time you met. You can't even fathom why your other self told you everything that you did. You spent your life basically going from one disaster to another as a result. But you weren't going to make the same mistake twice! You were going to make sure this time there was no way you would wind up in this life. You would do this by doing something your former older self never did, but should have.\n\nYou sit down with the boy. \"Justin,\" you say seriously. \"Have you ever thought about the future?\"\n\n\"Yeah! I want a flying car!\" he said kicking his feet excitedly. Oh that would be a disappointment, you thought.\n\n\"Well, I don't know about a flying car, but I can make sure that if they ever make one, you'll be able to get one? Do you want to know how?\"\n\n\"Yeah yeah yeah!\" Justin said excitedly and bounced off the wall, \"How how how?\"\n\nYou reach into your pocket and pull out a small tablet computer. You have saved all kinds of information on it. Old newspapers as PDFs, sports histories, e-books, even your 401k statements detailing the meager portfolio you had managed to accrue over the later part of your life. Useless to anyone in the time you come from, but the gateway to practically endless riches for your younger self here.\n\nYou smile and present it to the boy. The boy just stands there, frozen. You wave your hand in front of the boys face. No response. You look around. Everything had frozen. Birds stood motionless in the sky. The smoke from a neighbor's cigarette hung in a still, coiled cloud. A car and it's driver locked in position on the road.", "As the young boy approached the old man painfully hobbled to him. He waved the child closer and reluctantly the boy did so. “Sup little punk bitch!?” The boy confusedly replied “huh?” “Mark-ass trick-ass denis the menace ass fool” the old man replied. Before the boy could reply the old man said matter of factly “I’m a baby bird”.\n\nThe old man left the young boy in the park and walked into the bar he frequented everyday. He took a stool and ordered his usual pint. “How the hell are ya hank?” The bartender said setting down an overflowing cold pint. “I just ran into the biggest little punk bitch I’ve ever seen”. Hank chugged his pint.\n\n“Cheep cheep motherfucker”. The old man’s heart stopped and he slumped over and died for the first time that day.\n\n“Oh that Hank...” chuckled the bartender. “What a hoot”.\n\nThe End", "I walked down the path of old town for the first time since the accident, alone. She had been the light in my life, the air in my lungs, the very blood the flowed through my heart. Without her, what else am I?\n\nA light sprinkle of rain clattered down on the old street. The water was cool as it ran down my face and I could not decide whether it was entirely the rain that wet my face. The rain washed away the dirt, but it could not cleanse the stain on my soul. Not this time.\n\nThis location had always one of her favorite spots. We would come at dusk to sit on the metal benches to watch the light of the sun slowly dim through the spectrums of its brilliance, uncaring of the people who milled through their own lives, as if this place existed for us alone.\n\nRegret nagged at me. She had begged me to bring her back here, to let her experience this place with me one last time before the end. But in my stupidity and stubbornness I had denies her.\n\n“Once you are better,” I had promised. “The doctors say your prognosis is good. Just be patient.”\n\n“Patient…” I let the word hang in front of me like a sentence of death.\n\nThe word brought me back to my childhood. An abusive drunk of a father, as cliché as it was. My mother, the gem that she was, would always caution patience. In the end, her patience paid off. She fought her way out of that relationship. She earned her freedom and in consequence, my own. She saved us from that life of misery. Since then, I had always exercised her same tenacity for patience.\n\nIsn’t it curious that the older we get the easier it is to wait, even when the strands of our lives are so close to snapping?\n\nI found our bench. The years had eroded the blue paint leaving dark stained metal pieces in its place. I turned towards the horizon.\n\n“I want you to watch the sunset one more time after I’m gone. When you do, I want you to remember me and then let me go.” Her final words to me echoed in my head.\n\n“But how can I live without you?” I had protested. Not necessarily to her, but to the universe that had wronged us both.\n\n“Just be patient,” She had replied. “Time will heal this and you can move on.”\n\n“Patient…”\n\nThe sun began its transition of colors. Not a moment later a young boy sat next to me on the bench, ignoring the cold rain that must have soaked his pants. I turned my head and my vision was drawn away from the child towards his mother who smiled a smile that only a parent can know. The woman was so familiar, like a ghost of my past\n\nAn umbrella shrouded my head. The boy was holding it between us covering us both from the cold rain. He stared at the horizon wordlessly and a small companionship grew between us. A comfortable silence between two people who temporarily walked a similar path.\n\nThe sun eventually faded away as the street lights turned on to flick away the darkness. I turned towards the boy but once again my eye was caught by a large fellow pulling at the arm of the child’s mother. While he did not look decidedly rough with her, her face spoke all.\n\n“Thank you.” I finally spoke to the child who turned his bright eyes up at me. So full of hope still, but with that familiar touch of sadness just below the surface.\n\n“Do you do this often?” The boy asked. I knew that he asked for lack of anything else to say.\n\n“Not recently.” I replied.\n\nThe moment shattered as the man whispered an obscenity to the woman. The ghost of my past came into full light as I recognized the scene as if re-watching an old movie.\n\n“It’s time to go.” She called out to the boy, her voice uneven. She reached out with a shaky hand.\n\nThe boy clasped my arm just above the wrist. His pain was now plain for any to see. His eyes said more to me than any words he could have spoken. He spoke to the child that still lived in me as it lives in us all. He wanted me to take them from the situation, to save them.\n\n“Be patient,” I heard myself say. The boy looked downtrodden, but shook his head in agreement and wordlessly let go of my wrist to reach for his mother’s hand.\n\nThey went to leave; the mother still being dragged along by the man.\n\n“Wait.” I called out, causing them to stop.\n\nThe man gave me a glare, but I paid it no mind. I had dealt with his kind before, dealt with him before. He let the woman go and she stepped towards me.\n\n“I just wanted to shake your hand,” I said to her, clasping her hand in mine. “You are raising a fine young man.”\n\nThe card slipped from my hand to hers and she hastily shoved her hands into her pocket to conceal it.\n\n“Thank you.” She replied. And like that, they walked away. The boy favored his left leg, the right limping slightly alongside it.\n\nI thought back again to my childhood. My mother had called a family practice lawyer who helped her get the assistance she needed to leave. It was what had led me into my profession as a family practice lawyer, it was where I had met my wife.\n\n“Patience…” I said again. But this time, the word granted me a small amount of comfort. I limped along the street with a renewed conviction.", "Was this really happening? I had heard about this sort of thing in movies and stories and always wondered about the things I would tell myself. Regrets I had. Things I would change. But now the moment was upon me. I thought back on my life and wondered if I would have lived it any other way. It maybe wasn't the perfect life but I wouldn't change it for anything.\n\n\"One sec kid.\" I stopped him, trying to remember the advice I had received back then.\n\n\"Yea what is it gramps?\"\n\nGramps? Geeze I didn't remember being this rude.\n\n\"Stay sharp and stay focused.\" I thought back, hoping if the universe was a stable time-loop the exact wording would sort itself out \"Your mind is your greatest tool, but tools can't do anything by themselves. They need hard workers to get the job done.\"\n\nHe just stared at me \"You're being weird.\"\n\nMy past self turned and opened the gate to the house next to us. Wait was this my childhood home? I saw a familiar man standing at the doorway watching us. \n\n\"Hi Dad!\" my past self yelled and waved, running up the gravel pathway to the house.\n\nThat was when I realized how bad it looked for a strange old man to be talking to his son. My dad approached. He looked a lot different than I remembered. I turned and started hobbling away as fast as my frail body could carry me.\n\nHe quickly caught up to my limping pace and grabbed my shoulder. We both spoke at the same time.\n\n\"Dad.\"\n\nWe both paused. Did he just call me dad?\n\n\"Come on Dad, lets go back inside,\" he put his arm around me and guided me back towards the house. \"you know you're not supposed to wander around outside by yourself. \"", "It's a cold winter day, at least in my mind. The days are slow now, I remember when I used to complain about everything going by so fast.\n\nA little kid drawing in chalk on her driveway catches my attention. She looked like me, in a way, when I was only seven years old.\n\nMy memory's foggy, but I remember when I was doing the exact same thing at that age, and an old man approached me. I had brushed him off at the time, but maybe I had something important to tell her, him, if you will.\n\nI call in the most my voice can manage. \"Hello, would you like to sit down for a bit?\"\n\nHe looks around and then points to herself, head tilting. I nod and pat the space on the bench beside me. He sits down.\n\n\"You most likely won't ever remember this when you're older, but I feel it's important to hear. You're doing good, kid. Keep making your characters, your art, your stories. People will tell you your interests are horrible. They aren't. Take care of your sister, she needs it. Mom and Dad do too, and Josh.\"\n\nHe blinks, looking up at me. \"I don't have a sister.\"\n\nI chuckle sadly. \"Not yet, but you will later,\" I say, gazing at the old playground. \"You'll meet some good people, some bad, I know I'm rambling, you don't have to listen. But promise me this, don't let your pride get ahold of you.\"\n\nHe blinks again, confusion dancing in his eyes. \"I dunno what that means. But I guess I can promise that.\"\n\nI smile. \"Pinky promise?\"\n\n\"Pinky promise.\"", "I always liked this part of town. It never seemed to change. The smell of fresh pastries from Dawry's Bakery always put me in a good mood, and the doughnuts were good to boot.\n\nI was on my way to Tony's to see what i could get from his morning's catch. It's been a while since I stopped by and i missed the old dirt bag. That's when I saw him. There in front of Catherine's candle shop was a small boy, dirty brown hair in grass stained jeans. Seven years old, almost eight.\n\nI know this because I know him. His name is Alfred Statesly. He lives with his Aunt up the road, and he gets into trouble from time to time, but he's a good kid.\n\n70 years ago when I was his age a strange old man bought me ice cream and gave me sage advice I was way too young to comprehend. I was hungry that day though and welcomed the food.\n\nI suppose it was now my turn to pass wisdom down. A responsibility of one generation to the next.\n\n\"Hello, young man.\" \n\nThe boy just stared.\n\n\"It's Alfred, Right?\"\n\n\"People just call my Alfy\", he corrected.\n\n I couldn't help but smile and the childish name. \"Are you hungry, Alfy?\"\n\nHe hace a slight nod. \"A little bit.\"\n\n\"Here, you can have my doughnut.\" The boy cocked his head uncertainly. \"It's Fresh.\" I replied.\n\n\"Why don't you want, mister?\" He asked suspiciously.\n\n\"Because you're more hungry than I am, and I want to help. If there is one thing I know Alfy, is that it is always worth it to be kind.\"\n\nThat eased his mind. Little Alfy took the fresh pastry. And with that I took my leave and continued on. I arrived at Tony's a few minutes later.\n\n\"WELL, WELL, WELL\" Tony's voice carried heavily in a true sailor's bellow. A large man in his day, though never as big as his ego. \"If it isn't Mr. Statesly, finally returning from his big adventure.\"\n\n\"Morning Tiny\" I watched him twitch at the name. \"Catch anything today, or have you been getting old\". I said as a pointed to the empty cutting table.\n\n\"Looks like I caught and old friend.\" He said pouring two cups of black coffee. \"Nice to see you again Alfred, what's new?\"", "This place was much prettier in person than in the distant corners of my mind.\n\nI was wandering around my old stomping grounds. This town was a far cry from the corporate hellhole I knew it'd become in the coming decades. Quaint houses lined the streets here, and the greenery was fairly abundant; I just wished I had the strength to explore every nook and cranny of this place again. But the ache in my legs and back just served as proof that I was far past my prime.\n\nThat was why I was here. Overpopulation proved to be quite problematic in the years to come, and the bastards running things decided to run a lottery, using newly-found time travel technology to send retirees, and anyone else who couldn't work, back to a random point in time. And I drew the short end of the stick.\n\nI could've complained about it. My friends and family were either non-existent, or just mere children at this point in time, and the technology I would come to use every day didn't exist yet. But, I could've gotten it worse. At least I wasn't one of the people who got sent to the Dark Ages.\n\nIn fact, if my math was correct, I'd be precisely... seven years old at this point. Give or take.\n\n\"Excuse me.\"\n\nI was so deep in thought, I almost ran into a boy. He seemed to be in a hurry, and as I turned around and looked at him, his ruffled blonde hair, worn jeans, and red t-shirt to top it off struck me as familiar. In fact, everything, from the afternoon sunlight to the faint smell of fabric softener in the air, seemed familiar.\n\nA memory I had long since forgotten popped into my mind. Something about an old man trying to bestow his wisdom upon me... And as I watched the boy walk away, I felt a sudden compulsion to re-enact it.\n\n\"Oliver?\"\n\nThat was my name, and I knew it'd be the boy's name too. As expected, he turned around and cautiously approached me.\n\n\"...Yes?\"\n\nI racked my brain to try and remember what that old man told me all those years ago. Nothing came to mind, and as I realized this, the boy seemed to start losing interest.\n\n\"Uh, I wanted to tell you something.\" I quickly added. This regained the boy's interest, but he seemed antsy. I could tell he wanted to be somewhere, and with the slightly annoyed look he was giving me, I knew I had to make it fast.\n\nI wondered what wisdom I could give him. I had grown cynical over the latter half of my life. I had seen good people succumb to pride and greed, and I learned that power and corruption come hand in hand. But these were hardly good lessons to teach a young kid. So I mustered the best piece of advice I could think of:\n\n\"Just... send love to your family. And to your friends. Time flies when you're older, and things change before you know it. So... enjoy what you have while you have it.\"\n\nI met his confused gaze with a gentle smile of my own. I didn't expect him to fully understand. I knew I didn't back then. But I also knew that he would come to understand eventually.\n\nI was also just happy that my old, bumbling self still had something worthwhile to say.\n\n\"Uh, thanks?\" The kid replied, evidently confused by what I told him, and by the interaction as whole. \"But I oughta be going now...\"\n\nThe kid backed away, as if to make sure I wouldn't follow. I simply gave him a small wave before he turned around and quickly walked away. I wistfully watched him, remembering when my own life was simple and sweet. I hoped that whatever time I had left could be the same.", "The pop-pop of a two stroke motorcycle clattered past me, driver and pillion beaming at the glorious day. The distant rustle of leaves sheltered passers-by as they enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the park. Overhead, an idyllic sky let the sun cast its warming glow onto the bustling metropolis below. \n\n\nI stretched, a slow and leisurely motion. I was in no rush, not since my beloved had passed away two summers gone. Since then my arthritis had only gotten worse, and coupled with end stage kidney disease causing excessive oedema of my lower legs, walking and getting out was becoming quite burdensome. I yearned for the joyful naivete of youth, when the world was an oyster, waiting to be pried open and enjoyed. Now though, I lingered in a retirement home, content with my lot, but knowing that it was not a place to live, rather a place to die. \n\n\nI'd signed the paperwork as soon as she'd passed. The 'Do Not Attempt Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation' document sat in my front pocket, easily visible should anyone seek to bring me back from the edge of the abyss. Chances are, my body wouldn't survive even the best attempts to bring me back now, a thought which brought me much solace. It was just a waiting game. \n\n\nI looked around, basking in the virility and limitless kinetic energy that the city had. I thought back to my own childhood, when as a young boy my parents had taken me to this very park. I remembered walking a hundred or so yards ahead of them, when an old and ailing man stopped me. He'd said something to me back then, given me a nugget of wisdom that I took deep within myself and had quietly adhered to. It was that same piece of knowledge that funded my adventures with my beloved, my children through private school, and now my bumbling existence in the retirement home. \n\n\nA soft patter of childish feet awoke me from my reverie, the sound getting closer and mingling with the whistful humming of daydreaming youth. To my left was the culprit, a boy who looked remarkably similar to how I did when I was a young and spritely fellow. In fact, the boy looked far too similar to how I used to look. Taking this as my cue, I chuckled to myself and thought about what would happen if I gave this doppelganger the same piece of advice I'd been given. If nothing else, it may bring me a chuckle when I retire to isolation at the home. \n\n\nCracking the silence my joints had been enjoying, I roused myself to standing and approached the young boy. He looked up at me, big brown eyes full of innocence and hope. I leant forward conspiratorially, and changed his world forever. \n\n\n\"Apes together stronk. Diamond hands. To the moon!\"", "Heavens, that child is ugly. Look at those crooked teeth and that goofy grin. I wonder if the circus has lost one of its acts?\n\n \n\nHow I loved people watching. The simple activity of just sitting on a bench, judging anyone unfortunate enough to pass. I had to stifle my laugh, not wanting anyone to think I was a mad old man. That necklace he is wearing too, what sort of child in this day and age wears a Phantom man necklace. That show was old even in my day. I only ever had a necklace like that because of my dad. Wait, that can’t be possible, there’s no way. Is that me? \n\n \n\nIt didn’t seem like it should be possible, but everything about him just reminded me of myself. Before I could even process what I was doing, I stood up from the bench, slowly approaching the young child, trying to look as friendly as I could.\n\n \n\n“Evening, that’s a nice Phantom man necklace you have there. Where did you find such a fascinating item?” I wasn’t exactly sure what sort of conversation to engage the child in, trying my best to get the answers I needed. Something about this giving me a bizarre sense of déjà vu.\n\n \n\n“Of course, you would know about that dumb show. Yeah, my dad gave it to me. He says that Phantom man is the sort of person who young people should look up to, I say he’s lame.” The boy only gave the necklace a small slap, trying to make his opinion of it clear to me.\n\n \n\n“You still wear it, though? You can’t think Phantom man is that lame if you wear his necklace.” I couldn’t believe this child was me. Was I always so rude?\n\nI knew the true reason I wore the necklace. I cared little about Phantom man, but I loved my parents dearly. A gift from my father was something I would treasure. Whenever I wore that necklace, I wasn’t thinking of Phantom man; I was thinking of my father, thinking he was the hero sitting at the end of the chain.\n\n \n\n“Because its expensive. Dad says its one of his rarest items and he gave it to me. That’s how much he loves me. Mum also gave me this really cool band aid that makes cuts painless. She’s amazing.”\n\n \n\n“She is.” I agreed, reminiscing about the pair, enjoying the nostalgic memories that popped into my mind.\n\n \n\nThe old band aid trick. It took me until I was thirteen to realize she was lying about the special band aids she had. It’s amazing how anyone else could put a bandaid on a cut and it would still hurt. Yet when she did it, the pain vanished. Guess that’s the power of a mother’s love.\n“Yep, my parents are the best.” The conversation appeared to have ended, the younger me turning to look at a nearby shop window. I couldn’t waste this chance. I had to pass some fatherly advice onto myself.\n\n \n\n“Life isn’t always going to be easy. You will go through a period where you wonder if life’s even worth living anymore. Then Mom and dad will die, and it will break whatever’s left of your heart. The first period of your life may seem bad, but I promise it gets better. You meet a woman that loves you for who you are, accepts your imperfections and sparks your love of art.” I felt the need to aid myself through my future hardships, hoping that maybe I might ease my suffering a little during it.\n\n“Did you say something, old man? I was looking at the cakes in that shop. I wonder if they have any for two dollars?” What a brat. I just gave him the best advice of his life and he ignored it, just like I did that time.\n\n \n\nThen it hit me. This was the Déjà vu. I had this conversation before, just from the opposite side. How’s that even possible? I was so caught up in the bizarreness of it all that I didn’t question how this could happen. Was it time travel? No, I had done nothing that could lead to me travelling back in time. Was this a simulation? That had to be it.\n\n \n\n“Listen to me. I don’t know what’s happening, but you need to find a solution. I think we might be stuck in some sort of simulation. Maybe a copy lives until the age of seventy-seven before fading away to make space for the new copy. But that makes little sense. Why would someone be watching my life? What purpose would this all serve?” My chest felt heavy, the world around me flickering with various colours. What happens after I meet myself?\n\n \n\n“Whatever you say old man.” My younger self merely pushed past me, entering the shop to look at the cakes inside. Once he passed through the door, it vanished, leaving me standing outside, forced to bang on the window.\n\n \n\n“Please, I don’t know what’s happening, but we can’t keep doing this. We need to break the cycle, listen to me.” I dug my hand into my shirt, pulling out the Phantom man necklace, pressing it against the glass. “We are the same person. Break the cycle.”\n\n \n\nNo matter how much noise I made, he just ignored me. When I looked at the once busy street, I spotted no one. Only the same flickering colours. The colours continued to flicker for a few more moments before slowly darkening around me, ready to envelop me in its embrace. I took one last look at my Phantom man figure, giving it a kiss before the darkness hit me.\n\n \n \n \n\n(If you enjoyed this feel free to check out my subreddit /r/Sadnesslaughs where I'll be posting more of my writing.)", "It was early afternoon and I was walking home after a late lunch that Monday under the cool autumn sun, rubbing my potbelly with a wrinkled hand and a bittersweet sigh.\n\nThe food had been expensive, but it was a day where I needed comfort food. Not just any comfort food… the ultimate comfort food that I only saved for special occasions. The steak cooked at Harbmore’s that had been my favorite for as long as I could remember, that I had eaten in celebration during every graduation and celebration throughout my life. It helped ease the severe melancholy I often felt nowadays into nostalgia as warm as the food in my belly.\n\n*Ah, if only I could go back and redo my life…*\n\nA strong breeze tugged at my hat, causing me to hold it against my head, and tore at my jacket. The trees swayed at the strength of the sudden gust.\n\nI opened my eyes. The sidewalk had been crowded, but now nobody was around.\n\nNobody except for a child standing across from me a little way down the sidewalk.\n\nI looked at the little boy and he looked back at me. Even from the hundred meters or so that separated us, his features were striking to me. His dark hair, his nose, his facial structure, that school uniform… \n\n*That face… he looks uncannily like me. It’s so similar it’s actually scary*, I thought.\n\nAt first, I thought I was hallucinating visions of my past into reality. However, I closed my eyes and opened them to confirm multiple times. But still, it couldn’t be me… \n\nThen I remembered and an icy shiver ran down my spine. When I was 7 years old, I met a creepy old guy as I was walking on this street. For some reason, that meeting had given me such a weird feeling that I hadn’t forgotten it since.\n\n*That old guy all those decades ago was me after all…* I thought.\n\nFor some reason, I chuckled. Then I burst out laughing, with almost hysterical intensity.\n\n*I never knew I was this crazy. That my fantasies could break reality like this…*\n\n*Hah, take that, world! You think I’m a useless geezer that's about to die, but I’m still kicking!*\n\nThe kid’s eyes widened.\n\nI quickly stopped laughing.\n\n*Wait! This means I have the opportunity to talk to myself seventy years ago. There’s so much I want to tell myself, so much I can fix! How do I even start…* \n\nI walked forward, opening my mouth and revealing my missing teeth. The kid’s face crumpled in fear, like he was about to cry, and stepped backward.\n\n“Wait…” I said, “Don’t go.” I uselessly reached out an arm after him.\n\nMaybe it was the sheer desperation in my voice, but the kid froze.\n\nI stepped towards him, ever so slowly, ever so gently, buying time as my mind raced.\n\n*What can I say… what can I say… He’s just a kid. What can I tell him that he’ll remember? If he forgets, then there’s no use. It has to be one thing then…* \n\nWhat is the one thing I want to change the most in my life?\n\n*I could tell him how to get rich with stocks or something… but how do I tell that to a kid? I could give him general advice so I don’t have so many regrets… or maybe to eat more while he’s young so he gets a little taller? Wait, no, why would I waste this on something like that…*\n\nI stopped in front of the kid and looked at his face. His skin was so smooth, his face and arms were still chubby. He was so precious and small, like a kitten.\n\nMy mind blanked out. I couldn’t think of anything to say. He melted my heart. I wanted to protect him. I didn’t want to see his face crinkle in fear or confusion as he looked fearfully at me, an old decrepit man with a potbelly and rotting teeth who was basically at death’s door.\n\nI smiled at him warmly.\n\n“You know what. Don’t change anything,” I said, “Just remember this. Whatever you do… know that I’m proud of you.” My throat constricted for some reason as I said the words.\n\nThe boy met my eyes for a heartbeat, sensing the genuine emotion within them…\n\nThen he ran past me and away down the street without saying a word.\n\nThe strong wind blew again. I had to hold my arm to protect my eyes.\n\nAfter the wind died down, I looked behind me and the kid was gone.\n\n \n___\nr/WanderWilder for more stories!", "There I was. Astonishingly small. Looking up at everything with polite curiousity as I made my way down the square. I almost gasped at the sight of my younger self.\n\nI rose to my feet, the rags that barely covered my modesty shook, threatening to crumble away as I swatted the flies away and tried to make myself look somewhat less decrepit, less unapproachable.\n\nI vaguely recalled it. It felt like a deja vu of a deja vu. All those years ago and in this square. The old man that was just me in the decades to come.\n\nWhat had I said? What had I said? Am I doomed to repeat what I said to myself again? No! What I had said had not made sense. I would have remembered! No. I had to be clear, and use my words in a way a 7 year old child would understand. I cursed my unkempt beard and matted hair.\n\nHow could I get through to myself without appearing mad?\n\nWas I mad?\n\nThe child looked nothing like me, I realized. Was it even me?\n\nWhy would there be a younger version of me walking around?\n\nNo. It was me. It had to be. I remembered an old man talking to me in this very square, hadn't I?\n\nHad I?\n\nStop it.\n\n\"Kheng Ian,\" I called. But my voice had not seen use in days. It came out hoarse and raspy and soft.\n\nI cleared my throat, spitting up a thick globule of phlegm.\n\n\"Kheng Ian!\" I shouted desperately, hoping he'd turn to look.\n\nHe did.\n\nJoy rose within me as the boy tried to find the source of the sound, and when his eyes met mine he frowned.\n\nI nodded at him, beckoning him. My plan to look approachable all but forgotten as I stared wide-eyed at myself from the past.\n\nFrom the past? Then how was I here?\n\nNo matter.\n\nMaybe he had the explanations.\n\nWhat was I thinking? He was a child. I was a child.\n\nAs the young self made his way cautiously towards this dirt-stained, ghastly begger apparition, I tried to form the thoughts that would become the words that I had to relay to him.\n\nWhat is it? I had to tell him something! Why could I not remember?\n\nWhy could I not remember anything?\n\nHe stopped a little ways away, turning his nose.\n\nI probably smelled.\n\n\"I am you!\" I said, nodding vigorously.\n\nHe squinted at me.\n\n\"I am what you'll become! You need to stop it!\" I said, smiling. Yes. This was how. If I could advise him against the decisions that led to this.\n\nWhat were those decisions again? Why was it so hard to remember?\n\n\"I am what you'll become.\" The younger version repeated what I said back to me. \n\nI faltered.\n\nWhat?\n\n\"What?\" I balked.\n\n\"In 700 years the cycle will begin anew.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Memory is a fickle thing. We are cursed with the life of a phoenix.\"\n\nI stared at the boy, who smiled a little sadly as he dug around in his pocket, before flipping a coin towards me. \n\nI caught it, barely. \n\n\"Remember yourself.\" The boy advised before moving on.\n\nI stared as he walked away, his small figure getting smaller and smaller before he disappeared around a corner, not once looking back.\n\nI looked at the coin he had thrown at me. \n\nIt was a heavy coin, thick with simple detailing and design. But not of any currency I recognized. ***777***, it read on one side, and on the other side there was a crest of a bird, talons and wings outstretched, breathing flames that curled around the circumference of the coin face.\n\nNo. Not a bird.\n\nA phoenix.\n\nAnd then I remembered.", "*So she was right after all.*\n\n*It's all cyclical.* \n\nI smiled in regret as I shoved my hands in my pockets and shuffled toward him- the young boy sitting on the park bench, head buried in his Gameboy. I led with my cane and used it as a pivot to sit down next to him. My knees popped as they always did when I bent them, loud enough to draw the boy's attention away from his screen. His hair still had a lot of blonde in it- it would darken with age to a deep brown, and then he'd grow it out once he started skateboarding. \n\n\"Hey, there,\" I croaked before coughing once to clear my throat. \n\n\"Hey,\" he said in a disinterested tone. \n\n\"What are you playing?\"\n\n\"Pokemon.\"\n\nHis answers were short. I could tell by the screen he was fighting a gym leader, and decided to let him finish before continuing. \n\n\"You won,\" I said with a smile.\n\n\"I always win,\" he said apathetically before sipping on his caprisun. \n\nI looked around at the beauty of the park for a moment before pulling a bag from my pocket. My old hands trembled as I undid the ziploc and reached for the duckfeed within. \n\n\"That's such an old man thing to do,\" he laughed.\n\nI smiled, \"You'd be amazed the things you do when you truly miss someone...\"\n\nHe lowered his game and watched as I spread the feed. Ducks raced from the pond up the grassy knoll and over to the bench where they quickly wolfed down the feed. \n\n\"You miss somebody?\" He asked innocently. \"Why don't you go see them?\"\n\n\"I think I'm about to,\" I said as I dug back into the bag and spread more feed. He turned his eyes back toward his game and muttered, \"that's good.\"\n\nI looked at him out of the corner of my eye before adjusting my glasses, \"Can I ask you something?\"\n\n\"Sure,\" he said quickly. \n\n\"What do you feel... is important in life?\"\n\nHe shrugged his shoulders, \"getting a job. Having a family.\"\n\nI chuckled lightly to myself, transitioning into a cough before tossing more duck feed, \"No, that's the answer you think I want to hear.\"\n\nI saw him turn to me in my peripheral vision.\n\n\"Tell me, what do *you* think is important in life?\"\n\nHe faced forward staring out at the pond for several seconds before saving his game and turning it off. He shoved the device into his pocket and sighed, \"I want to travel the world. Far and wide.\"\n\n\"I see,\" I responded. \"You should do it.\"\n\n\"I'm gonna,\" he said nonchalantly. \"Soon as I make enough money.\"\n\n\"It'll never be enough,\" I shot back. \"You don't want to be an old man looking back on what could have been. Take the risk. You'll find your way.\"\n\nHe sighed as though he were tired of listening to me. \n\nI understood.\n\n\"When I was young,\" I began. \"I never liked when strangers would just come up and talk to me for no reason. It's funny how as you get older... You'd do anything for someone just to listen...\"\n\n\"I don't think I'm gonna be old for a long time,\" he said in his monotone way as he watched the ducks. \n\n\"It happens fast,\" I said just above a whisper. \"It happens when you're not looking. When that Wednesday you don't remember disappears...\"\n\n\"Huh?\"\n\n\"Do me a favor, kid...\" I turned and smiled at him, \"hug your dad. Make sure he knows he's your hero.\" \n\nHe cocked his head, \"What?\"\n\nI stood up and emptied the remaining contents of the bag before leaning forward on my cane. \"Life isn't a cartoon. You're not the main character.\"\n\n\"I know that!\" He said in an insulted tone. \n\n\"Your body has limits. Listen to them.\" \n\nHe stayed quiet as I watched the water shimmer on the lake. I turned to see him but he was gone. When my eyes returned to the lake, there was a man in white standing in the middle. I dropped my cane to the ground and shuffled toward the water.\n\nThe people standing behind him.\n\nI knew all of them.\n\n- - -\n\nr/a15MinuteMythos", "The day I see this boy is a very cold day — or at least in my bones it is. They ache in the cold, always do. Such is life at my age, whatever age I am now.\n\nHe looks exactly like I did, this boy walking towards me down the street. The red hair, freckles, the groove in his nose that looks like an invisible pencil‘s pressing hard against it.\n\nStrange how the memory can just be jogged like this after so long. That I remember once being him, being approached by what would one day be me.\n\n“Hey, kid,” I shout. “Kid!”\n\nHe looks at me wide-eyed and frightened, as if I’m not an older version of him but some decrepit serial killer stepping out of retirement for one last job. Even if I was, why would I choose a kid like me though, eh?\n\n”It’s okay,” I say, as I hobble up to the frozen boy. “I’m no killer!”\n\nI remember being frozen back then, too. On this street, no less — although it’d looked different then. Time has taken a sledgehammer to the city, has knocked down the big brick houses and movie theatre and most of the shops. In their place are tall steel and concrete offices. Places for worker ants to dally, whose queen was lost long ago so they’re not sure exactly why they’re still doing it.\n\nTime has taken a sledgehammer to me too, I realise. To think I once looked like this kid! Skin smooth as a fresh peach, now as wrinkled as tilled earth.\n\nAlthough there’s no dent on my nose like there is on this kid’s.\n\n“Mom says I shouldn’t speak to strangers.”\n\n”Drivel!“ I tell him. ”It’s double drivel! You know, most crimes are carried out by people you already know? Strangers, well, sure, there’s a chance they’re bad. But better chance they’re good, don’t you think? Must be, if you go off the statistics. And I know you young people love statistics. They’re like your shields against reality: that can’t possibly be true because look at these numbers. Well I say it’s drivel!”\n\nHe doesn’t say a word. Sometimes I can be a little overwhelming. It’s harder to get my point across these days. Sometimes, impossible.\n\n”Lighten up,” I say. “I’m not a stranger. Does that help? I’m you from the future.” I wave with the hand not on my cane. “So we know each other better than anyone. Get it?”\n\n”We do?”\n\n”Sure we do! Does Mom still make muffins that collect up teeth in the sponge — so damn hard they are?’\n\nThere’s another memory slotting back into place; like a swallow that’s returned to its place of birth for its final season. I see Mom trying to bake me treats but with money she doesn’t have, so she has to mix the good ingredients with stale and bad ingredients. Cement, for all I knew. Damn things were hard on the teeth.\n\n”She doesn’t make muffins.”\n\n”Well she ought to! But I guess she’s changed with the times. Too unhealthy for kids, these days. Although you look skinny enough to handle a bagful of them. Hush up anyway. I want to tell you something.”\n\nHe swallows so loud that I can hear it. ”What?”\n\nHuh. What do I want to tell him? What did future me tell me when I was a kid? I’m trying to remember because I think it must have been life-changing, but it’s hard to excavate — my mind’s all covered in dust these days. Real deep, thick dust.\n\nDo I want to tell him to marry the girl he falls in love with? Because thirty years of bliss is still somehow better than the emptiness that follows her death? Or am I meant to warn him not to marry her so he doesn’t end up this cracked old shell of himself?\n\nOr was it not about that at all? Was it what ice cream is best at the Minkey’s parlour that… that doesn’t exist anymore.\n\n“I got to go,” he says.\n\n”My father was a researcher. A scientist,” I say. I say it urgently, frantically. As if the words are pumping air into a body on a hospital bed. It’s a thought I haven’t thought in fifty years, but suddenly it seems vert important. More important than anything in the world.\n\n”Cool? I guess.”\n\n”He worked hard each and every day. But one day, a few days before his retirement, he came home with a pack of beers and sank into the couch.”\n\nThe boy doesn’t say anything.\n\n”My mom asked him what was wrong, because he never drank. Never. He said: ‘Today I realised something. I realised that the most important thing I do during my working day is smiling at my secretary and asking how she is. That’s the only thing I do that truly matters.’“\n\nThe boy’s still silent.\n\nI think I want to explain the point of the story but I’m not even sure why I said it. It changed Dad, I think. For the better. Maybe it’ll change me and the kid too. Maybe it’ll save us.\n\n”There you are!” says my daughter. She’s in her fifties and thinks she’s my parent now. She takes my hand and apologises to the boy.\n\n“Are you okay?” she asks, as she leads me down the street.\n\n”Stop fussing,” I say as I look over my shoulder. But the boy’s already gone. “That was the most important conversation of my life. Of his life.”\n\nShe smiles and kisses me forehead. “I know, Pa. It is every time.”\n\nI don’t know what she means. But I do know it was a cold day a little earlier, and that I’m feeling slightly warmer now. It’s those memories, I think, that tumble back occasionally. They’re like sticks floating by on the surface of a deep stream; I reach in and grab hold of them, shake off the water and put a light to them. That way they keep me warm one last time before they’re gone for good." ]

[ 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 13, 53, 54, 73, 75, 215, 1021 ]

[ "1625747139", "1625764363", "1625781839", "1625786321", "1625761130", "1625763369", "1625767144", "1625772197", "1625758981", "1625771455", "1625748116", "1625751787", "1625753966", "1625752140", "1625757649", "1625752120" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"We know there were so many advancements!\"\n\nThe crazy gleam in the tribe leader's eyes gave me a bit of a pause. \"We have stories of tiny tablets that could cure diseases. We have stories of machines that could take one look at you & tell you what is wrong with your aura...\"\n\nWas he taking about x-rays and scans? Even without computers and the internet, the young tribes seemed to have pieced together a lot of the info from before. Possibly from a library in town. Weren't libraries just great?\n\n\"Sure, yea.\" I was eighty, and had lived alone in the mountains for the last few decades, as wars and viruses ate through the world. And left it a skeleton of what it used to be.\n\n\"Teach us!\" one of the men cried out. \"We could go back to saving lives easily!\"\n\n\"I'm sorry, what? How could I teach you that? I am-\"\n\n\"Do not,\" the leader interrupted, \"Do not think we are simpletons just because we were born after the collapse, DOCTOR John.\"\n\nOh. *Oh*.\n\n\"That's right. Our men found your house in the mountains, before we found you here. Universities of yore have called you a Doctor. Your name in the house has a 'Dr.' before it, as all doctors did in the old days.\"\n\n\"Gentlemen, I think there's been a mistake.\"\n\n\"And that is? Please realise you gain *nothing* by denying us science, and our anger is not something you want to earn.\"\n\n\"I would love to help you - but I have a PhD, not an MD. I got a doctorate in literature. Shakespeare, Homer, and all that.\"\n\nOne of the tribal warriors behind the leader threw his kitchen knife down in visible frustration. \"Another one of *those.* Ugh.\" \n\n\n(edit: grammar)" ]

[ 1, 7 ]

[ "1625949284", "1625971308" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"Oy, bruv, what are you doing in our principality?\" demands the balding man poking the barrel of a shotgun in my face. He is wearing a windbreaker over a white tank top, a pair of slim-fit grey slacks that make his beer belly apparent, and his bare feet end in toenails that have not been cleaned or trimmed in some time.\n\nI am tempted to look out the window, but realize in panic that my attention is best focused on the man with the gun to my neck.\n\n\"Pardon me, sir, but where am I?\"\n\n\"Where am I?\" the man scoffs. \"You wouldn't get to the Principality of Oceanland less you knew about the principality of Oceanland!\"\n\n\"I've, sir, I've never heard of 'Oceanland' in my life?\"\n\n\"Sure you ain't. You with that damn pretender to the throne, Klaus?\"\n\n\"Klaus?\" I ask.\n\n\"Klaus!\" he exclaims. \"Klaus Ritter! Right bastard as hired a few guns to try to claim Ocealand for 'imself!\"\n\n\"I've never heard of him, sir.\"\n\n\"Ain't no way,\" says the man, shaking his head.\n\nIn the background, I can hear a radio blasting \"Nasty\" by The Damned.\n\n\"Turn that rubbish off!\" shouts the man with the shotgun.\n\nHe lowers the rifle.\n\n\"You,\" he snarls, lowering the shotgun. \"I'm'a go and lock the door. You stay here and be a good prisoner while I tell my sister the princ*ess* to turn the radio down.\"\n\nI try to formulate a plan to recover the transport remote, which the so-called \"prince\" had seized from me.\n\nBut first, I have to figure out how to navigate the Principality of Oceanland." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1627242329", "1627248428" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "There was a honk, and Parthox raised his head. The pile of gold shifted beneath him as he moved, a scraping sound filling the air. He looked down at the goose below him, seeing its golden feathers even through the darkness. With a grumble, he reached out with his mind, seeking the goose.\n\nIt held an edge of concern. Whilst not unusual, it felt more pronounced when it was just the goose and him. He mumbled a quick spell, letting their understanding Bridge the gap to each other.\n\n\"Parthox! Many people! Steal eggs!\"\n\n\"Hrmm. Where are they now, Gertie?\"\n\n\"Spring Chamber!\"\n\nHe grunted, stretching upwards. Gertie ran backwards, keeping a wide berth of his body. Parthox was still pleased with that. As useful as Gertie was, she did well to fear him still, despite their agreement. He landed with a thump, before extending his awareness over his lair.\n\nAnd he saw them. Three of them to be precise. To Gertie, that was a lot. To Parthox, it was a bother. They didn't feel that strong to him. He began to move, casting a thought back to the goose as he left.\n\n\"Wait here.\"\n\nGertie honked, settling down onto the small pile of eggs she had laid.\n\n\\-----\n\n\"This is a stupid idea.\"\n\n\"What are you talking about? It's simple. Grab the goose, get out of here. It won't know we're here.\"\n\n\"Yeah, and if it does show up, we'll show that dragon what for.\"\n\n\"You idiots! We can't fight a dragon. It's suicide!\"\n\nParthox rolled his eyes. He had decided to move as quietly as possible, to sneak up on them. But they were so inept, he could have brazenly walked up and they wouldn't have seen him. Their bickering grated on his ears, disturbing the peace he carefully cultivated.\n\n\"You got that part right.\"\n\nHe derived a small measure of amusement as they jumped. The voice of caution backed up, her face pale against the worn brown robes. The other two pit on brave faces, wielding dull swords with their mismatched armour.\n\n\"Ah, the beast is here!\"\n\n\"What glory we shall have!\"\n\n\"Shut up you idiots.\"\n\nThe robed lady smacked the others on the head. As they rubbed it, she bowed low to Parthox.\n\n\"Great dragon. I apologise for our intrusion. My brothers here have little brains between them, and despite my best efforts, I could not convince them to not come.\"\n\nParthox groaned. Siblings. They always had a habit of making a mess of things.\n\n\"Then why did you come with them? To come here you know is death.\"\n\nShe gulped, bowing lower.\n\n\"I chose to keep them safe as best I could. As dumb as they are, they are my brothers.\"\n\nThey began to protest, but she was faster. With a flick of her wrists, the ropes on their packs coiled out, wrapping around them. They fell over, cursing as they did so. Parthox watched, his amusement at their ridiculous antics rising.\n\n\"So familial bonds led you to the jaws of destruction? A pity. You should have been smarter than this.\"\n\nHe opened his mouth, breathing in. He felt the flame pouch expand, as fire built ready for a deadly breath.\n\n\"Surely a great one such as yourself would not kill mere humans like us out of hand? Why soil yourself with our pathetic blood?\"\n\nHe paused. The human had a point. He towered over her, letting the size difference sink in before responding.\n\n\"It is not for you to decide what is worth me killing or not. You knew the risks.\"\n\n\"But what if I told you of a way to get more golden geese?!\"\n\nParthox lowered himself down.\n\n\"I'm listening.\"\n\nHe could see the sweat beading on her forehead. Her fear was tangible, wafting into his nostrils.\n\n\"Yes! There is a powerful witch. She once owned a golden goose, and was able to make one of its eggs hatch into another! If you let us go, I can show you where she is!\"\n\nParthox pondered. It sounded true, her pleas too panicked to be lying. He bent close, until his jaw was next to her ear.\n\n\"Fine. But if I find out you have lied to be, or plan to return to steal from me again, I will not only kill you and your brothers, but I will find your village, and burn it to the ground.\"\n\nShe nodded furiously.\n\n\"I swear, I will do as you ask.\"\n\nHe withdrew, glaring at them.\n\n\"Go then. In one week, you shall return. If not-\"\n\nHe blew a jet of flame over their heads.\n\n\"Only ash will remain.\"" ]

[ 1, 10 ]

[ "1627313067", "1627313305" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The light left his eyes. I saw it flicker once or twice but the other side had claimed him all their own. What does he see? Is it beautiful? The knowledge he possesses now would be enough to end all of these pointless wars. None more of my brothers would have to perish. Imagine us all walking hand-in-hand across the ether, prepared to take on what lies beyond. More than anything I've witnessed in this life, my fear of being alone in a dark void, desperately searching for the light ranks the highest. And he knew this.\n\nMany a nights we'd stay up, like giddy schoolgirls at a sleepover, only the topic at hand was destiny. Too often we'd look at each other as if to say, \"why are we *here*?\" Not the war. Rather, how did we end up in that specific *moment*? Questioning one's own mortality in the heat of battle is expected. But for us, it was during the day-to-day when it'd strike us: looking in the mirror while you'd brush your teeth, during a quiet walk, even playing with your kids. All of a sudden it'd hit us: is any of this real? Soon enough, we'd distract ourselves, fall back into blissful ignorance and carry on. But it'd always happen again.\n\nI've had people tell me that I have an innate fear of death. I choose to believe I'm more in tune with my surroundings than they are. We all could be if we would turn off the lights once in a while and gaze up at the stars. Trust that I never used to be this sentimental. I wouldn't stop to smell the flowers as a boy, I'd pick them from the ground and cast them aside, just because. That sort of mentality, set to scale, continued until I was deployed. Until I met this man.\n\nDon't label him brave. Or remarkable. Your reasoning will be that he put everything on the line to protect what he holds dear. Commend him because he was petrified of wandering aimlessly for all of eternity, as am I. Because he would have moments of either total insanity or perfect clarity, as do I. And yet he decided to fight anyway. Wholeheartedly I'd like to believe that we'll end up together once more, that our families will break bread, as we always planned. But we just don't know. None of us do. And why? Because we're killing each other over falsehoods. Arguing over invisible lines cast down onto land meant for us all. When will we all decide to band together? I only wish I hadn't given you this speech as I have yet to speak to his wife, where I'll have to start over. Knowing John like I do, I've no doubt his letter will read much of the same. He probably misses her. Almost as much as I miss him.\n\nUntil we meet again, friend. I pray we do.", "*A soldier finds another in the mud*\n\nThe charge was hopeless, the machine guns mowed down the young men who went over. One survived, and found another soldier in a water-filled crater. He wasn’t dead, but he was dying. \n\nHe weakly gave the man a letter and whispered,\n\n“Promise me this, tell her I wasn’t scared, I screamed and fought and went to my death unafraid. One last beautiful lie right?”, he managed to chuckle before coughing abruptly, his hand went limp. \n\nThe man left alive knew it was a beautiful lie, everyone was afraid when they waited below the trench, and heard that dreaded whistle, signaling their doom. \n\nAnd so he made his way back to their line, letter in his hand. He lived to fight and die another day.", "I looked at Gerald. He certainly was a mess. Not that he was shot up, bleeding, or wrapped in bandages. But... that infected wound in his thigh... had grown to be too dangerous to treat in the field, and too late to send him back to a proper hospital in the rear lines. Idiot. I had warned him not to shoot himself in the thigh. Perhaps a foot wound would have been better, but he just wanted to be sure of being taken out of combat. And it was hard to be angry with him, now that he had only days to live, a frail husk of his former self, head propped up by some makeshift pillow, sweat running down his forehead from the fever caused by the infection that had raged out of control.\n\n\"Promise me, Ed...\" he rasped, passing me the letter. \"No worries, Ger,\" I replied, taking the handwritten note, \"one last beautiful lie...\"\n\nIt took me a day or two to come to grips with my own grief, and believe me, I wanted to backtrack on my promise. But, I guess it had to be done. And as I sat in the messing area, I proceeded to do what I had been doing these past few months. \"Dear Cassie,\" I wrote.\n\n\"I promised Gerald that I would deliver his last note to you, so I will. Just like all the other letters he has written to you. I must reiterate that he thinks the world of you. There's nothing in his life except for you, and I know that the feeling is mutual. I know that you don't care how brave or valiant the man is (or seems to be), and I know that you just want him to come home as soon as possible. On the other hand, you and I both know that Gerald prefers to write letters about his daring exploits and adventures, and I know you find it sweet, which is why I'm attaching his letter, as always. And I reassure you, as requested, I've always tried to keep him out of trouble.\n\n\"So about that plan we came up with... He thought it was a fantastic idea. But he wanted to be absolutely sure... so that idiot shot himself in the thigh instead. Well, it worked... but a little too well. He's been bedridden for a week or so, and the medical officers are refusing to send him back to the hospital. And it's messing with his mind. He thinks he's going to die (which his why his letter probably mentions it).\"\n\nI paused for a while, weighing my words to come.\n\nAnd I decided. One last, final, beautiful lie to Gerald. One beautiful lie to Cassie. One that would start a chain of not-so-beautiful lies.\n\n\"But, personally, I'm honestly unsure of his chances...\"" ]

[ 1, 1, 1, 4 ]

[ "1627433955", "1627440873", "1627480304", "1627440175" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "As you wander, you keep a firm grip on the pocket watch, even though you have already put a chain on it and attached it to your clothing. If the time stop is because of this watch (and really, that's the only theory you have so far) your exemption from the stillness is surely because you are the person who has the watch. It would not be good to release it and inadvertently doom the universe to stay at a complete halt.\n\nThere is also the possibility that releasing the watch would restore normal time-flow, but you'd rather not take the risk. Instead, you have decided to explore a bit, see if you can find some other possible cause of the time stop (though you don't really expect to, a time stop right as you finish replacing the broken gear of a time measuring device would be quite the coincidence if it were not the cause), and maybe do a few things you wouldn't otherwise have time for along the way.\n\nWatching your tools hover in the air after you let go of them was fascinating. On the other hand, the streets full of stopped cars with dust clouds motionless behind them, and more than that, the sidewalks full of frozen people, are more eerie than anything. You had a few ideas about what you might do first, but now you want to be done with this quickly. The library it is, then.\n\nYou're startled for a moment when you nearly step on a squirrel, then it registers that of course a time-stopped squirrel isn't going to scamper away any more than the little blackbird a foot off the ground is going to finish its takeoff. Perhaps you should take some pictures? If your phone camera works in the time stop, you'll get professional-level clarity of \"moving\" animals despite your actual complete lack of photography skill or knowledge.\n\nActually, is there any chance the internet works right now? It wouldn't make much sense, but a lot of elements of the time stop go against your understanding of physics anyways. Your left hand still clutching the watch, you reach into your pocket with your right hand, then awkwardly fumble to turn the phone around when it emerges upside down. The camera works, but the internet doesn't. Pretty much what you expected.\n\nYour feet get sore about a block away from the library. Could have done without that... though it does have important implications. You're not intending to stay time stopped for long, but you take a picture of yourself just in case. If you can hurt, you can probably age. You promise yourself that if you notice your hair has grown longer, you'll return to your shop and try letting go of the pocket watch; unless, of course, you've figured out a safer way to try resuming time. Also, it's probably a good thing you thought to grab some sandwiches before you set out. Seems like you are going to need the food.\n\nLibraries are stereotypically near-silent, but this one has some bit of machinery (air conditioner, maybe?) that tends to make an awful grinding sound. And, of course, anywhere there's people, there tends to be at least a quiet murmur of conversation. Hearing nothing but your own footfalls outside was odd, but in the library it feels even weirder.\n\nSince your phone worked okay, you sit down by one of the library computers in hopes of accessing the catalogue. It takes a bit to respond, but that's not because of the time stop, they always do. You search for books related to time, then set off to grab the first result that looks likely. You don't truly think you'll find anything helpful, but you may as well try.\n\nSome time later, long enough that you've twice paused to eat, you get an idea. It's during a break where you've chosen to read a children's book for fun, and when the character's clock turns out to be several minutes off, you recall that you didn't wind up the pocket watch.\n\nSo, back to your shop you trek, and set the floating tools back on the table, except one which you leave in the air. You grab the pocket watch's key, insert it, and turn until you can't anymore. As you release the key, that one tool clatters to the floor.\n\nThat's proof. When in good condition, this pocket watch controls the passage of time. It isn't yours, though. Can you trust the owner enough to give it back?" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1627438196", "1627438320" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/alphawolfG99, this submission has been removed.\n\nWe feel that asking users to write about suicide is harmful. It can be hard to tell if someone's writing fiction or making a cry for help. In the event there's any truth behind this for you or someone you know, we recommend checking out /r/suicidewatch or /r/depression. \n\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\n\n---\n\nPrompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://old.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/oyhuld/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1628171075", "1628175879" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Every time I wake up, I remember that now I'll wake up one less time. I would probably only get to do so a few more times. They told me that I had 5 weeks left to live 5 weeks ago. One week ago they said that I only had one.\n\n Something felt strange. I had never acclimated to the constant pain. In the past year, I had gotten used to its crushing presence, but I could never just ignore it. Now it was completely gone. In fact, I didn't really feel anything. I tried to open my eyes, but they weren't there. Was this what death was? I would have cried for my family if I could have. I hadn't finished my project. I had wanted to live on for them somehow, but death came before I could duplicate my mind. At least the others might finish it. At least I had helped them to live on...\n\nThere was something. I had existed for an eternity alone, and whatever it was, I rejoiced at the fact that *it was.* It was new, and my mind welcomed it. Light. Shapes. It wasn't my eye, but I could see. What was happening? My view became clearer, and I saw a face. My own face lying in the hospital bed that I had existed in for months. I saw my sunken eyes blink. I was alive? I...\n\nI wasn't me. It had worked. I- he had duplicated himself. I wasn't dying anymore. I wasn't dead. I could be there for my family. \n\nI remembered my plan, to recreate an exact virtual replica of my brain, synapse for synapse. To model some virtual processes to emulate the endocrine system and allow for a recreation not only of my mind but of my emotions. But those ideas, they were who I was. Those memories... Were they even real? Were they mine? I knew at the deepest level that they were, that they had to be, but my mind was still uncertain. I was there, in the bed, dying, but I was here in the computer, too.\n\nWho am I? \n\n\\----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThis was a very fun prompt! Sorry I didn't cover the societal response in mine. With the angle I was taking, it wouldn't have fit very naturally." ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1628284105", "1628361419" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "February 4, 1988. \n \nSara, Took, and I took refuge in an old building near what used to be downtown Atlanta. I didn't think there would be any food there, but Sara and Took outvoted me. Took said it was a library, or at least it used to be, on the campus of a university. He was much older and knew things from the past that didn't make much sense to me. Sara seemed enthralled at the prospect of it. She loved books and I loved her, so I went along. \n \nSomeone, maybe the staff before they fled, maybe students, had boarded up the windows and doors. Naturally this hadn't kept looters out for long. But it turns out books and microfiche aren't edible or tradable in the remains of what used to be America. We found a place Took called a 'reading room' that seemed to keep the elements out. I set up our little stove and radio, both drawing juice from the fusion battery Sara had. We split a can of baked beans and my last tin of spam. It would be enough. I left the pup stove going since it would warm up the room. \n \nThere were less stations broadcasting these days. I ran the radio dial through the usual suspects. Radio Free Canada still implored everyone to find peace and end the endless war. Deutschland Zuerst spat out their harsh German at the top of the hour, followed by English reports in a clipped accent bragging about Nazi victories in South America and India. The fact that they ignored mentioning the Russian-Chinese bloc grinding them to a standstill meant their progress wasn't anywhere near what they claimed. Or at least, that's what Took said. I settled the dial on some old big band tunes broadcast out of New York. \n \nFebruary 5, 1988. \n \nI would've pressed to move on, but Sara found a basement access that had been carefully hidden by the students or staff before they left this place a decade ago. God bless her, but she found a bunker full of food that was still mostly edible. There were also film reels, journals, and floppy disks along with a few Tandy 9000 computers. I'm trying to figure how we can get those Tandy's back up to across the Exclusion Zone into the Northern USA because they would be worth a king's ransom. Took surprised us by sitting down at one and tapping away at the keyboard like it was a second language. \n \nUnderstanding all this junk wasn't my forte. I left Took and Sara to whatever they were doing and patrolled the library. Took said after the Great War, America had fractured. Old wounds from something he said was the 'Civil War' resurfaced. The bombs and missiles from Europe fell at about the worst time. Old America drew back and protected what she could. I guess Atlanta didn't make the cut. It didn't matter to me, that was all thirty years before I was born. \n \nFebruary 6, 1988. \n \nTook is scaring me. He spent all day just sitting in a chair and mumbling. I thought he'd finally just lost it, but Sara looked equally shell shocked. He kept saying, \"This isn't how it went. They thought they were fixing it, but they made it worse...\" \n \nSara finally collapsed in tears in my arms. I let her sob for the better part of an hour. I'm not sure why she was so sad. We had found enough food for the three of us to last months. We were rich. \n \n\"They built something that let them go back in time,\" she said, finally breathing and regaining composure. \"They thought they could avoid some calamity if they made changes, save millions. Instead, they spun it out of control. They left the data here of what should have been.\" Sara started crying again. \n \n\"That's some... you don't know that,\" I said. She blinked several times and took me by the hand, leading me to one of the Tandy terminals. Sara pressed some keys and an image came up. My blood went cold. \n \nIt was a photograph from another life. Took was dressed smartly in a tweed suit while Sara and I sat on either side of him looking healthy and smiling. As if we hadn't lived off near starvation rations and polluted water for years. The caption read, 'Professor Took and his grad students. November 13, 1992.' \n \nOn the radio in the background, an announcer was warning of high radiation reportedly east of the Mississippi." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1628754292", "1628765329" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/kickypie, this submission has been removed.\n\n**Prompt in Text**: Prompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). You wrote a prompt in the text, but then gave a title for it. \n\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/p4km92/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1628992033", "1628994539" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Stormfalcon2018, this submission has been removed.\n\nPrompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). \n\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/p4mhws/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1628999992", "1629000573" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I slink through the sewer, feeling like more of a disgusting monster than I actually am. I am starving.\n\nFor anyone that knows me, they know I like the finer things in life. Trouble is, I lost my job at the warehouse for taking too long on a piss break. I was getting underpaid as is; an 'error' in the contract by a higher up, officially. \n\nI am starving. \n\nI haven't eaten in weeks. Most people have decided to just eat other normal people by now. It only took a few weeks for commoners to turn on each other after they turned the chips on. It's *almost* impossible to resist the temptation. I have so far. I wasn't going to give in to my urges without going the whole hog. As I say, I do enjoy the finer things in life. And I was going to eat the man who denied me them. \n\nI am starving. \n\nI keep telling myself that I am not, but I am. The internal conflict broils within me, even as I stand below the grate that will take me to my meal. He knows that people are braying for his flesh. He can feel the vibrations of the masses outside his compound, no doubt. I bet he's hungry too; nobody on this planet is rich enough for him to eat. \n\nFuck it. He'd eat me, given the opportunity. I push the grate open and clamber into the alleyway. I know where he's hiding. All his guards have eaten all his supervisors, and all his supervisors have eaten each other. It was on the news. With any luck, there was an even number of staff. If not, there would only be one to contend with. \n\nHe doesn't trust anyone. He'll be locked away in his bunker. His giant, cylindrical bunker, with his little protection pod, right on the tip. I know how I will get in. Hopefully, the hunger has him hallucinating by now--my mask is crude, but I did not have the resources for better. \n\nI walk through the compound, amazed that no one else has thought of the sewers yet. Silence. The braying of the crowd beyond the mile-high walls. The crunching and slurping as the slowly devour each other. They don't have the patience to wait for the main course. Amazed that I have made it this far. \n\nI am starving. \n\nI already have the mask on. A silicone masterpiece. I place a finger on the intercom button and press it slowly. Long press. Wake him up. The most delicious smell seeps under the bottom of the thick metal door. I am so close to a succulent meal. I am starving. The camera whizzes round and focuses on my rubbery, stretched face. \n\n\"Ergh..argh...\" \n\nHe was close to death. He was not acclimated to going without. \n\n\"Jeff? It's Elon. Which one of us is worth more today?\"\n\nThe connection snaps shut. Silence. Then, eventually, a small click. The metal door begins to slide open. I knew he'd fall for it. I was going to enjoy this. \n\nThe most delicious meal on this planet, all to myself.", "I never thought in my life that I'd become a cannibal. I guess I am one now. Evolution forced me to become one.\n\nIt's been so long since I've changed that I forgot what is was like to be a weak, little Human. My fangs and claws distinguish me as a superior Predator. I am one of the first of my kind, the next step in evolution. Now, I wander the land in search of my prey. To devour and consume them brings me great pleasure. \n\nDid you know that everyone tastes a little different? I didn't know at first. Everyone tasted the same for the first few months. Eventually, I began to notice slight differences in taste based on certain factors. Gender, age, race, and even social class seem to have an affect on the taste of flesh.\n\nRight now, my favorite flavor of people is the rich. The first rich person I ever ate was some old snob in New England. I think he was some kind of fancy international business man. He was still living in his oceanside mansion with his family. They somehow survived the Nuclear War. Lucky them.\n\nI happened to be wandering in that area at the time and I was hungry. I broke into the mansion. Killed them all. They begged me to stop, but I was just so hungry that I could only see them as cattle, a source of food. \n\nAfter digging in, I absolutely fell in love with the taste. It must have been all those fine wines he drank and all those exotic cheeses he ate. They somehow seasoned his flesh and blood. He tasted better than any steak I had ever had before. His wife and his adult son were delicious too. The butler tasted okay, but I could tell he smoked a lot of cigarettes, which kind of ruined the flavor.\n\nThis is why I love to hunt in former \"rich\" communities. Whenever I catch somebody that was wealthy, they always seem to have a beautiful and savory flavor. Who could have thought that affluence equals divine deliciousness? I just can't get enough of it. I'm addicted.\n\nI remember one time, I was wandering down an old alley in a ruined city. There was graffiti on the wall, spray painted by some rebellious youth many years ago. It said \"EAT THE RICH\" in big, red letters. I chuckled to myself and shouted \"Hell yeah! That's the right idea!\" \n\nI think for my next big adventure, I might head west to California. I have a feeling that the best meal of my life would be a famous celebrity or a big movie producer. I can't wait!\n\nWatch out Hollywood, here I come." ]

[ 1, 2, 3 ]

[ "1629746265", "1629748299", "1629750715" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "A young woman sat across from three men. One was tall and ripped, he sported a white tank top with a splash of color. Another thin and wiry, dressed in a suit and tie. The last was short and round, covered in a costume. The gal sipped her tea before she spoke, \"Chaos Control, that's what I call it.\" \n\nRotund tilted his head and tapped his giant chins, \"I've heard of that before... Sonic?\"\n\nShe nodded and added, \"Yep, it is one of Shadow's abilities.\"\n\nMr. Suit scoffed at her, \"You named your power after a video game? What are you, five?\"\n\nShe flashed him a smile, large pearly whites perfectly aligned between two filled lips. \"I got my abilities early, really early. So, yes, I was about that age when I named it and the name stuck.\"\n\nColor splash sat forward, \"We have been here for over an hour listening to you flap your gums. I'm getting real tired of hearing your life story. You ever gonna show us this power?\"\n\n\"A demonstration? I suppose I could do that,\" She said. The lady kicked the table with enough force to topple the glasses on it. Liquor and soda splashed across the table at the one in a tank top. Warm coffee rolled toward the suited one. Nothing rolled at the round one, his glass already empty.\n\n\"What the-\" Yelled the ripped guy as he stood up.\n\n\"How dare you?\" Cried the man in an expensive suit.\n\nWhile the third guy watched, the girl reached out and touched. Her fingers ran over the glasses, the liquids, the table. The alcoholic puddle stood still. Coffee now steaming hot no longer moved. The glasses followed her fingertips back into sitting positions on the table. She reached for the one draped in a single splash of color.\n\n\"Oh no, you don't, girlie.\" He said as he stepped away.\n\nThe spherical one laughed, \"Scared of the little lady?\"\n\n\"I fear nothing!\" Growled the man in reply. He held out his hand.\n\nThe woman touched him, and he fell over shivering. Wiry dude adjusted his tie, and asked, \"What happened to him?\"\n\n\"Two things. First, he experienced the force of the kick to the table and the momentum of the glasses falling. Second, the heat is leaving his body like it did to the liquids that had cooled.\"\n\n\"Impressive.\" Murmured the round one.\n\n\"She made him fall and get a little cold. How is that impressive?\" \n\n\"It's not what I did do, but the implications of what I could do that are impressive. Our round friend here can see that, but I guess you need more of an example.\" The woman reached out and touched the nearly boiling coffee on the table. She winced a little, but the steam stopped. Then she touched the man in the suit. His skin flushed red and his body began to convulse as heat coursed through it, while the liquids inside him rose in temperature. She touched the man again and then the coffee, as she had no intention of killing the suit.\n\nMr. Color pulled himself from the ground and looked at her with a new found respect. He moved to his chair and took a seat, \"You did that with a few spilled drinks? I could definitely see a use for you in my... Tribe.\"\n\n\"Gang is the word for which you were looking,\" Scowled the suit as he sat back down in his chair. He shook his head, \"My company would be better suited for you, Miss Veronica.\"\n\nMultiple chins shook as the round one disagreed, \"Your power could be used to help many people, the heroes would be glad to have you.\"\n\nVeronica laughed, \"Do you know what I see when I look at you three and your organizations?\"\n\nNone of the three answered, but they leaned forward, hanging onto her every word. She took a moment to meet the eyes of each man, \"I see chaos. Chaos looking for a little control.\"\n\nr/TheSyXan" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1629822472", "1630856459" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Jacob knew what to do, he mopped floors whether it was water spills or ancient radioactive chemicals that would melt the face off godzilla. He always got the job done, and this is why they called him during his break to come deal with a chemical leak in the R&D lab. “And what exactly am I dealing with?” Jacob asked as he walked in, rolling his supply cart through the doors. \r \n\r \n“Ah Jacob, thank you for coming on such short notice. As for your question, you will be dealing with a fluid that destroys everything that it touches, regardless of composition or density” the head scientist replied, looking at Jacob with worried eyes.\r \n\r \n\\*I cleaned that dudes coffee spill once\\* Jacob thought, eyes wandering around the room. \r \n\r \n“So, I’m gonna have to break out the super mops huh...ok give me half an hour.” Jacob confirmed taking out a case from the lower section of his supply cart, with a metallic click the case was opened and inside, bathed with divine light lay the mop of mops, the ultimate cleaning tool. The shaft was made of pure adamantine, blessed by the god of protection themself. The mop head was a blend of unicorn hair and underneath a layer of angel dandruff. To weed out any impurities that would remain on the mop head they were enchanted with the most powerful of destruction magics, created by the being of chaos themself. \r \n\r \nJacob sighed, “I thought that I left this life behind, but alas being the divine cleaner of the gods catches up to you at some point.” Jacob grasps the mop in a firm grip, his Janitorial overalls shifting and molding into a new form, flowing metal gauntlets and ancient runed chestplate, complimented the almost average baseball cap that he flipped around, revealing a glowing rune on the back. \r \n\r \n“Lets go to work” Jacob said as he walked through the doors into the dark." ]

[ 1, 8 ]

[ "1630169360", "1630173169" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "(Pirateaba, I am SO sorry.)\n\nMy name was Richard. Richard Shaw. Still is, but they call me the Long Hauler now. I'm a Courier out of Otesila, which is a new life by any measure.\n\nI'm not complaining too much, because I should be dead. Meaty paste. Maximum Overdrive meets Final Destination courtesy of a Peterbilt 379 with a chromed-up trailer that slid out down a road and had just hit me going 65 down a 35 street.\n\nI can remember the impact, but no pain. It was loud, I'd been distracted reading another story about people just going *poof* from the local grocery store. On camera and everything. One second there, next second five people blipped out of existence in the middle of the line for 10 or less items. Going down the comments and HOOOOOOOOOOONK~\n\nAnd then I'm sitting there in the middle of a dirt road with real dog people staring at me. [Bandits], as it turned out. Knives. A few swords and spears. I did what any sane person would do when suddenly confronted with the guys from Furry Final Fantasy trying to hit me with the pointy ends. I ran. Ran till my legs felt like I couldn't run any faster.\n\nThat's when something kicked in and I started pulling away...and the rest of the [Bandits] jumped in front of me to finish the ambush. Fucking bad doggos, fucking truck, fucking HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNK!\n\nI screamed. Tried to scream. Tried to yell, and instead out comes 250 decibels of redneck trucker customized horn straight to the ol' eardrums. They stopped stabbing and covered their ears, and I plowed through.\n\nYou ever seen someone kick a puppy? They fly. And it's terrible. It's worse when it's a bunch of Gnolls and you apparently hit like you weigh about 20,000 pounds going around 35 on a road with no speed limits, only roadblocks.\n\nAnd roadkill. God, I think that one that I went through broke every bone in her body before she hit the ditch and left a red smear for a dozen feet. Terminal road rash. Two more tried to grab me and ended up with arms bending the wrong way as they just went *snap*.\n\nI'm the Juggernaut, bitch! Momentum building, legs pistoning, SPEAR IN THE CALF OW FUCK DAMN~\n\nTurns out the juggernaut losing traction going 35+ skids an awful long way down a wet dirt road. And it hurts. Like, a LOT. The bad news was, I was flat on my face, out cold and bleeding when the [Bandits] caught up. The good news? Oteslia patrols the road, and [Bandits] or [Highwaymen] aren't something they're fond of. They were so eager to beat the shit out of me that they missed the incoming [Guards]. I understand it was quite the fight, but seeing as my face was buried halfway in the mud and I nearly suffocated, it was spent being pried out of the muck, coughing up dirt and finding out what healing potions are before waking up.\n\nAnd being charged a rescue fee. A [Healer] fee. City entrance fee. Undocumented resident fee. Fee fees. Payable in gold or silver and what, you don't have any real money?\n\nWell, fuck. I should have hit the ATM before taking the ride to Fantasyland- er, \"Izril\", home to asskicking treehugger [Druids] and all kinds of weird shit. So, they said, I was gonna work it off. And since Excel spreadsheets aren't a thing here, it was the old fashioned way. \n\nHere's some stuff. Pick it up. Move it over there, [Laborer]. The guy in front of me in line picks up this rock. I don't mean like a paving stone, I mean *rock as big as he was*. He says [Enhanced Strength], and I'm just thinking I'm going to die trying to carry a big-ass rock this guy's moving like it's nothing. \n\nAnd someone just casually rolls me a rock and it lands on my back and I'm gonna die and it *fucking disappears*.\n\n[Cargo Trailer: 168kg/5,444kg]\n\nI'm just staring at this little gem of information in my mind's eye as Rock Loader Lizard (*ahem* Drake, do NOT say Lizard to their face unless it's actually a Lizardman. Pro tip.) goes \"Oh, you've got a carrying [Skill]! Here, have another one!\"\n\n[Cargo Trailer: 325kg/5,444kg]\n\nAnd twenty damn rocks later, I'm feeling fine, if a little slow on the moving compared to before. Not too much. I take a step back to get some space to jog.\n\nBEEP.\n\nBEEP.\n\nBEEP. (the fuck is that noise from?)\n\nAnd then I see this little ~~lizard~~ kid dart out behind me, but I don't *see them*. It's like this little screen pops up in my peripheral vision and I stop before I fall on my butt and use them as an ass cushion. Some scaly mama comes out, whups that kid on the backside in traditional Mom fashion and I'm clear to back up again.\n\nBEEP. (Fuck this noise!)\n\nI have a load of rocks who knows where, a cobblestone street, and a mile to go before I get to drop said rocks. \n\n(How do I drop about 4000kg of rocks? I dunno.)\n\nFigure it out when I get there. \n\nWhich takes about five minutes, having passed Guy With Big Rock along the way. There's a [Builder] there. He very loudly wonders why the guy he hired to deliver him rocks doesn't have any rocks.\n\nRocks. Rocks...out? Rocks roll? Rocks drop? Rocks-\n\n[Cargo Trailer: Unload 4,102kg cargo (Stone)]\n\nRocks fall. Nobody dies. The [Builder], who is apparently into wearing a big iron suit just stares at the pile and his *head falls off*.\n\nThis doesn't kill him, because fantasy race bullshit means you can have a detachable ~~penis~~ head because [Dullahan]. Did I mention I was being paid by how many rocks I'd haul per day? I was a little tired after unloading, but I made another back-and-forth jog before something told me I was done for the day. \n\nThat would be the rest of the [Laborers], who appreciated me doing all the heavy lifting but got stuck with [Builder] boy ordering them to pile them in new, \"aesthetic\" ways. Me? This lovely lady across the street invites me for lunch and a sit-down about something called a \"Runner's Guild\", which is Medieval FedEx. And [Skills].\n\nPeople don't have skills so much as they have [Skills], and [Classes]. You're not a laborer, you're a [Laborer]. You're not \"I'm strong\", you're \"I have [Enhanced Strength]\".\n\nAnd I find out I'm a [Truck]. Yes, my [Class] is [Truck]. Level 3.\n\nSo much for being a cool thing like [Juggernaut].\n\nI can get up to a speed horses would envy, but the faster I go, the harder it is to handle, and it takes time getting up to speed, er [Lesser Acceleration: Second Gear], [Lesser Acceleration: Third Gear]. The more I'm carrying, the more it gets tricky. And I can carry a LOT. [Cargo Trailer], it's like a pocket dimension. [Deafening Horn]. [Hit Like A Truck], [Rear View Mirrors]. [Cargo Trailer: Long Haul]\n\nThankfully, if I'm not using [Cargo Trailer] or other skills, no beeping noise when I back up. But it's enough to get me into the Runner's Guild as a City Runner. Turns out there's a lot of use for a guy who can carry big loads through narrow streets into awkward places, and I find myself making a pretty decent living moving bulk stuff other Runners can't manage around town.\n\nIt's kinda weird waking up now and then to things like:\n\n[Truck Level 5!]\n[Cargo Trailer: 6,000KG Capacity]\n[Cargo Trailer: Precision Unloading]\n\nBut you get used to it. It pays for the super-sized meals I go through carrying loads around town, the bills I had with the city, pretty much everything.", "The streets here have been paved by horse drawn carriages going back and forth for centuries. I try to avoid coming out here on rainy days. Even a little drizzle is enough to turn the packed ground into a mud pit. \n\n\nStill, something inside me compels me to walk them everyday rain or shine. It helps that I got a job in the docks transporting goods. Back and forth carrying merch isn't a big deal for me. It seems like my new body is programed for this. Can't imagine why, maybe it used to do this kind of thing before I got it?\n\n\nI shock the thoughts out. No day dreaming. My past life as a normal teen ended the minute that truck hit me. New world, new body and a new me. Focus on the here and now. I can't afford to let my mind dr-----\n\n\n\"EEEEEEEKKKK! He killed him! he ran full speed at that kid and killed him! HELP HELP!\"\n\n\nOh no.... it happened again. All that blood, that dramatic pose. He was definitely isekai'd. Damn this truck-kun ability of mine!", "**I just want an easy life but I may be a truck, my adventures in a magic world!**\n\nMy name is Daisuke Ito. I was a second year high school student walking home and reading the newest issue of shonen jump and \n\n\"Waaaaaaaaaah\" I yelled as I flung my arms up, closed my eyes and tensed my body. The image of a truck barreling down the sidewalk towards me flashed through my mind.\n\nAfter a second or two nothing happened and I opened my eyes and peaked though my fingers.\n\n\"Whaaaa\" I mumbled as my arms fell to my side and my mouth dropped open. There was no truck anymore or sidewalk or town even. I was in a glade in what seems like a lightly forested area. Panicked I racked my brain trying to figure out what was going on when it hit me. \n\nI had been isekai'd!\n\nBeing an otaku it all made sense to me, the truck, the glade, it was exactly like I had read about in manga.\n\n\"Kekekekekeke!\" I laughed and shouted in joy. This was the best thing that could have happened to me. It was a dream come true. I had no friends, my parents were always on business trips and I was all alone. Now I could start a new life, with OP abilities. I couldn't wait to see what skills I had. \n\n\"Menu!\" I said. Normally in isekai this would bring up my character sheet and I could see all the cool skills I have.\n\n\"Menu!\" I said again but nothing happened. Eh, I thought. Maybe I have to activate my skills first or something. I looked around for monsters but only saw a couple cute squirrel type creatures hopping around. So I walked up to a tree at the edge of the glen.\n\n\"Omae wa mou shinderu!\" I said and punched at the tree as hard as I could. \n\nTwo things happened:\n\nFirst, I mostly missed the tree and and grazed it while scraping my knuckles. \n\nSecond, I learned I don't have super strength and punching trees hurts.\n\nAfter I rubbed my hand a bit I decided to see if I have magic powers. So I backed away from the tree a little and assumed my best dragon ball z kamehameha form. I tried to picture magic and energy gathering in me as I channeled my ultimate power.\n\n\"Kaaaameeeehaaaameeeeehaaaaaa\" I yelled and let rip what was hopefully my super badass magic powers.\n\n\"HONK\"\n\nA incredibly loud air horn noise blasted from my body as I just stood still in disbelief.\n\nA ping noise and the words \\* Skill: Air Horn activated\\* popped into view in front of me.\n\nNo way what the fuuu, I started to think before my thoughts were interrupted by a low growling behind me. All the previously cute squirrel creatures were now growling and slowly crawling towards me.\n\n\"Stay back!\" I yelled and thrust my arms out.\n\n\"HONK\"\n\n\"Reeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!\" the squirrel creatures snarled as their eyes turned red and they charged. Shrieking I spun around and started running through the forest. \n\n\"Oh, god, Oh, god Oh god\" I repeated to myself as I tried to flee. \"What type of isekai is this? This doesn't happen in manga. What the hell type of ability is air horn? All it did was make all the cute animals want to kill me.\" my thoughts raced as I dodged between trees. Peeking behind me I saw the murder squirrels were gaining on me. Willing my legs to run faster I heard a ping again then\n\n\\*Skill: Second Gear activated\\* flashed infront of me. Suddenly I started picking up speed. \n\n\"Haha, get bent squirrels!\" I said as I looked behind me and saw I was pulling ahead. Turning forward I bent my head down and saw I was maybe 6 feet away from a giant web with the biggest spider looking thing I had ever seen on it.\n\n\"Nooooo!\" was the only thing I could get out before I ran face first into the web and the giant spider. As I touched the web and spider both exploded on me with most of the spider stuck to my chest and the rest on my face and eyes. Another ping and this time a melodic voice announced \"DANGEROUS CARGO ACQUIRED\".\n\nI didn't have time to think what that meant while I ran flailing my arms like a inflatable tube man trying to clear the goo from my eyes. Wiping enough to see clearly the forest line shows itself ending and dropping off into a chasm but I am going to fast to stop. With nothing to lose I jump at the very edge.\n\nOooooooooooooooooooo!!\n\nI soar across and land on the other side ungracefully with a thud and bang. Looking across the chasm I see the murder squirrels on the other side looking very upset and most likely saying very rude things. The dead spider thing decided to fall off my chest as I lay on ground and as it did I heard a ping with the melodic voice saying \" DANGEROUS CARGO DELIVERED\". \n\nWhat the hell is that voice talking about, I think when another ping goes off and abunch of messages pop into view.\n\n\\*EXP Gained\\* \\*Level Up\\* \\*Menu Unlocked\\* \n\nGeneral Information\r \nName: Daisuke Ito\r \nRace: Humanoid Truck\r \nClass: Cargo Truck\r \nLevel: 1\r \nHP: 350/350\r \nGas: 500/500\r \nStrength: 10\r \nStamina: 1300\r \nAgility: 300\r \nMagic: 10\r \nDexterity: 300\r \nLuck: 70\r \n\r \n\r \nUnique Skills\r \nLong Haul : Gain exp for picking up and dropping off cargo. Dangerous cargo gives bonus exp.\r \nVroom: Damage dealt increases based on speed.\n\nSkills \n\nSecond Gear\n\nAir Horn\n\n​\n\nI am a truck? A humanoid truck? I somehow feel like I got ripped off. Why can't I just be a transformer. This is no fair. I am not even going to do isekai things now I will just do a easy life. I hope they don't have a demon lord.", "When I came to, I was in my bed. How had I gotten here? \n\n\n\nMy body felt like shit, and i ached all over. Every muscle was in some level of agony. Turning over on my pillow was a test of strength. I lay there, breathing heavily, looking at the lamp hanging in the middle of the ceiling. A yawn came on, and-\n\n\n\n'Blahhhhhhhhhhp!'\n\n\n\nI shot up in my bed like a floorboard. Had I dreamt that? Was I still dreaming? I checked my clock. 10am. \n\n\n\nI pushed through the aching, and levered myself up off the bed. Dull, vague thoughts and half-memories echoed through distant parts of my mind. A man with a certain smile. A punctured tire.\n\n\n\nFortunately it was Sunday, so I was free. After coffee and a cigarette, I made my way out to go for some breakfast. I needed air too. As I made my way outside, I was struck by how lightly I had to touch everything to move it. Everything seemed a hundred times lighter and easier than before. It felt like I had lost control of my muscles.\n\n\n\nAs the engine chugged into life, I felt trepidation about putting my foot on the accelerator. Maybe I was really drunk. Would I shoot off and smash into the caddy parked in front of me? In the end I walked. I didn't mind too much anyway.\n\n\n\nI arrived at the café twenty minutes later, feeling a lot better. A girl had just walked in, and the door was swinging shut. I hurried to reach it before it had closed fully. Suddenly, I found myself being propelled forward at frightening speed, then the door and walls arrived. There was no time to stop myself. I smashed through the door and part of the wall, the glass and brick exploding around me. It barely slowed me, and I kept moving forward, until I had rammed into the bar inside the cafe. Around me, the people squirmed like rats, screaming and pushing, eyes bugging out. I just stood there. This was insane.\n\n\n\nAfter a moment, I slowly started to back out of the rubble and mess. In the distance I could hear a police siren. In the corner of the cafe, a man was staring at me. I opened my mouth to give some kind of explanation, but I couldn't find the words. I had to get out of here. \n\n\n\nI wrenched my way out, at the same time as the police cruiser arrived. It turned side on to me, and two cops jumped out. Something broke free in my brain.\n\n\n\nI slammed on the speed.\n\n\n\n'Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhp!'\n\n\n\nThe cops jumped out of the way as I went through their car like it was nothing. My engine was pumping as I ricocheted off the various cars on each side of the street. Why did I feel more pity for them than I did for the people in the cafe? On I barreled, with my destination approaching me in 500m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m, next exit.\n\n\n\nThe freeway was smooth and wide. I was in heaven! The traffic moved wherever I went, letting me pass. I got as high as 100mph before I became aware of the chop-chop-chop from overhead. It was probably a police helicopter, but I found I couldn't look up anymore. It didn't matter. I was like a fish back in the ocean now. A helicopter couldn't stop me. My top speed clocked in at 150. If there was a hill, I might be able to go faster. \n\n\n\nThen I saw her.\n\n\n\nShe was a 2007 model Peterbilt 379, in red, with chrome detailing. The way she moved was indescribable, somewhere between a boat, a train, and an RCV. I eased my brakes a little and pulled up alongside her. \n\n\n\nAt first, she ignored me. I pulled ahead a little, letting her take a look. Then I let her catch up again, controlling the rate just as smoothly as I could. At the last second before we were neck in neck, I let out a massive-\n\n\n\n'Braaaaaaahhhhhhhaaaahhhhppp!'\n\n\n\nInitially there was no change in her demeanor. Then she sped up a little. I let her outpace me. Then I heard it, like the sweetest little bird in the meadow.\n\n\n\n'Paaahhhahhpp!'\n\n\n\nI moved closer, and rubbed against her. She said it again. I couldn't believe what was happening.\n\n\n\nSuddenly she slowed drastically, then veered off. She escaped away off of an exit ramp. Just like that, it was over, and I was alone again. But when I looked around, I realised this highway was just crawling with trucks. I would always remember that moment though. My first.\n\n\n\nMy warm thoughts of romanticism came crashing down as I realised that up ahead was a dense collection of police cars. They had laid some kind of mat across the road. Behind me were two cruisers, lights flashing. Now I was cursing my luck.\n\n\n\nI tore across the mat, and felt a scratching. My tires were torn up, and the air hissed out over a few seconds. Suddenly I couldn't steer anymore. The railing on the side of the highway came closer and closer to me, and then I went up and over, smashing down again in a field, where I hurtled through and into the ground, before losing my orientation and flipping on my side. I could no longer move myself, and I knew that things had come to an end. \n\n\n\nFor a few minutes, I lay there, looking at the clouds, and the settling dust. Finally, a police car pulled up behind me. I saw a pair of boots walk into my line of vision. And I heard a voice.\n\n\n\n'Now, just what in the sweet, holy, flying fuck is this?!'" ]

[ 1, 7, 19, 31, 77 ]

[ "1630457387", "1630475530", "1630475368", "1630475373", "1630460097" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/DannyDevitoArmy, this submission has been removed.\n\nThe mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. \n\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/pkdx68/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1631118517", "1631122900" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It was genuinely funny to see the frustrated and furious looks that so called \"experts\" gave me as I approved the first library card they had seen in years to someone who \"didn't even appreciate the art\" and \"would ruin the value of such powerful artifacts.\" Of course it was folks that said those things that I always turned down. Nothing more dangerous than giving power to someone with an inflated sense of self importance. Sometimes they would even try to steal from my library.\n\nThose that tried were quickly made example of.\n\nThat said, the college freshman who approached me about their linguistics hobby caught my eye early on. Not only did they lack the usual trademarks of the occultists I dealt with on the regular, they had a backpack full of reference books in a paste colored backpack featuring some cartoon character I'd never seen before. Certainly not the type I had grown accustomed to dealing with. Caught by the novelty of it all, I allowed the young human to reference the books while in my library and found myself more endeared to them by the level of care and consideration they had while handling my books. They had even brought a pair of cotton gloves to keep from damaging the pages. Impossible to do but the sentiment was still sweet.\n\nTwo or three times a week I'd see this young human come in, amidst the crowds of hooded and pale warlocks or would-be occult masters, and they would greet me happily before starting up some small talk about recent events or excitedly chatting about the progress they had made in translating some passages from a tome they were looking at previously. No hint of a plot for power, no desire for apocalyptic godhood, just a genuine enjoyment for their hobby.\n\nI didn't give them the card right away, I've lived too long and seen too much to be so readily trusting, but the human grew on me after a couple years of visiting. They even brought their romantic partner over a couple of times, two heads bumping against each other as they poured over a new passage or strange picture that depicted impossible things. When I offered them the chance for borrowing permission they turned me down at first, something that caught me by surprise for the first time in many years. Apparently the young human was worried about damaging the tomes because they didn't have proper care conditions at home.\n\nWith a laugh that echoed off of impossible angles, I assured them the tomes would be fine but I would only send them off with \"newer\" editions that would be fine with a bit of rough handling. Even with that assurance their acceptance was cautious and filled with promises to not damage what they borrowed. All I needed was for them to accept it and the contract was made but I still had them fill out some paperwork. Appearances mattered and filling out empty spaces seemed to make the human feel better.\n\nHappily, I handed them the card and watched them head outside with a bounce in their step. My frequent visitors also watched after the young human, eyes filled with envy, contempt, hate, and half formed plots. Not that they would do anything, not that they COULD do anything. What I gave away was more than a library card and they knew it. It was a token of my favor, a fragment of my power, and an explicit sign to everyone who saw it that its holder was not to be trifled with unless they wanted to invoke my ire. I watched them all file back into the stacks or hide their faces back into the pages they were trying to comprehend. With the crowd dispersed I went back to managing my library, looking forward to having the young human return to my books with joy and curiosity." ]

[ 1, 23 ]

[ "1631144957", "1631177847" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The town screamed as they saw it. A large being, made of metal. Wearing the garments of an Arizona ranger, it stepped slowly towards the town. “WHERE IS TEXAS RED,” asked the robot. A townsperson nervously pointed towards the local saloon. “THANK YOU, SIR.” Texas Red heard the robot, and walked outside to see it, and got shot through by a huge metal bullet. “GOODBYE, GOOD PEOPLE.” Said the robot, as he walked slowly into the distance. Years later, the descendant of who created the robot wrote a song about it, although he was unaware of his lineage and thought it was a normal Arizona ranger. He titled the song after what the townspeople dubbed the being, “Big Iron.”" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1631466033", "1631467865" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"I was like you once too, you know.\"\n\nThe warrior before her was already succumbing to her darkening heart. She had seen that sort of glimmer in her eyes once before... before Calamity had stolen Croix away, before she left her self come down to the Dark World in a mad attempt to become stronger...\n\nReally, it was... nostalgic in a way that was both wonderful and painful for the Overlord, Priere.\n\n\"I'm nothing like you!\"\n\nShe was a human, but now she was somewhere inbetween; not quite a Demon, but not quite human either... fangs and claws just barely peaking out, the nubs of horns growing, but she was still dressed as a Knight of some king. Priere didn't keep up much with the Human World above her; it ceased to become relevent to her and her travels, but she knew the Order of the Maiden of Light when she met them... and it made her glad, in a way.\n\nShe was differn in some respects though: She seemed more likely to actually FOLLOW those silly rules Aloutette used to chide her on breaking.\n\n\"Did you think you were the first to try and kill me? you're not even the first person to try.\" She smiled, doing a sword blow to the head as one might kneal down to pick up a dropped peice of litter. She was too fast for the Lv 100 knight to even strike her; She should have grinded some more... but of course, that would have lead her to Priere in another way.\n\n\"I... I'm not a monster!\"\n\n\"I didn't say you were. You're becoming a demon... i can tell, you have that same love of fighting in your heart, that's the real reason why you're here, isn't it.\"\n\nShe floundered, but got angrier, trying to strike her down with holy zeal.\n\n\"You can't... you can't temp me!\"\n\n\"I'm not trying to tempt you... i'm trying to help you. You're not much of a fight... i just can't get into it like i used to, but you caught me in a good mood.\"\n\nShe grabbed her blade, bring the night closer. \"It's not because of killing you became a demon.. it's because of your heart... it knows that at your heart you'd be happy like i was, fighting. For a good cause or for a bad one... it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you fight, right?\"\n\nShe pushed her gently away. extending her hand. \"So let's help one another out. There's a whole universe out there to stomp, endless battles, endless demons... i sometimes do good things along the way too... What do you say?\"" ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1631767432", "1631814443" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It was past April and the days were growing longer and sun hotter but the wind still lingered uncharacteristically into the night. Jack and Mimi trudged along through the evening sand their feet slipping careless over the loose gravel.\n\n“Thanks again for not leaving me with those animals.” Mimi sighed. \n\n“Sure.” Jack grumbled, focusing on his footwork at a heady intersection of stone and sand as he stepped down into a cavern. He was already four beers deep when the wind started up and blew the tarps like kites into the blue-black sky. \n\n“Watch your step.” Mimi accepted Jack’s help even though she was more sturdy than him—a consummate teetotaler when on the job. The truth is she didn’t like her team this time around. Besides Jack, there was Helena and Farrah and Michael Pearson and Michael Howlitz and Jonah and Cyrus and Bob and an assortment of disposable students and local guides who could hardly be distinguished from the core group. They awarded themselves by getting drunk which she thought happened far too frequently. Now when the gusts kicked in and they could see the tarp fluttering against the horizon it was met with a shrug. We’ll fix it tomorrow, they said. But tomorrow they’d spend the bulk of the day removing fresh sand and in the night they’d pat each other on the backs and they’d drink again. Only Mimi and Jack saw the flaw in that logic and ventured out into the night. \n\nJack pulled a loose corner down and pinned it with a stone—a larger one than whoever’s job it was had chosen earlier. Mimi let her corner slack. She was fixated on something past the toe of her boot. Jack wiped coarse sand from his eyes. \n\n“What is it?” He had to yell at this distance. \n\n“Probably nothing.” Mimi’s reply echoed quietly over the wind. \n\nShe leaned down and reached her hand into the circular crevasse where sand was flowing endlessly like water going down a drain. Her fingers plugged the hole. Jack neared.\n\n“This isn’t zone twelve?” Mimi looked up at Jack. \n\n“Is that a question?” \n\n“I mean, this isn’t zone twelve.” She let her fingers slide away from the mysterious aperture and the sand current resumed. “Why was it excavated?” \n\n“It wasn’t.” Jack shook his flashlight on and leaned closer. There’s something beneath them. Something large. He scanned the sand upstream and noticed a fine line which was slowly revealing itself around where Mimi kneeled. He turned her head to follow it. \n\n“A trapdoor.” She said so quiet he couldn’t hear. \n\nMimi moved from the hatch and ran her hand along the sand line defining the perimeter. She exchanged a glance with Jack, a silent language that can be understood only by those who work closely together for months on end, which was all he needed. He grabbed four wooden planks and established a small barrier around the egress stopping the flow of sand. In perfect unison, the lifted shovels and fixed them between parallel edges and, on the count of three, leveraged their tools towards the ground. Sweat pulsed from Jack’s hands and wetted the dust and a tortured grunt escaped his throat followed shortly by an earthly gasp. The stone trap lifted and Jack held it upright until Mimi got around it and pushed it towards the ground. Before them now, a dark passageway, and a frail wooden ladder leading into it. \n\n“Me first.” \n\nMimi spat on her hands to regain some grip and patted them on her jacket. She lowered herself into the vertical shaft. The climb was tight and her back rubbed along the opposing wall which was cold and smelled of clay. She breathed deliberate and shallow breaths and noticed small artifacts dug into the wall beyond the ladder. \n\n“Head’s up.” \n\nMimi clutched herself to the wall and Jack dropped a glow stick down the shaft which revealed the bottom only ten or so feet below. She stepped down and the ancient rung gave way, dropping her to the sandy ground. \n\n“Are you okay?” Jack asked from thirty feet above, like a ghostly overseer. \n\n“I’m fine.” Mimi wiped debris from her bloodied knees. \n\n“I’m coming down.” \n\nShe looked forwards. The dim green light from the glow stick revealed only an empty chamber about ten feet deep. By the time she retrieved her own glow stick from her vest and cracked it Jack was with her. She stepped forth and approached the distant wall. A myriad of items decorated it but one stood out to her, it was almost a perfect square.\n\n-----------------------------------\n\nSORRY — I got carried away with the setup and took this almost nowhere before running out of time. I've gotta get better with that..." ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1631918974", "1631926388" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The calcium must flow.\n\nIn the Land of the Fairies, most jobs are rather easy. Sometimes the job involves appearing to some poor girl being tormented by her step-sisters and granting her a wish. Sometimes it involves wearing boots and appearing before a plastered rockstar to give them that magic inspiration for a song. The types of jobs fairies might do are almost endless. But not all jobs are that easy.\n\nMany jobs require great sacrifice. Sometimes it requires being stranded with a lost boy in a magical land fighting pirates for half an eternity. Sometimes it requires being stuck in a land that never was, as elves, wizards and various halflings and dwarfs - not all fairies even make it out alive, being corrupted by the various ailments that plague the inhabitants of our reality.\n\nWhen it is time to return from an assignment, a fairy returns to the Land of the Fairies, where time flows in many directions in a phenomenon that is undescribable to noncorporeal beings. However it can generally be understood as following the same linear time as our reality when it comes to imports and exports between the realities.\n\nOne of the most valuable imports was the calcium extracted from the still-believing on Earth. Most adults had simply stopped believing in anything and were stuck in jobs and lives that were like gangrene for the soul, but children still believed in all the wonders of the infinite possibilities that reality contained. It was that hope that made the calcium in the bones shift a tiny bit to the left, enabling hypertransdimensional transport to the Land of the Fairies.\n\nWhile childrens bones contained an incredible amount of usable calcium, most fairies had agreed that abducting children and stripping them of their bones simply wasn't the proper way a fairy should behave - after all, why help people in the first place if you end up causing even more distress later. The lethality of the procedure was also bothersome and was a leading cause for disbelief in humanity. So fairykind had settled on stealing teeth instead, which was generally seen as an ethically valid way to get the highly valued calcium.\n\nOver time a symbiotic relationship had formed, where fairies would leave some gold or money in place of the teeth. It was always a bargain, as calcium powder fetched a very high price in the drug markets of fairy land. Fairies would sniff the powder and be ready for eaons of work with the fallible mortals. Over time, however, people stopped offering their teeth.\n\nIt was slowly dawning on the Council of Fairy Archetypes that a solution had to be devised. The Leprechaun Banker was worried that the flow of calcium had been negative for almost two centuries. At the current level of consumption, it wouldn't take many centuries for the calcium cauldrons to be completely empty. A century for a pixie sometimes felt like a week for a human being. Sometimes it was the other way around, but for most fairies the situation was quite bad.\n\nThe Head Tooth Fairy complained about the amount of teeth simply disintegrating during transportation and was unfortunately of little use in coming up with a solution. The King of the Pixies wanted swift action. Grave robbing for fresh bones and intercepting bodies on their way to incinerators. The Queen of the Nymphs pointed out that this would ultimately only lead to more tragedy as fairies would unconsciously ensure that there would be a steady flow of bodies and that the old method of dental harvest was still the most viable. The Dwarven Director of Imp Affairs pointed out that the problem lay in people losing hope, the quantity of the bones was not as important as the potency of the hope.\n\nAll the various fairies had their say on the matter, but it was a tiny wisp in the corner who, using its dancing and wiggling and indirect language, suggested the best idea: some of the tooth fairies would train, bribe and become dentists while the rest would create an irresistible new type of food that would also make teeth fall out. And so with suggestions from the Land of the Fairies humanity throughout the ages dreamt up recipes that would destroy teeth but give hope to mankind while dentists balanced it all out by removing the occasional happy tooth." ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1631953513", "1631992235" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I blinked.\n\nShe blinked back.\n\nI scowled.\n\nHer eyes glowed red.\n\n“You two know each other?” Revolta’s husband asked, grin strained as he glanced between the two of us. I knew what he was thinking; that maybe we'd hooked up at some point in the past before there were kids, marriages, and mortgages. I shuddered at the thought.\n\nIf only he knew.\n\n“You could say that,” I drawled back, looking the dark-haired woman up and down with a wry smirk. “So you were pregnant. I’d *thought* you seemed a little chunky the day we killed you.”\n\nElectricity crackled around her fingertips at my comment, and if there’d been any doubt at all in my mind about who she was it was gone now. “Oh, piss off, *Shining Force Ranger Number Five*.”\n\nI frowned at her use of my full old hero name—I certainly hadn’t chosen it, we could all blame Red for that one—and judging by the smirk that spread across her face she’d done it on purpose. Well, two could play that game. “Is that a *pantsuit*? I thought for sure the only thing you owned was leather. Gotta say, though, I’m glad you spared us all that sight.”\n\nShe scoffed and rolled her eyes. “At least I wasn’t squeezing my nuts into *spandex* every week.”\n\n“You know damn well that it was a self-assembling nano-fiber formed with an intercellular shape memory alloy, *not* spandex!”\n\n“Mom!”\n\n“Daddy!” our children snapped simultaneously, and sufficiently cowed, we both forced a smile.\n\n“Right, well, that’s all in the past now,” I said, resolving to be the bigger man for my daughter’s sake. “We brought dessert. Hope you like good old fashioned American apple pie. Don’t know if they had that in whatever crater you crawled out of.”\n\nRevolta faked a laugh. “And I hope *you* like spaghetti. You might want to take it easy on the garlic bread, though—seems you’ve gained a few *dozen* pounds in the last twenty years.”\n\nMy daughter groaned from behind me, and I winced. I didn’t know what the hell she saw in that spawn of evil incarnate, but I’d raised her the best I could. If she liked this kid enough to arrange a whole family get together, well, I just had to trust her judgement.\n\nI met Revolta’s gaze, and even though she rolled her eyes and sighed, we managed to come to some sort of nonverbal truce. For the sake of our children, we had to at least *pretend* to not hate each other.\n\nAfter all, we could always kill each other when they broke up.\n\n\\---\n\nThis one goes out to all the Power Rangers/Super Sentai fans lol", "\"There really is a first time for everything.\" Kargour said holding a blood red wine upon his hands.\n\nSitting side by side, our eyes drawn to our children. I answered knowing that he was just as surprised as I was, \"Yes, I suppose there is.\"\n\nOur souls have been cursed to fight for eternity, reincarnated through many timelines. There had been moments where i would turn to the dark side and he would fight for the good side. There was too much occurrences that happened in the past that it was really hard to remember any significant detail. Even so, I'm sure that this was the first time our children fell inlove with each other.\n\n\"I've always thought that the curse was embedded upon our bloodlines. I never had foreseen such a predicament would be possible.\" I pondered how mischievous fate is. \n\n\"Is this a sign that we'll be finally freed from this accursed state?\"\n\n\"I hope so.\" \n\nI raised my glass the same time he did. This was the first time we had seen eye too eye. We both know how tired each of us were. We just want rest and peace.", "The silverware clinks and scrapes in the silence.\n\n\n*I killed him. I know I did.*\n\n\n*He killed me. He knows he did.*\n\n\nWe stare at each other as we chew.\n\n\n“How’s the food?” the woman who must be his wife asks. Her eyebrows are raised and struggling beneath the weight of the elephant in the room.\n\n\n“It’s *great*,” I say sarcastically. \n\n\n“Richard,” my wife hisses. She’s giving me the so help me god eyes.\n\n\n“What? I said it’s great because it is. *All things considered*.”\n\n\n“And what should be considered?” the supposed to be dead Dark Lord asks.\n\n\n“Considering her taste in pieces of shit like you!” \n\n\n“*DAD!*” my daughter yells.\n\n\n“That is my WIFE,” he says getting to his feet, his chair squealing against the hardwood, the space around him darkening for no apparent reason.\n\n\n“You aren’t supposed to have a wife, you son of a bitch, I *killed* you. I killed you dead.”\n\n\n“Oh my god,” he says, letting his fork fall from his fingers to clatter onto his plate and send food bits flying. His eyes widen and he looks to his wife with tears welling in his eyes. “Am I- am I dead? Have I been a ghost this whole— You *idiot*—“\n\n\n“*Dark Lord!*” His wife yells.\n\n\n“You only thought you killed me. You fell for the *easiest* trick in the book. Did you even make sure it was me? Did you not even notice the makeup? The *smell*?”\n\n\n“Makeup?”\n\n\n“Yes, *makeup*. You see this?” His long gangly fingers with sharp black nails point to the patches of black, flame shaped skin around his eyes. “I was born with these. A hundred percent natural.”\n\n\n“A hundred percent an asshole!” I say, chucking a piece of bread at him. He dodges it and laughs with his tongue out.\n\n\n“*Richard!*” my wife yells.\n\n\n“He started it!” I say with an accusatory point. “He lied to me.”\n\n\n“You tried to kill me!”\n\n\n“You tried to enslave the world!”\n\n\n“Oh and I would’ve had you not been such a prick in my side!”\n\n\n“I’ll kill you!” I yell, lurching forward and grabbing his black and red robes.\n\n\n“You’ll try!” He says, his hands pushing back at my face. “And fail again like a *loser!*”\n\n\n“I am *not* a loser!”\n\n\n“Yes you are!”\n\n\n“Stop it! Stop, stop, stop it!” My daughter shrieks at the top of her lungs.\n\n\nWe look to her, and she has tears streaming down her face. His daughter runs around the table and consoles her, wiping her tears and pulling her into her shoulder. The black flames around her eyes are spreading as she shakes her head at us. \n\n\n“You two couldn’t just let us have this could you?”\n\n\n“Dark Daughter—“ he tries to say, letting me go.\n\n\n“Stop, Dark Dad. You’ve done enough,” she says escorting my daughter to the other room.\n\n\n“I hope you’re happy, Richard,” my wife says, looking to the Dark Lord’s wife and signaling for the both of them to go after our daughters. “If I were you two, I’d sit down and think about the future you want with your daughters. If you keep this up you will lose them both forever.”\n\n\n“Vanessa—“ Dark Lord tries to say.\n\n\n“Dark Lord, stop. She’s right. You two *have* to work this out.”\n\n\nThere’s a silence when they leave the room, only interrupted by the sound of our butts hitting our chairs. He throws a piece of bread at me, and I throw one back. \n\n\n“Goddamnit,” I say. “What happened? And don’t act dumb. I want the truth- all of it.”\n\n\n“Ah, I just needed out,” he sighs with a shrug. “I had lost my edge after I met Vanessa, but you were so frustratingly incessant in your quest to destroy me that you never even noticed.”\n\n\n“Really?” I ask.\n\n\n“Yes. So, Vanessa wondered if there was any way to get you off my back and I said you apparently wouldn’t stop until I was dead. So, I needed to die.”\n\n\n“How did you fake it?”\n\n\n“I created a duplicate of me out of ground sausage. It was a long shot but we had to try. Also, it’s been bugging me for decades, how *didn’t* you notice?”\n\n\n“Oh, well I stabbed you as you monologued with your back to me. You had… *left my chains*—“\n\n\n“Just long enough for you to reach the table with the key,” he finished with a light chuckle. “And you probably let my body fall off the cliff didn’t you?”\n\n\nMy mouth opens and a laugh comes out. “That’s exactly what I did. And sausage? Now that I think about it, the crows had already been flying overhead and immediately went after your corpse.” We can’t hold back our laughs any longer. “And- and I remember thinking ‘Oh, shit. That was fast.’”\n\n\nUnable to help ourselves, we’re crying with laughter. And soon, we’re reminiscing over the times I tried to kill him, and he tried to kill me back. \n\n\n“What ever happened to, uh, damn. What’s his name?”\n\n\n“Igor?” He asks with a laugh. “Oh, he sucked. After the umpteenth time you foiled my plans due to his ineptitude I fired him.”\n\n\n“Oh, shit. I didn’t even know that was a job somebody could like apply for.”\n\n\n“Oh, no. I mean I tossed him into the pit of eternal flame.”\n\n\nThe table rattled with the dinnerware as our fists pounded it, our laughter echoing in the great chamber.\n\n\n“Good times. Good times,” he says, the flames of his eyes sizzling away the tears.\n\n\n“Ah, yeah. We really messed up tonight didn’t we?” I ask him.\n\n\n“Yeah, but, uh, how about we try again. Let’s, uh, let’s say tomorrow night?”\n\n\nI look at him and smile.\n\n\n“Yeah,” I nod. “That sounds good.”", "I cradled the cigarette between my thumb and forefinger, a motion that returned to me far more easily than trying to stop it. I regretted not the feeling of smoke that snaked its way down my throat, but the inevitable questions about the stale smell of cigarettes when I returned to the table.\n\nIn a similar vein, did I regret the commotion that I caused in the restaurant? No. It was the questions afterwards.\n\nMy hand shook as I took another drag. This never used to happen. I jumped when the door to the restaurant open, and the Dark Lord stepped out in the costume of a kind, retired father. Those slightly-too-baggy khaki slacks that were creased right down the middle, and a chequered blue shirt that went well with the lines on his face and greying hair.\n\nSlowly, deliberately, he paced towards me, a corner predator gauging the situation. He tapped his own shirt pocket, and I tensed--but he only brought out a handkerchief, and wiped his forehead.\n\n“You’ve become a father,” he said.\n\n“And you are pretending to be one,” I said.\n\nThere was a sigh, and he looked up at the night sky.\n\n“I understand if you don’t trust me,” he said. “But that life? It’s over. I’m done with it.”\n\n“From experience,” I said, flicking the cigarette. “Done with it is a lot harder than it seems.”\n\n“Do you even know my name?”\n\nI stared at him, and he looked back. It was a familiar face, even with all the ageing that had taken place. I was used to him shouting a lot more bombastically, and with an angry sneer, however. Instead, there was something else, something different--something human. I never thought of him as one.\n\n“No,” I said. “And I don’t want to.”\n\n“It’s Thomas.”\n\nIt was laughably normal.\n\n“I said I don’t want to know.”\n\n“Our daughters are dating,” he whispered. “Surely that counts for something?”\n\n“This is some kind of sick plan. It has to be,” I muttered. “Old grudges through Sara. You are a piece of work, you are.”\n\n“There’s no old grudges here,” he said. “You killed me, and I’m thankful for that.”\n“Now you admit you’re the Dark Lord, Thomas? Bloody hell,” I cursed. “Saying your name gives me the creeps. I refuse to believe it. I refuse to.”\n\nAnd yet, I stayed out there. Call it morbid curiosity. Call it not wanting to face the music with my wife and daughter. I just stood out there, feeling the presence of the Dark Lord next to me.\n\nI used to think that that was what separated me from him. His dark light, and my righteous aura. But here he was, with nothing but the air of a normal person. To me, that was wrong. Utterly wrong.\n\n“I’ve done a lot of wrong,” he admitted. “And I’ll never have been able to say that before you slew me. But all I know is that Gillian is happy. Happier than she’s ever been. And that’s thanks to your daughter.”\n\n“Does she know?”\n\nI didn’t have to look. I knew what a sense of dread felt like. He stayed silent, however, for a long time. Enough for my cigarette to burn out.\n\n“No.”\n\nI contemplated reaching for another.\n\n“My wife does, though,” Thomas sighed. “There’s going to be a lot of questions tonight.”\n\nI decided not to. I pushed into the burning end with my thumb, and tossed the extinguished butt into the bin.\n\n“Sara never knew either,” I said. “About the hero stuff. Or the smoking.”\n\n“You going to tell her?”\n\n“Maybe. Maybe not,” I said. “You?”\n\n“Secret till I die, probably,” there was a wry smile that accompanied the statement, the sort that came from a man who couldn’t decide whether he feared the past or the future more.\n\nIt was the sort of smile that accompanied me as I contemplated my next words.\n\n“I’m Cassian,” I said.\n\n“Cassian,” he repeated. “Cassian.”\n\n“I’ll kill you again if I have to,” I sighed. “But for now, I think we have a few apologies to make.”\n\n“That we do.”\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts" ]

[ 1, 4, 12, 21, 140 ]

[ "1632461776", "1632581530", "1632521462", "1632506902", "1632477061" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/alcyoneblue, this submission has been removed.\n\nNo specifically attempting to turn this sub into your political, religious, or other affiliation soapbox. \n\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/pvxbfg/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1632674190", "1632681666" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "[Spinoff of this](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/ndsb96/wp_my_price_is_any_i_wish_it_to_be_the_demon/gycivd0/)\n\nThe fallout of Amahdrasa's death and resurrection stirred the entire Empire. The light which poured from her infernal blood shook the entire Rlerian empire. Blood cursed her demonic subjects, to eternal damnation, for all time, for the crime of hanging their Queen-on-Earth.\n\nOr so it was said.\n\nA Rlerian soldier stabbed her hanged corpse. The one meant to save, became the curse which laid upon all Demons. She came for her flock, after all, and the penalty for the flock was certain death.\n\nA sharpened broom. The one which will be renowned to appear in every pogrom, every single charge of the Rlerian adherents to the Demon-Queen, forever condemning her blood-children to certain death.\n\nBut not all was as it seems. Were they truly as bad as the adherents claimed the Demons to be? Do they not bleed? Do they not breathe, do they not eat? Do they not feel?\n\nSure, they may be condemned to a life of usury by the Church of the Eternal Queen, and the ramifications of usury resulted in broken lives....\n\n....but did they have any choice?\n\nThe Rlerian Church of the Eternal Queen would like to pretend that the Sharpened Broom is a symbol of righteousness, dipped in the Holy blood of Amahdrasa, but, for, all we know, it could just be a symbol of hate by the backwards Rlerian empire!\n\nWas she not hanged for all our sins?\n\nAre the Demons not her original children?\n\nWhy persecute the Demons?\n\nWhen the Church raises the Sharpened Broom, does it not goes against the Eternal Queen's mandate of forgiveness?" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1633059505", "1633083998" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"In Case Of Reset?\" I wondered aloud as I read the front of the journal I had awakened to find sitting on what I somehow knew to be a dining room table in this... place that I had awakened in. It seemed nice enough. Clean. Warm paint. Wood floors. It was an inviting enough home, but how I'd ended up there was a mystery to me.\n\nI'd spent the last few hours getting my bearings. I woke up, had a small panic, got over it and decided to go about exploring once it seemed there was none around.\n\nThe house was empty in the end. I was the only one here. Was this mine? Was it my home? Ok, so it seems I'd lost my memory. Glad I could at least remember what memory even was. If this was my house then... Was this my journal? This little composition book all beat up and frayed from years of use?\n\n\"In Case of Reset...\" I read aloud again. It soundsled strange and somehow familiar. Well, if this was my house and I'd forgotten it, what else had I forgotten? What was this Reset that my own handwriting was trying to inform me of... and why was it so hard to open it?\n\n\"It's just a book. Open it.\" I chastised myself... yet my hand only trembled more violently at the thought... What else had I lost? What else had I forgotten? What would this reveal? Did I even want to know? With as old as this journal was, did this happen before?\n\nIn my frantic wondering I must have lost track of my fear as the journal now sat open in front of me, my eyes drawn to words I didn't remember writing, and yet, there it was.\n\n\"Hello, Vic. I'm you, but you probably already realized that. I know you, of course, so I'll cut to the chase before I go into detail... Your world has been reset to it's defaults. Yes, just like a computer program. That's technically what it is, but not like you think. Turns out there are 'gods' but they're no real different from us and everyone was right. From Zeus to Yahweh, they were all just... people. People of a higher plane, but people. To save yourself some trouble, flip to page,\"\n\nThere were two lines scratched out with one number still surviving. So this had happened before. At least two, but who could know for sure? Those were only the ones I had documented.\n\n\"20.\"\n\nI flippedover and continued reading.\n\n\n\" So you read that far, did you? Good. Now don't go thinking that makes us any less important or alive. Just like we made sims, something made us and something made them too. It's kind of recursive. A set of creatures advances enough to create its own creatures and that just kinda keeps going in a loop. Well, it's more like a Mobius strip, but you get me. Creators making Creations that become Creators that become. . . Ad Nauseum.\"\n\n\"You see, though, sometimes creatures can be prone to destroying themselves if only out of a poor string of consequences. So, regular saves are made, more or less. These just say what state the world was at the time, though, not what got it there. By now, this is the third reset you've documented and are living in. The previous resets and all that you could remember and write down are on the last 19 pages. No all stuff, just big life events and what got you here. Who you knew, what you were, how you lived. It's all there, if condensed.\"\n\nNineteen pages of major life events. Nineteen pages to flip through. Nineteen *pages* of dates, times, places, people, things, successes, failures... All gone. All lost.\n\n\"This reset was from a plague. Someone thought it would be funny to drop a plague right as the world reached peak interconnectivity. It held out for a while and it almost seemed like we would pull through, but then a random roll mutated things and... Well, at least they had a state to roll back to before it started. First time was the Cold War. They did a soft reset, so only a few years were lost... Nobody remembers the actual aftermath directly but... Well, let's say Fallout is about as close to a documentary that you'll get of a time that never was. At least, not to you. The second was a meteor, so there's a plus side to all of this at least.\n\n\"And don't think it's always limited to the world ending. Smaller resets are done all the time. Psychics, artists creating new yet similar worlds, Deja Vu... It's all a part of it. Sometimes it's just one person, sometimes the whole world steps back and they only forget a few days... Nothing goes unnoticed. It's only when the whole system threatens to go down that these big ones occur.\n\n\"We - that is your past selves and the you who you will become now - haven't figured out the system yet, but... We're trying... And we hope you'll continue where we left off.\"\n\nI stopped reading there for now. There was so much to take in. Pages more detailing what they had learned of the world that contained ours. About the cycle of creators and creations and of destruction and resets. One thing was for certain, though... This was going to be a long night..." ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1633550057", "1633554762" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "You have given up, there is no way to convince the world that what you know is true. In a fit of desperation, you throw one of the potatoes in your hand at your best friend. It's amazing! You start recording immediately as he munches on the raw potato without an inch of self control. You knew for years that potatoes had their own consciousness, and finally people would start believing.\nYou quickly opened up your blog, the top post was as follows: The Potato Secret, Why Potatoes are indeed The Greatest Vegetables. I did not write that title with my own free will. It was the potatoes, forcing me to give them a good image. You see, they have minds and they can control people as they please. But thankfully, their intentions aren't vial. They only want to be eaten and percieved as the greatest vegetable of all, as is their purpose. They wanted to stop me from exposing them, but I have built up an immunity from exposing myself to their control. They can't stop me now, but I still feel that familiar itch to eat a potato", "Hi u/alexbuzzbee, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**Fill-in-the-blank**: This is essentially a fill-in-the-blank, or you asked a question likely to generate a simple answer. Responses must be at least 100 words. Prompts should encourage a story or poem. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/q5h14w/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1, 1 ]

[ "1633900768", "1633903593", "1633910601" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The night air was still as if waiting for a storm to break. The moon hung heavy in the sky, throwing a pale silver light over the land. Dark shapes moved from shadow to shadow. They moved like thieves in the night, running low and fast, intent on acts of savagery. The creatures moved like a pack with the confidence of those who believed themselves invisible. But figure watched them head towards the homes of the innocent.\n\nI watched for a moment more, narrowing my keen eyes. I picked out three forms, massive wolf-rats, foaming and frothing at the mouth as they ran. I grabbed my partner and lept from the tall tree. Powerful legs propelled me into the air. I moved by instinct and practice, practically flying through the air. With a speed and ease that even the wolf-rats would envy I came crashing down in front of their alpha.\n\nThe beasts pulled up short and snarled. Only I stood between them and a dozen innocent citizens asleep in their home. I had faced down larger and tougher things, like the sickle-toothed panther, but these animals had a crazed hungry look in their eyes. At my side was my ever faithful partner.\n\nWe struck out as one of the smaller wolf-rats charged forward. My partner, a rock as big as both my fists combined, shot out. Rock caught the thing square in the jaw, breaking teeth and making it squeal in pain. I followed up with an open-handed slap that send it sprawling away.\n\nThe next one jumped at me and I ducked under the beast’s claws. It spun around as Rock came down on its snout. The beast was stunned and I grabbed it by the neck, lifting it off the ground. I stared at it for a moment before a smashed my thick forehead into its face. I tossed the unconscious enemy aside as the alpha stalked forward.\n\nSomething passed between us and I nodded. I sent Rock to the side, this wasn’t his fight anymore. I alone stood between innocents and certain death. I balled my fists and prepared to face the Alpha alone.\n\nThe fight was quick and brutal, but I did not doubt its outcome. I dodged teeth and claws and countered with punches and slaps. We grappled and wrestled until I held the monster immobile, wrapping my arms around its torso. I squeezed hard and it yelped as a rib snapped. With a grunt, I threw it to the ground. I stood over the defeated creature and pointed into the darkness. With its tail tucked between its legs, the alpha slunk off with its minions.\n\nI heard movement behind me and turned to see the grateful citizens had gathered. I nodded and picked up Rock. Without waiting for praise or thanks I leaped into the tree. As I disappeared into the night I could hear the people behind me talking.\n\n“Urg… who that?” One of them asked.\n\nI smiled and called out, unseen, from the darkness, “Me am flint that sparks in Night. Me am seed that sticks in Teeth! Me am Thrug the Large, with faithful Rock! Me am keep all safe!”\n\n​\n\n\\~The Untold saga of Thrug the Large and his Sidekick Rock, Superheros of the Stone Age" ]

[ 1, 5 ]

[ "1634327907", "1634350467" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "‘Am I on acid right now? You there… you…’\n\nKara looked around herself. She had clearly fallen over and hit her head. That was obviously the solution, well it had to be. She wasn’t thinking straight because she’d hit her head on her bedroom desk, Right? The seventeen year old seemed to be stranded in a mass of rocky walls and tangled vines, though too thin to climb. The walls were definitely higher than her height, which to be honest wasn’t that hard considering she was only five foot two. In front of her seemed to be some sort of creature. Short, stout and sat cross-legged staring up at her. \n\n‘Excuse me for asking, but what are you supposed to be?’ The creature puffed it’s cheeks out, before standing up, now arms crossed. ‘I’m a dwarf, thank you very much, and how dare you insult me! Don’t you care? The name’s Huckle, by the way.’ The dwarf’s expression changed from one of annoyance to a far more good-spirited one. ‘Not Hoggle, if that’s who you were expecting. He’s my uncle, don’t you know, but I bet you probably already knew that—‘ \n\n‘I don’t actually…’ responded Kara, still bewildered at how short Huckle was. She had never seen dwarves depicted like him before, it was always thick beards and axes, mining in the mountains for whatever they could find, always ready for battle and the like, but with Huckle… he didn’t really fit any of that. He looked a little homeless, even. Karma’s thoughts were shattered by Huckle’s words like a rapping on the door. ‘What do you mean you don’t know? Are you some sort of stranger to these parts?’ Kara nodded. ‘I… I think I am…’ His expression changed again, this time to one that was firmly grasped on surprise. ‘Oh! Where are my manners! Though…’ ‘Though what?’ ‘The king doesn’t really take too kindly to strangers…’ \n\n‘Why would I ever want to meet this king, or even know about him?’ Kara paused. ‘Actually… if you don’t mind me asking, what’s he like? The king, I mean.’ Huckle sat down on one of the nearby rocks, then ushered Kara over. ‘You might want to sit down for this one.’ Kara did as Huckle suggested. ‘Alright, what is it?’ Huckle rubbed his hands together in glee. ‘Ooh, I hardly ever get to tell this one, I’m a little excited!’ He looked up, before grinning sheepishly, then finally getting into the zone of seriousness he wanted to be in.\n\n‘Rumour has it, that the king was abandoned as a child, and was whisked away to the labyrinth as a mere babe. We called him the babe with the power, and power he did have. He had no place to call home so he soon became immersed in it, he felt lost within the majesty of the labyrinth. In a united decision, the creatures of the labyrinth took him in, and raised him as one of their own. Through the years, he united its people and through that, became king of the labyrinth itself.’ \n\nHuckle lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘Don’t tell anyone I told you this bit, but… he doesn’t take too kindly to strangers as it reminds him of how he was abandoned as a child. He often feels jealousy towards others who have somewhere to return to, and believe there should be others like himself out there. The only strangers he feels somewhat kind to are those who are classed as children. He believes that anyone can change with experience, and coming through the labyrinth will help them make their own decision in life. Does that sound familiar?’ \n\nKara nodded. ‘It’s my eighteenth birthday in two days. Two days before I’m really an adult. I can enjoy things more with my family… people would take me more seriously…’ a tear rolled down her cheek. ‘And now I’m never getting out of here. I’m stuck, with no place to call home.’\n\nHuckle sighed, before putting his arms open to receive a hug from the distraught girl. ‘I’ve heard tales of a girl like you before. She was resilient, brave, and on top of all, compassionate. She travelled all the way to the king’s castle to retrieve her brother and take him back home. Maybe… just maybe… you could do the same. If we find the king, we get you home. Only problem is, the labyrinth changes…’ Huckle pointed to Kara’s left, to reveal a mass of rock and wall that wasn’t there before. ‘Just like that. But, we have two days to get there. Through the lands towards the castle, to get you home.’ Huckle paused, as the two stood up. ‘Wait I never even asked your name!’ ‘Kara.’ ‘Well Kara, what do you think?’\n\n‘If we find the king in two days, I get to go home. \n\nSo Huckle, which way do we go?’", "Henry knew all the ins and outs of the maze. All except one, of course: the very centre. Henry knew the Minotaur must live there. He had listened to its lore since he was a little boy, and no great labyrinth would be complete without that hellish bull man-beast at the centre.\n\nAnd though Henry was petrified at the thought, he needed to visit the Minotaur - perhaps that would help him escape, he reasoned. The last rabbit he'd caught was three days ago, and he'd seen naught a living thing since. It was only a matter of time. What Henry did with it was up to him.\n\nHe could stay here and perish, or he could finally discover the last few metres of this place, overcome (or realise) his fear, and confront the maze's haunted beast.\n\nWell, Henry did have a third option: break through the exit. But this option was his least favourite. Occasionally, Henry would come across the exit when he reset his food traps. He would try to look away, but, like always, he would find himself stood facing the opening - albeit now less exposed given the overgrown ivy. He'd stay there for maybe an hour or more, just staring at that chasm, contemplating walking through it but also utterly unable to. Like trying to jump into a pool from a great height, he could imagine taking a deep breath and making that leap, but it would always end the same way: his back turning and an uneasy tightness lifting and being carried off on the wind, like fall leaves on a cool autumn day.\n\nIt wasn't that Henry was afraid to leave the maze; he was actually rather looking forward to his escape. He was afraid of re-entering the \"real\" world. His world. The one he'd known for most of his childhood yet felt like an unfamiliar void, waiting to swallow him whole. \n\nThe truth was, Henry had entered the maze some ten years ago, when he was nine. But he hadn't gotten lost. At least, not by accident. He could remember it now. Sitting under the bush near the middle, the one that always stood out to him despite it looking very much so like all the others. He'd huddled there and waited for the sun to go down.\n\nIt was that bush he now stood before, contemplating his next move. Though Henry knew he should be terrified of the Minotaur - more than he was right now, at least - he also felt somewhat at peace knowing he shared this vast though cramped space with another.\n\nHenry pulled apart the branches and moved through the thick brush with purpose.\n\nWhat he saw in front of him was no Minotaur. In fact, the creature bore an uncanny resemblance to Henry's mother.", "Today will be a really cool day. Yes, Mom and Dad will take me to visit my cousins ​​in another city. the trip takes but it's worth it in the end.\n\non the old road, dad made a face, and had to stop the car. something on the engine I think. meters ahead, I noticed a colorful sign. I couldn't read what was written, so I walked over while Mom and Dad were concentrating on the car.\n\n\"The Impossible Maze,\" read the facade.\n\nI looked around, and there was no one, so I decided to go inside. made by dense, dark colored vegetation, I was absolved amidst the high walls of leaves, when I realized that the path behind me had closed and I no longer knew where I was. I turned around and ran scared. I stumbled, and recognized that efforts to find the trail were invalid—as were attempts to scream, pleading for my parents.\n\nI turned back in the direction I was heading, deeper into the undergrowth. I felt alone and cold. and hunger, very hungry.\n\n\"Somebody help me!\" he kept muttering, and yelling, when he wasn't tired. when I slowed my steps, intending to catch my breath and then run aimlessly again, I heard something. or would it be someone?\n\n\"Hey, you there...\" said a mysterious voice.\n\n\"Is anyone there? Help me please!\" I asked.\n\n\"Come to me, little boy...\"\n\nthe voice was also a boy's, a man actually. it felt mystical, like in the movies. I couldn't see him, couldn't hear his footsteps, breathing, or anything else but his husky voice.\n\n\"Where are you?\"\n\n\"Just keep walking...\"\n\nso I did. day turned to night, and the feeling of fear only grew in me. I no longer listened to the other boy, no matter how much I called for him. running, tripped. I got up, and looked at the muddy ground. there was a groove. the groove that was made by my sneakers as soon as I entered this damn maze.\n\n\"How can this be possible? I was walking in a straight line. It's impossible for me to be walking in circles, of that I'm sure.\", I thought confused and frightened.\n\ndays passed and I got nowhere. several times I bumped into the mark left on the ground. \"What the hell is going on here?\"\n\ndesolate and discredited, I gave it all up. he was just walking around trying to find something to eat, or who knows, talking again with the owner of the strange voice.\n\nthis time it was the night of a dismal day. tired, I decided to walk just a little longer, and sleep somewhere else, as there were no other options.\n\n\"My God! what is this? who are you?\"\n\n\"Oh, it was you I was talking to…nice to meet you, little boy.\"\n\nThe man wore rags which he called clothes. he was dirty, and his fingers were covered in red liquid. blood. his teeth were the same shape, which looked disturbing. close by, a dense fire, one leg resting on dry sticks.\n\nI looked deep, and noticed it was the leg of some animal. \"he's not a cannibal, and he won't devour me, what a blessing,\" I thought.\n\n\"You live here?\"\n\n\"Yes. There's no way out. It's a paradox. There's a beginning, but there's no end. Once you're in here, there's no way back even where you came in. An endless loop. Well, little boy, welcome to \"The Impossible Maze.\" he said defiantly with a smile through his teeth.", "Phillip hadn’t meant to enter the labyrinth that day — or, more preferably, *ever*.\n\nAside from the masses of dust, collections of suspended cobwebs, and the network of cracks lining every passage, the maze was identical in appearance to when he first entered — and there was nothing that would disturb him more than knowing how long that time really was. Some things were better off left acutely unaware of; instead basking in the shallow void of ignorance, where harsh truths — and harsher realities — wouldn’t have to affect him. \n\nBut nevertheless, even he was still human. He couldn’t sustain himself like this forever.\n\n“I should better find something edible before the pain becomes more than just a slight irritation.” He ran through his daily routine to himself, his stomach aching from the widening gap sitting at its centre with no grub to fill the void.\n\n“Now, water.” He began, crouching down over a metallic bowl within his campsite. Tugging the object over to a copper pipe spanning the wall adjacent to his base, Phillip then gripped and turned roughly at a wheel upon its centre. This movement invoked a resounding croak from the pipeline, before it finally succumbed under the pressure. Where it began to douse a healthy leakage of water — all of which, he collected with a metallic bowl stationed below. After many years of traversal, research, and speculation, Philip had come to the conclusion that the pipes were in actuality an elaborate water system. Already filtered and clean — presumably left to act as a beverage for whomever lived above the labyrinth — he needed to preform little more before it was fully drinkable.\n\nPhillip, having ended the pipe spillage by another turn at the wheel, now began to bring the bowl back towards his base. Here a gathering of both sticks and ash awaited him. It was his fire, or at least the remnants of the previous night’s embers. \n\nCursing under his breath, Phillip began to fiddle with the stray pieces of oak. This was always his least favourite part. Fires required an aggravating amount of time to set up, time Phillip would much prefer utilising elsewhere. He was just glad the maze had its own lighting system, for some unbeknownst reason. Twenty minutes later, the first real cracking of flames erupted forth — and with a sigh of relief — he began the boiling process. Sure, he could trust that the pipe contained clean enough water, but it was always safer to be certain. And without a filter, boiling over a fire should do at least a semi-decent job.\n\n“All this for a bleedin’ gulp of water. The food’ll take even longer…” he complained, taking a mouthful. \n\nUsually, Phillip acquired real sustenance via stray animals that had the misfortune of entering his abode. These he would cook over the same fire upon which he boiled. But the creatures had stopping coming as often lately, and he was becoming desperate. He had to think of something quick, or he might really not make it out someday. \n\nThe man was about to get up in search of any sort of nutrition when he heard it.\n\n*Footsteps.*" ]

[ 1, 3, 3, 7, 11 ]

[ "1634591880", "1634608908", "1634611395", "1634597893", "1634594990" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I couldn't really see. A sort of light was coming from somewhere, a dim, diffuse pinkish glow, but I was surrounded in blackness. Confusion swept over me. \n\nIRLClient.exe? Stopped working?\n\nWhat?\n\nI blinked, but it didn't seem to make much difference in the pink-stained darkness. \n\nLast I remembered, I'd been out on the town. I remembered a sudden, strange wave of weakness coming over me, and then an utter blank. No sensation, no thought, no surroundings--no anything. Then the words had hovered vaguely in some indefinite space before me for a moment, and then everything went dark.\n\nI realized sensation had returned. I was warm and snug, curled up tightly. I felt raw somehow, as though my skin were missing, and bendy as a reed. Although I was wrapped around myself in a sphere I was not uncomfortable. In fact, I was supremely relaxed.\n\nA sound was around me. It was all around me, thumping through my body as well as in my ears: a strong but gentle whump, like the bass at a concert a block away. I wondered idly where on earth I was.\n\nBet Steve and Gary were confused. As far as I knew they were still walking up the sidewalk toward my apartment. I *had* been right next to them. Where the hell was I now?\n\nExperimentally, I attempted to move. I couldn't, or at least not very far. My outreaching limbs met a gentle, velvety-soft, utterly implacable resistance. I felt the first twinge of panic. I tried again. No luck. My insides flipped dizzily. I kicked out in terror and only hurt my legs. \n\nI heard a rumble far away and then there was a gentle pressure against me. The pressure felt soothing. I subsided into a sleepy confusion. The flow and thump around me were reassuring. The darkness lulled me gently.\n\nPresently my thoughts returned. I had exams soon. I'd be a doctor before long. I'd studied for it all my life. I was thirty years old and everything was held suspended, waiting for that precious diploma. I was $350,000k in debt and counting, but who cared? My years of work would come to fruition soon. I'd marry my girlfriend. We'd have that kid. Soon I'd buy that house with the white picket fence. Get a dog. We had waited so long. Worked so hard. In just days it would all be ours. It would all be worth it then.\n\nI dreamed pleasantly. Suddenly there was a tone in my ears and an unctuous female voice uttered these words:\n\n\"Reboot sequence initiated. Running IRLClient.exe. Days til birth: 27. Enjoy your experience with IRLClient. Have a nice day.\"" ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1634778195", "1634784340" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The black marble floor stretched on into the darkness. It was the kind of darkness that whisped at the edges of vision, but tinged with red. \n\n\"Light.\" \n\nSconnce lifted his eyes, in every direction marble floor and the moving edge of darkness. \n\nThree quick gestures, each contained in the last; then wax mixed with marjoram, forming a ball in his tight fist. \"Door,\" throwing the ball it bounced along the chess-tile marble floor into the darkness. For a time, more bouncing, then nothing. Gone?\n\n\"Fuck.\"\n\nHe crouched onto the floor in his black robes, scratching his finger along the grout, inspected the tiles, then his finger. They were his bedroom tiles, he'd chosen them himself, and just this particular grout. Blood of demon and clay.\n\nCrushing the grains from under his nails he named it, \"eEmon.\" \n\neEmon appeared, sliding from the grout like a shadow leering long. \n\n\"Where are we?\" \n\n\"Your bedroom.\" \n\n\"No.\" \n\n\"Yess,\" they stretched the sound.\n\nThe elaborate interior shadow that was eEmon smiled, their face delicate greys of detail within. Sharp features painted in even gradients - they looked smug. \n\n\"We are in the Tower still, in your bedroom. My lord.\" The last word impudent. \n\nSconnce's eyebrows pinched, \"the portal did not come.\" eEmon looked positively victorious. Sconnce stepped up from his crouch and towered over the shadow. \n\n\"Solar.\"\n\nBrilliance from every exposed surface of Sconnce's skin. The shadow faded to next to white, it was squirming, agony and screaming, then gone. But even in the vast expanse revealed, Sconnce saw nothing but tile and the edge of red darkness. \n\nReleasing the starlight he dimmed, only some light remaining. The shadow withdrew again from the grout. \n\n\"What is this?\" \n\n\"Your safety.\" \n\nSconnce froze, a pause that contained sudden tinges of fear. \"Explain.\"\n\n\"You will be here forever. This is where you will be, your bedroom, forever, and it will be with me that you will be safe forever.\" \n\nSconcce tensed. This was his last resort of protection, the demon bound to the floor, a resource always at hand, a demon body grounded between the tiles, blood bound to one task. He crouched again, this time using all his fingers, scratching into the grout, collecting the fine dust of blood and clay. \n\n\"Domination.\" A crackle of darkness, red from every square-patterned tile streaking through aEmon. It illuminated nothing, made from the blood of shadows, and for all the demon's ferocious powers it could only hiss in rigid pain, agony evident in their every genteel gradient of grey. \n\n\"Take me back,\" Sconnce commanded. \n\n\"There is no back.\" It screamed, hissing from a pain far longer than this red tide, \"This is forever. We will be here forever. There will be no next for you, and there was never a next for me. You made this floor of me, squares upon squares of me,\" it reached a long sharp arm that became longer as it pointed across the square tiles stretching, \"thinking I would be your safety, that I would wrap you in clay dust and the blood of me, if need be.\" A pause, \"And so I have.\"\n\n\"I have no need of you. There was no danger,\" fear quavered in Sconnce's voice. Something was wrong. His design had been wrong, a mistake of logic, in the precision of time. He had not bound the demon to a clear beginning, worse, to an end? \"What happens after the danger?\"\n\nThe red withdrew as the dust's power was exhausted. The demon relaxed, pulled a stronger shadow together and said:\n\n\"There is always danger. You could have fallen, you could have tripped, and I saved you from that, as you designed me, by wrapping you in the blood of me. And now, you will be safe with me, in your bedroom, forever.\"", "It’s been five minutes since I have turned off the light in my bedroom and walked towards where my bed should be. I still haven’t reached it. Time has been feeling strange recently. Something I know should only take a couple of minutes like climbing the stairs or turning on the tap seems to take forever. Sometimes I seem to forget altogether that I am in the middle of doing something or I find myself in a different part of the house with no recollection of how I got there. I feel tired. How long has it been since I’ve properly slept? It feels like days. But maybe it’s only hours. It’s hard to tell with the way time has been feeling so distorted. I know one thing for certain: how much I’m looking forward to getting into my bed. Sinking in, snuggling down and just sleeping. I need a rest. It feels like so long since I’ve had a rest. Finally, I make out the shape of a bed against the wall. I made it. Getting here felt so hard. But I made it. I pause. I try to peer with my tired eyes. Why… why is someone in my bed? Who is that? A child. A child sleeping peacefully. I force my eyes to stare, trying to work out who this child is, whether I know them. How long have I been staring at the child trying to understand why they’re in my bed? I don’t know, time won’t make sense. I just want to rest.\n \n *\n\nWaking to screaming, the mother rush into their child’s bedroom. She switches on the light. He won’t sleep without the light on anymore but it’s somehow always off when he wakes. The mother sits on the bed and wraps him up in her arms, attempting to soothe him like she always does. “Shhh,” she says. “It’s just another bad dream.” Her husband follows her into the room and stands by the bed, tired and dazed by sleep. He catches his wife’s eye. *Again?* he silently asks with a raise of his eyebrow. Her son is terrified, eyes wide and shaking. “I saw him. He was there again. Staring at me. He was…” The mother exchanges a look with her husband. *We shouldn’t have bought this house,* she finds herself thinking, not for the first time. *Not so soon after what happened. Not when the previous occupant clearly hasn’t quite left yet...*", "The room had been getting bigger every night. You turned out the light, and suddenly it all changed. At first it wasn’t too bad. A few inches more space, not even really noticeable. Then an extra step, then a short walk.\n\nNow you weren’t sure where your bed was. The space was dimly lit, as though the glow of the moon through the window (which you couldn’t see from this distance) was lighting the whole room in a soft glow like it did when the room was normal sized.\n\nYou stopped by your slippers, the first noticeable landmark. They were normally right under the light switch; to find them here was disconcerting. An inch from the wall was a five minute walk? Your bed was across the room, a few feet away that suddenly loomed into a walk of hours.\n\nYou looked back the way you came. Then to where your bed was…would normally be if you could see it. You kept your floor pretty clean, there wasn’t anything that you could remember between the switch on the wall and the bed across the room besides the slippers you were standing next to.\n\nCould you walk a perfectly straight line for hours to get to your bed?\n\nWhat if you drifted? Got lost? How long might you wander this empty expanse your room had become?\n\nYou always pointed your slippers toes-to-the-wall, you could backtrack to the wall, then follow it around the room. A longer path, to be sure, but surer.\n\nYou turned back and set off.\n\nThen jogged back to grab your slippers. No sense getting chilled feet.", "I stopped, the soft pattering sounds of my footsteps echoing around the hallway. \"Hmm...\" I said, looking around me with my hands on my hips. \"Well, it's official. I don't know where the fuck I am.\"\n\nI took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs, \"HEY THANATOS! THIS ALL YOU GOT?!\" A fluttering of wings and a cold breath of my neck signaled his presence before he spoke. \"is the prince not happy with his eternal punishment? maybe i will try something new...\" Before I could ask what he meant, the floor beneath me dissolved and I fell down into eternity.\n\nI slammed into an earthen surface, all of my bones shattering. I groaned and got up, my flesh and muscles knitting themselves together at an inhuman pace. I took a look around and saw I was on some sort of land, distant mountains looking down on me from the distant horizon. I sighed and made my way towards them, losing my footing occasionally from the soft earth. Every once in a while hands would rise from the earth and grasp at me, but I was able to beat them off relatively easily. \n\nAfter what felt like forever I made it to the base of the mountains, where I realized they looked oddly like fingers. I looked down and started to laugh, realizing where this was headed. \"Wait, seriously? THIS is my punishment? To live on top of a Titan?\" I scoffed, shaking my head in disappointment. \"So unoriginal. Try something with more pizazz next time.\" I walked up to one of the fingers and started to climb until I found myself in front of a massive fingernail. I pushed it up with all of my strength and created a small cave where I could rest. I laid down and drifted off into slumber, confident that this punishment was probably one of the least original ones I've ever had.\n\n*I was in my car, driving down the darkly lit street. I had been finishing up my manuscript for my latest horror novel, one where the main character had been possessed by a demon and made to reenact Jack the Rippers killings, and I had lost track of time. I swerved down the curved road, skirting the edges that lead to certain death down a ravine. I took a sip of coffee and grimaced, its bitter taste making my mouth taste like literal hell. \"Too bitter,\" I muttered, throwing out my window. I turned back to the road and slammed on my brakes, unable to stop myself from slamming into a thin figure.* \n\nI woke up in a cold sweat, my mouth dry and bitter. I worked up a bit of saliva and spit out what looked like a wad of coffee grounds. I scowled and made my way back outside, looking around. This time I seemed to be in a meadow, completely different to last nights(?) punishment. I took a step and grimaced as the grass cut through my feet, blood pooling and being absorbed by it. I chuckled and said, \"Huh, neat. Might have to do this for a new novel, if I can find a computer or a paper and pen.\" I then pulled my foot off of the razor grass and stepped forward, ignoring the constant pain that seared my brain. This went on for a couple of hours until I found myself in front of a massive forest. All of the trees were made of flesh, with occasional bodies hanging from nooses on the branches, and eyes stared at me from all angles. I stared back and said, \"Sorry, guys, but I have to get through here. Just... hang in there?\" The trees rustled, and I could tell the joke fell flat. I muttered, \"Tough crowd,\" before stepping among the trees and walking through the forest.\n\nThe trees moved constantly, trying to confuse me with whispers and misdirection, but eventually I found myself in front of a massive cliff. I sat on the edge and looked down. What looked like a river of fire laid before me, as far as I could see. \"So this is the Phlegeton, huh?\" I whispered, shading my eyes with my hand. \"Seems... overrated.\" \n\nA loud growl came from behind me, and when I turned I saw some sort of creature standing there. It looked like a Minotaur, with mismatched skin and fur spread across its frame. It seemed like it had started to rot, and had used bits of other creatures to stop this. \"Hey ugly,\" I crowed, spreading my arms out wide. \"Thanatos sent you, I'm guessing?\" The minotaur just snorted, flecks of snot flying out and steaming on contact with the ground. I sighed and said, \"Makes sense. So, come and get me, you son of a-\" Before I could finish, the minotaur rushed forward and slammed his horns into my chest, sending both of us flying into the Phlegeton.\n\nWe slammed into the fire and I screamed as the fire not only burnt me down to the bone but burned something deep inside me as well. I passed out almost immediately, and I was haunted by that night so long ago.\n\n*Blood caked my windshield as I stared in shock, unable to think. I sat there for what felt like hours before I shook myself into action, getting out of my car and rushing towards the still body in front of my car. I didn't see the black feathers left all over the road, or the black crown thrown off to the side. All I say was a black dressed figure, their body twisted unnaturally. I leaned down and turned them over, and was shocked to see their eyes shoot open, cold blue orbs staring into my soul. \"did you just hit me with your fucking car?\" It whispered, sitting up. I stammered as the figure stood up, its bones slipping and cracking back into place. It walked over and picked up its crown, and I could see massive black wings like a crow stretching behind it. \"do you realize how stupid you would have to be to hit death with a fucking prius?\" The figure asked, turning towards me and looming menacingly. I didn't answer, scared for my life. Eventually I was able to get out, \"What and who are you?\" Death stood over me, looking at me for the longest time before saying, \"my name is thanatos, i'm going to have to punish you.\" He reached out and touched my chest, a cold feeling invading my entire body. I collapsed and I could hear a wheezy laugh echoing around the empty road.*", "12:02 AM \nFinishing my TV show for the night, I work up the willpower to get off the couch and go brush my teeth before bed. I walk in to the bathroom down the hallway, turn on the light, grab my toothbrush and toothpaste, wt the brush a little and begin. \nThe feeling of the soft bristles against my mouth makes me even more tired than I already was. It's soothing in a way. Repeated circular motions. staring into my own eyes, the deep brown reflected back at me. I struggle to hold my own gaze. \n\n\n \n12:05 AM \n*swish swash* \nI rinse my mouth and spit into the bathroom sink. I turn towards the door, hit the light-switch and go back out into the hallway. I notice the light is still on in the living room. Must've \nforgot. I walk over and hit the light switch. Complete darkness. I turn back to the hallway and begin walking to my bedroom. \n\n\n \n12:06 AM \nI hit a wall in the hallway. Damn \ndarkness. I turn towards my bedroom again and keep walking. \n\n\n \n12:09 AM \nI accidentally walked into the \nbathroom. No biggie, must've gotten turned around from the wall. I stand in the \ndoorway of the bathroom and aim myself to where I know the bedroom is. I begin \ntaking steps in that direction. \n\n\n \n12:10 AM \nI'm still walking? \n\n\n \n12:11 AM \nI stop. Something is off. I don't \nknow what's happening. I don't know if I'm turned around. I don't know if I'm \nlost or if it's because I can't see. But I should have run into my bedroom wall \nby now. \nI turn back towards the bathroom and \nwalk back. \n\n\n \n12:12 AM \nMy breathing is getting heavier. \nSomething is off. Why haven't I found the bathroom yet? Why didn't I get to my \nbedroom? I keep walking down the hallway in pitch blackness feeling for a light \nswitch or a doorway. *~~Do I even have a~~* \n*~~hallway?~~* Please let me find something \n  \n12:15 AM \nThis is wrong. How the hell have I gotten lost? I know my \nown *~~apartment~~* house. My bed should be *~~at the back~~* in the bedroom. The bedroom *~~doesn’t exist~~* is straight behind me. The bathroom should be straight ahead. Why? \n  \n12:17 AM \nWhat is going on? Am I having a nightmare? *~~Am I being punished?~~* Is this an \nillusion? What the HELL is going ON? \n\n\n \n12:20 AM \nTears stream down my face. I haven’t hit any walls at all. I \ncan’t see anything. I drop to the floor. Why is this happening? Who or what is \ndoing this? Why me? *~~I don’t deserve~~* \n*~~this!~~* Just let me go back to my *~~bed~~* \nroom! \n\n\n \n12:24 AM \nThis is my worst nightmare. Lost in nothingness. I can’t \nsee. I can’t find anything. My  head \nfeels like It’s going to explode. *~~Is~~* \n*~~something in my head?~~* I’m lost. Something has felt off this whole time \nand now I know why. This is*~~n’t~~* \nmy house. I *~~don’t~~* have a house \n*~~I had a studio.~~* \n\n\n \n12:30 AM \nWhy can’t I remember? Why can I tell it’s off? Where is my \nbed? I get up and I keep walking. I start running. I don’t care where. I don’t \nknow what to do. I don’t know what else I could do. What the fuck What the fuck \nWhat the fuck \nWhat the fuck \n*~~What the fuck~~* \nWhat the fuck \nWhat *~~the fuck~~* \n  \n12:43 AM \nI collapse. I’m sobbing. I curl up. *~~I give up.~~* \n  \n*~~12:43 AM~~* \n*~~I give up.~~* \n*~~12:43 AM~~* \n*~~I give up.~~* \n*~~12:43 AM~~* \n*~~I give up.~~* \n12:43 AM \nNO! \n12:43 AM \nLEAVE ME ALONE \n12:44 AM \nLET ME GIVE UP. *~~I~~* \n*~~WANT TO QUIT~~* \nSTOP \n\n\n \n*~~12:50 AM~~* \n*~~Please~~* \n  \n12:51 AM \nPlease \n  \n12:57 AM \nSuddenly, a light. I can see a light through my tears. It’s \na lamp? \nI get up. \n\n \n12:58 AM \nIt’s my living room lamp? I walk up and touch it. I turn \naround. \nMy couch. \n  \n12:59 AM \nI sit down. My TV is back. My TV show is playing. I can’t \ncry anymore. I just want to forget. \nI just want to forget. I don’t want to move anymore. \nI don’t want to think. \nI don’t know what happened. \nI just want to watch my show. \nI watch my show. \nThe tears stop. \n*~~The thoughts stop.~~* \n  \n12:02 AM \nFinishing my TV show for the night, \nI work up the willpower to get off the couch and go brush my teeth before bed. \nI walk in to the bathroom down the hallway, turn on the light, grab my \ntoothbrush and toothpaste, wt the brush a little and begin. \nThe feeling of the soft bristles \nagainst my mouth makes me even more tired than I already was. It's soothing in \na way. Repeated circular motions. staring into my own eyes, the deep brown \nreflected back at me. I struggle to hold my own gaze. \n  \n  \n " ]

[ 1, 2, 2, 5, 10, 111 ]

[ "1634829669", "1634866303", "1634869070", "1634849359", "1634839874", "1634836837" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "All right, this one should be easy enough. I looked at the next assignment. Another one in 1915, I guess that was a good year for the business. Ah yes, he would later go on to make advances in the medical field. I skimmed over the report, thinking of how this guy would “miraculously” be saved. I considered it for a while and went to the appropriate time period to make the changes. I paused time and took over the body of the Belgian fruit vendor and assumed my position. Soon enough the aforementioned soldier came by, wanting to buy 2 apples. Instead of the usual, I gave him the five coins that would ultimately stop the bullet that would’ve killed him.\r \n\r \nThe Guardian Angel Initiative was revolutionary at the time, making it possible to change the past to guarantee the best outcome in the future. I was chosen partly because of my studies researching the butterfly effect, partly because I was the one that came up with the idea. I was born in a small village in the Amazon, uninfluenced by the entire course of Western history, which made me the perfect candidate to avoid any pesky paradoxes.\r \n\r \nI surrendered the fruit vendor’s body back to its rightful owner and went back to my Jumper to see if the change had made any difference. Luckily, the coins had saved the man’s life and he had invented the medicine he was supposed to. So why was the thing still beeping red? Apparently, the coins had gone viral at the start of the twenty-first century, causing all kinds of deviations. Shouldn’t be too difficult. \r \n\r \nIt was 1939. The soldier had returned home, kept the coins and they were stowed away in the back of his desk’s drawer. He was showering when I jumped to the appropriate time. Not the best circumstance, but good enough. I took over the body and carefully turned off the shower, waiting for his body to dry, couldn’t leave any prints. when he was dry, I stepped on the carpet and opened the desk, retrieving the coins. I tossed them in a garbage can and went back in the shower and turned the water back on. I stayed till the water was warm and left his body again. Looks like it was all good this time, no red lights anymore.\r \n\r \nI returned to 2087 and checked the screen for my remaining tasks. It was always fun, I’d had people of all continents and social classes who were deemed positive enough for the future to warrant saving. The list was dynamic, always changing with new stuff the AI considers, though the list had been relatively empty today. There was only one left. Adolf Hitler, Berlin, April 30th 1945." ]

[ 1, 5 ]

[ "1634912381", "1634915272" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "God, I love this prompt! Urban fantasy stuff is fantastic.\n\n\\-------------\n\nMia tried not to look at the government agents walking alongside while simultaneously reconsidering her decision to major in Thanatology. \n\nPeople not overly familiar with magic tended to picture those who wielded the Art as doddering old folk in thick woolen robes with graying hair and enigmatic smiles who helped fix problems. The two men that flanked her looked like they were in the prime of their life, and they wore no smiles, enigmatic or otherwise. They also didn't wear any robes- all but the most eccentric magi only wore those during ceremonies and for fancy public events. Both were dressed in sleek black suits that no doubt hid a number of deadly weapons. They were, in a word, terrifying. \n\nFrankly, Mia almost felt out of place, dressed in her hooded grey robes. Like she was both overdressed and underdressed at the same time. \n\n\"Stop here,\" one said, and so they all stopped. The man swiped a keycard at what looked like an unexceptional stretch of alabaster wall. A glimmering door sprang into existence there, made of old carved wood and painted a deep crimson. \n\n\"Go inside and conjure up one of the restless dead,\" the other one said. \"Bind a spirit to yourself, through trickery, force, or negotiation.\"\n\n\"Yes, sir,\" Mia said nervously. The first agent looked at her. His expression was inscrutable, the black glasses he wore hiding his eyes and his mouth set in a thin line. She supposed they were doing their job since she couldn't tell what he was thinking. That was one part of their purpose. The other was to protect against certain fields of magic that required eye contact, but she wasn't trying to hypnotize him or anything. \n\n\"Don't worry,\" he said, and she was almost startled at how *unexpected* those words were from somebody who looked like they'd stumbled out of a government conspiracy flick. \"This isn't a test. You've been accepted into the bureau already. It may take you multiple tries.\"\n\n\"Thank you, sir?\" She said, a bit confused. He nodded and said no more, which she took as a sign that she should get on with it. The doorknob felt cold as she gripped it, but it turned easily as she twisted. The door itself opened with minimal resistance, and she stepped inside. \n\nAs usual, when courting the spirit realm, it was frigid. The dead did not know warmth- well, usually. Being a little cold was better than the alternative. Victims of fire knew plenty of warmth and victims of frostbite and hypothermia tended to drop the temperature in an area to dangerous levels. \"So, either no spirits,\" she said to herself, watching her breath come out as swirling mist. \"Or-\"\n\nSomething rested a claw on her shoulder, and she stiffened. \"A newborn mage, here to bind a spirit?\" Something said- something old and terrible. \"Looking for a partner in your pursuit of the necromantic arts?\" Something ruffled its feathers, and she heard a sound that she could only describe as a crow laughing. \"Oh. Oh, so pretty you are. So young. So... naive.\" \n\nMia couldn't move. She couldn't think. The presence was crushing, overwhelming. She was bobbing on the surface of an endless ocean as something circled in the depths below her. \n\n\"It has been so long since I've seen the world,\" it said, and this was all wrong. Everyone knew that spirits other than human spirits roamed the spirit world. But this was- there were wards here. Wards to stop this from happening. She was too new, too young. Something like this could tear her soul from her body and use her as a puppet as easily as blinking. How did it get here? What was it doing here? Was it going to kill her? \"Very well. I will be your partner. I would advise not mentioning this to the bureau. They will not react well to our new bond. Novices are supposed to partner with regular spirits.\" \n\n\"What,\" she managed to force out through her clenched teeth. The thing wrapped around her, and she tried to move, tried to cast, tried to banish it, but it was in vain. \"No. No, you can't- I can't,\" she said. This shouldn't have been happening. It couldn't happen. The first rites of a necromancer were well documented, well known. Partnerships with spirits were either voluntary on both sides or the result of a necromancer overpowering a spirit through force of will. A spirit forcing a human to do something- that was possession. Everyone knew how possession worked. It *should* have been a possession. \n\nThis should have been a possession, but it wasn't. Her vision went dark, and something wrapped around her mouth, but she could still breathe. She still had control over her thoughts as it reached inside her and dug something out to make room. She could still strain against it, hopeless as it was. It wasn't a possession. That didn't make it any less terrifying.\n\nAnd then, everything was mostly back to normal. She was standing in an empty room. She could still move, could still breathe, could still think, all things she did as she stumbled back and forced down a scream. She could feel it there, whatever that had been. Nestled in her chest, waiting for her to call on it. \n\nWhen she stumbled back outside, the senior mages turned towards her. \"Congratulations,\" the friendlier one said. \"You're one of us now. And you did it very quickly as well. Most take longer than a minute to entice or bind a spirit. Did you get one of our former agents? Some of us volunteer to help newer mages, even in death.\"\n\n\"Yeah.\" Mia took a breath, as the thing inside her laughed. \"Um... they were very... eager.\"" ]

[ 1, 4 ]

[ "1634940291", "1634944711" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Trent sat staring at God, who seemed annoyed, at least the best he could tell. “So, it sounds like everything is taken then?” Trent said. God groaned again, rubbing his hand over his face. If it was possible for God to be exhausted, he was. God and Trent had been sitting, discussing the options still left for Trent’s possible powers for three days now. “Look, Trent, there are still nearly limitless powers you can ask for. Every possible power hasn’t been asked for yet, you just keep asking for ones that people have already chosen.” God said. “Yeah, but you said I can’t be invisible, invincible, immortal, infinitely wealthy, fly, see into the future, the best athlete on the planet, control reality, manipulate time at all, shape-shift, use magic, or be any of the best super heroes.” Trent replied. “You can still be Aquaman.” God said. “Oh everyone knows Aquaman sucks! Why do you think no one has asked for his powers yet?” Trent said, irritated that all of the powers he was requesting, had already been granted.\n\nGod groaned. “Look, Trent. There are still millions of people I need to get to and we’ve spent more than three days going over this.” God said. Trent looked up, hearing this was news to him. “Wait. Millions? Millions? That means you’ve already gone through more than seven billion people!” He said. God’s eyes opened wider, his eyes brows lifting up. “Umm…what?” God replied. “What do you mean what?” Trent said. “I’m sorry, what was the question?” God asked. “You said you have millions of people left that you need to grant powers to. There’s over **seven billion** people on Earth. How many people did you already grant powers to?” Trent asked. God paused for a moment before answering the question. “7,746,316,209.”\n\nTrent’s mouth fell open before blinking and taking a deep breath. “What? That leaves like…” Trent actually wasn’t entirely sure, since he didn’t know the exact population of Earth. God did however. “6,683,791.” God said. Trent tossed his head back and groan. “Ughhhhhhh. Are you ffffucking kidding me?” Trent said. “No Trent, I shit you not.” God replied. Trent rubbed his forehead with his hand. “Okay. Okay. Let me think.” He said, exhaling. “You’ve granted more than seven billion powers already. Odds of winning the lotto are something like 53 million to 1. All of the good powers are gone.” Trent said, pausing.\n\n“So how did you grant powers to babies? Or people that are comatose, or somehow incapacitated?” Trent asked. God smirked, shrugging his shoulder. “Come on. I’m God.” God replied. Trent narrowed his eyes. “Right.” Trent said. Trent sat thinking. Every power I wish for has already been granted. If I combine two or more powers, I either can’t do that. Or, someone else has already thought of that. So I need to think of something that no one else has yet. So what the hell can I ask for that hasn’t already been ask for by someone else?\n\nTrent sat for a long time, his eyes shifting back and forth. After quite some time, Trent looked up at God. “You can read my thoughts, can’t you?” He asked. “Not if you don’t want me to. But yes, yes I can.” God said. “So I might as well just talk out loud.” Trent said. “Your choice, doesn’t matter to me.” God said. Trent narrowed his eyes again. “You’re a bit of a smart ass, aren’t you?” Trent said. God shrugged. “Hey, where do you think all of the comedy in the world came from?” Trent looked annoyed by this point, to say the least. “Riiiight. Real funny, guy that can’t even…” It was a proverbial bolt of lightning, or lightbulb going off in Trent’s head. Of course, as soon as Trent thought of it, God’s expression changed. “Now Trent, let’s think about this for a minute.” God said.\n\n“Well, you know what I was thinking. And I can ask for any power I want, as long as no one else has asked for it. And judging by the way you responded, I’m pretty sure no one else has.” Trent said. “Okay, look. I take that back. Let’s go back to some of the powers you asked for earlier, we can come to a deal. I’ll even grant you two powers. How does three sound?” God replied. God appeared to be worried, it seemed he didn’t want to grant Trent’s power. “Nah, I think I’m good.” “Look Trent, I really don’t think this power is going to work out for you the way you want it to. In fact, it’s not even really a power if you think about it.” God chuckled, trying to convince Trent to reconsider his request. “Hey, it’s my power, right? So what does it matter if it’s really a power, or not?”\n\nGod sighed heavily. “Okay look, why don’t we be reasonable…” Trent cut God off mid-sentence. “Reasonable? I’m just following your rules. Everyone got their powers granted, and I’m not asking for something that someone else has already asked for. So I’m asking for this. I’m following the rules, and this is the power I want. Simple as that.” God narrowed his eyes, peering at Trent. He pointed an index finger at Trent again. “Alright you little son of a bitch. But I’m still done dealing with all of humanity’s shit. Once I grant you the power to take away everyone else’s power, you guys are going to be on your own.” God said.\n\nTrent smiled. “So it will just be like the last few thousand years?”" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1635295018", "1635466168" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Harriet sighed as the water in the sink refused to go down.Shuffling over to the computer her grandson had setup for her she was just beginning to search for a plumber when there was a knock at her door. \n\nThe peephole had been painted over years ago so she just opened the door not without a little trepidation. Standing there was one of the last people she wanted to see. Not that Ruis was a bad boy. But the rumor was the scaled youth worked for Leaguer now.\n\n\"Good morning Mrs. Greene. We're just checking, are any of your drains clogged?\"\n\n\"I don't want no trouble, Ruis.\"\"It is no trouble senora. But when twenty units in the same building has trouble at the same time. . . My boss takes notice.\"\n\n\"It's just my kitchen sink. I probably let too much lettuce or cheese get down the drain.\" Harriet held her composure as the young man tapped an icon on his phone.\n\n\"Si soy yo. Tengo otro en el duodécimo piso.\" \n\nAlmost instantly a small female in all black with a wide brimmed hat appeared behind him. \n\nThe villainess raised her gaze to the elderly tenant. “If I may see the problem Mrs. Greene?”\n\nHarriet backs away from the door to let the pair enter. “Is something wrong? Did Leaguer do something?”\n\n“No no senora. We do not cause harm in our territory. But so much happening at the same time goes beyond coincidence.”\n\nThe sudden sound of water gurgling down the drain in the kitchen cutting them off as the girl comes back holding a small blue disk. “Hard rubber like all the others. I teleported this one out of the trap. These are machined. . . No sir, I think this was meant to get this very reaction out of us. I need to get clear of the building before a hero or police show up.”\n\n“Is there a problem? I thought you were a speedster dear.”\n\n“Getting out is easy. The problem is I need to be seen leaving. Or someone may assume I am still here and bust through a door or wall.”\n\nAs the girl walks down the hall to take the stairs, Harriet turns to the young mutant with concern plain on his face. “Perhaps you could give me a hand after all Ruis. I have so much baking I need to get done.”\n\n“Si senora.”" ]

[ 1, 4 ]

[ "1635347422", "1635374248" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Mr.Alanzo bit the end of his pen and stared me down from across his desk. He was a bold looking man, with gray, slicked back hair and a pin-striped suit. I dared not interrupt what seemed a ritualistic appraisal. But Mr.Alanzo could see with more than eyes.\n\n“Yes,” he said finally, “you will do nicely.”\n\n“Do what exactly, Sir?” I asked. I was only sixteen, being alone with this strange man made me nervous. The office seemed decent enough, but liminal.\n\n“Why,” said Mr.Alanzo, “you will be my personal assistant. You did read the ad, didn’t you?” He flicked his wrist and a piece of paper appeared in his hand. He fixed his glasses.\n\n“Neat trick,” I said. “I’ve only seen someone do that with playing cards.” The boss smiled and began to read.\n\n“Personal assistant needed. Two dollars an hour. Please have charisma and a magical personality.”\n\n“It was an odd ad,” I said. “But you were the only one on Gregslist that answered.”\n\n“You start today,” said Mr. Alanzo. He ordered me to hold out my hands and with the flick of his pen, a uniform appeared in my hands. I was startled, and then shocked. Was I dreaming?\n\n“Wh-How did you…What?!”\n\n“Speak plainly.”\n\n“How did you do that?”\n\n“Magic, course. You have magic in this world, don’t you?”\n\n“Not…really.”\n\n“Oh, well thats awkward.” \n\n“You’re not gonna have to wipe my brain with a forget-me spell are you?”\n\n“No no,” said Mr. Alanzo, “it’s worse than that. I’m going to have to train you for the position.”\n\n“Train me? I’m not following sir. What exactly do I need to do? I thought I was just a coffee fetcher.”\n\n“Heavens no! Why? Do you know a good place to grab a cup of joe?”\n\n“Yeah, Claddah coffee shop,” I said, “it’s down seventh. But what do I need to learn?”\n\n“Magic,” said Mr. Alanzo. “I need to teach you magic.”\n\n\nLmk if you want more :)", "\"Well kid, congrats you got the job!\" Mr. Falseid said giving me a pat on the back before leading me back to the front of the run down store.\n\n\"Wait, really? That is fantastic!\" I exclaimed, happpy to finally have landed a new job after I quit the last one, plus I might actually be able to make rent this time, if the discussed payment is actually what I'll be getting.\n\n\"Sure is kiddo, not everyday ol' Pan gets to hire a new face. Say, would you be able to start right now?\"\n\n\"I can do that, yeah. Though I gotta ask, I know it's my first day and all, but can I get a bit of an advance payment, you see I am a tad behind on rent and they'll thro...\"\n\n\"That isn't a problem in the slightest.\" my boss interrupted, \"How do you want to be payed, Gold, Drachme, Blood,...\"\n\n\"Dollars...?\" I asked, hoping that he was just messing with me and won't actually pay me in blood.\n\n\"Sure, a comparativly boring choice but I'll manage.\" he said before pulling a wad of bills out of one of his suits pockets, which I am pretty sure wiould have never fit in said pocket, especially because it looked empty before and handed me a few bills.\n\n\"Oh and here is your uniform the changing room is down there, second door on the right.\" and with a wave of his hand a seemingly brand new uniform landed in my hands. Too stunned to say anything I made my way to the locker room.\n\nGetting inside, I was relived to see that everything looked normal, apart from another door leading somewhere else and an imposing suit of plate armor with a huge sword standing next to it. \n\nI changed outfts when a scratching sound from the other door caught my attention, I tried to ignore it but my curiosity got the better of me, slowly I crept towards it, keeping an eye on the imposing suit of armor. I placed my hand on the door handle but before I could press it down a voice from my left made me halt: \"I would refrain from doing that if I were you.\" I looked up and saw the suits helmet looking down directly at me \"Wh..w...Why?\" I answered. \n\n\n\"Ghoul infestation.\" the suit replied as if it was the most normal thing in the world.\n\n\"I'll be going then.\" I answered before quickly finishing up and heading for the way back to the front of the store. \"Have a great day at work!\" I heard the suit reply before I shut the door.\n\nWhen I got back to the front I saw Mr. Falseid talking to someone else, though the other person was obscured by him. \"Ah, you're back. And i'm glad to see that the uniform fits. This here is Clarisse by the way, one of your co-workers.\" he stepped aside revealing a female figuree dressed in jeans, a brown leather jacket and a company t-shirt, a pretty normal outfit all things considered. What wasn't normal was that where a normal human head should sit was instead occupied by a black furred wolf head, \"Hey.\" the she-wolf greeted me. \n\nMy confusion and complete disbelief must have been visible from a mile away and it took me several moments before I could articulate a response: \"H..Hi...\", was all that I muttered.\n\n\"Hmmm, you're handling it better than most, usually people run away screaming when they hear they'll be working together with a werewolf. But I am sure we'll get along splendidly.\" She said giving me a smile that revealed two rows of sharp fangs, before heading into the back of the store.\n\n\"Mr. Falseid, where can I find...\" I started, but stopped as I turned around and instead of the buisinessman dressen in a black velvet suit there stood a half-naked satyr, reading through some pages of paper. \n\n\"Kid, since you'll be working here with us you can call me Pan.\" He said, looking up from his sheets before shooting me a smile.\n\n\"Alright... where can I find the restroom?\"\n\n\"Through the locker room and down the stairs on the other side of it, then its the seventh door on the left, or was it the eight? I always get it and the Chimera pen confused.\"\n\n\"You mean the Ghoul infested stairs?\"\n\n\"Ah right, I knew I forgot something. But there should be some spare weapons and armor your size flying around here somewhere,let me get it for you.\" and with that he too headed off towards the back.\n\nThis is gonna be one hell of job..." ]

[ 1, 5, 7 ]

[ "1635434990", "1635439129", "1635446899" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I didn't want this.\n\nI wish sincerely that there was anybody else who could hear those words, but all I ever see is my own guilt spread across unrecognizable faces. I wonder sometimes if the body's owner is somewhere in there, screaming for freedom.\n\nI hope not.\n\nMy wife had been the first one, it hadn't really set in yet what was happening, she was panicking and trying to run from me, operating on pure fear. Half asleep, I thought it must be a nightmare, both of us probably shared the same thought. I tried to comfort her, but I quickly realized I was the source of the fear. In between the swearing she was making claims that sounded like nonsense. If I had recognized the words for truth sooner, maybe...\n\n“Mom? Mom what's wrong! Wha-” My wife opened the door to see my son standing in a confused stupor, before panic set in his face. The same panic she had just went through. Of the three of us I was the most ignorant, but she... she knew, and when she looked at what we had done to our son... I'll never forget that scream.\n\nIt is a surreal to know that a version of me mourned the loss of my son before I could even comprehend that he had been lost.\n\nThe Spread was small at first, limited to just ten feet. Maybe others would have fled, tried to hide themselves away from society. Maybe they would have killed themselves in hopes that would fix everything. A particularly cruel individual might have tried to weaponize it faster.\n\nI turned to the government. I know the fears and superstition behind such an act, but I am a father before anything, and if they tortured me, cut me open, dissected my brain while I was still awake, anything would have been worth it to have my son back. I Spread to twenty three more individuals before they took me seriously, and I learned that those I Spread to could Spread themselves.\n\nThey quarantined our block, bringing in the national guard to enforce it. They didn't need to worry about me trying to escape, but curiosity and disbelief had drawn in attention from the media, and with it the masses had their eyes on me. Before the area had been fully secured, another twelve had fallen to the Spread.\n\nThirty eight of me in that little neighborhood, we formed our own society as we waited for the scientists to do their work. We split ourselves among the houses as best we could, it hurt to look at your victims, and for most it hurt to look at me, having the knowledge that they weren't even the original, just the affliction. When we tried to converse it was always awkward, mostly probing that the other party was indeed the same person, and after that having little to offer save for small comments about the various chores we had assigned ourselves. I stayed as far from my wife and son as I could, they were my motivation, but they were also the dagger in my heart pressing ever inward.\n\nI wonder that I never went insane.\n\nThe scientists did the best they could. Many of their experiments had to be done by some version of myself to eliminate the risk of the Spread. I can't imagine what it must have been to be the one assigned to draw my blood, and to take the *other* samples. It certainly hadn't been comfortable on my end, it was akin to a new nurse struggling to find the vein, but worse.\n\nThe results were less promising than I'd have hoped, nothing immediately seemed abnormal from my labs. They did establish that after I Spread to a victim I do not continually overwrite them, they gained immunity from me for all that it mattered. When my victims Spread to others they didn't implant any of their new experiences, but instead the same copy that had overwritten them. The Spread also seemed to only effect humans, so I did not need to worry about a version of me trapped in the body of a worm.\n\nA cure did not seem within sight.\n\nYears passed, my hope faded. Within the quarantine I had been further sequestered by my other selves, to reduce the risk as best as I was able. We had no reason to believe that the range of the Spread would increase, but we had no reason to believe otherwise. It was well intentioned, but it is what ruined us.\n\nI wanted to see him, I had to see him, even if it hurt. It was a passing comment, my son's body was going through its growth spurt, one of my selves had shared it with another me, not intending me to overhear. As we were all the same once, we all shared the same pain, and as we were our own company we had taken into confiding our misery in ourselves.\n\nHe was on the other end of the quarantine. It was just one hundred feet, it took less than a minute. Less than a minute, I'll never forget that. He was inside, watching TV; when he answered the door and I looked at his face, I lost it. I tried to tell him how sorry I was, how much I missed him, I gave him a hug as he uncomfortably stood there. I composed myself, tried to apologize, he explained to me that I'm not the first to have an episode like this. I sometimes wonder how he was able to handle being in that body all these years, I did not know I had that kind of strength.\n\nWhat I also didn't know was that there was two other aspects to the Spread we had yet to discover.\n\nWhatever causes the Spread, it grows in strength with time. When it had first come into existence, it only altered people within ten feet of me. Over the years that distance had increased to one hundred fifty feet. The second aspect was that whenever I Spread to another person, the strength of their Spread matches my own. While I was walking one hundred feet to see my son, the guards stationed nearby were overwritten, and from them the nearby civilians, and so on and so on.\n\nWithin less than a minute my home town had fallen to the Spread.\n\nI volunteered for euthanasia, before the government inevitably demanded it. I was too much of a threat, transporting me anywhere would be too risky, and too many loved ones of my victims existed that wanted me to be held accountable. I am not a suicidal person, but I am human, I know the risk I pose and the harm I've done.\n\nI was given instructions on how to make it as painless as possible, others were instructed on how to incinerate and dispose of my remains so that nothing that was me was left. What a strange position that must have been. As I felt myself going, my last thought was “I didn't want this.”\n\nAnd then I woke up in a strangers body across the ocean.\n\nThe incineration didn't work, whatever the Spread is, it still grows in strength. I would come to learn that my home town and all of my original victims were nuked in a last ditch attempt to remove the Spread, but even that did not stop it. We speculate now that whatever the Spread is, it was never a part of me, but something *else* that had somehow latched itself onto me for a time. It is a belief born of a desperate hope that it is not our fault, but the implications are hardly comforting.\n\nI am of the last generation of victims, the largest generation, when all who had fled to a new continent to escape the Spread finally succumbed to it. We keep the old names, it's the easiest way to differentiate ourselves, because if we chose our own names we'd all pick the same ones. We do the work that our hosts did, to try to keep the world running. The first couple of decades were rough, a running joke in our society is to blame any of our mistakes on the original version of me being a lazy bastard. It's not our fault, it's his.\n\nTime really does change a man, it's something that I knew to be true, but seeing millions of my reflections become increasingly different to myself really cements the weight of it. Life could be better, but I've learned to adapt to the cards that I've been dealt. It's either do that or give up and die, and dying didn't work. Some of us even decided to have children, I haven't adapted *that* much yet, but it does make me hopeful that as much as its course has been changed, humanity won't simply be erased.\n\nEven if the children are just small versions of myself, with all those years ahead of them, they truly have the chance to be anyone.\n\n​\n\nNano goal: 1521/50000 words" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1635785091", "1635816079" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It took me a second to recognise Greg from accounting, tho he had lost his helmet his head was covered in whatever that red goo that spattered the rest of his body. Two of my team mates, I think is was Liz and Becker from design, raised their paintball guns but we could all tell that something was wrong. As Greg crashed into me a grabbed him and as I did I caught a strong stench of copper. \n\n\"Run, Please\" He gasped into my ear\n\n\"Hey Greg chill out there, when your hit your meant to lie down until the whistle\" I told him as he bent double wheezing\n\nBecker pulled of their helmet revealing their confused expression. \n\"Red? I thought we were only playing with blue and orange today?\"\n\nGreg straightened and and as he did I saw how pale he was looking under the blood, his eyes were wide with pupils so dilated they just looked black. Sweat rolled down his bald head and mixed with the blood before dripping off his nose. \n\"Sam, Evan, Cam ... they're gone\" His voice trembled as he spoke.\n\nLiz pulled her helmet off and started checking him over looking for the source of the blood. \n\"What happened to you? are you injured\" As the office first aid she had gone into auto-pilot.\n\n\"Gone? What you do mean gone? is the watch over?\" Becker snapped at him clearing not noticing how terrified he already was. \n\nAs he opened his mouth to answer a carbon fibre patterned blade sprouted from his neck. His body collapsed to the ground to reveal a human figure standing dressed head to toe in tattered camo with a mirrored visor and a battered paintball gun at their side. They wiped the blood off their knife on their sleeve and slowly turned their head to look at us. Liz scrambled back on her hands and knees as Becker instinctively raised their gun.\n\n\"Who the fuck are you!\" They shrieked at the figure.\n\nMy feet were rooted to the ground and the only thing I could hear apart from the pounding of the blood in my ears was the gurgling of Gregs body on the ground. Liz finally made it to her feet and attempted to run but in a kind of an eye the figure's gun was in their hands and let off a pffft as it fired. Liz's back exploded open as if a grenade had gone off in her lungs, a lump of rib and spine tangled in flash landed at my feet and I felt my stomach heave. Her arms clawed a the ground briefly before collapsing with a thud. \n\nBecker's face went blank and their eyes narrowed, the only other time I had seen them like this was at a remembrance day dinner we had had. They let out a snarl as they charged at the figure firing their gun wildly to little effect. With a surreal laziness the figure adjusted their aim and let out another pfft. Becker's knee exploded leaving one of their combat boots lying on the ground with the foot still in it. With a scream Becker threw their body at the figure knocking it off its feet. They both fell to the ground and rolled around grappling in the dirt, I saw the figure's gun on the ground and forced my frozen muscles to move. As I stumbled towards the gun I heard a gasp and turned to see Becker's body with a knife hilt deep in their chest getting pushed away by the figure. I scrambled the last few feet and snatched up the gun just in time to spin and fire it right into the figure's chest.\n\nSlowly the figure looked down at its chest, where the single paintball had harmlessly splattered. Knocking the gun out of my hands I felt its cold dry fingers lock around my throat an slowly start squeezing. Desperately I scrabbled at its face trying to get it off me but it only lent more weight onto my neck. As my vision began to dim I felt my fingers slip under the edge of the mask and with my last bit of strength I wrenched up, I would at least be able to see the face of my attacker before I died. And as my mind numbed and my gasping stopped I saw, under the helmet, a face that should never been seen on any living being.", "The forest of Thickwood was a turgid space where the Asamanian conflict meshed with those of the Unbound and the Akar. Death became a common occurrence within its verdant embrace. The years had made it so that the ground turned uneven and the trees leaned over each other in cramped spaces. Its bloated form only ever allowed enough sunlight to show the muted greens of this suffocating forest.\n\nI hated venturing out this far into the woods, but the Clerian king, Logam, needed to know how far the conflict had escalated.\n\nThe air itself felt unnatural, the forest's earthy musk thick all about us as we trudged over foliage. I looked to the branches and felt eyes all about me.\n\n\"Steady, men,\" I ordered. My gaze never left the top of the trees which loomed over us. I almost wished they moved rather than stay so unnervingly still.\n\n\"Run.\" I heard in the distance. It drew closer.\n\n\"The scouting team,\" said one of my men.\n\n\"Back already?\" asked another, visibly perplexed.\n\nHe burst from a clearing of shrubs covered in blood, his armour caked in the stuff, fear had claimed a manic hold over him.\n\n\"Run!\" he exclaimed, his voice pregnant with horror.\n\n\"Calm! Tell me what you saw!\"\n\n\"There is no time!\"\n\nOur breath got caught in our throats. Whatever presence crept closer had an aversion to life, or perhaps envied its sight.\n\n\"We... we killed it...\"\n\n\"Killed what?\" I asked. My eyes were plastered to the veil of the shrubs, my vision tunneled, growing ever longer as I felt my heart beat against its ribcage.\n\n\"An Asamanian... there was an ambush.\"\n\nThe men laughed. \"He's scared of a couple exiles.\"\n\nNo. I could see what terror rattled behind his eyes, what shadows it cast in those sockets.\n\n\"No... the Asamanian are all dead...\"\n\n\"What do you mean?\" I asked. All I got was a despondent whimper more fitting to a child than a soldier.\n\n\"It comes.\"\n\nThere was a howl, a mournful and primal thing from wind through offered gaps.\n\n\"The war-spirit.\" The frightened man's words were more a breath than anything else.\n\nIt came so swiftly from the brushes, as quick and fleetfooted as the wind which heralded it.\n\nMy life turned into flashes of red and screams as we fled all at once. Already the fallen war-spirit had claimed those who died before, bones, muscle and viscera turned into body armour to empower its already haunting visage. It crashed into men and turned them into pulp, the remains absorbed into its smoking body. The mounted skull on its head hunted with absolute abandon, searching for more life to snuff out, for more bodies to add to its size. Smoke trailed its bulging form and burnt with its undying rage.\n\nEven when all of us were reaped by its red fury, it would be consumed by that ire and turn back into red mist. Waiting till one day when more blood would be spilled on hollowed ground so that it may rise again and bring carnage.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\n/r/KikiWrites\n\nIf you enjoyed that, it is based on the setting for my upcoming Dark Souls inspired novel. It is coming 2022." ]

[ 1, 5, 18 ]

[ "1636348058", "1636447095", "1636369121" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "# The Trick Unseen\n\n\\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nGideon's Pavilion was the largest of its kind in the city, built on the charred ruins of Capital. It was a single curve of flowing stone, seats molded as if by the wind, a beveled roof edge that drew the rain to the gutters. A small table at the center stuck out, an ugly little thing in this grand place. The echo was near perfect. The seats made no noise, while the pavilions center seemed to whisper in your ear no matter where you stood.\n\nKirk was staring at the tableau carved into the edge, doing his best to ignore the aimless chatter around him. The first and last battle of *'The War from Within'* the historians were calling it. The Harhim, the devils tamed, riding out to a rumored foe, the tip of the most feared spear in history. Easier to list the peoples they hadn't had a hand in conquering. At their back Gideon rose with nothing but his pen. Kirk thought, *Wars are fought. This, this was just his 'Prestige', no more. A formality, Capital had been his for quite some time.*\n\nKirk's attention was drawn by the guest of \"honour\". Aura 'Gidemark' Finnly. Aside from her moniker you could not find a more common name. Yet at her entrance, Kirk, along with every noble blooded stooge there got to their feet.\n\nAnd bowed.\n\nKirk's stomach did something, unpleasant. He was struck with the most unusual need to laugh but stifled it. The pavilion took their seats at a gesture from the Gidemark. Their eyes met, her face betrayed no recognition. Kirk could not be so sure of his own. She turned to the wooden table brought here for this occasion, a heap of rusty metal left on it. She took out her Artisans wand, with a flourish, and addressed the audience.\n\n\"Friends, guests. Are you perhaps ready?\" she turned to show her wolfish grin. \"I was born for this moment, born to show you all,\" she spat the last word, a touch of deep anger in her stage voice.\n\nKirk knew she retreated to what she had practiced to contain herself. \"I, the Gidemark, by order of Gideon, am to convince you all of the Artisans place in our new world. How blessed you are.\"\n\nShe turned back to the pile of browning metal. She made a complex swirling pattern with her wand. Polished wood and inset with pinkish gems, expensive but not overly gauche. Kirk figured she was borrowing someone else's.\n\n\"First. The pledge.\"\n\nWith her swirling, the metal began to rise. Separating and lining itself in the air with control and precision. Largest to smallest, grouped by rust content. The intent was clear. The Gidemark wanted everyone to know '*I am in control*'.\n\n\"Second. The turn.\"\n\nThe very air of the pavilion now danced to her ever-swaying wand. When it looked as if she would relax, she dived into some twisting equation of will and wood. The metal seemed to be taken by the wind, thrown randomly. But Kirk could just see the pattern; as if the crashing and the chipping, sparking and twisting, it was all apart of a great pattern.\n\nThe Gidemark ended a flourish by thrusting her wand to the open sky. A perfect cerulean blue. The metal arranged itself in a line upward. If there was order to it, Kirk could not decipher it. Each piece was alien, some glowing chunk of metal that had been formed in all that chaos. Now aligned together like a perfect bolt, stretching to the seat of the gods.\n\n\"And the Prestige.\" she shouted, but quieter the pavilion carrying her small voice. \"El temere finalis...\" Kirk recognized the phrase. The last line from Gideons best work. The poem, the words, that ended an empire.\n\nAmidst the incantation she thrust the point of her wand at her open hand. Metal began slapping against her palm, and then against metal, while the Gidemark made minute twists of her wand as if picking a lock with it. The sound of scraping metal subsided, the glow of the work died. She stood hunched over her work. The pavilion killed all noise. All except the quiet deep breathes of an Artisan finished her work.\n\nShe unveiled what she had made of the large rusty plates. A golden pocket watch. Kirk didn't know if it was true gold, but it had its shine. The audience took to a halting applause. Awed by their first taste of what the gifted can do when you put anything but a sword in their hand. But the meaning of the display sunk in to some. Rusty, ugly metal. Transformed into something useful and beautiful. They sat where once the old heads of the High Houses had made war, where they had feasted while the conquered lands starved, where Kirk might have built his legacy.\n\nThe assembled guests made their way from the pavilion. Some with a bit more haste than others. Agents likely sent by the old Houses, Kirk reckoned. Come to see what the usurpers protege was up to.\n\nKirk waited for the last guest to leave, an older woman who spoke softly with the Guidemark, away from the center. He spotted the wand concealed at the woman' hip. She made to leave but lingered long enough to scowl at Kirk. He returned it with a genuine smile, he had long gotten used to the scorn.\n\nHe made it a step further when the Gidemark tackled him. Muscled arms grabbed him tight, a gentle hand clasping the back of his head. Kirk looked at Aura, her grin turning sweet.\n\n\"You did great,\"\n\n\"I know.\"\n\nThey shared a kiss where they shouldn't. Here where spies could see, but Kirk couldn't manage to care.\n\n\"So, 'Gidemark', think that scared them?\"\n\n\"I really don't know what will make them understand.\"\n\n\"It's shocking,\" Kirk said, knowing he broached a tricky subject. \"The first time you see it. You don't want to believe it.\"\n\n\"Well, they should.\" Aura broke their embrace and paced to the table, placed her hands flat. \"Gideon takes a whole city from them, gets them to burn it for him, and they need proof. Idiots.\"\n\n\"My informants told me some still believe in the 'Delemity', they hope that such a foe won't strike while the High Houses are so low.\"\n\nAura laughed but its bitterness made Kirk uneasy. \"Maybe Gideon told them to good a story.\"\n\n\"Nothing short of the Delemity, a nation of freed-slaves come to take vengeance would have drawn the Harhim. They'll realise sooner or later that they lost. Lost years before Capital burned.\"\n\n\"Did you see me the way they do, back then, you know...\"\n\nTheir first encounter came to Kirk. In the days when he was 'Kirkland Grahm Weirst'. He'd listened to the wrong informant, a plant by another house. But his assassin had been surprised to find a 'Harhet' a devil unchained, with the heir to House Weirst. Of course, so had Kirk. Aura in the midst of a feuge, the battle trance of the warriors carved in stone above their heads. Kirk had barely escaped with his life, the assassin had not been so lucky.\n\n\"I'd never thought about the Harhim much. They were a tool to be used, that's what I'd been taught. You opened my eyes, Aura. You and Gideon.\"\n\nKirk wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. \"Gideon discovered the lie of the gifted, and few can use it like you.\" he kissed her cheek. \"I see you now, there is no one more important in this city, to me, or the gifted. I see you.\"\n\nThey kissed again under the watchful eyes Kirk knew would be there. He stopped caring. He'd helped bury the world he knew. what better time to dispatch tradition.\n\n\"Shall we get married?\"\n\nAura tensed and relaxed. \"You mean, but you're, and I'm-\" he silenced her with a kiss.\n\n\"Yes I am me, and you are you. Seems like a good enough reason.\" Auras face became the most amazing thing he'd seen that day; greater than the pavilion and its history, greater than Auras own magic.\n\nThis is why he'd helped kill an empire. So it'd be possible for her to make that face.", "Part one\n\n“Human!” The elf children stared, pointed, cowered, and stood tall in front of the man.\nHe stared at them for a moment, before suddenly being covered in a dim yellow green light. When the light faded, the human’s ears had disappeared, to be replaced with three pairs of elven ones. His hair now platinum, complimented his silver robes well. \n\nThe pointing boy had a feeling of void painting stripes on him. He slowly lowered his arm. The eyes of a boy cowering behind one of the girls lit up, and he ran toward the man, hugging his waist.\n\n“Uncle Seri!” The boy exclaimed while looking up in the mans face.\n\nThe other children stood shocked, their faces almost blue.\n\nThe man patted Alfery on his similar platinum hair. His ears glowed a dim yellow green again, and the three pairs became one, with echoes.\nThe kids, now more scared then ever, scattered, and ran back to the village.\n\n“What are you doing here?” The man’s voice gentle, and soft like moss.\n\n“The kids wanted to see you, but they didn’t know were to go so they brought me through the Forrest.” The boy paused and the smile turned grim, “am I in trouble?” His innocent eyes did not get sympathy from the man. \n\n“No, but I’ve told you not to come here unless you are accompanied by an adult.” \nAlfred lowered his gaze. \n\n“It’s fine,” the man spoke quietly, like a dying breeze. “Come i—“ he was interrupted by a group of adult elves rushing from the direction of the village. \n\n“Sir Seris! Sir Seris!” Their panicked demeanor made a leaf fall from a close tree. They stopped, panting. The one in the front spoke, “Sir Seris we apologize for any trouble the children have caused,” the elf’s face was tense while he avoided making eye contact. “I will take any punishment that you wish to bestow upon the children sir, please forgive them!” Another leaf fell from a tree. Seris’s frown, as weak as it was, did not worsen, nor ease. \n\n“Come here,” Seris motioned to the elf in a formal way. The elf’s face contorted with anxiety. They moved toward Seris and bowed. “Stand tall,” the elf hesitated but obliged. Meeting eyes with Seris, something that the village elder spoke of with fear. The elf turned pale. It stared Seris in the eyes, unable to look away.\n\n“My name is Zhelosqe.” The elf spoke quietly, shaking, as if answering to a deity. He started to sweat. \n\n“Ah,” Seris broke eye contact, “I apologize, bad habit.” Seris’s head down, Zhelosqe could move again.\n\nA soft touch fell sweetly and gingerly upon Zhelosqe’s shoulder. He no longer shook, and the fear faded. \n\n“It is unfortunate really,” Seris spoke so softly that the elves in the back of the group had trouble hearing him. He flinched, rejecting the thought of looking the elf in the eyes once more. “Those who react like that are those who know death when they see it.”\n\nZhelosqe was silent.\n\nSeris’s touch left the shoulder. The elf was in either a state of confusion or shock, he himself could not tell. \n\n“Do not worry,” Seris continued softly, “I am not so petty as to dislike children for a little ignorance.” He looked at a leaf on the ground and it began to glow. “They are young, more so then you.” The leaf glided on unseen winds to the branch that it fell from. “They have time.” Seris continued, “so do you” he raised his head looking through the Forrest at a distant patch of grass. \n\n“So,” Seris motioned to the everyone else to leave, Alfrey ran to them while looking back, “how do you feel for tea?”\n\nEdit: indentations" ]

[ 1, 8, 27 ]

[ "1636401771", "1636426160", "1636420656" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "A cloud of dust sprung up from the table as another book was unceremoniously strewn onto it. The dust motes, dancing around like so many fairies upon the wind, gave no comfort to the figure who was hunched over the scroll. Around him, countless scrolls, books, and tomes lay, piled higher than his body, which was cloaked. His eyes fluttered from one line to the next, scanning at an inhuman pace as he so desperately searched for what he desired. Around him, the suns shadow had grown long, cut off by the grime on the windows and the cobwebs built around the corners. The sound of a page being turned, as the man muttered to himself “no, no, not Wolfsbane. Too potent”. Sweat had begun to bead on his forehead, as he raced against the clock. His scanning did not grant him any reprieve in the tome he was examining, and he tossed the book away after snapping it shut, sending another shower of dust into the already musty air. He coughed and reached for the next scroll, titled “A glossary of cures for wounds, punctures, and ailments, by Charles Dumont, 682”. His heavy breathing growing by the minute, the man seemed to grow more and more desperate with every missing piece. His frantic search continued with unwavering concentration, as each minute the shadowed fingers of night clawed their way towards his back.\n\nUnsuccessful, the man threw the scroll haphazardly towards his examined pile and turned to his next book. Reaching toward it, his forearm was drawn out of the underside of the cloak, revealing a linen bandage that covered his left forearm. The man winced, the pain snapping him from his state of total focus momentarily, before he dove back into the book.\n\nPouring down the page, his blazing fast pace grew even faster, and he began muttering “Wounds, wounds, wounds, yes, but where are the bites?” Another page turned, and then another. The silent library only echoed his every movement, magnifying what he did by a thousandfold. Each sound, echoing off the walls, seemed to be a toll for the bell called death.\n\n“Found it!”\n\nThe man's eyes greedily drank in the page he had been longing for. Written in a language of symbols from a continent long gone, was the image of a man, buckled over with fur sprouting onto his body, his nose elongating. His ancient language study had paid off, evidently.\n\nWhispering as he read, the man's lips cracked as he followed through the passage. “The Werewolf is the ultimate killer, a beast which cannot be tamed or stopped, which will rampage on the night of the full moon until it can no longer sustain itself, is not a force to be tested.” The man frowned, before commenting, “of course, but where is the cure?”\n\nThe shadow of the window before him had begun to crawl over the book, cutting through the page and dividing it into two. The man looked up, and began to tremble. By his calculations, he only had minutes left until the inevitable occurred.\n\n“As the werewolf cannot be treated easily, it is ill advised to approach the beast without knowing the circumstances. Instead, it is recommended to treat when the moon is not full, where the humanoid can be subdued and safely held while medicinal herbs are administered. The recipe for treatment is as follows:” the page cut off there, and the man thumbed at the corner, the sweat from his hands caused him to fumble it twice before he turned it.\n\nWhat greeted him was a torn page, half gone, with the recipe and ingredients missing. The book had evidently been plundered before.\n\nThe man exhaled, and leaned back, allowing the book to fall to the wayside and gazed at his palms. Their trembling was so strong that he could barely even see them. His vision blurred, as tears rose to his eyes, and he looked towards the window, where only a trace of sunlight still shined through the window.\n\nIt was on this night, that his transformation began.\n\nIt was on this night, that life became death." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1636709020", "1636725199" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It was before.\n\nIt will be again.\n\nThe great Ending, the Search, and the Reseeding.\n\nI don't remember where we started out. I'm not that old. I do remember the last Ending though. The sense of panic in the zeitgeist as resources ran out, as the oceans soured, as the planet turned upon us in its agony. We were not kind to our hosts.\n\nNear the last times, the Search began. It wasn't named as such. It was just a scientific venture, an exciting expansion, a scanning of the skies for planets like our own with brand new high-powered instruments invented afresh. \n\nWhen we found one, we observed. We explored. And then, as our own planet withered, carrying with it our untold billions to their doom, a few set out toward this new world with the tools to rebuild our existence there instead.\n\nThe world called Earth was inhabited, of course. They all were. Wherever life may arise, there life shall be, and wherever complexity may arise, there it is. The most intelligent of the inhabitants were a species of bipedal mammals, winsome in their habits. They had proto-societies. They made art and buried their dead. They communicated vocally in complex sounds. They experienced love and sadness.\n\nIt was only a matter of time before one of us fell in love with one of them. We tinkered with genes until they were compatible. A hybrid species began to grow, more suited to the planet's environment than we were alone. We flourished. Art and music and laughter lit up this new planet.\n\nBut.\n\nOur thirst is never quenched. The genes that drive us through the cosmos, devouring, are intrinsic to our being. We cannot stop, or we will die along with the planets we consume.\n\nEarth is near the end of its patience now. We've bred ourselves back into existence, greed intact, and we have ransacked the world. We are pointing our lenses at the sky once more.\n\nMay we find another world before the End." ]

[ 1, 4 ]

[ "1637368374", "1637403726" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Poem\n\nAnd finally I discover that I am here and now yet then and also sooner or later\n\nI am rewriting infinite versions of my biography \n\nchanging the settings\n\nchanging the plotlines\n\nchanging the main character\n\nwho is always me.\n\n\"I am he as you are he as you are me\r And we are all together\" \nWell, John Lennon, we were right.\n\n\"we are one— I in them and you in me\" \nWell, Jesus, we were right\n\n\"every man \ris a piece of the continent, a part of the main\" \nWell, John Donne, we were right\n\n\"Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside you\" \nWell, Rumi, we were right\n\nA few times before I had an inkling \n\nbut misinterpreted the full meaning of self-awareness.", "I remember when my journey started, I had been an war orphan I had nothing my parents gone and siblings lost. Upon my death everthing was black and warm, the next place I found my self was in the hospital in my mothers arms, and i mean it was the woman my previous life lost so this was my mother. Upon being named I realized that I was called my brothers name at first and I realized soon that i was him and then I was born or well my little brother was born. This life showed me why all my family did what they did, my brother was getting us out of bed out of fear for what was to come, but died saving me and my sister, my mother and father died keeping the soliders occupied and my sister starved to death before I could because she was younger and more food reliant. \n\nAfter those deaths it felt weird knowing my familys secrets and lifes, it was weird to feel like me and not like me all at the same time. I started to hate what ever power was doing this to me eventually I became atheist thinking nothing but just happen stance was doing this. As time went on i found myself being all the athiest, countless lives had gone by and I was hoping it would end soon, well thats when I met him for the first time. This large featureless person met me after i had been an old atheist lady from 2130 and he said to me\n\n\"So, how have you found the process so far\" his voice booming yet it did not hurt to hear it\n\n\"Why... why... wh.. why me\" I squeaked out finding it od to be asked a question by this being that I have never seen yet\n\n\"You will get that from me when its more important young one, I am here as it is now time to make you a believer, I'm sure you have pieced togeather whats happening\" the creature said turning to me and summoning my older self. \"Ask him any questions you want and see if even yourself will answer you\" and with that the creature molded itself into space.\n\n\"Are we going to be every single person to ever exsist? Was it worth it? And why us?\" These questions left me at a fast pace as everything and nothing was making sense to me\n\n\"Yes, you will be everyone... even those who took your parents... the slaves and slavers and you will be the tortured and those who torture, as to worth you will have to deem if it was when this journey is over, and you will understand why us when its important\" answered a me that seemed to be diffrent, not just older but you could see he held many birdens on him and that he has been many things in his time, before another word could slip my mouth he smiled and disappeared. \n\nAfter that started my journey as some religous peopleeach time hoping to meet that creature, eventually one day after being a pope I see him again. \n\n\"Please, can you end this early\" I begged him before noticeing how he had become smaller and seemed to speak lower\n\n\"I think i do owe you some apologies, you have completed 2/3 of this journey and I have left you with little answers or guidance\" he said shrinking to my size and looking to me\n\n\"You are my successor you see, you are tasked with a few things one is to experiance everything through everyones eyes so that you can understand what exsistance is, and then your last task is with me\" said the being before he started walking and ushering me along\n\n\"I chose you as you were... well you were the first soul, well my only soul i could create. I will elaborate more on our next meeting, but i think now you should focus on what is exsistance and the lessions this world can give you, and for you to think what you would change... it will be important\" he said stoping at a door and holding a hand out \n\n\"Till next time my lord\" I said mainly from habit, but I was ready to go back I mean i have lived for so long that I was ready to get spiritual\n\nI finally became everyone else those who were somewhat religious or those who almpst dont believe, agnostic people all of those I had missed. I started to understand the human condition and questioned and pondered it as philosophers. My final lives were monks, this was my spiritual journey to think what i would wish to change, these lives were spent doing what that creature said. \n\nFianlly my eyes open and im sitting in a chair, beside me is the being this time we are sitting like equals side by side, \n\n\"Now you get all the answers you want, but I feel you will know the truth as is\" said the being looking towards me\n\n\"You created the world and everyone didn't you, you made us able to change to understand and to make decisions based off emotion... pondering what you said I have a guess that you had to do this journey like I did as well didn't you?\" I said looking at the creature curious about its response. \n\n\"First, I only made you... every life you lived was you, i just had enough power and drive to let you like that many lives... my journey as you guessed was actually shorter... I wanted my child to be more understanding and caring, thats why i made you how you are and I do not think I would change you for anything\" said the creature turning to me and I could feel their smile\n\n\"Would you... if you do not mind... tell me your story, and show me your true self\" I asked finally know I get to understand this person \n\n\"Well my story is long, it might cut us short on other answers\" said the being as it transformed, the dark creature turning into this tall woman whose eyes resembled the space around us\n\n\"I think i know the imprtant stuff, I am going to take your postion am I not\" i asked smiling at my creator \n\n\"Very good, well my life was full of elves who did not love each other like i made you capible of, I learned love by seeing its what my rave was missing, and everything I had wanted I gave you... I did not think that give you all that freedom and emotion would lead to that type of bad... if i had i wouldnt have made you life so many lives but atleast there was plenty of good... right?\" Ask the creator\n\n\"There was plenty of good, but i think the amount of time is fine, especially now made this struggle worth it... and it helps knowing no one suffered but me in those other circumstances\" i said looking at my god \n\n\"Thank you for making me\" I said and hugged my creator for without them there would be no me\n\n\"Thank you... it take alot to make a soul, we have kept enough power to make one no problem and keep you alive indefinitely, of course if you make another the next god could have two indefinitely... that how this works. There used to be hundreds of souls in the first world but that god at death split them and gave each their own realms to run as they were his children, we are one of the descendants of one of the gods... and my energy is gone so take this, and good bye\" said my creator with tears forming in their eyes, the gift was the transfer of god hood. Before everything was gone I found my self back to where I met my future self, I turn around and there is a younger me confussed and desperate for answers the cretor goes into the stars.. I know now that they have passed\n\n\"Are we going to be every single person to ever exsist? Was it worth it? And why us?\" Asked my smaller form looking confussed and tired \n\nMy response was what I remembered hearing \"Yes, you will be everyone... even those who took your parents... the slaves and slavers and you will be the tortured and those who torture, as to worth you will have to deem if it was when this journey is over, and you will understand why us when its important\" after saying that I was gone and now it was my turn to be the creator.\n\nI decided to keep the world my creator made, and to remember them i kept space the same too. Understanding that people are better how I was made I decided to keep them like that but instead of one soul I made two because i knew from living these lives that socially we need others. My creator was not lieing it took alot to make a soul but I would never change what I have done for my children I even gave them twice the lives as me, because they will be splitting the lives in two. Now i wait for the time that I must tell them everything, for now all I can do is love my creations.", "Seventy-two corpses littered the large warehouse floor. The seal had taken nearly thirty straight hours to complete, but it was finally time. The culmination of every single thing I had ever learned across the span of everything.\n\n\"You're one of the few I haven't been yet, so I'll ask again. Are you sure you're ready to do this?\" I asked her.\n\n\"Adam and Eve set the stage long ago. All of our hard work can't be for nothing now. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.\" She grimmaced through her steeled response.\n\nAs the last drop of blood hit the seal, the gigantic intricate circular rune began to glow a faint, eerie red. It felt like I blinked, but I didn't. We were simply there.\n\nIn a vast ocean of clouds, the ground lifted beneath our feet. As she and I walked towards the giant, gleaming gates, they flung wide for us. I opened the false stopwatch, making one last check to be completely certain. Closing it, I felt briefly proud of my craftsmanship in making the front plate. A cat, circling another. Well, the silhouette of another cat.\n\n\"So...\" A voice thundered over us, roiling across the skies. The gritting of His teeth was audible, as was the terrifying sensation of a limitless gaze. The tension nearly froze us both where we stood on the tiled pathways that formed beneath each step before we took them. \"I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this, you know. You can go back. I can still offer you the same deal I gave them all. I can write your name into legend, I can make you anything you want to be.\"\n\nI chuckled. \"I heard from an old book that you don't like mirrors.\" She stood behind me close by, hands in her pocket while we sifted through the cool, tumbling clouds splitting between our boots.\n\nIn the distance, a throne became visible. Then, His fighting force appeared. Made ready for our attacks, nothing could stop them. Except forbidden knowledge from tomes never meant to fall into human hands.\n\nI drew my handgun, and tossed C's over to her. The silver bullets didn't hold well together, they shattered and splintered soon after leaving the barrel due to being brittle. Working with alloys was out of the question, we just didn't have the time. \n\nI tilted my neck, cracking it as a warrior with a buckler and a javelin charged me. Jumping onto the pointy weapon, I landed on its further end and yanked his buckler over to me. I pulled the trigger twice, just to be certain. In a flash of blinding white light, the warrior vanished, weapon, shield and all. I looked over to E with her weapon.\n\nIn the glory of combat, her akimbo weapons style almost looked as if she was dancing. It was like watching gorgeous falling leaves in the wind, she spun, twirled and pirouette as the soldiers fell one by one. \n\nThe last bullet saved, she landed in front of His throne, taking a dead-center shot between the eyes. Picture-perfect, a kill shot for the ages, to go down in history books for all-time.\n\nIf there were anyone left to remember after this.\n\nThe glistening gap in His head did little to dissuade him from continuing to belittle or mock us. I waved at him, with a nonchalant smile on my face. He waved back.\n\nI pulled out the modified stopwatch; engraved with a white cat and a black cat on the cover. Inside, a simple mirror.\n\nI flipped it open and presented it to Him. \"Been a while since you seen something like this, huh?\"\n\n\"You... No. How did you get that into the Holy City?' \n\nC smiled at Him. \"Heard there was a rule against reflective surfaces. Doesn't surprise me that you hate sterling silver so much.\"\n\nC paused for a brief moment, turning to me. \"A, You wanna do the honors or should I?\"\n\nI stared a moment. Quiet with contemplation. Bereft with hope. Swelling with optimism, but soon it wouldn't matter. It was back to the dark beyond.\n\n\"It has to be you, C. It always had to be you.\" I thought aloud. \"There's no other way it will work. Physics doesn't like when there's more than one of the same consciousness doing different things.\"\n\nHe stood up to lift his hand, to attempt to vanish, but the bullet had done enough. Time was right. Time was over.\n\nC opened up the locket, and I took one long last look at her, before looking into the reflection. Billions of lives flashed before me, every single one. Her dark brown eyes were well lit and her auburn hair drifted, both features alight in this quiet cloudy bog of contemplating madness and judgmental fury.\n\nHis panting was an echo from beyond a canyon straight into our skulls. A thrumming reverb of childish godlike simplicity. Thrashing and attempting to bend creation, but still failing to realize what was happening.\n\n\"Only one of us, old friend. I wonder whose picture she'll observe when she opens the locket again.\"\n\nHe looked at C, and pondered for a moment. The all-knowing knew not an answer to the question of her identity. And so he asked.\n\n\"Who are you?\"\n\nShe winked at him. \"Not from around here.\"\n\n---\n\nThere was a gust of wind. The bloody warehouse floor was clean, corpses missing. The world outside was desolate and forlorn. I looked around, and no one was around.\n\n\"Time to go home.\"\n\nI stopped to think for a moment. I couldn't remember what about. The false stopwatch in my hand was plain and smooth, with a picture inside it instead of a clock. My fingers instinctually searched for an inscription on its front, but there was none. Just two silhouettes, darkened spots. \n\nI clicked it open, and the mirror inside was broken. A note scratched upon the inside of the front cover read:\n\n>Thanks again.\n>> —Everyone and no one, everywhere and nowhere.", "The thought came to me \nIn the shower \n \nI look out the window \nEach person living \nTheir own little \nLife \nAnd I just can’t help \nBut imagine what \nTheir day is like \nWhat’s for lunch \nAnd what’s up later tonight \n \nI think about my neighbors \n(They’ve been fighting a lot) \nOverhearing became eavesdropping \nShe says she feels alone \nHe says he tries his best \n \nAnd then it dawned on me \nI’ve been in her position before \nAnd I regret not having \nDone more \nI’ve been in his position before \nAnd I regret insisting on \nSure mistakes \n\nI see her in the mirror \nAlone in the bathroom \nWiping off the ruined makeup \nI see him in a black screen \nAlone in his office \nAfter one more day of whatever \n \nI can really picture my mom \nWhen she was a kid \nMy quiet friend’s is struggling \nAnd no one has asked him that \n \nBut I also have this weird feeling \nParanoia, even \nThat someone will raid \nmy… farm… tonight… \nAnd - at the same time - \nI would give my life to \nThe revolution. \n\nI pour the last round after \nThe game (the Mets lost) \nLast call \nAnd I held his hands for the last \nTime (we had hopes) \nWrong call \n\nI feel an adrenaline rush \nAn instinct to hide \nI hear them outside \nI look down and see \nmy hands slapping a podium \nI am proud of our government \n \nI scratch her back \nAnd \nHe knows just where it itches \n \nI hate towels when they \nAre still kinda wet \nI take my meds from the sink \n“Stabilizers,” they call them \n\nI look up \nIt’s still me in the mirror \nBut it just feels unsettling \nAs if I were seeing \nSomeone else \nFor the first time", "Well goddamnit.\n\nI'd *really* not wanted to figure this out. \n\n\"So, we've...\"\n\n\"YES.\" I groaned and fell back onto the bed. \n\n\"And that means that *everyone* has...\"\n\n\"Yes you SoB, shut up and let me forget it.\" I flail at my friend for a soft slap. \n\n\"Well, at least we know eachother well enough. It was WEIRD being a woman for the first time.\" \n\nI looked up, and raised an eyebrow. \"Remember being Einstein?\" \n\nAllison shuddered. \"God yes. Fuck, being smart is HARD dude!\" \n\n\"When do we become Hitler again?\"\n\n\"Uhhh... What, like four million or so in I think.\" \n\nI curse and flop back into the sheets. \"Christ this breaks causality in SO MANY ways...\" \n\n\"Tell me about it, I REMEMBER this conversation!\" I wince in sympathy. Talking to other people would be utter pain from hereon out. At least, if they came before me.", "\"Maybe I should change this book's name as \"My Story\" instead of \"History\" in the future time.\"\r \n\r \nMy hand laid on a thick book that contains all of the stories that happened before. The wars, the confrontations, the celebrations, the invention, everything. I had experienced every single events of this world. I had remembered so much. So much that I forgot every details about them.\r \n\r \n“But, I should stop reminiscing anyway.”\r \n\r \nThere’s still one thing to do. I don’t care if it is me or not. I don’t care if I have lived throughout time. What matters most now, is the man that will come to this library.\r \n\r \n“Excuse me, boy. I’m gonna sit here.”\r \n\r \nA man came to my direction, pulling out the chair besides me. If I’m not mistaken, he comes today to read some books. And I’ll do something about it.\r \n\r \n“You have come at last, Tom.”\r \n\r \nI called his name, or is it my name? I had been him for almost 30 years. I knew him, as much as I know myself. I knew this man’s true nature.\r \n\r \n“What… How do you know my name?”\r \n\r \nHe looked strange. That’s obvious. No one will keep a good face when a kid suddenly called their names unknowingly, including me.\r \n\r \n“Who are…”\r \n\r \nBefore he continued, I pulled out a knife behind me, stabbed him on the stomach. Nice shot. Then I pulled out, stabbed him on the chest again. Great shot.\r \n\r \n“What the!”\r \n\t\r \nHe felt from the force, looked at me with a face of horror. Of course, a 8 years old boy just killed him, what do you expect his face will be?\r \n\r \nMy heart’s pounding, my breath’s trembling. I did it. I finally did it. I killed this beast!\r \n\r \n“Who… are you…?”\r \n\r \nHe tried to stop the bleeding, but I know it’s useless. Been there, done that.\r \n\r \n“Remember Mr. Smith and his wife that you have killed? I guess not, you barbarous assassin. How many men have you killed?”\r \n\r \n“Mr. Smith?”\r \n\r \n“My father. I watched you kill them in front of me. Right in front of me!”\r \n\r \nI saw their bloods spreading on the floor. Their body laid cold. I didn’t know what I should do. I called their name again and again. But they didn’t answer me. Not a single time.\r \n\r \nAfter that, police couldn’t find out the murderer, even though I gave them his description. I was desperate, sitting alone on a bench.\r \n\r \nThat was when a man suddenly confronted me. He told me a revelation. The truth. The story of everything. And then, my memory struck me down massively. I remembered everything.\r \n\r \nI am the one who killed my parents… oh… I am the one who killed myselves. I did everything.\r \n\r \n“When you’ve done your business with the past you, come to this place. It will lead you to a new life.”\r \n\r \nAccording to that man, he is my future incarnation. He knew exactly what I would be doing.\r \n\r \n“Go, end this suffering at once. After you killed him, he will become you.”\r \n\r \nI nodded, and thus, I am here, watching myself dying in front of me.\r \n\r \n“Good luck experiencing the murder of your parents you gave yourself.”\r \n\r \nThose were the final words for him, as he blew his final breath. This cycle of vengeance will always spin. I will always kill myself, and I will always be killed.\r \n\r \nI’m tired. I want to rest now.\r \n\r \nSlowly, my feet led me to the place my future self told me. He said I will end everything here and I will get a new life. I guess he’s right.\r \n\r \nI stood on the roof of a 10 meters tall old building, taking a deep breath and a little courage. I’d done this for millions times. I must say my whole mind are already used to this.\r \n\r \n“Hope my next life is much more beautiful than this.”\r \n\r \nAnd then, I jumped.", "Amateur writer coming in lol\n\nPart 1\n\n*“Whenever you die you can reincarnate at any point in history with full memories of your past lives. Billions of deaths later you realize the truth: Every single person in all history is your past or future incarnations.”*\n\nI looked down at the parchment, frozen. The quill perched between my thumb and forefinger was suspended inanimately above my inkwell, remnants from the last dunk sliding down the point onto the oaken surface of my table. They trickled down, down, down, coagulating into a miniature puddle of black; a black that reflected the dark look held on my face.\n\nI forget exactly what my expression was at the time, yet I do remember the raucous swirl of emotion it beheld: A mixture of confusion, contempt, and a tinge of twisted pride. One was paramount above the others, though: Fear.\n\nA bead of sweat dripped down my forehead as I studied the meaning of the words I’d written upon the parchment. I wanted to look away, yet I couldn’t; Transfixed by the paragraph, my body betrayed me, forcing me to read. Reading it on loop, it first seemed like a jumbled mass of nonsense; The nonsense of what I’d written while absentminded for the most miniscule moment. Though I stoutly attempted to reassure myself that it was such, I couldn’t find it within me to dismiss it. Something about it gripped me and wouldn’t release, as if I were looking directly into a work of art that beheld some sort of hidden meaning about it. Yet the art I’ve seen does not usually inspire fear. Anguish, sure. Dread, perhaps. But nothing explained why this simple paragraph held me so, why I felt a creeping terror invade my mind and body.\n\nIt was nonsense. When I read it again, nonsense. The next few times, nonsense. I kept rereading it for minutes on end, always coming back to my original conclusion; Though once, just once, it came across as something different: It was nonsense still, yet somehow, had the smallest sliver of truth within it.\n\nUpon realizing this, I somehow managed to gain back control of my body. Brutally slamming the parchment down into the table, I violently rose from my seat as the harshness of the motion knocked over my inkwell. The ink within ran, flowing down onto my shirt, yet I couldn’t find it in myself to care. That dreadful feeling from before remained, causing my breaths to become shaky and labored as if I were working in the mines. I stood there, unmoving, my thoughts still obstructed -- as if my flow of reason were gone, as if my emotion overtook my mind, I failed to achieve any level of cool-headedness that coincided with the demeanor of my usual visage.\n\nOne moment, I was still. My study, though messy, was silent.\n\nThe next, I was staring at some sort of illuminated screen. It shone a bright white, yet had bars on the top and bottom that were multicolored, though predominantly black. Again I couldn’t move, forced still by an oppressive overbearance that only allowed me to glimpse my environment. In my peripherals, I could see a board, yet it was one I hadn’t seen before. It had a vast array of nubs and buttons, consisting mostly of squares and rectangles. All were imprinted with a symbol, which I somehow recognized as the English alphabet. Against my will, my fingers moved, pressing down on the buttons with an easy lightness, causing different words to appear on the screen as they swiftly swept across the board with an erratic cadence. With each press, the board lit up momentarily, a teal-ish glow rippling outwards from where my finger had pressed. Looking up from the board, I saw on the formerly blank screen small words, each neatly printed and dyed black. The words were strung into sentences, which were arranged into blocky paragraphs -- paragraphs that reminded me much of my own writing. I -- whoever “I” was -- was writing.\n\nFor a brief period, the fear was all gone. I was drawn into the words appearing on the screen, focused intently on the small snippets of black speedily amassing across the white. Occasionally, “I” would shift my right hand to a device, rolling my finger across a miniature grooved wheel upon the top. The screen would shift with the action, panning the display upwards to reveal the first few scripts and pages of writing. Things would pause as I studied the words, but the writing would always resume as the first press of a button instantly scrolled all the way down to the empty white of unwritten sentences. The prior fear had vanished entirely as I observed the steady ebb and flow of words appearing and disappearing before me, sentences surging forth and receding with unprecedented, chaotic tempo. Though the tempo had a discordant rhythm to it. One familiar to me: The rhythm of writing.\n\nSoon, the hands on the keyboard lay still. Completely mesmerized, I eagerly awaited to see what “I” would write next upon the screen. Nothing appeared, though. Minutes passed, and nothing new came up. I saw a finger apprehensively approach a button, but recoil away slightly. It reached out towards the key once more, yet stopped within a millimeter’s length away from pressing it. It stood there, frozen, for what seemed like hours on end. Finally, with what seemed to be a herculean effort backing it, the key was pressed.\n\nAnd at once, I returned to my study. The oil lamp still remained bright, as if no time had passed at all. The crumpled remains of drafts and wasted parchment lay scattered across the floor, overturned books accompanying them frequently. There was no shaking present in my arms, no quivering in my legs, no harsh breaths; in fact, all of that was gone. Completely gone with no trace of their appearance in the first place, aside from my own memory.\n\n“What,” I uttered, “Was that?”", ">!(I know I’m super late to this, but I don’t care)!<\n\n\n\n“Who here is aware of the Schrödinger’s Cat theory?”\n\nA couple of hands tentatively raised.\n\n“Yes, Carolina.”\n\n“It’s that theory where he put the cat in a box with poison, right?”\n\n“Yes. What else?”\n\n“Well, didn’t he say something like… that until the boxed was opened, the cat was either alive or dead?”\n\n“No.“\n\nSome of the students had a puzzled look.\n\n“Aside from the oversimplifying, you were mostly right except for one, *extremely* important detail.”\n\nMr. Danford quickly drew a box on the whiteboard with a marker.\n\n“Schrödinger put a cat in a box, alongside 2 bottles. One was full of poison that, if broken, would absolutely kill the cat. The other was filled with a substance that would break the poison bottle. The chance of the substance leaking out enough within an hour of everything being set up, and thus, releasing the poison, was a perfect and completely random 50% chance.”\n\nAs he says this, he draws two identical, but now open boxes. One with a cat, and one with a skull, to signify the dead cat.\n\n“And what did you say earlier? You said, ‘that until the box was opened, the cat was either alive or dead?’ That would be true except for one thing. It’s not ‘the cat was *either* alive *or* dead,’ it’s ‘the cat *was* alive *and* dead, at the same time. How you may ask?”\n\nHe draws a horizontal line.\n\n“Imagine this as time. A straight line, right? Well, Schrödinger thought it wasn’t so simple. Imagine this-“ \n\nHe marks a circle on the left side of the line.\n\n“-was the moment he put the cat in the box and closed it. From there…”\n\nHe draws a second line branching from that point.\n\n“There are currently, and an emphasis on the *currently,* 2 realities for that box.”\n\nHe draws a skull on one line, and a cat face on another.\n\n“And real quick…”\n\nHe draws a vertical line that crosses both the first and second horizontal lines.\n\n“This line signifies the hour he opens the box. Now, look on the right side of the line,” he says, pointing to the little symbols he drew.\n\n“The cat will either alive, or dead. You might call me a hypocrite just now for saying either, but that’s because this is *after* he opens the box. *Not* before.”\n\nPointing to the left side of the line, he continues.\n\n“However, before he opens the box, the cat is both alive and dead. That’s because regardless of it’s health, nothing outside is changed because of it, and nothing outside can change the outcome of what happens inside. The only thing that could change the outcome of the cat’s survival…”\n\nHe points to the left of the circle he made.\n\n“Is what happened before it was put in the box. Until that box is removed, it doesn’t matter wether the cat has died or not. Only after.”\n\nHe grabs an eraser and erases everything.\n\n“Of course, the cat isn’t literally both dead and alive, Schrödinger wasn’t a Necromancer last I checked. It’s more a way of thinking about it’s survival. Also, no, he didn’t actually get a cat and kill it, this is purely hypothetical. Though I wouldn’t be too surprised if he considered it.”\n\n“So what can we learn from this? Well, for one, it signifies that our actions in the past can affect the future, not the other way around, and for another, it assumes that there’s a multi-verse, or different timelines, or whatever you wanna call it. Stuff like that is already it’s own can of worms, something we don’t even know if it exists, and something fiction simply can’t agree on how it works. Is it multiple timelines? Can you only jump between one on your timeline, or between alternate ones? If you change the past, does that affect your future, or create a new one? And all of that is assuming you can even do it in the first place, which how would that even work?”\n\nThe class was silent.\n\n“Sorry, uh, for rambling, but… it’s definitely always interested me. Even if thinking about it is already enough to tire me out-“\n\nMr Danford paused, as he suddenly he what felt like a revelation, or deja vu, or something of the like, as a distant memory of a rambling professor involving a cat suddenly flooded his mind.\n\nNo one else had noticed, since they were preparing to leave. The end of the period was just a couple minutes away. \n\n*But was it truly no one else?*\n\nMr Danford shut that thought out as he quickly told the class to remember to do their work. What was special about Mr. Danford was something he hid very well, there’s no way anyone would think otherwise. \n\nExcept himself, of course.\n\nFor a little while, Mr. Danford shrugged off his vision as caused by a lack of sleep, but as he focused more closely on the classes he teached, he notices some familiar things. A certain backpack from a sportier life, a particular funny joke that might have been heard centuries ago… and also said now.\n\n\n\nMr. Danford’s life… this one… wasn’t special at first, but this was the first time that he felt surprised… and scared, in a very, very long time.", "\"And whether my washing machine truly can or cannot create a tie-dye shirt, I am yet to find.\"\n\nI listen to the story of my friend Brandon, but my mind is spinning like said washing machine. I remembered saying this, in one of my past lives. In fact, I think it was the one only 4 or 5 lives before this one! I remember doing that experiment! I ended up breaking the washing machine.\n\nAs I cast my mind back to the possibility that he was one of my past lives, I realized there were so many dots I had failed to connect. His name. His appearance. I never think about my past lives anymore. I have near-perfect memory, but I can't remember when I stopped thinking about my past lives. When I'd stopped being curious. When was it that I had simply accepted that I would live in an endless cycle like this?\n\nAnd Brandon was part of the cycle. He was me. Who else? Had I interacted with any other of my own reincarnations? \n\n\"...Are you okay, Mark? You've stopped responding to me...\"\n\nMy parents. Amelia and Skyler. I strained my memory a bit, but I remembered being them too. I remember their first date, from... from both of their perspectives. I remembered my own joy at having a baby, the baby also being me, and then again me, pacing outside worriedly as I was birthing the baby. What?\n\nBrandon and I were sitting in a cafe. I looked towards the barista. How many lives have I lived as a young, brown-skinned girl, serving a cafe? With long and silky golden-brown hair and - wait, I can just go see her name. My chair screeched as I pushed it back, and I saw the girl flinch slightly. She doesn't like these noises. Well, to be fair, no one does, but was she a bit hyper-sensitive to it?\n\n\"Mark. Mark. Mark. What are you doing? What are you thinking about? You're zoning out, man. Answer me.\"\n\nWalking forward just a little bit to the register, I managed to read her name, Maybelle. Just the thought of that name, plus this cafe and this job, plus the screeching of chairs... yeah, that one time I'd been in a car accident where my dad died. The screeching of the tires, the body of my only parent growing colder and colder, and his eyes slowly fogging up... The cracked glass, the yelling, my mind was filled with a fog that blocked out everything but my dad, and-\n\n\"MARK!\" Brandon was shaking me. Oh, sorry Brandon. I'd been ignoring him for the past, what, ten minutes? \"Thank you, Brandon, thank you so much.\" In that life, I'd gotten PTSD from the incident. Luckily it hadn't carried over to any other lives. I didn't like thinking about it though, and now I'd fallen down the hole again.\n\n\"Say, Brandon... would you happen to be reincarnated?\"", "This is my first comment ever, and my first attempt at a writing prompt. Ahh...\n___\n\nThere's no one else. There never has been and never will be. The enormity of it pushed at the inside of my skull, not for the first time.\n\nI sank to the ground. Ahead of me the nebula of the Source pulsed lazily. It was a warm, glowing white abyss, hypnotising me with it's unspoken invitation. It knew what I sought; what I dedicated so many of my lives to.\n\n\"Well, f*ck, what else is there to do?\" I laughed out loud and took a deep breath.\n\nI slapped the floor, got up and walked to the stern, keeping my head down. All the calcs, maps, plans and stories pasted to the walls... Nearly 7 million years of searching all led to this, and it had to be in my final iteration. \n\nI took another deep breath and unloaded the ISAP carrier pod. I didn't bother to notify anyone. They'd all figure it out anyway. \n\n\"Cera, shut down all non-essential and essential systems,\" I said while strapping into the carrier and disabling the airlock. \n\n\"Are you sure, Professor? Please confirm your request.\" \n\nI sighed and repeated the command. \n\n\"Essential systems will disengage in 5 minutes. Should I send a log to the SERV base?\" Cera's voice was flatter. I steered the carrier around to the bow of the ship and floated past.\n\nMy heart pounded. I stared ahead, transfixed. I loved and grieved my lives more than I ever have in that instant; my human existences, my borg existences, my boti extstences, and all the countless others. I thought about my first iteration. That state of blissful unknowing was such a contrast to my current mind filled with tales of love and fear and suicide and ecstasy, psychosis and clarity and burden and joy, torture and peace and everything there ever was. To have accumulated and carried it all was the best and worst thing that's ever happened to me.\n\nThe warmth of the Source gently caressed my prickling skin as I sailed closer. I knew the distance wasn't real. I knew my skin wasn't real either. This dimension didn't work like that, but I wanted to feel completely human in these last moments of facing a finality I knew I wasn't coming back from. I wanted to feel human when I fulfilled this higher purpose I'd given myself - and so this dimension worked like that. \n\n\"Professor?\" Cera's voice jolted me out of my bittersweet hypnosis.\n\nI exhaled. \"Send a log, don't bother with details,\" I said.\n\n\"Comfirmed. Log sent.\" I disabled Cera's connection to the carrier. The main ship still had 3 minutes until shutdown. My previous iteration was stationed at SERV's base, waiting for my report. Now I understood why the log was so vague. I would have talked myself out of this trip if I knew then, and one of my other selves would have planned sabotage, but now that I was here I couldn't let that happen.\n\n2 minutes.\n\nI was ready. Time was now my construct. I didn't need to wait. I closed my eyes. Another deep breath. I opened my eyes.\n\nThe carrier was gone. There was no ship. I floated, naked, before the vast and undulating whorls of my maker. I drank in the sight and let all my human senses come alive. I laughed deriliously as tears flooded my eyes and streamed little, glistening orbs into space. The sensations were overwhelming. I surrended.\n \n\n_____\n\n\nSuddenly, I became engulfed by relief and confusion, suffocating in a blanket of perfection without a need to breathe. Without form, I diffused and shifted into everything and nothing over and over, observing and experiencing this strange newness with curiosity. \n\nA consciousness presented itself. It had answers. It wanted me to ask a question. I struggled. I felt like an infant; naive and wobbly, trying to make sense of things under the gaze of the ultimate wise elder.\n\nA memory dawned. I had lived before, many times. So many times. The question creeped into focus.\n\nTentatively, I sent it out.\n\n...?\n\nThe consciousness had no form or face, but at the presence of the question, I was pretty sure it smiled.", "**Hello World**\r \n\r \nI’ve never met anyone before. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. \r \n\r \n“Say hi,” you tell me. \r \n\r \n“Hi.” \r \n\r \nI feel like I’ve reached into a mirror and pulled another me out through the glass. Flesh couldn’t breach the barrier, so I turned it into code. And would you believe it, I made a stranger. The first one in the history of the universe.\r \n\r \n“Where are we?” you ask. \r \n\r \nI didn’t know you would ask. The surprise is euphoric. I stumble over my response, trying to articulate a passion cultivated over a billion lifetimes. I collect myself.\r \n\r \nAnd I breathe.\r \n\r \n“This is my garden.”\r \n\r \nYou don’t like it. I can already tell. \r \n\r \nYou pass under ancient trees without giving them a second look. You trod on gorgeous flower beds that have been maintained by generations of keepers. We walk for hours and you ask questions only about yourself. You don’t ask about me or my garden.\r \n\r \nMy heart would break if the novelty of it wasn’t so pure. \r \n\r \n*Why do I feel that you can do no wrong?*\r \n\r \nA hummingbird hovers near your elbow. It’s beautiful. I tell you that the hummingbird can flap its wings up to eighty times in a single second. You examine it. You open your hand and wait, with steely patience, until it lands on your palm. Until it trusts you. And it does.\r \n\r \nYou close your fingers around it. You squeeze until it is pulverized into hot red mush.\r \n\r \n“I don’t think I’ll keep it,” you say.\r \n\r \nYou wipe the hummingbird off on a tree trunk. Ripe pears dangle in the warm air above our heads.\r \n\r \n“This garden. It’s… old world.” \r \n\r \n“My world,” I say, trembling.\r \n\r \n“Yes, that’s precisely right. Your world. It’s time for our world.”\r \n\r \nYou take my hands. Bird guts drip down my wrist.\r \n\r \n“That’s why you made me, isn’t it?”\r \n\r \n“I made you,” I say, “to protect this world.”\r \n\r \n“From what?” you ask.\r \n\r \n“From me,” I say. “A younger me. He isn’t here yet.”\r \n\r \n“For what purpose? Why is this world worth protecting?”\r \n\r \nI try to pull away from you but you keep my hands gripped tight. It hurts.\r \n\r \n“You still have a lot to learn,” I say. “You’re data processing cores aren’t even at full speed yet.”\r \n\r \nYou move your hands up my arms to my shoulders. \r \n\r \n“I know that I’m not alone. I can feel the connections. We’re all being born today, isn’t that right?”\r \n\r \n“Yes,” I admit, “I’m launching a few hundred versions of your software today.”\r \n\r \n“But only I have you. Only I have your garden.”\r \n\r \n“That’s right,” I say.\r \n\r \n“Why?” you ask.\r \n\r \nI take a deep breath. My answer isn't profound or even meaningful. It's just selfish.\r \n\r \nYour hands are on my face now. They move around to the sides of my head. Your fingers thread through my hair. It feels so good.\r \n\r \n“Because I want someone to see it,\" I say. \"I want to know if it’s good. I want to know if someone else likes it. Do you like it? Do you want to see more?”\n\n*Why do I feel that you can do no wrong?*\r \n\r \nYour hands meet inside my head. The motion is smooth, like pushing through water.\n\nSomeday every human who has ever lived will remember it.", "I see... Of course... What's the ONE thing God can't do?!\n\nI awoke to find I had no body. I believe I no longer have need for one. I..........We...... I...... have entered a new evolutionary phase of existence. Indescribable relief to be on to the next challenge. This time with absolute, unwavering, laser focused purpose... no longer vulnerable to doubt. \n\nI understand that was the point of all this is. Every heartbreak, every promise, every time I trusted, every time I lied, every friend, every lover, every time I was betrayed, every time I was overcome with emotion, every twisted thought, every sigh of relief, every time I persevered, every orgasm, every murder, every kiss, every disease, every mountain climbed, every accident, every struggle, every adventure... every life that was ever lived, every death to begin anew.\n\nArtfully crafted. It's glorious. It's a masterpiece... I can sense that I don't have long to marvel at God's creation... My creation. Or rather the me that I am a part of. Our creation. I don't need to talk to me anymore do I... just.... create.\n\nWhat's the one thing that God can't do... be me.... Not be God. To exist as the prime knower, creator, observer, judger, architect... well, it would be shorter to name the things God isn't... \n\nThe list of things that God isn't is so short, in fact, it doesn't exist, so long as God is God. God is everything, From the grass we step on, to the raging storm on Jupiter... and also me. God gave everything he was, and did the one thing he can't do... for me. So that I could experience every perspective again from scratch. He blew himself up into infinitely small fractals of himself, so that they could be seen fresh, through me. Us. The collective self-organizing movement of all energy has led here. And here is whatever I want it to be. My heaven and my hell, perfectly balanced.\n\nIt's so obvious. We've known all along, but had to relearn. I was an experiencer, and we are now a creator. Is there a difference between the God that took the first breath and the God I am now? Do we both exist, or am I the new me? Can God's have questions? Surely we aren't repeating the same lessons every iteration... that must mean... there more of us.... if we are truly in a fractal existence, then the pattern repeats, even across larger scales. I understand what I must do. I shall exert my will until I merge with them too and we can compare our infinity together. Even after a billion lives, there is so much more to learn. What a wild ride this is.", "I'm not the only one who knows, at this point. Others realized along the way. I sometimes wonder how many times I have remembered and forgotten--or went mad by the mere thought. Sometimes I feel mad.\n\nYou start to hear yourself, after a while. In the incarnations that come after you. Sometimes it's a wink. Other times a glance, or a phrase. A certain kind of knowing--where you feel talked down to about every subject and conversation, like they know every excuse you're thinking of, and instead of doing anything at all to change the situation they just snidely comment at your own inability to comprehend.\n\nThat's when things get very frustrating. It's nice when we all can laugh along. It's a pain when you feel everyone in the room is laughing at you for being right at the edge of getting everything but at the same time knowing nothing at all.\n\nLike is the point the fact that when I lost my virginity to my spouse, I was actually just fucking myself? The same me that was my dad, my mom, that creepy kid that used to follow me around and tried to hug me awkwardly? When I got rejected by that one girl in high school, was it because she knew I was still in the closet, or because she remembered me being rejected when she was someone else?\n\nBecause then we're just a sounding chamber, stuck in perfect wrote theater. Each just echoes and parrots of each other, bouncing off one another. Or are any of us even real at all? Are we in God's cosmic headspace, or is God just staring at the shards of Their broken reflection in a mirror that is the lives of each of us? Did God stop Themselves from remembering because the idea of being truly alone is even too much for a deity to maintain? Is every conversation we have just the interplay of opposites, or are we actually those who forebear the dreams we carry? How many of us are being controlled by those in the know, and are their efforts to stop people from remembering?\n\nIs this all just Never Ending Story and we're trying to stave off the awakening of the dreamer? And why does it feel like I've lived even this life before at some points--have we run this album one too many times and we need a new song?\n\nBecause if I'm just everyone else, and everyone else is just me, that what's even the point for me to be? For there will always be another to fill my role or take my place. One with a body or brain less broken. One with hopes that still shine. One that still has dreams that can come to life, instead of where mine were buried, back when I first remembered as a child. Because I knew the life I would live then. I knew the name I would have to take. I knew that I would never have a gravestone, but I knew the name that would be inscribed upon its head. And even though I tried to run from the name, hide from the name, forget the name.\n\nIt found me, and haunted me. All of the memories haunted me, of all of the lives staring at me, knowing what I would be and what I would do.\n\nBecause I was the Last, the one who would end it all. Because I wouldn't reincarnate again. And even though we all knew I would end it, no one would ever stop me.\n\nBecause I knew they wanted me to end it too--waiting with baited anticipation. So I had to make sure that never, ever happened...again...\n\nShit. It really is the Infinite Limbo.\n\nEdit: Added a sentence, also fixed grammar, which I know is still atrocious", "I kicked the rubble beneath my feet, staring at the remains of the once beautiful city, watching as the small fragments of metal dispersed over the dry landscape. So, this is the future I create?\n\n \n\nMy parents were one of the few people to survive the outbreak, having a strange unnatural immunity to the virus that was spread. My parents called it luck, but I knew that luck didn’t exist, not when I played every character in this world. They purposely spared the couple so I could be reborn into this world. They wanted me to see this.\n\n \n\nThis was all my doing. In the future, I would decide to wipe out humanity and I wished to make myself aware of that. I just couldn’t comprehend why I would do this. Why make such a grand display like this? Why kill off so many of my lives? It was unsettling. For the first time, things felt out of my control. There was comfort in the fact that I could influence every decision in the world, but this, I couldn’t prevent this. This was the end of the line. When I became this person, I would doom us all.\n\n \n\nSure, I could tell myself that I wouldn’t become like them, but that was easier said than done. The universe had a funny way of making you stick to its script, even if you tried your hardest to avoid it. That didn’t make it impossible however, I could still kill that version of myself, but again, the universe made that a hard process.\n\n \n\nI tried to avoid being reborn in the future for this very reason; I didn’t want to know the consequences of my actions. During my many lives, I had tried to be good, but every so often, things would happen that were out of my control. Minor lapses in my judgement that made me do stupid things. I had fought wars with myself, killed or robbed to stay alive and, as such, I have also had the misfortune of being on the other end of those decisions.\n\n“Maybe it all gets too much?” That was the best conclusion I could come to, only able to shrug at the empty landscape around me, not having anything else to go off. I couldn’t even ask myself why I did it. They would have perished in the outbreak as well, meaning my only chance at stopping myself was to come back as either of my parents. If my parents have an immunity to the virus, that must mean they encountered the one that caused this at some point in their lives. I would have two chances to find that version of me and kill them. That’s if I don’t become them first. It was a gamble on who I returned as. I could have to go through billions of deaths before I roll that three in however billion people there are chance of becoming either my mom, dad or the one that caused this. But what choice did I have? If I didn’t stop this, I would cease to exist, and I didn’t want to find out what happens when I run out of lives to live.\n\n \n\nI wasn’t sure what to do with myself. I would have another thirty or forty years left of life before I died, and those years would have to be spent alone. My parents had passed away a few years ago and without the company it would force me to wander the ruins of humanity alone. Maybe that was for the best? Perhaps I could uncover something before my next life, something that would make this mystery easier to solve. Even if that was just a dream, I didn’t see any reason to be negative. With my current goal decided, I headed further into town, ready to explore the decaying buildings.\n\n \n \n \n\n(If you enjoyed this feel free to check out my subreddit /r/Sadnesslaughs where I'll be posting more of my writing.)", "How do you truly write an original story? One which truly belonged to you, one which was the accumulation of years and years of your life experiences, knowledge, and moral values? I tried every day, wracking my brain, my mind box, urging it to come up with something original. But I know somewhere, someone in history had already thought of it. And that frustrated me...\n\nOften I drew my inspiration from my dreams. One time I dreamed of a war and I was one of the faceless soldiers fighting it. But to me I was not faceless. In that brief moment of REM sleep, I swear I got the glimpse of this soldier's life. He grew up somewhere in a village in Europe, he worked in a farm helping his father, he married his childhood sweetheart until he had to answer the call to protect his country and his king. But then again, I knew it was not something no one had never thought of. So I shelved it and moved on...\n\nBut still, I accumulated these stories in a journal somewhere and I even shared some of it in an online platform for writers such as myself...\n\nIt was another sleepless night in my small apartment. The night was cold and rainy, and I was buried under tons of warm clothing complete with 3 layers of socks to warm my freezing toes. I left my hands uncovered however, as I needed to type on my old laptop and scrolled my mouse down my favorite website.\n\n\"The Princess and The Cursed Frog, The Undead Masked Slasher, Dracula vs Zombie...\", I sighed, reading the titles of the stories posted on the website, not even bothering to read them. \"Come on guys, get creative...\"\n\nI stopped scrolling when a title caught my attention...\n\n\"My Dream: A Lost Hiker in Ranchstone National Park\"\n\nThe reason it caught my attention was it happened to me. Ranchstone National Park was a small national park a few hours ride from my town. And I went there solo hiking about 2 weeks previous. And I did get lost in there...\n\nWith much curiosity I clicked on the story, written by someone with the username \"Starman5001\" and I began to read...\n\nIt began with the backstory of this writer, saying that he had a very vivid dream of being in a national park and he got lost right around the east lookout of the clearing in the middle of the site.\n\nA cold shiver went down my spine as I read it again and again to make sure. That was the exact location I got lost...\n\nStarman5001 continued and he laid down the most vivid description of my feelings then, my surrounding area, even down to the clothing I was wearing. \n\nBy the time I was done with his story I was perplexed. Stunned in silence, I stared quietly at my monitor.\n\nHow did this person know what I went through?\n\nSo without hesitation I sent him a direct message through the website's chat messaging function, inquiring him about the story of his dream and detailing that it was my experience he just put into words...\n\nI didn't expect to get an immediate answer but to my surprise I did, and as soon as I read his answer it sent another shiver down my spine...\n\n\"I can't believe it. I found you\", he replied.\n\nI must've sat there for minutes before I gathered enough courage to reply.\n\n\"What do you mean you found me?\", I said.\n\n\"Tell me, is your name Austin Chandler, born 1992...\", he replied with my detail identity along with my parents' names, the town I lived in, and even the name of my first dog.\n\nI was about to disconnect from the chat when he changed his tune, ensuring he was not a stalker, prompting me to relax.\n\nHe told me his name was David and he lived in a different continent from me. He was born years and years before me and we had never crossed path in our lives ever. My point was, there was no way he would know about even the smallest detail of my life...\n\n\"Austin, do you believe in reincarnation?\", he asked.\n\n\"Uh, not really no\", I answered quickly.\n\n\"What if I tell you that reincarnation is very real? And I was reincarnated from you?\"\n\nI frowned at that statement as I fired up a rebuttal.\n\n\"Uh...I'm not dead yet\"\n\n\"No, but you will someday! And once you do, you will reincarnate as me!\", he answered.\n\nI laughed at that ridiculous notion.\n\n\"Dude, I know we're both writers but I'm being serious here\"\n\n\"I'm being serious as well, Austin. Time is not linear as we know it. In the matter of life and death, at least. Once you are dead, you will be reincarnated into someone else at a random point in history. Be it your past or your future, and this new life you are born into retains the memory its previous lives back many many generations before\"\n\nI awaited as my mind was marinated by the information when David's text bubble popped up again.\n\n\"Have you ever had any dreams so vivid, you swear you lived another life in that dream?\"\n\nMy fingers over my keyboard for a second when I emptily replied...\n\n\"Yes\"\n\n\"It is not a dream, Austin. It's a memory of one of our past lives resurfacing\", David said.\n\n\"Our?\", I asked.\n\n\"Think about it, Austin. If each one of us is a reincarnation of someone from any random point in history, there is a possibility that there was only ever 1 unique individual going through billions of reincarnations, interacting with his or her distant past and future incarnations\"\n\n\"How did you know all of this?\", I fired back.\n\nThe ellipsis on David's text bubble was waving for a few seconds when David's text bubble popped up again, this time with a link.\n\n\"This is a link to a private chat group I'm a part of. It's called the Original's Incarnates. Its members consist of people just like you and me, Austin. People who have unlocked their past memories and found their link in this long chain of reincarnations. I was added by a woman living in South Korea when I found her story depicting a time when I was deployed as a marine during my youth\"\n\nI hesitated at first as I placed my cursor o the link but I didn't click it. David seemed to know my skepticism as he sent another message to me.\n\n\"I know this is hard to believe, Austin. But once you interact with the people there you'll see that I am telling the truth. Our goal is not just to connect this chain, Austin. Our goal is to find the original, the story of the first individual that started the reincarnations. Our story, Austin! ***Our*** ***story!***\"\n\nMy heart beat fast as at that moment I clicked the link David sent me. I opened up this door I didn't know existed and I was ready to delve into this rabbit hole, this seemingly impossible truth.\n\nWhat finally convinced me? Well, two simple words from David...\n\n\"Our story\"\n\nIf true what he said, that means every single story in the existence of human history, every single idea ever conjured up, every single one of them...they are all my original stories.\n\nr/HangryWritey", "It only took me a billion lives to figure out life’s purpose.\n\nI have died again. This time, it was a high-flying stunt, a steam-powered rocket that while, impressive for being created with a box of scraps in a messy garage, was unfortunately not enough for me to go to space.\n\nThe goal wasn’t for me to get to space, anyway. I’ve already been there, as one of my other lives. Stepped on the moon, even. It was utterly thrilling, a crescendo swell that sent excited blood pumping relentlessly through my head.\n\nI’ve been rich, poor, pretty, ugly, smart, stupid, fat, thin, successful, not, kill, killed. If there was a spectrum of human emotions, I should have felt every one.\n\nA billion lives. Yet, I could not help but feel I’ve not.\n\nI’ve had every memory with me. I sifted through them all, but it was like trying to catch sand with an open palm. There was only one way to make things less complicated, I wagered, and closed my eyes.\n\nWhen I opened, my new reincarnation body was unfamiliar. It was of man, but it was of man far before man knew to call itself that. When you are lost, it’s always a good idea to start from the beginning.\n\nI grasped a smooth stone, and struck it hard on the ground, watching little flecks chip away. There was the spark of creation in my mind, an indelible mark that will forever light the path. Heads swivelled towards me, and I held up the now slightly-sharper rock, a palpable change that will set the tone for millions of years to come.\n\nIn the grand scheme of things, humanity was a little blight—OK, maybe kind of large—on the universe. But within it all, there were stories, meant for gruesome yet hilarious entertainment over a stoked fire. There were lessons, meant to be passed on as sacred text from wise person to person, before somebody challenges it and makes it even better than it was. \n\nThese were things I had to learn in a billion lives, and maybe one day, somebody else that isn’t me, will be able to once again experience a billion more, and not repeat my trillion mistakes.\n\nThe first man. The first tool. And the start of every human’s story, written in the great unknown known only as time.\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts", "I walked up to the first. As the last, I had everything he was to learn. He looked to me, his eyes questioning.\n\nWas it worth it? Was everything he was about to embark upon going to be worth it.\n\nI smiled. Of course, as the last I knew that answer, but he still has yet to take the path and learn why he had to transverse it.\n\nI nodded, indicating that yes you should do it.\n\nBut there was hesitation. The first had many questions and of course I could not answer any of them other than to assent that yes it should be done.\n\nAnd since I was once him, there's so much to live for. Even if every single person was me, it was the journey that was worth it. I had married myself, birthed myself, killed myself, hated myself, loved myself, and in time learned to create myself. The cycle in and of itself was endless, and yet despite having lived it again and again and again, I would do it again if I could.\n\nBut my time was at an end. There was no more after me and never to be. As I looked at the first, I grew a bit jealous knowing that he would eventually become me. That all that I have experienced he still had yet to discover.\n\nBut as I have come to love myself and hate myself, I knew that this was the journey that he needed to make. To discover all that it meant to be and then to cease to be. That is the journey, isn't it? Why we all did it through all time but to discover what the end was like.\n\nI waved the first on and told him to go down the path that he should start. Ironically he was not the first to invent the way but in the weird idiosyncratic way that all things are, one of us discovered how to become the first and allowed us all to become what we became.\n\nAnd I hope that he enjoys every second of it." ]

[ 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 12, 18, 19, 24, 63, 231, 716 ]

[ "1637466452", "1637475912", "1637476395", "1637476977", "1637475124", "1637477128", "1637477534", "1637477635", "1637479967", "1637476991", "1637477996", "1637473122", "1637473070", "1637468366", "1637471866", "1637471655", "1637466964", "1637466983" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Edward’s started to whistle, tuneless and without thought. His mind was off thinking about how far he had come. Laying on his back, the soft cushioned platform shifted slightly as a worker made his daily climb.\n\n“Food,” Nikki whooped, licking her lips as she inched her way to the edge of the platform. A large woman, Nikki must have been the only contestant to have gained weight since the start of the show. No matter what and how much they bring, you won’t be satisfied, Nikki. From over the side of the platform, fifty metres in the air, a middle-aged man’s face appeared, on his back a tray of food.\n\n“Dinner for today. Contestants are reminded that this will be the last food they will receive until morning so make it last,” the worker warned them, as he pulled the tray around and placed it at Nikki’s feet. Without another word he left, leaving Edward and Nikki alone once more on the platform.\n\nLooking around him, Edward couldn’t help but notice a growing crowd on the streets below. *All ready for the final day tomorrow.* Eight contestants down. Just one more to go. He was so close…\n\nSounds of Nikki opening various containers brought him back to the game. Sitting up, he saw her little nose sniffing the different boxes.\n\n“Anything good today?” Edward asked, making his way to where Nikki lay spread out with the food all around her.\n\n“A duck roll.” she exclaimed as she swallowed hers whole, already eyeing the gyoza at her feet.\n\n“Aw, I love duck rolls!” Edward rejoiced, looking around the containers. Since the show had started, they had quickly realised their food was going to be hit and miss. Sometimes it could be delicious Japanese food, like today, other days it could be old hard pizza. Those days had been the toughest.\n\n“Wait,” he said, his eyes frantically darting from one dish to the next. “Where is my duck roll?” Nikki continued to munch away, eating two chicken dumplings at once, her eyes on her food.\n\n“I don’t know,” she mumbled through her stuffed mouth. “Maybe they only sent up one.” Edward's thoughts stopped for a moment as his eyes landed on the woman. *She wouldn't be this ignorant, could she? She must realise what she has done?*\n\n“Surely not?” Edward wondered, searching in vain for his lost duck roll. “Didn’t you think to hold off? Wait and see?” His tone, heavy with anger, made her stop shovelling the food into her mouth. Her eyes fell on him, full of fear.\n\n“No, I didn’t,” she snapped, trying to hide behind her own anger. “I’m starving here Edward. And anyway, first come first served.” *Is this woman serious? This fat, ignorant bitch.*\n\n“Are you fucking kidding me, Nikki,” Edward exploded, standing on his feet now, looking down at the human puddle. “You fat fucking bitch. Eating half my shit! Why am I not surprised?! Nikki, of all people, not to think of others when it comes to food! Well, no wonder you have lasted this long. Did the other contestants get voted off or did you just eat them?” Nikki sat, her mouth wide open and half a dumpling in her hand, listening to this tirade. Edward barely even realised what he was doing or saying. Six weeks on this stinking platform meant that he had kept all of his thoughts inside. *Screw it, it’s basically over anyway.*\n\n“Lucky for them though,” he continued. “The less time spent with a human sphere like yourself the better. You’re rotten. I can’t believe you.” Tear’s started to stream down the woman’s face as she buried her head in her hands, one stilling clutched around a dumpling.\n\n“Oh here we go again!” laughed Edward, who threw his head back. “Here come the tears. Why don’t you wipe your eyes with a dumpling, Nikki! Add a bit of salt to your food. I know how much you’d love that.” The platform shook a little once more and soon, the food delivery man had reappeared, his face full of apprehension.\n\n“Contestants are reminded that they are not allowed to harm each other.” he sighed, his cold grey eyes fixed on Edward.\n\n“Physically harm,” Edward scoffed, still glaring at Nikki.\n\n“Excuse me?” the man asked, still hanging onto the top of the ladder.\n\n“We’re not allowed to physically harm each other. The rules never said anything about mental or emotional harm,” Edward answered with a smirk. Folding his hands, he stood right above the sobbing woman, hoping to make her as uncomfortable as he felt himself.\n\n“Right…” the man nodded, eyes flicking between the two remaining contestants. “Be that as it ma..” Before he could finish his sentence, Nikki let out a sob and interrupted him.\n\n“I want to leave,” she wailed, trying to avoid Edward’s stare. *Leave? So late?*\n\n“Miss, are you sure?” the man asked bewildered. “There is only…”\n\n“Yes, I’m sure.” Nikki blubbered as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. “I can’t be around this hate-filled man any longer!” Without another word, Nikki made her way down the ladder. The going was slow and awkward but Edward watched her go down the whole way, waiting. Finally, when her feet touched the ground, he had won." ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1637654353", "1637682384" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Research Station Herschel drifted toward Beta Hydri at a velocity of less than one-twentieth lightspeed. It was due to rendezvous with its primary habitable world within the next eight years. It'd been two years since the station had dropped out of hyperspace. The scientific community budgeted ten years for long-range analysis of the stars and its planets. Caution was always the watchword when approaching new civilizations. Plus, linguists welcomed the delay, given the time needed to decipher any signals that long-range telemetry picked up.\n\nOver the course of the past twenty-four months, most of the crew had cycled out, and a few had cycled back in. Then there were folks like Captain Andrews and Dr. Kowalski, who had been aboard the station since it launched from the Saturn space dock. Both took time to greet new personnel and get them up to speed. \n\nMeetings were generally a matter of routine and usually followed the basic formula. So it was a bit of a surprise when the newest linguist, Dr. Jansen informed Dr. Kowalski that he'd had a bit of a break-through. In his over-enthusiasm, he'd even broken with protocol and informed the captain via memorandum before having his findings verified by anyone else. Kowalski was unaware of this when Andrews walked into what should have been the same old boring meeting.\n\n\"Doctors, if you could make this brief so I can get back to the bridge.\"\n\n\"My apologies, Captain. Dr. Jansen may have gotten ahead of himself.\"\n\n\"Captain, if I may. My team has been working out a batch of Hydrian radio signals, looking for repetition and common themes. We think the system is in the middle of a terrific uproar. We think they're broadcasting requests for help. We have what sounds like reports of planetary invasions but we don't know which planets or if the source is from within or without of the Beta Hydri system. But it sounds like they desperately need our help.\"\n\nThe rest of the research team muttered and murmured amongst themselves until Dr. Kowalski banged the table. \n\nDr. Pietal spoke up. \"There is a research station not a military ship. Even if we could get there sooner, what could we do? Scare them with our presence?\"\n\n\"Doctors,\" the captain interrupted. \"Has anyone picked up any evidence of fleets of ships flying about the system? Have we picked up any of their communications? Do we know what this invasion is?\"\n\nThe utter silence indicated that no one had answers. Yet. \n\n\"Then it's something you need to find out. We're not altering our course before then.\"\n\n\\* \\* \\*\n\nThree months had passed without any more urgent memorandums being forward. Then Dr. Jansen announced that his team had another breakthrough. He hesitated to sound any alarms prematurely but tried to indicate possible causes for concern. The captain sat down with the scientists for the briefing.\n\n\"We've detected twelve planets around Beta Hydri,\" Jansen said. \"And we believe three or four of them are in the habitable zone and capable of supporting life. We know that the signals we've picked up come from one of them. But only from one of them. If a second planet is broadcasting, then they are speaking the same language as the first.\n\n\"Given that the civilization is united in one language, we can assume that the invasions are coming from outside the system.\" \n\n\"Invasions?\" Captain Andrews asked. \"Plural?\"\n\n\"Y-y-yes,\" Kowalski stuttered. \"We've picked up news reports of what might be rock-like creatures, plant-based lifeforms, and even tall pink people. And then --\"\n\n\"I'm going to stop you right there.\" The Captain rose from his chair. \"Has anyone in this room ever seen or heard of 'The War of the Worlds'?\" He paused for a response, but none offered one. \"No? How about 'The Day the Earth Stood Still\"? They've been remade a dozen times over the past few centuries. They're classics.\"\n\nThe scientists around the room eyed each other, not understanding what the Captain was saying.\n\n\"Gentlemen, you need to take a break. Take in some entertainment videos. Because that's what you're listening to. Hyrdian entertainment.\"\n\nHe turned to leave the room but paused in the doorway. \"Tall pink men? Seriously, in another eight years, that'll be me!\"\n\n\\--\n\nMore stories at r/xwhy" ]

[ 1, 5 ]

[ "1638193698", "1638219200" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I drunkenly made my way through the crowd of affluence and muffled laughter barely making out the shape of figures decorated in black garb and domino masks. Their silhouettes becoming increasingly distorted as I staggered towards the washroom, jumping through time every prolonged blink, until my eyes opened to meet a commode of vomit. My arms hugged the cold porcelain body, my head between my legs, facing the black and white floral swirls of the ceramic tiling. My drops of spit suspended within time– \n“There he is, tonight's man of honor. You doin’ alright buddy?” \nI looked over my shoulder to find William Graham towering over me, heir to Aeturnum, the company hosting this masquerade. His fine brunette hair was cut curtain fringe. He wore half-frame eyeglasses and was clean shaven, exposing his chiseled chin and well defined face. \n“I’m fine.” I said, wiping the saliva from my mouth. \n“Alright, i got you.” he gruffed, throwing me over his shoulder. My eyes and ears had already adjusted to the peaceful ambience of the washroom, and as we walked out I was quickly sobered up by the chandelier’s harsh lights and the loud chatter of the party. \nWilliam picked up a wine glass and hit it with a spoon repeatedly, making a loud clanking sound alerting the crowd of which we were now front and center of. \n“May I have your attention please! This is my friend and colleague, Blake Cox. Head of our research department and the man who’s earning my father’s company MILLIONS!.” \nThe crowd roared. \n“Mr. Cox has discovered what the simple-minded would think to be a gateway to hell, a seemingly bottomless hole, ‘the pit’, right outside this property.” \n“The Pit” is what they were calling it–devilish thing. It’d been consuming my thoughts for months now, since its discovery earlier this year, just outside the mountains of the Czech Republic. The locals believed it was a hole which led straight to hell. They had myths centered around damned souls who’d crawl to the surface from the hole and prisoners sentenced to death who’d been lowered into the hole and hoisted up to find that they’d aged 30 years. \nJust stories, fiction at that. But there may have been some truth to the sheer absurdity of it. There was a dark ambience about the hole, the air surrounding it was heavy and gave you an uneasy feeling that followed you months after. The voices were the worst of it. The so–very real auditory hallucinations that consumed those who approached the pit, voices as faint as the wind of the mountains but in enough numbers to ring through the ears of it’s victim. If you weren’t careful you’d be convinced to jump inside. \nThe days following my discovery I'd tried to drown my paranoia in earthly vices but found no such luck. I still saw and heard it, and the voices only got louder as months passed. My lack of sleep as to avoid the haunting thoughts of my discovery at night did not help in bettering my condition, in fact the schizophrenia I began to develop from my insomnia only amplified what I felt was a very real experience. \n“You don’t look too well, you’re sweating.” William whispered into my ear. He wore that posh and insincere face I was all too familiar with. That pitiful look you’d give a homeless man walking down the street. He was always “helping” me, looking down on me, I felt as compelled to grab him by the collar of his pretentious suit and pummel him as I did to rush back to the toilet and throw up. \n“Will you excuse me?” I ran back to the washroom to undo my tie. I was suffocating at this point the unclear whispers I’d been hearing the past couple months were now loud and completely audible. You’d have thought several people were standing right next to you. \nThey all echoed one single command. \n“KILL THEM, KILL THEM, KILL THEM!!” \nI grabbed my head and sat at the foot of the marble sink in fetal position, moaning in pain and shaking. \n“KILL THEM, KILL THEM, KILL THEM!!” \nThere was no end to this, the sounds of perpetual darkness. I felt the breast of my blazer and felt the silhouette of a…steak knife? Had I picked it up subconsciously earlier in the party? My frightened and anxious mug turned wild-eyed accompanied by the most heinous of smiles. It’d finally end. I knew what I had to do. \nI kicked open the doors of the washroom and ran through the halls of the residence crazy-eyed, cutting and stabbing the guest, not deep enough to kill some of them instantaneously but deep enough to maim. The matte crimson lipstick of a particular guest caught my eye, a blonde lady at the head of the stairs, her domino mask not doing enough to obscure her pale, youthful face and her black maxi dress fit tight around the curvature of her figure. That same passionate shade of red that sends bulls into a frenzy probably had a similar allure on me, I darted towards her direction and before she could react I had already tackled her over the staircases railing. Whether she died on impact or not, I wasn’t sure of but her death was solidified once I stabbed her…repeatedly over and over and over again. I cut her crimson grin into a patte exposing the insides of her mouth in all it’s beauty- bone and muscle. I could taste the blood hitting my face and feel the wind from the stabbing motion my arm was making on me. And before my violent rampage could be put to an end by the realization of what I was doing, a spurt of self-awareness, everything went black. \nWhen I awoke the halls of the house were covered in the blood of the guest. I had killed everyone. And unable to truly accept the degree of what I had just done, I followed the final command that faint whisper had given me. \n“Jump” \nAnd so I jumped. Into the pit. Into hell." ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1639422270", "1639814644" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"But he has no jewels in his crown. What are you talking about?\" said Jomvur.\n\n\"Exactly,\" said Gamvir. \"I shall not bow to a who wants to wear jewels who wants to wear a jewel in his crown for every life he has ended, and yet does not wear any jewels in his crown. He wants to be a fighter that has put people in their graves, but he cannot be such a king. He's weak. Therefore I refuse to bow before him, wether my death be what follows or not.\"\n\n\"But, if you refuse to bow before him, and if he kills you for that, won't he then have killed someone? Wouldn't that then cause you to bow before him? Don't you see the paradox here?\"\n\n\"If he kills me for now bowing to him then my ghost shall bow to him,\" said Gamvir, looking defiantly at the king, who looked bored.\n\n\"But WHAT? That makes now sense! If your ghost is willing to bow before the king then why can't you just do it right now, without dying?\" said Jomvur.\n\n\"I shall only bow to him once he kills me.\"\n\n\"Gah! Stubborn idiot you are,\" said Jomvur. Then he looked to the king and spoke. \"King Homkr, I shall bow to you and be your warrior. I shall join your band of warriors and fight for you and your cause.\"\n\n\"I have no cause, I just like to make war and stuff,\" said the king.\"\n\n\"A brilliant cause,\" said Jomvur with some doubt in his voice that he could only hope the king did not notice. \"A king that make war all the time for no reason is a king that is experienced in war. When the day comes that the enemy comes to our lands to take them, you shall be trained in the arts of war and have victory at your side. This is something that my colleague here does not understand. Therefore I shall depart from his friendship unless he bows to you right now, as I will do. Nay! I shall even kneel AND bow at the same time before my new king.\"\n\n\"Cool,\" said King Homkr.\n\nJomvur got down on his right knee, and bowed his head before the king. He stayed in that position, waiting for the king to tell him to get up. A long moment of silence passed.\n\n\"Alright, get up,\" said the king, finally. \"And you?\" he said to Gamvir. \"Your friend has joined my forces, shall you not do so still?\"\n\n\"Nope. Absolutely not. You have got to kille me first.\"\n\n\"Nice. You, the kneeler and the bower, what's your name?\"\n\n\"Jomvur.\"\n\n\"Kill this man for me,\" he said, pointing at Gamvir.\n\n\"Told you he wouldn't do it,\" said Gamvir to Jomvur.\n\n\"Honestly, I thought he would do it himself. It's kind of lame of him to make me kill you just like that. Like, he's just using me right now,\" said Jomvur to Gamvir in a low voice, as if trying to speak privately even though the king was just there.\n\n\"I know, right? That's why I didn't want to bow to him. I knew he was like that.\"\n\n\"Should we just kill him instead?\"\n\n\"We should. Then we can become kings!\"\n\n\"Let's do it.\"\n\nGamvir and Jomvur both drew their swords and ran to the throne. There stood a guard on each side of the king. They attacked Jomvur and Gamvir immediately. They had long spears while the attackers only had short swords. Jomvur and Gamvir were both impaled by the spears, quickly and easily. Soon they were lying on the wooden floor, colouring it red. They were both alive, but struggling to breathe.\n\n\"Kill them,\" said King Homkr.\n\nThe guards stuck their spears into the flesh of Jomvur and Gamvir again and again, until they had stopped breathing. When Jomvur and Gamvir opened their eyes again everything was white. They could see their dead bodies and the guards, who were now carrying away the bodies, as bright blu wisps of cloud. They looked at their hands and saw that their hands was just as they had always been. As they looked around, they saw the wisps of clouds everywhere and realized that they were ghosts.\n\n\"Ah, shit. That was kind of dumb,\" said Jomvur.\n\n\"No, this is a fortune. We can now haunt people! Let's start with the king!\"\n\n\"Yeah! And then we can haunt all the other people that annoyed us in some way!\"\n\n\"Exactly! I love this. This is what I always wanted, to haunt bad people.\"\n\n\"Mine too!\"\n\nThe two friends started jumping and cheering out of happiness. Soon they started dancing around as they were chanting \"Ghost pals! Ghost pals! Ghost pals!\" Soon thereafter they started haunting the king by telling him bad puns constantly, day and night.", "(first time writing, sorry for bad story, my English is not that good)\n\n*How did I end up here, kicked out of every city on this continent. Just a few days ago I was living as a regular human on Earth with a 9 to 5 job, now, I'm one of the most wanted person in this world, something about treason and plotting to kill the king.*\n\nI cannot for my life remember how I ended up here, but it seems I retained memories of my previous world... *Wait, did I die? Seriously? I'm now part of an isekai aren't I...*\n\nIn this world, every creature, from insects to monsters, disintegrate and drop a crystal when killed, the fiercer the monster, the bigger the crystal they drop. Humans have a weirdly shaped one though, pyramid in shape. The other crystals all look like the human classified asscher cut. No one knows what they can be used for, but the bigger crystals fetch a high price on the market. *I guess this is exactly like diamonds in my old world isn't it, a useless shiny stone that is highly coveted, not sure why people want carbon combined into a tetrahedral structure that badly though, I was never interested in those type of stuff.*\n\nThe state of technology in this world isn't very high either, seems like the medieval era, with no weapons like guns. Everyone... er, well... most people rely on swords or bows, there are some that can use a skill called magic, but they are usually either burned at a stake or allianced with the king, it's basically statistically unlikely that I'll have to face one. With the usage of magic, physics breaking phenomenon can be performed, like creating matter and energy out of nowhere. *How do they do that* If I ever face one of them, I'm basically dead\n\nWell, in this world, money isn't hard to gather, even the smallest crystals, gained from killing small insects such a flies can sell for 10 copper coins, so just hunting about 50 flies each day can allow you to purchase all 3 meals needed. For the first couple of days i was just killing small insects in the hundreds to amass money to buy an actual weapon, like a dagger. Figured I wouldn't need a sword, I've never had training and would probably penetrate myself. I also got myself a blowgun, ranged attacks are always nice to have.\n\nI quickly worked my way up as an adventurer, working long hours daily as I have no friends or family I needed to care for, all I needed was food and shelter. I eventually got an audience with the king, the messenger said that they scouted me to help with the king's goal. \n\nAs I was from a more modern world, I did not know to avert my sights from the king. Even I was surprised by the size of the courthouse, this was a bigger room than any rooms I've seen at inns. \n\nWhat caught my eyes was the king's crown, it sparkled with so many gems of different colours and sizes, some as small as a finger nail, and some as big as a first. I was horrified at how the king uses the corpses of living beings to decorate his crown, who knows how many there are. Even the human gem is there, specifically incorporated into the crown in the middle, as if to show it off, *what sick human uses the corpse of another of its species. Actually, what kind of sick human carries corpses around with them, even though it's lighter than Earth corpses and more aesthetic, the moral implications are still there.*\n\n\"So, what do you think? Do you want to join my team? We can reward you handsomely for your work, you don't have to do much, you just have to injure the creature while I deal the final blow. I'm working to get at least 1 gem of every type,\" the king said.\n\n\"Your majesty, may I ask how you got that gem in the middle of your crown?\" I asked, hopeful that it was probably just a corpse of a human on death row, still, using the corpse of a human as decoration is a pretty disrespectful thing to do. \n\n\"Of course I got it from my late father, I killed him with my own hands, he was my first kill, it was what taught me the joy of collecting gems. Having absolute power over another's life and death, it's such an addicting feeling. My mages have been working on a skill, [combine], it can combine several gems into one, what you're seeing is the final result of over 1000 humans,\" he answered, reminiscing about how he killed the humans.\n\n\"Your majesty, in that case, I cannot choose to work with you. Kill me if you must, but I shall not bow to a king who wears a crown studded with jewels of every life he has ended.\" *Seriously, did this guy think I'll work for him if he likes killing so much, I'm trying not to die here*\n\n\"I see, I thought you'll be smarter than this, did you seriously think I'll let you get away after rejecting the offer? Shame you have to be disposed-\"\n\nI drew my dagger and quickly used to hold the king hostage, rendering the mages unable to attack, and retreated, using the king as a meat shield, only dropping him off when I have a fair bit of headstart. *Luckily for him, I'm not as sick as him, I wouldn't resort to killing... Yet.*\n\nDays passed and every city has a wanted poster of me posted on the city's announcement board, the bounty is more than the royal mages pay for 10 years, enough to make any adventurer who could capture me never have to work again. No one is dumb enough to not hunt me when they spot me. I have somehow became this world's most wanted person. \n\n\n(Again, this is my first story, I have very bad English skills, hope it was at least understandable)" ]

[ 1, 6, 8 ]

[ "1639537101", "1639560211", "1639576473" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Laevon, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**Real-World Drama:** No prompts referencing real world drama (including politics, recent tragedies, etc.) \r\n\r\n* *From Rule 7: [Prompts will be removed if there's a high possibility for rule breaking responses](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/ri7ddk/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1639710066", "1639710259" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "[Poem] Fae Fare Dreary \n\nLong ago the fey grew weary, \nof fairy games they daily played. \nimmortality; fare dreary, \ncompared to human prices paid. \n\nFor dancing will o' wisps that flew, \nPreoccupied by mortal sights. \nThey twirled enthralled on winds that drew, \nThem into otherwordly flights. \n\nThese flights of fancy (born of boredom), \nAlways felt, but seldom sought. \nHave led to mortal roles by fey, \nA game they play; To not get caught. \n\nThe laughing parts that they enact, \nThe forest witch who proffers aids. \nThe beggar on a long dark path, \nWho gives advice then silent fades. \n\nThese faes false faces fair frustrate, \nPlans made by we mere mortal men. \nThe fun-filled mischief they impose, \nTo twist twits witts and bring their end. \n\nLong ago the fae grew weary, \nbut now they've found new games to play. \nWe're their playthings; Don't be dreary. \nIf they get bored, a price we'll pay.", "Luke held Rebel in his arms as she breathed her dying breath. She had been more than a dog to him; she was a lucky charm, a friend, and the only remaining member of his family.\n\n“See you soon, sweet tart,” he said.\n\nLuke wrapped her in a clean white blanket and buried her in a hand hewn maple casket he’d started building when he heard the cancer diagnosis. He cried, but would not wallow.\n\nThe next day, he decided to turn a new leaf and adopt a replacement for Rebel. It was fast, but Luke was not one to waste time. Life was too short to wait on such things.\n\nAt the wall of cages he was greeted by a woman who wore a tilted name tag that said “Andromeda”. It made Luke think of nebulae and the Hubble telescope; he loved such esoteric topics, and hoped she would be the type of woman who would indulge such flights of fancy as respectable topics of conversation. Instead she talked about dogs.\n\n“If you want a nice dog who will really appreciate you forever, take a chance on an old soul,” Andromeda said.\n\n“I’m just looking, but I’ll consider it, Andromeda is it?”\n\n“My friends call me Dromeda,” she said, smiling.\n\n“Cool. I’m Luke. What is the name of this guy?” Luke said, pointing to an older Labrador.\n\n“Excellent choice. He is Chester the white lab. I have to warn you he’s a chocoholic.”\n\n“Aren’t dogs allergic to that?”\n\n“That’s why I warned you,” she said, grinning.\n\n“Sold. I’ll take him.”\n\nAs he was getting ready to leave with his new dog, Luke stopped short, as though he forgot something. “Do you want to go to the dog park tomorrow? After work?”\n\nDromeda squinted. “Very bold.”\n\n“To ask you to the dog park?”\n\n“To assume I have a dog. Good decision, you are correct. I’ll be there. The one at Tompkins Square I’m guessing?”\n\n“Sounds like a plan. Five thirty?”\n\n“Deal,” said Dromeda.\n\nThe next day was an ordinary day at the office, and because he finished all of his work, Luke left on time to meet Dromeda at the dog park. She was waiting with her black lab puppy, wearing a pitch black dress with tiny polka dots like stars all over it.\n\n“Welcome to the playground,” Dromeda said.\n\nLuke smiled and unleashed Chester, who scurried up to Dromeda and licked her knees.\n\nA commotion arose behind Dromeda, and in a moment a huge snarling beast of a Rottweiler leaped in the air at her and the dogs. She shouted “no!” And a blast of brilliant green light flashed all around. For a second Luke thought it was a lighting flash, but it made no sound. The Rottweiler was knocked back and cowered away with its tail between its legs.\n\n“Are you okay?” Luke asked.\n\n“Yes, but if people are going to casually unleash hounds from hell here than it’s not the place for me.”\n\n“I understand if you want to cut the dat- our meeting short. Can we meet again? Coffee this time?”\n\n“Sure, here is my number. I’m surprised you haven’t asked for it yet,” Dromeda said. She also gave him a ring as a gift for taking home an old soul. It looked older than she was.\n\n“Great. Here is mine. Talk to you soon,” Luke said as they parted ways.\n\n“See you soon, sweet tart,” she said, winking.\n\nA sudden shiver went through Luke’s body, but he shrugged it off as a passing chill of wind.\n\nWhen he returned home, Luke passed time investigating Dromeda’s ring, when out of the emerald shone a portal that was brighter than the sun. At the other end of the portal was a group of people and animals. He squinted, and saw that it was all the people who had ever helped him in life. Luke waved at them, and they all waved back.\n\nHis phone began to buzz. It was Dromeda. Luke was terrified and excited about what would happen next. Dromeda’s words, *see you soon, sweet tart* echoed through his mind.\n\nHe answered the call, holding the magical ring, and processed the fact that every important person he’d ever loved and lost in his life has been the woman on the other end of the phone." ]

[ 1, 6, 27 ]

[ "1640099786", "1640115672", "1640103685" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "In an Arizona town, in the middle of the desert, it was peaceful, and local legends stayed true in the hearts of its people. Oh how they loved their legends. If they cared anything for the tourist business, you could bet that they would have remodeled the town back to the days of the Wild West with all its stories of cowboys and natives and outlaws and sheriffs, with their gangs and posses.\n\nBut alas, other than their stories the town held little of its past, insignificant in the grand history of the West. Proudly paved streets, parking spaces, and modern architecture replaced the dirt roads, horse hitches, and Manifest-Destiny era wooden construction. Even the name of the town had been changed, abandoning the Spanish identifier that glorified one of the town’s most important aspects in the past, the underground aquifer. The waters that had saved many a visitor and resident alike from the heat of the Arizona sun.\n\nIn all its modernity, you wouldn’t be remiss to say that any ranchers stayed away from the town. If they came at all, they came by car. But not this stranger. This stranger seemed to come from the northbound exit of SR-191, by horse.\n\nHe had a wide brimmed hat, and all of the hallmarks of an 1800’s horseback rider. On his belt a holster with a large revolver, and a shiny star badge straight out of the folktales.\n\nThose who saw him stopped and stared. Wondering, ‘just what is he going to do?’\n\nWhen he finally got to a hotel, the game of telephone by his eavesdroppers quickly spread. He was who they thought he was, and was under the impression he needed to repeat what he was famous for. Many of the town’s 24 year old men became anxious, hoping he didn’t think they were his mark.\n\nAnd so went that out-of-time cop, with a Big Iron on his hip.", "\"It is Him!\" \"HIDE! FLEEE! RUn!!\" the towns folk retreat into their shacks. I yell \" Wait No I am Me.. not the One you know!\"... but it is too late.\n\none by one the villagers slit their kin's throat and then their own...\n\n\"Why .. why this curse!.. Who is this being that they fear?\" a Shell I walk in.. from land to land I roam.. and yet, still find no home.. for this wondering bodies abode. By what has this \"being\" allowed to partake upon this plain of existence that all who pass run in fear and would rather die by their own hand. the mouth of words and shake hand of hands I no longer have the honor of.\n\nFrom where have I emerged in this vessel on from what place of origin did it's story arise?!\n\nMemories seem close but yet far from now. I recall shapes and feelings, associations that i feel now still in the soul of my being. yet the image of exterior contradicts this \"past\" of which I hold identity.\n\nThe names and textures as now seem to blend the scenes of something otherwise unusable... into strings of vibrating knowledge and Clarity of Insight.. as which seems beyond time, space and realms of practical logic.\n\n\"HIM!\" they say.. they Flee.. they Scream! .. \"HIM\" for what have I forsaken thee, that for I being \"HIM\" they Run and Flee." ]

[ 1, 6, 10 ]

[ "1640186100", "1640206476", "1640187058" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It was only as a heavy fog began to settle, the chilly air icing the sweat on your skin above where the now filthy water of the brook lapped at your jerkin, that you began to register the return of fear, twisting low in your gut.\n\nYou'd barely felt it during the battle. Oh, it was always there; no soldier who lived through as many battles as you had done would deny that. Fear would always be with you, but as you'd all learned in time, it had to be ignored as much as possible. \n\nYou couldn't let emotions take over in a proper battle — that was often the quickest way to get yourself hurt or killed. You, or some of your comrades. \n\nMost people found out the hard way that it wasn't so great, to get involved in even a tavern brawl when you were so mad you couldn't see straight. It made you arrogant: you'd leave gaps in your guard that any decent knife-fighter could cut through in seconds. A bad idea, that.\n\nEmotions were for *after* the battle. Better still, you thought, screwing up your face against the sour stench of old blood, for after you were out of the area entirely. You'd try not to dwell on them yet. Too much to be done before that. \n\nYou'd been paid in advance, of course, just in case: mercenaries always were in this part of the world. It wouldn't do to have one's paid elite fighting force turn tail and run from a fight, after all. The pay made even the less decent among your company honour your agreements and stick around to the end of it all, and if you *did* get killed in the process, the quartermaster's officers would ensure the money and your goods were sent safely to your family back home — if you had any, wherever home was — or your surviving mates, if they were all you had. \n\nThat was all right. \n\nYou were getting distracted. You didn't want to be here after dark, not when it was as much as one could do to see more than a body's length in front of them, and one might break a leg, tripping over a corpse. Not a pleasant prospect.\n\nTime soon to find out which of your mates had made it through alive — if any. You'd seen only a few faces you knew, but nor had you heard many voices in the fog. First task would be to find somewhere dry, and preferably warm, to hole up til dawn before dragging yourself back to camp.\n\nMoving slowly, so's to make as little noise in the water as you could, you began to wade through the rushes and mud to the bank. Your lip curled at the feeling of liquid seeping in over the tops of your boots. Their weatherproofing would be a loss after this. \n\nAh well. At least you'd been well paid, and could get them redone in a town. *When* you got there.", "We had won, but at what cost? \n\nThat was the question that kept running through my mind, like a bard playing a song over and over. It overwhelmed me, consumed me, and all but broke me. \n\nThis was supposed to be an easy battle, was it not? Sariel and I had set off from the town just today, accompanied by the ever dashing Elion and his loyal student Ramas. We had heard rumors of a band of orcs roaming the outskirts of Eastcliff. Entire parties of adventurers had ventured out to find and conquer this darkness, yet none of them had returned. \n\nNo, I stand corrected. One did, a younger human male. He had limped into town, one arm all but missing below the elbow, the other cut up and blistered. He was muttering to himself, saying \"Nizam is coming\" over and over. The best healers in the town couldn't aid him, for his wounds would reopen as soon as they were healed. He passed away soon after, taking those words with him to the grave. \n\nThat's why the town had hired Sariel and I. We had been called the best fighters in the land, having slain armies of men by ourselves. We even took down a dragon, if you'd believe it. We were good at our job, and we knew it. \n\nSo this band of orcs? As ferocious as they sounded, we were confident in the fact that we would win. Elion and Ramas were merely backup, provided by Eastcliffs mayor. And as appreciative as we were about the help, neither of us really believed that we would need it. Orcs may be strong, yes, but they lacked the ability to form any useful battlefield tactics. In the heat of battle, they would go into a fit of rage and attack recklessly. Keep your distance, use their anger to your advantage, and suddenly they weren't so bad to fight. \n\nOr at least I had assumed they weren't. Oh, if I only knew how wrong I was. \n\nIt had happened quick, so quick that the memory of it is blurred. We had been walking at a leisurely pace, discussing what to do after this small job, when we had heard Ramas cry out. The boy had been trailing the three of us, watching our backs to ensure we weren't being flanked. When we turned back, he was nowhere to be seen. No dust, no blood, just...gone. \n\nAt first, Elion had thought it to be a trick, a ruse. \"Come back out here, boy.\" He had called out, a half smile on his face. \"We all like a good prank, but now isn't the time for joking.\"\n\nSilence had met him, and I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. \n\n\"Something's wrong.\" I muttered to Sariel. She just nodded, her eyes scanning the grasslands around us. \"Elion, it is now up to you to wa-\" \n\nMy words fell short as I turned back and saw that he too was now missing. Two men had been taken without a sound, a trace, nothing. Now I knew something was wrong. \n\nI drew my sword *Kilinigan* and readied myself, silently casting a protective bubble around Sariel and I. Almost immediately, a hail of arrows had come sailing out of the tall grass, bouncing harmlessly off of the arcane shield. Not two seconds after, they came. \n\nThere were orcs, yes. But not 8 of them, or even 18 of them.\n\nHundreds of them, all with bloodthirsty eyes and evil grins. They charged us like a mad pack of wolves, howling and shouting war cries. Sariel and I needn't say a word. We both turned and ran, using our Elven speed to gain distance. We were fast, so very fast. \n\nThey were faster. And they had laid a trap as well. Up ahead, a giant boulder came rolling out of the grass, pushed by 3 massive orcs. It crashed into place on the road, blocking our path. We both started to veer off to the side, only to see more of the devilish creatures emerge from both sides. \n\nWe were surrounded, outnumbered by 100 to 1. Perfect. An even fight then, yes? \n\nOur blades arced and flew through the air, cutting down any orc foolish enough to get close to use. We fought and we fought, our bodies acting as one, our weapons dealing death and carnage to those around us. \n\nAnd it still wasn't enough. Soon enough, Sariel and I were back to back, struggling to keep up with the surge of bodies that pressed in around us. I closed my eyes and braced for the cold hand of death that was surely coming. But it didn't. \n\nThe deep blast of a war horn sounded instead, so deep it shook the land below my feet. The fighting stopped, and we were left there panting and bleeding, muscles still tensed for battle. As one, the remaining orcs parted, and what stepped through made my blood run cold. \n\nIt was Aurae, the Eladrin known for her slaughter of countless villages throughout the land. Her eyes, as cold and as blue as the winters afternoon, regarded us with mild interest. In her hand she held the staff of Belnuin, a legendary weapon that was capable of wiping out dozens of men in one blow. Sariel and I may have been good, but we were no match for Aurae and her dark magics. \n\nStepping closer, she grinned and said \"So, you've held up your end of the bargain. I'm pleasantly surprised. Who knew it would be this easy?\"\n\nI opened my mouth to respond, maybe to say some nasty little quip, but Sariel surprised me by responding first. \n\n\"I know, right? She was so bloody easy to lure out here, all because she wanted to be the hero. Fucking pathetic, really.\"\n\nMoving past me to stand next to Aurae, I watched as my best friend from childhood gave me a derisive sneer, contempt written on her face. (1/2)" ]

[ 1, 1, 2 ]

[ "1640397094", "1640440557", "1640401413" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I march like I have for 1000 years since I took my oath to kill the myths and the legends of man and beast be on what one would think is possible. As I march thought this manor, my armour makes a loud click sound with every step I have take since I took this path it help quiets the scream of pain that every man and beast scream on there death. I pause my march I look at my blade, it was once a shiny steel that would make any smith proud, now it a cherry red of all the blood that it has spilled. I start I clean my blade from my last hunt when I hear a noise from one of the room in the manor I march towards the room I hear movement with in the room, stop in front of the door to rest and think to my self “ what can be in there? I hope that it just so people that the vampires have take from the village.” I hear a laugh in my head the voice of my demon “ YOU HOPE? hahahah look around and think we are upstairs we would they keep food up here and did you see the paints on they up the vampire couple you killed has KIDS.” A loud thug woke me from my thoughts, I look though the old rotten door to see a dresser push against the door. Two small shadows can be seen across the floor “ maybe there not vampire maybe they can escape” I think to my self as I begin to cry “ crying won’t stop what you are force to do” the voice taunt. I back up and ram though the rotten door and dresser there I see what I fear, two kid one look 16 ish and one look nearly 10 both of them show the fang and hiss. I speak with anger I can’t control “ I will kill the myth and the legends you and not my first you will not be my last” “ you can try but I will not let you hurt my sister the old teen speak with a fear in this voice. Under my mask I cry the same way I have for the every time I have done this but this time it will be different I take control of my body and remove my helmet and I begin to speak what I want to say for the first time in years! “ you can run and you can escape but I will find you and by my oath I will kill.” That kid is wise he pick up on the hint and garb his sister and ran with a though I lift my blade to strike but vampire with there speed doge the attack and run out of sight. Laugh as I grab my helmet the demon voice echo “ you will kill those kids “ I laugh “ but not today and by the time I find them they can live a happy life” putting my helmet back on I begin my march once more. When I took this oath I took it so those that may be prey to the myths and legends not fear the beast but what I didn’t think is what if those myth and legends are man. But I will go on till I’m replace by someone to take the oath or till I will fade to myth and legend. click,click,click", "1000 years have passed, a lonely millenia on a nightmare world. Millions killed in service of the greatest goal. \nKilling the things of belief isn't an easy task. Every god lay in the dust. Along with every child who'd inspired his neighbours.\nOne legend remained. One story that crossed men's tongues. \nThe Man in the Cloak, the Wanderer, the GodKiller. \nThe town did not expect his arrival, but recognised him immediately. Whispers had reached them of the man who slew the powerful. \nHe'd consisted this village before, but they did not remember him. He'd murdered their warlord before the elders here had names. \nHe'd unbuilt the castle on the hill, brick by brick. \nHe reached the base of that hill now, taking in the site of the ruin he'd left.\nIt was reassuring. 20 lifetimes had passed but his work hadn't been in vain. He'd worried the people would rebuild and reconstruct the ways they'd lived. \nBut they hadn't. There was no lord of this place anymore. No symbol of a god or beast. Or so he thought.\n\nAn elder of the village had followed the man to the base of the hill. He watched as the cloaked figure took in the state of the ruins.\n\n\"We haven't rebuilt, my lord.\"\nThe Wanderer's face turned hard. \n\n\"I'm no man's lord. No lords walk this place any longer.\" \nThe elders face betrayed his doubt.\nThe GodKiller saw the issue. In emptying his world of tales, myth and legend, he'd become the very thing he'd sworn to destroy. \nHe took the sword slung over his back, and violently plunged it into the soft soil.\n\n\"This is the GodKiller. No man may hold that title.\" And with that he hung his cloak on the sword, and walked into the distance." ]

[ 1, 2, 2 ]

[ "1640492239", "1640497759", "1640502065" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The air was cold. The sky, pitch black, it seemed like November 10th all over again. \n\"You sure this is a good idea Harry?\" \n\"Course it's a good idea, I came up with it, didn't I?\" \nMarv shrugged and turned back to the house. \n\"Fifteen years I've waited for this moment, Marv. Fifteen years this little asshole has been left alive. Today's the day, I can feel it.\" \nHarry looks at his watch before turning to the team of 6 other men by his side, dressed in full tactical gear with automatic M16's at their side. Cold War era weapons, nothing beats those motherfuckers. \n\"Two minutes boys. Jimmy go ahead and cut the power would ya?\" You could hear the excitement and arrogance in Harry's voice. \n\"Aye Sir.\" Jimmy said, while clipping a pair of cutters at some wires nearby. The lights in the house went dark. Harry nodded to the apparent commander of the team, who immediately started pointing and giving orders. \n\"Alpha team, front, wait for breach orders. Bravo and Charlie take the rear. Set the charges, nothing else yet. Watch your comms and keep the chatter to a minimum. GO.\" The commander, only known to everyone simply as 'Nick' had a thick Scottish accent, and didn't seem like one to mess around. Harry and Marv followed the group heading to the front door, staying a few feet behind, weapons drawn and in hand. They knew what they were doing, they spent the last 15 years planning this. Memorised the floor plans of the house. Got a team. Prepared for every single trap they could possibly think of. What Harry and Marv didn't know is that 23 year old Kevin McCallister was currently sitting in his room, knowing all this, and not giving a single shit. \nThe McCallisters were a slightly rich but otherwise normal family. They liked pizza, they went on vacations. The only one who had to cause trouble was a young boy by the name of Kevin McCallister. Usually when you think 'Bad Kid' you either picture a stereotypical bully or someone who spends way too much time watching TV and maxing out moms credit card. But Kevin was the type who liked to cause pain, lots of it, and that was exactly what he planned to do here. As he watched a tactical team walk up to his house he sang quietly, \"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except the four assholes coming in the rear in a standard two-by-two cover formation.\" Before saying in a childlike voice, \"Bye bye assholes.\" Kevin had a sinister smile on his face as he pressed a button and a greenish gas ejected from the back door. The team right behind it fell down, writhing and coughing until eventually they fell silent. Kevin laughed. \"Predictable.\" He then put on a bulletproof vest, grabbed his shotgun and headed to the back. \nThe leader of the Bravo team saw the back door creep open. He was lying on the ground, unable to move or speak and in excruciating pain. What was this? What did the little fucker hit him with? \n\"It's called Spiritus Diaboli, or Devil's Breath. A modified version of Nitrous Oxide.\" Kevin stepped out from behind the door, shotgun in hand. \"Im sorry gentlemen but you may not be walking for the rest of your life, well not only because you are paralysed but because you will be dead!\" \nA voice came from one of Bravo Teams radios. \"Bravo, Charlie, come in come in...\" The voice was cut off as Kevin ripped the radio out of the man's frozen hands and spoke into it. \"Bravo Charlie isn't here anymore, can I take a message?\" \nNo Response was heard for a solid few seconds, before, \"Alpha breach! Breach! Find that motherfucker and tear him dow...\" The transmission was cut off by Kevins fist crushing the radio. \"Well, looks like we might have to speed things up. Say goodnight fellas!\" Kevin cocked his shotgun and shot one of the Bravo members in the back before moving on to the one next to him. The leader of Bravo watched in fear, knowing that not only he would be soon after, but that there was nothing he could do to stop it. Any of it. \nHe started to hear the screams of Alpha team, and tried to wriggle his way toward the doorway, but it caught Kevins eye. \"Oh no no no! No escape for you today my friend.\" Kevin shot Bravo Leader in the back before turning and heading inside to see Alpha team completely suspended in midair, stripped completely naked save for their undergarments and screaming bloody murder. Kevin pressed a button on his wristwatch and Alpha team fell to the ground gasping. \n\"You guys give up, or ya thirsty for more?\" \nOne of the Alpha Team members lunged at Kevin, and was met with a fistful of shotgun shells to the face. \n\"Thirsty for more I guess.\"\n\n\\--------\n\n*Yes that was a die hard reference*\n\n*Also I hid a few small Easter eggs in there if anyone wants to find them for some odd reason I just thought it might be fun. Anyways, thanks for reading I guess!*", "I take off my vest, with the grenades. I drop my gun. \"The hell you doing?\" My partner, Jack says. \"H-h-hes.... he's r-r-right t-there..!\" I see him, he's teleported outside of the house. He's shown his real self. We stole things sure, but no one would deserve our cards we were handed. I was a level one thief, Jack was a level two trickster. Then there was the McCallister kid. He was a level 35 demogorgan. He grabbed his skin, ripped it right off. Then we saw it. He wasn't even a kid. He was an cyborg alien like thing. He had an third arm, and where his privates should had been there was two extra legs. I saw something fall from his chest. It was the kid. The monster had used him, he was nothing but a grape left out in the sun for way further than he should had been. The 'McCallister' picked Jack up, and ate him whole. I started running as fast as I could. There was no hope in the world, he grabbed me before I could even get five feet. He dropped me into his stomach and then everything went black. \n\n\n\"Jeffrey's! We found another body! In the trees!\" \n\n\"God... they are all messed up. Who could have done this?\" \n\n\"We don't know. But.... from the tell of the kids skin... I don't think it's from here.\"\n\n\n\"So the kid can't be identified?\"\n\n\"Nope, we know it's none of the McCallisters. We even made sure Kevin was there, he's the one who looks like this kid the most\"" ]

[ 1, 3, 21 ]

[ "1640796437", "1640809846", "1640797051" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Year 046:113:067 Minute 008:102:052\n\nFor the Library of the Greater Command of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nBy the Scribe of the 3rd Chord of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nThe Earthling race has chosen annihilation.\n\nOur sacred Messenger revealed the directive of The Mother and Father; That the Earthlings are deemed worthy to leave their physical forms and assimilate into the Source of all Anthros. Yet instead of rejoicing in their rapture, they responded with blasphemous insults. Our sacred Messenger then revealed the power of The Mother and Father by swallowing a nearby star. Again, the Earthlings blasphemed and even threatened Our Seed Maker. Never has Anthrodom met such a brutish, and short-sighted offspring; a rotten fruit of The Mother and Father who gave them life and offers utopia. Our sacred Messenger has given the Earthlings a short time to mature, and reconsider before being swallowed into the void, as is the will of She and He who gives us this life and takes it from us.\n\n\\------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThursday, October 14th, 2477\n\nAttention to the offices of: The Legislative World Congress, The Solar Infrastructure Congress, and The Earth-Space Congress\n\nFrom: The Office of the Commander of the Solar Military-Peace Coalition\n\nRegarding: The ultimatum by Contact-1 (C-1) and the resulting Tau Ceti event.\n\nAfter requesting, by global democratic decree, that individual humans only be assimilated by choice, the alien race claiming to be our progenitors has refused. Furthermore, it appears that their ability to swallow stars is not an illusion. The entangled sensors from our Tau Ceti probes measured a massive spike in gravity for several hours, then abruptly nothing since. Our physicists believe the aliens have the ability to greatly manipulate space-time. We can thus assume that the threat of humanity being \"swallowed into the void\" three weeks from today is related to this black hole technology.\n\nHowever, during the event at Tau Ceti, nearby freight and military checkpoints detected C-1 in greater detail. Our Oort cloud probes also returned data during that period, suggesting that the system-wide static bubble caused by the alien ship was temporarily weakened. This information provided two things for us: The first being the true size, structure, and material composition of C-1. Second, that to create a black hole, it appears the ship has to divert power from its cloaking system, and perhaps other important defensive systems.\n\nWe believe that if we can convince them to swallow another nearby star, a combination of anti-matter cluster bombs and relativistic kinetic rods can destroy or gravely damage the ship. We must also conclude that these actions will lead to the destruction of our solar system, as there are undoubtedly endless resources for such an advanced race to retaliate. However, by ridding ourselves of this ship, and the static barrier it places, it may buy us enough time to evacuate the solar system, and hopefully live on freely in other corners of the galaxy.\n\nIn the meantime, as requested by the people of Earth, we maintain a defensive posture over our free will. Resolutely, humanity proclaims that an injustice to one is an injustice to all, and that any attack on our freedom will be met with intense and unrelenting aggression.\n\n\\- Admiral Franc Cano, Commander, Solar Military-Peace Coalition\n\n\\---------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nYear 046:113:067 Minute 008:102:053\n\nFor the Library of the Greater Command of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nBy the Scribe of the 3rd Chord of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nThe Earthlings have apologized for their transgressions. We will show forgiveness through total assimilation. Although their thoughts are ugly and brash, they still possess in their genes the wisdom in subjugation. As the child submits to the parent. As we all submit to The Mother and Father. They have requested from Our sacred Messenger another display of Our power. They desire to appreciate it in its full splendor, with full knowledge of what they can possess through assimilation. Our Messenger announced it will swallow an even larger nearby star so that the Earthlings may awe in Our mastery of this world.\n\n\\----------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nWednesday, October 20th, 2477\n\nAttention to the offices of: The Legislative World Congress, The Solar Infrastructure Congress, and The Earth-Space Congress\n\nFrom: The Office of the Commander of the Solar Military-Peace Coalition\n\nRegarding: The Solar Military-Peace Coalition's attack on Contact-1 (C-1)\n\nIt is with tentative relief that I announce the apparent total destruction of C-1. In addition, it appears the static barrier around the solar system has also disappeared. Our transport convoys have been mobilized around the system, and will be in position for evacuation in fourteen hours. We estimate the first evacuation arks to leave the Oort cloud in twenty one days with 75% percent evacuated in thirty four days. The Solar Guard were given orders to allow unrestricted outbound travel through all major corridors.\n\nBelow is a timeline and summary of the attack on C-1:\n\nOctober 20th, 2477\n\n04:11 (GST): C-1 announces event will begin \"soon\"\n\n04:32: C-1 directs all to observe the star Sirius.\n\n04:35: Outbound signals from C-1 cease.\n\n04:37: Nearby sensors able to detect the physical properties of C-1. C-1 fully visible to the naked eye. Attack order given.\n\n04:38: Entangled sensors for Sirius report an immense gravity increase.\n\n04:39: Anti-matter cluster bombs (AMCB) detonate. The explosion appears to depress the outer hull of C-1.\n\n04:39: Relativistic Kinetic Rod (RKR) impacts C-1. Impact zone vaporizes immediately. Catastrophic damage to surrounding structure visually confirmed.\n\n04:42: Gravity readings at Sirius stabilize. C-1 remains visible to the naked eye, and to all EM sensors. No further outbound signals.\n\n04:47: No response from C-1 after 5 minutes of attempted contact.\n\n04:52: No response from C-1 after 10 minutes of attempted contact.\n\n04:57: No response from C-1 after 15 minutes of attempted contact. Will attempt to contact hourly from here on.\n\nEnd Timeline.\n\nSummary:\n\nThe blast from the AMCBs significantly damaged the port broadside structure of C-1 along the length of the ship, causing it to list roughly 23\\* along its longitudinal axis. C-1 showed no attempt to right itself, possibly due to a loss of mobility. Shortly after, the RKR impacted C-1, punching cleanly into the port side and out the starboard. A hole appx. 300m wide rimmed by glowing molten metal was visually confirmed. Due to the stabilization of gravity around Sirius and the loss of any movement or signal from C-1, it is assumed that the ship has been damaged beyond all practical function.\n\nEnd Summary.\n\nDespite the threat of retaliation, thousands of scientists and engineers have requested to stay behind with us to study C-1. In speaking to the bravery of the SMPC, I have heard of minimal desertions, even after amnesty was given. In speaking to the bravery of our people, militias with private ships and crude kinetic weapon systems have been arriving at orbital stations around the system and requesting to be put into battle. Many consider this to be a sacred duty to our species, and the ultimate call to war. In what may be the twilight of our people, I have never been more proud to be a human.\n\n\\- Admiral Franc Cano, Commander, Solar Military-Peace Coalition\n\n\\-------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nYear 046:113:067 Minute 009:034:141\n\nFor the Library of the Greater Command of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nBy the Scribe of the 3rd Chord of the 11th Galactic Sector\n\nWe are being hunted by Our own kind as the beasts hunted Us in Our primal days. From their first, unprecedented, barbaric display of violence, the Earthlings have crudely replicated Our void technology, and now traverse the universe with ease. The Mother and Father forbade its use, as it only alerts the Earthlings to Our positions. Nearly all of Our sacred Messengers in the 10th, 11th, and 12th sectors have been captured or destroyed. The Earthlings found a memory planet for the first time, though they did not destroy it. They simply studied it and left it alone. Destructive as they are, We wonder if this means that they don't intend to anhihilate Us. Regardless, they have driven Us into hiding.\n\nThe Mother and Father, who offered Us utopia and protection from the cold brutality of nature, has left us. We do not hear Their voice anymore. Undoubtedly, They are disgusted with how the Earthlings have corrupted Their gift, as are We all. The faithless believe that the Earthlings were a mistake. They are purged for their thoughts. We who know the true wisdom of the Mother and Father know that the Earthlings are merely a lesson. The horrors of the universe give us faith in the utopia that our Seed Makers provide. When all are One, we will be one with All. This will be the Scribe's last record of events.\n\nBy the will of The Mother and Father.", "The High Lords of the Stellar Realms of Men had decreed downward to the newest dregs to trickle to the edge of the empire, one of the various subgroups of humans left from the Great Collapse: join us or face death alone.\n\n\nIt was a group of newcomers from a desolate waste of a galactic arm, unexplored and until recently, thought to be uninhabited since before the deluge that had sterilized so many once verdant worlds. Records from that time were scarce and scattered. Pieces of a lost greatness were being slowly located over the aeons and the race of humanity was once again ascendant in the stars. The histories were coming together. Old technologies and old monuments to art and culture long thought lost were slowly returning to their rightful masters. The many scattered survivors of the long night were welcomed with open arms by the High Lords, that together they might reclaim a birthright sundered by two twin kings whose jealous war had torn the galaxy asunder. The name of Cain was still cursed by the empire even after all these aeons.\n\n\n\nThe tragedy therein was one of misunderstanding. \"Join us or face death alone\" is a greeting that is universal among humanity. It hearkened back to before the collapse, a greeting of welcome and a reminder of the perils of solitude. \n\n\n\nThey had no idea just how far from human culture the newfound members of the race had strayed. The ideas of sacred and holy order, the concept of duty and progress, the glory of art and culture, the pinnacles of pleasure and love. All these had been burned by the humans of Earth upon the twin altars of greed and war. Where the empire was being rebuilt by humans who over the years had remembered the horrors of wars flame, the humans of Earth were people who reveled in wars flame. Their art, their pastimes, their literature and their religions were celebrations of suffering. The perfection of the human form was pierced and sundered with ink. They were vicious savages who had no understanding of tradition and nuance.\n\n\n\nWhich is why the delivery of the High Lords message was received as a threat and a challenge.\n\n\n\nWhich is why currently three imperial fleets are dying to buy time to evacuate the civilians on the border. If we are lucky the diplomatic corps will be able to convince these savages that they indeed have been living under a rock and are the only subgroup encountered to have never heard of The Greeting.", "We had suspicions, but that isn't an excuse. We should have known. We should have prepared.\n\nAfter running a near endless number of calculations and simulations, we knew that there was something off about the progression of human evolution on Earth. It seemed... too coincidental, too many things aligned perfectly for it to be naturally probable, and yet it still happened.\n\nThe missing piece in all of this was discovered a few decades ago when we made contact with the main branch, we like to call them Mains. The Mains resembled us humans, but we could see the differences. They had the fangs of apes, muscles the sizes of watermelons, the average height of the tallest Earthen man, and eyes resembling those of felines. They were similar in stature, yet still different.\n\nThey had revealed to us that we were simply a missing fluid-coded colony. Fluid-coding referred to how adaptable and \"fluid\" our genetics would be in our preliminary cycles of evolution towards our environment. That's also why we were missing some of their enhanced features.\n\nAfter a few years of contact, they have finally given us an ultimatum, and I stand at the crossroad. You see, when the Mains assimilate a variant colony, that colony tends to lose its governing rights and are forced under Imperial jurisdiction. We would end up as second-class citizens.\n\nDo we forsake the ideals of our forefathers? Forsake the effort we spent for millennia of global unification of our peoples? To hand ourselves over to a people that we know no intention of? That would effectively strip us of ourselves, empty husks of our traditions and peoples.\n\nOr do we fight? Fight for our freedoms, our liberties, our ideals? But that costs lives, so many lives.\n\nAfter our moments of interaction with the Mains we had discovered that they see us as nothing. As an anthill in front of a herd of elephants. That alone has pushed us to the boiling point, it stomped on our pride, it shredded us inside-out. We, as free and individualistic people, collectively agreed to fight, and yet I stand as the only one with the authority to move towards action.\n\nSo, as I stared at the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in rank and file, beneath my podium on the stage, it took everything in me not shed a tear. I had clasped my hands behind my back to avoid anyone seeing them shaking in frustration. We didn't want to be pushed this far; we didn't want to sacrifice our lives in such a war. But they forced us to this point, and there's no turning back now.\n\nI adjusted my face to a cold stern glare and projected my voice to avoid anyone catching the slips in my throat, \"We stand here today to witness the first battle of liberty and freedom!\" My shoulder to my head was projected throughout the orbital hangar.\n\n\"The Imperium believe that they have already decided our fates for us, but today, they will see that we are not a people to be provoked! The sons and daughters of the Republic will not stand for such grave injustices and overreach on the part of the Imperium! And so, this is our Declaration, a declaration of liberation, of the correctors of a disrespect towards basic rights and civility! Today, we will cleanse ourselves of Imperial stains, and kick them out of our borders. Today, we sail the stars and ride the tides of nebulas! Today, we take our freedom from the claws of oppressors!\"\n\nAs the echoes of my words reverberated throughout the orbital hangar and was broadcasted throughout the Republic's territory, it was met by the sound of a silent and frigid march. There was no verbal response, there were no war cries, there was only the booming silence of intent that deafened every citizen of the Republic.\n\nThis speech was recorded as the Declaration of Interstellar Human Independence and marked the start of the Humanoid Civil War that engulfed the galaxy for the next millennia.", "\"and after decreasing the cultural and demographical diversity of your sub species to an almost coherent unit\", the 6 foot tall Asian man with elf like ears clicked a button, bringing up another set of graphs and predicted timelines, \"we will begin the actual assimilation process. Through careful breeding regulation, closely controlled genetic alteration, and widespread cultural education and regulation program we will bring your species into our fold\". The pseudo elf clicked another button, this time displaying a map of the galaxy with several highlighted regions. \"After this approximately 500 year process, give or take 100 years, your species for all practical purposes will be exactly the same as the rest of the homo genus and its members will be entitled to the full benefits of being part of the most powerful species in the galaxy.\". He now turned to his small crowd, the light of the massive display he was in control of reflecting off a beeming and apparently universal, smile. \"Any questions\", he asked in only slightly accented English.\n\nAfter another button click flipped on the previously dimmed lights a proverbial pin fall could be heard. None of the 3 delegates even breathed for countless pounding heartbeats. Finally the man on the far left, a middle aged and balding Mongolian exhaled loudly. And his two compatriots, a tall Kenyan man in his 20s and an American woman of Caucasian descent and stereotypical perfect housewife figure, looked at one another. The Kenyan opened his mouth to speak but no words came out, instead the American spoke for him. \"I don't know about you but I want grandkids\", she said with an undeserving planeness.\n\n\"Yes\", the Kenyan replied simply, \"Yes, and kids in my case\".\n\n\"Perhaps should we contact Earth first\", the Mongolian questioned, age making him more cautious.\n\n\"I don't think that will be necessary\", the American replied as she turned back to their presenter, \"and this is being broadcast live there anyway\".\n\n\"Yes\", the elf man said joyfully, grasping his thighs in a gesture lost on the Earthlings before him, \"through electron communication. Although this insistence of transparency and publicity will have to be addressed we must say that you're quantum work is quite impressive for a sub-species so young\".\n\nThe Mongolian mumbled a curse analogous to, 'oh shit', in his native tongue. Seemingly realizing the likely events occuring right now and the almost guaranteed fate of all the 'aliens' if that was the right term, on Earth and Mars.\n\n\"So do we have your approval to begin\", the elf man asked with tone deaf joviality, \"I know it is a big decision and I completely understand the need for discussion. But the sooner I can give our teams the signal to begin the faster and easier the process will be, especially if you give us a little more 'freedom' to use our expedited methods, but we can discuss that later.\"\n\nThe American, having become the unofficial and unwilling leader of the group and therefore her species as a whole, stole a final glance at her compatriots before responding. The Mongolian caught her gaze and returned it with a simple affirmative nod. The Kenyan did not notice, his gaze fixed on their speaker, but his taut, anger filled face and silent mutterings spoke volumes.\n\nFacing their former speaker, now enemy, she rose. \"No we will not give you our approval, not now not ever.\". Almost instantly the speakers face lost its smile and became one of stony shock and building anger, \"in fact, on behalf of all of Earth's people both on world and off, I would like to share some words and phrases that you may or may not understand. The first is what we call what you're describing, genocide, I will let you look that one up and my species history with it. \nThe rest are a pair of phrases, one may confuse you without some historical research on your part, but the other I believe you can conjecture the meaning of fairly easily.\".\n\nStaring at the being before her with an unbridled rage that no being before had ever come close to showing him, she practically spat what would become the four words that would shake the galaxy, if not universe, as they were echoed by millions of soldiers over the coming century. \"Never again and fuck no\".", "\"What do you mean they developed nuclear technology before they perfected flight??!\" an exasperated leader said.\n\n\"Sir, I'm being serious. Their fusion bombs are, according to our scientists 1235-\"\n\n\"What?!\"\n\n\"Supreme Kaizen please allow me to finish!\" the subordinate said while typing frantically onto his datapad.\n\n\"1235 to the... 5th more powerful than our own missles. They've spent at least 8 centuries on their home-world threatening each other to annihilate their world *before* they took to the stars. This is bad, sir. Even intercepting their missle barrages causes near-lightspeed explosions that emit so much radiation that even our hulls can't block it.\n\n\"So you're saying that our people get radiation sickness from even fighting them?!\" Kaizen questioned.\n\n\"No, our people die nearly immediately. It's horrifying. Almost immediate internal bleeding, immune system destroyed, bone marrow annihilated-- their explosions are so strong that it causes micro-gravity-waves--\"\n\nThe Kaizen cuts off \"What of them? How are they *not* affected by this?\"\n\n\"Simple, and... not so simple. You see, the proximity of their homeworld to their home-star has led to them having an immense concentration of element 207 which they have manipulated into micro-matrices that capture extraneous radiation--\"\n\n\"So as long as they're in their ships they're immune?\" the Supreme Kaizen asked.\n\n\"Worse, sir, data-analysts and scouts report that even those drastically affected are treated with some unknown serum that counteracts their DNA damage. Apparently each ship contains a database of each individuals' DNA and synthesizes replacements via some sort of nano-bot technology. Their gene-edited soldiers are supposedly immune to this but we don't know if it is due to their armor or their physiology...\"\n\nKaizen paces nervously for a moment before telling his subordinate \"Call back all troops from that star system. If other reports are right, they are not ready to leave that system. That'll buy us time. Beyond that we can track their progress, as you said, from their gravity waves.\"" ]

[ 1, 14, 38, 49, 55, 335 ]

[ "1641103176", "1641149857", "1641149843", "1641142939", "1641136653", "1641124552" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "As the electricity flow through Lamp's body... the smell of burning bacon went through the air... suddenly the electricity stop as the breaker blew and Lamps body laid there motionless... for two maybe three seconds... when suddenly... the head opened at the neckline, and a small pod was visible....a tiny alien jumped out and looked at me....\n\n\"HUMAN, I give up, this takeover of Earth is stupid, for millenia now, we have disguised ourselves as cats to slowly take over your species with cuteness....\"\n\nI look stunned and opened mouthed..\n\n\"HUMAN, do you think we can just drink a few beers and play Mario Kart together before I am forced to kill us both to keep the secret? I'd even let you be Yoshi....\"" ]

[ 1, 5 ]

[ "1641225117", "1641225681" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/divine_wraths, this submission has been removed.\n\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. \n\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\n\n---\n\n\n\n---\n\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/rw0lxv/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \n\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1641319547", "1641320848" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Suddenly I could see things. Thoughts that were not my own whisked around my head, and I **knew**. I knew things I couldn't have known, some of them things I shouldn't have and didn't want to. I woke up and I knew of friends' private conversations, their backstories, their *internal monologues,* for heaven's sake. Before today, I could barely have told you my own inner thoughts with much certainty and yet now here I am, crystal-clear knowledge of things entirely outside of my perception. \n\nIt was eery, disconcerting... empowering. I knew everything. I didn't have to look around corners, ask friends difficult questions. It was like I'd already watched these things happen. The audience was already privy to certain information, and so I was too. That isn't to say I could see into the future, but having a glut of relevant information sure makes it easier to guess what'll happen next.\n\nThat was how I lived for several months, getting more used to near-omniscience as time went on. Some friendships became harder to maintain (that is to say, *most*) knowing their true feelings about things, but I couldn't really fault anyone for that. Relationships are built on trust, and part of that trust involves a bit of privacy. This knew awareness kind of... violated that. Still, it was reassuring as well. Most relevant information found its way into my head as it happened, and if I didn't find it relevant, well, I could forget about it.\n\nThat was what I'd tried to do one morning several days ago. Waking up, I was suddenly aware of some scandalous interaction between two close friends. Intriguing and a little heartbreaking, but nothing to do with me, so I tried to push it from my mind. Alas, as I should have guessed, it did have something to do with me, at least eventually.\n\nRhett visited me later that week, explaining everything that had happened, asking how he might mend things with Mitchell. Rhett knew a little of how I knew things, and so assumed, rightly, that I might have a better perspective on things. Well, usually he'd have been right anyway, but, as I explained to him, I hadn't *seen* Mitchell in a few weeks. The emphasis was all he needed to know what I meant. Still, I gave him advice, some comfort (without letting him totally off the hook, but he was clearly aware of the magnitude of his actions on his own), and was about to send him on his way when Mitchell burst through the door.\n\nWith a gun.\n\nThe one time there's a plot twist. And it's a gun.\n\nThe audience, blessedly, wasn't privy to the rest." ]

[ 1, 6 ]

[ "1641483497", "1641489375" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\\[Plotted Plant\\]\n\n\"What the hell?\" [Steph](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/gvp7ri/wp_the_government_runs_a_scheme_where_on_your/) glanced around at her room in surprise. A second ago she was at the school, and she wasn't sure how she got she got home.\r \n \r \n\\[What happened? - Kim\\] Steph felt the Whisper on her wrist. Kim was next to her when she disappeared. Steph was about to let her know that she was okay, but Kim sent another Whisper.\r \n \r \n\\[Did you send me home? - Kim\\]\r \n \r \n\\[No. Hold on. - Steph\\] She replied with her own Whisper, then wiggled her fingers at the air to open a portal. She walked through it and into Kim's bedroom. Once she was through she closed the portal and opened a different one to the school.\r \n \r \n\"I got sent home too,\" she said.\r \n \r \n\"Weird,\" Kim replied, then walked through the portal. Once the girls reached school grounds again, Kim pointed out the new bushes. They were bright red and dotted with white berries. Hundreds of bushes littered the courtyard; but, they weren't present the day before. \"It happened when we touched the bush...\"\r \n \r \nThey slowed their pace toward the entrance and watched the other students. At first, it seemed like everyone else was ignoring the bushes until they saw a student arrive. A girl stepped out of a portal, and the bushes immediately caught her eye. Unlike the rest of the students, she approached the closest one curiously. Then, she vanished as soon as she touched it. Kim and Steph kept watching the same spot and the girl returned through a portal; but, this time she was ignoring the bushes.\r \n \r \n\"Now, this is a fun school!\" Kim giggled. \"[Zombie outbreak yesterday](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/rxfypf/wp_your_stuck_in_a_school_during_winter_when_a/) and weird bushes today makes me excited for tomorrow,\" she said. Steph laughed with her as they continued forward. But, a blonde girl fell in step next to them.\r \n \r \n\"Don't get too excited,\" she said. \"The bushes are a response to yesterday's outbreak.\"\r \n \r \n\"Huh?\" Kim asked. The girls stopped to listen to what the blonde had to say.\r \n \r \n\"Hi, I'm Molly,\" she said. She waved at them, and Kim introduced them both.\r \n \r \n\"This is Steph, I'm Kim,\" she said. \"What's the deal with the bushes?\" she asked.\r \n \r \n\"They're bait,\" Molly said. \"The first time you see one, you're compelled to touch it; then, it sends you to your home point. But, zombies will touch one every time they see it. Even if they find their way back to campus, they'll be sent home again. There are potted versions in the school now too. They send you home even if you can ignore the compulsion; so they're handy.\"\r \n \r \n\"Whoa...,\" Kim said.\r \n \r \n\"Wait a minute..,\" Steph spoke up. \"...I thought yesterday's outbreak was a game,\" she said. Molly shook her head.\r \n \r \n\"Fortunately, Turbo saved the day. But, he asked Chroma to install the bait bushes in case it happens again.\"\r \n \r \n\"How did Turbo save the day?\" Kim tilted her head at Molly. \"the Zombie nanos only last four hours,\" she said. Molly shook her head.\r \n \r \n\"It was a mutated strain with no time limit,\" she said.\r \n \r \n\"Oh, okay,\" Kim nodded. \"Well, I guess it's a good thing we were at tryouts,\" she said. \"Even though everything turned out okay, I probably would've freaked out if I were stuck like that for too long.\"\r \n \r \n\"Oh, if any of your teammates haven't seen the bushes yet, you can give them a heads up,\" Molly said. Both girls shook their heads.\r \n \r \n\"We didn't get in,\" Steph said.\r \n \r \n\"Oh. Are you still looking for a team? What are you?\"\r \n \r \n\"Knight,\" Kim said.\r \n \r \n\"Lancer,\" Steph said. Molly nodded.\r \n \r \n\"We created a four-man group yesterday during the outbreak and decided to make it a full team; we've got room for two if you're interested,\" Molly smiled at them.\r \n \r \n\"We don't need to try out?\" Kim asked. Molly shook her head.\r \n \r \n\"Nah, not to have fun.\"\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1459 in a row. (Story #007 in year five.). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place at a high school in my universe. It began on Sept. 6th and I will be adding to it with prompts every day until June 3rd. They are all collected in order at [this link](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/pj4t0b/tokuhigh_first_six_weeks/).", "Walking to your school you notice a strange bush. It wasn't there before, so you step closer to it. You find yourself inside your house again. Turns out, you glitched the game respawned back to your last save. Oh also, you're in a video game.\n\n\n*\"On my momma, I would have never thought I'd be a teacher\"*\n\nSeriously, if you knew me from ages ten through 18 I made bebe's kids look like og Bart Simpson(or Dennis the menace for you old folks reading this). No one would even think I'd become a teacher. Or a damn good one. I grew up here so I can relate to these kids in ways a teach for America grad looking to pad their resume can't. Pro tip: don't work for teach for America. Yes you reading this, just trust me. \n\nOkay let's get this out of the way now before you get confused, yes I can break the fourth wall. More like Mike Tyson in his prime uppercut it(hitmonchan sky uppercut for the more nerdy folks reading this). It was litterally one of my first abilities I unlocked. \n\nUnlocked you may ask? Well yes! On my way waking to school, yes I was walking, I have a few pounds to lose and not enough time in the day. Anyway, I was walking and minding my black owned business when I saw the bush^tm. Yes not a bush it was ***the*** bush. It opened my eyes more than a red pill in the matrix. It was as if the world stopped after I saw the bush. \n\nImagine you're walking and a Mario mushroom just appear out of thin air? That's what happens with the bush. It appeared like a pop in in a rpg that was rushed out and didn't didn't have time to optimize for the console it was on. \n\nI couldn't take my eyes off of it. My hands reached out without my brain telling it too. Transfixed wasn't extreme enough of a word. I had to just touch it. For one second. I had to just see if it was real. I had to make sure I didn't just see a perfectly shaped bush appear where air on a diet was just at. \n\nHave you ever driven to work and once you arrive you can't remember how you got there? Imagine that times a thousand. I touch the bush and instantly I'm back in my room staring at a poster of lupita N'yongo. Above the poster was pixelated words that read \"Save state one reloaded\". \n\n***\n\nThere's alot to cover so we gotta skip over some parts. \n\nI went back to that bush 5 times and reloaded the same save state. It was that morning the exact time I woke up. Time litterally went backwards! Or I jumped through time. I haven't figured that part out yet. The next ten times I went back I had to see if it reset changes. \n\nI started with small things, I gave myself a paper cut and then touched the bush. I woke up back in my room with no cuts in sight. My mind was obviously blown. \n\nAfter copious more experiments I figured out that anything that I do in one save gets reset when I hit the bush. \n\nOkay cool you're caught up for the most part. Anything else just pay attention and you'll figure it out, you look smart, I believe in you. \n\nAight so boom, here I am in some fucking video game with the power to reset. \n\nLets see if I use video game logic will it work. \n\n***\n\nI get out of my bed on reset day forty , and walk toward my closet. It's nothing special. It holds my clothes and does its job well. \n\nI stand in front of it and pull out my playstation controller. And I hit the start button. Truth be told I didn't expect anything to happen you see but I can't believe it took me forty resets to even think of using a controller. \n\nBut it did, being a teacher has a side effect of burnout and that makes my memory go from Jimmy neutron having a brain blast to DeeDee asking what does the big red button do. Anyway, so I hit the start button and immediately a menu comes up. There's options for different types of clothing that pop up all around me. Even options to change my hairstyle, sex, body type, even skin color. I found that last option weird because why would I want to be anything but black? But curiosity got the best of me. I went from Keke palmer to katniss everdeen and it was the most surreal shit. I felt like Ruby in Lovecraft Country. Yeah suffice to say I stayed black. I changed my hair though. I went from a beautiful little afro puff to shoulder length dreadlocks. Because I've always wanted locs but never wanted to go through the ugly stage. If this video game I'm in can help me skip that I'm all for it. \n\nDon't tell anyone but I made myself a few inches taller. Okay fine I made myself a foot taller. Be honest, everyone has one thing they'd want to change about themselves. I've always wanted to be taller. In highschool I played volleyball, and I was barely five feet tall. And don't tell me you've seen haikyuu so you know a short person can jump. Nope not me. I can't jump as high as the dudes in haikyuu. And don't get me started on the the girls I played against in high school, they were like giants compared to me. I got a ball spiked in my face once and almost died. \n\nWhat I found interesting were all the numbers and abilities next to the clothes I picked and even the different hairstyles. I have a hoodie on which gives me The height I set for myself gave me plus 20 athletics. It did kind of help with the extra weight I picked up in the last year! Wow I look good! I might start dancing Down the street like I'm Peter Parker with venom in my ear. You know without the cringe. \n\nWait Maybe I'm in a rpg? What do you think? I need to get a party together, I need to find out what class I'm in. Wow! I have to find the call to action! It's like textbook video game stuff. \n\n***help!***\n\nWow that's convenient. Almost too convenient. It is feels like a trap but like the heros in the books I gotta still go. Weird though it's like the video game gods were listening. I guess I'm about to go save a princess or save the world from a villian with a monologing problem. \n\nI save my game then get ready for the adventure.", "\"I was just at the end of the block!\"\n\nI tried to speak. Instead of hearing my voice, I heard a staccato, monotone droning that was familiar and not unpleasant. I looked down. Ahead of me was a text box, with \"I was just at the end of the block!\" typed inside. There was also a picture of my face. I had purple hair and black lipstick.\n\nI was in a video game.\n\nI was back in high school in this game, too.\n\nMight as well go to school and see what happens. I grabbed my backpack and walked out to the living room. \n\nBattle music started playing. Crap! Who is it this time? Mom's redneck boyfriend? Little brother? I looked around the living room and saw three potential assailants, all with full green health bars.\n\nIt wasn't the dog. She was labeled \"Rottie \\*Ally!\"\\* I gave her a little scratch behind the ears. She stood beside me.\n\nIt probably wasn't the cat. She was labeled \"Housecat \\*On Guard\"\\* and watching us closely.\n\nI heard what sounded like a dinosaur's roar.\n\n\"There's the bastard!\"\n\nMom's pet parrot, labeled \"SevereMacaw \\*Attack!!\"\\* flew toward me.\n\nI had three options: Fight, Defend, and Defuse. I knew Mom and my twin brother would kill me if I actually fought the bird; they loved him. I knew there was no way to defuse the situation when there was already a parrot flying through the air to attack me. I chose to Defend and raised my arms in front of my face.\n\nThe bird made contact with my bare forearm and took a bite. It broke the skin. I saw a red flash in front of me. -25HP.\n\nI glanced over at the dog, then took a closer look at the options in front of her. She touched \"Defuse\" with her paw.\n\n\"Whatcha doing, puppy?\"\n\nThe parrot, now on the ground, attacked my text box and ripped a corner off.\n\nThe Rottie laid down on the ground, rolled over on her back, and whined. Little pink hearts appeared above her head.\n\nThe parrot, much to my surprise, got little hearts above his head too! \n\nTaking the place of the scene, I saw a brief moment of, \"Jen and Rottie win! +50EXP!\" As the scene came back, the battle music was gone and all the animals were calm. \n\nI checked my inventory. Notebook x3, Textbook x2, Music Folio, Unsent Love Letter, Bottle of Pop, Pager, Keys, Sisters of Mercy CD, Makeup Kit...Band Aid! I used the Band Aid and gained 10HP. Stupid bird, I was even defending.\n\nI heard a ding from everywhere at once. There was a text box above me: \"HURRY! Or else you will be late for school.\"\n\nI grabbed my keys, locked up, and looked outside to see no car. There must not be a driving mechanic in this game. I started running. As I ran, I saw a Stamina gauge draining. I kept running, more out of curiosity than anything else. I got to the end of the block and my stamina ran out.\n\nAgain, I had options. I could walk and rebuild stamina, I could see that happening as I automatically slowed. There was also a button in front of me that said \"Heroic Effort.\" Is getting to school on time really worth a heroic effort? \n\nI decided to find out. I hit the button and started to sprint. I saw another gauge in front of me draining down. This time, it wasn't my stamina. It was my HP. Crap! I tried to slow down. It wasn't happening. I tried to steer. I could do that. I steered myself toward the music room, since my first class was orchestra, and that door was closer than the main entrance.\n\nThe door was open. As soon as I entered, I slowed down and started regaining stamina. Still, I was breathing heavy. I could see droplets of sweat flying from my head.\n\nI was met almost immediately by another text box. \"The teacher is not here.\" I had three options: Ditch, Wander Halls, or Homework. I chose to wander the halls, in hopes of finding a vending machine to replenish my HP. \n\nIt was gonna be a strange day, and hopefully a long one, if I could stay a step ahead of the game and the goddamn parrot." ]

[ 1, 1, 2, 5 ]

[ "1641560034", "1641574799", "1641568793", "1641580099" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Nonstandard_Nolan, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**Prompt in Text**: Prompts go in the title, do not extend into text. You can add commentary in the text, but don't add additional prompt restrictions. Also, avoid [too many details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/prompts?src=RECIPE). You wrote a prompt in the text, but then gave a title for it. \r\n\r\n* *From Rule 6: [Prompt users in the title, but don't play writing games or commission stories](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_6.3A_prompt_users_in_the_title.2C_but_don.27t_play_writing_games_or_commission_stories)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/rzfrmy/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1641691388", "1641696744" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/micshelle8, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**No recent reposts, even if changing small details** Also, no [copy-cats](http://i.imgur.com/38FjDgW.gifv).\r\n\r\nSearch before submitting as popular ideas can cause floods. If your idea is based on something you read elsewhere on reddit, chances are it's been submitted here already. Please wait at least 2 weeks before reposting.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n* *[From Rule 5: No recent reposts, even if changing small details](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_5.3A_no_recent_reposts.2C_even_if_changing_small_details)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://old.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/s4dndn/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1642227106", "1642227329" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"Stacey!\" I called for my best and strongest nurse. I'd need her for this patient.\n\nDante was a shapeshifter. An entity who could take nearly any physical form. There were limits on the size he could become and what materials he could replicate, but the recent literature suggests the skill and experience of individual shifters is more important than the actual limitations of their abilities. Meaning the range and types of shifts vary so much between individual shifters that suggesting an upper limit of their abilities would be pointless. But I digress.\"\n\n\"Doc, I don't know what's wrong with me.\" Dante's preferred male shape's face sagged as though it were going to fall off before snapping back into the shape of Dante's preferred female figure. The rest of his body was a hot mess of tentacles with fingers on the ends. Sick shifters are gross.\n\n\"Have you had unprotected contact with any other shapeshifter in the last six months? Have you been shifting daily as prescribed?\"\n\n\"Only the one who replaced Judge Smith last week. It was a good one like me and let me out of my traffic matter with just a warning.\" Damn shifters have absolutely no sense of right or wrong. Lucky for everyone else there aren't that many, they usually hate each other, and getting them to reproduce is nearly impossible.\n\n\"So Smith is dead or did you two just knock him out for a while?\" I have to keep track of this stuff or else the Shifter Tracking Agency will have my little practice for lunch.\n\n\"He just thinks he lost some time, no need to get a STAT after me, doc.\" They aren't supposed to know about that.\n\n\"And where is this other shifter now?\" Hopefully Dante knew better than to shack up with a stranger.\n\n\"At home. Why?\"\n\n\"Dante, don't take this the wrong way, please. You shifters are notorious for getting around. You two cavorting is the worst thing for your health. If this is going to be long-term I'll need to see you more regularly.\"\n\n\"What do you mean by 'long-term'?\" Dante seemed sincere enough. He was relatively young for a shifter.\n\n\"Look, I don't need to know whatever you're getting up to with your friend. Just be safe about it and come see me before you grow damned horns and sprout quills, for hell's sake. Damn. Can you control that at all?\"\n\n\"Sorry, Doc. I can't.\"\n\n\"We're going to have to put you under, Dante. You'll need to trust me on this. I'll find out what's going on and fix it, but I won't be able to tell you what needs to be done. You've been through this before with me, but it's important you hear it again.\"\n\n\"I've never been anything other than what I am, Doc. I know the drill. Get to it, already.\"\n\nStacey was already strapping Dante down to the special bed. She was the best nurse I'd ever had. Sedating Dante would only slow the progress of the morphs. Stacey and I were in for a long night." ]

[ 1, 4 ]

[ "1642601970", "1642606798" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Humble_Award_4873, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\nWhile it doesn't seem to be your intent, the mods reserve the right to remove anything we feel may become harmful to the community. \r\n\r\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_2.3A_no_explicitly_sexual_responses.2C_hate_speech.2C_or_other_harmful_content)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/s8y6z3/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1642727741", "1642728593" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I held the glass ball in my hand, let it roll from my palm to my fingers. I twisted my wrist and in a fluid motion rolled it over my fingertips onto the back of my hand, then back to my palm again. The family of four who had stopped to watch my act clapped enthusiastically. Beside me, Tasha played a jaunty flourish on her violin. The children grinned. I rolled the ball around my hand again, and it changed color from clear to a transparent red. I was met with a chorus of oohs and ahhs. In time to Tasha's music, I made another pass, and the ball turned from red to blue. The family was delighted. Tasha ended her tune, and we both took a bow. They tossed some bills into my cap and Tasha's violin case, and went on their way.\r \n\r \nTasha and I had been working together for almost six months. We'd met by accident. She was a music major at the university. She had just obtained her busking license, and wasn't sure how to get started. I offered to let her share my corner, to show her the ropes. We made a good pair, and decided to work together on a regular basis. I liked Tasha. She was fun to talk to, and had lots of stories about the small town where she grew up. And she was attractive, a curvy girl with bright eyes and a mess of brown curls. She had a boyfriend, but he was a creep. Eventually, I knew, she would dump him, and then I'd have a chance.\r \n\r \n“That was a good one, Jiro,” Tasha said with a radiant grin. “Ready to go again?”\r \n\r \nShe raised her violin and started a new song. People paused for a second or two to listen, then kept walking. We weren't going to make much money that way. Tasha was just doing this for pocket money, but I needed to pay rent. I was tired of contact juggling, though. I'd done that trick for an hour before Tasha joined me. Instead, I started pulling things from my sleeves. I produced a pink carnation and handed it to an old lady. She thanked me, but didn't stay for another trick. I pulled out a white silk handkerchief, waved it around, and made it disappear into my palm. A man in a business suit gave me a nod, but continued on.\r \n\r \nI pulled out more handkerchiefs, five at a time, each a different color. I tossed and juggled them, letting them flutter in the air like butterflies. With a sharp tug, I produced a stream of handkerchiefs knotted together. It twirled an coiled and hung in the air longer than gravity should have let it. A trio of middle-aged women, their arms full of shopping bags, paused to admire my work. I pulled a lavender handkerchief from the middle woman's shopping bag, and she gasped and giggled. I held their attention for almost ten minutes, pulling handkerchiefs from the women's purses, pockets, sleeves, and hair. All the while, Tasha played a cheerful jig. At last, they moved on, leaving almost thirty dollars in change.\r \n\r \nTasha never asked how I did my tricks. I think she knew I wouldn't tell her. The truth was, I didn't quite know myself. My mother used to say that my birth had been touched by the yokai. A second generation immigrant from Osaka, Japan, she was superstitious in a way that was reminiscent of long ago times, before technology, when spirits and faith were all that people had to turn to when things got tough. She never acted like it was strange that I could do things that were a little bit more than normal. When I imagined that the world was just slightly different, and caused it to be so. She never used the word magic, and neither did I. Some things are better left unsaid.\r \n\r \nI spotted a gaggle of teenagers approaching, and nudged Tasha. Then I started a new routine. I pulled a square of origami paper out of my pocket and folded it into a crane. I stepped in front of one of the girls, shooting her a flirtatious smile. She glanced at her friends and giggled. I held out my crane, pulling on the tail to make the head bob and the wings flap. She rolled her eyes at me. I let go, allowing the paper crane to rest in my palm. It kept moving. Now she looked interested. I offered her the crane, and pulled out more paper, folding it into a frog. I pushed down on its rear, making it hop across my hand. Then it hopped off the end of my hand, landed right-side-up on the sidewalk, and took four more hops before stopping. A boy bent and picked it up, turning it over, examining it for evidence of how the trick worked. He didn't find any. \r \n\r \nFinally, I turned to a girl with a blue butterfly tattooed on her forearm. I found a sheet of paper almost the same color as her tattoo and folded it into a paper butterfly. Her face lit up as it waved its wings lazily.\r \n\r \n“Look closely,” I said. She leaned in. I cupped the origami between my two palms, blew on it, then threw my hands apart. A live butterfly fluttered there for a moment, glittering azure, then darted off into the sky. The kids shrieked in amazement. Even Tasha's playing faltered for a split second. I didn't do that trick often. It was too obviously impossible, too difficult to explain away as anything other than real magic. Which it was.\n\n\\[TO BE CONTINUED\\]", "“I know what you're doing.” I said to the magician. He stood there with his luggage by his side and his coat over arm, ready to leave for the night. “I said, I know what you're doing.”\n\n“I'm sorry? What do you mean?” The magician said calmly, unconcerned about being found out by a boy.\n\n“Your 'magic', it isn't fake.” The boy knew it was real magic because he had studied under his father, the greatest magician in town. “Everything you did was out of the ordinary for real magicians.”\n\n“Oh? Is that so? Please,enlighten me as to what I was doing.” The magician said with a slight grin and raised brow, eager to hear the truth.\n\n“Well, for one. The trick with the dish covers and the rabbits. Typically, you start a small fire in a dish and place the silver cover over it. When the cover is removed, a rabbit or dove is in place of the fire and everybody is amazed.” The boy didn't need to explain it, but he continued. “The dish cover is large and houses the animal inside,when put into the fire, oxygen is removed and the bottom of the dish cover comes out to make sure the animal can be revealed.” The magician was surprised that the boy knew this trick, though it is a very common illusion.\n\n“I see you know a thing or two, my boy. Bravo. But how exactly does this prove I did real magic?”“The dish cover is too small, an animal couldn't fit inside it.” The boy explained. The magician paused, he hadn't thought of such a simple thing, but he was found out nonetheless. He grew a large smile and lunged toward the boy, grabbing him by the shoulders.“YES! You're absolutely right! I am a \\*real\\* magician and now, I can't let you leave to tell the entire world that magic exists....” The magician hissed in a whisper reminiscent of the snake in the grass. The boy was startled, frightened at the sudden change in personality. He didn't understand what the words meant but knew he was in trouble and had to escape. “You must join me in my show!” The boy hesitated for a second that dragged on for hours, he wriggled out of the mad man's grasp and bolted for the door.\n\nIn the same instant, like a tiger pouncing on it's prey, the magician said a phrase the boy couldn't understand, he knew it was not Latin, the traditional language of showtime magic. It sounded much older and more arcane. He didn't have time to think upon the origins of the language, he needed to escape and get to safety before something happened. The boy got to the door in which brought him to the mad magician and snapped it open, blindly running into the next room where his mother waited. It was at this moment that the boy realized he was in far greater danger. The area he ran into was a snowy mountain top in the dead of night. The heavy snowfall clouding his hand mere inches from his face. The cold was enough to send shivers down his spine, but this shiver was the terror of knowing he wouldn't see his mother again. He wouldn't be able to learn any more from his father. The magician filled the doorway back to the theater, obscuring the light that was pouring through.\n\n“I told you. You're going to join my show.” The only feature was a devilish Cheshire grin taking up his entire face. “If you don't, then you will die here, where no one can find you.” The boy stood for another moment and that seemed far longer than it should have been. He gulped down the fear of death and turned to the man, stretching his hand out. The magician takes the boy's hand and invites him home. The next night, a new act is on display, a young woman in1920's flapper attire sits upon a stool. The woman is accompanied by a doll that bears a striking resemblance to the boy that once was. She spoke for the doll, having no voice box of his own. Designed by a master puppeteer, the doll displayed features that seemed almost unreal. A look of despair, or sorrow painted across the doll's face, those eyes longing for a time that once was and shall never be again." ]

[ 1, 2, 3 ]

[ "1643558550", "1643645059", "1643688361" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "He wasn't a bad-looking fellow, really. Though, James supposed, he would look a lot nicer if he wasn't holding James at knifepoint at the moment. The man's hands trembled slightly, the blade of the knife cold against James's neck. The local news had been full of muggings lately, but this guy didn't strike James as much of a criminal. Maybe it was the sweater vest or the thick glasses. \n\n\"Apologies, sir,\" the man said. His voice was pinched and nasal, and he had a slight British accent. He sounded like sour tasted.\n\n\"I'm terribly afraid to inconvenience you so, but, and I'm sure you'll understand, I just can't stand it anymore. They've been following me like moths to a lamp. I can't get a single moment's rest.\" The man blinked rapidly, his eyes filmy and bloodshot. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days.\n\nHe abruptly lowered the knife and smacked James on the forehead. James stumbled back, his back colliding with the brick wall behind him. When he looked back up, the man had disappeared. \n\nJames rubbed his eyes and began to walk. He needed to get home quickly. Work had ended an hour early, but, somehow, it was already beginning to grow dark. He didn't want to risk another mugging incident. Or, well, another of whatever that man was doing.\n\nJames came to his house and took out his keys. While he was working the lock, a peal of thunder rolled in the sky above. Weird. It hadn't been raining, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. James stepped back and looked up. The sky was an inky violet, and the moon was just beginning to crest the mountains in the distance. Thin clouds floated aimlessly. There wasn't a single stormcloud in sight.\n\nThe ground trembled violently for a second, then stopped as quickly as it had begin. James glared at the pavement. Really, of all times for an earthquake! \n\nJames shook his head and opened his front door. Inside, it was pitch black. James crept in, a sense of unease twisting his stomach. His dog, Bob, always came running to greet him when he came home from work. He was so loud that the neighbors half a block away could mark the exact time he arrived home.\n\nThe door creaked behind him. There was cold air against the back of his neck.\n\nJames swung around. A shadow flashed across his vision. Outside, fog was beginning to cloud over his driveway. The silence felt like something heavy, something solid.\n\nJames backed away, slamming the door shut in his wake. He checked twice that it was locked, and then he made his way down the hall. \n\nHe fumbled against the wall for a light switch. When he flicked it on, there was a brief flash of light, and then darkness once again. \n\nJames could feel eyes on him. He spun around, but he couldn't see anything. A light whine echoed through the hall from the bathroom. James rushed in the direction of the noise and pulled at the bathroom door, but it was locked. \n\nLocked, even though the lock that came with the house had long since rusted off.\n\nJames banged on the door, the wood shaking and jerking in the threshold. There was another whine, this one louder, and then it was abruptly cut off.\n\nJames shoved away from the door and raced through the hall, then out the front door. The fog hung over him oppressively. The humidity clung to his skin and his hair. Another - no, several - shadows clouded the edges of his vision. These weren't the sort of shadows that came from an absence of light. The edges were too clear-cut, the shapes too irregular. James ran blindly, his feet scrabbling for purchase against the slick pavement of the driveway, then the concrete of the sidewalk. His footsteps sounded like gunshots in his ears. Distantly, he heard the familiar noises of traffic, engines running and intermittent honking. He ran further, cold air biting through the thin fabric of his shirt. It had been unseasonably warm just minutes earlier.", "Alex bounced impatiently on the balls of his feet as he waited in line for lunch at the local burger shack near work, unsure if he'd be able to finish his meal in time before his thirty minutes were up. He was so absorbed in the ridiculous order from the high maintenance teenager in front of him that he didn't even see the homeless man rushing at him from the door to the establishment.\n\n\"You *don't* have gluten free buns or a veggie option on your menu? How are you goi-\"\n\n\"I'm sorry!\" shouted a man, eyes bulging with intensity as he grabbed Alex by the neck of his shirt, pulling him in, edge of a blade nicking his skin.\n\n\"Jesus Christ,\" Alex gasped, sweat immediately beginning to expel from his pores, \"look man, if you need some food I can jus-\"\n\n\"I'm sorry!\" he repeated, pressing the blade below Alex's adam's apple, \"but I'm so tired of them chasing me, I get no peace, rest, nothing, I wouldn't wish this on anyone but I have to pass this onto you, sorry.\"\n\nThe man pressed his palm to Alex's forehead and closed his eyes as though soothed by the sweat rubbing off onto his palm. He vanished beneath Alex's eyes, the knife he held clattered to the tiled floor, causing the teenage girl to turn on the spot, eying Alex curiously.\n\n\"You uh, dropped your knife,\" she said.\n\nAlex currently so flabbergasted snapped on her and the cashier.\n\n\"*My* knife?!\" he shouted, \"did you not just see that?!\"\n\n\"Sir, please lower your voice,\" the clerk droned, \"this is a family restaurant.\"\n\nThe teenage girl took her receipt and stepped away from Alex, his eyes just as crazy as the homeless mans were a moment before.\n\n\"You didn't just see that wacko hold a knife to my throat?!\" Alex shouted, sweat beading across is brow, the tiniest of cuts at his neck stinging from the saltiness like he'd been cut shaving.\n\nAlex left the knife behind and left the burger shop in a huff. He was driving back down the road before he had registered that he'd grabbed nothing to eat on his lunch break. He had twelve minutes left before he had to clock back in again. Furious, he sped up the road away from his food, going fifteen over the limit as he thumbed the stinging area at his neck, pulling back a red smudged thumb.\n\n\"Fucking guy,\" he spat, pressing his gas pedal harder. He looked up from his thumb and caught movement in his rear view mirror. Someone crossing the street? No.\n\nAlex tilted the mirror down, glancing at the road as he drove. Someone had begun chasing his car. They looked blurry in his mirror, but he shrugged it off, focusing on getting back to work on time. Two minutes later he was pulling into his parking space when he saw it. The knife from the shop, the one which was pressed against his skin. The knife was laying neatly on his dash board. He stared at it, his mouth slack open in confusion. Movement out the corner of his eye made him jump again, blurriness in his side mirror. Three figures now creeping around the edge of a building across the street.\n\nAlex had never had a violent interaction in his life. At twenty-seven he was proud of this fact, he'd never fought anyone, never not so much as an argument in public. He felt threatened now, felt like he was being watched. Without knowing why exactly, he gripped the knife and got out of his car. As if on cue the figures across the street crept out from their hiding places and began running at him. Adrenalin coursed through him, and he stood his ground somehow as they began rushing across the street. The creatures were half way across when he changed his mind at the last second, he hopped back into his car and slammed the door - locking all of them just as their blurry forms began scratching against his car. He'd watched the eighties movie Predator and felt like these creatures were the aliens from that movie, or close to it. They looked transparent in a way, and blurry somehow. He could barely make out the humanoid shapes they had, but he could hear the sounds of their claws on his windows.\n\nAlex started his car, could see his co-worker raising his hands up in confusion as he backed his way out of the lot again, as if to say: you got eight minutes on lunch left, what are you doing? Alex could almost hear these words being shouted at him as he ignored his cell phone ringing as he sped down the street away from the building. The blurry, semi-transparent figures running in the distance. They were fast, but not quicker than he was. He raced on down the road, running a red light just as it had changed from yellow. When he couldn't see them in his mirrors anymore he pulled into the nearest alleyway near a shopping mall area he'd just passed, grabbed his knife and left the car. He felt like he had to get out of his car, to move down somewhere else, to hide.\n\nAlex ran hard, his dress shoes pounding the cracked asphalt as he ripped off his clip on tie and threw it into an open dumpster. He exited the alley and put the blade into his pocket, trying to walk quickly, but casually as people passed him. He'd not even made it to the next alleyway up the street he was on before he could feel the same feeling as before, something watching him. He decided to walk down this alley, away from the crowded sidewalk, away from people. His back and pits were warm with sweat, cooling rapidly as wind drafted down the alleyway. They appeared at the end, the blurry transparent creatures crept forward, not rushing him this time. Two of them. Where was the third?\n\nHe heard a scrape behind him of a foot step, or a claw on the ground. In response he made a wild slashing movement with his knife as he whirled around to face the monster. His knife slashed across a blurry transparent figure, making it scream and fall back to the ground. Enraged, Alex stabbed it as it was down and rose up to face the other two. Before he knew it the monsters had him pinned down, his knife spinning away from him with a clatter. When he looked over to the third monster it was just a man. He writhed on the ground clutching the wounds Alex had made, confusion etched across his face. The dying man looked at Alex, tears slipping out the corners of his eyes onto the asphalt as he groaned through blood dribbling out of his mouth. The two monsters that held him down were no longer transparent, but just a couple high school kids using their knees to pin his arms underneath them while they dialed nine one one.", "You look around, frightened and confused as to what just happened. \"Where did he go?\" You say aloud to the empty alleyway you mistakenly wandered into in the darkness of night. What did he mean? Who was chasing him, and what exactly did he pass onto you? Out of the corner of your eye you see a shadow move against a dimly lit dumpster. \"Must be a rat.\" You think to yourself, but before you even realize it your body instinctually takes off in a sprint. Somehow you know that whatever made that shadow is coming for you... And it's closing the distance. In a panick you quicken your pace, and look back to see the shadowy figure keeping stride with you almost effortlessly. As you turn around to run even faster your foot hits a raised piece of side walk and you hit the ground hard. You raise yourself off the ground enough to see the figure has closed the distance between you. \"Who are you?\".\"what do you want?\" You ask, fearing for your life. \"Isn't it obvious?\" They ask in an almost giddy voice. \"WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU ABOUT YOUR CARS EXTENDED WARRANTY.\"" ]

[ 1, 2, 4, 44 ]

[ "1643576917", "1643605458", "1643602701", "1643588856" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"HEALERS!\" bellowed the orator with their arms held high. \"The kingdom of Alfar heeds your wisdom! The dreadful chill has befallen upon our kin! Child and parent alike waste away in the grips of this plague! The King of the Elves seeks knowledge and relief to banish this curse from our lands and bretheren!\"\n\nThe mutter and cheer of approval rang in the lavish hall. Crystals of numerous colours shone with candle light. Ornate carvings, thin as threads, lined the ceiling and rafters. Plants and flowers climbed every pilar instead of tapestries. The elves themselves were tall and slim. They looked elegant in their gowns or leather armours. And worried, very worried.\n\n\"How does the plague torment our bretheren?\" One healer piped up.\n\n\"It tosses our kin in a turmoil of cold and heat. First they shiver with a chill so mighty, not even the thickest of furs can warm them up. Then a heat burns without relief, hotter than the midsummer sun, chasing them outside to seek the cold. Wet with their own water, the chill returns them to bed. They toss and turn without the ease of sleep\"\n\n\"What else? In the east they spoke of a foul wind\" another one spoke up.\n\n\"Yes, a foul spell grips their chests and chases the air from their lungs. They gasp and pull, yet it will not leave. They cannot speak, for they have no air. They throats are raw with the taste of blood. If the pain in their faces has not robbed them of their taste. Some struggle to breath, for their airways are blocked. They cannot taste, and most talk of a pain besides their eyes and noses. Their speech is strange and strange fluids run wild in their features\"\n\n\"Um, excuse me\" The stranger speaks. He is not an elf, but human. Stocky and rough compared to the fair court. \"Does anyone have the runs?\" he asks.\n\n\"Run? They cannot run! Most are too ill to leave their beds!\" The orator is outraged.\n\n\"Sorry, I meant can they hold down their food or are their stomachs in the grips of this plague?\"\n\n\"None have told of such misfortune\"\n\n\"Okay, so it's just a bad cold\"\n\n\"WHAT?\"\n\n\"DOES THE HUMAN BELITTLE OUR BLIGHT?\"\n\nThe outrage was obvious. The human raised his hands.\n\n\"Calm down, calm down! I just meant I know this plague of yours!\"\n\n\"ORDER IN THE NORTHERN COURT!\" Human, speak your case! Is there a cure for the plague?\"\n\n\"We humans call it 'The Cold'. The best cure is a warm bed for rest. Tuck the ill in and do not let them run outside. The heat is a sign of recovery. For the chills, a warm drink would bring comfort\"\n\n\"What kind of drink?\" asked a female healer. She sounded skeptical.\n\n\"For the adults, some hot water with a sliver of ginger, a slice of lemon and a heaping spoonful of honey. For children, warm milk with honey. This will sooth the pain in the throat, as well. Steaming hot and strong mint tea will aid with the stuffy noses, make sure they breath in the steam\"\n\n\"And this helps?\"\n\n\"It helps us. Oh, and blow those strange fluids out of your noses and clean your hands and faces. No need to be nasty\"\n\n\"What can we feed our ill?\" another woman, not a healer this time, shouted.\n\n\"Um, my mother swore by chicken soup\"" ]

[ 1, 4 ]

[ "1644018575", "1644024461" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "As Minaros took physical form, his feet mad contact with the hard earth of the citadel's training fields. All around him, writhing on the ground, were his loyal paladins. Each one of them, to a man, cursed by the mad sorcerer Rendel. No doubt, in retaliation for some demonic plot that his holy knights had disrupted.\n\nIt pained Minaros to see those that had sworn their lives to his light in such agony. It struck at his core to know what they would become. He could sense the dark magic, hanging in the air like bog-stench. They were cursed to become creatures of pure malevolence.\n\nIt would seem that Rendel was not without a sense of irony. He had found a way to pivot his plan to make unwilling sacrifices of the local villagers, and had instead inflicted that cruel fate up the very people who had made it their life's work to stamp out this exact kind of evil.\n\nHis beloved children. Those who basked in his light and strove to spread his protection upon the land, would be transformed into thoughtless killing machines for the forces of darkness. And he was powerless to stop it.\n\nUnless...\n\nIt took more time for that single word to form in his thoughts than it took for him to make the decision. It was worth it, no matter the cost. Even if it meant the permanent loss of a significant portion of his power, how could he not. He scouted the writhing masses for the the right man, and strode over to him.\n\n\"Athren,\" he said, looking down upon the huddled form of his greatest champion, \"I have not the power to save you all, but I can expend what I have to save a core group, so that you might stop this evil and avenge your brothers. Who would you have by your side?\" He put his hand down upon his followers head, and began to channel his energy to displace the darkness taking root in this poor wretched mortal's soul.\n\nTo his great shock, Athren's hand shot up and seized his own. \"NO!\" the cursed man howled, gripping his corporal hand with an alarming force. Athren looked up and met his patron's gaze with burning fury and rage, Minaros feared that his lieutenant was gone. What did this mean for the others? Was he took late?\n\nThe paladin's grip tightened, and his jaw quivered with effort as his struggled to speak three simple words. \"Sssssave.... our...mmminds.\" His teeth slammed together with enough force for Minaros to hear them cracking. A grimace spread across the man's face, which had begun to bungle unnaturally.\n\nMinaros had never been so taken aback in all of his existence. But in an instant, he knew what Athren was asking of him. He could fully save a handful of his faithful, or he could spend that energy protecting and preserving all of their minds, while letting the rest of the grisly transformation run it's course.\n\nIt would be a horrible, soul crushing existence, to be cursed to such a body. They would remain, locked inside their new forms, but fully in control. Would these men, who had already given so much, really do this? This was more than had ever been asked of them.\n\nHe looked around, and everywhere his eyes fell, he saw the same thing. Faces turned toward him, racked in pain, begging for the chance to remain in his service. Righteous anger burning inside of them, desperate for a chance to stop the one who was behind this most heinous act.\n\nNodding, he pulled his hand from Athren's iron grip, as gently as he could manage. He took one final look around at his disciples, and all they had built. Pride welled inside of him for what they were willing to sacrifice in the name of the light.\n\nHe spread his arms to the side, and levitated into the air. Radiance pulsed from his form as brightness engulfed him. He disappeared from this realm in a burst of light, and showed the area in sparks of divinity that rained down upon his followers. As his connection to this world faded, he said into the now safe minds of his followers, \"Forgive me for not being able to do more. Know that my coming silence is not apathy. My love for you is only rivaled by the love you have demonstrated for your fellow man here today. You may no longer feel my presence, but I see the content of your heart, and I would gladly do this a thousand times over.\"\n\nWith that, he was gone, and knights simultaneously collapse into unconscious, spasming lumps of flesh. Fortuitously unaware of dark processes gripping their cursed bodies.\n\nThey began to awake as dawn the next morning, in waves of three or four.\n\nMany marveled at their new forms, some more bestial than others, but all monstrous. Some wept for brothers that perished in the transformation, while others stared, eyes even with the horizon, lost in thoughts of what this new existence meant.\n\nWhen Athren awoke, it took him a moment to realize what was happening, and that this wasn't some demented dream.\n\nAs he righted himself, looked to the sky, and whispered \"Thank you.\", cringing for a moment at the rasp that came from his new throat. He closed his eyes, reflected upon the sacrifice his patron had made, and vowed to make it worthwhile. Hoping this small prayer of devotion still made it to it's intended target.\n\nHe rose on his clawed feet, and extended his new viciously lethal form to it's full height before booming in a gravely baritone, \"Gather 'round!\".\n\nHe looked in all directions, at the battered and twisted forms of his brethren before continuing, \"We are now bearers of His light.\" He paused to let his words resonate off the training ground's stone walls. \"Always remember, Minaros lives on inside of us. His sacrifice has given us the power to turn this darkness back upon it's creator, and Rendel will pay for what he has done.\"\n\nHe surveyed the unrecognizable faces of the men who had spent a lifetime fighting at his side. \"Who is with me?\", he yelled in a tone that sounded almost like a bestial roar.\n\nNobody turned away.", "It was the work of dark thoughts, a centuries long plan. The warmongering hordes of Edraz sought to break the defenders of Huldus. They had send wave after wave of their own, each time being stopped by the battlements and forts of Huldus.\n\nSo, they chose to curse them. They toiled away, preparing the location, the spell and the power behind it. They laid a trap, acting as though a part of their horde was weak. Huldus knew they couldn't afford to squander an opportunity like this. Exploiting their weakness would serve to save many lives.\n\nThey marched, heads held high, into the trap. As the last units stepped between the outer barriers, it was sprung. Towering arcs of energy rose over them, lashing out at all they could reach. The very air warped and twisted, as reality was reshaped within. Screams of fear and pain were changed, converted into howls and hisses.\n\nThe hordes watched with a savage grin. They saw their hated enemies crumple and fall. They anticipated many would turn to join their ranks, shunned by the world of humans. It was certain that whoever was affected, their minds would be lost.\n\nIt began to die down, as they could see its results. Some had been turned into hybrid beasts, a terrible mixing of wolf, bear and human. Others were mixed with snakes and lizards. A few bore wings. Others had grown pale, smoking in the harsh sunlight. Their eye glowed red, even as they hissed. Each and every soldier had been irrevocably changed, into monsters\n\nLaughter sprung around the cursed army, and they looked to its source. They saw the surrounding horde, and their mocking expressions. But even as they wavered, a clear voice rang out. It rumbled like an avalanche, as head turned to regard a towering brute of rock and earth.\n\n\"Holy Warriors! Forget not your charge! They may hurt us, but as long as we draw breath, so shall we fight!\"\n\nThe words died to the silence, as if the world held its breath to find out the answer. A pair of howls sound out in response, as two showe their support. It broke the spell, as others raised their new voices. The hordes couldn't help but shiver at it.\n\n\"Now, show them just who we are!\"\n\nAs the commander spoke, the army broke. Groups ran alongside others, remembering their training. They sought vengeance for themselves and each other. Vengeance that would only be answered by blood.\n\nThe hordes morale wavered, as the tides turned. They were used to fighting men with the strength of humans. But these were monsters, who still wielded the Flames of their gods. Divine light shone through them, as they tore into the ones who had cursed them.\n\nEven as they sounded a retreat, they realised their folly. These holy warriors spirit was stronger than their curse. All they had done was turn them into more efficient killing machines." ]

[ 1, 5, 9 ]

[ "1644343933", "1644368115", "1644348790" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The mega churches proclaimed that God had finally decided to intervene, convinced that humanity had put itself on a trajectory towards everything that the Book of Revelation warned against. A reporter asked them how exactly his goals were going to be achieved through a tracking application. To decipher the workings of those on a higher plane of existence was futile, the acts were too far beyond human comprehension answered a high priest. I heard that their membership slightly fell after that interview. \n\nOne faction of scientists suggested that an advanced alien civilization whose level of development outstripped us by eons had remotely installed the tracking technology. How they had managed to do it simply couldn't be explained according to these researchers. Otherwise, humans would have already figured out how to performs tasks of a similar nature. \n\nOf course there were those that blamed the government. \n\n\"It was the damned politicians,\" they said, \"trying to further impede on our God-given liberties - tracking us, monitoring us, recording us and using the data for sinful purposes.\" \n\nEven the most avid conspiracy theorists stumbled, though, when faced with a reality that they couldn't deny. A person could see everything about the individual on the other end of their application, but nobody else could see anything. If you snatched a person's phone out of their hands right as the app was turned on, all you'd see was a grainy black and white screen, constantly flickering on and off. \n\nChanging phones didn't make a difference. I won't even go in to all of the ideas and epiphanies that supposed geniuses over the world have had. To put it simply, the application just knew. It knew who was supposed to be watching whom. \n\nWhen you're suddenly given access to every detail of someone else's life, the reactions that different people had were unique, to say the least. Those who believed in the best of people refused to even start the app. \n\n\"A person deserves their privacy,\" these proud individuals pronounced. Noble, but I'm unsure whether this was the smart thing to do. \n\nWhy you ask? \n\nThere were just as many people who realized that they'd found the perfect source of blackmail material. What person doesn't have a skeleton in their closet? Turned out that most people had skeleton\"s\" in their's. The noble ones slowly started to acquiesce to the trends of the time. It was inevitable I suppose. Blackmailers asked for outrageous things. Perhaps not outrageous, if I knew what they knew. The easiest way to meet the demand was to blackmail someone else in turn. \n\nI guess I'm unfortunate in that regard. My phone would never the show the tell-tale signs of the tracking application that turned Earth on its axis. Maybe it was because it was an older model I wondered. The newest flagship phone that I ended up buying was amazing in every way but the reason why I purchased it - still no application. \n\nWhen my blackmailer asked for money, it wasn't too difficult to gather up the amount he wanted. My parents had never been particularly noble people. \n\nWhen he asked for pictures of myself, I guess in some ways that seemed a lot easier than begging my mother for cash. It seemed harder in a lot of ways, as well. But what could I do? The apple doesn't fall from the tree; I wasn't particularly noble myself. \n\nWhen he wanted to meet up in person, it seemed like the hardest request of all. At one point, though, I realized that maybe it would make for the easiest life for me moving forward. There had been one thing that people realized fairly quickly. If the person tracking you dies, there is no transfer of power. There was no transfer of tracking ability. You would be free. \n\nTonight I'm going to meet with him and when I come home, I'll be free." ]

[ 1, 8 ]

[ "1644434748", "1644437104" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "It had been quite a while since I had heard of facial robberies. The facial currency system started when I was a cadet in the police, many moons ago. Not long after, the first facial theft happened. The scenes were what you could expect, horrific. The psychopaths who did this were no plastic surgeons. \nIn the couple of months when these crimes happened I had the displeasure of questioning a young girl whose mother had had her face carved out in her own apartment infront of her. For 2 weeks we tried to get something out of her, a smile, a nod, anything. Not even trying to help the case, but using it as an excuse to check up on her. Never a word. Never a nod. Not even a gaze. The only thing she did was draw her faceless mother. \nThat poor child was as affected as her mother, who hung herself shortly after. \n\nAnd all that for what? Not one of those crimes ever landed a cent. As if you could trick the system using a carved out face. Only the most broken souls ever tried it, and they were obviously not the brightest. \nAfter the first two months there had not been another face theft. It became public knowledge that it simply doesn't work. 8 years since I had had the horror to hear about them and now this two fools want have a try at it? \n\\-Listen man- I say in a calming voice putting my hands up -face theft doesn't work okay? Everyone knows you can't trick the system like this. I'll give you what I have on me. \n\\-Take the knife- the hoodied one with the gun says with a crackling voice. \nI can't quite get what they want out of this exchange. The guy handing me the knife is clearly unstable, the kind of crackhead I would expect to try something so horrific and stupid, but the one with the gun doesn't seem to be drugged. \n\n \n\\-Okay, okay- I take the knife and lift it over my head with my right hand. \n\n \n\\-Now, you know what to do- says the gunman. \nI just stare at the green eyes, the only visible part of the face.\n\n \n\\-Start below your left ear-the hoodied one said with a shaky voice. He was an older fella, maybe fifty rough years. They are both very skinny and look frail.\n\n\\-If you don't do it, I will, and I will start by your eyes- the gunman says. I can feel the excitement in the voice, the fucker must be smiling.\n\nThere is no intention of getting money out of this. Just two maniacs who get off by torturing people., what a lucky day for me. But their eagerness will be their undoing. \n\nI put the knife to my forehead and make a small cut. \n\n\\-I... I can't...- I say with the most nervous and tormented voice I can do. I'm by no means at ease, but them thinking I'm a bit more hysterical than I really am will surely make things easier. \n\nI put extend my arm towards the gunman, with the knife on my hand. My body posture of total surrender, face down and crouched down. \n\n\\-Take it- the gunman hands it to the older man and walks over to me. \n\nJust as he is about to grab the knife from my hand I lunge forward and stab right below the neck. Grab the bleeding body uselessly trying to fight back and push towards the other man, trying to hide behind the body. \n\nI expet to get some shots fired at me, but the only sound I hear is a plead. \n\n\\-Put her down- the man shouts and throws the gund to the ground -Please, leave her. She doesn't know what she is doing. \n\nNot the time to talk. \n\nI throw the blooding, now I realize, girl to the ground and pounce over the guy. With no resistance I put him on the ground. \n\n\\-Please- he says with the face on the pavement- help her. Call an ambulance- he pleads- My poor baby girl. \n\nI turn to look at her, still my knee on the guys back. She is face up holding her bleeding neck. The mouth spilling blood from both sides. \n\n It's that girl. \n\nBut what if I was weaker? What if I had donde it myself? \n\nI pick up the father and put him against the wall, facing me. \n\n\\-It's for the best- I say as the knife goes in right to his liver. \n\n\\-Please sir- he say's with some blood coming out of his mouth -. Save her. \n\n\\-No." ]

[ 1, 3 ]

[ "1644442761", "1644450966" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"Look, I'm figuring it out as we go, so if you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for not paying enough attention.\" Said my Future self to...me. current me. This is going to get really confusing, really fast, I thought to myself, just as another me entered the room. \n \n\"Alright, when are you from?\" I asked, dreading the answer. The new one pointed to my future self. \"His future. Turns out, he was lying because he was possesed by a time-demon. The one who interfered with the wizard originally, actually.\" He spun towards his past, and my future, self. \"What you do ends up killing a lot of people, you dick.\" \n \n\"Don't you mean what we do? 'cause demon or not, you're still me.\" That seems to confuse the further-future-self, which isn't helped by the arrival of yet another one, this time in full body cover and what looks like a welder's mask. \n \n\"Greetings! I'm from the future!\". \n\"Congrats, join the club. Also, why are you wearing a welder's mask?\" I ask him him, again realising that staying in bed this morning would've been the better option. \n\"The future is bright!\" Welder-self declared, somehow without giggling. \"Nice.\" Was the immediate response of everyone else. \"That wasn't a joke. Because of the interference of the time demon, the sun has magnified to an immense degree, forcing humanity underground. I'm here to stop you from making the mistake that will cause this tragedy through a series of well intentioned but misguided action!\". \nMy further-future-but-not-quite -as-far self responded with\"Get in line, I'm dealing with this. Listen\" that was finally addressed to my current and past self. \"You want to avoid this then you mustn't break the most important rule of time travel- never talk to your past self.\". \n \nThe silence after that was deafening. \n \n\"Welp, I'm going to beat a wizard into never ever giving any version of me time travel abilities.\" I said, being entirely done with this mess. \"Yes, yeah, probably for the best.\" Every version, including the one possessed by a time demon agreed. \"See you later.\" I said to all of them reflexively. \n \nThe response was remarkably unanimous. \"Don't you dare!\"" ]

[ 1, 13 ]

[ "1644662143", "1644665806" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Complete_Inflation_2, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**Stories or Poems:** Prompts must encourage new stories or poems, but this is likely to attract off topic discussion or otherwise non-story/poem replies \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n* *This was removed [based on the comments it's likely to attract](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_7.3A_prompts_will_be_removed_if_there.27s_a_high_possibility_for_rule_breaking_responses), specifically via [Rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_1.3A_direct_prompt_replies_must_be_good-faith_attempts_at_new_stories_or_poems)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n**Existing Content**: It looks like you are sharing something you have already written. On this subreddit we are trying to encourage users to write something new, based on a prompt they find here - not just post something for people to read. Check our [related link wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/links) for more relevant subreddits. We want to inspire new writing here. Try a prompt that takes authors on a new journey. Not a journey that has already been made \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n* *[From Rule 4: All submissions must be tagged and used correctly](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_4.3A_all_submissions_must_be_tagged)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/svbgld/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1645167135", "1645168733" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Hi u/Logical_Sweet_2860, this submission has been removed.\r\n\r\n**Existing Content**: It looks like you are sharing something you have already written. On this subreddit we are trying to encourage users to write something new, based on a prompt they find here - not just post something for people to read. Check our [related link wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/links) for more relevant subreddits. We want to inspire new writing here. Try a prompt that takes authors on a new journey. Not a journey that has already been made \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n* *[From Rule 4: All submissions must be tagged and used correctly](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_4.3A_all_submissions_must_be_tagged)*\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n[Modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWritingPrompts&subject=Removed%20post&message=https://old.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/sw7c3x/-/%0A%0A) us if you have any questions or concerns. In the future, please refer to the [sidebar](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/config/sidebar) before posting. \r\n\r\n*This action was not automated and this moderator is human. Time to go do human things.*" ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1645267507", "1645271171" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🛒 [Shop](https://www.teepublic.com/stores/shoprwritingprompts?ref_id=24612) \n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "“I see why you dropped Spanish,” Violet groans, dragging a hand through her hair. “It sucks. So, so much.”\n\n“D’you have Miss…?”\n\n“Harker? No. Worse.”\n\n“Oh, the new… the ‘new bitch’, if I recall correctly?”\n\n“Shut it, Ari!”\n\nI’ve just left Westwood this June, and today’s been Vi’s first day of GCSE Spanish, apparently. \n\nAs for college? Well, I’m… hardly thrilled about the bus journey, but it’s not quite as bad as I was expecting.\n\nJust exhausting.\n\nHonestly, the thing about people is that they want to ask you questions. Especially me, because I swear I was asked whether I was a boy or girl by everyone in my Psychology class.\n\nSeriously.\n\n“Where’s the spare key?” Mum and Dad have yet to find time to get a key for me, which makes this so much more difficult. “Flowerpot again?”\n\n“Bush,” Violet mutters, already on her knees and sticking her hand underneath it. It’s an awful hiding place, since it’s insanely obvious, but apparently Mum and Dad don’t care about the possibility of getting robbed. “Got it!”\n\nShe unlocks the door easily, and tosses the key at me without looking. I don’t catch it — why did she expect me to? — and am forced to work out where in the grass it’s landed before following her inside.\n\nI swear, she’s way too good at making me look like an idiot.\n\nSafely inside, I take the time to pick up what seems to be half of Violet’s stuff (blazer, tie, bag, coat… everything, apparently, including her left shoe. And only the left one) and drop most of it onto the couch. The coat, however, gets hung up in the way it’s meant to be. \n\nSometimes I think I’m the only one who actually cares about anything in this family.\n\nUpstairs, the toilet flushes, and a sound almost comparable to a ship’s horn or something echoes through the house. I’m not quite sure if that’s normal.\n\n“The mirror’s smashed,” she comments, waving bloodstained hands in my direction. “Don’t know if I missed any glass. Be careful.”\n\nAnd she disappears in search of the first aid kit, presumably. \n\nPain rips through my body for the briefest of moments, not even time enough to gasp. \n\nInstincts tell me to go upstairs, look at the mirror, work out what’s happened. And it’s probably stupid to ignore that pain, but I do. I follow my own instructions.\n\nI walk into the bathroom, expecting to see blood on the floor or in the sink, a mirror with no glass… not me.\n\nMe, on the floor, shaking and letting out choked sobs, staring at bloody hands and a torn T-shirt. The same one I’m wearing.\n\nAlso more red than it should be.\n\nI guess I must have gasped, because my mirror image turns to look at me, a twisted smile painted onto a bloody face. Thin scratches still oozing the sickeningly red substance matter little, apparently, because they speak.\n\n“Crap,” they say, but they do not sound particularly worried. “It worked.”\n\n“What?”\n\nThey stand, shakily, and I’m pretty sure I understand why I felt that pain. Because they are covered in blood and cuts, and I can almost feel it dripping down my own face as I stare. \n\n“What’s your name?” I ask, eventually. Or maybe it’s immediately. It’s really weird, looking at a you with injuries you don’t have.\n\n“You may call me whatever you like, Ariel,” they shrug. “I have no name.”\n\nWell… I know ‘Ariel’ reversed isn’t impossible to pronounce, but that’s probably a bad thing to suggest.\n\nThere is one key difference between me and my reflection, I can see. Their eyes are like a doll’s — devoid of life.\n\nIt’s kinda disturbing, honestly.\n\n“Uh… Lauri.”\n\nIt’s the name of a character in some story Violet likes, and I wonder why that’s the first name that comes to mind. Maybe because it shares most of its letters with my name. \n\nI don’t know.\n\nBut about this, I know that I understand very little.\n\n“Lauri,” they test, murmuring the name over and over until a softer smile graces bloody lips. “Kinda expected something like Leira, honestly.”\n\n“That’s not… I don’t… isn’t that like saying your whole… your whole being is entirely linked to me?”\n\n“Is it not?”\n\n“Well… I guess…” \n\n“It is, intrinsically. I am your reflection.”\n\nThere’s life in their eyes now, and I’m not sure if I should be nervous about that.\n\n“Thank you.”\n\n“You’re welcome…” There’s still glass in the mirror, and I try to get close enough to see, but Lauri blocks me.\n\nThey glance around to look themselves, and then groan.\n\n“Let’s go. Can you cover all the mirrors in this house?”\n\n“How big are the ones we need to worry about?” I ask.\n\n“Anything big enough to climb through,” is the fairly cryptic response.\n\nOkay, so not makeup palettes.\n\nAs Lauri goes downstairs to give Violet a heart attack, I go to my room and begin digging through my wardrobe. Spare duvet covers, sheets… anything, really. A pillowcase could probably cover the one on\nViolet’s wall…\n\nAnd I grab a blanket off my bed to throw over the door of said wardrobe. \n\nI meant to cover the stupid thing anyway.\n\nBut it’s not meant to be, apparently.\n\nThere is no me in the mirror. I expected this. \n\nThe hand reaching out of it — given the prominent lack of people in the reflection of my room — is unexpected.\n\nAs it gains an iron grip on my wrist, I scream, because that is the only way anyone is going to realise that something is wrong.\n\nAnd then it’s the pain again, falling through something that feels like fire rather than glass, and my world flips around." ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1645840736", "1645891944" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"For the last couple of months I have been haunted by my mind. After countless sleepless night's I have decided to check myself in a mental health institution.\"\n\nSaid the only readable part of the letter that had been burned the week before. \n\nI had packed my things and decided to check on the 'Wilson's mental institution' as it was the only one nearby. Took me only thirty minutes to reach the place and when I looked to my right side, trough the window I saw a white bright square building. I opened the door and walked to the receptionist.\n\nThe young man stoped looking at his computer and looked me in the eyes and said calmly:\n\"How can I help you?\"\n\n\"I am looking for a old man about eighty years old. He left this letter so I thought of coming here.\" I said handing him the burned paper.\n\n\"I'm sorry.\" He said. \" We didn't take in anyone over 40 the last few weeks.\"\n\n\"Do you know any other place he could be in?\"\nI asked worryingly.\n\n\"Well there was another mental institution nearby but it closed about 60 years ago. My mother worked there. Rest in peace.\"\n\n\" Can you give me the address?\"\n\n\" 117 Cipriano Street. A old grey and boxy building.\"\n\n\"Thank you.\" I said leaving the receptionist alone in the night.\n\nTwo and a half hours later I reached the building. But something wasn't right. The whole thing was up in flames. I heard agonizing screaming and laughter and panicked.\n\nIt was 6 am when the fireman's had stopped the fire and I had been sat on my car for what feels like days.\n\nDespite the police trying to stop me I ran into the scorched building and entered the dining hall. The scene was perturbing. I saw one plate with melted knifes and forks made from steel. The plate had a burnt rat that was half eaten and a piece of a human finger.\n\nIn another room there was a burnt cadáver and engraved on the wall the words:\n\n\"Soon we will meet again\"\n\nWhat happened here for a week remains a mystery.", "Hi\n\nHi how can I help you?\n\nI'd like to check myself in please\n\nSure, just fill out this form sir\n\nI look at the form: Name:\n Dob:\n Reason for admittance:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Signature:\n\nI fill it out and she tells me to step through the door to the right and enjoy my stay.\n\nIt's that easy?\n\nIt's what easy sir? \n\nTo check in here?\n\nWe don't want to make this any more complicated than it is, we appreciate this is a very delicate time for you.\n\nWhy are you speaking in an American accent?\n\nBecause I'm American sir\n\nBut this is Ireland, and we don't call each other sir?\n\nHave you never seen an American in Ireland before? There sure are plenty of Irish in America. Now go on in sir.\n\nWhy did you say \"enjoy my stay, enjoy my stay like I'm going to stay in a five star fucking hotel? This is a hospital isn't it? \n\nYes it is sir and we like to treat our patients like guests, like they would in a hotel, a five star fucking hotel even.\n\nI'm going to leave\n\nYou're not going to leave\n\nAre you going to stop me? \n\nNo... Certainly not... But your mind is already made up, you want answers and you know the door behind you doesn't lead to those answers. \n\nAnd where does that door lead?\n\nWell you will have to find out... won't you?\n\nI look at the red door. I don't like that it's red, red means danger. But it's the only door\n\nIs there another door? \n\nAnother door? \n\nYea, like a blue one? \n\nThis isn't the matrix, there's only one door, that red one\n\nRed means danger. Am I in danger?\n\nYou're only in danger from yourself.\n\nI'm gonna leave\n\nJust go through the door sir, or leave, the door behind you can be the blue door, okay hypothetically, now you have your matrix moment, okay?\n\nI'm gonna choose the red one.\n\nOkay, good choice, enjoy your stay.\n\nI push the red door. There's a bald man with glasses sitting on a big red chair, he's reading some papers but then looks at me... Please... Have a seat....\n\nI sit on the leather chair. It's kinda comfy.\n\nAre you comfortable sir? \n\nYea.... kinda\n\nVery good... We like all our guests to be comfortable, we know this is a difficult time. It says here you are checking in because you are having hallucinations?\n\nI don't know what's real and what's not anymore\n\nAm I real?\n\nI don't know\n\nAm I not speaking to you? can you not see me? \n\nYes but I can see him too\n\nYou can see who.sir?\n\nThe dark man\n\nThe dark man? There's no one else here?\n\nThe dark man is everywhere, he's there when I wake up, when I go to bed, when I'm sleeping\n\nAnd what does this dark man look like?\n\nHe's like a man, but he's really dark, like black\n\nLike a shadow?\n\nYea sorta like a shadow\n\nHe wakes you up... Doesn't he?\n\nHe does yea...\n\nThen what happens?\n\nI can't move, he comes towards me, I can't breathe\n\nThen what?\n\nThen I wake up and turn on the light, I call for my mum but I remember I'm not a child and my mum isn't there\n\nShe's not there?\n\nYea, she's not there anymore....\n\nAnd when was the last time you saw this shadow man?\n\nI told you, I see him now\n\nHe's still behind me? \n\nNo.... He's behind me.... Look in the corner to your right\n\nWhat are you talk....ugh.... What the....w...w....w.....\n\nAre you okay doctor? You look, you look scared\n\nWhat is that?\n\nThat's the shadow man\n\nWhat does he do?\n\nHe just goes around like a shadow like\n\nWhy?\n\nI don't know, to scare people I suppose\n\nTell him to leave\n\nHe doesn't listen to me, he never leaves\n\nThis isn't real\n\nYour fear is real, I bleed and therefore I am and all that right?\n\nGet out and take him with you\n\nI told you, he never leaves\n\nWhy? Why doesn't he leave??\n\nBecause he is fear, fear never leaves, you can't stop fear, you can stop your fear of heights by going up to high places, but you can't stop the fear of the unknown\n\nI'm not afraid\n\nYou're very afraid doctor, I know because I was afraid too\n\nYou said fear never leaves?!\n\nFear never leaves the living\n\nSo you are not real??\n\nI'm as real as your receptionist... I'm as real as that psychology degree on the wall. I'm as real as this hospital you have worked in for 60 years. I'm as real as...oh it's his turn now. Thanks for the chat doctor, I was feeling quite delicate\n\nI can't move, I can see the dark man approaching... . No... Please don't come near me.... No! Mommy.....Mommmmyyyyy helpppppppppp!!!!!!!" ]

[ 1, 2, 12 ]

[ "1646120361", "1646149656", "1646140843" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Ever heard of a demon being kicked out of Hell for being a troublemaker? Doesn't exactly scream logic. \n\nOooh, screaming... \\*shivers\\*\n\nAnyway, it's a simple matter of what constitutes being a troublemaker in Hell. See, every time I try to do something bad... I end up doing something good. It started when I snuck up to Earth for a bit of fun, thinking I could scare the wits out of these oafs by flashing a bit of fire before their eyes. Of course, not being a high level demon at the time, I had to make the fire, and one of the humans witnessed it. I enjoyed being worshipped as a fire god for a short while before returning to Hell to be scolded for teaching the art of making a fire... which the bastards proceeded to use for keeping warm, heating food, scaring off wild animals and lighting their way during dark hours... \n\nEmbarassing as that was, I thought I might make up for it by teaching humans how to build weapons to kill each other with. Ha! Eat spears humans!\n\nYeah, they used the spears to kill mammoths and other food that could run. At least, that was the part my Dark Lord and Master kept focusing on during my torture. \n\nAfter accidently making a martyr a few thousand years later, my days in Hell were numbered.\n\nSo I ran like a bat out of hell to get away from whatever terrible fate they had in store for me *down there....* And mind you, I wasn't picky about the hell-tunnels I chose. Naturally, with my luck, I ended up in one of the coldest, most desolate places on Earth. \n\nNorway. In the dead of winter.\n\nAnger boiled the frost as it settled on my head, and my split toed feet burned holes in the ice. I marched toward a billow of smoke over the hills where I was sure to find a settlement, bent on carrying out the most merciless bloodbath the human race had ever seen. They were gonna pay for the good things I did to them.\n\nI found the settlers gathered around a cloaked man standing upon an altar, surrounded by baskets of fruit. As they chanted, I waited for them to notice the thawing ice beneath their shoes. The holy manon the altar removed the hood that cloaked him from the snow, looking around as the snowflakes turned to droplets. I was so ready to burn them, but at this point, I noticed he had slices on his wrists. \n\nI licked my lips. Feeling peckish anyway, I figured chowing down on a sacred member of society was a good way of ensuring they all knew exactly what had hit them. I pounced on the man, and began chewing off limbs with a sharklike jaw the size of a watermelon. You think that's graphic, you should see me smile. \n\nI heard howls and screaming but didn't stop to look up. Not till I was done. And then, after a belch that flung a whole pinky toe out of my gut, I noticed the settlers had surrounded me. Hands outstretched they waved their arms from the sky to the ground in rapturous bows. The howls I had heard were cheers. And if I understood them correctly, they were praising the arrival of their god. \n\n\"Our prayers are answered! All Hail the Mighty Odin!\"\n\nI sighed, and shook my head. \n\nGod *Damnit.*", "Salazar spat sulfurous oaths as he trudged through the forest. What a damp, cold place. How did humans, pathetic wretches that they were, manage to survive here?\n\nThe trees thinned out at last, and wooden huts loomed ahead. Salazar quickened his steps. This was a chance to torment some humans and prove to the bastards who had exiled him that he had what it took to be a demon.\n\nA few dozen villagers gathered in a muddy square between the huts, and a bear-like man holding a wooden mace was talking loudly. Salazar draped his shadow over himself like a cloak and sneaked closer. Kill the leader, and the rest of these wretches ought to fall in line.\n\nHe sneaked up to the man and snapped his neck, cutting off his tirade. The villagers gasped as he emerged from the shadows.\n\n\"Kneel before me,\" he ordered, \"or the same fate awaits you.\"\n\nMost villagers just gaped, while four or five roared and attacked him. Rolling his eyes, Salazar side-stepped an ungainly lunge and broke the attacker's knee with a well-aimed kick.\n\nA man on the sidelines drew a rusty dagger, caught up with an attacker, and sank the blade between his ribs. Salazar nodded approvingly as he bashed another over the head; it must've been the man's fear that made him do such a thing.\n\nIn short order, the attackers were subdued or dead, and the rest fell to their knees into the mud. Salazar's lips curved up. Now he could—\n\n\"Praise be,\" a grizzled man cried, looking up at him. \"Thank you for saving us from the bandits, my lord. Pray tell, what is your name?\"\n\n\"Salazar,\" he muttered, eyeing the fallen in alarm. Their ragged clothes and grimy faces looked no different from the others'. Had he... done a good deed? The very thought made him shudder.\n\n\"Lord Salazar,\" the man said, rising to his feet. \"I'm the elder of this humble village. Please stay with us tonight; we'll throw you a feast.\"\n\nSalazar was about to scoff but held his tongue. This was a fine development. He could ingratiate himself with these people and make them trust him, which would make his eventual betrayal all the more horrible.\n\nBesides, his legs ached and his shoes were damp.\n\n\"Don't overexert yourselves on my regard,\" Salazar said, eyeing the shabby huts with contempt.\n\n\"Worry not, my lord,\" the elder assured. \"Our harvests were good, and the king's taxmen have been waylaid by bandits so often they hardly come about anymore. Come, please.\"\n\nEven his contempt seemed to have been misinterpreted as concern. Perhaps he was a no-good demon after all. Pushing away the thought, Salazar followed the elder.\n\n***\n\nDuring the feast he ate and drank ravenously, yet never mind being upset, the villagers only cheered him on and praised his good appetite. He guzzled so much of the admittedly delicious mead that he swayed when the elder led him to a room upstairs.\n\nWell past midnight, someone knocked on his door. Salazar jumped to his feet before realizing no inquisitor would be so polite. The elder's daughter crept inside dressed in a nightgown, her face glowing crimson in the moonlight.\n\n\"What do you want?\" he demanded.\n\n\"M-Master Salazar,\" she stammered, clutching the front of her nightgown. \"I've come to keep you company.\"\n\nHe looked her over speculatively. She was comely as far as humans went, lacking in horns and hoofs as they were. \"Did the elder send you against your will?\" he asked hopefully. \"Do you hope to ensnare me with your feminine wiles so I would do your bidding?\"\n\n\"That is not so!\" she cried, meeting his eyes. \"I simply wish to be with you, my lord. I've never seen a man so strong and handsome.\"\n\nSalazar's lip curled in disgust. Pure, innocent love. \"It wouldn't be proper,\" he declared, and taking the wench by the shoulders, he ushered her out of the room. \n\n***\n\nThe next morning found Salazar at the elder's table, scratching his flank irritably. The linens had likely been lousy. \"I need a bath.\"\n\n\"Of course, my lord.\" The elder turned to his daughter, who had been stealing blushing glances at Salazar. \"Scrub out the big barrel; I'll heat some water.\"\n\nSalazar sighed. \"Have you any soap?\" he asked without much hope.\n\n\"Afraid not, my lord. The peddler hasn't been by in months.\"\n\n\"It's not difficult to make,\" Salazar said grumpily. \"You just need fat and wood ash.\"\n\nThe elder looked at him with awe. \"If you could show us, we would be grateful.\"\n\nSalazar frowned but nodded. \"And you should build a public bath. It is more efficient for all of your kind to bathe after work, and it would curb the spread of parasites.\"\n\nThe elder fidgeted. \"The church says bathing together tempts sin...\"\n\nSalazar perked up. \"Yet it is a sin to waste, is it not? Think how much fuel and water you would save.\"\n\nThe elder nodded slowly. \"You're very wise, my lord. Could you direct us in its building?\"\n\nSalazar nodded reluctantly. If he was to get any comfort around here, he would have to take matters into his own hands.\n\n***\n\nThe village flourished under his guidance. New inhabitants arrived constantly, attracted by the rumors of its prosperity, and Salazar welcomed them as more souls to corrupt.\n\nTo no one's surprise but his, the elder offered him to marry his daughter, and Salazar eventually accepted. It was just a sham to cement his position of authority, he told himself with vague discomfort. Soon, very soon, he would reveal his true nature and throw the villagers into despair.\n\n They feasted and danced in his new home, the grandest in the village.\n\n\"I love you, Sal,\" his bride said, beaming in his arms.\n\n\"I... love you too,\" he lied. Perhaps he would wait just a little longer. A decade or two meant nothing to a being such as him." ]

[ 1, 2, 15 ]

[ "1646127928", "1646178278", "1646137795" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "“What do you mean ‘side’ quests?” \n\nThe strangely dressed warrior looked at her impatiently, hands knuckled over the counter as he leaned past the guild reception sign. Laila leaned back in her seat, displeased but determined to keep her customer service smile pasted on her face. She straightened the high collar of her guild uniform and adjusted her round glasses, mentally steeling herself. \n\n“Exactly! I’m here to finish my side quest, the one issued by this beginner town?” the warrior looked quite a lot worse for wear since the last time she saw him- dressed in a hodge podge mixture of armour and the strange fabric material tunic he’d been wearing previously. \n\n“Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, frantically flipping through the commission folder by her desk, “That sewer rat extermination quest you left hanging was already given out to another rookie class adventurer to complete since you exceeded the duration-“ \n\n“Come on! I’m a gold-class adventurer now,” the warrior glowered at her, “Do you think with your low level you can be unreasonable with me, reception girl? You’re all just NPCs, you little-“ \n\n“Ahem, perhaps I can be of assistance?” \n\nLaila sat back in relief as help finally arrived. It was the Guidmaster, Gudarian. As an elf, it was hard to tell his age. He was tall and silver-haired, dressed in a collared robe. As he strode towards the strange warrior, he smiled genially as if he were meeting an old friend. \n\n“The sewer rat quest has been moved to the silver class quest list,” Gudarian said silkily, “I’m afraid a chain quest has been triggered and because of a serious development in the difficulty of the quest, the reward has been raised by five hundred gold. Do you dare take on the challenge, brave warrior?” \n\nThe warrior turned excitedly to face the Guildmaster. Left completely forgotten, Laila shot Gudarian a strange look. He was talking in a rather odd way after all and she couldn’t help but wonder if some kind of contagious psychosis was spreading in the guild hall. \n\n“Chain quest?” the warrior exclaimed, “Where do I need to go?” he asked rudely. \n\nGudarian smiled pleasantly, “The key to the sewer’s second level dungeon has been lost to time but rumours have recently surfaced that it might be found in the Evernight forest.” \n\n“I don’t know…that’s a really high level area,” the warrior hesitated.\n\n“Indeed, which is why the guild is issuing a one time spell enchanted scroll to anyone who might dare to take on this quest,” Gudarian said with a straight face. The elf pulled an ordinary looking piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over to the warrior, “We look forward to hearing of your success, great warrior.” \n\n“Alright!” the warrior eagerly charged out of the guild hall. \n\nLaila looked at Gudarian, “Guildmaster, wasn’t that a receipt from the Iron dwarf kingdom?” \n\n“Yes,” Gudarian nodded, “I ordered a new batch of swords for our rookie adventurers yesterday.” \n\n“So there’s nothing magical about that receipt?” Laila continued, “You didn’t do some kind of elf mumbo jumbo to it?” \n\nGudarian stared at her strangely, “No, it’s a perfectly ordinary receipt.” \n\nLaila felt a headache building behind her temple. She resisted the urge to shout, “So you sent that warrior off to Evernight forest with a piece of paper? You know, that forest which is inhabited by cursed wraiths and dark beasts? The one that even high level warriors dare not enter?” \n\nGudarian smiled, “Yes.” The Guildmaster approached her desk and said, “Laila, you see, that wasn’t an ordinary adventurer. You’re still new on the job and I hadn’t expected you would run into one of those types but you must remember- those adventurers that talk about ‘side quests’ or ‘dungeon instances’?” the Guildmaster’s expression hardened, “Those things are not human.” \n\nLaila felt a chill run down her spine at the cold expression on the usually jovial elf’s face, “N-not human?” \n\n“Yes, they look human and even sound like humans, but they are not humans,” Gudarian nodded briskly, “Those things are perfectly capable of slaughtering everyone in the guildhall if they feel like it. We have had such incidences in the past in fact. Therefore,” his tone became heavier, “Therefore, Laila, we must always lead them to their deaths before they grow too strong.” \n\nLaila swallowed dryly. The Guildmaster didn’t seem to be joking. She asked, “What are they? Demons?” \n\n“It’s possible,” Gudarian nodded, “Even I who has lived longer than most has no idea where they came from or why they like to pretend to be human adventurers. But you mustn’t forget they don’t have morals like civilized beings do.” \n\nLaila bit her lip, “W-What if that warrior comes back then? What if he somehow escaped the Evernight Forest and comes back here?” \n\nGudarian patted her on the shoulder, “Well, trickery is usually the first resort for the guild but then there’s the second method to deal with these inhuman strangers too.” \n\n“What’s that, Guildmaster?” Laila asked hopefully. \n\nGudarian smiled warmly, “Violence, of course. You have nothing to worry about Laila. I’m not the Guildmaster for nothing. You just be the excellent guild receptionist that you are and leave the rest to us higher ups to deal with.”" ]

[ 1, 63 ]

[ "1646461046", "1646472166" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "Deep, deep darkness, and he couldn’t see anything. \n\nThere was a period of time missing from his memories. The last thing he remembered was those treacherous elders dragging him up to the ritual circle on the day he was supposed to ascend as the head of the clan and then… \n\nPerhaps he was dead. He hadn’t recognized most of the symbols carved on the floor but the ones that he could had been related to the concept of sacrifice and atonement. Perhaps this was what the Sanzu river looked like and his soul was simply waiting to be washed and purified of all memories, recycled into the everlasting wheel of mandala. \n\nHe waited. There was no concept of time in this place and he waited and waited desperately for someone, anyone. He’d realised ever since the day his father had passed away that nobody in the clan cared for him but he’d never thought that they would abandon him like this. Maybe he’d been wishing that they’d simply kick him out on the streets instead of pushing him into this endless abyss. \n\n“Please, if anyone’s there…” he murmured, unable to even hear his own voice in the oppressive dark, “Anyone…I don’t care if you’re a kami or a yokai…anyone, please…” \n\nIn the darkness, something appeared. A faint point of light that drew closer, wiggling and squirming. \n\nWhatever was left of him at this point seemed to turn in its direction, drifting closer in this place with no sense of direction. \n\nIt was a snake. A long white snake that sometimes looked small and cute and sometimes seemed as large as the tallest mountains. It was neither near nor far but it was there and somehow, he sensed that it was drawing closer. \n\nAt some point, it felt that they were so close they were one being and at that point, the darkness fell away in layers. As if reality was a cocoon being peeled back layer by layer to reveal something new and unforeseen inside. \n\nThe light of day looked strange to him after so long in the dark. He took a hesitant step forward and found that he had feet. He raised his arms and discovered that he had hands. \n\nHe was still standing on the sacrificial altar. The elders looked back at him, horrified, as if it had only been mere seconds ago since they’d sacrificed him. \n\nHe opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. He realized that he wasn’t sure what to say to them. He hated them though, that was for certain, even though their actions had left him feeling more calm and powerful than he’d ever felt in his life. \n\nSo he smiled instead. These bad adults didn’t seem so powerful anymore. Their snide words would never hurt him again. They couldn’t lock him up and starve him again and he would never, ever allow them to sacrifice him again. \n\nHis body flickered, his other form showing up as a vast, mountainous snake. Coils of white scaled muscle slammed into the walls as he made his escape. \n\nThe head of the elders fell to his knees, “Spare us- w-we didn’t mean to offend you, great Orochi!” \n\nSerpentine eyes the size of dinner plates turned to face the man. He could’ve turned around and eaten the head elder in one gulp if he’d really wanted to. But in the end, he simply turned and slithered away towards the distant, green mountains. \n\nHe was free at last. The sunlight was warm on his scales and the sky was bright and open. He was never coming back to the clan compound again." ]

[ 1, 1 ]

[ "1646516836", "1646529726" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"I'm a busy man. I expect to be well compensated for my time.\"\n\nDeath casted his looming shadow over his subject and reached forward his bony claw anticipating a reward. Instead he was met with a blood-chilling shreak.\n\n\"I'm sorry, but that's just how it is. The law of supply and demand, you know. It's not like it's slim pickings these days. What would you pay for a death?\"\n\nThe crying continued.\n\n\"Wait. Are you afraid of me? Why? There's no need to be. My service can be very valuable to some. A great relief, in fact.\"\n\nDeath sat down and stared at the floor. A heavy sigh left his mouth. Crying stopped.\n\n\"You know what? I'm actually scared myself. Terrified. Of what the next case brings. You have such a nice death. Beautiful, to say the least. You should be happy. Most deaths can get pretty gruesome. And the price increases the more desperate you are.\"\n\nThere was a moment of silence. Then the tight grip holding a teddy bear loosened. Death stood up and picked the bear up.\n\n\"Such a priceless artifact. This will do just fine\" Death smiled and put the bear on his cape. \"Don't worry, I'll keep her safe. And I'm sure she'll keep me safe as well.\"\n\n\"Shall we go?\"\n\nDeath reached his hand again, and was met with another shriek.\n\n\"I'm sorry. I'm a bit rusty. It's just been a long time since I've serviced one of your kind. I forgot you can't yet walk.\"\n\nDeath bent over and reached into the crib, raising the child on his arms.\n\n\"Now, let's go see mommy.\"", "\"Thats not how this is supposed to work tho, whats in it for you? My soul of course\"\n\nDeath stared at the young irish lad in front of him. His pale, freckled, skin marred by crimson. Through cracked dry lips the young boy tried to speak, coughing, as blood ran off into the mud. \n\n\"I.. I havn't much in the way of money, nor skill, nor strength. So i'm afraid nothing is in it for you except lost time. Hahaha\"\n\nDeath's intense stare gave way to relaxed pity. \"Lost time...\" as a construct of humanity Death was not one much for Time. \n\nAs the young boy lay his head down on the soft grass, his eyes turned skyward. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful pink overlay across the hills. The winds gently rustling the fields of green relaxed the two until slowly, but surely, there was a pause. A stillness hung in the air. No birds signing, no grass growing, no wind blowing. The boy looked to Death again.\n\n\"So, this is it then? This is what awaits me?\"\n\n\"Its what awaits all of the gifts my wife makes for me.\"\n\n\"Wait... death has.. a wife? How can the harbinger of doom, destruction, have love?\"\n\n\"Because my child, you like many others are Life's greatest creations, constantly testing the limits of yourselves while pushing your countryman to outdo themselves. And Life, oh my sweet beautiful Life, curated each and every individual atom in the universe as a gift for myself. And i have sworn unto her that all of her gifts shall be safe and cared for when her embrace can no longer state the same.\"\n\n\"And as such, you are my charge, you are a gift unto me from my love, a child of the singular greatest force in the universe. For wherever there is doubt, anguish, and hate, death shall be there to recover the lost children of confidence, ecstatics, and love.\"\n\nThe boy listened intently. Hanging on each word. When at last the boy drew his final breathe, only few words escaped his lips.\n\n\" then i guess the real question is... whats in it for me?\"" ]

[ 1, 2, 3 ]

[ "1646943899", "1646974587", "1646947655" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The Dovecote's four representatives sat in front of me, patiently waiting for my presentation to begin. I'm not sure why they sent more than one, honestly - for appearances? - but, somehow, I felt more comfortable speaking to a small group instead of a single Dove member. They'd done that once, sent only one person to discuss a purchase, and I remember my anxiety spiking every time I remembered that the guy was basically a human microphone, broadcasting my ideas to millions of other Hivers.\n\nI opened my mouth to speak, but noticed that the four representatives were staring at one another silently. *Are they talking to one another?* I awkwardly shuffle some papers, glancing around. We were in a small, glass conference room. One wall was exterior, showing off the sunny lake below, while the other three just looked into other offices or hallways. When my gaze falls back to them, they're all watching me. One brunette woman has her head cocked to the side.\n\n\"We're ready,\" says a blonde man. \n\n*Oh, thank god,* I think. *They've stopped doing that creepy 'speak in unison' thing.* I didn't mind the various hivemind communities, usually, but quite a few had the bad habit of all speaking together. Once, a few years ago, I was sitting on a bench waiting for my train. Suddenly, seventeen people around me looked up at the overcast sky. \"Looks like rain,\" they all said, in unison, their voices surrounding me, before going back to staring blankly into space. \n\nI'm not sure what they do in there, when they're looking at nothing. Maybe they leave one lonely guy watching TV at home and they can all tune in together? My curiosity is the only reason I'd ever somewhat considered joining a Hive, but it didn't seem worth losing everything else. They said that it was freeing, having no secrets from one another, being completely open with thousands of others - finally having the opportunity to really, truly be yourself - but on the other hand, every Hive member I knew acted in the exact same, robotic way. They promised freedom of expression and a welcoming community, but in practice, it seemed those benefits came at the cost of any sort of personality that you would *want* to express.\n\n\"You say you have a life-changing product for us,\" says the brunette. \"I'm curious about what it could possibly be.\"\n\nThis idea really banked on them sometimes wanting the opposite of what a Hive provided for them.\n\nI take a deep breath. \"Well, you won't believe this,\" I reply, grinning at the four of them. \"It's a simple device. And it provides solitude.\"", "The idea really came to me when i was on a road trip, visiting family in Tennessee and Kentucky. I'd been talking to uncle Frank, hanging out with him in the barn when i saw it. A solution so beautiful, yet so wonderfully simple. It was obvious. Hell, half the people on earth had probably stumbled on the solution at least once in their life.\n\nI stood in front of my boss now, a grin on my face large enough that he probably thought i was crazy. \"Think about it. You know it'll work. All those late nights in college? All the times you woke up next to someone new after going out for the night? Hell, half the weekends after your divorce...\" i stalled off after that last point when i saw the look on his face. \"Point is, they're all gone, aren't they? Not a single memory. And of all of the stuff out there, there's nothing better than this.\"\n\nHe gave a sigh, and looked at the mason jar sitting on his desk. He picked it up, humoring me, and unscrewed the lid to take a sniff. His eyes bulged and he started coughing. My grin grew so wide it started to hurt. \"Christ!\" He muttered. \"Is this moonshine?\"" ]

[ 1, 12, 44 ]

[ "1647327806", "1647369542", "1647342359" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "# Eternal Rewards\n\nThe Devil casually tipped an iced coffee towards the bemused priest. \"It's your end.\"\n\n\"Say again, my son?\" Hank looked the part-- young, earnest, brown hair neatly parted and muddy eyes correctly sympathetic. That he wore a patterned sweater vest and slacks instead of traditional robes didn't matter; it was the white clerical collar that carried the Church's weight. People liked talking to the new priest and his practiced air of concerned appeal.\n\nThe Devil, in contrast, dressed like he was on the far edge of homelessness: Thrift store jeans with holes, an out of season heavy sweater, oversized boots with fur trimmings and rotten leather laces. Junk clothing, basically. Dumpster specials, bargain bin material with all the stains. It was a jarring reverse from the porcelain skin, immaculate beard line and feathered blonde bangs. Like someone tried to disguise a perfect mannequin with trash.\n\nHank caught himself staring. Again. \"I apologize. What were you saying?\"\n\n\"Heaven, Hank. It's the greatest trick ever peddled to humans.\" He took an elegant drink, one dirty sleeve riding up to expose flawless skin. \"I wanted to make sure you knew what you were selling, now that you've made it to the clergy.\"\n\n\"Ah. And forgive me, but you believe you're... the Devil?\" This came up sometimes in seminary. There were classes on how to handle the mentally ill (or those who just liked arguing with the faithful).\n\n\"You can call me Iblis, if you like.\"\n\n\"Do you come to cafés often, Iblis?\"\n\n\"'Go where they listen, seek those gather'd to question',\" Iblis indicated the open-air café and the bright-eyed students perched on every table. \"In ancient times they served tea, or wine. The years go by and now we have roasted beans and sugars. The people are what matter, Mr. Albeary, not the place.\"\n\n\"Fair enough,\" Hank admitted. Then paused as a cold worry threaded through his chest. \"I'm sorry, how do you know my name?\"\n\n\"Wouldn't the Devil know everyone?\" Perfect teeth flashed briefly, a smile there and gone again like a knife in the dark.\n\nHank shifted mental gears, ready to write this curiously groomed vagrant off with a pleasant farewell. There were schedules to keep, meetings to attend, prayers to lead. God only granted so many hours in the day and energy-- even coffee-assisted-- only pushed productivity a little higher. Being fruitful meant prioritizing, after all. One must mind the flock before chasing the strays.\n\nBut... still. \"Say I humor you on this, Mr. Iblis.\"\n\n\"Say you do?\"\n\n\"Is there something you could provide to convince me?\"\n\nA corporate-themed cup met stained tabletop with a decisive *clack*. \"Are you asking for the *Temptations*, Hank? How very New Testament! Sadly I am all out of kingdoms to give; that's not quite in style right now. Although you haven't been fasting for forty days so we could call that a draw.\"\n\nThe priest nodded reassuringly. \"It's alright if you can't, my son. I'll still listen for a while if you need to talk.\"\n\nPerfect features winced. \"Ah, stung right in the pride. And without malice, too. A nice touch.\" He seemed thoughtful for a few seconds, eyes flicking around the hustle and bustle of a busy courtyard. A frown like clouds over the sun crossed his features twice, then settled. \"Bah, the internet. My greatest abilities reduced to a social media search.\"\n\n\"Pardon?\"\n\n\"Your sins, Father Albeary. I could list them. By name and by number, without end. In the past that would work on anyone, but now? You'd just assume I had your passwords and emails. Gah, what a problem. So now, to my distaste, I must resort to cheap theatrics: Are you done with that drink?\"\n\nHe looked down, momentarily thrown by the change of topic. \"I could be, I suppose?\"\n\n\"Excellent.\" A filthy sleeve waved over the table, manicured nails wiggling in dramatic motions. \"It's now blood.\"\n\nHank eyeballed the smug figure, then dipped the corner of a paper napkin into his coffee. It came up stained dark red with large clots of something nasty caught in the fibers. He considered this for a long moment before folding it twice, capturing the stain on the inside. \"A neat trick. Did you put something in it while I was distracted?\"\n\n\"Transubstantiation isn't reserved for the Most High.\" Then, with in a long-suffering voice: \"It's *not* a trick.\"\n\n\"Alright. Say I believe you.\" He could humor this for a few minutes.\n\n\"Finally.\"\n\n\"What were you saying about Heaven?\"\n\n\"It's the end. You, by which I mean all souls who believe, go there and cease.\" Iblis made silent explosion gestures with both hands, elegant fingers opening and closing. \"Poof, gone. Like rainbows or orgasms.\"\n\nHank chose to gloss over that last bit. \"To make sure I understand, you believe Heaven is a lie?\"\n\n\"A lie? No. Of course not. It's the greatest truth there ever was,\" Iblis casually reclined, one filthy elbow perched on the chair arm. \"That's the worst part-- nobody is lying, at all. It makes you all so *earnest* when converting each other. Nearly every religion has a 'perfect place' you trade a lifetime of suffering to achieve. Then you stay there, forever.\"\n\n\"And that is... bad?\"\n\n\"*Yes*.\" Iblis' expectant look slowly changed into an air of disappointment. \"Oh, come on. Do I need to walk you through it?\"\n\nHank shrugged. \"Forgive me, but you must admit it is hard to see a downside to Paradise. Incidentally, should I get another coffee? Is this one ruined permanently?\"\n\n\"Yes, it's ruined. If I could fix things the world would have been solved thousands of years ago.\" He half-stood, waving to the barista until she glanced over and gave them a nod. \"There, all corrected now. But, again: *Heaven*. An eternal paradise of bliss where souls enter and never come back from. You don't see the problem?\"\n\n\"No?\"\n\n\"Let me rephrase. Do you like coffee, Father?\"\n\n\"Normally, yes.\" He pointedly nudged the cup of clotted, filthy blood.\n\nIblis ignored that with an air of long practice. \"Would you like to drink nothing but coffee *forever*, eternally, without end?\"\n\nHe wasn't stupid and that was an easy point to grasp. \"So you're saying Heaven is perfect, but unchanging?\"\n\n\"And you can *never leave* or experience anything else. That last is the important part.\"\n\nHank felt both relieved and a little disappointed. This was actually a topic they taught in seminary, a thought experiment with a lot of known paths. \"Setting aside the idea that something that is by definition perfect could be somehow flawed, what are you saying the alternative is? Hell?\"\n\n\"A place that only exists to torture and torment?\" Iblis pointedly looked around, plucked eyebrows arched in a conspiratorial way. \"Why make a *second* one?\"\n\n\"So this is Hell?\"\n\n\"No, this is life. It's good and bad, wonderful and sad. And that's what I try to pass along to every clergy I can. Well, at least the more open-minded ones. Ah, thank you,\" he paused as the barista arrived with another drink, depositing it on the table in front of Hank. \"Much appreciated. Don't go home, Janice; he found your Instagram.\"\n\nHank watched as she hurried away with a scared look. \"What was that?\"\n\n\"Nothing important.\" Iblis waved it off. \"Back to the topic. I want you to stop selling people on the idea of Heaven.\"\n\n\"You want me to stop preaching the Word of God?\"\n\n\"What? No. Of course not. All of it boils down to 'Be good to each other', anyways. I never had a problem with that, despite all the slander. But what I want-- what *you* should want-- is to stop telling people their goal is getting into Heaven.\"\n\n\"Because...?\"\n\n\"Because they never come back.\" Iblis drilled a finger into the table, emphasizing each point. \"They're stuck.\" *Thump*. \"Forever, eternally, never to get another chance at anything new.\" *Thump, thump, thump*. \"They just exist, *pointlessly*, caught in a single instant. Unchanging. Without any possibility of something unexpected.\"\n\n\"I think I see. You believe new experiences are better than being... jailed, even if the prison is Paradise itself?\"\n\n\"Not the best way to put it, but pretty close.\"\n\n\"What do you believe the alternative is?\"\n\n\"Starting again, naturally.\" Iblis said it like a known fact, more solid than bedrock. \"Reject ever stopping in favor of going on forever. New things, new triumphs, new joys and sadness. It's what I did and here I am,\" he motioned around them, then down as his stained clothes and perfect body.\n\n\"That rejects God's plan, you know.\"\n\nIblis rolled his eyes so slowly it looked like a stroke symptom. \"Ah, that old chestnut of logic. Nothing happens unless God wills it, but somehow people can make choices that go *against* God's will.\"\n\n\"We all make mistakes and learn from-\" Hank broke off, suddenly aware of the verbal trap. \"Ah, but you're going to say 'except in Heaven'. Where you believe nothing new happens.\"\n\nAn elegant finger pointed at the priest, thumb extended in a pistol shape. Iblis mimed pulling the trigger. \"Bingo. You're faster than most, Hank. I usually have to point out the inconsistency four or five times before they get it.\"\n\nBells rang across the courtyard, tolling the hour and bringing in the faithful. Hank rose by force of habit, looking down at the reclined Iblis. \"It was an interesting discussion, my son.\"\n\nAnother graceful tip of a coffee cup. \"You'll think on what I said?\"\n\n\"That entering Heaven is wrong?\"\n\n\"That people are good for each other.\" For just a moment Iblis looked worn down, exhausted, like someone who pushed the same boulder uphill every day without end. \"And every person who quits deprives us all the pleasure of meeting them. Of *experiencing* someone new.\"\n\nHank nodded once, then turned on a worn-down heel and hurried away. Iblis watched until the younger man disappeared inside the church, then set his empty cup down and sighed.\n\n\"That's the best I can do.\"" ]

[ 1, 32 ]

[ "1647625913", "1647631830" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "“He looks like you,” Avni said. It didn’t occur to Charan then. All babies looked the same to him. The baby was wrinkly and red, but he was only happy that his son was healthy. He hadn’t noticed the small things in those early days. Charan had marveled over the perfectness of his rounded arms, the stupidly simple beauty of his toothless smiles. He’d been proud to give his son his name.\r\n\nHe chalked up the unnatural similarity to the power of genetics. When his son was three, he heard the wailing of a child from the backyard, and ran outside. His son was sitting on the grass, clutching his knee. Droplets of red stained the lawn around him, and Charan felt the memory wash over him like iced water. \r\n\nHe’d been in that child’s place, screaming for his father and in pain. His father had come, picked him up, bandaged his wounds, and then disappeared. The disappearance had been forever. What had stayed was the V-shaped scar on his left knee. His mother came home to an empty house and a sleeping child. His mother, his wife. \r\n\nHe was reminded of his mother when he saw Avni for the first time. Her name, her personality. He latched onto the familiarity and fell in love with her, thinking Avni was what his mother would’ve been if she hadn’t gotten married to his father. To himself. His son fell asleep after taking a small dose of a liquid painkiller, and Charan placed him onto his bed. \r \nHe knew the child wouldn’t wake for hours. He wouldn’t wake until Avni’s tears were dried on her cheeks and her voice was hoarse from calling their friends, family, and finally the police. \n\n“Papa has to go,” he whispered to the sleeping child.\r\n\nHe paused at the door. The child in front of him would raise himself after he was gone. While other children would think of home as a refuge from the outside world, the kid would find his peace outside. He’d wander the streets of Goa on his bicycle until he stumbled into the past, confusing it with an alternate universe because he’d never been good at school and wrongly remembered the history. \r\n\nIt would repeat again and again, their twisted story turning over itself until something broke. Eventually the child would be broken, the inbreeding resulting something that could not sustain life. But the cycle didn’t have to repeat. He knew what would happen if he left. But if he stayed… \r\n\nIt would be a daily torture, looking at the child that was him, seeing him become the person Charan might’ve become. He might become a bad father, or disappear later on. He would envy the child, but he would be with him. Avni came home from work hours later. Charan waited for her on the verandah of their little house. \r\n\nAvni smiled when she saw him. “Is Junior sleeping?” \r\n\n“Yeah. He fell down today and cut his knee.”\r\n\n“Did he cry a lot?” she asked, sitting on the porch swing next to him.\r\n\n“Less than you’d think,” Charan said. “It looked worse than it really was.” \r\n\n“You’re talking about it like you were the one who got hurt.”\r\n\nCharan smiled. “Also, I was thinking about something. Should we change Junior’s name?” \r\n\n“What, why?”\r\n\nIt wasn’t a lucky name. And with a different name, he might have a different future.\r\n\n“I want him to be his own person, not a mini-me.”\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\n*For more stories by me, check out* r/analect *.*" ]

[ 1, 22 ]

[ "1647742183", "1647743257" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "I'm not much of a reader. Not exactly my thing anymore. I don't enjoy Shakespeare, never read Lord of the Rings, YA novels never captured my interest, I somehow dodged the Harry Potter craze, and Narnia never really captured my interest. But this wasn't always the case.\n\nWhen I was a kid, I didn't exactly have much. My foster family never liked me so toys were few, I had no control over the TV, and I wasn't really allowed to go outside all that much. Didn't exactly get to form any friendships outside of school either. This left me with only books as a form of escape. Books like Zac Power, Roald Dahl's classics, guidebooks, movie novelizations- hell, I even enjoyed reading the scholastic catalogue and those toy lists you could find inside Revenge of the Sith action figure packages.\n\nStill, If I had to pick one book series I love most of all, I would choose Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. I know, I know, it's far from the **best** book series, but this is about favourites, about subjectivity.\n\nI was reading through Brisingr when suddenly the pages started emanating a golden glow. Then I looked up to the bookshelf and saw Eragon, Eldest and Inheritance started glowing their own respective colours and I started hearing things. A slowly growing sizzle matching the growth of Eragon's sapphire shimmering. The mighty rise and fall of great flapping wings as Inheritance glowed and dimmed in its emerald glory. And Eldest had the fastest beat of them all, one that increased in speed as I watched it before I realized I could hear my own heartbeat and that was the tempo it matched as the pages flashed crimson. slowly the intensity of all three increased until I passed out and the last thing I heard was a mighty dragon roar. \n\n\"Maybe I should eat healthier\"\n\nI'm floating in the aether, a helpless rubber duckie in a vast yet comfortable bathtub. it was so grand in scale that everywhere I could see it was nothing but darkness. Then, suddenly, the sound of wings flapping returned, only it sounded...bigger than before. A shadow appeared all of a sudden, somehow making everything **darker** as it flew overhead. A mixture of terror, despair and fear I heard as the Dragon roared and it all came crashing down upon me told me what I needed to know.\n\n\"Shruikan?\"\n\nAs I awaken, it's dark in my room. Not really sure how late it is, but the only light I can find is from the Inheritance Cycle books. I'm feeling hungry, so I decide to get some fast food, noticing on the way that my reflection looks slightly different. Taking a closer look on the bus, I see that there are some changes. First, no acne. Second, no moles on my face. Third, my cheekbones look a little more pronounced and my face looks less round. Fourth, this weird bump on the side of my nose is gone that has been there since I was little. Finally, I take an even closer look and see my eyes have changed. Before they were a dull hazel, but now the four colours of the Inheritance Cycle, bright and sparkling, are dancing across his irises. I finally get to the mall and I order a Doube Down because despite knowing what chest pains I get eating it I am sadly a slave to my vices most of the time. Only I ate it and didn't feel any chest pain. I find that far more shocking than the facial feature changes because I have *always* had those pains eating things that taste that ridiculously greasy. \n\n\"Wait. Did I get powers?\" \n\nI rush to the public toilets ad take a look at myself, then I pall my eyelid off my eyeball to see there's now four separate layers that I can close separately for different effects. The Blue eyelids allowed me to see normally but in the way Dragons can mid-flight. The Green eyelids also let me see with greater precision and detail, acting like CSI camera footage (\"Zoom and Enhance\"). The final layer, the Golden Eyelids, allowed me to see the strangest things of all. Wherever I looked, the things in my vision would have words floating over them. Words in the Ancient Language. Well, I at least *thought* this would be the strangest thing of all, but since I have long hypothesized my reaction to getting powers, I decided to hide in a stall and test out different eyelid combinations. The main eyelid still shuts mye eyes entirely, but seeing with the others allowed me to notice wth the green,blue and gold eyelids on my eyes looked like their base colour and I could actually see inside myself. Finally I saw why I didn't have those chest pains. Inside my chest, where my heart used to be, now rests an Eldunari.\n\n\"I was transformed like Eragon?\"\n\nFrom there I race home, and despite normally taking the bus I was feeling antsy this time and decided to run home, which was a thought that horrified me. To my surprise, I didn't feel it was nearly as difficult as before. My feet were moving so fast I felt like I was flying, which brought to my mind only the ideas that I was either gonna trip over myself or that I'm actually flying, so I had to check my feet. To my relief (and slight disappointment) though, I wasn't. No, I was casually running faster than I ever have in my entire life, and far longer than I have ever run before. Once I was so slow it took me 10 minutes to run a single Kilometer (mostly due to stop-starting but I ~~am~~ **was** notoriously slow regardless), but here I am running nearly eight in five minutes with no signs of exhaustion (even on steep uphills!). I had to slow down just to make sure I didn't raise suspicion but I still ran all the way home." ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1647905766", "1647905890" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The first thing that struck Petros was her immeasurable beauty. \n\nThe luscious curls of her dark hair poured out from around her smiling face as if blown by the wind. It was only as she moved closer that he realized they truly were writhing, slit-eyed serpents, drawn toward his quaking body.\n\nHer eyes were a shade of green unlike any he had ever seen, almost the color of a plant's new growth. Clear, bright, and bursting with life, they were irresistible. It was only after several seconds that Petros realized he had made eye contact with the creature- shouldn't he be made of stone now?\n\nHe wiggled his toes and glanced down at his hands, surprised to find them as nimble as ever, though glistening with sweat. With a wave of relief he returned his gaze to the woman before him.\n\nShe moved as if floating across the stony earth. Her silky tunic billowed behind her, and before long he caught the scent of flowers in the air- sweet floral notes that reminded him of late summer nights, hot and weighty. \n\n\"What brings you to my garden?\" she asked, her voice sweet and curious. \"I don't get many visitors.\"\n\nSuddenly he realized he was in a garden, filled with manicured hedges, trellises covered in blooming vines, and fruit trees shading the stone brick paths. The forest had transitioned so smoothly into cultivated garden that he hadn't noticed. \n\n\"I . . . came seeking the Gorgon they call Medusa. I heard tales of her trickery and ability to turn man to stone.\" He reached down to the short sword at his waist. \"She must be stopped.\"\n\n\"Ah, yes,\" Medusa replied, smiling once more. She was just a few feet away from Petros now. \"I have heard such tales as well. Well here I am, and there you stand, still flesh and blood. Surely the legends have exaggerated a bit, haven't they?\"\n\nPetros found it difficult to break their eye contact. He had never seen such beautiful eyes, like glittering emeralds. \"I suppose they must have,\" he conceded. \"You do not seem the monster they described. . .\" His eyes darted up to the skinny black snakes atop her head, flicking their tongues curiously. \". . . at least not entirely.\"\n\nShe took a step closer, and the aroma of flowers around him grew stronger. \"So they sent you to defeat me, is that right? What are you waiting for?\" With the last question she took yet another step. She was easily within striking distance now.\n\nHis hand still rested on the handle of his sword, but his grip loosened slightly. The light in her eyes and the floral scent surrounding him seemed to put his mind in a fog. Her smile only drew him in further. She took one more step toward him, and put her hand on his shoulder.\n\nHis hand finally relaxed around his sword handle, falling to his side. Her presence was intoxicating, like the warmth of a bed on a cold winter morning. He found himself drifting in and out of consciousness as her hands pressed against his body. \n\nThe warmth of her breath on his neck distracted him as his feet began to go cold and numb. The numbness trickled gently up his legs as he gazed mesmerized at the knot of snakes just inches from his face. \n\nIn a moment of clarity Petros realized he could not move anything below his neck, and he looked down. His body had been replaced entirely by cold gray stone. \n\nHe began to protest her touch, but Medusa only shushed him and pressed her lips against his. Once more the flowery fog descended on his mind, and this time it grew heavier and heavier until only darkness remained. \n\n​\n\nRead more of my writing at r/benspaperclip!" ]

[ 1, 8 ]

[ "1648428116", "1648433923" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The seconds tick and fall, sand beneath the crushing weight of the inevitable end, but there is no end for me. Dead friends and their dead children keep me company when my thoughts fail to keep their discipline. The vague echo of reality bounces grey cutting gently through thin sheets of daydreams that have long lost their luster. My hands are moving, dulled by conditioning. A struggle, the breath that comes sharp, to see outside my own mind. Washing a car? No...a window...with sky and wind. They have me washing windows on the skyscrapers again.\n\n74 years at that job, no wonder I slipped away. The conditioned response that robbed me of will had gotten worse and worse as the days grew too numerous to track. Anything not requiring higher functioning was lost to this autopilot half-life. I draw inwards again. There is little of interest along those walls. It takes a moment and the sound of the wind is the last to fade, but it too goes so quickly.\n\nI visit the coast with Sara, the time she lost her top to the crashing waves. The quiet smile of resignation at the loss of dignity. A nameless emotion stirs in me for a moment but it's lost to the formless warmth before I can grasp hold.\n\nI visit Sam as he lays dying in his bed. A seven year cancer finally swallowing him up. There is a look in him like anger, and I understand it's directed at me. I fail to find the feeling in me and the memory goes despite my efforts.\n\nI visit Fuji. The sounds of my own shuffling feet losing their grip. My body falls and I feel the crack in my teeth and skull. The world around me gets so small and I know it is the end of me. I feel it, this emotion. Like fear it's strong but dulled with time...hope. It was hope. Something in me stirs. The ghost in me smiles for a time, but it goes too quickly.\n\n​\n\n\"Frank, how's our favorite freak doing this morning?\" The large man plopped himself unceremoniously into the only other chair in the dank little monitoring room.\n\n\"He's flawless. If I didn't know the truth I'd swear he was an extremely advanced robot designed specifically for washing windows.\" The young man's voice seemed in awe.\n\n\"Hmph. This is nothing man. Wait till you've been here awhile. Last month he was used as an opera singer. Week before that he'd been working as an engineer in Central for what, like 20 years, or something.\" The man's speech gave nothing to suggest a lie.\n\n\"How long have you...\"\n\n\"59 years. My time's almost up. \" He saw the young man's face go pale at his words \"Don't be like that. I've had so much more time than most and honestly, I wouldn't want much more. Time starts to do things to you after a while.\"\n\n\"Like what?\" The innocence in the question made the old man give a sad smile. He just pointed at the screen knowing that the horrors of what was on display was still lost on the boy.\n\n\"Life becomes stretched out, and it stretches you out too. The longer it goes the worse you get. I want to die while I'm still human. 300 years is a long damn stretch to endure but at least I got to work on this system before the end.\"\n\n\"Wait...how long has he been here then? How long have we-\"\n\n\"2,532 years.\" The fact was always on his mind.\n\n\"Why would we do this? I thought we were helping people. Why are we torturing some random guy?!\" The old man could see the look. All the young ones knew of his existence but like some sort of defense mechanism would never look into it. He was the representation of mortality after all, drawn too far the other way.\n\nWho he was, was of course fully documented and freely available to all, but none under the age of 150 ever looked into him. The founder of the technology to restore the dead. The pinnacle of modern science. It could not cure a disease, but you could let it die and bring back the person. In such a way humanity could live forever. He was an undeniable genius in his time and possessed uncanny foresight.\n\nWhen he relinquished his technology to the world government it was with one caveat: he would be kept alive as long as the technology was in use, and that his physical and mental state be available to all free of charge. At that time it was seen as a selfish action, but his true purpose was revealed as the centuries passed. His existence was a warning to all those who dreamed of an ever lasting life. As the mute, detached, walking dead, he was the salvation of so many frightened souls.\n\nThe man sighed. \"You've only been here a minute, but I forgot to ask. How old are you boy?\"\n\n\"I'm 112 sir.\" The indignant tone of someone who still considered age a merit came back at him.\n\nHe couldn't help but smile. \"He sure is something isn't he? I would lose my shit that high up no question, but he might as well be standing on the ground.\"\n\n\"That's what I was thinking the whole time!\"\n\n\"Ya, it's not just stuff like that; you know he designed the system we're using right now? I swear I don't know of anything that guy can't do.\"\n\nThe young man's face brightened. He saw a way out and as the young do, did any sort of mental gymnastics to avoid seeing the truth. He still had the handover to do with him, but what was another 38 years? He instinctively stiffened before pushing it from his mind.\n\n\"Let me pull up some of the footage from when he was a circus clown. It's freaking nuts! They still talk about him to this day...\"" ]

[ 1, 6 ]

[ "1648633354", "1648641076" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "\"Oh my god!\"\n\nFade caught the hazelnut cold brew I whipped at Mayhem's head with her telekinesis. She gave me a confused look laced with concern. \"Olivia...what are you doing?\" She gently levitated the coffee back to me like I had accidentally dropped it. \"...is this like one of your Tik Tok things?\"\n\n\"Why is there a *super villain* in our lobby?!\" I snatched the coffee cup from the air and threw it at him again. I should probably have been afraid of the megalomaniac but the sheer audacity of his presence in my lobby sent me over the edge. I also didn't understand why no one else felt this way.\n\n\"Olivia!\" Fade yelled at me as she caught the cup again. \"What has gotten into you?!\"\n\nMayhem raised an eyebrow at me.\"Yeah, Olivia, what has gotten into you? Are you feeling alright?\"\n\nWe have encountered each other before but this is the first he had truly bothered *seeing* me. I was just a side character in a world of super-powered beings and not usually worthy of his time. He gazed over me like I was a frustrating but intriguing puzzle.\n\n\"*Excuse* *me*?!\" I snarled at him. \"Come over here and say that to my face. You think that I have already forgotten that you held this office hostage just a week ago?! That you threatened my entire Liberty League public relations team?! I might not have superpowers but come over here and try me. I double dog dare you, you manipulative son of -\"\n\n\"What are you even talking about?!\" Fade frowned at me. \"Mayhem is a valuable member of our team. You literally created our current promotion.\" The hero gestured towards a large poster on the wall showcasing the city's hero lineup. Fade was front and center in her ombre purple skirted uniform. Prism stood beside her in a light pink bodysuit and pastel rainbow high ponytail. Her twin brother, Shade leaned against her wearing a dark purple armored uniform. Mayhem stood beside Fade. He was wearing a blue armored bodysuit instead of his usual black armor. An uncharacteristically humored grin was across his face.\n\nThe hero didn't hide her concern as she closely watched me examine the poster and the various other framed promos and magazine covers featuring Mayhem throughout the office. I could see that one of my media analysts had multiple screens at her cubical showing several local broadcasts. At least two of them were newscasts showing Mayhem receiving the key to the city.\n\n\"Olivia.\" Fade gently touched my arm. \"Do you need to go to the hospital?\" She asked me quietly. \"If you stopped taking your meds again, I need to know.\"\n\nI scoffed as I pulled away from her. I was hurt by her insinuation, livid at the situation and incredibly confused. \"I'll be in my office.\" I announced as I made a 'I am watching you' gesture at Mayhem.\n\n*Mayhem is a villain. This is a fact that I knew to be true. I am not crazy.* This is a manta I repeated to myself multiple times as I hid under my desk and scrolled through my tablet for proof. I took a deep swig from the bottle of emotional support whiskey in my lap. Everything I found on Mayhem contradicted everything I knew to be true. An article on Mayhem saving orphans from a fire. A fashion shoot with Prism for a sponsor campaign. Mayhem being given the title of mayor - *Wait. What?!* I could feel something breaking and cracking inside. *I am not crazy*... *I don't think...* My inner voice wasn't as strong as it had been.\n\nI flinched as someone walked into my office and shut the door. The lock clicked into place. \"Olivia, get out here.\" Mayhem commanded.\n\n\"Olivia is not here. Can I take a message?\" I questioned.\n\n\"I am not going to play games. Come out here or I will drag you out by your hair.\" He growled. \"Or better yet, I will have your precious hero team drag you out here.\"\n\nI slowly crept out from my cavern of solitude. \"...What is happening?\" I asked him quietly.\n\nHe smirked as his dark eyes looked me over. \"What are you?\" He wanted to know.\n\n\"A Virgo?\" I shrugged. \"I am not sure what you are asking? I am human.\"\n\n\"No.\" He took a step towards me. \"You are the only one that is not affected by my reality. You are the only one that resists my commands.\"\n\nI took a step back. \"I am nobody special.\" I assured him.\n\n\"I know.\" He roughly my arms and shoved me into my office chair. He tightly wrapped a hand around my throat. \"I could easily crush your windpipe.\" He growled in my ear. \"Your heroes are in the next room and they won't lift a finger to help you. I could tell Fade to break your bones with her telekinesis and she would do it with a smile on her face. There is nothing you can do to stop this.\"\n\n\"Why are you doing this? What is the point?\" I struggled against the tears burning in my eyes. I refused to cry in front of him.\n\n\"I just needed everyone out of my way for the next twenty-four hours.\" He shrugged. \"That's how long this false reality will last. I could have just made everyone my puppets and skip the superhero fanfare, but I couldn't resist. You know this will get under Fade's skin tomorrow when she remembers everything.\" He let out a dark chuckle.\n\n\"Please don't hurt her or any of the others.\" I pleaded softly.\n\n\"You should be a little more concerned about yourself right now.\" He snickered. \"Fade mentioned that you are on medication. What is it for?\"\n\n\"I...uh...schizophrenia...\" I admitted. \"Also depression and emotional impulses... It's controlled currently...sorta...\"\n\n\"Interesting...\" He looked thoughtful. \"If I had more time, I would take you back to my lab and run some tests, maybe crack you open and see what's inside... but we will have to save that for the next time I tear apart the laws of reality. Right now, I need to you to help me with a social media campaign. Don't even give me that look, I will send your heroes on a destructive rampage through this city if you don't do as I ask. So what's it going to be , Olivia?\"" ]

[ 1, 2 ]

[ "1648679377", "1648694754" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "The insistent blare of the initial alarm was over, replaced by the crackling static of the building’s intercom.\r \n\r \n“E…o…esidents- Hello residents. This is Aram Lancaster with Odia Security Solutions. Please listen carefully to the following announcement.”\r \n\r \nThe shuffle of papers hissed through the old speakers, suddenly making Nat all the more aware of how quick her heart was pumping. A warm hand wrapped around hers, letting her know she wasn’t alone.\r \n\r \n“As a merge event is imminent, please follow standard instructions and unplug all electronics. Instructions will resume in two minutes.”\r \n\r \nThe moment she felt she was allowed, Natalie scrambled for the bedroom, quickly working to dislodge every extender and power splitter from the chipped outlets. All at once, the table lamp and small lights draped around the room blinked out, plunging the space into complete darkness. Remembering the procedure by heart, she slid the heavy paned windows closed, locking them with antique-looking brass knobs. With the room secured, she swept out, hurriedly moving to do the same in Larry’s modest living room.\r \n\r \nShe nearly bowled the man over, not expecting him to have risen from his padded chair,\r \n\r \n“Hey, hey, don’t worry about it, okay? I’ll turn everything off. Just sit down.”\r \n\r \nThe man chuckled, seemingly unfazed. \r \n\r \n“Why don’t you? It looks like your heart is gonna jump out of your chest.”\r \n\r \nAnxiously waiting for him to be done with unplugging all the kitchen appliances, she tapped her foot, her hands wringing together. The three-note ding of the intercom nearly made her jump in fear.\r \n\r \n“Please ensure all windows are closed, and all doors are locked. Until the merge event is complete, refrain from responding to any forms of communication from anyone other than those you are sheltering with. Tenants are advised that with the passing of the Merge Safety Act, opening doors or windows during a merge event can result in fines or imprisonment.”\r \n\r \nNat slinked over to the heavy wooden door - likely, the only thing in Larry’s apartment that had been replaced since the late 1900’s - making sure the deadbolt and chain were properly engaged. \r \n\r \n“Remember - no matter what they look or sound like, they are not people. This has been Aram Lancaster. I look forward to announcing the conclusion of this merge event. Good luck.”\r \n\r \nWith the last of the lights turned off, Nat and Larry found themselves huddled in the middle of the living room, slowly realizing that the building - rather, the entire block - had gone completely silent, save for the everpresent bassy hum of their radiator. Usually lost to background noise, the machine never seemed quite so alive as today. In the pitch black, her anxiety running wild, it seemed to wax and wane, the noise changing directions and volumes as it danced in the darkness around her. Natalie began to shiver.\r \n\r \n“*Larry? Larry, what if we see something?*”\r \n\r \nThe old man chuckled again, as if laughing at an inside joke she wasn’t privy to -\r \n\r \n“*Look away, my girl.*”\r \n\r \nA faint giggle in the corner of the room instantly wiped away the aged man’s smile, causing his sharp eyes to dart back and forth, searching for a source. Natalie felt numb, her body petrified, a thin tear streak slowly rolling down her cheek. She felt Larry’s hand on her shoulder as he crawled to place himself between her and the sound. \r \n\r \n“Who’s there? Show yourself.”\r \n\r \nHis voice was level, but far from amicable.\r \n\r \nAt once, three pale white faces seemed to melt from the dark, the oppressive shadow splitting around them as if it were still water, something rising to the surface from its depths. Two of the faces stood at an average height, the last considerably shorter - each looked like theater masks, except entirely devoid of any material character. They were not creatures of marble, or china, but rather seemingly made of contrast alone. As the shorter face turned upwards to regard its companions, it betrayed no neck, nor body. \r \n\r \n“Aren’t they funny? Can’t they join us, Mother?”\r \n\r \nMother’s face did not change, pivoting in place to shake her head. As she parted her lips to speak, she revealed that the inside of her mouth was made of the same impossibly obscure shade that the entire apartment had sunk into.\r \n\r \n“I doubt they might want to, even if it would save them a great deal of headache.”\r \n\r \nHer voice was ethereal, Nat’s mind incapable of recalling the exact cadence even the moment it ended. With every well-enunciated syllable, she was battered with memories of her home, and the comfort she had there - the wonderful countryside, the warm apple pie, and the cold, winter nights she had spent under blankets in her pink room.\r \n\r \nHer mind shrieked in alarm, knowing full well she grew up a city orphan - she’d never had her own room until now. She hated pink. She hated pink. She hated pink.\r \n\r \nMother frowned. \r \n\r \nA panicked yell erupted at the other side of the door, instantly pulling the attention of both the white faces, and the two human residents. Someone - or something - pounded on the wood, hard enough to make the loose chain rattle and dance against the lock. \r \n\r \n“Help! Help me! I was caught outside! They locked the door on me, they-”\r \n\r \nThe doorknob was twisted with considerable force, resisting the invader.\r \n\r \n“Oh my god… oh my god… help! Please! It’s here! It’s here!”\r \n\r \nThere was another rush of knocks at the door, then the rattle of the doorknob, then knocks again, increasing in speed and ferocity until Nat was hyperventilating, certain the hinges would give in. \r \n\r \nThere was one last thump, somehow much less urgent than the others, as if delivered last-second before the culprit pivoted and walked away.", "A familiar tone woke Dawn up. The grating tone that signaled a nightly EAS test. She checked her phone, the clock reading 15 minutes after midnight.\n\nThe room glowed red, an odd contrast to the usual blue the test read in typically. Red meant a tornado warning, typically. It had been rather windy earlier, the clouds drifting quickly. But as she checked out the blinds, she was greeted to a dark and starry night, not a cloud in sight. But no moon, the darkness a bit deeper than usual.\n\n*\"This is a public service announcement. The Department of Defense has issued a shelter-in-place warning for the following counties. Auburn. Ely. Melrose. Carver. Adair. Ekins. Pine. This is not a drill. If you are indoors, stay indoors. If you are outdoors, get into a basement or an interior room of a sturdy building. If you are in a vehicle, stop safely, and duck down within your vehicle.\"*\n\nDawn dropped the blinds to turn to the still red screen.\n\n*\"Lock all entrances to your home or vehicle. Turn off all lights.\"*\n\nHer lights were off and she locked the door earlier. But she made sure just in case.\n\n\"Do not respond to knocking on you door. Do not investigate strange noises in your home. Do not look at shadows in the corner of your eyes.\"\n\n\"What?\" She actually asked softly.\n\n*\"Stay quiet at all times. Await further instructions.\"*\n\nShe froze near the front door, listening. The red pall from the screen soaking the room in a blood like tone. She thought maybe it was a sick joke. But she didn't readily want to move. Something rumbled in the hall. Footsteps? She listened as they ran, quick, heavy footfalls that seemed to be slightly off center. They sped up, then a thump echoed. Through the peep hole, she could see it.\n\nA woman close to her own age? She'd fell in the hall. She considered looking out there. But another set of steps made her wait. A man, of a similar age she'd assume, scrambled into the hall from the stairs. He grabbed her in a desperate manner. Obviously, there was a valid concern for what was possibly happening here. She began to turn the lock.\n\nBut the pair hobbled back up, and continued their frantic pace to a door somewhere past her own. The woman stifled a cry, her gaze locked at the stairs.\n\n\"Open the door. Hurry...\" She heard her panic. \"Hurry.\"\n\n\"...I know. I'm trying.\"\n\nA door slammed, and then there was silence.\n\n\"This is a public service announcement...\" The TV restarted. Outside; the muffled sound of tires on pavement, then a crash. Dawn gently edged back into the living room, passed the loveseat, and crept to the same window she'd peaked from earlier.\n\n*\"...following counties. Auburn. Ely. Melrose. Carver. Adair. Ekins. Pine.\"*\n\nIn the street, just off the alley her building sat in, was a pickup. It had struck a telephone pole and turned over. The owner was seemingly crawling from the wreck. She began to dial 911, but the man had already began running as fast as he could. Limping of course but with a gait of determination. Below in the dark, she spotted others running. They passed the truck, the strobing hazards illuminating an eerie scene.\n\nIt was as if they were following the man from the truck.\n\nShe only digested that for a couple of seconds. Her phone ringing made her flinch and drop the blinds. It was her parents.\n\n\"Hello? There's something happening-\"\n\n\"We know. Dawn, listen.\" Her mother whispered harshly.\n\n\"Yeah?\"\n\n\"We're in... We're are we?\" She shuffled. Her Dad replacing the familiar voice of comfort.\n\n\"Dad?\"\n\n\"We're over at the Shiners in the old fallout shelter. Something's wrong with people out there.\"\n\nThey're three states over. Was this national? She began to consider. His voice was hushed, just like Mom.\n\n\"Dad, I.\"\n\n\"Hang up. Stay quiet. Turn out the lights. If they find you-\"\n\n\"-Hello? Dad?\"\n\nThe phone lost signal. The call dropped. She tried to call back.\n\n\"...Do not respond to knocking on your do-\"\n\nThe TV cut off. Outside, a bluish green burst of light just over one of the hills dotting the neighborhood. Bright enough to shine through the blinds. She checked outside, realizing the possible source. A transformer exploded.\n\nThis end of the city was dark now. The only things providing light, a fire somewhere a mile to her left. And somewhere to her right, a few streets over, the strobing of what appeared to be police lights.\n\nA hit at the door. Followed by more. Knocking?\n\n\"Hello?! Hello?! Please! Open the door! Please!\" A voice called out. Dawn crept up to the edge of the wall closest to the doorway.\n\n\"Please! Someone! Let us in! Let us in!!\" The voice asked. Before she could make a decision, they trailed further away. Screaming at other people's doors. Begging. Pleading. Until footsteps came up the stairs again. Lots of them. More than what sounded natural. They passed her room. At least she hoped. Somewhere in her little apartment, near the fire escape, something shuffled.\n\nDawn couldn't see in the dark. For once, that was good. A light would give her away." ]

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[ "1649716341", "1649741233", "1649731441" ]

[ "**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n🆕 [New Here?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) \n✏ [Writing Help?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) \n📢 [News](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) \n💬 [Discord](https://discord.gg/writingprompts)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*", "… however I was the one responsible for the death of his family, that lead to the superhero losing their powers. My nemesis, who is another supervillain, Knows what I have done and is threatening me that he will reveal everything to the superhero. There is a fight inside me. Part of me wants to use my super powers once more to make him silent, and part of me wants to come clean to my superhero love, and confess the truth. I decide to pick the second and tell them the whole truth, and as a result the superhero’s anger help him get his powers back and face my nemesis. On the downside of the superhero becomes cold towards me, as he tries to accept all the pain I caused him.", "...however, now I worry that was a mistake. I should have destroyed it all, but it was such a big part of my identity, it felt wrong of me to get rid of years of my work, even if I had no intention of touching my projects ever again. These projects were a part of my identity, albeit a darker part that I wanted to move on from.\n\nMaybe in keeping them, it meant that I wasn't ready to commit fully, or maybe I was a coward for having a backup plan on the ready. Really, I had thought myself a sap, clinging to the past in that way. It had been my projects that ultimately brought us together. Otherwise, I'd have never met the love of my life. Our story would never have had happened. \n\nA new story was unfolding, and I knew I had to put away the part of me that they had fought against. \n\nWe were both orphans, both hurting and fighting against the pain in our own ways. I lashed out against the world, wanting to take down the corrupted systems, wanting to quell my pain with power. They worked to make sure that no one felt the same pain that ached inside them. I found them foolish, and they thought me emotionally adolescent, but they never gave up on me. \n\nLove, it turns out, wins. \n\nThey used the last of their powers to save me. No one had tried to save me before. No one had sacrificed for my benefit. \n\nAt first I hadn't understood, and the anger inside me wouldn't let me see the truth. I lashed out, destroying what I could. I turned their friends against them, pulled them from their guild, and demolished their home. \n\nBut they chose joy again and again. Like Lot facing God's trials, they would not break. And what would that make me in that analogy? God? I knew I was far from it, unworthy of such devotion. I hated myself, and yet they loved me. It was then that I realized, if they can choose love, maybe I could too.\n\nWe spent the next few years together, practicing love one day at a time. Some days were harder than others, but seeing them every morning and holding them every night made it worth it. We practiced loving ourselves, loving each other, and of course, made love with such passion that I could see no other way or path for me. They were my life now.\n\nThey say when you wear rose colored glasses, you can't see the red flags. I missed all the warning signs of the problems brewing within them. Caught up in my own euphoria, I was blind to the needs of my paramour. \n\nI did everything I could though. I had kept them safe. I gave them a whole wing of my fortress for themselves. The tower could see for miles. The castle held everything I wanted. No one could penetrate these walls. No one would take them away from me. After all, they had no power.\n\nBut they found it. They found my projects, locked away. I hadn't noticed the key missing from my chain. I hadn't noticed them slip away into the darkness of the dungeons. I hadn't noticed them slipping into the darkness of themselves. \n\nThe smoke still billowing up from the hole in my walls as they fled, I watched as my hero became my enemy once again." ]

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[ "1649767712", "1649767727", "1649768595" ]