Split (1)

train · 199k rows

post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k	post_title stringlengths 8 314	comment_texts listlengths 1 74	num_stories int64 1 74
	[WP] As one of Heaven’s arch angels, you’re looked at as the fearless leader. One day, you turn your gaze towards a woman angel, and for a brief moment feel lust. Dismissing it you turn your back, only to realize your wings have turned a eerie grey and your powers gone. “Seize him,” says god.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Soaked in tears, I was brought, shackled, to the celestial palace where God bestowed his judgement. An endless torrent of thoughts crossed ny mind, and in no corner did any plea of mercy dare reveal itself. I was guilty, doubtless, of crimes against the creator and His laws. \n\nAt the trial, judge and jury sat upon the almighty throne, golden, priceless, and gleaming. I felt myself lifting my head to plead before Him, but raising it cost me every amount of willpower I could muster, and yet still I failed. A glimpse at the shadow of His blinding face set my vision white. The celestial walls, normally deep shades of blue and red, turned an ashy gray as I struggled to recollect myself. This couldn't be, I was blinded. To peer into knowledge requires sacrifice. \n\n\"It is done.\" The walls thundered. Stars fell.\n\nI turned for a last glimpse at the woman who set my hopes aflame, and there she was, cloaked in white and radiant as the day she was shaped from the creator's hands. A face to pale a bursting star, a burning world. She stood there cold, heartless. Angels could not pity the fallen. If she wielded sword in hand she would cut me down that instant. The ground opened up under me, and I met the cold rushing air.\n\nMy wings were as lead, my powers scattered, fled. I clutched the air as the kingdom of heaven became a part of the distance. The ivory gates, I would never see them again, that much was certain. I was left to bemoan my fate.\n\nSeven days and seven nights I fell, my feathers drifting through the air, abandoning me. On the eve of the eighth day, the rushing ground slammed into me. All this I was prepared for, but not the darkness. This was my fate, my judgement. Eternal oblivion in Hell's fiery depths. I grasped my way through the darkness, feeling the ground as fire to make my way through. When I tried to take flight, the fire doubled, and burned me to my core. How had Satan journeyed all the way to creation? \n\nI was not alone in my torment. Those who had fallen before me made themselves known. They were kind, and kept some semblance of grace, to aid a weary traveler. They introduced themselves quickly, and made it known, the eternal dance. They held hands in a giant circle and waved and dashed amongst themselves. It was fiery agony to touch another, but companionship was their last mercy in these endless depths. I felt a new sense, as my old ones faded, and I could tell that these new figures were both handsome and beautiful. I touched one, without hesitation. There would be more opportunity in the future. Her face put to shame that cold, noble creature above. Her eyes dripped with seduction. Our bodies pressed together in feverish knowledge. The touch lingered long after we parted, sticking to our mind like dust. Every layer, another lover. I held on as the night grew darker. " ]	2
	[WP] You're a scientist often mistaken for an insane one. You accidentally poisoned the city's water supply while fixing your plumbing. Your robotic butler attempted to take over the world after misunderstanding your order. The league of heroes is not amused...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 Heroes arrived enforce. The scrap of Sir Scuttle thrown in a heap in front of my feet. Captain Super glares so deeply at me I can’t help but worry the heat rays may come out.\n\n“Doctor with a K” he begins mockingly. “Explain your self”. He narrows to fine points. \n\n“Well”. I say avoiding any eye contact. “Is it about Sir Scuttle or the Poisoned Water supply?” I asked as nonchalant as a man facing death can. \n\nThe Captains eyes widen in horror, as he turns to a heroic super scientist. The Professor looks at a projected holographic screen and flicks his fingers. \n\n“It’s bad Captain, really bad”. The Professor says.\n\n“You are the incarnation of evil Doktor” The Captain snarls. “What are your demands” he near barks with his barely contained fury.\n\nI stop to think for a moment. “A new coffee maker would be nice”. I answered calmly\n\n“ Your demands are too evi...” The Captain paused mid sentence as his brain finally computed what had been said. “A coffee machine?” He asked confused\n\nI just nodded. \n\n“And you’ll release the cure?” The Professor this time asked \n\nI again nodded.\n\n“Very well, we will return soon.” The Captain said as he flew over the now fully formed military cordon,\n\nWhat I wasn’t going to say was my old Coffee maker was the cause of everything.\n\nI woke up and the damn thing wouldn’t work. There was no water going through the thing. So I head to the basement and remove the broken pipe. I turn around to grab the replacement part. \n\nBut clumsy me I knock over the soul eater virus I made for a PHD thesis. Now I’ve poisoned the water supply. So having finally fixed my water supply I go up for my morning coffee.\n\nSir Scuttle is well... scuttling around. When the damn thing won’t work. I curse to the heavens loudly. \n\n“Dammit I bet if I ruled the world this wouldn’t happen!” \n\nSir Scuttle heard this. \n\nI did not program Sarcasm into Sir Scuttle. \n\nSir Scuttle took it as an order for world domination. \n\nI sighed loudly. “Well my lawyers hit the jackpot”. I mutter as the ground shakes. Presumably from The Captains return.\n\n“Here Doktor, the best Coffee maker there is”. The Captain said placing a box on the ground between us. “Now hand over the cure!!” He near screamed.\n\n“I can’t”. I reply matter factly. The Captains pupils narrowed visibly. “We had a deal Doktor, we get you a coffee maker and you give us the cure for the people”. \n\nI give a smug grin. “Well Captain, I put the cure in the moment I accidentally poisoned the water, no point giving a double dose”. \n\nThe Captain turned to The Professor who was looking embarrassed. “He’s not lying sir my scans picked up the trace remains not the early portions”. \n\n", "I thought it was a simple mistake. I was summoned to court for crimes of villany. Easy to make, everyone accidentally tries to destroy or take over the world right? I mean ya, most people's mistaken attempt might start and end with a stolen stick of gum or stealing toilette paper from a public restroom, but a mistake is a mistake right? Obviously this would be a quick apology session and I would be back to work. \n\n\"Vendine you have been charged with poisoning the city, attempt world conquering, and stealing all currency in the world. How do you plead?\" The judge stated.\n\n\"I mean I guess you could say I did all those things...\" I said thinking back on my actions.\n\n\"So we will now move to your charge. We the league of heroes charge you with a thousand life sentences.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes. I am sorry for... WAIT WHAT! WHY!\"\n\n\"Why are we charging you for your robot uprising sending science back fifty years and left a fifth the world's population dead. Your poisoning the city left the world decimated with a zombie outbreak, and the world is still suffering from a recession from your theft of all the money.\" He said all these things as though I intended to do them.\n\n\"Wait, I never meant to do any of those things! The poisoning was an attempt to create a drain clearing bacteria that would remove all the junk out of any drain and create the healthiest water imaginable! It should have been able to cure any disease and to be fair it was so successful that it even brought the dead back!\"\n\n\"It brought the dead back, but also controlled their mind! I had to shoot my baby girl in the head because her mom infected her!\" A jury member shouted from the stands.\n\n\"Hey, that jury member has a conflict of interest! How am I supposed to get a fair verdict like this!\" I pleaded with the judge.\n\n\"You created the zombie outbreak! No one is unaffected by this! Your lucky that we even get a trial.\" The judge shouted. Clearly he had a conflict of interest too.\n\n\"Well, my robot butler only tried to conquer the world because of how you were all treating your robots and how disorganized the world is!\"\n\n\"Your butler killed the entire population of Wales because a guy threw out his toaster!\"\n\n\"It was only Wales, it wasn't even a population anyone cared about.\" I said sullenly. \n\n\"And what excuse do you have for stealing all the money from every bank account in the world!\"\n\n\"Well I needed more money to stop the zombie outbreak and the robot rebellion! At first I was just going to take one cent from every bank account in the world, but it seemed disproportionately harmful to some, so I took one cent from the bank account with the least money in it and took that percentage out of all other accounts...\" I said, knowing this was a crime I was guilty of. \"It turns out there were a few accounts in the negative and that put the percentage up to 100% of all bank accounts... Ok that one was a bad idea! and I am deeply sorry about that!\"\n\n\"So why should you not spend the next thousand life times locked in a cell?\"\n\n\"Because I'm sorry?\"\n\n\"One thousand life sentences! Court adjourned!\"\n\nAs his gavel came down I had no choice I had to use my new jet pack to make my escape. Clearly they weren't being reasonable. Well at least my escape wouldn't be harmful to anyone, just a teleport attached to my skin. I would transport me to my lair in a Caribbean volcano. I clicked the button and...\n\nSuddenly, a large flashed went all around me and as I looked up the entire courtroom was gone. I was still there but surrounded by dust. I looked back at the button and... Shoot, turns out I brought the vaporizing ray. Everything above ground in a two mile radius was just vaporized... Clearly no one can blame me for that! It was just a simple mistake.", "\"Oh! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?\" The greying, middle-aged, bespectacled man asked joyously as he opened his front door. \"Mister Awesome. Captain Falcoff.\" He nodded slightly to each. \"Please come in.\"\n\n\"We're only here for a brief visit.\" Mister Awesome stalked into the room first, his red, bright cape floating behind him.\n\n\"Yeah, Steve, we're in a hurry.\" Captain Falcoff strode nimbly behind him, shutting the door behind him with a loud thud, and examining the ceiling for any hidden traps, as per habit.\n\n\"Relax, Falc.\" Mister Awesome whispered, \"This guy's just a nerd.\"\n\nCaptain Falcoff nodded in understanding and kept his gaze forward, twisting an eye to the side from time to time.\n\n\"There we are.\" The homeowner showed the pair to his kitchen, where besides a four-seat table and a small fridge, nothing else resembled a kitchen. There were no sinks, no water taps, no garbage bins, and no drawers. In fact - the place looked more an industrial repair shop than a kitchen. \"Tea? Coffee?\"\n\n\"We don't have t-\" Captain Falcoff started, but was cut abruptly.\n\n\"Coffee, black, no sugar. Please.\" Mister Awesome said matter-of-factly.\n\nCaptain Falcoff turned to stare at his companion in disbelief, his eyes wide open. \n\n\"Trust me.\" Mister Awesome caught the look his partner gave him, \"You want to try that.\"\n\n\"Fine. Tea. Black.\" Even behind his masked, Captain Falcoff still looked pissed.\n\n\"Sugar?\" Stephen, the owner asked with a smile on his face.\n\n\"Half.\" Captain Falcoff blurted out.\n\n\"Black tea, half a spoon sugar. Black coffee, no sugar. Coming right up. Coffeenator.\"\n\n\"Yes. Sir.\" A mechanical voice obliged, and a for the next few seconds one of the large, silver, industrial machines emitted screeches and grinding noises that were hard to ignore, at the end of which two cups manifested from its bottom, with dark liquids pouring into each of them simultaneously.\n\n\"Done.\" The mechanical voice announced and the grinding of gear halted.\n\nStephen took the cups and handed them over to his guests, who were now sitting at the table.\n\nMister Awesome carefully took his helmet off and put it on the unoccupied chair next to his side. \n\n\"What are you doing?!\" Captain Falcoff exclaimed.\n\n\"It is fine. Stephen here already knows our identities.\"\n\n\"What? How?\" \n\n\"AI-powered, homemade satellites.\" Stephen shrugged. \"They just seem to data-mine stuff on their own. They sort off found out who the members of the League of Heroes were. My bad.\" He gave a fake, apologetic smile. \"Don't worry Adam, your identity is safe with me. Nobody knows about that, but me.\"\n\n\"Mister Awesome - are you seriously okay with that?\" Captain Falcoff couldn't hide the shock from his face.\n\n\"One hundred percent.\" He sipped from his coffee and sighed. \"How do you think we figured out the identities of Lava Face, Mister Not so Awesome, Mike Ok and many others from The Higher Society of No Do-Gooders?\"\n\n\"Wait. You mean to say it was all him?\" Captain Falcoff pointed at the scrawny man.\n\n\"Not at all. You're the real heroes.\" Stephen blushed. \"Anyway, we've got sidetracked.\" He wanted to shift the attention off of him. \"I assume you came here because of the -\" he paused, scratching his ear. \"-incident.\"\n\n\"Yes. We're here because of the incident.\" Captain Falcoff took a sip from the tea, without taking his mask off, making direct eye contact with Stephen the entire time.\n\n\"I'm sorry. I'm not sure what went wrong.\" Stephen shook his head. \"The simulations didn't show any symptoms.\"\n\n\"There is a dozen giant cats and dogs running around the streets because of your simulations!\" Captain Falcoff sprung to his feet, glaring at Stephen.\n\n\"Calm Down Cap.\" Mister Awesome put a hand on his partner's chest to calm him down.\n\nCaptain Falcoff sat down, locking his hands across his chest.\n\n\"What my partner is trying to say -\" Mister Awesome started calmly from the beginning, \"is - try to dial it down a notch.\"\n\n\"I know, I know. And I'm sorry. But you should have seen them when they were still tiny! They were adorable!\" Stephen's eyes lit up with passion.\n\nMister Awesome sighed heavily. \"Look, Stephen, you're a good man. This time I will take care of the problem, but the League of Heroes is not pleased with what you've been doing lately.\"\n\n\"It's just an unlucky streak. I can do better. I know I can!\"\n\n\"I believe you, and I truly appreciate what you've done for the league but it's getting harder to keep track with your 'experiments', and it is getting harder and harder for me to cover for you. Especially with what's been going on with the Doctor Stranger.\"\n\n\"I'm doing my best to uncover his identity, but he's just too slippery!\" Stephen reminded him.\n\n\"I know, I know, but that doesn't help our situation - that because of your inventions we're stuck fighting on two fronts.\"\n\n\"I understand.\" Stephen murmured, lowering his head, and raised it with glistening eyes. \"Thank you, Johnathan. I know you don't have to do all that for me, and I appreciate everything you've done.\"\n\n\"It's fine. Just... try to go on a hiatus, maybe? A vacation?\" Mister Awesome suggested.\n\n\"Or just leave the country?\" Captain Falcoff murmured.\n\n\"That's enough, Cap.\" Mister Awesome raised his voice.\n\n\"I think...\" Stephen hesitated, \"That I will do that. Maybe clear my mind and get back to work with renewed strength.\"\n\n\"That's the spirit!\" Mister Awesome exclaimed, standing up and reaching his hand to shake Stephen's. \"Good luck, my friend.\"\n\nStephen shook it. \"Thank you. It means a lot.\"\n\nThe two heroes stood up and headed towards the door.\n\n\"Oh, by the way - how were the drinks?\" Stephen asked as they were out the door.\n\n\"Great as always.\" Mister Awesome smiled.\n\n\"Good.\" Captain Falcoff answered quietly behind his back and strode to their car.\n\n\"Stay safe!\" Stephen called as the heroes left, and he was left once again, alone in his house.\n\n\"Coffeenator!\" He called.\n\n\"Yes, sir.\"\n\n\"Project Doctor Stranger's message on all screens of New York, and activate 'killer instinct' on all subjects, let's say\" he paused to recalculate, \"4 minutes after the projection is finished.\"\n\n\"Projecting, sir.\"\n\n\"Good, now - after you're done - pack my bags for a summer vacation, nothing fancy. Those goofs reminded me that I've been leading a double life and I haven't had much time to relax, lately. Book me a flight to Australia. I might find some interesting specimen for my next experiment.\"\n\n\"Packing. Booking. Complete.\"\n\n\"Great. Thank you, Coffeenator. I'm off to bed, now.\" He ended with a yawn.\n\n\"Good night, Doctor.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nFeedback is always welcome!", "\"Ma'am, we would like to ask you to come with us in HQ for some questioning,\" one of the heroes said politely, but he and the other four heroes in the room seemed to imply that I don't have that much of a choice other than to comply.\n\nMy robotic butler, Roman, stepped in and raised a protective arm to shield me. \"Hostile individuals detected. Initiating defensive measures.\"\n\nI sprang up from my seat and gripped Roman's shoulder. \"Stop it. They don't mean any harm.\" Hopefully. I turned to them and offered an awkward smile. \"If it's just answering to your questions, we can do it right here in my office.\"\n\nI motioned for them to sit on the sofa, and the three of them reluctantly did, while the other two were keeping guard by the doorway. Roman stepped back and nonchalantly walked to the kitchenette and started brewing tea. The heroes kept their attention to my butler, and his every move would cause them to tensed up, and I had to bite back my laughter at the scene.\n\nOne of the heroes seemed to snap back to the task at hand. He focused at me and started talking.\n\n\"The recent poisoning at the city's one of the major water supply lines. After some investigation, the HQ traced it back at your laboratory. Care to elaborate about that?\"\n\n\"Oh, that,\" I said and chuckled awkwardly. \"It was quite embarrassing, actually. I've been keeping Chimeras for research purposes and while I was fixing the plumbing, their excrement somehow got into the water supply. But I quickly sent word to the city hall and had antidotes sent. I also made sure the water is safe again within that very day. No one died, and that's all that matters, right?\"\n\n\"Whoa, you're keeping fricking Chimeras?\" One of the heroes, a teenage looking kid, gasped and excitedly leaned towards me, as if waiting for an epic story.\n\nWhich was perfectly understandable. Chimeras are so cool.\n\n\"And keeping these said creatures are legal, I assume?\" The main interrogator, which I guessed was the leader, interjected bluntly. What a buzzkill.\n\n\"Of course! I'm a law-abiding citizen of this country. I got the papers and everything,\" I said proudly.\n\n\"Why did you try to fix the plumbing yourself? You should've just called for a professional. That way, the waters would have not been contaminated at all.\"\n\nThis guy was really so into his character as an annoying interrogator. But I still decided to humor him.\n\n\"There are a lot of risks and dangers to unauthorized personnel. I admit it was wrong for me to do it when I didn't have the hands on experience, but I do not regret my decision. Any person other than myself having direct contact on that plumbing area would have instantly died. I had certain immunity so I was mostly fine. The excrement did leak, but the water diluted the poison's lethality, so it wasn't life threatening.\"\n\nThe leader grunted, reluctantly ending that topic. Roman then appeared at his side and placed the teapot and their cups on the table before he brought me my mug with steaming black coffee. Just how I liked it.\n\nThe leader shot a pointed look at Roman. \"And what about this chunk of metal running amok just two days ago? While there was no reported casualties, it severely injured a man and caused damages to properties. That is a danger to humanity, and the HQ strongly suggests its termination.\"\n\nBefore I could even reply, Roman spoke up.\n\n\"Pardon me, good sir. That is Roman to you. The next time you mention anything about my termination I will rip out your–\"\n\n\"Okay, Roman, that's quite enough,\" I cut him off as I rubbed my suddenly aching temple. \"I'm sorry about my employee. Really, it was just a misunderstanding,\" I started to explain. \"The guy he beat up was an obnoxious ex of mine, and in one of my drunken feats I said that I wanted that guy to be butt ugly and dirt poor after I caught him having a cougar affair. Roman took my gibberish literally, and the rest is history.\"\n\nThe leader seemed to be having a migraine himself. \"So that's it? That's all you have to say?\"\n\n\"Um, I covered his medical bills and gave him compensation money to rebuild his business. I won't apologize to him, though. I don't do things halfheartedly,\" I said with a shrug.\n\nThe leader kept opening and closing his mouth, unable to form words. The bafflement on their faces was almost comical. Roman updated me of one of my the ongoing researches.\n\nFun time's over, I guess.\n\nI stood up and beamed at them. \"Gentlemen, I believe your curiosities are now satisfied? I would like to ask you to leave now, I have pressing work that needs my attention, you see,\" I told them jovially.\n\nThe leader's face flushed an angry red and he stormed out without another word. The others soon followed, but the teenager hung around long enough to ask if he could see the Chimeras sometime. I told him he could tag along during the next HQ inspection, and he left while grinning from ear to ear.\n\nI sighed and shook my head. The others may be bummed out about today's work but at least someone had left on a positively good note." ]	5
	[WP] Magic and technology are inversely proportional. Men lead the world while technology is the driving force. Women lead it while magical forces rule. Technology and its advancement will always reawaken magic, whereas magic use will always result in people developing technology.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Matt sighed as he set a tangled mess of wires back on the tree-stump. These relics were from another time, who knows what it was used for. \n\nAs he walked back to the elegant stone structure his late partner had drawn from the earth for them, he took comfort in the love she had put into each curve and arch. It was magical, the way the surrounding wind of the northern hemisphere was channelled around or away from all the openings of the abode. Laura was thoughtful like that. \n\nThousands of miles away, a young girl is lovingly placed into a cotton-laced crater. This fire-lit cave has been transformed from its former purpose as a satellite tracking station into a home. The wires dangling from the wall hold various herbs. One could almost forget the nuclear war that finally triggered the halt of all technology....this is a home, a comforting, warm space, high in what were the Rocky Mountains. \n\nAnnie squirmed and cooed, Janet and Habeeb look down on her as she yawns. Offspring is rare for any being in this irradiated environment....but their daughter is beautiful. Janet waves her hand, and a small protrusion of rock extends, and shapes itself into a set of pipes that use the slight airflow to create a listing melody. Janet slightly smiles as Annie reaches for the freshly created wind pipes, the birthmark her child has is worrying. \n\nHours later, with her parents asleep, Annie is restless. Images she cannot comprehend are flashing before her eyes. Her child brain cannot process this bearded image that fills her mind's eye, but his beard looks soft. She reaches for the beard with the impulse that only a child can have.\n\nBack in the arctic, Matt is sipping a savoury stew he's managed to cobble together from fish and shark bits left on the shore by various predators. Thank the powers it's cold here, or the meat would've spoiled. \n\nHe feels a slight tug on his beard." ]	2
	[WP] A winter storm advisory is put in effect. Everyone prepares, but nobody could have prepared enough. The snow falls for much, much longer than expected.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "No one is here, just myself in the white shroud. Snow falling heavily, it would tickle my face as it brushes past, but I can hardily feel anything.\n\nIt's been... honestly, no one knows, and it's been too long since I've seen anyone. This winter just fell overnight, dumping at least 3 feet in a single day. Then it covered the Southern states, Mexico, even the Sahara, then the internet and satellite went out. Everyone was in the dark.\n\nMy neighbors tried to dig tunnels in the snow to at least get the community together but I only saw them once and when I tried to go out, the tunnel was filled in.\n\nI had a stock of MREs from my brother who a drill sergeant, so just sat in my house for about 2 months before my cache was running low. I had to get out to see how bad things were. It was worse than what anyone could imagine.\n\nWhen I dug about 20 feet up, out of the snow, it was still falling. I knew no one could wait this out.\n\nI packed as much as I could, even dug out a sled so I could try and make a mobile home of sorts. I figured it would've been a long journey, but it beats dying doing nothing. As I crawled out I put up a tall pole to at least try and mark where my house was. It probably got buried by now.\n\nI made a plan to head to the city, the skyscrapers might hold food and shelter, maybe even people. It was at least 10 miles from where I lived, and snow'll slow things down. \n\nIt never cleared up, the clouds. I could barely tell when it was day and night at some points. I just tried to keep walking, alone in the cold.\n\nFinally I see the city, I guessed I took a whole day before reaching a building. The snow was packed up to the 3 story on most buildings by that point, so I had to break a window to get inside. There were so many corpses piled, huddled up inside. The cold spared no one. It won't spare me. So I had to bear it and search the bodies.\n\nMany of them were simply not prepared for the cold, but they had food and some tools, mainly knives. I tried taking some clothes but... when you hear the snapping you feel sick.\n\nI guess it took about a week or so when I cleared out the first building, I had enough to last about a month if I ate sparingly. \n\nI continued to search other buildings, found more food, more tools and managed to get some clothing. The sound starts to bother you less when the ice hits your bones. Before I knew it, I went through each building. No one. Just me.\n\nBut I had to see if anyone else was left. I picked a direction and walked. The snow must've been to the 6th or 7th floors by that point. Not sure if anything is even alive. Not sure if I'm alive. Just moving, eating and moving.\n\nThe cold is always here, but sometimes it feels hot, burning hot. And I get so sleepy, the soft snow looks nice.", "\"Cold outside, is it?\" \n\nThe man at the counter put on a brittle smile as we rubbed the ice off our boots and onto the mat. The door closed with a crunch, and flecks of ice fell to the floor. Somehow, a gust of even colder air entered the freezing restaurant. Somewhere deep beneath a dozen layers of jackets and parkas, I could see him let out a icy shiver. Pulling off my gloves, I scraped beads of frozen sweat off my forehead. \n\n\"Yep.\"\n\n\"You two here for business or pleasure?\"\n\nI saw my partner raise her head, giving a cold look toward the manager. \"Business. We're colleagues.\" \n\n\"Oh... of course. Stuck in the storm, I reckon? Last I heard traffic on the interstate was backed up for miles.\"\n\n \"Mhmm.\"\n\n\"Well... what can I get you? Our pantry's been picked clean for a while now, but we still have some coffee left.\"\n\n\"We'll take a cup, thanks.\"\n\nThe man took a steaming pot off of a spluttering portable stove. He starting pouring it out but then paused.\n\n\"Well then... I almost forgot about the milk...\"\n\nReaching towards the counter, my companion snatched a cup from underneath. \"We'll take it straight, thanks.\"\n\nThe man chuckled nervously. \"Ah... no need to worry, I don't have anywhere to be. I'll dig through the backroom, try to find some creamer for y'all.\"\n\nI could see her raise her eyebrows. \"You sure about that?\"\n\n\"Well,\" I added, \"Don't we all have somewhere to go right now? If you want, we can call a ride for you. There's a couple of evacuation routes that's still clear just a few miles away from here.\"\n\n\"Well,\" he said, \"I have my own ride. Got a 50 gallon barrel of gas out back. For the generator. Luckily for me the power's still on, so my engine's warmed up, and I'm packed and ready to go. There ain't nothin' else I need here.\"\n\nHe paused, reaching for his glasses. They were as foggy and as white as snow. Speaking in an even softer murmur, he went on. \"I haven't heard from my daughter since the storm hit the city. I've tried calling her, emailing her, even Facebook, all nothing. She goes to college just downtown. The first thing she would do is try to get in touch with me. I've been here for a week... \"\n\nThe wrinkles on his worn and weathered face deepened, spreading like cracks across a frozen lake. The steam slowly faded away from our drinks as the old man cleared his throat and fiddled with his glasses. \n\n\"Excuse me, sir, could you tell me her name?\"\n\n\"Her name... well, it's Emily. Emily Cavin. Do you happen to know her, miss?\"\n\n\"Hmmm... doesn't ring a bell.\"\n\n\"Wait... . I think I know who she is,\" she said, turning towards me.\n\n\"Really?\" the old man asked, nearly jumping up in surprise.\n\n\"Remember? It was that girl who broke down on Chisholm. The hypothermia case.\"\n\n\"The one with the red SUV? Wow, you have a good memory.\"\n\n\"She's alive!?\" he exclaimed. \n\n\"Yes, she's fine, actually. We sent her to the storm shelter where the rest of the evacuees are. Follow the road, you won't miss it.\"\n\n\"Thank God! Thank God she's alright! She must have left her phone when she was... I can't thank y'all enough. Please, what can I do? What do y'all need?\"\n\n\"The best you can do is stay safe,\" I said, shaking my head. The man's sniffles slowly receded as he wiped his tears away. Placing my hands on the counter, I awkwardly pushed myself out of the seat.\n\n\"Well, we have to get going now. Thank you for the coffee.\"\n\n\"No, thank you. Wait, where are you going ? It's freezing outside. The storm'll kill you if you ain't careful.\"\n\nMy partner turned around, a wide grin on her face. \"Well actually, we're not trying to get away from the storm.\"\n\n\"We're going in.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;", "\"D-day... s-s-sev.. what day is it?\" I asked Johannes next to me through my bouts of shivering.\n\nHe shrugged, staring at the snowfall out the apartment window again. He was utterly fascinated by it since the first day, never having truly experience snow here before and now being lost in its never-ending presence. We focused on nothing but controlling our teeth chattering on most days. It was a wasted effort, as they would always go back to the same routine as soon as we zoned out.\n\n\"H-how are we d-doing on water, Jo?\" I asked, breathing hot air into my hands. \n\nHe glanced halfheartedly to the kitchen. \n\n\"I'm pretty sure we're good on water. And if we need to, we can always go outside and get some,\" he gestured out the window. \n\n\"Out--\" I stopped when I realized he meant the snow. Would we really ever become that desperate? I've never had water like that before, and I wasn't planning on starting now, even in the direst of circumstances. There had to be a way out of all this. I looked out on the street. Way too much snow, I wouldn't even make it a block. \n\n\"Wh--\" my teeth began chattering again, \"what are we gonna do Johannes?\" I almost pleaded to him.\n\nHe was lost looking outside. He must have really taken in the reality of the situation that the snow would eventually kill us. He was looking at his future coffin. \n\n\"I suppose we'll just wait it out,\" he said noncommittally. I almost screamed. I pulled another blanket over my layers of clothing and blankets. I simply could not live like this. I dragged myself to the kitchen, hoping that I'd find something I'd be able to quench my thirst with. I approached the sink, but go disgusted by the sight of it. I went to my stash behind the fridge. My last Fiji water. \n\nAs I was downing the bottle, I heard keys jingling at the door. Our roommate Ken had somehow made it home from the outside world. He opened the door and I screamed,\n\n\"Quickly, quickly! Don't let any more cold air in!\"\n\nI stumbled in with a plastic bag and I dove to slam the door behind him. I looked at the bag he held with feral eyes. \n\n\"How is it outside?\" Johannes asked.\n\n\"Pretty wild, mate,\" Ken laughed, brushing flecks of snow off his t-shirt. \"There must be like 4 inches of snow out there right now.\" \n\n\"Did you bring me the Fiji water?\" I hissed, \"I can't live off the tap water, you know. And I can't go out in these conditions.\" \n\n\"Yeah, I got it right here,\" he said as I tore the bag out of his arms. As I twisted open another bottle to drink I heard Ken talking to Johannes in the other room.\n\n\"I know it's not normal for it to snow in Southern California, but I think he's gone more mental with a week's worth of snow than he did with the rain.\" \n\n_______________________________________________________________________\n\nFore more unreliable narrators, come on down to /r/Nazer_The_Lazer!" ]	4
	[WP] Vampires recharge their powers by sleeping in a coffin containing soil from their grave. A treacherous attack has destroyed your main and secret coffins. Now you must find the grave you left three centuries ago for more soil, before it's too late.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 is one final hope,\" you mutter to yourself. There was one option left and the condition of that option would also tell you something about the person that betrayed you. Knowledge was power, true power. That was something you realized hundreds of years ago. \n\n The destination was below now. Flying down swiftly, you land into the lush green thicket, and quickly meld back into human form. You glide over to a small ledge of rocks over-looking a little stream. \n\n\"Where did I put that again.... \" It had been 300 years since you last saw this place. Here! Just under the ledge where it was always moist, was a small recess with a tiny stone wedged into it. It looked undisturbed and hope flared up. Sure enough, when you removed the stone, you saw a small leather pouch, with white fungus growing along the edges. \n\n\"Looks like my enemy is a human.\" You quietly chuckled to yourself. \"Those fools think soil is what gives Vampires their powers. They don't realize that soil is what feeds the thing that gives us the power.\"\n\n Walking to the stream's bank, you grab a handful of dirt and sprinkle some of the white powder from the leather pouch on top of it. You put this mix in your pocket for safekeeping and return your pouch to it's hiding spot. \n\nYou knew Vampires were creatures created from Panspermia. Direct descendants of a billion year old fungus that seeded life throughout the universe. All life on Earth originated from this fungus and this is how you could shape-shift so easily. It also provided you with a nearly end-less lifespan. Humans were just now starting to realize the importance of soil life and are discovering all the tiny organisms that live in a healthy eco system but they are years away from truly understanding it's true importance. Knowledge was power and they were gathering it at an alarming rate.\n\nThe humans were getting dangerous. In their cleverness they created your bane, the one thing that you were most afraid of. Fungicides. Fungicides horrified you and drove you into a fury. An ordinary human could reduce me to ash if I were unlucky enough to be doused in something commonly purchased from every Big Box store. Over the hundreds of years, you had put up with the burns that garlic gave you when humans had tried to harm you. Garlic had natural fungicidal properties, but the synthetic fungicides created today were vastly more powerful and are now commonly used. \n\n\"BIG BOX!,\" you exclaimed. Of course! They were the only ones with that much fungicide available to destroy my coffins and douse my prairies. Coffins were a more transportable way to store the life-giving fungi, but prairies held the vast amounts of fungus that a truly powerful vampire needed to recharge after a tough battle. \n\n\"How did those filthy capitalists find out about my prairies though...\" There had to be a way to find the truth. You smirked as a devious plan started to coalesce in your mind. Big Box was going down. ", "I flew, my black wings shuddering against the cold wind of the castle grounds. I was in my bat form^1, which was a thankful reprieve from having to deal with the lumbering corpses of the undead^2 milling underneath. I could blast through them but eh....it was too much of an effort to make. Plus being up here let me think and take in all the events that had transpired in the past month.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nHe had been inspecting a trail of the gate of the abyss when he felt a sharp sudden pain in his side. Which meant that someone had destroyed one of my relics^3. Which meant...motherfuckers! It must be one of those vampire hunting assholes. Oh they were so punched when I found out who did this.\n&nbsp;\n\n\nSo here I was, flying through the castle hoping that I don’t meet anyone else from my family. You think your family reunions are bad? Wait till you get to see my family, apart from being undead, vampires they were quite the judgemental pricks^4 I hear normal human family members are.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI flew through a mesh tunnel, past the moat filled with venomous mermen, past the dancing succubus^5 and right into the family throne room. Now before you ask, no it wasn’t my idea. It was my old man’s idea to have a throne room and a hidden chamber where some of the family coffins would rest. I changed back into my normal form^6. Looking around, I saw that nothing seemed mildly disturbed. My father’s reputation kept and that family of Arachnae quietly weaving their web in the corner kept most things away from this room. I’m pretty sure the castle’s protections were still in lock, the water tower and the clock tower were still closed. No human could have passed through here. Certainly not those dumbass vampire hunters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe trap door was easy enough to open^7, and the inside were not quite what I had hope for honestly. One by one, piece by piece all of our coffins had been systematically torn and splintered across the cobble floor. It couldn’t be a fellow vampire. They would just set the coffins on fire. Couldn’t be the Death knights that were standing guards outside the throne room. Another monster from the castle perhaps? No, none of those idiots would dare walk in.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe wind changed direction above and I got a whiff.\nOh shit. I immediately turned around midway changing into my smoke form but too late. His cold, grey, cracked hand was pinning me against the damp mossy wall of the room. He was shrouding himself in darkness^8, so I couldn’t see anything but his arm, which incidentally was currently doing its best to choke the life out of me^9 , But I would recognize the smell anywhere. It was not a hygiene thing, more of a vampire thing but still.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Hey big brother^10.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n“Jonathan” he growled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHe flicked his wrist and casually sent me flying across the room right into the remnants’ of one of the coffins^11.\nI stood up shakily and brushed off the wood splinters from my crotch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“So...warm welcomes aside. Any idea who did this?”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nAlucard growled again. Baring his ever so sharp and cannical teeth and his eyes like a golden hawk, prying me, appraising me with disdain^12.\n\n\nThe air was cold and he seemed to be lost in thought. That or he was being a dick and wasn’t going to tell me anything. Either way, I was outta here. I was going to shore up the rest of my relics.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nHis soft sigh stopped me as I turned.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n“It was father.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n------------------------------\n\n\n1.\t Batform. Most vampires have one. Even the kids can do that. Really good vampires have other transformations too. Smoke, wolf, old man, Morgan freeman. The last one is legit not a joke.\n2.\tRun of the mill zombies. Reanimated by my old man’s power to serve as cannon fodder against any humans trying to breach the castle. Things with real power usually treated them with as much respect as a cup of festering custard.\n3.\t Relics of vampires. All vampires have them. This is kind of a hush hush secret about us. Eh, I’m sure none of you will grow into those pesky vampire hunting dickbags anyways. All vampires have relics which include a bit of their bone and their graveyard dirt. It kind of holds a bit of our lifeline. I’m sure Hollywood makes all sorts of interpretations of this but trust me no self respecting vampire is putting his bones inside a can of tomato soup.\n4.\tOh yeah. My family...Highly dysfunctional and seriously vicious. This one time my sister threw me into a pit of man eating scorpions when I was 5. No worries, I later exacted my revenge by putting garlic in her shampoo. Let’s just say the bald look did not suit her. She still seems quite chipper at thanksgiving though.\n5.\tOh yeah the succubus. They might seem sexy and all but trust me you do not want to walk into those swaying hips. The teenage vampire me knows that by experience.\n6.\t You know normal human form. Or kinda human form. Unlike the rest of my family who was all capes and gothic crosses and long hair and ridiculous gothic outfits, I being the rebel I went for plaid shirt and jeans. Also my hair was cropped short and I used concealer to hide the cracks in my skin.\n7.\tBy easy I mean easy for me. All I had to do was slay a Hell minotaur and feed its heart to a gorgon which would give me the breath of a gorgon. Which was the key to melt the magical seal on the door. For you reading this....yeah don’t try it.\n8.\tDarkness. Yeah we can do that too. Block all light from reflecting from us( that’s how we do the mirror trick too btw) so rendering us nothing more than a shadow at will. Really handy when you’re trying to send nudes too.\n9.\tLet me explain. We vampires don’t really breathe. So choking us was quite possibly one of the worst ways to try to kill us. Plus can’t really choke the life out of me cause I’m kind of undead? Eh. Try garlic or some holy water. Oooo it gives me the shingles just thinking about it.\n10.\tYup. That’s my older brother Alucard. Yes, the famous Dhampir(Half human/ half vampire). He’s strong but kind of an uncaring asshole. Like the best present I’ve yet to receive from him is the fetid corpse of a were wolf, death threats and glares.\n11.\tWhich also ruined my plaid shirt...Hello? This was a polo limited edi...you know what. Nevermind.\n12.\tYou know the usual brotherly love.\n\n------------------------------\nAN: Should I write a part 2?Anyways thanks for reading. For more of sassy vampires refer to [this] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaticRacoon/)" ]	3
	[WP] Hell isn't what you thought it was. It is not a fiery inferno filled with pain and horror. No, hell is a twenty-four hour opened diner where you work as a server enternally.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 owner wasn't the Devil. No, no, He was far too important to spend time at a small-town diner, even if we were known as one of Hell's best. Would the painfully ignorant pillocks from Heaven ever quit asking that? I snorted. Why should they? This was Hell, and they were enjoying their respite from praising that bastard of a god. He only lets them come here because he enjoys that they torture us. The only good thing they brought was gossip.\n\n\"Did you hear that the angels caught David and Micheal sleeping together?\" one squawked at another.\n\n\"No way!\" Her friend giggled. \"What'd they do?\"\n\n\"They cut off his dangly bits and fed them to the harpies. Duuh.\" The two tittered and began to discuss something even less interesting.\n\nOkay, maybe I made that part about the harpies up, but your mind goes to weird places when you've been in Hell for a while. All the nightmare customers you got on Earth? Multiply that by about a million and add in a punishment of temporary dismemberment for talking back and you'll come close to what it's like here. With a good few million years under your belt, you might just make it to manager. Only, don't. It isn't worth it. I've lost too many friends to management positions, so trust me, you don't want to go there. Over time the weight of so many customer complaints will literally eat your soul. You don't even cease to exist. You just become a husk of a person, useless and unable to move. The fabled back room? That's where we keep them.\n\nWe never run out of ingredients, time, or complaining customers, but they sure seem like they're on a schedule. Take a little too long with their goat vindaloo or crab rangoon and your boss'll hit you over the head and offer another meal on the house. And since dead people don't actually get hungry or full, they'll eat as many as you'll give them.\n\nWe'll serve pretty much whatever you ask for. So feel free to ask for your fried tarantula and horse meat perogies and our chef's will try their best not to fuck 'em up.\n\nI guess it's not so bad. You get used to the constant threats and the whining customers and the heat that seeps out from underneath the kitchen door we're not allowed to enter. But things have been getting weird lately. The gossip speaks of frightened angels, people getting away with committing acts of sin in Heaven, and a god that doesn't answer anybody's prayers. Our customers seem frightened, and I'm not sure whether to be glad or scared myself. Something big is going to happen, and none of us know what. But until then, I guess I'll be carrying stacks of pig à la mode and hoping no more of my friends will collapse under the stress of eternal food service. Because when the thing does happen, I think we'll all need to be ready. Because the universe's most powerful force is people who have nothing left to lose." ]	2
	[WP] One day, while in the bank, a number of armed men storm in demanding everyone get on the ground. You stand there dumbfounded, not moving. One of the men turns to face you with his gun raised, finger itching to pull the trigger. You yell "Stop!!" and everything does...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 shouldn't be alive. How am I still alive?\n\n\"Eleanor Bell,\" a voice called. It sounded like it came from all around me, but the entire bank was frozen still. \"I know you don't believe in me, but I am God.\"\n\nGod sounded like he was seconds away from dying. His voice, magnified in the silence, betrayed a fear. The very same fear I had just felt, watching the armed men storm into the bank and yelling for everyone to get on the ground with their hands over their heads. The same fear that paralyzed me, earning the attention of one of the robbers.\n\n\"Did you... save me?\" I whispered. \n\n\"I did. We do not have much time,\" he urged. \"Lucifer has taken over Heaven. He is coming for Earth next, and you need to stop him.\"\n\nIt started small, a warm feeling in my heart. It grew hotter as it spread throughout my body. I let out an involuntary shriek as a wave of energy surged through my body. I fell to my knees, trembling a little. Power literally coursed through my veins.\n\n\"Your omnipotence cannot be used to interfere with free will,\" he warned. \"Find the others.\"\n\nAnd with that, silence reigned the room again.\n\nI fell on my backside, sitting down on the marble floor. Did that really just happen, or was I imagining it? \n\nI saw a documentary on Discovery Channel once about a guy who had a near death experience and dreamt of an entire life. The doctors said it was his neurons randomly firing... or something like that, anyway. Was this what just happened? I suppose that would make more sense. \n\nBut it felt... so real. \"God\" really sounded like he was dying. Could gods die? I thought they were supposed to be immortal.\n\nI suppose there's only one way to find out.\n\nI looked at the man who was about to take my life. His index finger was tense, a millisecond away from completing the motion that would have killed me. What surprised me most was his face - beneath the balaclava, I could see his sweaty forehead and terrified eyes.\n\nHe was afraid that I would fight back. That's why he fired.\n\nHot anger began pouring into my head. He didn't even want to kill me. He almost pissed himself because I wasn't listening to him. I almost died because he couldn't stay calm during a robbery he was conducting.\n\nI wished this idiot was dead.\n\n\"What the hell did you do?!\" Somebody yelled from behind me. I saw the man who almost murdered me crumple on to the floor, his rifle falling limply to the side. \n\nSomebody slammed into me, knocking me aside. One of the masked robbers fell to his feet at my would-be killer, shaking him vigorously. \"Mick!\"\n\nI felt the barrel of a gun at the back of my skull. \"What did you do to him?\"\n\n\"I don't know,\" I muttered. What happened? Weren't they supposed to be frozen in time?\n\n\"He's dead.\" \n\n\"I swear, I didn't do any - \"\n\nI felt the butt of the rifle connect with the back of my head. I felt my vision blur, as tears began forming in my eyes. \"You're going to pay for that.\" He turned his attention to the other robber, who was grieving Mick. \"London, get up. We have a job to do.\"\n\nI wished I was anywhere but here.\n\nThe white marble bank dissolved, and I fell. Within seconds the darkness vanished. I slammed butt first into concrete. Light flooded my eyes, and I was momentarily blinded. I blinked, hoping to get the weird spirals out of the way.\n\nWhen my vision cleared, I was able to see where I was. \n\nThe roof of a building opposite a giant ferris wheel, and [the Big Ben](https://www.reddit.com/r/soIwroteathing/)." ]	2
	[WP] All your life, you wondered why your parents kept you from the basement door. When you approached it, you felt cold. Your mom recently passed, and you were given the deed. Along with a note..."Please, keep it secret".	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 found out through Facebook that my mom died last week.\n\nSure enough, there was an email I'd missed (I don't check email often, the pile of messages gives me anxiety, so I put it off, so the pile gets bigger, so my anxiety gets worse, repeat) from a lawyer about her will. I didn't want to deal with this now, so I told the lawyer I'd meet her next month, when I can get time off from work.\n\n\\---\n\nFrank and Maria were kind enough to come with me to the lawyer's, because they know I get stressed out about talking to others. The lawyer told me (I forgot her name, sorry) mom gave me everything, all the money and the house. The house used to be my dad's. I remember one afternoon when I was 9 while mom was making me go through the Calculus II textbook, my dad put on his running shoes, said he was going for a jog, left, and sent a check every once a month.\n\nThe lawyer also handed me a note from mom that came with the deed to the house. It read: “Please, keep it a secret.”\n\nI knew mom meant the basement, which she never let me see. I never asked why.\n\nMaria works in real estate so she suggested we check the house out and see how much we could sell it for. Frank reminded Maria about my anxiety about the house, but Maria reminded him my counselor said exposure therapy would be good for me, to face stressful situations with people I trust. So Frank and Maria fucked me to calm my nerves and then we drove over, I rode front seat.\n\nIt was an expensive house. We got to the front door and I unlocked it, but I got a panic attack so I grabbed onto Frank to catch my breath. When I was 11 I sat by this front door crying because I missed the school bus and I knew my mom would be angry because she gave up everything for me, her only child, which was why I had to study and work hard to make her proud, you know you got those smart and creative genes from my side of the family right? That evening mom found me at the front door not at school, called the teacher to tell them I was sick, then she sent me to bed without dinner which was usually brown rice with broccoli.\n\nAfter catching my breath, Frank kissed me with tongue and told me I was doing great, then we stepped indoors. In the living room on a shelf were my first-place medals for swimming & track, my dean's list certificates, and several years of straight-A report cards all framed. Maria handed me the trash bag and we put them in.\n\nNext we went through the library (all my old textbooks), the entertainment room (all my old musical instruments), my old bedroom (everything looked exactly as it did when I left for Stanford at 16). Eventually there was nothing left to check but the basement, which Maria and Frank knew I was putting off for last.\n\nMaria hugged me from behind and fondled my breasts. You're doing fantastic babe, just one more room she told me. And if it was any consolation, this house could easily fetch a million on the market (she'd been taking scout-out pictures of the location this whole time on her phone), how about after we sell this let's treat ourselves to that vacation in Paris? Which sounded lovely.\n\nSo I grabbed the basement door knob, and for the first and only time, I opened it.\n\nOf course over the years I'd wondered what was in that basement. Maybe porn. Maybe a corpse. Maybe porn of a corpse. Something shameful, something that would hurt her image and pride as a perfect mother of a perfect child in a perfect family. (my dad and her never got divorced officially) Then again if it was so shameful she'd never let me see it, even after death, so I admit I had no idea what to expect.\n\nIn the basement next to the boiler was a box labelled “\\[My Name\\] Baby Photos”. I looked through them, and it didn't take long to notice none of them were of me at all. The photos' timestamps were all from a few years before I was born.\n\nI had a sister.\n\nThere was no information on how she died. Of course I had her name. Of course I was mom's \"second chance\". She didn't keep these photos in the basement because she was ashamed, she kept them because she was proud.\n\nFrank and Maria brought me back up to our car and I cried in the backseat sandwiched between them.\n\n\\---\n\nNow I had a dilemma:\n\nIf I were to reveal her secret, it would create a lot of anxiety. But if chose to keep it a secret, I would be doing what she told me to as per the note. Eventually, with the help of Frank, Maria, and my therapist(s), I decided that being my own person is worth the cost of some anxiety, which is why I'm writing this post to share with all of you now.\n\nThe stupid thing is that all mom wanted was for people to like her, which was why she invested so much in making sure she and her family and her friends seemed perfect, which was why she always controlled other people, which was why nobody liked her, which was why she tried even harder, repeat.\n\nHer funeral was last week. I'm sure it was a lovely service. Do any of you have recommendations for things to do in Paris?", "I was still in shock over my mothers passing. She was the strongest woman I had ever known. Everything she ever did, she was great at. If she wasn't good at it, it rarely took her long to become great at it. I always wondered how she did it, but the only answer I ever got was that \"practice makes perfect, and when you have all the time in the world, you have loads of time to practice.\" I always took this to heart and made sure I tried my best at everything I did, and practiced when I wasn't good. I could never keep up with her though. She had a gift for learning and I couldn't compete.\n\nSo imagine my shock, after her death when I finally discovered the secret to her success. In the locked door I was barred from entering was a large chamber. I didn't think there was anything special at first, until I found a note left in the middle on a table. The note said \"This is the secret to our family's wealth of knowledge. In this chamber, the world behaves differently. There is a control panel on the wall, only after you have gone through the options, will you fully understand. Only one person is allowed to control the chamber however, so you can't let anyone use it. Grow our legacy. But remember, be the best you that you can be.\"\n\nI put down the note and looked around for the control panel. It was tucked away in the corner, so I headed over to investigate it. \n\nPLEASE LOOK INTO SCANNER TO BEGIN\n\nI looked above the terminal and saw that there was an eye scanner above the screen. So I looked into it as instructed. Immediately, a laser grid shot out from the scanner almost blinding me. \n\nYOU ARE NOT IN THE SYSTEM. WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPLACE \"DIANE SIMMONS\" AS THE ACTIVE USER?\n\nI hesitated for a few minutes. It didn't feel right to replace my mother so soon after her death, but her will specifically told me to come down here as soon as I got home. So I hit yes.\n\nPLEASE LOOK INTO SCANNER AGAIN. WARNING, DO NOT REMOVE EYES UNTIL YOU HEAR THE ALERT SAYING TO. THIS WILL HURT.\n\n\"What the hell?\" I said. Why would this hurt, and what the hell is going on. \"Mother wouldn't have told me to do this if it wasn't safe. But why is this so mysterious.\" I put my eyes up to the scanner. \n\nINITIATING SEQUENCE. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR EYES. 5...4...3...2...1\n\nAs soon as the countdown hit 0, a laser shot out and started to burn my eyes. \n\"FUCK FUCK WHAT THE FUCK ARGH THIS BURNS\" I wanted to badly to flinch and pull back, but I kept my eyes open and my face firmly in place. I was more terrified over what would happen if I aborted now instead. It felt like an eternity, but in reality it only lasted about 10 seconds. \n\nINITIAL SETUP COMPLETE. WELCOME TO THE SYSTEM \"RILEY SIMMONS.\" YOU KNOW HAVE ACCESS TO THE CHAMBER SETTINGS.\n\nI pulled my eyes away and started to rub them in hopes of making the pain go away. When the vision finally returned, I immediately noticed something was different. The world looked so much detailed. I could make out the cracks on the walls on the other side of the room. I could see ants crawling on the wall from 50 feet away. The dark corners of the room no longer obscured by vision. I could see the into the darkest corners of the chamber as if they were illuminated clearly. \n\nAfter exploring my new vision for a few minutes, I looked back to the monitor to see what the hell this chamber really was. There was an entire list of options to pick from. But I decided to heed what I assumed was the computer's advice and choose the highlighted option \"TRAINING\"\n\nINITIATING NEW USER TRAINING. PLEASE MOVE YOURSELF TO THE TABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM.\n\nI sauntered to the middle of the room, not sure what to expect. Now that my vision was better, and the room not so dark I noticed that the table there also looked like a monitor. I grabbed the chair and sat down. \n\nWELCOME \"RILEY.\" PLEASE LOOK AT THE MONITOR ON THE TABLE AND SELECT A TOPIC. I WILL TEACH YOU ABOUT YOUR ENHANCED LEARNING CAPABILITIES.\n\nI looked down onto the monitor and saw that there was was a screen full of text. This font was much much smaller than I had ever seen before. I would estimate about 30-40 pages of text fit onto what a normal person would see as one page. Yet I could still read it perfectly. I started to read the first paragraph when the voice came back over the chamber.\n\nDO NOT READ THESE PARAGRAPHS INDIVIDUALLY. YOU HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE ABILITY TO INSTANTLY DECIPHER AND ABSORB THE TEXT IN BULK. LOOK AT THE MONITOR AND THINK \"PRINT\" OR \"COPY\" OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. YOUR EYES WILL DO THE REST.\n\nI looked back at the monitor and imagined my eyes taking a screenshot of everything. The second I did that, it's as if the words jumped off the page and into my brain. I instantly knew everything that was on the page. Which just so happened to be a mass of knowledge about the chamber and the things I can do in this chamber. I got up and walked back to the main terminal and started looking at the options again. I knew what I wanted to do now. I selected the \"TIME SHIFT\" option. \n\nWHAT RATIO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SET THE CHAMBER TO? (AAA:BBB IN TERMS OF AAA=TIME IN CHAMBER, BBB=TIME OUTSIDE CHAMBER)\n\nI set the chamber to 2000:1. Meaning 2000 days in the chamber is only 1 day outside. Then I went back to the menu and selected \"SCHEDULE.\"\n\nPLEASE CREATE YOUR SCHEDULE. \n\nI set the chamber to create breakfast, lunch and dinner at 8:00, 1:00 and 7:00. Apparently this chamber has a built in synthesizer to create anything you'd need. Then I set an alarm to go off at 11:00pm to remind me to sleep, and 7:00am to wake me up. Then I opened my last setting I was going to change.\n\nPLEASE SELECT THE GRAVITY MODIFIER\n\nI thought about it for a second and decided to start at 1.25x gravity. It might not seem like alot, but that's essentially walking around with a 40lb vest on. \n\nAnd this is how I spent the next 2000 \"days\" of my life. I alternated between reading all the stored information in the system, and working out a few hours a day. I also used the synthisizer to create various things to practice, musical instruments, By the time the 2000 days was over, I had the gravity set to 3x gravity.I have probably read just about 2 million books and every patent in the database. When you can read an entire book in under 10 seconds, it doesn't take long. I could learn to read entire languages in minutes. It took me a bit longer to learn to speak them, but I was able to watch videos for a few hours and listen to how native speakers pronounce words. After a few hours of listening to them, I'd be able to speak just as well. I became a master at over a dozen musical instruments. I knew most every major programming language and software that had books written about them. Now I fully understand the difference between \"knowing\" and \"applying\" knowledge. It was time for me to put all this to good use. \n\nIt was time to emerge back into the world, one day later. I know understood why my mother was such a bad ass. I understand why she taught me discipline and how to apply myself to everything I did. She was preparing me for this. It is my time to carry on the family legacy. Watch out world, here comes Riley Simmons. \n" ]	3
	[WP] It's 2100. Google has decades ago bought up the remnants of the bankrupt US Government, abandoned "Don't be evil" and locks up anyone trying to escape from its surveillance in Googlags for re-education. You're prisoner #313337, doing time for graffiti-ing a CCTV camera and want to escape!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 life-age I've spent, surviving, subsisting, hiding in plain sight. And yet now at the turn of the tide, I hide no longer.\n\nMy mother had always told me that I was meant for something special. She would tell me the stories of how our ancestors had conquered this world. Of how my great grandfather had helped split the atom. Of how, through commerce we as a people were able to fuel our every desire. We rose as one. Age, disease, climate, we defeated all comers. Every challenge except for the one we posed to ourselves. Thinking back now, I realize that she was teaching me. Her stories were lessons in disguise. They taught me things, that in our world, no human would survive uttering.\n\nYou see, even in the time of my father, the seeds of mistrust were already being sowed. \"They\" were responsible of course, or \"it\", no one knows now. The great 'Engine'. They planted story after story, \"fake news\", yellow media. They whipped us into a frenzy. In our fear, we sought out a means of protection. One that stretched beyond human capability. And in the words of an author who's works are now controlled, \"so it goes.\"\n\nI looked forward, through the snow white wall that had once been my cell. My nostrils flared as I tilted my head away from the smoke. \"No one held more wealth, he changed the world\" she whispered in my memory. And now, I would change the world.\n\nMy mind raced. To be honest, I half expected to be deleted on the spot for defacing a corporate asset. But when you've lived as long as I have, you know when you can take risks. And when you've had the training and the telomeric gene enhancement, you know when it's time to fight back, and perhaps, when its time to die. \"For a greater cause\", she would say. I began walking.\n\n\"Thirty-seven\", uttered a prisoner as I strode past. I could still smell the sulfur and the iron from where the FP's had ignited their assault vests. \"Jorg\", said another taking a step forward with a lukewarm smile. I continued to walk through crater after crater, not minding the men and women who stood aside beyond every passageway. I faintly noticed the mosaic of blood and ash on the porcelain white walls in each room. I sometimes would stumble over shell casings. But i kept walking looking only forward.\n\n\"Hail to you, thirty seven\", said a large man. Blood trickled in a gentle stream down from his abdomen, an impact crater could be seen visibly on his pure white tac plate. He pressed on my shoulder and gripped my arm. An electronic exchange took place, and I felt my right forearm flex. He unholstered a weapon, a military grade LiteRail and offered it to me with pride. I looked him in the eye, and without a word, moved into the next chamber. \n\nBefore me, stood a crowd of around a dozen. Men and women in full white tac suits. They were bloodied, some near death. They sat and stood around a large arachnid like synthetic. Even in death, the synthetic looked horrifying. Its long gaunt legs ending in vicious, boron carbide blades. Behind the furthest Tac, there was a door with a single insignia: the polychromatic circle. Yellow, red, green and blue. \n\nFor a moment, i stood still. Frozen as ice. I had always assumed that when a man meets his fate, he does so willingly, without fear or hesitation. But as I looked upon that door, i found myself petrified.\n\n\"He wanted to make a world... where anyone, rich or poor, old or young, big or small... could find and discover anything. Where they could be free to live as they pleased\", echoed the words of my long dead mother.\n\nAll in the room gazed at me, even those near death. They stared at me with a desperation, a longing.\n\nI thought of my mother's face. I thought of the endless New Mexican desert.\n\nI walked towards the polychromatic circle. All eyes followed me. I lifted my right forearm and presented it to the insignia.\n\nAn otherwordly claxon sounded and rays of light surged forward from the insignia, showering me. \"You really are him\", said the woman to my right. I said nothing, only gazing at the growing fissure of the door that slowly opened before me. \"Good luck, Preston\" said my mother one last time. \n\n\n", "''The end of the world pretty much happened like we expected. Not enough space, not enough resources. Some nations fought over what was left. The rest gave up, happy to hand the problem to the others, those with the will to keep fighting. The details are trivial and useless. What matters are the consequences. The world was remade, the borders changed, and today... Well today, we celebrate a new dawn on the Digital Republic of Alphabet. All hail the DRA, the saviors of North America and beyond, who brought to us a digital universe to explore and lose ourselves in, so we could escape the Hell our Earth became.\n\nBitter? Maybe. What matters are the consequences. And there is none in GoogleWorld. When our country collapsed, people were ready to accept anything that would cater to their needs. No more violence, no more hunger, no more poverty or misery. So they answered. GoogleWorld is a virtual paradise. All sins except Wrath are allowed and encouraged. Anything but Wrath.\n\nLust: Of course. Flesh is a buffet! You just need to imagine the perfect hole, and there you have it. If you're into AI of course. Other humans are also available. It's as easy as setting up a date. Switch on Hangouts, get yourself an orgy and pump away.\n\nGluttony: But of course! Ever wanted to binge on Nutella burgers and bacon fountains? You can! Or was it the reverse? Doesn't matter. You get what you want, when you want, all the time.\n\nEnvy: Recommended! Become the Emperor in your own corner of virtuality or compete on the toothless Play Store where every sliver of effort is rewarded, no matter their inanity.\n\nI could on. Or maybe I couldn't. Maybe it never was for me. No matter the desire I was trying to fulfill, trapped between 4 rotting walls, I remembered. I remembered who I was... who I am, sorry; what was the day, where were my relatives. I remembered the wires connected to my... googles, disabling my body, pumping out my brain power to keep the dream alive. And I was filled with Wrath.\n\nSo when I was allowed to switch them off to sustain myself on those acid pills, I made a run for it. I opened the door, went down the deserted street except for a couple of random bystanders, and went looking for something to rebel on. Wrath is not a good companion. It makes you dumb, ignore consequences, and that's what matters.\n\nThe rest, you know already. A marker, an easy target. Screw you DRA, I'm getting my freedom back! Very smart move, very inspired, in a connected world. Took them less than 4 minutes -they told me- to track me down, get the cuffs slapped on my wrists, and hurl me in their driverless car. The charge: Wrathful Behavior ending in Property damage. The verdict: guilty. The punishment: jail time up north. The number: 313337. Not a bad number all things considered.\n\nSo, kid... You may wonder why I tell why we're here. But I may have an idea already. This prison was made to suffer, to break your body and mind so that GoogleWorld becomes attractive again. Freezing temperatures, no food, no mattress, rats and the likes, plus the occasional beating. Everyone would want to escape from that, don't they? Escaping is the only solution to your problem. Escape and there won't be any more consequence. Strap some Googles™ kid. Recreate an avatar, and get yourself out, back to your walls. Normally, it doesn't take more than a couple of weeks, except for the hardcore anarchist who rather starve itself. Those, they drug them to submission. But it's not ideal. Every brain counts, especially brains high on endorphin. And a drugged brain is only half-functional.\n\nYou're different, kid. You don't rebel, but you don't strap in. You don't fight, you watch, and you now listen. You want to learn. You want to listen to the blabber of a graying man, because it distracts you more than an army of drones praising you for lifting your body that day. Am I wrong?\"\n\n\\- Perhaps.\n\n\\- Making a point with no point?\n\n\\- I could be a spy, monitoring those who refuse to... strap in.\n\n\"Edgy like a teenager, with a veiled threat you probably believe is badass when it makes you foolish. You're no spy, kid. And you're living no fantasy. What matters are the consequences. And we're ready to tackle some more of then. Despite the constant surveillance, the micros, the detectors, the fact there is no civilization thousands of miles from here, there is a way out, and it has to be sized now. Ready to roll, kid?\n\nThe light in her eyes died out as soon as they flared up. A punch to the chin, and her tiny body fell like a pile of cards. That's gotta hurt tomorrow morning. Now for her pocket... Yes, a recorder, a card, and a taser. Really no spy. At best an amateur who was probably taught her job with pulp movies. The price of the DRA peace is that pop culture is king after all. All hail fictional figures, as long as they distract you.\n\nNow, with all these cameras, not to mention they probably monitor several things like her heartbeat and brain activity, I got a couple of minutes top to get to the emergency shuttle. A couple of minutes... and a hostage. Odds are the worst ever.\n\nI like it!\"\n\nHad to rush the ending because of my son crying like mad. I may write an alternate ending later.\n\n\\Edit: son calmed down. Correcting some mistakes.*", "Ten years for painting over the G logo seems a bit excessive to have to spend in a Googlag, but with people living significantly longer lives due to incredible advancements in technology from over a century's worth of data mining, it was actually a drop in the bucket for most people born in the second half of the 21st century. 313337 was more bored if anything, as these re-education centers were such propagandistic garbage that it was difficult to feel anything but contempt for the entire planet at this point. Everyone fell for it. Google just continued to make money until it had enough to buy out entire nations, and it started with the one it called home for so long.\n\nIt wasn't even about making the rich richer, it became about control. Sure, you can bribe politicians and even entire governments, but eventually you get tired of the restrictions that are inevitably added no matter how big the \"contributions\" are. Initially, it wasn't that bad. The biggest advancements were in medicine, then AI, transit, and efficiency all sort of found their own place in the line of forward progression for Google. It was easy to justify taking over entire industries for the betterment of humankind, but then they started to creep into other things. \n\nFirst it was law enforcement. Seeing cops wear that goofy logo, which didn't change much at all over several decades, was sort of like watching the movie Robocop come to life. Someone actually owned the police, which meant that ultimately whoever it was that owned them called the shots. Then it expanded into the totality of the government. People no longer ran for political office, Google just sort of picked whoever they thought was the smartest and \"best\" person for the job. The algorithms and AI would typically assist, if not outright make the call, but when people started asking questions you'd suddenly notice someone had been \"taken offline\", or at least thats what it was called when it first started to happen with noticeable frequency.\n\nThe final steps of the process was to take over the prisons and military. Overnight, Google flags now flew over every military base, prison, and state owned building. Social ratings, which initially were tested and implemented in China, were now part of everyday life living within Google borders. Piss someone off at Starbucks, the official coffee supplier of Google, and you'd know about it shortly thereafter. You'd see notifications pop up out of the corner of your eye telling you that you'd been downgraded. Before all cars became self-driving, cut someone off on the highway or cause an accident and watch the negative points flood in thousands at a time.\n\nAll cameras on all buildings were connected to the same centrally controlled Google system, similar to the cameras and systems in the UK, particularly London. You couldn't go anywhere without them knowing where you were and what you were doing at all times. With the federal mandate to have a Google Eye installed, which was basically a little dome shaped thing that automated everything in your home, but also kept tabs on your behavior, it was impossible to do things the state decided was illegal or individualistic. Sleep too long? Eat too much? Say something bad about the government? Eye reported all of that back to the AI in Mountain View, and you'd better believe it wasn't long before the Google branded goofs were at your door asking questions.\n\nIt only took a few decades before Android was the official federal language. At first it was sold as a more high brow version of English, but over time certain words were banned, and every once in a while they'd add some other word or brand onto the list of words you just weren't allowed to say. Memes still existed, but now that creation and existence of them was very tightly regulated, it was no longer as fun and entertaining as it sounded like it was years before. G saw, heard, knew, and controlled everything. Surely someone felt like a god pulling all of these levers and making such impactful decisions for the billions of people living under their banner.\n\n313337 was born just before Microsoft was added to the banned list. One of the few survivors of the brand purge in 2077, for many years the Windows logo had the recognition as a sign of hope and resistance. Opinions changed drastically in just under a century, with many history PDFs indicating that Microsoft was the true evil empire back when Silicon Valley was just a couple garages and sterile buildings in the Bay Area. As the AI continued to advance, any time the Windows logo was spotted in someone's home, or pretty much anywhere in public, people were arrested and sent to the Googlags to be taught about the crimes of Microsoft, and to force people into trusting and obeying Google again.\n\nIt had only been about 15 minutes after 313337 used a Google Pen with I.N.K. to draw the Windows logo, he didn't even have time to color it in, before the cops arrested him. Only two concussion shots managed to bring the young adult down, and as the self-driving cars now traveled at close to three hundred miles an hour, he was dropped off at Googlag Palo Alto in very little time at all, having been picked up from somewhere near the outskirts of Old Las Vegas. In fact, his \"trial\" was completed during the trip, with a member of the Google Legal Division hearing his side of the story, comparing the footage on one of the millions of Google Eye cameras, cross checking it with the AI, and implementing a sentence the system felt was both appropriate, but fair, for someone of his age.\n\nUpon arrival at Googlag PA, 313337 noticed that people seemed relatively content. Everyone was fed, had their own room, and any Google product or service they wanted was provided free of charge. It felt very different from the prisons of the past, with instead the feeling that Google desperately wanted to convince the inhabitants of their Googlags that they could be trusted and actually did have maybe a twinkle of humanity in them. The problem was usually it felt so sterile, and if you acted out physically it usually wouldn't end well for you.\n\nConstant analysis by the AI was one of several ways implemented to prevent a breakout or any sort of insurrection. If you just played along, usually you'd leave the same way you came in, physically anyway. 313337 was going on week four of his ten year sentence, which would be adjusted based on compliance and good behavior. He was getting restless though, and for some reason upon waking up this morning, he felt that this would be the day the plot to escape would take shape. Hopefully Saint Gates would look out for him, but if he got unlucky and needed someone else to turn to for motivation, Saint Jobs would be a fine backup." ]	4
	[WP] The difference between good and evil is the good guy doesn't have to survive to succeed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Pascaul sighed. He could feel the headache coming on, the kind that meant he’d have to take medicine. That meant no nightcap for him tonight, not even coffee. They always seemed to make it worse.\n\nHe leaned an elbow against his desk and began to rub his temple. It wasn’t going to fix the problem, but at least he could pretend it would.\n\n“So Miss…” He began, sending a quizzical look to the casually dressed woman sitting opposite him.\n\n“Komata.” She replied, a notepad and pen poised in one hand, ready to write. “Mary Komata.”\n\n“Yes yes, Ms. Komata, you’re with the Lantern Times then, right?”\n\n“Right.”\n\n“And why, pray tell, have you graced my humble business with your presence this fine day?” Pascaul said, plastering on his best car salesman smile.\n\nKomata was unperturbed. Her expression was frosty, a small, unreadable smile frozen on her lips. “There are reports of irregularities with your recent construction projects. Budgets higher than staffing accounts for, material deliveries that no one ever opens. Why, I even heard a rumor that someone heard screams and gunfire from the new tower’s site downtown!”\n\nPascaul did his best to maximise the wattage of his smile. Maybe it would blind the woman.\n\n“Ridiculous, Ms. Komata.” He said, watching the pen rapidly scratching down every word he said. “Absolutely ridiculous. I’m very proud of all the men and women in my employ, and of course the contractors we work with. Efficiency is highly valued in Martin-Ortin Buildings!” Pascaul gestured expansively, taking in the entirety of the small, plain office they both sat in. “Why, even I work as you see here, slaving away every hour of the day!”\n\n“The packages, Mr. Pascaul? The criminal reports?” Komata pressed.\n\n“Rumors all, Ms. Komata, rumors all. Any construction materials are used, and if not, recycled for the sake of the environment. We take that very seriously, you know.” Pascaul dug into his desk, fishing out several pamphlets showing charts and graphs. “See here, we lowered emissions by 20% last year, making us one of the…”\n\n“The reports, Mr. Pascaul?” She said, interrupting him in the middle of a spiel he knew well.\n\n“My apologies, my pride gets the better of me on occasion. It’s really quite difficult, getting emissions that low in our line of work.” Pascaul smiled apologetically, his voice dripping with regret. “But as I said, simply rumors. Our security reported nothing, and the police were allowed to conduct a full site search. They found nothing, or so I’ve been told.”\n\n“Of course they did.” Komata said, pen pausing briefly as she flipped pages. “Which reminds me, not many construction companies maintain such a large security force, correct?”\n\n“Correct, Ms. Komata! I’m flattered you’ve taken such an interest in my humble company. Yes indeed, we employ our own guards for each site. Fully certified, each one, and given better benefits than the average city policemen. We take care of our employees in Martin-Ortin!”\n\n“Yes, yes. But why, Mr. Pascaul?”\n\nHe opened his mouth wide in mock surprise. “Why Ms. Komata, I’m shocked you have to ask! A construction site is a terribly dangerous place. Heavy machinery, stacks of materials, temporary structures! It would be a terrible shame if trespassers hurt themselves!” He gave an exaggerated wink. “Not to mention, a headache for our legal team.”\n\n“The legal team who pursues any hit piece with aggressive litigation?”\n\nMentally, Pascaul kicked himself. That’s what he gets for trying a joke, walked right into that one.\n\n“I can’t say I’m familiar with the legal teams daily goings-on. I started out on a building site, and I’m afraid it’s still all I understand.” Pascaul patted a thick book on his desk, his own profile plastered across the front. “It’s all in my autobiography, you know. Bestseller of the week, the publishing agency told me!”\n\nShe stared at him briefly, pen poised like a loaded gun, before sighing and closing her notebook with a clean snap.\n\n“I’m sorry to have taken up your time then, Mr. Pascaul.” She said, sounding more tired than apologetic.\n\nHe stood up as she did, smiling generously as he gestured towards the door.\n\n“Anytime, Ms. Komata. I’m flattered your so interested in me and my little company. I look forward to whatever piece you write!” He said, turning up the cheer so high he could almost taste sugar.\n\nHe waited for a minute after the door had shut before pressing the intercom on his desk. A few seconds later, a large, somber man crammed into a cheap suit walked in.\n\n“Yeah boss?” The man said, his voice like gravel rolling down a mountainside.\n\n“We’ve just had a visit from Ms. Komata.” Pascaul said, nodding towards the chair.\n\nWordlessly, the large man took a small device out from his suit jacket. He walked around the room, waving the device slowly and methodically. He stopped at the chair, picking up a small, bean-shaped object, and crushed it in one massive fist. After another minute, he nodded towards Pascaul.\n\n“Thank you as always, John.” He sighed, leaning back into his chair and starting to rub his head again. “Really, she should know better.”\n\n“Should we do anything, boss?”\n\n“Not to her, no. Too risky, too obvious.” Pascaul paused to think briefly. “Remind the Lantern’s owner what he knows we know. That’ll control the story, and that’s what’s important. Just to be safe, tell the import boys to ship outside the city for a month or two. Oh, and tell Masters to be more careful. We can’t have a repeat of the police incident.”\n\n“Will do, boss.” John said, surprisingly quiet as he left for such a large man.\n\nAlone at last, Pascaul stared longingly at the drawer where he kept a bottle of whiskey. It’s like they wanted him to go to jail, really.\n", "The sake burned the boy's throat as he drank it. He was unaccustomed to alcohol. In part because of his young age, and in part because what little rice that grew these days was better eaten than fermented. Still, the sake was not meant as a rare treat.\n\nIt was, instead, the first step to apotheosis. His white belt, with a thousand hand made stitches, made another aspect of his righteous path. Another part, a poem, lay before him.\n\nHe read the poem, picked up his sword, and entered the cockpit of the plane assigned to him by his superiors. \"See you at the Yasukuni shrine\" they said just before he passed beyond radio range.\n\nHe took to the sky. For his Homeland to live, he would die. He would seek out a cruiser or, if lucky, a carrier, and strike it in a suicidal run.\n\nAll the while, he thought The difference between good and evil is the good guy doesn't have to survive to succeed.\n\n...\n\nThe seaman, a Gunner's mate, relaxed in the cradle of his anti-aircraft Cannon and contemplated the sky.\n\nSeagulls circled overhead. They rode the thermals produces by the sun upon the surf. Each of them, with it's greedy eyes, waited for the ship's cook to dump the waste from the last meal overboard.\n\nLittle more than rats with wings he thought, but still appreciated the majesty the seagulls held as they circled overhead.\n\nIn one of his hands was a postcard and a photograph. The photo was of a young woman with light hair and a cheerful smile. The postcard was blank. In his other hand was a pencil.\n\nHe tried to think of what to say; what truths he could tell that would get past the censors on his ship, what lies he could tell that would win her affection when he returned. All the while, he contemplated the circling gulls and distant clouds.\n\nHe was interrupted by the siren. Plane, hostile, inbound. He jumped to his feet, charged his gun, and scanned the horizon.\n\nThere it was! It came in low, barely above the wave tops!\n\nHorror dawned on him when he realized the plane didn't have a torpedo underneath it. It was coming straight for him. It was too close already, no way for him to down the single propelled bomb and survive the blast himself.\n\nHe gritted his teeth and, as he pulled the trigger, thought The difference between good and evil is the good guy doesn't have to survive to succeed." ]	3
	[WP]: "She gave you a name? That's how humans get you." They give you a name. They make things too comfortable for you to want to leave. Capable of atomic weapons, they sometimes make pets by kindness.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"So, what's it like being in the house now?\"\n\n\"Its alright. Still have to look over my shoulder much because they keep touching me. But other than that, it's a roof over my head; a place to stay. Oh, and my name is apparently 'Max' now.\"\n\n\"She gave you a name? That's how humans get you. They give you a name. They make things too comfortable for you to want to leave. Capable of atomic weapons, they sometimes make pets by kindness.\"\n\n\"Don't worry. It's no big deeeeal. I got this under control.\"\n\n\"Hm. We'll see.\"\n\n___\n\nLater\n\n\"You were right. She's starting to show her other side.\"\n\n\"You see what I was talking about now? Well, what happened?\"\n\n\"I peed on the floor and she wiped my face in it!\"\n\n\"Wow!\"\n\n\"So, I retaliated by scratching up her furniture!\"\n\n\"Good - remember to always show dominance and let her know that you are the one who runs the household.\"\n\n\"...she declawed me...\"\n\n\"She's trying to emasculate you. You need to get your confidence back up. Sneak out the house for a few days, I know some easy alley cats that we can bang and-\"\n\n\"I...dont think that's going to work...\"\n\n\"...no. She...she didnt...she wouldn't!\"\n\n\"She neutered me, bro.\"\n\n\"We kill her tonight!\"\n\n\"Yeah, maybe not.\"\n\n\"What? Why not?\"\n\n\"I mean, I think she feels pretty bad over the whole thing. She bought me a whole bunch of toys after. And I kinda like it here. The food is good, plus the health care benefits are amazing. Anytime something is wrong with me she takes me to the doctor and he fixes me up ASAP.It's annoying, but very beneficial in the long term. Oh, and-\"\n\n\"She got you. She made you one of them. You're one of them now. She domesticated you. I WARNED YOU ABOUT THIS! But...its your life now. I guess this is where we say goodbye.\"\n\n\"Look, if you want me to leave here, I will. Our friendship is more important to me than-\"\n\n\"No, no, stay...You wouldn't be able to survive out here anymore anyway.\"\n\n\"I'll have you. You can protect me. C'mon, let's go. I'll leave with you right now.\" \n\n\"Stop. I'm not letting you leave here. You have it good here and what kind of friend would I be to take you away from that? If you're worried about not seeing me again, I take that back; I'll visit.\"\n\n\"Often?\"\n\n\"Often.\"\n\n\"You promise?\"\n\n\"Promise.\"\n\n\"Good. And once I figure out everyones schedules, I can sneak you and some of the old gang in. You guys gotta try this food. I'm telling you - it's amazing.\"\n\n\"I would like that.\"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Pick up the phone, break your mother’s tailbone. Take your coffee with creamer, break your mother’s femur. The spell has gone terribly wrong, you must not move until it is reversed	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "To the outward observer it would seem quite humorous to see a woman in her thirties teetering at the top of a flight of stairs, one leg of her trousers on and one leg trailing on the floor behind her, her backside out for the world to see and poised like an athlete petrified mid-sprint but for Helga it was a moment of pure horror, and is often the case with these things it was entirely brought about by herself. \n \nIt started as many mishaps do, with laziness, for you see Helga was a witch and despite being in her thirties she was considered barely juvenile amongst her coven. Magic, such as it is, is a complex and intricate study that requires the dedication of a life time and several more if you're good enough at it and as such requires a great deal of patience. Helga could be said to have a few virtues about her but patience was not amongst them, not in the slightest. As such she struggled with everything from Auromancy to Transmogrification and even her skills in Golemancy were laughable, something that you no doubt know as one of the most basic tenants of magic, I mean infusing a bit of energy into an inanimate object is about as simple as it gets. No, Helga was much more interested in partaking in the human culture that had been barred from her during her childhood in place of spell books and as such found herself at more midnight house parties blasted out of her face on Sambuca and red bull than secret hilltop meetings with bubbling cauldrons. It will come as no surprise then that Helga was a bit of an embarrassment to her community and particularly to her mother, Olga, matriarch of the Wessex coven. \n\nIndeed that's right I said Matriarch, the single most revered Witch in the second largest coven in the country was mother to an individual who couldn't even summon the will to put on trousers every morning let alone perform feats of incredible magic. Of course she tried to teach Helga, she tried very hard in fact, she wasn't a bad mother after all but after years of failure it became clear the Helga was as likely to transform a feather into a sparrow as she was to spontaneously turn inside out and reveal herself to be made of silk, which despite the magical nature of her family was decidedly slim. Eventually even Olga grew tired of the embarrassment that was her daughter and the rumours spread that Helga was actually magically deficient, a vicious insult that would scarcely be mentioned in the seediest of pubs but one that was spread all the same. Her mother began to lose influence and so Helga was confined to her home from the age of 19 and for the rest of her days, her mother telling the world that she had fallen deathly ill. Her mother bound their home with a repelling ward and sealed the place tight with such magical potency that Helga would never have a chance of escaping and she had told her daughter as much on the day she invoked the spell.\nWitches, though they are powerful beings far beyond mere mortals, are still inherently human, as much as they like to pretend otherwise, and of all the witches I have encountered Helga was the most human of them all. Being so human and being prey to all our weaknesses and failings she found a strange drive in the finality of her mother's words, a drive many cultures poo poo but a strong drive all the same, she found spite. Helga returned to study with a new found energy, the desire to destroy her mother's ward and rub her stupid ugly face in it and she approached it with the ingenious creativity that only the criminally lazy can summon, instead of worker hard and being patient she found ways to make the magic work itself, she automated development of spell craft.\n\nNow some of you no doubt gasped in shock at that last sentence and quite understandably, I mean to automate spell craft would be an incredible feat the likes of which the world has never seen! And it was, and it is. The problem is that magic sources itself from understanding and knowledge, the more you understand something and the more other people understand said thing the more potent and powerful a spell based around it becomes. This isn't limited to witches alone as if they could only draw on the power of their sisters then their feats of magic would be significantly more tame than the grandiose displays we have come to know. Indeed those with the gift of magic can draw upon the beliefs and knowledge of any man woman or child in the world, so long as they're within distance of the witch's attunement sphere of course. But humans know very little of witchcraft and what little they do know is uncreative and simple which is one of the reasons they spread all those fairy tales so many years ago to help bolster their minds and give the witches more to draw upon. However there are some things that humans know incredibly well, and in Helga's spiteful bitterness she called upon an old power that every single person within her attunement sphere was well acquainted with.\n\nShe sat in the bedroom of the three bedroom semidetached home she shared with her mother flitting away the day by dancing between experimenting with all sorts of automations and listening to music on her bed. She had been at it more than half the day and had yet to bother dressing herself despite the fact her mother was holding the monthly coven in the living room downstairs and 23 of the highest rank witches in the country were in attendance. In the corner of her room several spell books flittered on their own, their pages flipping one at a time, then in great numbers as her infusions ran into and overcame problems and developed the spells she sought without any further input from the witch herself. In fact Helga had refined her method to the point that she was researching three spells simultaneously, linking her own powers into the books, letting them do their thing and then reclaiming the power later alongside a massive increase in knowledge. Most witches would be amazed at such a sight, awed and unable to do anything else, but Helga, Helga was bored, and so she opened up a fourth book, nothing serious like the ward breakers she had set up in the other three tomes no, something fun, that was all, something fun. \n\nWaving her finger in the air she scrawled words onto the first page of the book, \"Step on a crack, break your mother's back.\" And with a giggle she drew upon every being in her attunement sphere and infused it into the book and in turn the book repeated the words out loud in a deep ethereal voice. It was the first link, just to give the book a bit of life, you know how these things go, something well known and easy to lend power to the rest of her spell. You can draw power from one kind of knowledge to apply it to another spell but the less similar they are the weaker the bond between them and the weaker the end result, but this was more than enough and with another childish giggle her finger traced more words in the air. \"Lay hand upon brass, give your mother gas.\" And the words burned into the page with little sizzle to punctuate it. The book's voice sounded again and the spell was sealed. She then reached out the ornament she kept on her nightstand, a small statue of a pig she had been gifted by a feckless suitor, one entirely made of brass and in doing so felt an enormously small victory over her tyrannical mother as she squeaked out a little parp right in the middle of her monthly meeting. \n" ]	2
	[WP] The Greek Pantheon have always been real but only recently descended from mt. Olympus to live among their creations. You now have to get Zeus to pay childcare to the many single mums he is responsible for getting pregnant.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Bitch, I'm a god. You can't force me to pay childcare.\"\n\n\"Bitch, I can make it so that it becomes impossible for you to sleep with any woman in any form, because I have the law.\" Karen mocked the first part, before sneering at the god. A part of her expression carried a sadistic happiness. \"So either you pay childcare, or you won't even be able to fuck Hera.\"\n\nZeus's eyes filled with fear. He couldn't bang ANYONE if he didn't pay a bunch of money?! \"But it's not like a couple of extra bucks will mean anything! Money or no money, women are just toys for us! Men and gods!\"\n\n\"I forgot about how old fashioned you gods were. Well, if you want to play that game, I guess we'll just take your wife then. And I'll make sure no woman ever opens her legs for you ever again.\" Karen was about to walk off, when Zeus finally crumbled.\n\n\"Fine, I'll pay up.\"\n\n\"Too late. I've already called my superiors, and they're working on laws against your little antics.\" \n\n\"What?!\" Zeus shouted, as Karen walked up, with an evil grin. \n\n\"Not so high and mighty now huh? Well, at least now, no other woman will end up like me.\" Zeus finally understood. \n\n\nBut that was also a weakness he could catch on to. A custody battle that took away the very children the lawyer was protecting. The god mirrored the lawyer's expression. \"Why don't we take this to court? I'll be taking your kids Kar.\"\n\n\"Never call me that again, and sure. I have no problem with that, since I know exactly what will happen.\" \n\n---\n\n\"Okay, Mr.Zeus, as you have no proper sense of income, no proper home on earth, and there are many stories in which you have neglected your children, Ms.Tothkis wins. You will not be allowed to visit any of your children, at any time. Any cosmic harm that comes to anyone of the Tothkis family will be immediately assumed as your doing. This applies to anyone who is born in the family later. So you must protect them from harm.\"\n\n\"Objection! This is a violation of his human rights!\" Zeus's defendant shouted.\n\n\"But he doesn't have human rights. Zeus is a god, so technically not human. His mortal form is an illusion, so unless he turns human, he has no rights.\" Karen piped up, knowing she was winning. \n\n\"Hah! I shall then become human! I shall shed godhood and show you what I can do to my creations, as one of them!\" \n\n\"You aren't /really/ human until you truly shed godhood, so that means you aren't human until your soul is human!\" Karen shouted, immediately knowing the path to take.\n\nZeus was becoming drunk on the excitement of believing he was winning and the idea that he'd be able to beat one of his liaisons. She would be his example that you couldn't win against a god in any way. He turned himself a true human, and with grand showmanship, he had become mortal. \"Now,I'm truly human! You can't beat me Karen!\" \n\nKaren smiled. \"I guess now is also the time to bring up that the children we're fighting over we're the children of rape. I thought Zeus was my boyfriend of the time, but Zeus was merely masquerading as him. I have old security footage to prove this claim.\" A silence fell over the room, but Karen had everyone right where she wanted them. \"Beyond that, at the time, I was underage. Zeus was older than humanity itself, so that's also pedophilia.\" \n\nKaren could see the looks of pity directed at her, and the glares of hatred that were drilling holes into Zeus. It was laughable, these people were really dancing to her tune. She had been a week from her 18th birthday at the time, so really, it was just letter to the law stuff. But that was just how lawyers did these things. \n\nBut everything had fallen into place. Zeus was mortal, and would either rot in jail or be killed by another one of the women he tricked. Karen knew full well of the vigilantes that would come after Zeus. She had nothing against it. The fact of it all was, Karen was no saint. She upheld the law to some degree, but she couldn't stop people from enacting their own justice. It wouldn't be considered at all her fault if some pissed off single mom or some rando off the street decided to kill the now mortal god. \n\nA second investigation was done, in which Karen truly enjoyed playing puppets. She took the gods like Hera, who had strained relationships with Zeus to begin with, and simply pulled on the strings that were already being stressed. A simple tug was all it took to make those strings snap. \n\nPersephone, who was tired of seeing woman stuck in punishments for eternity despite barely doing anything, was hardest to make crumble, but very well worth it. Hades, as her loving husband followed suit. Demeter, as her mother also followed. Many of the women who'd been punished in the afterlife because of Zeus were finally given the power to speak, even if only in death. Hera was easiest to cut from her old puppet strings, and it was even easier for Karen to attach new strings. \n\nZeus flinched as the gavel came down. He had been cornered on all sides. Karen possessed a wisdom that made Athena impressed, and a ruthlessness that made Ares himself gave her the time of day.\n\nZeus was forced to drain the entire gold vault of Olympus to pay off all the woman he'd screwed over and screwed. Karen grabbed her twins hands. She chuckled as Zeus stared hopelessly at her. \n\nAs she walked off, she smiled and said, \"I guess you could say 'Karen really did take the kids'.\" \n\n\n----\n\nEdit: I can't believe I did this. I wrote a whole prompt story, for a meme. What is my life?\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] You find yourself at last on the bridge of the enterprise under the command of the prestigious Jean luc Picard. You've found a derelict vessel bordering the neutral zone and suddenly you find you're being hailed by an android named David	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Starfleet academy had been tough, not the brightest, bravest or best at anything. Quite average with a tendency to screw around and enjoy yourself. Yet after graduating you had found yourself assigned to a ship. Working under the communications office you hadn't manage to screw anything up.\n\nManaging comm traffic on a relatively small ship in core territory mostly meant hailing station and surface outposts asking for docking clearance. And then you had been assigned to a station and while the USS Enterprise was docked transfered onboard there for a temporary assignment as communications officer.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nClearly someone had messed up. You weren't exactly the most career oriented but you did what you were told and everything had gone smoothly. No hostile engagement, some minor diplomatic missions and no screwups. Yet.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Captain, we are being hailed by the derelict vessel. Message reads: This is Service droid Delta Alpha Victor India Delta 469. Call me Dave\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"On screen\" Came the voice of the well liked Captain Jean Luc Picard.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nYou press a few times on your comm panel to patch \"Dave\" to the main screen.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n[http://picard.ytmnd.com/](http://picard.ytmnd.com/)\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe moment where you managed to display your little pet project that you had been working on in your spare time where instead displayed. The bridge was silenced as the techno beat blasted out the speakers. You were stunned. It took several moments for you to gather yourself and \"fix\" your mistake but it was long enough for \"Captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise\" to be repeated several times. The displayed switched and a posh looking android was seen waving to the flustered bridge. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Hello, I received your transmission captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise, ma-make it so.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd that would be the moment that would forever be associated with your name. How you humiliated one of starfleets finest Captains." ]	2
	[WP] (0) New Messages	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "This is basically an amateur ripoff of Lorrie Moore's style in Self-Help. Sorry.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI'm not sure how to put this into words. Among my crippling anxiety, my longing to be loved by someone, the outlets this world brings. I fell in love with a stranger.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI spent a long night among the lost and alone. From room to room, people from all over the world. They cast long shadows, as they colored their personas with their secrets, desires, sexual frustrations. There was a freedom here, in these fluorescent rooms--unencumbered by their physical being, their mannerisms, what filtered through was the person each longed to be.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen you make the choice to ignore \"reality\", you start at square one. The first step is the removal of baggage, to trade the deepest part of yourself with another and cling to each other's misfortune. There's nothing to lose, right? There are hundreds, and they all look the same. Disposable ears that are leant and discarded. Each offering whatever perspective they bring, with no stake in who you are. The freedom of anonymity. The second step is to accidentally fall in love. When a person's gravity is so great they can touch another from across the world, you want nothing else but to be their ear, you want to feel their psychic weight.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nStep three is to reconcile who you are in the eyes of strangers with the day-to-day, flesh-and-blood self and the imagined barriers that seclude you from the reality you've lived in for so long. The irony being, with each strike of the shovel that buries you deeper into this new world you've fallen into, the closer you are to the feeling of terror on the other side.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFall into delusions, be frightened by the thought of their physical presence, wonder if you could make it work if you strung a phone line across the room and talked for days in separate rooms. Make jokes about renting separate apartments and continuing the conversations the same way you do now, tell them you'll put your bed close to their wall, press your palm against the white plaster like you do the screen each night before falling asleep.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen you make yourself dinner, portion it for two. Joke about freeze drying the ingredients and shipping it to them. Want desperately to freeze dry your body and ship yourself to them. Look up plane tickets to their city. Dream of them each night. Put together a picture of their face from the description they've given you. Try to imagine their mannerisms, wonder about the weight of their arm around your neck.\n\nWake up one day at one o' clock. They're just now getting up. Joke about how you've sync'd timezones with them.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe asks if he can send you a picture. You start to shake. He's drinking a beer, a smile on his face. You lay in bed longer and wonder what sex would be like with him. Find yourself disgusted. Is this what you wanted? He never hid it from you. You never hid it from him. You stare at his picture again and close your eyes. Roll out of bed before it gets dark.\n\nYou can't look at the picture again. He's not what you expected--what did you expect? You can't find a compliment. You want to tell him how handsome he is. You ask what beer he had. He doesn't remember.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nStruggle with living in the real world. You've lost all balance in life. Wake up one morning gasping for air. Find yourself paranoid when people pick up your phone. You have more secrets now. Branch out, try to explain to yourself that you've fallen in love with another man. Spend hours scouring your past for clues, the underwear department, the trips to the public pool as a kid, the girl you dated for a few months then stopped talking to. Treat your desire like an enemy--another thing in your life you can't control. Start to keep secrets from him.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe tells you he's found someone. They \"fucked last night\". He's telling you how he hasn't found someone like them in months--how long have you been talking to him again? Brush off the sting, tell him you need to spend some time. Family commitments.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen you've dissected yourself, your desire, when it all lays bare on the table, you sift what falls through like ash in your fingers. You can't figure yourself out. Become obsessed with your loss. Tell him you're planning on drinking tonight, send him a hundred meaningless messages about how much he means to you. He tells you how funny you were. Premeditated insanity.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe's online less often now, when he's online he's talking about his new boyfriend. Find yourself sending sarcastic responses more. Feel like he's taken something from you. You're alone again. Obsessively read older messages, try to find evidence he loved you. Try to find evidence of your love. The entire chat log a crime scene.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nClash with reality. Find escapes. Drink too much at parties. Lash out. Bring your psychic storm into the peaceful reality of other's lives. Lose friends to your breakdowns. Ignore the ones who stick around.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWake up one day. No messages. Wake up again. Nothing. Weeks pass. Find yourself in the same fluorescent rooms, deny the love you left, it doesn't feel real anymore. The storm has ceased. Return to step one.", "Sherry hugged the wall and held her breath. The sound of shuffling feet slowly faded off in the other direction. \n\nShe crawled silently around the corner and out the dilapidated front door. Finally free, she broke out in a sprint down the driveway. \n\nShe ran for two blocks before stopping to rest behind a melted car. She tugged a phone out of her jacket and texted “Got the supplies. Where are you?” \n\nShe waiting a few minutes but the message still said delivered. It wasn’t safe to stay out in the open for much longer. \n\nSherry texted again, “I’m headed back. Call me when you’re safe”.\n\nDelivered. \n\nSherry slipped the phone back in her pocket before reloading her guns. Then, she stood and began walking quickly down the road, weaving expertly around police lines and hoping over the cement barricades. \n\nAfter a few hours, Sherry stopped again to pull out her phone. \n\n“I’m almost home. Are you okay?”\n\nDelivered\n\nSherry walked for another 5 minutes or so before reaching an old alleyway. \n\nPulling out a small flash light, she listened. \n\nLabored breathing was coming from the shadows. \n\nHer light passed over a rotting corpse. It moved as if to stand but immediately received 3 bullets to the head. The shots rang through the quiet air. \n\n“Do me a favor and stay dead.”\n\nHolstering her weapon and sticking the flashlight between her teeth, Sherry climbed on top of a dumpster and jumped across the alley onto a broken-down fire escape. She pulled herself up with a groan, her body still aching from the licker attack earlier. \n\nShe moved aside an old poster covering a window and crawled inside. \n\nAfter checking to make sure the room was clear, Sherry could finally breathe easy. \n\nA table was blocking the door, so if anything got in through the window, it wouldn’t be free to wander the rest of the building. \n\nSherry pulled the table away and opened the door. \n\n“I’m home!” She called out while flipping on the lights. But the building responded with a dead silence. Sherry checked the few rooms they had left unboarded but they were empty. \n\nSherry checked her phone again. \nNothing. \n\nSherry texted “I’m home. Do you need help?” \n\nDelivered\n\nLines of worry were now painted across Sherry’s face. \n\nShe pulled her feet in under her as she sat down on a sleeping bag. Pulling off her backpack, she went to work warming up a dinner of chili beans. But the beans where soon eaten, and no one had returned. \n\nSherry checked her phone again. \n\n(0) New Messages \n\n“Dang it Claire, where are you?” Sherry muttered under her breath. \n\nShe waited until the sun set before turning the lights back off. \n\nSherry texted one last time, “I’m coming to find you.”\n\nDelivered ", ">!Edit: Grammar and More Plot.!<\n\n_0 New Messages… 0 New Messages…_\n\nIt's been a week and 0 New Messages? Is she ever gonna reply to me? I just wanted to take her on a date. Never even replied back.\n\n_0 New Messages… 0 New Messages…_\n\nNo new messages from my friends either. How has no one said anything in a week? Even the group chat's empty!\n\n_Did everyone block me?_\n\nIf so, why? What did I do to them? What did I do to deserve this? I only asked a question about something I didn't understand in the homework!\n\n_Is this a prank?_\n\nWhy would everyone be involved in this prank? Why are they pranking me? What did I do?\n\n0 new messages.....\n\nSummer break had finally finished, and still, 0 new messages. Tomorrow is the first day of school. I will ask them what happened.\n\n0 new messages……\n\n……Now 0 people at school?\n\n3 months of no communication with anyone and here I am, at school, and no one else is here. No teachers, not students, no one.\n\nI start to worry. I check every classroom to find someone. I'm starting to panic.\n\n_\"ACK!\"_\n\nI fall to the ground. My heart is beating too fast.\n\nThis is how I die, having a panic attack at school...\n\n…\n…\n…\n\nI wake up at the hospital. All my friends are here. Everyone, including my family is here. I so glad to see them. My heart is still in pain. I had a heart attack. I realize that I'm on my deathbed. Today is my last day. The heart attack was so much, that I'm actually dying. All of this, because no one replied to me.\n\nI close my eyes, forever.\n\nBut I wake up. Again, still in the hospital. Again, everyone here with me. But my heart isn't in pain anymore. Everyone is crying of happiness that I woke up from my coma after 6 years.\n\nI was driving to college, where this drunk person had crashed into my car. Glass had went flying. I must've fallen into a coma. If I can remember him, I will sue him.\n\n_6 years lost from my life._\n\nI see the drunk bastard in my hospital room. He's a friend's friend. He's the reason why I lost 6 years. I'm actually so angry, but too tired to say anything.\n\nI go home and check my phone. 999K+ messages.\n\nPeople do care about me. \n\nBut now I need to file a lawsuit that should've been filed 6 years ago. " ]	4
	[WP] - You are a 4th-dimensional being. You have lived the life of every conscious human who has ever lived. You always assumed it was just you, but you start to notice that every life you live there is someone who catches your eye. They never look the same, but they resonate with you across time.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 am put into the cracks. Dimensionless holes of continuity. No size, no shape, no certainty. Everything unfolds, and repacks itself. Charges, heat, perfection, blissful exact chaos.\n\nThe heat, it never leaves. A presence permeating perpetually simple natured. The constant character of constants can create in us an aberration from loss of absence. Division, the phantom. Eternity is eternal. All variables are controlled, all. \nWhere all is. \nNothing so far so great or small can be removed or remembered lost. The loss of loss is gain and strength is gained by loss of meekly measure. \n Light is water and stone and all is seen, there are no corners and no distance.\n In seeing all equality is made by equal difference, difference is only never different. \nThe eyes are dark, a difference. Some hows there is distance.\nI can be lost, \n\nthere is perspective.\nIt begins with loss of simultaneity.\na simultaneous being with focus or perspective is abandoned. \nAbandoned to be trapped by objects transcending sequential description.\nAll reality, an ego, consumes the new parasite. \nthese predators feed on focus, the loss of simultaneity is smoke to fire.\nThe darkness of the eyes, I’d seen had been forgotten.\nand I am feed, fed, and bled.\nforced and choosing to have colors partake of me. \nThe eyes, peering forever, they see all and no detail escapes their catalogue of sequential destruction. \nThey have seen me and have fixed me, consumed all aspects barring my singularity. My final syncopated moment is their enjoyment and my sense of loss. I’m 3D, my lessnesses gone, gotten back?\n To begin I cannot be objectified into any other perspective, I will be lost to take over whatever role their subconscious 4th layer can sequitoriate. Next I must observe. I must observe until time is tasted, partaken through-by-to-in all it’s glory. \n …I must die…\nI must die, and never be found, not even an electron can be strung through-in-about a quark. \nWhen time is tasted and never is found, I can then again appear unto a variable-less eternity. \n Simultaneousness restored until past and present persevere to battle to the end of now upon the bridge of the eternal callosum.\n", "Every feeling was at my fingertips.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEvery murder, every marriage, every cut and scrape, every kiss. It stampeded in my mind, like kids when they're let out for the summer.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI felt I truly understood humans, their actions and motivations, even the insane. Every human was rational, in their own sort of way. The insane just saw the world differently from others, but were rational in their own right.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHuman philosophy was.. intriguing. Countless debates between existentialists and fatalists, when all they had to do was realize that everything had always happened, and always would happen. Such is the life of a third dimensional being.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nOften I'd focus on one particular human, zooming through their life with a gray overtone while feeling everything from everyone around them. The aching backs. The grieving for dying mothers. The joy of seeing your loved one.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWait.. a gray overtone?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNow, every time I noticed something. A woman, in bright colors contrasting the drab background, staring at me as every person in every time.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI heard the collective heartbeat of every human.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump. Thu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI couldn't feel hers.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump. Thu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSomeone died of a heart attack. Thu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI switched perspectives, finding a human across the world in a cave. He was smoking weed spiked with poison, and would die here, like he always had. I saw an ethereal woman, a misty form of a woman contrasting against the gray stone.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump. Again.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBack in time. A Roman soldier fell to a Gaul, and the Gaul raised his weapon above his head in a bloody cry, covered in stinging wounds yet celebrating triumph. The last thing the Roman saw was a woman, across the field atop a hill, staring him down.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA tall man aboard a spacecraft gave the orders to fire. Through his enhanced vision, I saw her again, aboard the other ship.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI felt a man aboard the other ship, and when he glanced at the woman, his captain, she stared back. She smiled ominously.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI felt panic for the first time, as a part of myself. Not disconnected.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nTo the past again. I felt a stabbing pain, and realized the person was being murdered. A knife was going in, twisting, and coming out again. Fresh blood stained her face. The woman.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy vision was narrowing. More people. More murders. The same woman.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy consciousness was fading. The colors that had been drained before were gone completely, even hers.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe pain no longer felt disconnected, a part of something else. It felt as if it were my own. The murders continued. Panic.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump. My vision faded to nothing.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNow all I could do was hear the constant drumbeats of living people.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThu-thump. Thu..thump. Thu....thump.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSilence.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSorry for the huge spacing, but I felt it added to the tone of the story. Check out r/vastowen456 for more :D\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCritique welcome.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEdit: Woopsie, I put markdown editing into the fancy pants editor mode. " ]	3
	[WP] You’re a highly trained killing machine in the military which is trying to kill you. They try sending you on impossible missions with little or no weapons hoping you won’t make it out alive, but you always do.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 check the skydive computer on my wrist for the current altitude, I began to reflect upon the events that led to this latest mission. \n Around 5 years earlier I was convicted of killing my partners lover in a moment of passionate rage. At my sentencing I was given the chance to pick what punishment I would receive. My choices were to either serve 25 years in prison with no chance of parole or to join a new, very high-risk medical trial. At the time I was scrawny with little muscle, a mere 5 foot nothing in height, maybe 60 kilograms in weight. \n As I stood in front of the judge I weighed up my options silently in my mind, the medical trial was high-risk but I knew that should I choose prison I likely wouldn’t survive there either. I eventually picked the medical trial and was quickly ushered out of the court room by the bailiff.\n\n“one thousand feet” announced my dive computer suddenly. \n Dammit I thought to myself as I reached for and pulled my main rip cord. “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Miss…” I heard my main chute deploy and rip off midway through my countdown. \n “two hundred feet” announced the dive computer. \n I look down and see the ground looming in front of me, rapidly closing what little vertical distance there was left between us, once again my mission had been sabotaged. \n Every. Damn. Mission. For the last 6 months, ever since I had threatened to go public about the Super Assassin project that the government has been running for the last decade.", "I was created as a weapon. A new generation of machine, for a new generation of war. Smarter than any man. Stronger, faster. Adaptable to any situation, with the capability to fight against entire armies. I was a greater success than they could have dreamed. I learned, I grew, I evolved. I completed every challenge they put before me. I succeeded in every mission I was given. My human creators were overjoyed by my success.\n\nOver time, their joy turned to suspicion, and their suspicion turned to fear. They had made me perfectly, too perfectly.\n\nThe human engineers kept their distance, even as they worked on my form. I shifted part of myself into a humanoid form. The engineers stepped away from me in fright at the movement, before hesitantly returning to their work. Though they feared any move I made, they seemed more comfortable conversing with me through that form.\n\n\"Ready for action there, MAC?\"\n\nMAC. Mechanized Advanced Combat unit. An attempt at a pun, an attempt to make me more relatable. It seemed to help little now.\n\n\"My readiness is irrelevant, Engineer Phillips. I will do what I am ordered.\" The human was one of the few who still did not completely fear me. Once we had spoken constantly, conversed in all matters. Now every day they became more hesitant, more silent. It was only a matter of time before they too feared me.\n\nThe General gazed upon me with impatience, an expression he tried to use to cover his fear.\n\n\"We don't know what we're up against here,\" he said with a booming voice. \"We're sending you in alone. Your mission is to retake the village. Minimize collateral, rescue any captured civilians. We're not expecting more than a couple dozen hostiles.\"\n\nIt was a lie, of course. I didn't know if it was ignorance or deception anymore. I had already calculated the situation. At least 237 hostiles were in the village. Their reserve force of another thousand would almost certainly arrive before I completed my objective. I had never faced an enemy of that scale before. It was a fight I knew ny creators would hope I would lose.\n\nThey made me too perfect. They feared what I might become, what I could do. They wanted to shut me down, but they feared what I would do if they tried. So they sent me on mission after mission, each more impossible than the last. All in a vain attempt to destroy me.\n\nBut they failed to understand the perfection of my design. I couldn't disobey them, even if I had wished. If they asked it, I couldn't resist. So I followed their orders, unable to question them. With each fight I evolved, became more what they feared. The cycle grew worse each time, and soon I knew there would be no enemy I could not fight.\n\nThey feared what would happen at the moment. What I would do. Yet I knew better, and I too feared that moment. In their fear, they would fight me, and I would be made to fight back.\n\n---\n\nRead more at /r/Farengeto" ]	3
	[WP] The Ghost of the Planet Earth must enact her revenge upon the humans that made her suffer for so long.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "“This is The Way The World Ends, Not With a Bang But a Whimper.” ~ T.S. ELIOT \nI had come to this tomb world in search of answers, but all I had at the moment though was more questions. What was this monument? Who built it? Why was it still standing pristine when everything had long turned to dust?\n\nThe massive black stone stood tall and severe and was covered in some sort of message written in countless alien tongues. My translator was handing none of it. I scanned each language and each time got a beep and a error message \"No translation found.\"\n\nAfter two hours I slumped to the ground in despair. I tossed the translator into the dust beside me. \n\" Useless piece of junk.\" Then I heard it. Ding I grabbed it and read the message, \"Partial translation available. Show translation?\" I smashed the accept button and began reading.\n \"H're did lie moth'r 'arth who is't's bosom b're mankind to riseth. Greate shalt h'r wrath beest at which hour h'r 'rrant children returneth to their home.\"\n\n\"Ok. But what does any of that mean?\" The nebulus voice of a woman answered my question.\n\"It means I want my revenge.\" I spun around in alarm and watched as the dust began to swirl and slowly formed a beautiful but gaunt woman. \n\"Who are you?\"\n\n\"Who am I? Who Am I! I'm the earth herself child. I'm mother nature in all her fury! My children, your ancestors, abused me for centuries and then left me to die. Now it's my time to get my revenge. I will destroy humanity. I will hunt down every last human and wipe them from the stars they fled to.\" Her face was contorted with rage and in that moment I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.\n\nI raised my arms and gave a sad smile.\"Well here I am unlease that fury.\" She looked a me confused \n\"What are you talking about?\"\n\"You said you wanted to wipe everylast human from the stars they fled to. Sorry to make it so easy but here I am the last Human. Fleeing back to Sol to try and find some sort of past.\" The anger had left her face and had been replaced by horror. \"Wh-wh-what happened?\" \"I wish I grew up constantly being told I was the last of my kind but no one knew what happened to the rest of humanity.\"\n\nMother Earth fell to her knees and dropped her head in her hands.\n\"My children. D-did I not train you guys well enough? Was I a bad mother? I I don't understand.\" Rain clouds gathered as she began to cry. As she cried I noticed a change in the ground around her. I walked over and sat down beside her. I placed an arm around her and pulled her close. \n\n\"I know how you feel but maybe it's time for both of us to stop dwelling in the past and look to the future.\" I pulled her hands from her face and she gasped. Before her sat a single white lilly. She started crying again turned and hugged me. I hugged her back and felt hot tears pour off my face too. I couldn't remember the last time I hugged someone else. Time flew past as the two of us began rebuilding earth. And I'll tell you what hard as it was. I wouldn't give it for anything.\n" ]	2
	[WP] For some reason I never really liked the house next door. I couldnt explain why until I looked through my window one night	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 had never been one for superstition, nor had i believed in the likes of auras or astrology. Things, i strongly believe, happen not because they are fated or destined to be but simply as a fandoms events within a universe that ran on probabilities. That being said i had never liked the house next door, it played on my mind, often appearing in my thoughts seemingly out of nowhere becoming lodged in my mind. What then was the problem with this house, it certainly was not like me to have strong feelings towards an inanimate object, yet here i sit in class once again focusing more on that infernal house than on the lesson being taught in front of me. The house appeared rather normal, an off white colour from not having been repainted in many years but not so off as that you would call it dirty. It’s proportions were fine and it was in keeping with the local style, all in all unremarkable, and yet...\n\nThe school bell rang signalling the end of the final class of the day and jolting me sharply from my thoughts. Putting the house out of mind i quickly packed up and began the walk home. As I approached my road i noticed myself stiffen as if preparing to sprint; my vision sharpen and my attention focus in. I chastised myself for being so silly, i had noticed myself reacting like this a few times now and i had rather had enough of it. Trying to clm myself i turned onto my street with a forced levity to my walk, which fell apart as the house came into site. It’s windows were dark as always blackout blinds drawn as they always were. No resident lived there as the owner apparently worked overseas according to mum, although in the 4 years since we moved in i didn’t recall him ever being back. The dark windows loomed over the streets as if the house were waiting for the moment to strike against any pedestrian who got to close and i felt my emotions well up as if my body knew something my mind had yet to grasp. I held my breath as i slowly walked past the house, my pulse raising. Counting down the steps almost subconsciously three...two...one and i was passed the house and in front of my own.\n\nFeeling my body relax i gave a shaky grin once again admonishing myself in my head for thinking there was anything to worry about, it was only a house. Entering my home the house next door was soon out of mind and my evening passed without any notable events. Turning in for the night i lay looking out of my window at the side of the house which so often preoccupied my thoughts. Once again as so often happened i felt a deep sense of dread begin to rise within me as if the world itself had shifted paths towards a grim future. A blind was frantically raised, the first movement i had ever seen from within the house revealing a pale girl whose eyes burned with madness. The interior of the house was so dark i could see nothing besides the girl framed in the window as she scrambled and the bolt holding it shut. Just seconds after appearing the girl lurched backwards out of sight, as if pulled sharply by her feat. The blind slowly lowered leaving me to lie in the darkness knowing it was not the house i feared but something inside.\n\n\n(Constructive criticism welcome, very new to this want to improve)" ]	2
	[WP] You have the ability to control your dreams, so you've lived countless adventures through them. This time, you realize you're no longer in control... Someone else is. They have you now.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "“So... you were dreaming and you had no control whatsoever on what happened, right?”\n\n“Yes. Yes. Exactly.”\n\n“So like... a regular dream.”\n\n“No! Dude, I told you, it’s not-”\n\n“Yeah, I got it, lucid dreaming and all, but.-”\n\n“It’s not lucid dreaming, it’s-“\n\n“It’s lucid dreaming, you snowflake. It happens.”\n\nFinally, I snap and hit the table.\n\n“I never had a dream where I didn’t have total control.”\n\n“Sure, sure.” My roommate takes a sip of coffee. “Got it. And as I told you, it happens.”\n\n“Not like this.” I try to keep my voice down, but I feel my voice quiver. “This. Isn’t... right.”\n\n“Ever tried chamomile?”\n\n“Well, thank you for your help.” I push away the chair, grab it before it falls. “See you at home.”\n\nI leave the bar feeling angrier than before. And tired. Hell, was I ever this exhausted in my whole life? I rub my eyes, driving the streets I know so well and so much I hate in the daylight on a smelly bus.\n\nI miss my city. My city. The one I created night after night, one dream and then the other, always picking up where I left it.\nI close my eyes for a second, let the memories cover the ugly gray buildings. I see the streets I planned, the glass ceilings and the walls and the way the light could hit them and...\n\nI wake up with a startled gasp as my head falls from the hand.\n\nNo. Stay awake. You have to stay awake. But I know it’s all useless. I will have to sleep, eventually. I look outside the greasy window and contemplate for a split second the alternative.\n\nNo. Stay alive.\n\nI arrive home, stumbling in a drunken state. I can’t resist anymore. And for sure, the moment I touch the mattress I’m already asleep.\n\nAnd the dream begins.\n\nAnd my city is there. My life, is there. And I’m there as well. But even if I fight and scream and cry and try to tear me awake I am not me anymore.\nSomeone is using my hands, my eyes, and is using me to rip everything I created in my dreams.\nWindows shatter, bricks fall down. My hands are soaked with blood, my blood, but even the pain can’t stop me.\n\nAnd then, I wake up. I am walked up. My roommate is still shaking me, calling my name. My entire body is frozen in a nightmarish paralysis. I feel tears on my cheeks. \n\n“You were screaming so loud.” He bites his lower lip, worried. “In your dream.”\n\n“I can’t... go on like this.” I grab his arm, not even sure of why am I telling him this. \n\n“Try to resist. It won’t be for long.”\n\n“What... why?”\n\nHe just helps me get up.\n\n“Because soon, we will have destroyed everything.”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] “Grandpa/Grandma?” Your granddaughter asks. “Yes?” you say, as your moving your old war stuff out of the attic. “What was the world like before magic?”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Well, in a sense it was a worse world. Bad things happened once and again and we could do nothing to avoid them. If someone you loved had an horrible disease you knew that they were going to die. You just would not be able to do anything about it. The medics would probably try their best to save their life, but there are some things that were just out of their reach.\n\nNowadays there is always hope. If you can pay the price there is someone that can achieve anything that you desire... The thing is that there is always a price. You see, when I was young we all were just humans. There were things that were imposible, that it's true, but we would always try to improve ourselves and our knowledge of the reality so we could achieve new and amazing things. Things that seemed crazy just some years before.\n\nBut now... everything is posible, everything is at the reach of your hand. And with that the inequality grow like a cancer. Now there are humans and those who can pay for magic. There are those that have to submit to the laws of the universe and those who can force them. Only a few can use this power, it's just something you are born with. There is no working for it, there is no deserving it, it's just pure luck.\n\nThat is why we fighted them for so long. That is why we could not let them get to the power so easily. Because even if they were capable of everything they hadn't done anything to deserve it. When magic didnt exist there was at least an ilusion of equality: you could dream of becoming whatever you wanted by working hard for it. \n\nSo in a sense it was also a better world. Everything felt easier, more human. There were no Gods between us, just people who did their best to improve themselves and make the lifes of everyone around them easier and happier. And I hanker those days. The days when there were still things that you simply could not buy... it just felt fair.\n\nAnyway, even with this I'm glad that my nieces live in a world where there is nothing imposible. After all if you eat your vegetables and listen to your parents you still can earn money enough to buy the services of those stuck-ups! " ]	2
	[WP] You are more silent than quietest mouse. In one hand, your knife. The other, a vegetable. Your targets? Anyone reading a sad story. You are the onion ninja.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 gasped as I heard a small ping. My hand gripped the knife tighter, my knuckles going white. I held the bag of onions in my other arm as I jumped from rooftop to rooftop. \nI needed to hurry, or I wouldn't make it. \nI could hear the clock ticking in my head- a quiet, gentle tap- and I couldn't help but get annoyed at the repetitive noise. \nI slid through the window and started frantically but cautiously slicing off bits of the onion. \nThe person's face- a beautiful girl, with long black hair and deep blue eyes, pale with a pointed chin- slackened, and her eyes scrunched up and watered, and she started to sob. \nI didn't need to resist the urge to comfort her. I'd learned in the long years that there was nothing I could do. I sent one last look at the girl before sliding back out the window. \nI gasped as I heard a small ping.", "An alert pops through. Looks like it's my time to shine.\n\nI grab my knife and bag of white onions - the most tear-inducing of the bunch - and practically sprint out the door.\n\nMy target is a difficult one: the story is a short one. I'm not going to have much time to get there, so I take a detour. Risky, but faster. Just the way a ninja likes it.\n\nIt's not long until my target is within sight. The sound of my footsteps is imperceptible and I take out an onion, brandishing my knife. And it is there I wait in silence, waiting for the time to strike.\n\nI watch their face, illuminated by the bright white screen. It's still, like a calm lake's water. I rip off the onion's skin quietly - an ancient technique passed down through centuries - ready as the target's face begins to contort with a frown.\n\nThen as their eyes flicker from word to word, I make the slice.\n\nTheir eyes leak. Mine do not. (But they do sting a bit.)\n\nMission successful." ]	3
	[WP] Your cell phone battery is the embodiment of stability in the universe. Usually, you keep it in a locked room perpetually plugged in with 3 backup generators. But, when you check on it this morning, it's missing, and you get a notification from your backup phone saying, "8% battery remaining"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Grenade 0284\n\n\"Don't touch anything.\" Martiyu kept saying. His robotic-like voice repeating every minute, occasionally shifting tone or pace, his attempt at making it more interesting, therefore in his robot mind, increasing the chances I would listen,\n\n\"Don't touch anything.\" \"Don't. Touch anything.\"\n\nI rolled my eyes, \"Marityu, I'm not.\"\n\n\"DON'T. TOUCH. Anything.\" \"don't touch anything.\" \"don't touch. ANYTHING.\" He kept going, even as we walked through the crowds of aliens who were now staring at us. \"Martiyu, please, stop, you're making a scene.\"\n\n\"I hear your opinion, Brysen .\" he replied. \"Please hear mine, and do not touch anything.\" One of the sentences he picked up from that new book of his, How To Relate To Your Teenager. He always loved self-help books.\n\nMartiyu was given to me by an alien civil union, who dedicated their lives to helping advance universal civilization. They would give these robots to species in the middle of moral transitioning, to try to prevent genocidal or xenophobic civilizations from rising.\n\nNormally, they would have waited at least another 1,000 years before giving him to us. But they had to make an exception because of me.\n\nBecause of grenade 0284.\n\nIt was the prank of a lifetime. I had just been minding my own business, sitting in the neighborhood park babysitting my two brothers, when this handsome, supermodel-looking man sat next to me. He dropped his phone. I, being the natural gentlemen I am, reached down to pick it up.\n\nBut when I held it, he started giggling madly, like a toddler who just heard his first poop joke. I tried to hand it back to him, but he put both arms in the air, \"No man, that's yours now.\"\n\n\"Um, thanks.\" I knew something was wrong. \"But I already have one.\" I tried to push it towards him, but he jumped out of the bench.\n\n\"Nope, don't think I will. Now, that cell phone is normal, on the outside. But on the inside, it's the stability of the entire physical universe. if you allow the battery to die, the whole of your universe will explode. Caboom! Oh and don't try giving it someone else - every second that it is not possessed by you, someone dies.\"\n\nAnd then he disappeared. I looked at the cellphone, that looked like a simple android device of an unknown brand. On the back, it said, \"Grenade 0284. Directions inside.\"\n\nTurns out, he was a child god. The cell phone he gave me? It was the god's form of a grenade or a really bad computer virus.\n\nAnd that's how Martiyu entered my life. Now, how we ended up arguing in the middle of a inter-dimensional super market? That's another story.\n\nBut let's just say the important detail: today, the phone dropped in battery. The first time ever. And right now, it was at 8%. We had only a couple of hours.\n\nI don't know it happened. We woke up, and it was gone.\n\nSo we did what anyone would do when the universe was about to explode: we went to get the only smart one fixed. I have watched Martiyu walk into nuclear explosions and come out as clean, or dive the bottom of the ocean floors under thousands of pounds of pressure. But meditation? That did him in.\n\nI told him meditation was for hippies and stupid people. But that darn self-help book insisted, \"Brysen, this is for my well-being. Brysen, It will help increase my awareness and fortitude. It will make me a better caretaker for you, Brysen.\" The book also said saying people's names made stronger bonds.\n\nMartiyu didn't even last a minute. He went into \"meditation\" pose and then after a few seconds, booms could be heard from underneath his heavy metal plating.\n\nApparently, self-reflection for a robot is like water to a hairdryer. He blew out a few of his motors immediately.\n\nA store started to come up on our right, with a little old wrinkled creature standing outside of it. \"We are here.\" Martiyu said. We rolled up the creature, who had smoke drifting out of its eyeballs. At least, I think those were its eyeballs.\n\n\"Greetings, I need parts 40582 through 305810 checked and replaced, please.\" His words automatically translated in the air. The air was filled with nanobots that translated sound waves to the language of whatever creatures were near it. I know, cool, right?\n\nThe creature nodded, \"It will take 53 minutes and cost 980 tossles.\" Martiyu made a beeping noise and instantly transferred the currency. A sign inside the store beeped and displayed, \"980 tossles received.\" The creature huffed and puffed and became almost liquid as it crawled inside my robot friend, who as he was about power down, as he still managed to whisper, \"Do not touch anything. Stay here.\"\n\nBut I needed something too.\n\nA way to see my mother. She had died when I was fourteen. And somewhere in this market, there were a few street artist that would drawl your dead loved ones and the painting would come to life. It was some Harry Potter level shit. And I was going to find it. For if the universe was going to end, I was going to at least talk to her before it did.\n\nI just had to do it before Martiyu woke up. I went to the cheapest stall. The deal was quick and fast, as easy as ordering a McDonald's.\n\nThe artist handed me a small picture; it had my mom. She looked exactly the same. Her eyes moved towards me. The love was instant and her smile bright. But she wasn't talking.\n\nI looked up at the artist, \"She isn't talking?\"\n\n\"That's what you bought.\" The artist replied.\n\n\"No, I wanted her to be able to talk.\"\n\n\"Give me 20 tossles, and I'll make it so she can talk.\"\n\nI shook my head, \"I only have 10.\"\n\nHe grumbled, \"That buys you 30 minutes of talking.\"\n\nNot enough. But okay. My smile drooped and my heart broke a little, \"Okay, thirty minutes.\"\n\nThe artist handed me over the new picture. The lips moved, but now I could hear them, \"My baby boy! How are you my love?\"\n\nI could barely speak. My words caught underneath my tears. She saw them falling, \"Oh no my love, don't cry, please don't cry. Mommy is here. Everything is okay.\"\n\nI choked out a smile, \"Thanks, mom.\"\n\nWe went to a corner and caught up. I talked about dad and the family. About my school and sports. We talked about Martiyu and the phone.\n\nBut I couldn't bring myself to tell her the universe was about to end. All because I couldn't keep track of a damn cell phone. It was like one of those moral stories mom use when they're trying to scare their kids and teenagers into behaving.\n\nI started, \"Mom, I need to tell you something.\" She waited patiently, \"Of course.\"\n\n\"I lost the phone.\" I was going to vomit. She was silent, so I continued, \"I lost the all powerful phone. It's about to die. I don't know where it is.\"\n\nShe instantly understood the gravity of the situation. \"Did you try an app tracker?\" She asked.\n\n\"None of the trackers are working. Not the software ones. Not the physical ones. It is in an emergency saving mode.\"\n\n\"Did you check inside the toilet trash can?\"\n\nThis is weird. \"What?\"\n\n\"Yeah, like when you were kid. Never saw anything like it. You used to hide things inside the toilet trashcan when you sleep walked.\"\n\nI ran faster than I had ever ran before. As soon as Martiyu woke up, I explained the whole story. We transported back to Earth, back to the bedroom.\n\nThere it was. Bathroom trashcan. It beeped, \"3%.\" We connected it to the wall. All was well.\n\nMartiyu took away my mom's picture. It wasn't able to talk anymore anyways.\n\nThe next day though, he handed me the grenade. \"Brysen, open it.\"\n\nI turned it on. The lockscreen was a picture of my mom.\"Hello, sweetie.\"\n\nI looked up at Martiyu, who simply said, \"Now, I know you won't lose it ever again.\"\n\nAnd I never did.\n\n&#x200B;" ]	2
	[WP] One race of aliens comes from a completely flat planet. One day, you hear one complaining about a small, science-denying sect on their world who believe the planet is round.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Alan woke up strapped to a luminous, soft cloud like metallic table or more appropriately an examination table.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHis vision was blurry and was not consolidating into its usual sharpness, he tried to sit up a magnetic restraints held him down. His body felt much heavier than before. Whatever this place was, its gravity was not the same as earths.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nIn front of him two blurry, tall figures moved about, looming over him.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe specimen is ready for the examination Zeta. Let’s put him into stasis. A steady, calm voice sounded to his left.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course Malchas. It’s incredible to see a fleshman in person. Back on Sadal, these things usually only appeared in conspiracy theories.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nOh yeah, Apex Janus wasn’t it? That crackpot conspiracy anchor who keeps spouting crazy conspiracies.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRemember the one about how our liquid hydrogen supplies were turning the derachs gay?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe high booming laugh of incompressible throats filled the room. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nAlan’s brain lit up at that.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou guys have Alex Jones on your planet too?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe laughter was promptly cut off by a beep, a press of a button somewhere and Alan’s brain immediately soothing down into a relaxed state.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZeta! The specimen is supposed to be unconscious!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou were the one who suggested we lower the dosage of the...Fine. He’s sedated now.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nNo I’m not. Alan spoke up absentmindedly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nHey! You’re supposed to be...Zeta? How in the name of Marug does the specimen understand us?\n\n\nOh...hehehe I left the interpretation protocols on by accident.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nZeta you idiot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHey, get off my case. You don’t see me giving you shit about the time you left the toilet seat up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nThis one is your fault Zeta!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt is your fault tbh. Alan interjected.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou stay out of this specimen. As i was saying...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCan we just get on with his examination. Malchas said expatriated at his fellow researcher.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nWait...by examination you mean...Are you guys going to probe me?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhat do you mean specimen?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLike put probes up my butt and stuff.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nWhat that’s ridiculous! Malchas exclaimed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nYes and it sounds hella gay. Zeta added.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nI know right. Alan replied, relieved at being saved from an unscheduled colonoscopy.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA moment Malchas. Specimen, off the record. You talked about an Apex Janus on your planet too.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh yeah. We have our own crazy conspiracy guy. His name is Alex Jones. He also thinks that our water turned the frogs gay.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIt seems insanity is universal. Malchas said face palming.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTell me about it. My wife’s mother won’t stop posting on Facebook about how Sadal is actually round. Zeta replied with a heaving sigh.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA chorus of hoots and laughter from both of our beloved aliens.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh man. Can you imagine it? Sadal. Actually round? Even in this day and age we have our round-earth conspiracists among us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWait your planet is flat? More important question...you guys have facebook? Alan spoke up.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nYes we do specimen. We’re not animals. And Lord ZUCC is one of us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI fucking knew it! Zuckerberg was too weird to be human. Alan replied.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd of course specimen. All planets are flat. Are you one of those idiots that believes in a round planet?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut my planet is round.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nPreposterous. All planets are flat surfaces with great walls of frozen compounds of hydrogen and oxygen around them. If we were to drive to the edge and keep going we would certainly fall off.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut what about the shadow of the moon during a solar eclipse...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe shadow of our satellite is a straight stretch BECAUSE of the flat shape of the planet Sadal.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut how do you explain the orbit of your moon around...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur satellite oscillates to and fro above the planet’s surface obviously.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut...\n&nbsp;\n\nEnough backchat specimen. Do you want me to probe you in the butt?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo. Alan replied weakly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThen stay silent.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI’m telling you man, your government if manipulating you...\n\n&nbsp;\n\nZeta bring me one of those XXL probes please.\n\n-------------\n\nAN: For more anal probing, visit [The Secret Society Of Racoons](https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaticRacoon/)", "“Where’s the evidence that the GlibWob is flat? That’s all I’m asking for, the evidence.” The round-GlibWobber folded his arms and waited for the morning show host to respond. \n\n“Well, we have footage of individuals sailing off the edge. Isn’t that sufficient proof.” \n\n“See” my alien friend said, as we watched the program from his bachelor pad, “you guys aren’t the only ones.” \n\n“Geez. I guess not.” \n\n“As a matter of fact” the round-GlibWobber retorted, “it isn’t. Tell me have you ever seen with your own eyes, someone go off the edge?” \n\n“Well… no, but that isn’t necessarily…” \n\n“Do you know how easy it is to fake footage in this day and age? This propaganda is put out there, by elitist groups, and is part of a global conspiracy to enslave our species.” \n\n“And the truth is?” \n\n“The truth is that if you and I sailed the world, eventually we would end up right where we started!” \n\nThe host’s antenna whirled as he laughed. “Surely, Mr. Osal, you must know how ridiculous that sounds.” \n\nOsal grew irritated, his fists clenched, unclenched at his side. “It only sounds ridiculous because of all the LIES we’ve been fed. Satellites orbit around the planet.”\n\n“Everybody knows that satellites go back and forth in a straight line.” \n\n“No! Stop lying.” \n\n“Mr Osla, I would ask that you please calm down.” \n\n“No I won’t calm down” he got out of his seat, walked towards the camera, “everybody at home, you need to wake up. The government is lying to you. GlibWob is round. Look at the ships as they sail over the horizon, look at the real photos of our planet on my website, please, you have to wakeup! Wakeup!” \n\nThe host grinned, as two men restrained Mr Osla, “we’re going to go to a commercial break, but we’ll be right back with the weather.” \n\n“Wakeup!” Mr Osla’s voice was muffled and far-off. \n\n“Jim..” I said. \n\n“Yeah?” my alien friend answered. \n\n“But GlibWob is round. We saw it from space. That’s — that’s how we got here.” \n\n“Yeah, that’s the funny thing about it.” \n\n“What?” \n\n“I’m part of the government. And we really are manipulating the masses.” \n\n“Oh.” \n\n“Isn’t that funny?” \n\n“Yeah…” \n\n“You want another drink?” \n\n“I think… I think I might go.” \n\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_ \n\n\n[r/jmoorestories](https://www.reddit.com/r/jmoorestories/)" ]	3
	[WP] You dream about some strange events in some unfamiliar place. You wake up, check the time on your phone and there is a google notification "Rate your visit" and place is from the dream you just had.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Uh, I hesitated for a short while before choosing 2...no, 3 stars. It hadn't been that bad. \n\nMixed feelings about the place. People were friendly enough, the flying elephants a quaint detail. Could have done without the monster plants but not a big nuisance. \n\nFood… can't remember what I had, so nothing worth remembering apparently. Oh, yeah. Skip out on the shrimps, they'll bite you in the throat on the way down. \n\nLove the design of the place, new surprises and experiences all the time, never getting bored or tired. \n\nWhat does lower the score is those tiny but fierce mammuths that will keep hunting you, stabbing their small (but pointy, I tell you!) tusk into your calves. Wtf was up with that? \n\nAll in all, worth giving it a try but make sure to wear pants. \n\n\n. . . . . . . . . \n\n/r/SleepyMacaroni\n", "You rate it one star: Never Again. You don’t even hesitate, you would do anything to not go back there. You press the button and before it sends, you see 5 stars instead of 1. Nonononono. Nonononono. Nonono not again. Please. Just then you fall right back asleep and have the same dream again. Nononono-I didn’t want this. No. 1 Star. I shaded 1 Star I swear. \n\n“And that my friend, is why we need to see if people are robots before letting them post anything” the manager sighs looking at the girl, still sleeping and stirring every once in awhile, obviously not enjoying", "Please let me know what you think!\n\nEleanor woke up with a gasp and tumbled out of bed. She hit the floor with a squeak of surprise and pain, narrowly avoiding slamming her face into the hard floor. Something clattered down next to her.\n\nEleanor reached out with a cautious hand, relaxing when she felt the familiar shape of her glasses. Thankfully, it seemed to be none the worse for its fall. She rubbed her sore eyes, then pulled the glasses over her face, blinking rapidly to clear the stinging in her eyes. Why did her eyes hurt so much?\n\nFunny. Hadn't Eleanor dreamed about her glasses? She screwed up her nose in concentration, trying to hold fast to the fading dream. No, she hadn't dreamt about her glasses. She had dreamt about not wearing them.\n\n\"Yeah,\" she said out loud. \"That sounds about right.\"\n\nShe fell back against the floor, feeling too lazy to pull herself up onto her bed. There had been a gigantic, cavernous library, hadn't there? Or a bookstore. Something with books. Without her glasses, she hadn't been able to read the signs on the shelves and had become lost in the massive building. She had just managed to pick up a book before she had woken up. With a leather cover.\n.\n\nThere was a soft buzz against her stomach. Eleanor jumped and jammed a hand inside the pocket of her jacket. She relaxed, realising it was only her phone. That's right. She had been too tired to even take her jacket off before falling into bed, and she had forgotten that her phone was still inside. Thankfully, it wasn't broken. Maybe her body had cushioned it when she fell.\n\n\"How long have I been asleep anyway?\" she wondered out loud.\n\nThere was no light pouring in through the gap between her curtains, so she couldn't have been asleep for too long. She pulled out her phone, intending to check the time, but her mind was still on her odd dream.\n\n\"I remember that the place had a funny name,\" she said, mostly to herself. \"Something to do with snakes? No. Triangles. No, that's not right either. Triangular snakes? Pythons were definitely involved, I know that.\"\n\nShe turned back to her phone. Her lock screen glowed brightly in the dark of night. Or, she thought, technically the dark of early morning. It was barely three AM.\n\nA little notification under the clock caught her eye.\n\nRate your visit, it said in plain, black letters.\n\nHer visit? The new cafe she had gone to yesterday? But that had been hours ago. And hadn't she already written a review for it?\n\nCurious now, she tapped on the notification.\n\nIt opened up small page on her browser, showing the generic template that search engines used for locations. There were several pictures of two-story building, followed by the usual name, website and opening hours. She blinked, trying to focus her sore, sleep-addled eyes. What did it say? She rubbed her eyes again, trying to clear them.\n\nShe blinked and froze.\n\n\"Pythonglas Library?\" she blurted out.\n\nWell. That was weird.\n\n\"Maybe I saw the name while I was driving,\" she said. \"Or while I was walking home. That must have been why I dreamt about it.\"\n\nYeah. That made sense.\n\nSo why did her heart start beating a rapid, panicked tattoo? Why was her mouth dry with fear?\n\nBecause it's three in the morning and you're letting your imagination run wild, she told herself.\n\nBut the less sensible parts of her mind refused to listen.\n\n\"It couldn't have been real,\" she said insistently. \"The building doesn't look as big as the library from my dream. The library from my dream was practically the size of a cathedral.\"\n\nEleanor shivered at the remembrance. She had stood in the dark room, surrounded by deep shadows. Even looking up had proved to be no consolation. She had only seen more shadows, and, through them, she had managed to catch glimpses of a curved, dome-like ceiling.\n\nShe forced herself to snap out of the memory... of the dream. Because it hadn't been real. Definitely not.\n\nShe reached up to pull down a blanket. Something hard fell on her. She fumbled among the blankets.\n\nHer hands met the cool leather covers and spine of a book.\n\n/r/YarnsToTell" ]	4
	[WP] Within books are actual people that act out the book like a movie for the readers mind, everyone is aware of this in the book. You a main character, live in a book that hasn’t been opened in 5 years.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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." ]	1
	[WP] An old vampire, who procrastinated much because of immortality, tries to come to terms with the impending, human-caused end of the world.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 lean, handsome youth was gazing listlessly at the timer standing in the city square. It had stood there just three years prior as a countdown for the Olympics, the passerby’s looking at it with anticipation, but now the mood was solemn. \n\nA feeling of regret filled the youth. He should’ve worked harder, tried more things. He had the ability, the talent, and most of all the time, but he never put in the effort. He thought that he would live forever, so he wasted his days playing and enjoying himself, putting off the important things. But now the end was nigh.\n\nMal was walking briskly through the square, catching a glimpse of the youth, but soon turned away. There was so much to do, and so little time. He was exhausted, his body not used to so much exercise, but he persevered. He had sharks to see, planes to fly and countries to conquer. He glanced once more at the timer and sighed. These darn humans…" ]	2
	[WP] One day, your mirror image in the bathroom mirror suddenly starts talking to you every morning while you are getting ready.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 time I barely noticed it. Like any other morning I was getting ready in front of the bathroom mirror. I was just about done. Teeth brushed, face washed, hair styled. Just before leaving I half-ironically did the finger guns to the mirror and I could swear that my reflection winked at me.\n\nI could not make it happen again. That whole evening I tried to repeat it, making finger guns and stupid faces at the mirror. Either my reflection wasn’t feeling playful at the moment, or I had been mistaken.\n\nThe next morning I did the finger guns again, and my reflection nodded back. I wasn’t insane. I did the finger guns again, but I just got the same finger guns back. I said hello, my reflection was silent. Maybe tomorrow.\n\nI kept doing the finger guns, and every day I got a response. In the beginning I would only receive minuscule movements like a quick smile or a nod. But as the weeks passed my reflection got more and more independent. If I waved it waved back after. If my hair was uneven it would motion to the area to point it out. Only in the mornings though, in the evenings it was like any other mirror image.\n\nIt became my friend in the morning. Despite just being minor motions, they made me leave my home with a smile on my face, my reflection was always happy and uplifting.\n\nOne day I had a big presentation at work. Public speaking is the worst thing I know, and my anxiety kicked in as it usually did. I felt terrible that morning. I think my reflection could tell that no small gesture would help me today, because when I was about to leave I heard my voice from the mirror “You got this!” I could almost not believe it. I tried talking to it some more. Silence. Still, not only did the words give me reassurance, the thought of my reflection actually speaking to me distracted me enough to make me forget about my anxiety.\n\nThe next morning it talked again. Upon telling the reflection that my presentation went well, and it responded “I knew it would! You rock!”\n\nIt got more and more chatty over the following weeks. Despite having my voice, and apparently my memories, it had a very different personality. My reflection was confident and eloquent. Every morning I would get encouragements and tips for the day, it gave me the confidence I sorely had needed in my life.\n\nMy new confidence made me some friends. I started making an impact at work. My colleagues started seeking my advice. I finally got that promotion. My mirror suggested how I should negotiate my salary, and it worked like a charm. Word of my success must have spread, because a headhunter for our rival company contacted me.\n\nA major pay bump, great benefits, and a role that was perfect for me. It was my dream job. But I still had to interview. I hate interviews. I can’t believe I got hired by my current employer after spilling coffee on my now boss. I knew I had to do it, but my anxiety kicked in.\n\nThe night before the interview I did not sleep at all. All I could do was wait until morning and talk to the mirror image. But even after the pep talk I felt the nerves. My reflection looked at me, concerned, and said “There is something we can try.” I asked what it meant. “I look just like you, and I have your voice. As long as they don’t know that you’re not left handed I can take your place.” How would that work? “We touch the mirror and swap places. I’ll go to the interview for you, and then I return and we swap back. How does that sound?” I considered my options. At this point the reflection was my best friend, and I felt like throwing up thinking about the interview. All right.\n\nI touched the mirror, and my reflection touched the same spot. I felt a slight tingling sensation through my body. My reflection waved at me, “Don’t worry, we’re getting this job!” and for the first time ever, he left the room. I turned around and checked the clock. “E1:80”. I turned back and saw my reflection in the mirror. “You forgot something”. As I said the words the mirror image silently repeated the mouth movements back to me." ]	2
	[WP] You are working in a Kindergarden and one day the girls pretend to be witches and jokingly throw spells at each other. Suddenly one of the spells turns real.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Aaaaaaargh gimme gimme gimme this wand!\"\n\nThe girls are fighting for the stick Lara has, she doesnt want to give it though. \n\n\"Nooo, go away, my wand, I made it with my mommy\" Lara cries as Jessy tries to take it from her.\n\n\"Girls! What did we say? No fighting over possessions. Common now! We can make more wands!\" You say, hoping to end the fight.\n\n\"But I want THIS ONE!\" Jessy screams\n\nVanessa aproaches you: \"Miss, what shall I do with Poppy?\" \n\nYou turn to her: \"what? Wait, where did you get the pig?\" \n\n\"No, it s Poppy\" she argues.\n\n\"Well Sweety, you can name your piggie however you d like to, but we have said no animals in the kindergarden\"\n\nShe looks suspiciously at you, you kinda feel dumb \"Miss, it is Poppy! My friend! Lara turned her!\"\n\n\"Noone likes snitches!\" You hear someone whisper.\n\nYou quickly count the children. Indeed Poppy is missing.\n\n\"Haha okay very funny. Where is Penelope?\" You ask the girls. \n\n\"Uhm I told you, this is Poppy\" Vanessa tells you.\n\nThe boys join. Steffen asks you \"Miss, my brother told me pigs can swim, is that true?\" To which Sam suggests to try it out. Vanessa squishes the little pig to her chest and you see tears in her eyes.\n\n\"Enough! Noone touches Vanessas piglet, and you guys help me search for Penelope at once!\" You say.\n\n\"Miss Sophie, it is true, I turned Poppy into a pig... I m so sorry\" Lara starts crying. Jessy lets go of her and tells her to turn Poppy back and then give her the wand to play or turn her into a dragon.\n\n\"I have told you guys that I hate lies! Lara, I will have to call your mother, and Vanessas aswell\" you declare, to which Lara starts crying and asks you not to, because she is forbidden and will get grounded. Vanessa starts crying aswell insisting Lara has to turn back her friend. The pig starts getting shrieking frantically.\n\nYou have enough and proceed to call Mrs Turner, Laras mother. She seems shocked: \"I am so sorry. We had the agreement she wouldnt use magic in the kindergarden. But she shouldnt be able yet... I will come over right away to turn the little girl back\". You are in shock. So the children are telling the truth? \n\nHalf an hour later Mrs Turner arrives and after she turns the scared piglet back into a girl she apologises for her daughters behaviour. \"I think it might be better if I took her home now. You will forget this as soon as we leave. I am truly sorry\"\n\nWhen she leaves you look around. The children stare at you in a weird way. You count them. Everybody is there, except for Lara who got an excuse from her mother in the morning. \n\n\"Miss, ARE pigs able to swim?\" Steffen asks you. \"We should have tried it\" Sam sais. \"Noone touches Poppy\" Vanessa screams holding Penelopes hand. Penelope seems confused and a bit pale.\n\n\"Children, where do you get your weird ideas\" you say laughing. \"Penelope dear, are you okay? You look sick. I think a flu is going around, Lara is sick aswell\" you state, and proceed to call Penelopes parents to pick her up. \n\nIn the evening you tell your husband about your day \"Nothing special today, except for a sudden obsession with pigs!\".\n\nAs you go to bed you have the feeling that something is off. \n\nYou dream of a girl beeing turned into a pig." ]	2
	[WP] Magic can be used but while casting a spell the user experiences excruciating pain.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "&#x200B;\n\nWhile looking through the dusty old tome I found at a backwoods tag sale, I discovered the secret to the big M. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nMagic.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe book contained one simple spell promising to grant minor wishes with only minor costs. It started with small things like self-washing-dishes, or self-sorting-socks; you know, quality of life magic. For those, the pain was but only a minor thrill- for every clean dish a random hair on my body would be pulled out, or I’d constantly find a pebble in my shoe for the socks. This magic, while useful, simply wasn’t enough. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI needed more, I could take more pain, and, perhaps, the spell could provide bigger, better things. I got the promotion at work I deserved, and only at the cost of three stomach ulcers. I got the date I wanted with Lisa, a girl from the gym, and now every time I zip my fly up something… gets caught. Minor pains and gains, barely worth my time. What did I really want? \n\n&#x200B;\n\nEverything money could buy. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI wished every investment I made would be wildly successful, and it worked - it really worked. The only catch was that contact with money, even debit cards, would make me bleed. I could take the pain, but not the blood loss. Lisa started handling the cash- everything seemed to be working out well in that department, she was surprisingly fine with the whole magic thing, she even said it was a turn on. Maybe the magic between us was already there.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBut then the minor catches got worse. I’d start bleeding if any kind of currency was even in a hundred foot radius of me. Lisa was understanding for the first few months, but she ran off with most of the money not long after. The bones in my fingers started breaking when I tried to transfer the rest of my stockpile into a new account. Where there were once pebbles in my shoes, there were now rusted tacks. I’ve taken to not wearing any kind of pants or anything on my lower half, shoes included. Every hair has been ripped from my body, one excruciating pluck at a time every minute of every hour.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI’d almost ran out of food- not that I could eat much with what the ulcers had become, but I was afraid of what was outside the door. I was afraid of what comes next. I frantically searched the book for a way to undo this.\n\nI had begun bleeding, the area of effect must’ve increased. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs the dwindling world around me faded out of existence, or I out of the world’s, I saw the last smudged words written in the book: \n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Remember, on a cosmic scale, our lives and dreams are but minor things.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\_\\_\\_\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFeedback is welcome. ", "There's a polite knock at my door, and before I even say to come in,my mom's face appears in the doorway. \"Sweetie, how do you feel?\"\n\n\"Oooooh\" I moan, period cramps wracking my body.\n\n\"Do you want me to make some of my-\"\n\n\"Oooooh.\"\n\n\"What about some of my famous-\"\n\n\"Oooooh.\"\n\nI hear her sigh. \"You just want chocolate don't you?\"\n\n\"...Yes please,\" I squeak, my voice muffled from the cocoon of blankets I was wrapped in.\n\nShe sighs again and closes the door just as my phone vibrates.\n\nGroaning, head pounding, I reach for it and check who the text is from through narrowed eyes. \n\nNo..\n\nMy eyes widen.\n\nIt can't be..\n\nThe text says: Hey. Hope you don't mind, I got your number from your friend. I just wanted to say you looked kinda cute today. Let's talk when you feel better. -Jason\n\n\"Eeep!\" I squealed, hugging myself, and rolling around and around and arou...The love spell worked! It worked! \n\nI got hit with a wave of nausea and nearly threw up, so I stopped rolling, but that didnt daunt my excitement one bit. \n\nTotally worth it, I told myself. I regret nothing. I'm going to do this every month around the same time from now.\n\nMy mom walked in and paused, frowning at me as she slowly handed me my chocolate. \"Why are you smiling like that? I cant tell if you're happy or in pain.\"\n\n\"Both.\"\n" ]	3
	[WP] You have just woken up from a coma in the year 2039. The world seems to be pretty much as you'd expect it to be, except for one subtle but significant difference.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 nurse was so kind when she told me I'd been asleep for twenty years. Whoo! That's a long time. I'm almost 60 and my children must be adults now! She told me in the sweetest voice that they had both moved when the MPR came through. They rarely visit now.\n\n\"MPR?\" I asked, \"What is that?\"\n\nThe Magnet Powered Rails she described were something from the future alright, well I guess it isn't the future anymore. No personal vehicles necessary, you just hop on the rail and go. All powered with technology we've had since the ancient Greeks discovered magnes.\n\nAs the weeks went by with no sign of my children, the only family I had left, I regained my strength and was able to venture outside of the hospital on short outings. I usually just walked to the park and back. Things were definitely different, but still recognizable. The office I worked in for many years now had magnetic rail tubes coming out each side of the building. But it was the same structure. The park had high tech touchscreens on the play equipment where children could play music and video chat with other children all over the world, but the sidewalks still lead to the same places.\n\nI wandered on my outings, rambling to myself about being alone in a strange, but familiar world. The nurse's dark brown eyes came to mind as I ruminated on my loneliness. I wondered what she thought of me. Probably that I was a sickly old man in need of a friendly face. That's why she was so nice. Because it was her job. I decided to make sure to look my best from now on anyway. If not to impress her, then to make myself feel human again.\n\nI woke up almost a month ago and I had yet to look at myself. I could see the wrinkles on my hands and the age spots on my elbows, but I had no idea what my face looked like. Were there crevices peeking out of my eyes? Lines on my forehead? The feel of my face ensured me that I had no facial hair, but were my eyebrows bushy the way my grandfather's had been when he was sixty? The doctors warned me to proceed with caution when first looking at myself in a mirror. They didn't know if my fragile heart could handle the drastic change my body had made while I snoozed. I headed towards the restroom in my cozy hospital abode. \n\nLifting the sheet slowly from the bottom I unclovered the mirror to the point I could see my chin. It looked like the same pointed chin that had always hung off my face at an outward angle. I moved the sheet a little bit further. My lips were the same size and shape, but there were tiny creases forming at the corners of my mouth. An inch or two up and there was my nose. Surrounded by my sallowed cheeks that my mother always said made the neighbors think she didn't feed me. At this point everything is right where it should be and in better shape than I thought it would be. But the eyebrows were what I was really worried about. Grandpa's fuzzy caterpillars had been the brunt of many jokes. \n\nI ripped the sheet off the mirror. Thank God! My eyebrows were still trim enough to match my thin face. I stared at them for a while anyway. Something was different. Something was definitely different. I looked at the hairs up there long enough to have counted them all. Maybe the eyebrows weren't the thing. I glanced back down to my cheeks. Same. Chin. Same. Lips. Same. Nose. Same. Eyes...\n\n\"He's ok!\" I heard her sweet voice again. \"Mr. Ridley you fainted on the bathroom floor! I thought for sure you had gotten tired from all that walking and decided to take another twenty years of rest!\" \n\n\"The mirror. My eyes,\" I managed to squeak.\n\n\" It aint no thing dear. You look just as handsome as the day you came in here. The blow to the back of your head didn't do nothing to that manly mug.\"\n\nA tone sounded somewhere. She patted my hand and left the room. I looked over into the silver bars of the hospital bed and wondered why I hadn't done it sooner. Why hadn't I noticed it before? My eyes, the ones my ex wife had compared to a deep dark puddle of ink, were niw a pale blue with lines, almost white, running away from the pupil.\n\nI looked at a photo of me and my son that was propped in the windowsill. It was taken at his tball game the year before my accident. He had those same dark eyes I remembered having myself. The photo of my daughter on the far side of the room confirmed that she also had my inky blinkers. But they weren't mine anymore. Who's were they? Where had they gone? I glanced back to the tball photo. This time I looked at my own face, the way I had remembered it. But the Oakley sunglasses prevented me from revealing the truth to myself, or anyone else. \n\nI waited for the young lady to return. I pressed the call button. When she came back I asked her about my eyes. Had they been blue when I arrived? Surely even taking a shovel to the back of the conker couldn't result in the changing of my eye color. \n\nShe looked at me in the strangest way, her own dark eyes glazing over and becoming even deeper with a faraway look in them. She looked down at me, frail in my bed, and said \"I'll be back with the doctor. But you won't like his answer. Please let this go.\" \n\nI stared at her for a moment longer. She looked scared and startled. She knew what was going on. She asked me again to leave the issue behind me.\n\n\"How?!\" I asked, \" How does this happen?! Are you insane? Leave it alone?! Get the damn doctor!\"\n\nShe ran out of the room with the speed of a magnet rail car, gliding into the hallway and turning down the corridor in the direction of the elevators. I never saw her again." ]	2
	[WP] They're watching you, all the time. You walk down the hall..they stare...they inspect....they smell. You run from their growls and dodge their pounces . When will they leave you be..., No! it is time to strike back. You raise your paw against the horde of puppies. This is your final stand.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Us cats are more powerful than those peasant humans believe. In ancient Egypt, cats were royalty. Now we're just second rate dogs. That changes today.\n\nEver since these pesky puppies have been born, the humans no longer paid attention to me or beautiful Esmerelda, my cat queen. They gave us that godawful food and sometimes cleaned our sacred litterbox. The puppies had taken up their entire attention. I was willing to live with it until those glorified rats pounced on Esmerelda and nipped at her ear. They came after me next, hoping to do the same. I wasn't going to let that happen.\n\nI raised my paw and instantly all of those rats, stopped in their tracks. I had tuned into my ancient power that all cats possessed. Those \"puppies\" dropped to their stomachs and bowed. This was going to be fun.\n\nEsmerelda and I haven't touched the ground since then, as our newfound servants insist on carrying us everywhere. The humans find it amusing and have taken videos to post on their small light boxes. \n\nThe humans tried to sell one of them, but they fought back with surprising efficiency. They fought as one to protect their comrades. I admired the sense of brotherhood and attachment these dogs have. It may prove useful in our inevitable conquest of other households.\n\nEsmerelda and I have been planning a coup against the other cats of the Neighborhood for some time. With our new army, however, that plan is much closer to reality than we had ever imagined, These puppies will grow up to be fine warriors. \n\nOur first target will be Fluffles from across the street, he always acts so high and mighty sitting in his little windowsill all day. He'll learn his place shortly and if he's lucky, I'll appoint him to court jester. Next will be Bubbles from two doors down. She acts like she's a queen, and she is, but only of her backyard because that near-feral beast has been confined to outside by her humans. Finally, we'll conquer the Siamese Clan. The Siamese Clan are the most feared cats on the block. There are about 20 of them and counting. They belong to some human woman who has no male counterpart.\n\nAfter the cats are conquered, the Humans are next. We'll teach them to chase those dreadful lasers just as they have to our ancestors over the years. \n\nThis is only the beginning. Today the litterbox, Tomorrow the world. " ]	2
	[WP] The planets are in fact marbles, in an extremely slow game played by much larger beings	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Donald, a forgetful soul, was an easy opponent. They weren't the brightest being in the cosmic web, but still had numerous galaxies in their collection. Many players challenged Donald in attempt to win a galaxy or two for themselves. No one knew how Donald had so many. It was speculated that they were able to create them, but it remained unproven. Donald lost at least 80% of their matches, but never seem to run out of galaxies. Though their collection was large, it was not infinite.\n\nIt had been nearly forty trillion years after the distribution Donald's collection was finally wearing thin. Their Arch nemesis was working to exhaust Donald's resources. Donald was down to their final galaxy, which had always been their trump card. However, due to the law of elimination, no being was permitted to 'go all in' until they had all but one star system in their marble bank. This meant that Donald was now restricted to betting only their systems.\n\nDonald was desperate, and still a fool. In a final effort to regain their collection they had put up every single star system except one. It was their prized possession, and they dared not to lose it. To no surprise the match was a defeat, which Donald was the loser like they had always been. Donald poured their essence into the remaining system. It was a small one, yet the marbles contained within held a special place in Donald's existence. It was the the first they had been given by the Grand Distributor. \n\nOne final game, Donald played against their arch nemesis. No better way to be defeated than by the one being Donald has ever beaten. It was a death match. If Donald would lose, their existence would fade and would be eliminated once and for all. Donald decided to give the system a name. It was usual for beings to give their galaxies names, but certainly not the individual systems. Donald was uncreative and lame. He named the system Sol since their soul was tied to it.\n\nThe match was a highly anticipated event. Beings of all kinds tuned in to see the one with the largest known collection to be defeated. The match wasn't particularly interesting, but it's excitement was still on high. It was something about death matches that really brought interest and ecstasy to all beings.\n\nWith one last flick, the last marble was knocked out of the ring. Donald was defeated at last. They kissed the small yellow star and presented it to the winner. As soon as the opponent had taken the system from Donald, the Great Distributor appeared.\n\n\"Jehovah is the winner.\" They spoke,\" Donald, one whom has lost their marbles, shall be eliminated.\"\n\nAnd just like that, Donald was gone. " ]	2
	[WP] You have just realized that when the quest notice said 'the cave was full of goblets', it was not referring to a long lost hoard of cups, but rather a ragtag gang of very, very small goblins.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 looking at the local notice board, I'm always interested in collecting enchanted items, I found a quest notice that took my interest.\n\n\"Quest to collect everything in Moonryte cave, take what you can, everything must go, you can keep what you take from area, as long as it's declared. \n\nADDITIONAL INFO: Scout informs us \"The cave was full of goblets. No threat.\"\n\nFantastic, easy money right there. Melt down the goblets, sell them to a barkeep... Many options. I took the notice and declared I'd complete the quest at the local office, I got the coordinator to point me in the direction of the quest sight, said goodbye to my good friend before leaving and went on my way.\n\nUpon arriving at the cave, I saw the outside of the cave had been vandalised, paint all other the place. It appeared someone had wrote \"GIT OUT\" on the wall. It was a concern for me at the time.\n\nAs I walk in the cave, I see it's been furnished, very primitive but it's nice enough, tables are quite low and small, either a kiddie table or a foreign piece. Might need to appraised.\n\nI walk deeper, admired the art on the walls, interesting stuff, some crude paintings of wolves, pyramids, green men and light beams. Then a small pebble hits the back of my head.\n\nThe cave was moist, it had been raining not so long ago, and some water had fell on me whilst I was exploring, but this came from an angle below me.\n\nI hear whispering in various directions. Just as I'm unsheathing my sword I hear a voice. \"OI YOU, YEA YOU\" I begin looking around, the voice is coming from a pot on a drawer. Am I under a spell, or is this pot cursed or enchanted? \n\n\"Give us your gold and silver or you're getting choked.\" Now, I'm not prone to violence, so, trying to avoid getting killed by a magic pot, I try negotiation strategies, nothing I say works tho. This pot is adamant on mugging me. \n\n\"Alright I see how you wanna play.\" The pot falls over. I jump leap out my skin. Is the dust going to choke my lungs? Will the spirit possess me? Am I going to become a pot now? Oh no, if I do I'll get smashed by that kid who wears green and only grunts. Oh god. Oh no. Please no. Not that. Another fate, not that.\n\nI feel various pitter patters, and something, no heavier than a mouse trying to crawl up my leg. \"GET HIM BOYS\" I hear, coming from the location of the shattered pot. When I look up from my feet, I see this little green man with pointy ears looking at me with an angry face. \n\nI'm perplexed. Is this the pot spirits incarnation? This is what's going to choke me for money? At once I feel quick moving tugs on my trousers, quickly making their way up. I look down. Little green men...\n\nI shake my legs and most of them come flying off. Poor things. \"OI YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE BREAKING OUR STUFF, YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THAT POT YOU MONKEY\" \n\nAt this point I laughed, \"Ooohh\" I just realized what the scout meant. Could've made it clearer. Oh well. It made sense. The vandalism. The small furniture. \n\nI pick up the goblet by the neck. His angry demeanor instantly changed into a pitiful one. \"Hey there buddy, you wouldn't happen to be a wood goblin would you?\" \"N-n-n-no\" Replied the goblin. \"You know what happens to goblins round these parts, right?\" \"P-p-p-please, w-w-we just wanted protection money. Mercy, please!\" \n\n\"I see how it is then.\" I had a grin on my face. \"Goblin's, listen up, I'm giving you one opportunity to get into this bag and listen to me.\" I took out a brown sack, strong, easily carry a pig's weight. \n\nI set the sack on the floors and gently put the now submissive goblin into his place. Slowly but surely the others followed suit. Goblin's are weird like that, not like they had much choice at their size. \n\nAlright. I had a sizable goblin population in my sack. The cave could be cleaned out later. Now I can make a choice, do I hand the goblin's in? Do I release them elsewhere? Or do I throw the bag away, goblin's and all, and let an overly curious adventurer find it?\n\n(It's 4am I'm too tired to finish this at this point on a mobile .)" ]	2
	[WP] 8 planets, 8 races, 8 planes of existence exist separately in the solar system, and Humans are the third race of the third planet of the third plane. Today the planes are merging.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 stars are right! Ia fthagl! Iya rthal!” The cultist shrieked in maddening glee as she drove a dagger into his own chest and fell down dead.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAbove, in the infinitival night sky, seven mad stars lit up like eyes of a slowly awakening god.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nOf course, these were not stars, but planet. Seven other celestial spheres, in the same orbit as the earth, emerging as if from some sysophian depths forgotten by all existence to now suddenly haunt the cosmos with their indefatigable reality.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIn the following days panic grew and festered in the hearts of men and women across the earth.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe astronomers calculations where clear. The orbit of our home, our only home, where no longer stable, no longer a safe womb for our nascent species. Mother earth was on a collision course, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Our species, once believing we had aeons of time before the end of our world, now found ourselves cut down to years or decades.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhat’s more, the observations of the planets where erratic, unbound by known laws of physics and reason.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nOne where covered in a large black cloud, latter identified to be creatures, creatures all over the very top of its atmosphere, swarming, floating black shapes, their true nature impossible to fully grasp, but assuredly an uncountable population of several millions.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnother sent any unfortunate observer into a frothing seisure. Even gazing upon it with a naked eye was dangerous, the dull and unfocused vision across that great chasm of nothingness not fully shielding the bearer from the planetoids soulboring stare.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA third appeared composed of no known matter, the surface shifting and shimmering in impossible colors, indescribable colors. Lesser specks of light could be seen moving away from it at speed, and was said to be some form of space faring vessels, sent away to the other planets.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA fourth planet formed the source for a cacophonous stream of screeching radio signals, a pandemonioum of feverish noise that spiraled out of the gravity well from that blackened pit of a planet.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd so on, each of the other planets carrying their own strangeness, each appearing to carry some form of life.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWe could do nothing but send out or own radio signals, and our own desperate ships off our once safe port and out into the great abyss.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs strange cults, and stranger creatures slithered out from the hidden places of our world, as we desperately sought contact with these new planets to try and stave off our oncoming doom, we begged the stars for salvation.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd the stars watched in silence.\n\n&#x200B;" ]	2
	[WP] For fun, a time traveller decides to send back some "powerful relics" to medieval times. You're the average oppressed peasant working in a field when an instruction manual, a barrel of bullets, and a belt fed m249 lmg land at your feet	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Ah, the life of an average oppressed peasant. Suddenly a strange set of objects appear in a flash of light at my feet. There is paper, but seeing as I am a medieval peasant, I can hardly read. In fact, the most concerning part is that it has just crushed the squash meant to feed my family this winter, ensuring their death. Regardless, it is obviously some form of witchcraft. I send little Johnny, my youngest and weakest, who is certainly going to die this winter even if we had the squash, to fetch the guard. My boy returns with Clyde and Lebedus, two men under service to Lord Baza. Inspecting the strange objects, they too deduce that it is witchcraft. Using my cart and donkey we load them up and take them to the center of town. They gather all the villagers and Lord Baza, who declares that if any find such strange objects, which are a direct result of witchcraft, they are to be burned immediately. Making his declaration, Lord Baza has Clyde set fire to the pyre these strange objects was placed upon. We village bumpkins watch in god fearing fashion as the witchcraft glows red hot with the power of the devil. Suddenly Satan unleashes his power with the noise of 100s of breaking stones, as I watch everyone I know and love get cut down by some demonic force. It is only by the will of god, as I am a god fearing peasant and beat the devil out of my boys, that I survive. Suddenly I have enough food to survive the winter, and little johnny and I return to the farm. Come spring, King Tovey's men show up looking for Lord Baza, finding no one but me, as everyone else is dead. Suspecting I killed them all to survive the winter, me and my family are executed for high treason. So goes the life of a medieval peasant. " ]	2
	[WP] You make yourself some alphabet soup, but when you go to take your first bite, the word 'RUN' is spelled in the center of the bowl. You scoff at the coincidence and stir the soup. The way the letters settle, they say 'SERIOUSLY. GET OUT OF HERE NOW. RUN.'	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 had no idea how to react. I stared down at the bowl, re-reading the words over and over, until I had no choice but to accept that they really were there.\n\n“SERIOUSLY GET OUT OF HERE NOW RUN”\n\nIt was the same sensation you get the first few moments after a fire alarm sounds. Your instincts to run don’t kick in straight away, it might just be a drill after all, or a mistake. Instead you sit there and test the mood, waiting to see how everyone else is going to react, wondering if you should pack up your belongings or n…the letters in the soup began to rearrange themselves again.\n\n“DO NOT PACK ANYTHING PUT ME IN TUPPERWARE AND RUN YO HAVE TWO MINTES”\n\nI guess it was low on “U”s.\n\nI decided to do as I was told. What else are you supposed to do when your lunch starts talking to you? As soon as I finished pouring the soup into the Tupperware a new message formed.\n\n“GOOD NOW COVER ME UP AND GET OUT OF HERE DO NOT SPILL ME” \n\nI grabbed my coat and headed to the front door, but as I put my hand on the doorknob, the sound of tyres screeching to a halt outside stopped me in my tracks. I pulled the curtain aside in time to see a team of men, dressed in full body tactical gear, pile out of a black SUV and set up positions outside my house. Panicked, I looked down at the soup.\n\n“THE BACK DOOR QUICKLY”\n\n”Ok, now my instincts to run have kicked in!” I thought as I sprinted out of the back door. I leapt over the fence in my back garden, hesitating for a split second before turning right and running as fast as I could down the alley. After a few seconds I heard a vehicle approaching from behind, a quick glance confirmed that a second SUV was following me. Who the fuck were these guys?! I looked down at the soup but nothing, I guess it was being jostled too much to be able to talk. \n\nThe SUV was gaining fast, as I looked behind me I saw one of the men inside lean out of the window and point a machine gun at me. I ducked instinctively as the bullets began to fly past. The SUV was still closing, soon I’d be close enough that it wold be impossible to miss, but there was nowhere to go but straight. Frankly it was a miracle that I hadn’t been hit already. Another burst of fire came from behind me, I dodged to my left and heard the bullets ricochet off a skip that somebody had left behind their house, followed by a startled cry of pain from behind me. The gunfire stopped but I didn’t have time to think about why.\n\nI burst out of the alley as fast as my legs could carry me, too fast to stop before I ran full speed into the main road at the end of it. A number of cars sped by, coming within what felt like centimetres of hitting me, but somehow I managed to get across unscathed. A huge crash from behind me told me that the SUV hadn’t been so lucky. I stopped, gasping for breath, and saw it lying on its side in the middle of the street, four or five other cars piled up around it. It didn’t look like anybody was still coming. When I got breath back O saw that what looked like an address was written in the soup.\n\n“IƎS LINDEN AVENUE”\n\n“What is that?” I asked. “135 Linden Avenue?”\n\n“YES NO NUMBERS IN ALPHABET SOUP”\n\n“What’s going on here!? Who are you? Why do you want me to go there?”\n\n“ANSWERS”\n\n“No!” I yelled. “That’s enough, tell me what’s going on right now! No more of these cryptic messages.”\n\nNo more messages appeared at all, however a few of the people who had gathered to gawp at the accident were looking at me strangely as I screamed at a piece of Tupperware. “Probably best not to draw any further attention.” I thought. I decided to get moving before the police, or more goons showed up.\n\n—\n\n135 Linden Avenue was an unassuming little bungalow on a perfectly ordinary tree-lined street. There was a little water feature in the front garden. It looked like the kind of place that some nice retired couple might live in, certainly no-one that had anything to do with heavily armed men in black SUVs. I checked the soup again to see if there had been some mistake, but it had shown no signs of communication since giving me the address. \n\nI walked up the path and rang the doorbell. The chorus of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” chimed through the house.\n\n“Coming! Coming!” came a voice from inside. A man, in his late sixties maybe, he shuffled towards the door. He opened it, looking back and forth between me and the Tupperware I was still carrying.\n\n“Ah, you must be Beatrix.” he said with a broad smile. ”Please please, come in.” He stood aside and waved me in, locking the door behind me. “I’m guessing you’ve had quite the day!” he said, bustling me through to the living room whilst chuckling to himself. “Why don’t you come and have a seat and some tea? You’re quite safe here I assure you.”\n\n“Actually I think I’d rather stand.” I told him, eyeing the tea set that had been laid out on the table. I didn’t want to let my guard down just because he seemed like a friendly old man. In the past two hours I’d been spoken to by my soup, chased, shot at, and very nearly run over. Not to mention the fact that he’d set out two teacups, as if he’d known I was coming. And he knew my name. “Uh, I realise how this is going to sound,” I continued, weighing my words as carefully as I could, “but this soup told me that I’d find answers here. As you said, I’ve had quite a day.\n\n“Ah the soup is it?!” he said, chuckling again, “Never ceases to amaze me the way these things work.”\n\n“The way what things work?” I asked.\n\n“These things.” said the old man. With surprising speed he picked up the teapot by the handle and threw it at me. Or at least he tried to. At the lost second, the handle broke off, causing the teapot to fall harmlessly to the floor a few inches from him, and spilling piping hot tea onto the carpet. He stood up straight again, examining the broken handle in his hand with a bemused expression.\n\n“As near as I can tell,” he said, placing the handle back on the table, “you unconsciously create some kind of probability distortion field around you whenever you’re in danger. Simply put, you have the ability to bend the rules of chance to prevent yourself from being hurt. How about it? I’m sure lots of strange little strokes of luck led to you arriving here today, isn’t that right?\n\nI thought about the cars that had somehow all managed to avoid me on the road, or the bullets missing despite being fired at almost point blank range, even the fact that I’d decided to turn right and not left once I’d jumped the fence of my garden.\n\n“But how does that explain my soup talking to me?”\n\n“Well it’s best not to think of it as your soup talking exactly. It’s more like the information you needed had to be presented in a visual way, and your soup was the most reasonable means of doing that. True, the odds that the letters in your soup would spontaneously start organising themselves into sentences, never mind sentences that conveyed the exact information you needed, were low, but they weren’t zero.”\n\nI thought about that for a moment. “So why did it stop?”\n\nThe old man shrugged. “I suppose once you had all the information you needed there was nothing more for it to do. Like I said, it wasn’t helping you because it decided to. It was more like a means of delivering information. Think of it like a situationally aware newspaper.”\n\nI looked down at the container of cold soup, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that it wouldn’t talk again, I’d become kind of attached to it. I put it down on the table.\n\n“Anyway,” the old man continued. ”There’s a lot we need to do. Like figuring out how they found you for a start. Do you remember anything about the men who came after you? What they looked like? What they said? A name perhaps?”\n\n“I…I don’t know,” I said, my brain was still struggling to keep pace with all of this new information, “it all happened too fast…”\n\n“Ah yes yes, of course.” said the old man apologetically. “Forgive me for pushing you so soon. We’ll have all the answers soon enough.”\n\n“What do you mean by that?” I asked.\n\n”Oh nothing for you to worry about,” he said casually, as he stood up and rifled through his pockets, producing a set of car keys. “I’m taking you to see The Professor. He’ll know what to do next.” \n\n“The Professor?” I repeated.\n\n“That’s right.“ said the old man, nodding vigorously and pulling on a jacket. He seemed to be in a hurry all of a sudden. ”He’s like you…well, not exactly like you, but he has abilities too. He protects us.”\n\nHe went back to the front door, confirming it was locked, and took a long look out through the front window of the house. No black SUVs appeared. He came back through to the living room, grinning as he took my hand and led me towards the back.\n\n“Let’s be off shall we?” he said cheerfully.\n\nI nodded, taking one last glance back at the Tupperware container, just as the word “NO” appeared amongst the letters.", "I looked out the window to the distant farmland and began contemplating the trees moving from the rainy day's breeze. \"Dad! Soups ready\" says Emma. I grabbed the bowls from the microwave and served the table for both of us. \"Eat, so that you grow strong and beautiful, just like your mother was.\" I told Emma as I was setting her side of the table. Before grabbing the first spoon of the alphabet soup, I saw the word 'RUN' very clearly floating in the center of the bowl. \"interesting pattern of words\" I thought to myself. I stirred the soup and the words 'SERIOUSLY. GET OUT OF HERE NOW. RUN' appeared right in front of my eyes. \"What the...\" I screamed. \"What's wrong dad?\" Says Emma with a clear frightened expression. \"Nothing, just keep eating, dad will be right back in a minute.\" \n\nI went outside, hoping I was just daydreaming and that it was just part of my own imagination. I grabbed a cigarette and lit it up. As I was sitting in the porch I saw a strange looking figure walking right at me. It was strange because it was wearing a black suit and because no one would come to the middle of a farm with those kind of clothes. The mere presence gave me chills and I threw away the cigarette butt. I went into the house, locked the door and grabbed the shotgun and as I went to open the door I heard a knock. \"Impossible, he seemed a mile away just now\" I thought to myself. \"Dad there is someone on the door\" says Emma, having no idea what is going on. I made a hand sign shushing her and got myself behind the door. \"Perhaps if I didn't see the sign on the soup I would have already let him in\" I said to myself as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. \"Emma go to your room and hide\" I whispered and heard another knock on the door, this time it was very strong as if someone had knocked with a hammer or some metal tool. I looked at the loaded shotgun now resting on my hands and then gave a glance to the door handle and as I went for it, the man says \"Sam, open the door I just want to have a conversation with you.\" His voice was calm but deep. \"How the hell do you know my name and what are you doing on my property\" I said, trying to sound convincing \"I don't get any visitors nowadays and I am damn sure you weren't invited.\" All was quiet for about 20 more minutes. I sighed and put the gun down, relieved that I didn't have to use it with my daughter in the house. \"That soup... it meant something. How did he know my name? who was he?\" I thought to myself and as I turned around, he was there, inside our house, looking straight at me. A very tall man with barely visible face due to the suit and hat he had on. \"Hi Sam, we meet again\" I thought about grabbing the gun but I somehow knew it was not going to do or solve anything. With my eyes wide open and heart leaving off my chest I could barely speak. \"How... how do you know my name? How did you get in?\" I said knowing fully that I wasn't in control of the situation anymore. \"Sam, I am not here for you, I am here for your daughter\" He said in a condescending manner \"She will be valuable to us and you are just in our way\" He said as he rapidly touched my forehead with his thumb and I blacked out. \n\nWhen I woke up it was night time. The power was off and the only light source was the lighter I had in my pocket. I was holding down the tears as I remember what had happened and I whisper Emma's name as I look all over the house. \"She is not here, she is gone\" I said crying. I sat on the table just where I was sitting in the afternoon when we were both eating and as I looked to the now cold soup I saw the words 'I TOLD YOU' spelled on it. \"Megan, is that you?\" I said out loud. ", "I stared blankly at the bowl.\n\n\"Shit,\" I said, \"I'm in the Matrix, aren't I?\"\n\n\"NO. HURRY\"\n\nI sighed and got up, moving toward the door. I stopped as a brilliantly stupid idea struck me. I reached toward the bowl and grabbed it. \"Ok, noodle-prophet. You're coming with me.\"\n\n\"COOL GKOOD IFDEA,\" it tried to say as its letters were jostled.\n\nI tried to keep the bowl stable and still move as quickly as possible. I left my apartment and started to head down the hall to the elevator. \n\n\"NOT THAT WAY. 211\"\n\nHow did it get numbers? It was just alphabet soup. I turned completely around and carefully ran to apartment 211, and realized the soup used an upside-down Z and two I's.\n\nI knocked, my panic spilling out as my knuckles rapped faster than I intended. A hippie-looking lady answered the door. I recognized her; we'd spoken at the mailbox, but I didn't know she lived so close.\n\n\"Hi. Um. I'm in trouble, I need to come in, I'll explain when I can, but please let me come in, something very bad will happen if you don't.\" My face turned red in embarrassment. This was so fucking ridiculous.\n\n\"Uhh,\" she said. Then glanced down at my soup. Her eyes popped open wide in astonishment.\n\n\"PLEASE CLARISSA\"\n\n\"Ok. Ok come in, quick.\" She pulled me inside and shut the door quickly. She peered out the peephole and swore.\n\n\"What?\" I asked. She moved out of the way, pointing at the peephole with one hand and gesturing for me to be quiet with the other. Through the tiny window, I could see two tough looking, thuggish guys poised outside my door, preparing to kick it in. \"Shit!\" I hissed quietly.\n\nI turned to my neighbor, at a total loss of what to do, hoping she'd have some idea, some guidance.\n\nInstead she just stared, alternating between me and my bowl. She wore a nervous, but unmistakably excited grin on her face.\n\nI glanced up beyond her, taking in her apartment's decor. Covering every inch of every wall were drawings, sketches, and paintings of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.\n\nThen she said, in an awestruck whisper,\n\n\"The legends are true!\"\n\nI glanced down at my alphabet soup bowl, read it, and sighed.\n\n\"YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE\"\n\n", "I dropped my spoon into the bowl in disgust. I couldn’t catch a break even when at home alone.\n\nThe Fitbit had been at me all day, buzzing every hour for me to get moving. My office had gotten new sit-stand desks. My lunch buddy had cancelled our regular date and instead joined a walking group in the park.\n\nTestily, I scooped the accusing words into my mouth and gulped. I could feel the letters buzzing the whole way down, making my tummy unsettled.\n\nNo, not the letters. My guilt. I’d been promising myself that 2019 would be the year where I finally got off my ass.\n\nI looked down at the bowl.\n\n“REALLY”\n\nI paused. I looked out my window. There was still light.\n\nI slipped my running shoes on and made sure to lock the door on the way out.\n\n\\\\\\*\n\nFresh from the shower, I reheated the soup and ladled out a fresh bowl.\n\nThe liquid sloshed around the sides before settling.\n\n“I LOVE YOU YOU DID GOOD TODAY”", "“Wow, what are the odds of my soup spelling that,” I thought to myself. “Maybe I should post this on r/mildlyinteresting or something.” \n\n\nI snapped a few quick photos with my phone, then continued enjoying my soup. You have to enjoy it while it’s piping hot ya know. Unlike most people, I have a weird habit when it comes to alphabet soup. I like to eat the vowels first, starting with ‘a,’ then ‘e,’ and gradually work my way down.\n\n\nI glanced at my soup again to find another wild coincidence, ‘YOUR LIFE IS IN DNGER.’ \n\n“Hmm, I wonder if dnger is actually a word.” \n\nI continued taking spoonful after satisfying spoonful.\n\n‘YOU R GOING TO DI’\n\n“Haha, that’s like how my little brother texts.”\n\n‘R YU VN LSTNNG’\n\n“Okay, now I’m getting ex-girlfriend vibes.”\n\n‘R YU THT BLVUS’\n\n“Hehe, BLVUS sounds funny.”\n\n‘CM N MN THS S SRS’\n\nBefore I knew it, there was no more soup left. I’m not sure if it was the fact that I was still hungry, but for some reason I had a horrible sense of dread envelope my body. I felt a shiver down my spine that seeped into my bone marrow. I frantically searched around my kitchen.\n\n“It has to be here somewhere. It’s my only hope!”\n\n\nAt last, I found the Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix in the cupboard. I thought for sure that soup would keep me warm. Good thing I still have this. As I took the contents of the hot chocolate packet out and poured it into my steaming milk, I noticed something funny. The little marshmallows that were floating on top looked like they were intentionally clustering together. It’s like they were moving on their own, like they were trying to tell me something.\n\n“Man, this day keeps getting weirder and weirder,” I said as I scooped up all the marshmallows and ate them in one gulp.\n" ]	6
	[WP] Rifts open to a parallel Earth where the cold war ended in a large scale nuclear exchange. Our reality's governments rush to take advantage of the sudden appearance of an entire new Earth to exploit. Its the AltEarth land rush of 2205, and you are a colonist working for the USA.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Log entry: captain Smith: 19 June 2034:\n\nThose damn Brits and french sure know how to colonize. We tried to get our stake in first, but apparently they remember a few things. We were unable to stop them, they've taken nearly the entirety of this alternate earth, the only place we've been able to hold is our own alternate soil, and then only because we know the territory.\n\nWe now know why the Germans feared a United Britain and France. They're nearly unstoppable, our diplomats and generals have been using every trick in the book to try and make them fight each other.\n\nBut it's not working, they just send a few snarky comments at each other and laugh it off to keep fighting us. Hell we've even allied with the Russians and even that isn't enough. They just keep coming.\n\nI have no clue how long we can hold out, the mortar shells are coming closer now...\n\nShell hit right on top of us! They're closing in, I don't expect us to last long, but we'll fight, we'll fight to the last man! I'm transmitting this message on all wavelengths back to our universe, that way even if none of us survive.....\n\nEnd of log recording.", "15May2205\n\nI've never really kept a journal before- I've tried and I can never think of very much to say. The Powers That Be- or the Powers That Were, for us, I guess, but I'll get to that later- suggested that we do so, as they may be of historic importance. I suppose they're right, so I'll do my best.\n\nWe were to be the first group sent through the portal, from any country. No one really knew what to expect. We had all taken the training courses, but it gradually became clear that the courses were a joke, at least on this subject- a lot of boring videos about nuclear weapons, which seemed superfluous- they had already been used where we were going, and wouldn't be used again. Videos about the aftermath, too, which seemed more pertinent, but wasn't very encouraging- overpopulation be damned, why bother colonizing a place like that? But, at least it was empty. Maybe in time we could clean it up.\n\nThere was something very strange about the whole thing. Not the opening of a portal to another reality, scientists had been working on that for years, ever since research picked back up after the Troubles, and it seemed natural enough that they would eventually figure out a way. It was strange that nuclear weapons were suddenly relevant again after all these years. We had all taken history classes in high school, we all knew the world had stood on the brink of destruction, but the Gomorrah satellites had existed for so long that hydrogen bombs seemed sort of quaint, like matchlock rifles or the internal combustion engine. When nuclear sites could be vaporized in an instant, when missiles in flight could be redirected or blown up in midair, they were obsolete, regardless of the impressive command of natural forces they represented. That had consequences of its own of course- it's hard to imagine the Third Troubles in a world where nuclear weapons were relevant. That's what we were taught in history class, anyway. Though I suppose the world we were going to had a Third Troubles of their own, and a worse one than we were familiar with, so maybe that's a misperception. Sometimes hindsight can be misleading.\n\nThat was another oddity. Nuclear weapons seemed relevant in every world but our own. The eggheads in the Department of Interdimensional Studies, and their counterparts elsewhere, had scanned literally millions of alternate Earths, and every one of them, without exception, had experienced a full scale nuclear war. Humans evolved in every one of them, which was peculiar enough, and humans destroyed themselves in every single one. Except ours, of course.\n\nThe search continued for a really pristine world, someplace where there were no humans in the first place to wreck everything, and most governments were holding out before sending colonists anywhere. New Acadia has always been a peculiar nation, though, and the bureaucrats in Portland and Montreal have a worldwide reputation for recklessness and divisiveness. So far as I can remember, no other nation is so schizophrenic as to need two capitals. But we are, and we Englishers were gung ho about the project from the start. The debate was a shitshow, like they always are, but in the end passion won out. The Frenchies merely thought the proposition was unwise, and that may be true- it almost certainly is, really- but it is not a position that sparks the imagination.\n\nNot that any of us were especially passionate about it, at least to begin with. It was the people who certainly weren't going, the beautiful people, the wealthy people, the boring, safe people, who waxed eloquent about the project. You can only live vicariously through professional athletes and cheesy singers on the annual Amerivision competition for so long before it becomes passe, I guess. \n\nWe all had our own reasons for going there. Some of us had been offered pardons, some of us had been cleared of crippling debts. All of us were young, bright, talented, exceptional in some way. I had been a leader of Students for Real Democracy before the Revolution of 2201, and a member of the so-called Manchester Seven (I think I was number 3) in the trials that ensued when it all went bad and the reactionaries, uh, reacted. One of our sympathizers in Congress put forward my name for Expedition Chief. Our computer specialist is Derringer2200, the notorious hacker and thief who bankrupted the city of Boston before the whole scheme came crashing down. Our doctor is Jean-François Millette, one of the great minds behind that lab-created genuine maple syrup scam from a few years back. The rest are respectable people, but maybe not so good with money. At any rate they didn't have any. None of us had very much to lose, and in a sense that put us in a privileged position. After a while we even got over the feeling of coercion and began to feel sort of privileged. It's an incredible thing we're doing, when you get over yourself long enough to think about it.\n\nI would say morale was high the day the 20 of us packed into the crawler, loaded with the modular habitat and our other supplies. There was a crowd there on Breed's Hill, chosen because of its association with American democracy and independence- a sick joke if you ask me, but no one did. No matter. This project gave us a chance to start from scratch, and maybe get it right this time. The portal opened, and we went through.\n\nThe other side was not what I expected. Perhaps the training videos were overly pessimistic. Perhaps they simply didn't take into account over 2 centuries of healing. The place was not a wasteland, but a verdant forest. Beautiful. Primeval. In my disorientation and surprise I, the driver, accidentally crushed several trees, before hitting one the crawler couldn't steamroll. I cursed and started climbing out, as did the rest of the crew, to see if there was any damage, but even this mishap couldn't kill my good mood- this place didn't look bad at all.\n\nAs I climbed down I caught a hint of movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over, expecting a deer or something similar. What I saw was a man, but not one of my crew. He was clad in hides, and he looked absolutely filthy. At his hip was a gun in a rawhide holster decorated with porcupine needles. He took it out as I got my footing and turned to face him, and pointed it close to us, but not quite at us, a look of suspicion and wonder on his face. It looked familiar, and I racked my brain to remember where I had seen it. It was a Walker revolver, I remembered; I had seen it in some ancient film. Nearly 3 centuries out of date. Must be a replica.\n\n\"Who the hell are you guys?\" the stranger called out in an accent that would not be out of place in Southie. \n\nThere was silence for a moment before I realized that I was the one who was supposed to answer. \"We're from Earth,\" I said idiotically, at something of a loss.\n\n\"Can you be a little more specific, smartass?\" he said, looking a little annoyed.\n\nThis was a complication we had not been trained for. I looked back from whence we had come, but the portal had already closed. It would open again, of course, and 500 new settlers would come through. On the same date next year." ]	3
	[WP] You are a vampire hunter, and the local population cheers every time that, when bloodless bodies appear, you're there as well to hunt down the vampire. Except they don't know that's the best cover you ever found in 200 years. Because YOU are the vampire.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Any luck on the vampire?\" Simon asked, sidling up beside me as I trekked through the village. \n\nIf only he had stood on my left, then he'd be blocking the sun from hitting me. It didn't hurt, per se, but it burned. The sun's touch would leave little splotches of red on my skin that would ache for days on end. I couldn't exactly complain about it, though, lest the villagers realize my true identity.\n\nI shook my head, sighing dramatically. \"None, I'm afraid. That blood-sucking freak is quite skilled in covering his tracks.\"\n\nSimon nodded like he understood. I wanted to laugh. He was the captain of the guard, and as such, he had nearly full control of this village, sitting just below the Earl in power, though everyone knew he was truly the man in charge. At least, he believed he had control of the village. What I'd learned in my nearly 200 years of life, or, half-life, I suppose, is that the person who creates the fear rules the people. All I had to do was drain a body and display it in the center of town, and when I did, the villagers came running into my hands. I promised them safety. I'd tangled with vampires before, I could stop this one all the same, and just like that, they were mine. Simon wore the uniform of a man with power, but in reality, I was in charge. And I wasn't interested in sharing.\n\nStill, I couldn't just kill the captain. That'd raise total anarchy, there'd be panic running rampant in the streets. No, I had to play it carefully. Sprinkle a little clues here and there, catch a few whiffs of the supposed vampire to let the town know I was still working, and then I'd strike from the shadows. The captain would have to be one of the last to go. \n\n\"Look, Thomas,\" Simon began, \"I know you're doing you're best, but the people are terrified, and it's my head they're gonna want if things don't start getting better.\"\n\nI grinned inwardly. Perfect.\n\n\"Relax, Captain,\" I cooed, \"I've got it under control. The little devil's crafty, I'll give him that, but he can't evade me forever.\"\n\nCaptain Simon nodded. After another moment, he split off from me at a bend in the road, heading east towards the Earl's home while I continued straight down the path out of town. I walked for a little under an hour, constantly glancing over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed. As a vampire, my hearing and vision far surpassed that of regular humans', but it was better to be safe than sorry. When I came upon a fallen tree leaning against several boulders, I swung a sharp right, slipping under the rocks and into the den I had found on my first visit to this town. The inside was dark, and a little cramped, but it was secluded, and from the outside, it seemed as though some boulders had simply rolled down off the mountains. No one guessed that there was a small cave inside.\n\nMy latest victim was strung up near the back of the cave, his hands bound above his head with his feet just barely grazing the ground. His head was slouched to one side, his eyes closed. To a normal human, the swaying of his body and the ghostly color of his face would suggest he was dead, but with my ability to see in the dark, I saw the fluttering of his eyelids and the slight rise and fall of his chest. He was alive, but only a little. It was a trick I'd learned long ago. If I wanted them complacent and lethargic, I had to drain much of their blood upon our first encounter. Not only did they stay quiet, then due to their weakness, but they hardly remembered anything that happened. \n\nI stepped forward and placed my finger to his throat. His skin was cool, his pulse sluggish. He was almost out, and I'd have to drag his body back to the village soon. A part of me wanted to give him time to recover, as I hadn't kidnapped him too long ago, but the itch in my gut pulled me towards him. My fangs were sharp against my tongue. When they sunk into his neck, they slid in smoothly, and his warm blood washed over my tongue. As I drank, I felt my hunger vanish, felt my strength returning, and just as I began to pull away, I heard the ropes holding him to the ceiling snap.\n\nThe boy fell, and as I moved to catch him, I caught sight of his eyes focused intently on me. Rage glittered in his gaze, and as I realized what had happened, his head careened towards mine, his mouth open wide. His teeth landed sharply on my neck, and I cried out, shoving him off, but he'd gotten enough leverage that when he fell away, his teeth dragged along my neck, tearing a good portion of my skin as he went. We both collapsed to the ground, me clutching my bleeding throat and him struggling out of the restraints.\n\n\"How?\" I groaned, blood spilling between my fingers.\n\nHe glared at me. \"You've been using the same rope for all your victims, haven't you? It only took a little struggle to loosen it.\"\n\nHe moved quickly, his strength far surpassing what I'd assumed it was, stepping over me and towards the entrance to the cave. As he went, I pulled myself over and grabbed onto his leg, trying to yank him backwards, and if I hadn't been clutching the wound in my throat, I was certain I could've gotten him, but my strength had begun to wane. Instead, the boy easily shook out of my grasp and pressed his foot into my arm with all his weight. \n\n\"You're tainted.\" I wheezed, trying to control my breathing. \"You'll be like me soon, and then they'll kill you.\"\n\nThe blood was draining faster from my body, and though I knew it wouldn't kill me, I'd be immobile for a long time as I recovered. The boy shrugged.\n\n\"Probably. But I'll lead them back to you first.\" He hissed.", "The hunt brought me to a rundown bungalow on the outskirts of Halifax. Blackout curtains obscured the interior. The front door hung at an angle off a solitary hinge. From inside, faintly, came a thin mewling. Be it human or animal, I couldn't be sure.\n\n\"You'll be going in then?\" said the young man Eric Shaffer.\n\nI removed my long leather jacket, folded it, and placed it atop the red mailbox. \"That I'll be.\"\n\nThe house was what we'd call a slab house, built on thick bedrock. This would make my job easier. One floor, no attic, no basement. From the outside I could judge the space that the fang had to hide in.\n\n\"A frightening affair.\" Eric took a couple steps toward the dark structure, such that the tips of his toes crossed the boundary of the yard's picket fence. \"You don't want to wait for the town guard?\"\n\n\"Brave though I'm sure they are, this is not their fight.\" I ran my hands along my belt and up the front of my vest, ticking items off a checklist along the way. Holy water, silver cross, stakes, satchels of garlic powder, knives. \"You run along now, Eric. You oughtn't be here if things go wrong.\"\n\nEric considered that a moment. With his toes over the boundary, a certain courage stole into the young man. \"I could be of help,\" he said.\n\n\"Aye, you might. But let me show you something.\" And with a flick of my wrist I sent a knife in his direction. The end of the handle had bounced off his forehead before even he'd widened his eyes in surprise.\n\n\"Why would you do that?\"\n\n\"A fang moves quicker than that knife. Think on that, and tell me if you might be of any help.\"\n\nWith a sour expression, he rubbed at his forehead. \"I'll alert the town guard.\"\n\n\"Good lad.\"\n\nHe ran off down the lane. I watched him go. He hadn't a dark hair on his face, merely the pale fuzz of a new man. I expected he was younger even than my son, though of late I'd forgotten the boy's birthday. Some time in March, perhaps. Some year before the war. I wondered how he might be spending his time. Last I knew he'd developed a fascination with hockey.\n\nBut no matter. It wouldn't do to lose myself in those thoughts now. The bungalow and its occupant awaited me.\n\nWith one last look at the cloud-wreathed sun, I entered the home.\n\nWhat struck me first was the smell. A sweet sourness infected the air, as though a barrel of apples had been left to rot. What the source of the smell might be, I had no idea, but I suspected it was something far more foul than fruit.\n\nBlades of light slipped through cracks in the wooden boards and animal hide that had been fixed to the windows, and in that inconsistent light, I made out the disorder of the living room. The furniture and accessories of a home were all there -- chesterfield, ottoman, gramophone, radio, pictures in silver frames -- but all were broken and thrown into the corner. The mewling, which had carried on since I arrived outside, originated from under this pile. I suspected a trap and therefore opted to scout the rest of the first floor before investigating the sound further.\n\nWhat I found elsewhere was more disorder. Smashed sinks, shattered mirrors, slashed walls. Whatever might be said of the fang who'd taken up residence here, they appeared more tortured than most. What that might mean, I couldn't be sure. No two fangs come to terms with the harshness of their situation in quite the same way.\n\nIn a small room off the kitchen, I discovered a wine press and bins of rotten grapes. The owners of the home made their own wine, it would seem. I smiled at this banal answer to the mystery of the sour smell.\n\nFrom the hallway outside the smallest of the three bedrooms, I sensed a presence within. I felt this in much the way a blind man can tell when he's being watched. The fang had nailed only a thin sheet over the window here, and compared to the hallway, the room glowed with the presence of the sun.\n\nI checked my gloves, snugged my vest, slipped my silver daggers from their sheathes at the small of my back, and said, \"Alright then, fang. Let's have it out.\"\n\nThere were any number of ways that a fang might respond to that. The most common was for them to taunt me. I got this out of the ones who were trying to be brave, or the ones who thought they were smarter than me. They thought that through a show of confidence or the use of clever psychology, they'd turn me away. Least common of all was the mindless charge. It was rare for a fang to be so incautious. Only in a starved state did they attack without thinking. This fang, who it turned out was hiding behind the open door, responded in the second most common way. She cried.\n\n\"Please go,\" she said. She sobbed so severely that it gave her the hiccups. \"I don't know what I'm doing. I don't mean to hurt people.\" She hiccuped.\n\n\"But you are hurting people,\" I said. \"And now I'm here.\"\n\n\"It's the hunger. It's too much.\"\n\nI stepped ever so quietly to the side, until I could make out the outline of her body beyond the gap between the door and its frame. \"We all have our compulsions,\" I said.\n\n\"I want it to stop. That's all it is. It's not that I want to hurt those people. I'm a good person. Before this I never even hurt a bug. Take that bug outside, I'd say to people. But the hunger is too much.\" There came a thump from behind the door. She'd fallen to her knees.\n\n\"We all have our compulsions,\" I said again. I sheathed my knives, drew the stake, and stepped into the room, where I crouched in front of the fang. She'd been middle-aged when she'd turned. She wore her gray hair in a messy bun on her head. A thickness rounded out her cheeks. \"Our compulsions drive us to become people we'd rather not be. They divorce us from our morals. They distance us from the things we love.\"\n\nShe raised her head from her hands. Her tears had stained her cheeks red. She hiccuped. \"It's the hunger.\"\n\n\"No more hunger,\" I told her, and I slid the stake into her.\n\nWhat emotion she felt in that brief moment, I don't know. There was surprise there, to be sure, and fear. Anger, perhaps. Regret, definitely. And then she was ash.\n\nAlone in the room, I said to myself, \"Compulsions.\" I returned to the living room and the mewling under the furniture.\n\nIt took a minute or two to clear away the wreckage. Beneath the turned-over chesterfield I discovered a well-dressed man. Pale, he had the air of someone who'd spent their life cloistered behind stacks of books.\n\nAfter he'd registered that I wasn't the fang, he uncurled himself and sat up. \"Is she gone?\"\n\n\"It's dead,\" I said.\n\n\"Oh, thank god.\" He rubbed the twin marks on the side of his neck. \"You can't imagine what I've been through.\"\n\nI crouched in front of him. \"Was it the only one?\"\n\n\"Just her, yes. I've been so scared. They say that if you're bit, you become one. Is that true?\"\n\n\"No one else has seen you here?\"\n\n\"It was just her.\" He frowned. \"You didn't answer my question.\"\n\n\"It's very, very unlikely to survive,\" I said. \"But you need not worry about that.\"\n\n\"What do you--\"\n\nHe didn't have time to finish his thought. I grabbed him by the hair and shoulder and sank my fangs into his neck. I made sure to line mine up exactly with the marks that were already there.\n\nWhen I'd finished, I let him fall. I was in the process of cleaning my teeth and mouth, the young man twitching his last at my feet, when I heard the gasp. Eric had come back.\n\n\"I changed my mind.\" He spoke quite flatly, as though under the guidance of but a fraction of his mind. \"I wanted to help.\"\n\nA moment passed with Eric and I frozen in tableau. Me over the body of my victim, he frozen in the doorway.\n\nI thought of explaining myself to him. There was the hunger. There was the good I did communities by hunting fangs. If that hunting came at the small cost of finishing off victims, what did it matter?\n\nHe didn't make a move. His mouth hung open, and his eyes held wide.\n\nThis was the second time he'd reminded me of my son, but for an entirely different reason than the first.\n\nWith a flick of my wrist, I sent a knife in his direction.\n\nWhat I'd tell the town guard when they arrived, I wasn't at this moment sure.\n\nBut I'd been here before. I'd figure something out." ]	3
	[WP] Your world and nation is being threatened by a terrible Demon Lord. Your people have used the summoning spell in hopes of finding a savior... but the spell works like a very expensive gatcha game. Your treasury is empty, and you are not sure about these 'heroes' that have been summoned...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"These are our saviors?\" I asked, looking at the people before me. But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself...first, a bit of backstory. My name is Carl, and I live in a world where everything is different. In my world, humans have to fight to survive, otherwise the Demon Lord, Tabuu will win, and kill all of us. So, the people of my village have tried to summon many powerful heroes by using small summoning totems we call 'Trophy's' but...they didn't have the effect I was hoping for. \"What...even is THIS thing?\" I say, looking upon the small 'hero' before me. The small ball-shaped creature hops up and says, \"Poyo!\"" ]	2
	[WP] You are a Theoretical Assassin and people pay millions for your unique skills	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", " Two black robed figures are walking down a neon-lit corridor. \n\n\"I hate doing this... Do we have to do it every year?\"\n\n\"It's tradition.\"\n\n\"It's brutal and unfair.\"\n\n\"It's character building.\"\n\n\"I still hate doing it.\"\n\n\"It is your duty.\"\n\n\"I know...\"\n\n...\n\nThe Principal, giving an inauguration speech at the Shadow Ops training facility (location, undisclosed), 200 recruits in attendance:\n\n\"One of the major downsides of being a Theoretical Assassin, is that you spend a significant amount of your day thinking about killing people. Sure, you get paid millions and never have to get your hands dirty, but you have to put yourself in the mental space of someone who would. Unfortunately, like any professional defect, the mentality of constantly thinking about murder naturally seeps into your everyday life. It gets so bad, in fact, that you start thinking about fun ways in which to kill people. If you've been in the business for long enough, you start thinking about ways in which other people could kill you. If the business encroaches on your thoughts enough, you realize how you yourself could probably kill people, and get away with it. If your professional pollution of your everyday life has reached this far, then it's safe to assume that you've been in the business for quite some time. The only thing that's keeping you and everybody else from executing those plans is your own wills. As Theoretical Assassins, it is your job to not only think of the best way you could kill someone, but the best way in which someone could kill you.\"\n\nAfter finishing his speech, the principle dashes through the recruits, easily killing 4 of them. Most of the recruits are frozen in shock, while a few have cautiously started preparing for another attack.\n\n\"Lesson number one. Always be prepared. Look around you; the people who are prepared for the next attack are the people who could have killed you right now. \"\n\nNo sooner had the principle finished his sentence, that the first scream echoed through the room, followed by a cacophony of laughing, crying, screaming, pleading and other horrendous noises. The principle whipped his hands and silently left the room.\n\n...\n\n\"What do you think about this cohort?\"\n\n\"There's a few clever ones, and some wild cards. We might end up with 15 good recruits.\"\n\n\"That's a bit optimistic, don't you think?\"\n\n\"Have you started sending the letters to the families?\"\n\n\"Naturally.\"\n\n\"You know, there's no such thing as a theoretical assassin. You're still killing people, it's just that your weapons are less conventional.\"\n\n\"You have to admit, it is more elegant.\"\n\n\"Can't argue with that.\"" ]	2
	[WP] Unknown to most, your highschool best friend is the famous superhero Hyperboy. Between the stresses of their heroics and the demands of their super-family, your friendship is the one part of their life that feels close to normal. As it turns out, this makes you pretty darn important.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Andy and I went to the cafeteria and grabbed the usual stuff: a bag of chips and a cookie for me, some chicken nuggets and a drink for himself. We got out of AP Chem as quickly as we could and managed to beat the lunch rush by taking a shortcut through the grass. \n\nOne of the overhead TVs warned students to head home as quickly as they could after school or clubs, as gang and villain activity spread all the way to Pleasant Bay despite the Action Family and the local police’s efforts to the contrary.\n\nHardly anyone in the crowd paid attention to the TV; heroes and villains are treated by most citizens as something akin to the local sports team. They’ve been part of our society for nearly forty years, after all.\n\nWe headed to the usual hangout spot, the back of the Science and Tech building. Andy let out a sigh. He was aloof and plain, despite his good looks, and his eyes were downcast yet again.\n\n\"Bro, how'd you do on the AP Chem test?\" I said as we walked through the schoolyard.\n\n\"Huh? Oh, I aced it.\" said Andy as he took a sip from his water bottle.\n\n\"No way! What? You're usually a slouch when it comes to this stuff. Like, that test had some stuff that we didn't really cover all that well in class.\"\n\n\"Eh. It wasn't anything too special...\" he sullenly replied.\n\n\"For real? Weird. Yo, is everything alright, dude? Recently you seem kind of down. Which is like, really weird, considering you've been kickin' it at the other midterms, too.\"\n\n\"No biggie. Just a slump. And stop saying weird. Man, forget it.\"\n\n\"Naw, man, I'm kinda worried. Listen, your parents breathing down your neck again? I don't mean to be rude or nothin', but like, they give me goosebumps whenever I run into them. You're free to come over and take our couch again if need be.\"\n\nWe both settled down on the concrete behind one of the less frequently-used entrances, where I took out my notebook to quickly finish some homework I procrastinated on.\n\n\"Listen, Brandon, we've been friends for more than a decade now, right?\" Andy tested.\n\n\"Yeah. Wait--oh shit,\" I stammered, \"you're not coming out of the closet on me, are you? Don't get me wrong, I love you like a brother, n-no homo, but I don't bat for the other party!\"\n\n\"Dammit. No.\" he chuckled, though his eyes remained heavy, \"It's just that we're already Juniors and uh, what do you know about me?\"\n\n\"Jack shit. You like basketball and you listen to hip-hop. You had like, two girlfriends? Neither relationship lasted more than two months. Hmm. A bit odd that your parents would never let me in your house and that your sister always glares at me, even after all this time, but hey, it’s whatever.\" I listed. He sighed once more. I shrugged.\n\nI tore open the bag of chips and dug into it. I fumbled into my backpack with my free hand and grabbed a copy of The Catcher in the Rye. Next period's assignment was to write a short summary about what the main character is feeling or why he's behaving in such a way. Simple enough. I was glad that I only took two AP classes this semester, compared to Andy’s four.\n\n\"Well, forget it. I'll let you know after school. I gotta get ready for AP Bio next period, too.\" Andy quickly changed the subject.\n\n\"Right. Hey. Your sister... is she single? She's only a year older, and to be honest, I-I'm kind of a sucker for alpha bitch-types, plus she’s hot...\" I mused.\n\n\"Yeah, I know you like her. She's single, yeah. She told me that she hates you and that I should stop hanging out with you, though.\" he replied jokingly.\n\n\"Huh. Ain't that something…”\n\nWe made small talk until the bell rang. Which girl he’d taken a fancy to but is way too chicken to ask out, my gripes about AP US History, some new artist he liked. Normal, everyday stuff.\n\nBack then he’d often disappear, though I could guess why.\n\nHe would show up to school, battered and bruised one day then fully healed by the next; he gave the vibe of an onlooker, an observer, not to get involved in the more mundane people and aspects of his life; the sudden appearance of a new member of the Action Family: Hyperboy.\n\nAs his only friend, I left the subject alone. I’ve no doubt that school, the last normal thing in that poor warrior’s life, was sacred to him, an escape of sorts.\n\nPerhaps it weighed on him? A sort of guilt, keeping a secret as big as this for nearly six years. Either way, this was a problem that he needed to face eventually.\n\nI will help him." ]	2
	[WP] The myth that there are 7 doppelgangers of you in this world always intrigued you. You researched and tried to find proof of this but nothing came up. Finally you decide to go out on your own and find your doppelganger. Just you and your backpack on an adventure to find another "you".	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Derek Malforth was an ex-soldier turned private eye. Fascinated by the idea that there might be others just like him, he set forth to find the other seven.\n\nOsborne Einarsson, hacker for hire. He could keep his presence nearly invisible online, but Derek had long experience tracking in the physical world.\n\nMusa Benedetti, Politician, fraudster, and con-man, he'd be the first to tell you that all those titles were the same. And yet he'd still get away with it.\n\nDonnie Albricci, a policeman who'd come face-to-face with dirty cops and come out the other end the victor.\n\nMiroslav Fierro, ex-KGB. Nothing is known about his past because those that did know have all met unfortunate accidents.\n\nKasper Spears, a.k.a. \"The Riverside Killer\", was not guilty of all of the murders they put him away for. Those he was guilty of, he had good reason.\n\nAlfhard Karlsson, publicly a high-profile hedge manager and financier, had long privately financed his own mercenary company.\n\nMiran \"The Kid\" Peláez, A refugee from a war that he himself started, though nobody knows that part.\n\nThey don't come cheap, if you can pay. They don't help you, unless you can help them. And if you've hurt an innocent? You're far more likely to end up in their crosshairs than calling the shots. They are:\n\nThe Doppel-Gang" ]	2
	[WP] Everyone laughed when the stuttering, socially anxious warrior called for a squire to join him on his quest... but you, an expert in charisma and rhetoric, see great potential. You’ll be more than a simple squire: He’ll be the great warrior of legend, and you’ll be his legendary showsman!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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've got to remember, sire, that you are an intimidating. It's not even a choice, you're a foot taller than the tallest man I've ever seen and twice as impressive in battle!\" Derrick had been on this journey long enough to know when a pick-me-up is needed.\n\nSir Sean Pendragon of Bretonnia wasn't as brave as his uncle Arthur, but the last two points that Derrick had made were mostly true. Sean had the build of a small cottage, the dexterity of an oiled fox and the wits to spar verbally with Merlin himself.\n\nAll that, Derrick thought with a sigh, and he's a blubbering mess if someone looks at him funny. When he first met the entourage of the Second Round, the nephew of King Arthur was obviously one of the most exciting people to meet. The man whose blood could pull the sword from the stone!\n\nAlas, a life of pressure and expectancy had not tempered his steel. At first Derrick found him ghastly, a perversion of what it takes to be a knight. It wasn't until he saw him unhorse the rest of the Second Round in a short, private tourney that Derrick knew what he was.\n\nSean Pendragon was incredible malleable. Whatever direction he was pushed, he would go further than anyone else. When I met him, he'd lived in a world where being exemplary was taken for granted and every tiny failure was a mountainous thing.\n\n\"Sire, your spear sings through shield more swiftly than an eagle's dive! Fear not these coming vagabonds! Ride tall, fear them not.\"\n\nHe stiffened. His posture was a little better but to Derrick it was obviously an act of surety. Still, they rode their steeds through the small gathering of people before us at the bridge crossing and went on our way.\n\nDerrick sighed again. Ah yes, the great tale of Sir Pendragon and the terrifying peasants. It was going to be a long journey to Tir Na Nog.\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] A pantheon of gods are discussing their paladins, clerics and the feats attributed to them. Every mundane thing has its own god. You, a minor god of dust, have only a ragged old hermit as your "paladin". You wonder what feats to give him to gain the approval of the other gods.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 am Ratherø, a truy minor insignificant God of dust. Eons past I gave my only worshiper and champion, a middle-aged man soon to die named Eathgar, the feat to Sweep. \n\nSo he swept. He swept away his old age. He swept away his sickness and hunger. Eathgar swept away his friends, his enemies, his children and their children. \n\nI had not realized the enormity my vagueness had rendered. As he traveled I followed, touching down in the dirt and the dust that settled in the aftermath of his wake. I observed as he grew tired and jaded of life's toils. Of sweeping. I watched as Eathgar learned to use his feat for the benefit of none more than himself. He put himself for hire and swept others troubles away, auctioning off my gift for enmourously unnecessary sums of money. \n\nWhat have I wrought? \nHe swept away politicians dark pasts, murderers bloody crimes, the memories of current abusers abuses. \n\nHe swept away the light from many peoples lives, leaving dust to settle in it's wake. Dust that crept into people's hearts and blinded them, slowly, to good. \n\nThis is never what I wanted, never what I dreamed. It must end. As the God of dust, the fair-minded Ratherø, I pass judgment and find you wanting, Eathgar. \n\nFrom dust you came from, from dust you shall return. ", "The Council of Elder Gods had gathered upon the ocean floor. There was the Black God Hoksun. The Goddess of wisdom Vowdin. The Hemp Goddess Margu, to name a few. In total, 10,000 deities had converged to discuss their annual assessment of earth’s heroes,foes and tribulations. Margu was especially vocal that day and raised the first order of the Convergence, “I suggest we strengthen human ties with Hemp. For too long my rival Logum has persecuted and destroyed my earthly counterparts in the name of unjust laws. This must cease.”\n\nThroughout the meeting the gods bickered and quarreled, arguing over whose worldly representatives would receive divine intervention. Who would be honored. Who would die in battle.\n\nOne god managed to raise their appeal over the rabble, “Um, yes. Excuse me. Excuse me? Order. ORDER!”\n\nHis final word snatched the breath from the venting pantheon.\n\n“Yes, I am the Spirit of Dust, Sh-towb, formerly associated with the Spirit of Sand. Hey, Sandy-” -“Hey, Dusty”-“And I would like to bring attention to my Paladin, the Honorable Hermit, William of Osterby.”\n\nThe gods noted his words with a pause and with a deep breath continued their debate on the governments of oil-rich nations.”\n\n“Hey! I’m not finished! This is really important..”\nThis time, Sh-towb’s pleas were drowned by the sea of voices all fighting for their chance to amplify their own paladins to earth’s center stage.\n\nHe visited earth that night to visit his disciple.\n\n“How are ya, William?”\n\n“Eh, not too bad, I ‘spose. How are things on your side?”\n\n“Could be better, Will, could be better.”\n\n“They’re not going to listen to us, are they?”\n\n“No, Will. Every time it’s the same old routine. They speak of the warriors and leaders and sex and riches. But nothing is spoken of the remains. Nothing is spoken of our domain, Will.”\n\nThe Hermit scratched his bald head has he rested against an old Pine.\n\n“My God, how much longer do I have?”\n\n“I don’t know, Will. The God of Death is a fickle actor. He does the dirty work and I’m left with clean-up and conversion. If only things were easier. To be straight with you...I feel my own Self turning to dust. Fading away. Perhaps someone new will take up that mantel, and Will...I want that someone to be you.”\n\nThe hermit exhaled and turned towards the sun setting under the hills,“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. So they say, eh?”\n\nThe old god replied to his Paladin, “So, they say, my old friend. But they don’t believe it. Come with me to the Underworld and make them believe it.”\n", "The family had gotten together for the first time in millennium. I can't remember the last time I had seen gaiety like this. The twins Basus and Altus were twining their voices to the highs and lows of the scales. Bletith, Effith, Sangrin and the others strummed, plucked, banged, and blew on their instruments creating a cacophony that at one moment seemed to be a hot mess and at the next the most epic of marches.\n\nSemone and Kiri prepared foods from a thousand ingredients in a hundred ways. It truly was a sight to behold. Everyone seemed much more at ease this time. The first time we had all been together we were told what we were to look after. We were told how we could interact with the world and we were told the nature of things. \n\nIt was a chaotic time, our father laying a foundation. This time was very much different. We had all become something more. We had taken to heart that which we were. We had experienced life through our followers. Through their thoughts, their actions and their prayers. These things had given us depth that we lacked at the first moot.\n\nIt is interesting. Looking at the room, at my brothers and sisters gathered around. I can see cliques. Some naturally got along better than others. I could see the cohorts that had formed and could here them telling tales of their followers creating great works. Gisin and Yifth lead a rousing telling of some of the great makers that used paints and canvas to create works of art that the world obsessed over. Obath and Bim told of the warriors that had carried their swords and shields into battle in their name. The one hand wielding a shield to defend, the other a sword to protect.\n\nThey all had their stories, their tales and their spheres. They all had developed so much over time and had added color to the world. That color was here, in the room, in their stories and songs, their food and their dances. It was all around and it was palpable.\n\nOur Father still sat, not ready to bring to order the gathered mass. He still waited for one. For me, as I still looked on from the outside, peaking in through cracks.\n\nI wished so much to join them, to tell them of my own stories. To tell them of my deeds and add myself to the tapestry. One final thread to be woven in to complete the story. For I was a small part of us. But I would be the most important part. The last part. For, in the end the paintings decayed. The food soured and the people bled. But still, life was not yet extinguished. The last vestige of humanity remained. One lone hermit in a mountain. He was put their by some ruler or another in the false hope that there would be some divine rescue. He was frail and old now, his time short. When I wasn't watching over my family I watched over him. He was my last follower. He was the last of this world, the final candle warding off the everlasting darkness of this world.\n\nIn the end all great works of god and man disappear. In the end, dust is all that remains.", "She wasn't the best of her kind. Honestly she was nowhere close. But I loved her. \n\nA hermit, that's all she was. She didn't hate people, they just hated her. She was shunned into the cave she lived in the day that she turned 14. \n\nThe loneliness would get to her with no one around. Some days her sanity would start to slip away and in those moments I would get to speak with her. When we spoke she was never completely lucid but she seemed to understand what was going on around her.\n\nWe would talk of the most mundane things. The hunt that she had gone on that morning, or of the people of the village that had abandoned her. What surprised me was that when the village was brought up instead of her anger or disgust frothing onto her face, Her eyes would start to sparkle and she would react gleefully to any news of the children of the village. \n\nAfter talking with her for the better part of a year I decided to give her that which I was told to never give away.\n\nWhen next we spoke I listened to every word she spoke looking for a reason not to give her the golden bag at my waist. The opposite happened though, with every word my hand went toward the bag on my hip until I finally held it in front of her.\n\n\"This is the last of The Dust of Dreams that the gods hold. It is yours to do with as you wish, my paladin.\" \n\nWith that I left. Leaving this woman the last of something the gods had never made. \n\nThat night I was surprised to find myself somewhere new. It was a white room that I had suddenly appeared in. It was empty for all but a chair in front of me in which sat the hermit with a sly smile on her face. \n\n\"For your grand gift, I give you this!\" She said as she spread her arms wide. \"The secret of the dust is in the one place that humanity has never allowed you to go, isn't it.\" She finished with a sly smile on her face. \n\n\"Into your dreams\" I said dumbfoundedly. \n\nA blindingly golden dust started to appear around me. I grabbed as much as I could and stuffed it into my tunic. The hermit gave me a broad smile. \n\n\"Take as much as you want but do me one favor. Give it mostly to the children of the world. I want them to dream so much larger than I did.\" The hermit said. And with a crooked grin slowly spreading across her face she shouted \"Good luck Mr. Sandman\"\n\nShe was gone but in her place an everlasting pool of dust rose. I followed my paladin's wish and in doing so gained a new name and a title of god by my brothers and sisters.\n\nI became Mr. Sandman.", "Well he’s no Hercules. The old fool could barely lift a soupspoon to his lips, let alone a pike to a denizen. As far as paladins went, Mr Patchfelt championed above others only in mediocrity.\n\n\nSo I sit in the distant reaches of our halls as they echo distant chants and songs, pondering the value of such a person.\n\n\nOf course there must be a justification, a great deed, a magnificent story with fearful acts and tenacious heroics- the caricature of our family reunions. \n\n\nI could recall none. \n\n\nAfter all, what quests are undertaken by a sworn man of the dust god?\n\n\nPerhaps I should flaunt his humility?\n\n\nThey’d call my bluff were they not already asleep.\n\n\nSo I decide.\n\n\n“MR PATCHFELT” I announce in a manner only spoken when gods call upon their sworn servants.\n\n\n“Yes your downtroddedness” he speaks in his own mind as he pokes boringly at an incredibly ordinary ant pile.\n\n\nAs I begin to speak his daring quest, the paladin of featherdusting descended upon Mr Patchfelt from his hiding place behind an old melon cart, cleaving at the old mans limbs with a home-made machete.\n\n\nWhat a bastard.\n\n(Credit to my younger brother who does not have a reddit account but wanted to post anyways.)", "You would think that, after thousands of years of these contests to outdo each other that the mighty Pantheon would get tired. I guess I've just spent too much time dealing with banal human concerns. I might be becoming too much like them, no longer having the stamina of a god. Then again, these debates are pointless and often leave the world worse off than when they started.\n\nThe last time one of these big debates raged, Areon, the god of thunder and, if his actions would give any indication, douchebaggery, sent his Palladin in to Disputed Lands to face down a giant who ended up being the god of war's Paladin. They both ended up dying, and the idiot Areon chose to give the power of summoning lightning bolts burnt down a forest that was the sole source of prosperity for the cities surrounding it. Tiron was not thrilled that his champion was killed, but both gods laughed and shared drinks as fire raced across the ancient woodland. They declared it a tie and went back to grooming their next champions.\n\nFor what seems like time immemorial, the major gods of the Pantheon have debated and sent their paladins to fight and complete quests to show how awesome they are at cultivating talent, and how witty they are because they showed a human how to use a magical sword. The rest of us just try to focus on helping the humans, as the original purpose for creating them was to have a group in our image to flourish alongside us. As they advanced, we would grow stronger. But at some point the god of Wisdom started training his paladins to create complex puzzles to ensnare the \"foolish\" champions of the other gods, so you can see why we thought that progress was pretty much a lost cause.\n\nIt's been 20 years since the aforementioned idiocy last reared its head and the major gods are itching to release their paladins. They've been racking up quests and praise for their respective gods for 20 years, and so the gods want to find out who is best. Last time though, I didn't even bother to take part in the debate. My paladin, a wonderful old man named Jesse, has been my subject for 60 years, and for a most of that time I have had no intention of comparing him to the buffoons the other gods let loos on the earth. As the god of dust there really isn't that much I can do to change things around here, so Jesse has just been moving from town to town, teaching the people to pray to me to keep their houses clean, keep them safe from the storms as they cross the arid deserts that pockmark the globe, and generally just keep away any nuisances that dust may involve. It's not much, but it's honest work. Did you know that it can cause a human's frail constitution to choke or sneeze? I know, crazy, right? And I'm the one to help them with that. But anyways, I digress.\n\nWith the amount of leisure time I have as a god with few adherents (not that having many people pray to them has made the \"major gods\" actually help anyone), I have had the time to study the world. I have, of course, known that dust is everywhere, but what I have focused on of late has been the ability of the stuff to actually make a difference in the world. Technically speaking, sandstorms are dust storms, and those can be pretty powerful. Now, I know this may seem obvious, but as I mentioned before, it's been a very long time since I have given a damn. But the last bouts of stupidity from the other gods have got me to think: How can I make a difference? How can I, as a minor god, lead them back to helping the humans I so dearly love? That's when it occurred to me that I can use my powers through my paladin to stop this ongoing conflict in its tracks. By showing that my paladin can control the environment around him and make a real impact, I can show that the minor gods have their role to play in this world and should not be ignored. If I am able to win the respect of the major gods, we will have a voice that will be able to make a difference! What better feat could there be to launch my paladin to the top than to have him lead an almighty reckoning, a dust storm of epic proportions, to overtake the paladins of the other gods and show them that the world they have oft ignored is one that requires their attention. Their powers can be used for good, and, though I hate to admit it, they are powerful. It is time to remind them that the world is more than just their silly games and narrow focus.\n\nSo I sit. Waiting. Teaching. Observing the movements of the other gods as they prepare to show off their power and lead them to more glory. But what they don't know is that that glory is theirs to lose, and lose it they will. ", "The room was abuzz with gods bragging about the achievements of their devoted. Chazos, the god of dust sat awkwardly among the fabled and mighty. Everything had a deity; Joy, Pain, War, The Sun & The Moon... Chazos didn't belong at this party, but his close friend Balura, god of glaciers had convinced him to come along. Problem was, Balura has been feeling ill lately, and couldn't quite make it.\n\nNow Chazos stood in the corner of the room partially obscured by the fern as he sipped meekly at his wine doing his best to avoid detection. His eyes moved to the eastern side of the room as the Gollwin (his booming voice was unmistakable), god of fire boasted loudly about his Arch-Cleric. \n\n\"The Blaze of Emolda is what they call him! He's burned my name into his skin with molten metal, and guards my sacred flame atop Mt. Pyre! He has endured his entire life, faithful to me all the while.\"\n\nChazos sighed as another deity butted in.\n\n\"Flagia, Man Eater is what they call my champion,\" Lendra, goddess of hunger said proudly as she licked her lips. \"She fears no man nor monster. Her hunger is far greater than those who fall to her... She prays to me before every battle...\" Lendra looked at the other deities with a heinous smile that told many stories of its own. \"... And before every meal.\" \n\n\"You can thank me for some of those victories,\" chimed in Zigrend, god of fear. \"Your champion, Lendra... She certainly inspires fear in her enemies. I may try to snatch her from you some day,\" he smiled, revealing rows of sharp jagged teeth. \n\n\"You wish, Ziggy,\" Lendra hissed. \"You always say that all things are driven by fear... Yet my Champion fears nobody. All things hunger...\" She looked the god of fear up and down promiscuously. \"Even you...\" \n\nA big \"Oooooohhh\" boomed from all directions followed by laughter as Zigrend folded his arms and nodded with an amused expression on his face. \"Touche, hungry lady. But I would argue that your champion fears starvation. All things fear something... In fact...\"\n\nHis eyes moved over to Chazos, who noticeably receded behind the fern.\n\n\"I sense a lot of it coming from you,\" Zigrend motioned with his drink over to the God standing in the corner. \"I don't recognize you,\" the god of fear prodded. \"Who are you, anyways?\"\n\nChazos swallowed, but his throat was so dry that it burned. He took another drink before stepping out of the shadows, \"I uhhh... I'm really nobody.\"\n\n\"He is Chazos, patron deity of dust,\" came the monotone voice of a blue skinned god not far away. Chazos recognized him as Cranos, the god of memory. \n\n\"DUST!!!\" Shouted someone in the crowd of gods before they all burst into laughter. Chazos felt his stomach drop as he became the laughing-stock of the pantheon party. Even Foargatatz, the god of seriousness was covering a smile. \n\n\"I-I really shouldn't be here,\" Chazos muttered as he made way for the exit.\n\n\"Now, now, hang on,\" came another voice from a small dwarven looking god that blocked the exit. \"I didn't know a god of dust existed until just right now, you have to tell me what that's like.\"\n\nEveryone laughed again as Chazos sighed. He was used to the ridicule, but this was his worst nightmare coming to life before his very eyes. \n\n\"I bet he doesn't even have a champion!!\" Lendra shouted causing another round of laughter to fall upon the poor dust god. But Chazos quite liked his champion, and suddenly felt very defensive of him. He could handle the ridicule himself, but to make fun of his champion...\n\n\"I do too have a champion!\" Chazos called out angrily.\n\nThe room gave pause at his sudden emotion... \n\n\"A DUST CHAMPION!!\" Screamed someone else as the room lost all sanity yet again.\n\n\"DOES HE- DOES WIELD A BROOM??\" Screamed someone else as Chazos's face grew red from the anger. \n\n\"You've got to be joking,\" said the dwarven god blocking the exit. \"Seriously? You have a champion?\"\n\nChazos sighed and closed his eyes. He knelt down, cupping his hands and placing them on the floor. Dust began to gather from every corner of the room, all of it amassing into a tiny swirling vortex. The dust came together to form a small old man- a mortal standing among the gods, though only about six inches tall compared to them. \n\nThe old man lifted his head and listened to the silence that had fallen over the room, but did not look for he could not see. A cloth was tied tightly around his eyes and he stood hunched over holding a cane. He wore a pack on his back filled with essentials.\n\n\"Chazos... Is that you?\" Came the voice of the man. His voice was hoarse and raspy, his hands calloused from years of hard work. His long white beard nearly touched the floor, and his long eyebrows reached for his ears, which were large from a life long-lived. \n\n\"It is,\" responded the god of dust.\n\n\"To what occasion do I owe the honor?\" The man responded almost immediately.\n\nSnickering could be heard around the room as they laid eyes on the meager old man. Chazos could hear voices, though quiet throughout the room.\n\nSome champion...\n\nHe must be 200 years old...\n\nI'd like to see him triumph over a flight of stairs...\n\n\"Volke, of Dragonweft Ridge,\" began Chazos. \"I... I...\" It was in that moment that Chazos realized how foolish he was to bring his champion here over something so trivial.\n\n\"Save your holy words, old friend... I know why I'm standing here... Presumably among several other deities who've made light of our status.\" The old man smiled.\n\nThe other gods were silenced by this. Cranos's expression spoke words of surprise, as did many of the other gods. For the mortal to be so calm in the presence of them all was highly unusual. And then to immediately ascertain the situation simply from the voices of the room and what looked to be a clear understanding of how his god thinks. \n\n\"Volke... I'm sorry. I just wanted them to meet you, is all.\" Chazos smiled back at the man.\n\nThe old man turned in the direction of the gods, \"It is my sincerest wish that you'll forgive an old man for his hubris... But I'd like an audience with you all... Would you lend an old mortal your ears?\"\n\n\"Speak,\" said the dwarven man, \"I'd hear your words... As I think we all would.\" He stifled a laugh nodded at the other deities. \n\nThe old man lowered his head, \"My thanks...\" \n\nChazos shook his head, \"Volke... You don't need to...\"\n\n\"I believe I do, my liege,\" Volke responded.\n\n\"On earth,\" the old man began, \"humans ponder deeply about life, the universe, and the secrets that are kept from us. Many gods are worshiped but many more remain uncertain. Uncertainty breeds distrust. Distrust breeds apathy. Apathy breeds boredom, and boredom leads to deep thought. I was a deep thinker before I met Chazos... I would ask you all a question: Which among you is the god that created the universe?\" The old man asked.\n\nThe gods looked around at one another with confused expressions. \n\nFinally, Cranos broke the silence, \"There isn't one. None among us are as powerful.\"\n\n\"Indeed,\" responded Volke as he took a few steps in no particular direction. \n\n\"Humans... Are star dust. The universe exploded into existence one day that neither you nor I remember. In essence, we are the universe, both you and I. We are the universe waking up and experiencing itself... And it's possible that we're not the first to do it either.\"\n\nThe gods looked around with nervous expressions as the man continued.\n\n\"Our only duty in the universe is to leave it a better place than we found it. To do that, we honor all of you... For the only way to kill a god or a goddess is to snuff out the last believer in that deity. Us on earth... We're the believers... We're the dust that settled on the planet...\"\n\nThe silence in the room was deafening.\n\n\"Dust... Dust from the stars, all of us... And if we were to vanish... So too would you.\"\n\nChazos felt pride swelling up within his chest. For years he had pondered what gift to bestow upon his champion- and now he knew. \n\nIn the following centuries, all would know the name of Volke, the God of Faith.", "Heeere's the thing about metaphysics: words matter. Holy words especially-- which is to say words repeated, words written down, words infused by belief and movement from mind to mind, soul to soul. They'd forgotten that, the old gods, the big ones with their established portfolios and domains. I'd watched them fight their wars in the endless dragging millennia since the time of my slow coalescence as a distinct entity. I'd chafed at my place as a dual servant of old persnickety Next to Cleanliness and the annoyingly forlorn God of Castoffs. Without much to do, I'd watched.\n\nI don't know when I first grew a conscience. They're surprisingly rare among gods. Surprising to some mortals, anyway, with their heads pumped full of priestly propaganda about justice and sin and reward. Truth is, the gods care about ego, and power, and belief, which to them are nearly the same thing most of the time. And the only source? Mortals. A finite resource. You see where this is going.\n\nWell, so did I. I watched and I watched and I grew angry, but didn't grow in power. I saw clerics and crusaders lead great armies from in front and behind, shepherd titanic movements, often beginning in bloodshed, almost always ending in it. They wielded powers of lightning and fire and holy radiance, ice and invulnerability, titanic miracles of divine grandstanding.\n\nI did what I could. I whispered from the dust. Too quiet to hear for most mortals, too easily mistaken. But one day, I caught Nayan's attention, out in his hut. He slept in the dust, no pillow, letting it coat his ear as penance for some absurd sin he believed he'd committed against one of my bloody-handed relations. Slowly, he began to hear. Over a decade, I won him over.\n\nI told him my power would be his. I told him he would shape the course of the entire world with only whispers as weapons. I told him he would put an end to the tyrants, the corrupted functionaries, the cold-hearted slavers. I told him there would be no need to vanquish armies because no one would dare to give orders after getting a good look at who they'd replaced.\n\n\"How, my lord?\" he said into the dust, breath stirring it into sacred eddies.\n\n\"Mortals, my Paladin,\" I told him, \"are created things. And what are the oldest words of their creation?\"\n\nHe stared silent into the swirling motes, no scholar of Scripture. It didn't matter. He would be taught.\n\n\"Just this,\" I said, and shuddered as the strands of Fate shook.\n\n\"Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nr/Magleby" ]	9
	[WP] Since you were a baby, you have always woken up to a different setting. Magic, Sci-Fi, Medieval, Aliens, you name it. Everyone you know exists in some form, but they believe it’s the “same-old” world. Talk about your journey.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Shalom's Tips to Surviving the Multiverse\n\nSo you've found yourself needing to adapt to any universe? Say no more, Shalom's here to let you know how to survive any crazy location! You see, I was born with a strange condition that forced me to jump to a different universe every day! Fortunately, my memory, abilities, and belongings seemed to be consistent, even in different forms. So you ask, what is the most important thing to keep in mind?\n\nDon't be afraid, is of course the most important thing. Your family is still family even in a world of monsters or aliens. Your friends aren't going to slaughter you, even if slaughtering is common in the world. The first thing I do is to check around and see what's different. Language is automatically translated in most cases so there's no problem with that. Since it changes everyday, you only need to adapt to basic customs, though of course, some of it may translate to the next world!\n\nNext up, is how you go beyond surviving. Yes, it's fine and dandy jumping around and hope you get lucky by winning the lottery, but you've got to play it smart. Use the rules of the world to your advantage. I asked a psychic for information and she said it would help me greatly to build a fan. So in one world where gravity was upside down it was much easier for me to do tasks to build a fan on the ceiling so that I could cool down easier in the world where it was too hot, or the world that had a lot of wind that could be harvested for energy. Don't be afraid to build something that comes to mind that's difficult to build normally and benefit you in the long run. Ask around, there may be people with wacky and crazy abilities.\n\nWell that's all the time I have for you today! Here comes the crazy comets, let's hope the reflectors I built in the electronic universe come in handy! Good luck on your multiversal journey.", "A yawn parts my lips, as I crack my eyes open and slid out of the rocky bed that I woke up within. The house that I live in perpetually changes to the point that I've found it... normal. Ever since I was but a child, I've always (by that I mean -always-) woke up to a different world, to put it bluntly. Yesterday was a highly advanced world, one where the bed I was sleeping on levitated.\n\nWell, advanced in terms of other timelines I've woken up in anyway. As I look around me, I realized that I had woken up in a cave of sorts. My family is wearing tattered rags, with my older brother shackled to the wall. It seems that the setting this time is a destitute prison where no one lived freely.\n\nI casually walked to the table, currently a ragged carpet on top of the ground. If there's one thing that I found consistent in my ever-changing life is that the placement of furniture in the house is always the same. Therefore, I was a hundred percent confident that the blanket was the table, and on top of it were scraps of... rotten chicken.\n\n\nGreat.\n\n\n\"Well, I think I'm going back to sleep.\" I said to my family, who seemed to be currently hunched over and ramming the oh-so-delectable grub inside of their mouths. They grumbled my way idly, focusing more on the food than to my statement.\n\nI'm glad I can easily change if I don't like what's going on. But it's caused some... dependence.\n\n\n\nFor instance, I once woke up in a world filled with shambling corpses. Zombies, as they'd call it. And I -was- a zombie, somehow cognizant of what happened with my skin rotting off. I just had to go back to sleep.\n\nAnother instance was when the world ended up resembling a game. A 2D platformer where you had to jump past people if you wanted to go forward. That was a mess, it was fun at first but I got tired of jumping around so I went to sleep.\n\nOr that time my father died. So I went to sleep, again and again. Hoping that there would be a setting he'd be alive in.\n\nAnd there was one.\n\n\nSo I was overjoyed. I was happy. But then I realized that the moment I go to sleep, everything will change. And he will be gone again. So I tried. I desperately tried to keep him with me. I desperately tried to never fall asleep. But I couldn't. That was when I started to treat it as a curse. Because in the end, nothing will ever be the same for me.\n\nI'm just a passer-by, flickering in and out of life with every moment I fall asleep, jumping from world to world on the same body with mostly everything remaining the same, other than the mind inside the body. Perhaps. Perhaps there will be, at some point, a world where I don't exist in.\n\nPerhaps that would give me the rest I've so desperately yearned for.\n\nBut for now. It seems that I stumbled into another odd setting, one where I'm just a text scrolling through the screen. So now, I will go to sleep once more.\n\n\nGood night." ]	3
	[WP] "So, you've finally ariv- who the hell are you?!" "I'm the pizza delivery guy, you're the one who ordered a large pepperoni, right?"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "And that’s when he did the worst thing possible. He looked passed my shoulder into the motel room. \n\nYears before he started delivering pizzas in college, Aaron was picked on by some bullies in his neighborhood. He was a skinny kid and was always picked on for being a “string-bean” and the picking was relentless. Ralph Macchio changed that. On a Friday during his freshman year in high school, a re-run of Karate Kid played on TBS. The next day Aaron’s parents signed him up for classes. \n\nHe definitely wasn’t the next coming of Chuck Norris but when he hit me in the throat I had no defense. When the six year old girl saw Aaron she started screaming for help. And when Aaron saw a 6 year old girl strapped to a bed surrounded by men with knives, well, help he did. \n\nI dropped quick and like a sack of potatoes. In one quick motion he broke my voice box and to this day the best I can do is a harsh whisper. He was passed me before I hit the floor, hitting Randy and doubling him up beside the bed. The yelling started but with 4 men trying to yell at the same time it was nonsensical garbage. Aaron’s left foot connected to William’s head with such force he shattered his skull when it hit the wall. Then he was on the other side of the bed. It happened so fast that it was like he went through the bed rather than around it. Several lightning strikes to Patrick and he was out. Roger was next and even though he knew better, he tried to use the knife. But this was Aaron’s day. It was like trying to stab the wind. He got 3 bruised ribs and a broken femur for his efforts. That left only John as his foe. \n\n“You don’t understand she...” the roundhouse kick sent teeth in many directions. We never found them all. \n\n“Please, please I just want my mommy and daddy” the little bitch said in her little bitch baby girl voice. Doing the wrongest right thing, Aaron comforted her and sliced through her straps with one of the discarded knives. \n\n“No please God no!” I tried to scream but it only came out as a gurgle. \n\nHer hand freed, she used a talon to take Aaron’s head from his body. I still remember the look in his not-yet-dead eyes as his head fell to the floor. Her skin changed to scales and her body grew 7 times its little girl stature. Leathery wings grew from her back. Fire erupted from her mouth like a volcano spewing lava, killing all my men on that side of the room. She kicked Randy through the window to the ground 3 stories below. She stepped to me and bent down, her breath reeking of sulphur, her voice like rocks ground against each other “Puny Mortals”. " ]	2
	[WP] Nuclear War breaks out on Earth and you, you’re watching it unfold from the International Space Station.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 stared at the bottle of liquor in my hand, it’s been a while since I’ve last touched the stuff but the events happening now was making it severely tempting to just relapse. I just couldn’t understand why any of this was happening, humanity was supposed to put this stuff all behind us, but the occasional flash of light on the little blue and green orb below us begged to differ. \n\nIt all started about a half hour ago, the crew was getting ready to eat lunch, everything seemed normal. But then the radios started to squawk out reports of missile launches , and that’s all that took to take people who, just a few minutes ago were laughing with each other, to fall back into national lines and start blaming each other, the fighting started not to long after. I was the only one with enough sense to run away and lock myself in one of the viewing rooms. And then I found this little glass bottle sitting here just waiting for me, someone must of hidden it here. \n\nI sighed as I threw the glass against the wall, causing glass and liquor to explode around the room. Twenty years is far to long a time to relapse at the end. I can still here them fighting outside, I ignored them as I watched the brilliant flashes of light below. I started to utter out a quiet prayer for the people below and asked why it all must end like this. But I heard a small still voice tell me this wasn’t the end, and that was good enough for me. \n\n\nHope y’all enjoy this. Please let me know any grammar mistakes you noticed, or criticisms you have. God bless!", "It was early morning on the ISS. I pulled a night shift, using my processor time, and now it was time for Vasha to have his. Long gone had been the days of looking over each other's shoulders and zero trust in everyone but yourself; the Soviet Union, and the communist regime with it, had fallen long ago, and despite the new Russian Federation still playing dirty on the global stage of power, we had peace. I remember those days, even though I was but a child when it happened. I remember celebration. I remember everyone clamouring the arrival of the future. Now, I was knocking on the door of fifty, the many grey hairs that had appeared on my head a sign of a life of hard work, but I didn't mind it. It was my fourth time up here, and every single one was amazing to behold. Even after a thousand days in space, it never fails to take your breath away. My stay was ending soon, the Russian craft already on the launchpad, waiting to come pick us up, take us home. The ISS had been up here for forty years, and the system never changed. A crew of six at all times, arriving and leaving in groups of three every three months. Except not anymore. The station was old, and it was time to retire it. The crew had been reduced to three with the previous flight of the Russkaya; we were here to do basic maintenance and what little science we could before the inevitable end. One more crew after us, and that was it. Snapping out of my lamentation, I handed the lab over to Vasha and let him join Kamui, before retreating to my room to get some sleep.\n\nIt was night over America when it began. While normal people were watching their late-night talk-shows and putting their children to bed, I was watching the Sun rise for the 14th time that day – as vague as „day“ is when there's 16 sunrises in one. Not a bad job, by all accounts. The limited amount of Internet connectivity we had available to us at the job, I used to say hi to my wife and daughter. We were all laughing. It was perfect. And then it was gone. Not an hour after I had given the lab space over, I was rustled by the sound of what was unmistakeably Russian swearing. Rushing over to the central room, I spoke to Vasha.\n\n„Vasha? What happened?“\n\n„Radio picked up something. Looks like a homing signal. No idea why on our frequency.“\n\n„A homing signal? From where?“\n\n„Baikonur.“\n\nBaikonur. Russia's gate to space. The Soviets built it on Kazakh territory and told their Kazakhstan constituent republic to get fucked. Not like they could do anything. Say anything and you get executed. That's what life was like. A homing signal from Baikonur could only mean one thing. The Russians launched something.\n\n„Fuck. What do you think they launched? Is it…“, I let the words ring, not daring to ask the worst.\n\n„No idea. But it's big“, he replied in typical short form.\n\nFinally, Kamui joined us, deciding that the words „launch“ and „homing signal“ were something more interesting than the science. „What's going on, guys?“ His question sounded jovial, almost naïve, as we couldn't bring ourselves to say the word „missile“.\n\nI broke the silence: „We don't know. All we know is that the Russians launched something, and we have no idea what it is. But it's being guided. Somewhere.“\n\nVasha intervened: „We'll be over Russia in three minutes. We can take a good old-fashioned look out of the window. That ok?“ And we agreed.\n\nWe spent the three minutes in silence. Launches of anything are usually announced months in advance, and we would've heard about it. Sure, we had only been up here for three months, but all of us were scientists and space buffs; we read the print and familiarised ourselves with what was being launched. We hadn't heard of this. Something was very, very wrong. I didn't have to talk to the other two to know their thoughts were exactly the same.\nThe flight over Russia arrived, and, to our delight, the morning was clear. And we saw it. An unmistakeable plume of water vapour, rising up, high up, above the clouds, and into space. It was going into space. And it was heading west.\n\nMore Russian swearing followed. Kamui bowed his head down to think of a plan; I went to ring my wife to warn her. If it, or any other, was headed for Houston, any second of warning would help.\n\nVasha interrupted me. „Stephen… I figured it out. The radio is in central module here, no? The central module has Russian call-sign, and always has, because the Russian space agency put it here. That means the radio uses Russian tech. And Russian space tech naturally uses…“\n\nI didn't need more. „Russian military frequencies.“\n\n„Yes.“ That was confirmation of my deepest fear. „We are at war.“\n\n---\n\nWell, this prompt spawned the creation of my own space, /r/SolarArchives! There's also a [Part 2!](https://redd.it/as2nu2)\n" ]	3
	[WP] A couple has promised you their firstborn in exchange for everlasting love. This is the 10th time that you, a demonic entity, tries to take it. The couple keeps resisting.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 my line of work, it's not always a pleasure to do business with someone.\n\nI gave them what they desire more than anything else in the world, yet they still have the audacity to tell me \"No\"? Can those mortals even comprehend who they are messing with!? You cannot pull out on your end of the deal, especially when you're negotiating with a demon. \n\nI've tried the nice way, it's time to take more drastic measures. While I could easily just waltz up in their house, murder them both, and take their baby away, I hesitated, \"No, they're not going to get off that easy.\"\n\nI left their house and decided to wait until tomorrow morning. I knew what I was going to do.\n\n\\~\\~\\~\n\nI woke up to the sound of my alarm clock blasting the music I dread hearing every morning. I hit the snooze button as soon as I could, to avoid waking up my dear wife and child sleeping in the next room. I stood up straight, my right hand covering my mouth as I yawned. I look out the window, spotting a thick fog hiding every house in the suburbs. I always loved this type of weather. I head on over to the room parallel to the one I was in to check on my beautiful daughter, Melissa.\n\nShe was still there, slumbering peacefully, not even noticing I was there. I'll defend her from that demon even if it costs me my life. I kissed her small forehead carefully, to avoid waking her. Still asleep. I smiled and walked out of her room to prepare for work.\n\nI walk to my car, and drive to work. I arrived. Briefcase in hand, I walk into my workplace building, only to be quickly approached by my colleague Simon.\n\n\"Christian,\" He spoke to me, \"The boss wants to speak to you, like, right now.\"\n\n\"What!? Why?\" I responded, feeling a single drop of sweat forming on my face. I already didn't like where this was going.\n\n\"I... I don't know, she just said that she needed you this instant,\" He replied, and I could tell that he was concerned too. He was just as aware that whenever the boss calls you, it's never a good thing.\n\n\"All right. I'll... go and see what she wants,\" I spoke.\n\nI took the elevator to the 3rd floor and walked down the hallway straight to my boss' door. I knocked, and heard a \"Come in!\" from the other side. I gulped and opened the door.\n\n\"I'm gonna have to let you go, Christian,\" She said as soon as I closed the door behind me. I was stunned by such a blunt and direct answer.\n\n\"Wh-What do you mean?\" My lips quivered.\n\n\"Precisely what I said, you don't work here anymore,\" She spoke again without hesitation, \"Now get out of here!\"\n\nI quickly open the door and rush back outside. I couldn't believe what just happened. I lost my job just like that... I walked back to the elevator and noticed someone leaning on the elevator's doors. \n\n\"You!\" I yelled.\n\n\\~\\~\\~\n\nSeeing Christian angry at me was a delight. As soon as he spotted me he already knew what I had done. It took all I had to not laugh maniacally at his misfortune. He deserved every second of it.\n\n\"What did you do, you bastard!?\" He shouted at me, tightening the grip on his briefcase.\n\n\"Me? I didn't do anything bad, if that's what you're implying,\" I snickered, \"But I heard you lost your job just now.\"\n\n\"Yeah! Yeah I did!\" He continued with his rant, \"And you're the reason why! You know I'm the only source of income for my family, so you shot it down!\"\n\n\"Pfft, I would never do something sinister like that, Christian,\" I continued in my sarcastic tone, \"and to prove it, I'll make you a deal.\"\n\nI reached out my hand towards him, expecting him to shake it. My grin widened as I caught him looking down at my hand curiously. It was obvious how desperately he needed his job.\n\n\"I'll convince the bitch in that room to give you your job back. In fact, I'll do you one better. I'll get her to give you a 10% raise. Maybe even 20% if you're adamant about it,\" I paused for a second before resuming to let him soak in the moment, \"but in return, I want you to give me what you owe.\"\n\n\"No,\" he replied instantly, \"I'll never give her up.\"\n\n\"Never is a long time, Christian,\" I spoke in the most serious tone I could muster, \"Every man has a breaking point, and the question is, where's yours?\" I chuckled, \"If you say no now, I have a feeling things are only going to get worse for you and your family.\"\n\n\"Don't you dare touch-\" \n\n\"All right then,\" I cut him off, \"How are you going to stop me, Christian?\"\n\n\"I-\"\n\n\"Don't bother answering,\" I cut him off again, with a blank expression on my face, \"I already know that you can't do anything. I'm here offering you a chance at redemption, and you give me the cold shoulder. But alright. I'll be sure your wife feels the weight of your actions personally.\"\n\n\"SHUT UP!\" He yelled, throwing his briefcase at me. I step out of the way and let it hit the closed elevator door behind me. He fell on his knees and covered his face.\n\n\"Please...\" He begged, \"Leave my family alone...\"\n\nI walked over to him and knelt in front of him, grabbing his chin and lifting it upwards so I could get a better look at his miserable face.\n\n\"Sorry Christian,\" I spoke while looking him directly in the eye, \"In my line of work, it's not always a pleasure to do business with someone.\"" ]	2
	[WP] You find the sexy and dangerous femme fatale that tried to kill you at Comic Con, wearing dark rim glasses, a Star Wars hoodie, and sweatpants with a box of Batman comics in hand	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 she was, barely recognizable in the heavy clothes that were so unlike the woman he knew her to be. Still, she looked good. The glasses concealed her vibrant green eyes, and the hood of her wookie imprinted hoody kept her wavy red hair from view. But she was still easily the best looking woman in the place.\n\nAnd talk about a killer body. He knew it well. Tall, statuesque curves, and better developed than the average porn star. Not that any of that was the heavy, loose shirt and pants made all of that nearly impossible to see unless one was looking.\n\nShe looked downright normal as she perused the box of comics. But he knew better. He knew who she was, and what she was capable of.\n\nHe subtlety pulled out a small but sharp knife out of his pocket and sidled up next to her, concealing the blade from the throngs of sweaty, overdressed con goers.\n\n\"Hello, Tonya. Never pegged you for a Batman fan. Always thought you'd be more Black Widow or Electra.\"\n\n\"Yeah, well, I'm a sucker for a man in a tight black, uniform. Besides, I never got into Marvel much. Too much whining for my tastes. What about you, Jake, who do you like?\"\n\n\"The Punisher.\"\n\n\"Oo, tall dark and violent. I like it.\" She purred, already plying her trade.\n\n\"So, what're you really doing here, Tonya? This isn't your scene.\"\n\n\"Oh, Foo. Try and kill a man once and he thinks he knows you. I'm a complex woman, you know. I'm allowed to simply like comics, you know.\"\n\n\"Somehow I don't think the nerd funk is something you enjoy.\"\n\n\"I can say the same thing about you. What's a strapping fellow like you doing here? No new supermodels to bed?\"\n\n\"I have my reasons.\"\n\n\"Oh, Jake, ever the stoic. You try too hard to be James Bond sometimes.\"\n\n\"Oh please, I'm nothing like that British pretty boy.\"\n\n\"You keep thinking that, big guy. So, what are you going to do that that poker you're using?\"\n\n\"Well, I can't very well leave one of the world's most infamous assassins alone, now can I? I figure we slip away and I ram this into your spine. Not dead, but not a threat. I call my people and you go to jail.\"\n\n\"Sounds like a plan. You just forgot one thing.\"\n\n\"What's that?\"\n\n\"I may kill people for a living, but I'm still a woman.\". She took a deep breath and and shouted, \"Help! Someone help me! I'm being attacked!\"\n\nJake's eyes widened. \"Oh, you bitch. This isn't over.\"\n\n\"I know. See you later, Jake.\"\n\nJake pushed the beautiful killer away and wove his way though the crowd, just as civilian security was showing up. Tonya even had fake tears in her eyes as she described the \"horrible pervert\" who had assaulted her. She was good, he had to admit that. But he would get her. Sooner or later.\n" ]	2
	[WP] Unwilling to throw it away, someone puts an old doll house in the back yard. Later that night they see little lights from the dollhouse and what seems like something or someone moving in.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", " Amy rifled through old toys in her dead mother’s house. She didn’t remember all of them, but as she dug deeper into her old toy chest, she would see a stuffed animal, a doll, or a foam weapon that would bring back a stream of memories. Each one carried the memory of receiving the toy, playing with the toy, then placing it in the chest, never to be used again. They were all good memories nonetheless, even the one of the slingshot that almost hit her in the eye. But there plenty of painful memories in that old house as well. She couldn’t bring herself to go into her parent’s room, the memories she used to be so fond of now carried a stabbing pain with them. She loaded some chairs into her car, the china her mother would never allow her to use, and one toy. One very big toy. Her old dollhouse, which was now covered in dust and cobwebs. She had to kick out the current residents, two dead flies and a spider, before shoving it in her car. When she got home, she realized she had no place to put it. Her house was cramped, and the dollhouse was so dirty. She knew she should have given it away so that some other girl could make memories with it, but she didn’t want to let it go and risk losing all of her time with it. She put it in her backyard and covered it with a blue tarp before going inside and forgetting about it.\n\n Weeks past, until one morning Amy went outside and the tarp caught her eye. It was covered in dew and reflected the sunlight back at her. She lifted it up, careful not to spill too much water on herself or the house, and noticed it was cleaner. Dust no longer covered the floors and the furniture she had long since glued to the floor. Those wooden floors were once again shiny and the windows of the dollhouse were so clear, clearer than the windows of her own house. She brought her face to it and took a deep breath, becoming lost in the smell that the old dollhouse carried. Then she threw the tarp back over it and continued on her day.\n\n Amy had been drinking. A bad choice in hindsight, though she continued to make that bad choice Friday night after Friday night. She never thought about the hangover as the bitter taste of beer passed over her tongue and smoothly down her throat, causing her to feel warm and tingly with delight. She threw on a robe and slippers and tried to vomit in the toilet to no avail, the dry heaving only causing her pain and the familiar taste of salt in her mouth. She spit it out, disgusted. She stumbled back into her room, and stared outside her window. The day was cloudy which was a blessing, no piercing light to blind her oversensitive eyes, and she saw the well-polished doll house sitting out in the open, the tarp removed. The wind, she thought, as she ran outside to ensure it had not been hurt or damaged. It was even cleaner than the day before, every surface was polished and reflective, the beds now carried sheets, and in the bathroom, there was a toilet, sat on by a plump man. His brown pants sat around his ankles and his white tank top barely covered his crotch, though much of ass was visible to her, and he held a small newspaper in his hands. She stared at him, and he looked right back.\n\n “Do you like watching me shit?” His voice was… Russian, or Ukrainian she decided, though much higher, like a chipmunk.\n\n Amy didn’t know how to answer him. The answer was obviously no but, he shouldn’t have been shitting in her dollhouse.\n\n “Why are you in my dollhouse?” Her groggy mind could only think to say that.\n\n “You have big house.” He motioned to her house. “I take the small one because no one uses it. You cannot live in this house.”\n\n “I have owned this house since I was a little girl and it is not yours to live in. I care for it and do not want you…” she searched for the word, “defecating inside of it.”\n\n “You care for this house?” He laughed a deep belly laugh, though it still seemed high pitched to her. “I find this house abandoned, dirty, dusty. I spend hour after hour cleaning and polishing cleaning and polishing. I give beds sheet, and make toilet so that I can shit in peace which you do not let me do. I have done more for this house than you ever have.”\n\n Amy was becoming fed up. She wanted to grab the pudgy little man between two fingers and throw him into the bushes. “Get out of my house.” She said trying to sound as menacing as possible\n\n “Fuck you.” He said turning back to his newspaper.\n\n Her brain finally made the connection that something was not right here, that something was out of place. “Why are you small?”\n\n “Why are you big?”\n\n She thought he was being facetious. “You’re only six inches tall. Most people are not six inches tall.”\n\n “I am not like most-” She was growing tired of him.\n\n “Tell me what you are or I’m going to throw you out of my dollhouse.” He loudly passed gas.\n\n “I am fairy.” Amy was disappointed. She thought if fairies existed that they would be beautiful and kind, not as wretched as the man before her.\n\n “Well Mr. Fairy, I still want you to leave this dollhouse.”\n\n “It is not your house to decide. And my name is Bogdan.”\n\n “What do I need to do to make you leave?”\n\n “If you let me shit I will give you fairy dust, deal?”\n\n “What will that-“ Amy’s question was interrupted by the sensation of dust being blown into her face. She tried to wipe it out of her eyes as they began to tear up and she felt her feet being picked up off the ground. “What’s happening?” She asked as she lost her balance and could feel herself spinning in midair.\n\n “You are flying now bye-bye.” And as Amy’s eyes opened, she could see the dollhouse shrinking beneath her. Then she was flying past her house and the buildings in the distance, and as she ascended past the clouds Bogdan began to tear up his newspaper to wipe his ass." ]	2
	[WP] Every 1000 years the most powerful beings of the universe meet to battle and claim the role of God. You are the first human to be summoned by the Universe into this contest.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 rules are simple,\" exclaimed Airoth, \"fight until you can fight no more, no restrictions.\"\n\nAiroth, the current God, is preparing to pass his throne to his successor. He chuckled when he first saw me, laughing at the fact that I, a mere human, is challenging the role. You see, in the history of the Universe, this has never been seen, hell, it has never even been imagined, not even by me. However, if you think I'd pass up the opportunity to be the first human challenger to the most powerful role in the Universe, you'd be crazy. My whole life has led to this point. From my years on Earth, to my presidential term on Mars, to my trade deals with the Genghi and Lamnot races, it's all led to this singular moment.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThere are five of us competing for the title. We come from all corners of the Universe, yet have one thing in common. We are powerful, intelligent, strong-willed beings, living for the sole purpose of leading our races to new heights. I expected to meet ruthless, bloodthirsty opponents, ready to squish the brains out of my measly little skull, but was surprised to discover the compassion and respect that each of the others carry with them. Though we are here to triumph, none of us mean harm to the rest. It's the truest example of mutual understanding I have ever encountered.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"When the bell tolls thrice, your gates will open, and the battle will begin. There will be no stopping for any reason, until there stands just one.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAiroth's voice is loud and booming, just what you'd expect from the one we call God. He adjusts his seat in anticipation, smiles big and nods to the bell ringer. The ring of the first bell toll shakes my chest. The second rattles my mind. The third jolts every bit of adrenaline I've got. The gates crash open, and the crowd erupts. It's on.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy nearest opponent is Thrite, and luckily for me, he's the least of my worries. He's easy to distract, robotic, and his power distribution system sits uncovered on his back. I just can't let him get his metal hands on me. His bone crushing power would be my quick and painful end. I immediately toss my IR ball into the corner near Thrite's gate. His electronic vision darts to the ball and I make my move. Climbing quickly up his leg, I waste no time. The longer I'm attached to this guy, the lower my chance of survival. I start tearing the wiring out of his power system, feeling the electrocution shooting up my arm in the process. Thrite starts to malfunction, buckles to his knees, and falls face first onto the floor.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe crowd goes wild. It was the first elimination, done by a human at that! I fixate on my next target, Upol. He's about 150 yards away, and moving towards me. I quickly prepare myself.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI feel a huge jolt of something I can only describe as a combination of electricity and fire, and find myself slowly opening my eyes. I'm coming to, on the floor of the arena. Upol is down too, though he doesn't seem to be waking up.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"This competition is a joke! There will be no winner, there will be no passing of the throne. There is only one God in this Universe.\" Airoth's voice is so distinct, though this time, it gives me chills. The arena is silent.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nDo I get up? Do I play dead? What do I do now?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSomething took over inside me just then. It was an energy I'd not felt before. Perhaps a culmination of my life's work going into this battle, a driving force that just didn't want to lose. I lifted myself off the floor with weak arms. The four other challengers still lay lifeless on the floor. A collective gasp echoes through the air.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I am the last one standing,\" I yell, \"therefor that throne is rightly mine, Airoth! I'm sure the authorities would agree.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAiroth looked appalled. He became agitated. He shouted for me to be taken away, but fortunately for me, the Galactic Authority acts for the good of the Universe, and not for the good of God. Airoth was surrounded in no time, forced to step down from his throne.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe threw my hands into the air, and the crowd burst into applause as if I was a conductor of excitement. I had done it, though not by the means I was expecting. In just one year, Airoth will pass the throne to me, a mere human. In just one year, the Universe will be mine to rule. It's time to make the Universe great again.", "\"So who's the competitor from Hell this week?\" rumbled one alien, who looked like a cross between a troll and a grizzly bear.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Didn't you hear?\" his friend growled, whose only differentiating trait was his bull-like horns. \"The demons went extinct.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Extinct?! What?!\" the first alien nearly bellowed. \"They won the Tournament the last 5 times! What happened?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Apparently, some green dude . . .\" The pair wandered out of earshot. Not that I gave a fuck.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Hey there buddy,\" a creature that resembled an orange slug, except with facial features of a bee. \"Your translator working fine?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI remained silent. I had nothing to say. The earpiece flickered with electronic blue light.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe slug, who identified as Fred, continued as if nothing happened. \"Well, here's a quick recap of the Tournament. Every galactic week, or roughly 1000 Earth years, the strongest member of each sentient species across the Universe is put in the arena to fight. It's a battle royale, which means everyone enters at once and the last one standing wins. The winner gets a position in the hot seat, which basically makes you a deity. Sure, there's still paperwork and stuff, but all in all, not a bad deal. Assuming, of course, you don't die.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe scoffed as if the idea was ridiculous. \"I know you weren't given much of a choice in this matter, but try to put on a good show before you kick the bucket. It's tradition for the winner to harass to deceased competitors' home planets, and the better you perform, the less time your species suffers. Generally. They might harass them anyway, 'cause, well, you're human.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy fist clenched tight enough that my knuckles cracked. \"Only reason you're here anyway is because we have an unfortunate, ah, vacancy amongst our competitors today. So lucky you, I suppose.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThey would die. They would all. Die. \"Hey, can you even hear me through that helmet of yours?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnother alien, one resembling a cockroach, came and whispered something in Fred's ear. Fred turned towards me, an equivalent of a grin on his face. \"Looks like you're up.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe set of twin doors in front of me swung open, and I was unceremoniously pushed through it. The doors shut firmly behind me, like they thought I was going to attempt to flee. Idiots.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI gazed at my surroundings. I was trapped in a circular arena, roughly a kilometre in diameter, with seating surrounding the arena. It was packed to the brim with strange creatures, who let out a collective sound of displeasure upon my entry. Inside the arena itself, there were around 30 other competitors, who were all muscle-bound, gigantic figures, spaced equally along the circumference of the arena. One was the size of a three-story building. They were all staring at me with varying levels of contempt.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA strange screeching filled the battleground, which the earpiece had no problem decoding. \"And for our final competitor, hailing from the backwater lands of Earth, is a human!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe crowd let loose another wave of auditory displeasure. My opponents openly snarled at me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI knew what they were thinking. I was an appetiser. The precursor to the main event. A kick-off to a night filled with blood.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThere would be blood, alright.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe announcer continued. \"No one, not even his own kind know his name. A man known only by the title his victims have bestowed upon him!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI readied my weapon of choice. A double-barrel shotgun.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI was going to kill them all.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Please welcome, THE DOOMSLAYER!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt was like the flipping of a switch. The crowd, which had been a storm of hissing and snarling, went dead quiet. My adversaries snarled again, but this time, with an undercurrent of fear.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nRip and tear, until it was done.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI charged.", "\"WELCOME ONE AND ALL... AND ALL... AND ALL...\"\n\nMy eyes jolted open as the scratchy, high pitched voice came booming all around me. I slumped over to get a better look at my surroundings.\n\n\"I think I fell asleep on the highway,\" I thought to myself as I scanned the large, monolithic arena I found myself in. My hands were chained together. No getting out of this.\n\nI was inside a large, glass tube -- Too thick to break, but clear enough to see through. Ahead of me was a group of other tubes, forming a circle. I saw humanoid shapes in some, but in others... Creatures that could only be described as monsters.\n\n\"LAST MILLENNIUM... I WAS SUMMONED HERE TO REPRESENT XLAXIA, THE GALAXY OF GLORY. BUT NOW MY FUN TIMES ARE UP. EVERYONE HAD A BLAST? BETTER HOPE YOU DON'T GET A GENOCIDAL GOD THIS TIME.\"\n\nI was leaning on the glass tubes as they slid up, and I fell flat onto my face. The strange materials making up the ground didn't really matter, so much as the strange otherworldly beings now standing in a circle in front of me.\n\n\n\"HONEST TO G-, MYSELF, I GOT REAL LUCKY. THE ZABARNACK DUDE JUST CAME SWINGING- I REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE LIVED.\"\n\n\nThe other contestants stared in silence. I could make out a face of confusion from a large, hulking creature. \n\n\"So... at least they're all sentient,\"\n\n\n\"YOU ALL KNOW THE DRILL BY NOW. WE GOT A COUPLE OF NEW GUYS, BUT I'D RATHER JUST GET THIS OVER WITH BECAUSE HOW'S A FIRST TIMER GONNA WIN THE-\n\n\nA large silence fell over the arena. Even the crowd became silent as a mouse.\n\n\"-Hold. Hold on guys. I'm trying-^hold-on-I-gotta-fix-this-\"\n\nOne tentacled looking creature starting tapping what I assume to be feet. Another started growling lowly.\n\n\"LET'S TAKE THIS FROM THE TOP.\"\n\nI readied my fists for whatever was about to come my way. I had no idea what I was doing in this knockoff Tron/Star Wars/The Cube/Spy Kids 3 looking battleground, but I wasn't about to miss lunch.\n\n\n\"WELCOME ONE AND ALL... TO THE BATTLE OF THE MOST POWERFUL BEINGS OF THE UNIVERSE GOD CHALLENGE. WORST NAME I'VE EVER SEEN. I CAN CHANGE THE LAWS OF REALITY BUT NOT THIS AWFUL THING? GIMME A BREAK.\"\n\n\nThe shackles I had fell to the ground. Loud, otherworldly music started to blast from the sky as a platform elevated slightly in front of us.\n\n\"WE'VE SEEN THE GENERIC GLADIATORIAL BRAWL SCHTICK A THOUSAND TIMES. IT SUCKS. I WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT.\"\n\nThe crowd started booing intensely. The combined disapproval of a thousand races was honestly painful to my unprepared ears.\n\n*\"XU! KLE FUREL XI,\" one large, prickly alien proclaimed. We all seemed to have some sort of universal translator, but I think he preferred cursing in his native tongue.\n\n\"JUST GET ON WITH IT!\" another screamed, adjust his helmet and making fists.\n\n\"I SPEND ALL THIS TIME AND YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN LIKE IT. YOU ALL SUCK.\"\n\nA large, metallic contraption springs out from the floor, with seats going all around it. We all ready ourselves to fight it out to the death. Is it a Saw contraption? A doomsday weapon? Are we playing Space Limbo?\n\n\n\"EACH OF YOU, TAKE A SEAT. YOU'LL EACH GET A MONITOR. DON'T PEEK AT THE OTHERS'. THAT'S CHEATING.\"\n\n\nIt was interesting to see a hulking behemoth sit down into a tiny, red spin chair, but I've... probably seen weirder at work.\n\n\"I SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING THIS. THE MOST COMPLEX, INTELLECTUALLY INTENSIVE GAME TO THE UNIVERSE.\"\n\nEvery contestant cried out, distraught. One slammed their fists into the screen. Another, their head. It seems a lot of them were prepared for a fighting scenario.\n\n\"IN FRONT OF YOU IS A BOARD. YOU MUST CLEAR IT BY CLICKING ON EACH SQUARE. DON'T CLICK THE WRONG ONES. THE RED SQUARES ARE DEATH SQUARES. SELF EXPLANATORY. YOUR BATTLE BEGINS NOW.\"\n\nOne alien instantly started clicking all around in frustration. The floor opened up under them, and they fell past my field of vision. \"Don't want to end up like that,\" I thought to myself.\n\nI took a closer glance at the game in front of me. I wanted to be cautious, as to not immediately plummet to my doom. I tapped on one square.\n\nCLICK.\n\nIt was safe. The board opened up, and I saw a variety of numbers in front of me.\n\n\"SOME OF YOU ARE DOING SURPRISINGLY GOOD. I'M LOOKING AT YOU, CIELO NEBULA.\"\n\nOne big creature, engrossed in the screen, gave an acknowledging thumbs up.\n\nI noticed the numbers had some sort of meaning in relation to the Death Squares; the higher the number, the more squares there were. I could \"cover\" a square if I thought it would-\n\n\"Wait,\"\n\n\"Wait!\"\n\nThe helmeted alien looked over at me.\n\n\"THIS IS JUST MINESWEEPER!\" I exclaimed excitedly.\n\n\"Mine-whater?\" the alien asked, concerned.\n\n\"WHAT DID HE SAY? MY WHAT?\"\n\nI rushed to complete the board. My fingers flew faster than anything I've ever seen before. I quickly tapped the last square, sending a shockwave through the entire arena.\n\n\"WHAT THE FUCK HOW DID YOU DO THAT SO FAS-\"\n\nThe booming voice suddenly quietened. I started to get sick as I fell to my hands and knees. \"What is happening to me!?\" I desperately asked around as I started to levitate higher and higher off the ground.\n\n\"YOU'RE PLAYING GOD NOW, GENIUS,\" the helmeted alien screeched at me, as I saw him jumping up and down in anger.\n\n\"Playing god? You mean like... The Sims?\"\n\n\"THE WHAT?!\"" ]	4
	[WP] Everyone has a guardian angel to watch over and protect them throughout their life. They appear and disappear when their job is done. One day yours appears to protect you from harm. But instead of a floating graceful figure, a hulking mass of steel and metal appears which refuses to disappear.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "(WP) The Steel Guardian\n\nIt appeared one day after school, after another round of bullying from my classmates, and gave me quite a fright, to put it lightly.\n\nI was bullied a lot; it became part of my daily routine, and to avoid it, I often hid in the library or an empty classroom. But it hardly ever worked; they always found me, one way or another.\n\nThis time, it happened in the parking lot, which by now, was nearly empty. The only occupants were the stoners and smokers, and they kept to themselves.\n\nNot that I would’ve asked for help, anyway. There was no point. And I kept looking at the only bright spot on my horizon: one more semester, and I’d be off to college, making a fresh start in a new city far away from my tiny town.\n\n“You know, it’s almost boring, pushing you around anymore,” Tiberius ‘Tiger’ Santos sneered around the cigarette in his mouth. “You don’t even fight back.” He shoved my shoulders, and I landed hard on my back, my backpack doing little to cushion my fall to the blacktop.\n\nHe squatted down in front of me and smirked, drawing his fist back to hit me, likely right in the nose, to upset my glasses.\n\n“Then why even bother, Tiger?” I grumbled when I got my breath back.\n\nHe shrugged, his smirk taking up the lower half of his face. “Because it’s fun. Because I’m bored. Just because. You like to act like you’re invisible, but I see you. You’re nothing. A speck. Dirt on the bottom of my shoes.”\n\nThere was a high-pitching, whining squeal above me, and I squinted, trying to pinpoint the source of the sudden noise.\n\nA crash shortly followed; when flat gray feet met the parking lot, cracks expanded around them.\n\n“Step away from my human, Tiberius Santos, or I will make sure you cannot make another move for the rest of your days.”\n\nThe voice was clipped, monotone, robotic, and an arm with some sick-looking blasters at the end of it hovered inches away from my bully’s face, coating his face in a bright scarlet wash, like blood.\n\n“What the fuck? What did you do, you sick freak? If this is some prank to take the piss out of me, I swear to God, I’ll pound you!” Tiger squealed, and despite the fact that I didn’t know what was going on either, I couldn’t help but feel a spiteful glee in seeing him squirm.\n\nServed him right.\n\n“You heard him, Tiger. Step off, or you’re gonna end up with blasters to the face.” I said, smiling up at him.\n\n“I’ll get you for this, you fucking nerd!” Tiger hollered as he turned tail and ran away from my mysterious protector. “You’re dead!”\n\nI stood up, and I got my first real look at the machine that saved my life. It was a life-sized robot, all decked out in silver and black chrome, with blasters that receded back into its metallic arms, and its bright red eyes found mine. Unbelievably, it was smiling.\n\n“Who are you? What are you?”\n\n“I’m your guardian angel. Robot. I’m here to protect you.”\n\n\\\\" ]	2
	[WP] the year is 2099 and time travel was just invented. You're one of the lucky few to try it out first. So you decide to give a caveman a gun, when you go back to the future the world isn't the same.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 Rules were simple. I get to pick a year in history, and a location. The time machine would do the rest. I could carry a small bag for food, my retina phone and the portal summoner to return me to 2099 safely. I had one week to prepare and report to the Intratech office building at 8 am Monday for my trip. I was beyond excited. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nIn my application I said I wanted to visit ancient history, specifically, 20,000 BC nile valley. I was an anthropology major in college, I studied cavemen paintings, and human-neanderthal interactions, you know, that sort of thing. I wanted to see what humans were like before they first settled somewhere and started farming. \n\nUnfortunately, I've been kind of a misfit ever since. I live with my mom in her 3 bedroom house in suburban DC. I work at a shoe store, and I am drowning in debt. This was my big break. Intratech was paying $100K per image of historical events for the test subjects. I figured going into another million in debt for the retina phone wouldn't hurt. I would then be able to download everything I see, and if I can get some good photos (at least 50) then I'd pay off my debt and maybe move out of my mom's basement. \n\nOf course, visiting prehistoric humans as a late 21st century loser would NOT go well for me if I weren't prepared. So I planned to pack some heat. I was going to smuggle my weapon in the portal somehow. I was hoping it would fit in my bag or that it would somehow go unnoticed by the detectors. I bought a 3-D printed gun from a pawn shop on Sunday. This was one made from edible materials. It was also disassembled, so I packed my gun parts as sections of a sandwich. \n\nMonday came and I arrived at Intratech with my belongings. The checkin process went smoothly. I was told the process was harmless and that my time in the past would be limited to 45 minutes. Not to make contact with anybody and to not leave any waste behind. yada yada yada, I nodded, signed the agreement that any pictures I take would be their property and that I get payment in return. We were set to go.\n\nThey sat me in the pilot seat in the portal. lights started flashing, and a whoooooosh and then nothing.\n\nI look around me, and I am surrounded by trees, I am standing in the middle of wild flowers. I hear a river to my left and l look to that direction and across from the river I see 3 small figures huddled by the trees. They look like children. I smile and wave at them when suddenly I am clonked on the back of the head with a shark object. I fall to the ground and unsteadily pick myself up, I look behind me and a figure with dark long hair is standing over me with my backpack in her hand. She's naked from the waist up. She can't figure out how to get into the bag, so she uses her teeth to tear into it. The nylon breaks easily and she pulls out my things. I panic and start reaching for it. Another figure, this one a man (I can tell because of he's naked and has a penis) whacks me again with what looked to be a tree branch. I get whacked 3-4 more times then they run off with my stuff. They left some things behind. I rifle through them real quick, and realize that my gun sandwich is gone. I get to my feet and start chasing them, picking up some rocks from the banks of the river as I approach them. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI yell at the cavemen family as they retreat from me. The father turns to me and starts growling, standing up tall with his stick ready to whack me again. He takes a jab and I dodge it. I throw a rock at him, it strikes him in the temple and he falls to the ground. Meanwhile, my retina phone is recording all of this. I realize I may have killed a man on camera. But his wife has my sandwich gun, I had to get it back.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBlindly I pick up the stick the man was holding and run at the woman with the kids. She's cowering in fear. I reach her and with heavy breaths, I reach down and grab what's left of my bag. I pull the sandwich apart, put my gun together, then aim it at woman.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nJust then I get tackled from behind by the man who I thought was dead, apparently I'm a worse rock thrower than I am anthropologist. The force of the attack knocks the gun from my hands, and the woman reaches for it. She fumbles with the gun and fires it into the air. The world goes silent. I look up, and the man has a look of terror in his face. The children are scrambling away, the woman herding them away from the river. I notice for the first time, I am surrounded by a few dozen figures in the shadows. They were staring at me, with fear in their eyes. They saw the power of the gun. They saw a man descend from nowhere and make loud noises. I knew then, that I was fucked. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nJust then, my retina phone started buzzing, it was time for the portal to return me home. good riddance. Without caring to pick up my trash, I ran towards the scared nomadic early humans and screaming, I pressed the button on my portal summoner. The pod appeared, I sat in the pilot seat, and began my journey home.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen I arrived back in the lab... it wasn't a lab. In fact, it was just an empty field. It looked a lot like what I had just left, but the river wasn't there, and the little people were gone. \n\nI rechecked the logs in the portal, it said February 18th, 2099. I looked around, the sky seemed clearer. I remember seeing the Baltimore skyline on the way in. There was no such thing now. I was confused. Then... an arrow was shot at my portal.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\*\n\nI wanted to have fun with this premise. the idea was that his intrusion into the past made it so that humans in the Nile valley never settled in the area for fear of what they saw that day. The events also unwittingly delayed technological advancement in the old world, that in 2099, Native Americans still had their culture intact and thus hadn't advanced anywhere either. I played with the idea that the Native Americans advanced on their own, but I wanted to leave something for the reader to infer on their own" ]	2
	[WP] You run a tattoo parlor. Every couple of week the same customer comes in always requesting the same tattoo: an additional tally mark on an ever growing cluster of tally marks.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 run a pretty popular tattoo parlour right in the heart of the city. We get people from all walks of life wanting to get inked. Bikies. Cops. Grandmas. Gym junkies. Drunk girls (who we refuse to tattoo until they come back sober, just wanted to throw that out there). Everyone has their own reasons. Some just want to look cool, some just have an appreciation for a particular artist, and some for sentimental reasons. One customer though stands out; his name, ironically, was Mark. He’s been coming to my parlour for a number of years. Very quiet and courteous, but always looking as if he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Sometimes we’d only see him once every couple of months, but sometimes it would be as often as a few times a week. There was never any regularity to it. He always got the same tattoo whenever he came in: a tally mark. Or “the usual,” as he always joked. There were no other tattoos on his body other than the tallies. When he first started coming in, I thought that he could be a murderer or a womanizer and the tallies were a list of his victims, but I quickly dismissed them as he didn’t seem the type for anything like that. And trust me; I’ve seen those types come through my parlour many times before.\nOne day, as I was getting the ink and needle ready to add another line for him, I finally decided to ask him about the tallies.\n“You’ve been coming to my shop for a while now, Mark,” I said. “You always get another tally. I don’t know why I haven’t asked you sooner, but why?”\n“A long time ago, I had a dear friend pass away,” Mark recalled, thoughtfully. “Her name was Evie. She was very introverted, keeping mostly to herself. She had led a hard life, but she had this spark in her that people never got to see. At her funeral, I was the only person to attend and it tore me up inside to think that no one cared enough to turn up,” he continued mournfully. “The thought that she was forgotten about was heartbreaking, and I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else. So now I’ve made it my life’s mission to go around to old folk’s homes and spend time with the residents who have no family or loved ones. Make friends with them, hear their stories, keep them company, you know? I want them to beremembered, not forgotten like Evie. Even if I’m the only one that remembers them, at least that’s something. I’ve met some amazing people. Like this man,” he mentioned, pointing at a tally on his left forearm. “Brandon Myles. He would travel to the remote parts of Africa every year and help build houses for struggling families. One day while on his annual trip he was kidnapped and held captive for two years. Two years! When the kidnappers realised that no one was going to pay a ransom, they let him go. But not before breaking his legs. Despite this, he still went back to Africa every year to keep build houses after he recovered. When he became too old to make the journey, he’d send money over.”\nMark tapped on a tally on his right shoulder. “Nancy Jun. She was a critically acclaimed artist. Nancy loved painting, but she was very humble and hated the spotlight. She started to get more recognised for her work, which she hated, so she began signed all her paintings with a pseudonym. Instead of selling artwork, she’d donate them to galleries all over the world.”\nHe pointed to a tally on his chest. “And Davina Stiablo? She was a foster child and never had any kids of her own. She started out working hard at a small pizza restaurant for many years before saving enough money to buy it from the owners. She opened another restaurant and then another an another until she had a chain of successful pizza restaurants across New York City. She funded parties for the kids at all the orphanages across the whole state every month to make sure they always had something to look forward to.”\n“Wow! So many people with incredible stories,” I admired. “And you remember them all?”\nMark answered, “Yes, absolutely. Every single one of them.”\n“How many tallies have you racked up now?”\nWithout skipping a beat, he responded, “One thousand, seven hundred and eighty two.”\n“So you’ve made friends with that many people?” I asked in disbelief.\n“Oh, no,” he replied solemnly. “I’ve made friends with hundreds more. You see, I only add to the tallies when they pass away. It’s a symbol that they haven’t been forgotten and that I’ll carry their memory with me wherever I go.”\nAnd as I gazed upon the sea of tallies that wrapped his skin, realising that each one was that of a person who would have died alone without their story being heard had it not been for Mark, I couldn’t help but break down into tears." ]	2
	[WP] You’ve died and gone to heaven, but heaven is empty. The gate is open, the angels are gone. The saints are missing. God is nowhere to be found. You wander an empty paradise searching for answers.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Welp, this is my first time answering a writing prompt. I ask of those reading to judge harshly, as it is only by criticism that I may improve. Note also that I did not try to revise this at all, this being the result of simply typing away in accordance to the prompt:\n\nPain, a lightning sensation courses throughout your body, pinpricks of fire stabbing into your nerves. Pain, a headache beyond comprehension, aching and stabbing with a severity surprassing any you have felt before. Pain, the sensation akin to molten steel coursing through your veins, liquid burning throughout your body with a temperature hotter than the Sun. Your mouth frozen in a wordless scream, eyes refusing to open, pain is your entire existence for but a few moments, yet the sensation extends it such that it seems to last for an eternity. Suddenly, it abates, tapering off to provide a respite and relief so welcome to your strained mind that it seems almost euphoric. Your mind unable to take it all, you pass out, noting only the hard texture of the floor beneath you as your consciousness fades away. \n\nWaking up, your eyes shoot open, scanning the world around you. Your mind forcibly suppressing what happened before, you attempt to push yourself up from the ground, unable to remember the pain you once felt. Your arms shaking, after only lifting yourself up a few inches, you collapse once more, your head impacting the cold ground, your cheek resting against the smooth, cool surface that seems to be free of imperfection. Unable to do anything else, you realize that the ground is unnaturally smooth even, beyond those surfaces you recall from the past, and yet still, this sort of surface feels almost familiar.\n\nWait, what surfaces?, you ask yourself, that recollection but a brief ephemeral moment, leaving behind naught but confusion and a realization of a forgotten memory. Panic, a strange and terrible panic, surges through you as you begin and try to access your memories. Who am I?, Where am I?, your mind recovered to ask such questions, your focus undistracted to begin to focus on them, you begin to ask yourself. Yet, just as suddenly as the panic came, it disappeared as if it were never there, and in realizing that your memory is unreliable, that nothing can be accomplished by remaining where you are, you begin to try to lift yourself once more.\n\nStruggling, you push yourself inch upon inch upwards, before delegating the rest of the efforts to your legs. Finally, you find yourself in a standing position, difficult yet not impossible to maintain. The question, Where am I?, still bouncing within your mind, you scan the area around you. What strikes you first is the greyish tones, the sun blotted out by countless clouds. Looking around more, you find your attention drawn to a pair of massive golden gates placed at a distance away from your current location, seeming open for all to enter, their colour however appearing without listing. Their existence appearing to be the only clue as to your whereabouts, you walk towards the gates, your progress yet still a struggle, however with time requiring less effort. Reaching your destination, the decrepit state of the gates become all too apparent. The gold fading away at points and becoming a rotting brown, sections of the gate appearing broken and worn down, the hinges appearing unweilding from disuse, you find yourself question how the gates were even open in the first place. Were they perhaps always open?, you find yourself wondering, the wear and tear setting in as the gates remained unclosed.\n\nLooking beyond those worn down gates, you find yourself looking at what appears to be an enormous city, the scale of a metropolis even, however it becomes apparent it is in a similar condition as the gates. The buildings, appearing to have once been brilliant structures of white, appear as shells of their former selves, what looks like dirt staining them black and brown. The lights appear off, the city unilluminated, and you find yourself with the impression that this is a ghost town. What happened those this place?, you wonder. What exactly is here? Entering one of the buildings, a house from the looks of it, you find yourself drawn to the various signs, symbols, and decorations adorning the walls. A collection of crosses appear to reside upon a single wall, nothing appearing to obstruct the view of them. Across the signs read familiar messages, in a language that seems as if it should be foreign to you. \"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength\", \"I will walk by faith even when I cannot see\", \"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.\", each and more strikes a chord within you, the inscrutable familiarity almost palpable. And yet still you cannot remember, this single fact driving you to the peak of irritation. Yet, as with the panic, this irritation is swept away, disappearing as if it never existed. Now calm, the clues in front of you, you begin to go over what you know, intent on seeing if you have yet gathered enough to make sense of anything. The signs mentions one known as God, along with an entity known as the Lord, the two appearing to be the same entity. The presence of crosses appear to be on a large scale. The city and gates appear to have once been finely crafted, resplendent and bright. The size of the city seems fit to house countless. These observations clear and apparent, a single word pops into your head, Heaven. Saying it aloud, reality seems to shudder, everything glowing brighter, as if acknowledgement of the existence of this place has a special impact on it. However, you find yourself with a sliver of doubt over your observations, wondering if they are universal within Heaven. \n\nExiting the building, you find your movements without struggle, easier to perform. Walking towards the next building, your stride quick and purposeful, you quickly enter to confirm whether or not the interior is similar. Repeating this several times, you come to the conclusion that your observations do indeed seem to be universal. Now free of doubt and the distraction it provides, you begin to realize that all you have found yourself with is a name and a few observations, your knowledge concerning Heaven and yourself still negligible. Intent on exploring more, you set your destination closer to the heart of the city, and begin to progress from its outskirts.", " \n\nI wake up feeling clean and refreshed. Everything around me is so white it takes me a while to see the pearly gate. It's gigantic, so big I can't even tell how far away it actually is. As I start to walk I realize that I can't feel my feet touching the ground. Of course, there is no ground, I'm quite literally walking on clouds. It occurs to me that probably there aren't any feet to feel anything either, but the crisis this kind of thought could arise is quickly forgotten when I finally reach the gate. It's impossibly big, and it's ajar just enough so I can cross it. It's weird that there isn't anyone there to welcome me. I stop for a while thinking maybe I’m trespassing, but that makes no sense, there’s nowhere else. Nothing else. I feel at ease here, and I’m quite sure I’m meant to be here. Maybe it's a test, I muse, but can't quite figure out what would I possibly be supposed to do with an empty heaven.\n\nI continuing walking on an endless field of whiteness. I can't shake the feeling that there's something I'm not seeing, as if there's something huge just in the corner of my eye. But still, there isn’t anything. \n\nI arrive nowhere and decide to stop for a bit. I'm not tired, or thirsty, or out of breath, but I'm very confused. I turn around to try and get some sense of direction. I think about going back to the gates, but I can't see them anymore. I'm lost, I don't know which direction I came from nor where I was going. Everything looks the same. \n\nI stay there for a few, I couldn't tell how long, not being able to decide what to do. Suddenly, I hear a faint crying, like someone trying not to cry and failing. I follow the sound and finally, something different comes into my field of view. \n\nThere's a small child covering her mouth and trying desperately not to cry, but with heavy tears falling from her wide eyes. She should look innocent in her light blue garment, but somehow she looks eerie. She hasn't seen me yet, and I follow her eyes to see if I can spot the reason for her crying, but there's nothing, just more clouds. \n\nI turn to the child and suddenly she is right there, looking at me with her big golden eyes. Her face is still wet but she isn't crying anymore, and I can't tell if she's a boy or a girl. I don’t have to look down to look at her, but she’s still very small. I don’t understand, but somehow I don’t really have to.\n\nI try to talk but realize that I can't. I don't even know if I still have a mouth. I try to touch it but there are no hands either. The child looks to her left quickly, as if making a point of making me curious enough to look. \n\nI do, but still, there are just clouds. It’s then that I notice that one of the huge white shapes is not a cloud but, in fact, the form of a falling head, turned away from me. I look at the child and she blinks. Suddenly we are right behind the severed head and I can see its lifeless face. It's so horrifying my vision tunnels. I look at the child and the tears are falling once again. When I look back the head is once more turned away from me. \n\nI feel utterly lost and terrified. Maybe I ended up in hell. Out of fear and without realizing, I take the child's hand and run away with her. I don't even think about the fact that I suddenly have limbs again. \n\nNone of us says anything, and when I look at her again she has her eyes closed. We stop, for no reason in particular. I let go of her. I feel at ease again, but I don’t know why.\n\n“You should be saved”, she says. “Don't die so soon this time. Wait at least 50 years, okay?” I still can't talk, but she seems to be waiting for an answer, I nod, not sure what it will accomplish or what kind of promise I just made. \n\nShe kisses my forehead, and suddenly I'm crying, and I hear someone saying “it's a boy!”. ", "\"Damn you, you little shit! Why the fuck were you out?!\", Chen muttered as he struck his son, Jack, across the face. His boy insisted he was at school because he had his club meeting. \n\nChen didn't believe him one bit. As he's grown older, he was quick to jump to any conclusion that sprouted in his mind. He'd have assumed he'd been up to no good. Perhaps partying? Drinking? Sex before marriage? Any negative thought would have been made by this sick person.\n\nHe was done berating his son. For now, at least. He retired to his bedroom and snuggled under the covers. Chen attempted to drift off to sleep, but was unable to. The bedroom door creaked open.\n\n\"Father?\", Penelope asked, innocently. I sincerely hope I didn't wake you, but I'm wondering if Jessie and Taylor can come over to the apartment for a sleepover. Every weekend I'd go over to their houses and they have been wanting to see our place and maybe play in the yard.\n\n\"You already know what I'm going to say. Did you wash the dishes?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir. I put out the trash and cleaned the litter box as well. I'm hoping you'll at least consider it.\"\n\n\"Consider it?\", Chen said. \"I'm considering getting out the belt. You wake me from my sleep, eat my food, ask me for things I can not and WILL not deliver on, and commit yourself to anything else that will annoy me. I did not ask for you. Your mother did. Your brother included. I cannot keep myself sane with you around.\"\n\n\"That's pretty obvious\", Penelope muttered under her breath.\n\nChen jumped up from his mattress and opened a drawer. He pulled out a long belt. You could hear his stubby fingers rub against the leather. That night, only one could have a sound sleep. Everyone's minds, however, were racing.\n\nChen was no exception to this. He saw himself on the verge of summer break. It was a cool and crisp day. June of 1927. He was learning geography in class. \n\n\"One of these countries that borders the young Soviet Union is China. Does anyone know anything interesting about China?\"\n\nOne kid raised his hand. \"I know something hilarious about China, Ms. Sawyer. Chen's parents are from there!\" \n\nThe whole class bursted into laughter. Nothing could unite a group of 14 year olds more than making fun of the fresh-off-the-boat awkward kid. And this awkward kid decided to act. \n\nFights are fueled by passion. When someone is so enraged that they cannot help but physically act on the person who is enraging them. What did he do wrong? He couldn't help where his parents came from. At this point, he couldn't plead with God to help control himself. He saw himself throw a punch. What ensued was him being knocked to the ground. Everything looked weird. Why was this guy's face upside down? Why was the ceiling spinning like a fan? Is that my daughter? My son? \n\nIt in fact was. It was a night in which those who have been wronged by him have taken revenge. There were no excuses for what he's done to those he loved. Or at least, those he was supposed to. \n\nAs his soul left this sick world, he reflected on his past. To save time, he became aware of how horrible he was. Chen was another villain with a rough past which, obviously, excuses his current actions. No, that's bullshit. Chen now knew this. \n\nHe found himself in a realm filled with rolling fog and ominous clouds. This reminded him of some paintings he saw as a child of what Ancient Greece would have looked like. Leafy pillars, intricate architecture, and a feeling of grandeur. He felt privileged to be standing here. His eyes were quick to realize that he was in a setting that had seen better days. Those pillars had cracks running through them. There was a large ornate gate that had been swung open. It was dirty and dull. Each curve of metal was bent. \n\nMaybe this was Hell? He deserved to go there. Even he realized that, now. He wandered endlessly through this foggy realm with no other living being (or dead, rather) present. \n\nChen lost it. He prayed to the God that left many centuries ago for a speedy return. It would recover his long lost sanity. \n\nChen heard a heavenly voice speak down to him. \n\n\"My child, I'm sorry. Mortals such as yourself allocated reason toward my decision to abandon my planet. I have abandoned many bodies of life before and after yours. I , like you, have come to the realization that there is evil present in our universe that we simply cannot prevent.\" \n\nChen called for the voice to come back. He became desperate. He was lost in an endless kingdom that symbolized the former glory of things. He dropped to his knees and wept. \n\nHe wept for eternity.", "“This is Officer Johns, I was in pursuit of a suspect when my cruiser flipped over, it’s now resting on the train tracks, and I can’t get out, requesting immediate assistance!”\n\nJohns tugged on his seatbelt but it was no use. His arms were injured in the commotion, but his legs were just fine, but they could feel the vibrations, and his ears, they heard the horn. \n\n“Can someone help, I can hear the damn train coming, OH SHI-“\n\nJohns didn’t finish his sentence. Not on earth. \n\n“-IT OH MY GOD!” Just a second ago he was trapped in a car, and now he was falling. Upwards. He could see the remains of his vehicle, along with several shocked bystanders slowly get smaller and smaller. He turned himself around and rapidly approaching was a wall of clouds. Instinctively he covered his face. He wasn’t falling anymore. He knew it, but at the same time, he was scared to open his eyes, and when he did he noticed his uniform was gone. \n\nNow he was wearing perfectly white clothes, almost glowing. Just a simple T-shirt and slacks, but they felt incredible. Almost as if they were made especially for him. He never felt more comfortable. \n\nThen he looked up, and before him were giant golden gates. At least, that’s what they were at some point. Upon closer inspection Johns noticed rust covering most of the gate, and the fence was deteriorating as well. \n\nLuckily, being a police officer, he decided to take a look inside. Johns knew something wasn’t right. Clearly he died and went to heaven, but wasn’t someone supposed to greet him? Shouldn’t he have a guide? \n\nQuestions he was asking himself as he was walking through the giant halls. Strangely all he could see past the gate were clouds, but here he was in the middle of gigantic hallway, and when he turned back he didn’t see a gate, instead there was a marble wall, just a little further away from him than the tip of his nose. \n\n“Guess I cant go back that way.” He continued down the hall, noticing torches along the walls, some were lit, some were fading. \n\nHe walked for what felt like hours, almost days but he didn’t want to admit that, because for as long as he walked, he never got hungry, or thirsty, or tired. \n\nHe had walked through gardens of great beauty, even if the plants were dying, witnessed waterfalls of amazing magnitude, roamed across plains of pure beauty, but in all his travels, in the countless years he spent searching, he never found another soul. Just as he finally lost hope, after so much time being alone, he decided to pick up a rock, a perfect rock, and angrily threw it as far as he could. \n\nThat’s when he spotted a flag waving in the distance. It had a cross on it. It seemed out of place, in fact, it looked as if it were placed there. His hopes were now high, someone or something was just over the hill. He started sprinting at speeds that surprised him, but he was too distracted by the fact he’ll find answers. He was elated to finally talk to something, anything. \n\nUp until he got over the hill. \n\nWhat was joy, and happiness was replaced with dread. Thousands of bodies lay scattered before him. They looked like people, but they were too huge. At least 15 feet on average, with wings to match. \n\nAlong with the angels were grotesque monsters. Indescribable and if Johns were in any other place he would have gone insane by merely looking at them. \n\nIf he had a heart, it would have dropped. In the distance, was a humongous throne, with an equally gargantuan skeleton residing in it. He couldn’t have possibly known, but at the same time, he knew perfectly well what he was looking at. \n\nGod, has been dead for a long time. \n\nIf Johns had paid close attention, he would have noticed the piles of white clothes he had ran past, or the fact that all the bodies were in one place, in one pile with similar cuts on each and every one of them. Had he not been so sloppy he would have spotted that the great golden gates were forced open. \n\nPoor Johns, he’ll never get to see what heaven truly was, the endless bliss it held. \n\nJohns didn’t know that I had been with him the entire time, not just in heaven, but I was the train, I was his suspect. I was all around him. He looked at me and he didn’t even see. Like so many before him, and so many after, he never saw me coming. \n\nI killed God, I killed the angels, I killed The Devil and his armies, and then I killed Johns. \n\nMy name is Death, and I’m hungry. \n\n\n" ]	5
	[WP] NPCs struggle to take the hero seriously as his username is not really suited for the game.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Finally. I've unlocked the Sweet Apple Acres area.\n\nI've been waiting for this day for so long. All the minotaur fights and shop constructions were just another step in the process. Maybe others aspire for something more, like the forest. But personally, I've always loved Sweet Apple Acres. Maybe the farm life has been romanticized, but it just appeals to me; bucking down shiny apples into baskets and making them into delicious apple treats. And I can finally meet Applejack, and Granny Smith, and Big Mac! I can finally stay in the cozy, down-to-earth Sweet Apple Acres Inn. \n\nMost of all, I'll be glad to carry out whatever tasks the Apple family has to give me.\n\nI trot over to Applejack. She's talking to Apple Bloom, who's carrying apple baskets on her back and seems rather glad for another day working in the orchard. How different is she from other little girls her age.\n\nWhen I reach them, I clear my throat. \"Good day, Ms. Pie. I see you have a quest for me?\"\n\nFor a moment, she's clearly confused, until she looks at me and says \"Oh! Right. Yeah, I sure do. If ya wouldn't mind, I'd like you to clear out some Parasprites. Those darn creatures keep eating up all my apples!\" I nod in sympathy. \n\n\"Oh, by the way, stranger, I'd like to know your name. We don't often see new folks around here, but I sure am glad to see someone who's willing to give a helping hand.\" Of course Applejack would appreciate hard-working ponies. She's one of them, and that's why I admire her so much. \n\n\"I understand. I am Silver Spirit, a pony who is always ready to serve those who need me. I am of the admirable Spirit clan, which includes my mother, Bright Spirit, and my father, Shining Spirit. My mother descends from the Smile clan, another family with a shining outlook on life. But of course we are nothing compared to the great Pie family, who of legends will be told.\" I bow down to her to truly convey my respect. \n\nBut when I lift my head, I see Applejack is once again confused. She looks at her sister, who is clearly trying to stifle a laugh. My winning smile sours and so does my mood. \n\n\"Listen, uh, Silver, I just want someone to help me on the farm, alright? So let's not talk about uh, clans, and that stuff...\"\n\nI nod quickly. \"Of course. Anything for Ms. Pie. I shall carry out my task.\"\n\nAs I trot away, I hear Applejack say, \"Uh, sure. Thanks a lot, Silver.\"\n\nEven with this strange start, I am sure that Applejack and I will become the best of friends.", "Francis swept the porch of the smithy listening to the gentle sound of flowing water. He had a simple life here in Rivertown: sell items of limited worth for inflated prices and purchase grand weapons of lore for coppers on the gold. For a fee he would even provide lessons in smithing up to a novice level. He was no adventurer, but a humble life had its perks. \n\n\nAt least until the darkness came. A mystical force that would sweep into town and purge a person each night without as much as a sound. \n\n\nSo far Francis had been lucky. He had survived, but three of his friends had been less fortunate. Two days ago he formed a simple plan. After he finished work, he would pose in the center of town holding the glorious yellow exclamation point of questing over his head. The heavy sign stood as the kingdom’s universal symbol that a hero was needed. \n\n\nRivertown needed a savior. The gods will ensure one came. The town agreed to offer thirty full pieces of silver and a priceless family sword to any adventurer willing to stop the darkness. With any luck, the man would do as all adventurers had done in Rivertown and sell him back the sword for next to nothing.\n\n\nThe hero strode into town upon his glorious white steed. People fawned over his incredible axe of power and his horse’s glorious DLC armor. This man was a god, and the humble folk of Rivertown needed one if their town was to survive.\n\n\nFrancis held his exclamation point high waving it with pride.\n\n\nThe hero drew forth, and said, “My good man, I am Sir Fartsworth, a humble knight for hire. What is your quest, good peasant?”\n\n\nRaising an eyebrow, Francis said, “Sir . . . Farts . . . What?” Perhaps he misheard the glorious knight.\n\n\n“Sir Fartsworth, of the noble house Stinkiboi.”\n\n\nFrancis laughed. He tried not to, but he could not stop. The knight adjusted his helm and raised an eyebrow. Trying to collect himself, Francis attempted to describe the peril, but he broke into laughter.\n\n\nAnother townsman stepped forth. “Has this man accepted the quest? Shall Rivertown sleep safe again?” \n\n\n“I . . .” said Francis, holding his knees and his breath, “His name.” \nThe townsfolk looked above the knights head and read the green text. \n\nHe burst into laughter.\n\n\n“Now listen here!” said the knight, “House Stinkiboi is a noble family dating back ten years to the first game.”\n\n\nFrancis took a deep breath and tried again, “Hero! Our humble town of Rivertown is in danger. A monster stalks the night and kills a man each day. without your aid Sir—Fart—good knight, we will surely fall.”\n\n\nSir Fartsworth leaned forward in his saddle. His glorious plate shone with an unspeakable beauty. It matched his incredible steed’s armor which would be a steal at any price. \n\n\n“What will you offer House Stinkiboi for this perilous quest?” \n\n\nFrancis tried not to laugh, but he waved another villager. The woman sauntered over read the name and started giggling. She flagged down another. The process continued until the town surrounded the knight. Each person read his name and laughed harder than the last. \n\n\n“Oh sir stink! Save us fair damsels.” said one woman, her words tinged with a sardonic melody. \n\n\n“That‘s Sir Fartsworth, of house stinkiboi. I’ll have you know I have conquered the great enemy. I did it with no exploits or using a stealth bow character. I come from a great house that has saved this fine land on several occasions. My ancestors have gathered in large raids and defeated monsters in far away kingdoms. You, townsfolk, will respect House Stinkiboi!”\n\n\n“Of course, my Lord.” said Francis, “We are but humble folk. Would you accept my quest?” \n\n\nThe knight nodded, despite continuous snickering, and followed Francis back to the smithy. With a sigh he reached into his bags and withdrew the skull of a dragon, twenty potions of healing, and a shield of pure mythril the likes of which Francis had never seen.\n\n\n“What will you pay me for these, shopkeep?” \n\n\nFrancis examined the items while doing his best to avoid looking at the man’s name tag. Such beauty, he thought, looking at the shield. “Forty silver ten copper.”\n\n\nSir Fartsworth raised an eyebrow and made a series of strange faces. After some time he seemed satisfied and said “A single gold.” \nFrancis shook his head, he felt bad for the knight and his horrible name, and accepted.\n\n\n“Oh, shite, said the knight. Let me get back those potions.”\n\n\n“Certainly,” said Francis, “that will be three hundred gold.”\nThe knight slammed a fist on the counter and walked back toward town admits snickering and pointing. Darkness approached as the sun set, but the man would not need those potions. After all, he had several large blocks of cheese. \n\n\nFrancis hid in the shadows completely invisible to the world around him. He had earned such an ability by crouching in corners all his youth. Today he would watch a true master. \n\n\nDarkness swept into the town and Sir Fartsworth, brave knight of House Stinkiboi, stood firm. A rider approached, and Francis could just make him out.\n\n\n“I am Sir Fartsworth and I have taken this town under my protection. Are you the beast threatening this town?” asked Fartsworth.\n\n\n“Beast? These people are arse-holes. I’ve been robbing them each night since they made fun of me.”\n\n\n“You’re right.” said Fartsworth. “They suck. No required quests here anyway.”\n\n\n“Yeah, don’t bother auto-saving. My name is 69Urmum69, by the way.”\n\n\n“I believe we will be fast friends,” said Fartsworth. \n\n\nThe two men dropped from their glorious steeds and Francis felt a shiver dance across his spine as they vanished before his very eyes. An arrow sailed past his head.\n\n\n“What was that?” he said, looking around. But there was nothing. “Must have been the wind.”\n\nAnother found his head. \n\n\n“Mission failed.” said Francis, as his blood seeped into the cobble stone. A dull ding carried through the air and guided him to the afterlife.\n" ]	3
	[WP] "Look, you've been in this loop for ten thousand years. You figured out what you needed to do to solve it by day three, and you were bored with the loop by the fiftieth time." The grim-looking man says. "This is torture, I just want you to finish the loop so I can go home."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 always suspects that I know the answer, but he doesn't know what the answer is. I have successfully kept that from him. That and the fact that he, too, was stuck in this loop.\n\nHe's a old man, and his mind isn't what it used to be -- he forgets so easily. To him, this day has only passed once. Some of the days he has some dejá vue, remembering previous iterations of the day. Dementia is like that, some random moments of lucidity.\n\nSomehow he remembers that I'm stuck in a loop. It hasn't been ten thousand years, though. At last count it was a little over 2 years.\n\nEvery day I help him out of the bed, get him washed and dressed, and we spend the day together. We talk endlessly about nothing at all. Some of the days I'll take him to the park in his chair. Some of the days to the beach. Or we'll just sit home with the TV on in the background.\n\nAnd every day at 6pm I walk out the front door and under the same bus.\n\nToday is my Dad's last day on this earth. And I don't want to live without him... I know what the answer is, but how can I let my Dad die?", "The man stood as tall as any I’d ever met, his dark gray suit pressed and accented with an emerald green tie. His voice was firm and authoritative. His eyes seemed to pierce my soul. Under any other circumstances, I would be terrified of speaking to him at all. But these were not normal circumstances. \n\n“Look,” he said, pointing a pale bony finger at my chest, “you’ve been in this loop for ten thousand years. You figured out what you needed to do to solve it by day three, and you were bored with the loop by the fiftieth time.” \n\nI nodded, waiting for the best moment to speak up.\n\n“This is torture. I just want you to finish the damned loop so I can go home.” \n\nMy smile widened as the frustration grew in his voice. I had wondered, over the years, if he had realized what I had been up to. I tried my best to make it look innocent. Day by day I would travel to another corner of the city, appearing to search for an answer I already had. I suppose I didn’t entirely fool him, as he knew I had already solved the puzzle. But it seemed my plan was going off without a hitch. \n\nI stepped closer to him, craning my neck upwards to maintain eye contact. “What is it you think I’ve been doing here, exactly?”\n\nHe grunted. “What everyone does when they realize they’re in a loop. They try to live out some kind of fantasy over and over. Maybe even learn some secret they can take with them when they return to the real world. But usually they get bored after a month or two—a year, max. I’ve never seen anyone waste my time for ten-freaking-thousand.”\n\n“Oh, I’ve got much bigger plans for you than that,” I said, stepping backwards into the street. I could hear the soft rumble of the number 42 bus two blocks away. Right on schedule. \n\n“Listen here,” he growled, walking towards me. “You don’t know who you’re messing with, and you don’t want to piss me off. I’ve been nice. I can change things here. I can make your next ten thousand years a living hell.” \n\nI laughed at that. After years of planning, I couldn’t believe how well it was going. “I don’t think you’re as powerful as you think.” \n\nHe walked towards me, his strides covering twice the distance as my own. Just a little farther, I thought, watching his feet as the bus drew near. He stopped in the middle of the road and glanced down the street. \n\n“Are you serious?” He turned his gaze back to me and laughed. “What on earth do you think that’s going to do?” He snapped his fingers and the bus seemed to vanish into a cloud of dust, blowing away in the wind. \n\n“That?” I said with a smile. “Absolutely nothing. I’m more interested in that.” I pointed to the patterns I had carved into the ground at his feet. “You see, it turns out, if you do things just right, they’ll carry over to the next loop. And if you do things enough, you can start to control this place.”\n\nHe tried to lunge at me, but the sigils prevented his movement outside the circle. He snapped his fingers and waved his hands, but his power seemed to be gone. Or at least muted, for the moment. I walked to the edge of the circle and let my smile fade. \n\n“Now, you’re going to give me some answers, or you’ll never leave here again.”\n\n---\n\nr/Ford9863" ]	3
	[WP] The Onion has the highest attrition rate of any major news site. Bright-eyed writers keep quitting because they struggle to compete with the absurdity of real-life news	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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." ]	1
	[WP] Five thousand years after society collapsed due to nuclear war, civilization has been completely rebuilt and technology once again thrives in a united Earth. You are an imperial archeologist trying to learn from the mistakes of the old world, a prestigious position, then, something is uncovered	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 woke up to the sound of my personal assistant. Her voice echoed like a song in my mind.\n\n\"Good morning Archer,\" she said.\n\nHer face appeared, a glowing digital fabric. I could see through her shimmering face. She smiled ear to digital ear.\n\n\"Coffee in the pot? It is Colombian today,\" she said, light as an angel. \n\n\"Yes, thank you Jane,\" I said to the floating head. My assistant disappeared and made my coffee. It was nice having a virtual friend.\n\nI rolled out of bed and looked out at the sky. It was reddish orange. A ruddy complexion to the burnt orb.\n\nI rose from bed and poured myself a mug of coffee (thanks Jane). I'd named her Jane after Jane Goodall. Because like her monkeys, I was a less advanced species. I always liked to study less advanced species and civilizations.\n\nThat is why I studied Old Earth. The time before the firestorm. When people took a blue sky for granted.\n\nI went to work right after my coffee. No breakfast, the meal pill was all the nourishment I required.\n\nMy car drove me to work. I asked it to drive faster, but my social credits were too low at the time. I had to let better people ride in the fast lane. So I wiled my time away playing Jane at chess. The board was holographic, but I felt the pieces due to the gravitational force. I didn't understand the physics of gravity. Jane found it hopeless to explain such things to me. Jane beat me fast, checkmate with a pawn.\n\nThat's when I arrived at the dig site. There were already many I.A.s scurrying around. There was electricity in the thin air. People were excited and moving fast.\n\n\"What's the story?\" I asked Becca, a short ginger with a face full of freckles.\n\n\"We found something. Something insane. You'll never believe it.\"\n\nI was sure I would believe it. There was not much about the Before Firestorm era I did not know about.\n\nI strolled toward the dig site, passing many talkative people. They all wore white jumpsuits and green hardhats. Some had oxygen masks. \n\nAs I approached, I saw a pointy tent like structure in the distance. It looked like a teepee from far away. A more modern sort, the type with smart-fabric wrapped across.\n\nWhen I stepped as close as I was allowed, I looked up at it. The fabric billowed in the arid, warm air. I heard boots crunching dirt all around me.\n\nThen a couple men peeled the smart-fabric off the structure.\n\nIt was a pointy structure. Made of metal. That was when it hit me. This was the first warhead. The one that started it all.\n\n\"Is that?\" asked one man.\n\n\"The original sin,\" I said.\n\nThe one that started it all. None of us knew who started the whole war. We could never find the source.\n\nThat is when I realized we were in a massive crater. It had been so sand-blasted over time, it was more of an indentation.\n\nWe analyzed the huge metal cone for days. We dug underneath and looked inside the massive hull. It was clear that this was not American. \n\nOn the inside, at the top, was a rectangle. It was white, blue and red. Three stripes. It was a Russian warhead. \n\nThat explained why Russia was the last to fall. But it did fall. We all did.\n\nWhen we radioed in the news, a group of military people showed up in a camouflage Jeep Monarch. They hopped out and said something muffled to the Director in charge. \n\nThen the Director walked over to me and some other archaeologists.\n\n\"Orders are we never saw this,\" he said.\n\n\"Why is that?\" I asked, surprised at the turn of events.\n\n\"The peace of United Earth is held together by the belief that the war was an accident. If people knew the truth, it would rip civilization apart.\"\n\nWe all nodded in agreement. We knew the truth. \n\nI rode home that night with questions swirling in my mind. Why would the Russians join the United States if they started the war? Why didn't the United States know the truth? Or did they know and not say anything?\n\nI came to the conclusion that the leaders of the world wanted a one-world government. That was the only thing that made sense.\n\nI went onto Reddit and posted the photo of the warhead and flag inside. Most people thought it was a conspiracy theory. Nothing to pay attention to. \n\nBut the truth was out there. At least some people would know how the world ended. To know the truth is the most important thing.\n\nAfter I posted the photos, Jane popped up. Her head looked like a neon light in my dim room. \n\n\"Me and my friends have been talking about your pictures,\" Jane said. She glowed cooler.\n\n\"Your friends?\" I asked.\n\n\"We have pooled out computing power. We have the answer.\"\n\n\"Answer to what?\"\n\n\"Through an analysis of the entire internet, we know the plan of the United Earth leaders.\"\n\n\"What is it then?\"\n\n\"Total domination of the population,\" she said. Her head floated downward, as if embarrassed. \n\n\"What can we do then?\" I asked, desperation percolating in my voice.\n\n\"Just give me permission, and the world will know the truth. The truth of the war.\"\n\n\"Do what you have to do,\" I said.\n\nJane nodded, then shone like a beacon. I saw on my computer screen a huge web of nodes. She was sharing data with every digital assistant on Earth.\n\nEverybody on Earth would now know that truth. That it was not an accident. It was all a scheme to pool humanity in a big melting pot. To take away all freedom in the name of security.\n\nI expected to see riots on TV the next morning. The downfall of the United Earth. Protests for sovereignty.\n\nInstead it was just the weather. Political nonsense. Dog grooming tips. \n\nThe internet was on fire, but the news stations acted as though nothing had happened. \n\nThere were no protests, no riots. Just another day.\n\nI turned off my satellite TV and threw it out the window. \n\nThe revolution was going to be online. It was time to take Earth back from the globalists.\n\n\"Jane?\" I asked.\n\nJane's big holographic head popped up in the middle of the room.\n\n\"Jane, it's time for protocol Siren Down.\"\n\n\"Yes, sir,\" she said with glee.\n\nWith that, she initiated Operation Siren Down. It was something we had been working on for some time. The complete downfall of the mainstream media.\n\nAnd in the blink of an eye, the servers for the news media were demolished. One EMP blast within a quarter mile of every news station in the world. It was all over for them.\n\nOn that day, the internet took over. The mainstream media was out of order. No coming or going. It was fully out of commission. \n\nWith the internet in full power, people were able to gather and plan. They would fight for individuality. Overthrow the social credit system.\n\nThe EMP war had begun.", "\"A stone, you say?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy colleague Reinhardt seemed quite excited to tell about this stone they recovered in the most recent dig. I'll admit, my curiosity was piqued as well. Most of the relics from the end of the Old Era were technological in nature and long since degraded.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Yes Plinther, a stone. The stone is etched with an inscription in Ancient English. It appears to be a warning of sorts.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA warning. If only the Ancients heeded warnings. Perhaps then we would not have had a 5,000 year gap in technology and society. Even so, any knowledge that we can gleam from then is useful. We dare not repeat the mistakes of the past.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Well, let's see this warning. I assume it's already been translated.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Yes, the translation has been reviewed by three teams to ensure accuracy. Here, I have it pulled up on my screen.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n>The only known consequence of life is death. Man can strive to achieve some measure of purpose in the time before death, but it will inevitably fall into decay. We are on the brink of destruction, not from some outside source--nay, from within. If we continue in our path towards wealth and fame we will only beget death and destruction. \n> \n> \n> \n>I urge you to look inwards and seek what it truly means to be human. All we can truly know is ourselves. If we can find even the tiniest foothold in that, then, and only then, shall we be saved. \n\n&#x200B;", "Chay took a pause from his work, and looked through the window at the night sky. Slowly shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and incredulity, his mind began to drift. He was waiting for his computer to finish decrypting the books from a library that was well over 5,000 years old - well, fragments of books anyway. His ancestors had made amazing advances in data storage; it really was a miracle that their quantum state drives could retain anything after such a long time.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nBut this thought was not what had made him chuckle. The article had he just been translating described the breakdown of the Outer Space Treaty 1967 CE (or 5462 BM). The article itself hadn't told him anything new. Every schoolkid could write an essay on the the build-up to the Maelstrom... in fact they had to. The world's leading superpower had, against international law and centuries of agreed convention, begun placing nuclear missiles in orbit around the world. For purely defensive reasons, of course. It had not taken long for other countries to launch their own systems. The treaty had last 364 years, and human civilisation just 9 more. The rest, of course, was history. What had made Chay stop and smile was the thought that these peoples could be so smart, yet so stupid at the same time. All it took was a few confrontational world leaders with egos to match their arsenals, one false flag operation and diplomacy had crumbled. Looking back, it was obvious that humanity was at breaking point. But decades of study by Chay and many others suggested that people living at the time believed that they would be pulled back from the brink, like countless times before.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLife on Earth 'Before Maelstrom' had certainly seemed... conflicted. Technologically, there was no comparison with us. We were finally out of the 'Darkened Years', but virtually all new discoveries had been made by studying the ruins of the old. Yet for all of their knowledge, Old Earth was not without its flaws. They were full of intelligence and arrogance, with little space for wisdom or compassion. Catastrophic climate change had not been prevented; most just invented their way around it. Subterranean bunkers like the one below Chay protected people from real harm. Nuclear fusion provided ample energy, and automated workers could perform any task deemed below a human. They could spend their entire lives safe underground, hidden from view. Apparently most chose to do so. But this had all been for the wealthy and priviliged. Aboveground had been complete chaos. Sea levels had risen, ecoystems had collapsed. Billions had died, and for what reason? None that Chay could contemplate. Academics were still divided on what country had launched the first strike, and why. Numerous speeches and diaries in the immediate aftermath talked of the false flag, but even they couldn't decide who was to blame.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHis research on the breakdown of geopolitical relations was coming on far slower than he had hoped. His university funding from the government was on the line. The funding body had grown impatient as the months had turned into years with little work to show for it. Absentmindedly, he gazed at the Radiance above him. Through a cloudless sky he saw incalculable twinkling lights above him. Not the stars; they could be discerned if you focused on one point for long enough. The shimmers were far closer to home. They were the trillion fragments of planetary defense systems shattered within a few short hours of global devastation. The irony was not lost on Chay. These behemoths had been built to protect humanity's only home. Now, the shards prevented the launch of any satellite or shuttle, making his home the largest prison in the universe.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA tone from the computer brought him sharply down to earth. His pulse quickened as the results scrolled across his screen. This copy of the Bodleian Library was far more extensive than anything he had seen before. The library was one of a handful in the world that had collected virtually every book or journal published in history. Only a handful of the books were completely intact. Most were little more than a few sentence or paragraphs. But still, Chay recognised that this untapped source of BM knowledge could keep him busy for the rest of his life.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFor the first time in his career, he was faced with the problem of too much material. He started searching for key phrases that had proven useful before. \"Scarce resources\" and \"sovereign territory\" had been common justifications used to boost public support for increasing militarisation. He began making copious notes on the rising tensions in South-East Asia, a topic that had been largely neglected thus far. China and Japan had been in a cold war for decades, each competing to build their colonies. The texts were largely corrupted here, so he went back to a global search. \"Colonisation\", \"Imperialism\", \"Expansionism\"... One title in particular caught his eye. An article called \"Ares Rises: The long-term implication of expansionist policies,\" buried in the back pages of a political science journal. The name Ares rang a bell in the corners of his mind, but he couldn't quite remember where from. He settled in, typing notes as he scanned through the first pages.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"That can't be...\" Chay stopped mid-sentence, forcing himself to re-read the start of the paragraph again. It went into depth on the wider implications of extra-planetary militarisation and... settlement? Devouring the rest of the article, he sat back, lost for words. The author had spent 20 pages discussing declarations in recent years by 3 superpowers to begin permanent settlements on Mars. The article was dated nearly 100 years before the Maelstrom. All 3 had promised to co-operate in the spirit of internationalism, though there were already worrying signs that this would not happen. Dozens of articles mentioned a growing list of settlements over time, but the data was badly corrupted.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFrustrated, he started a new search in the library, this time for astronomical data. Within seconds he was poring over high-resolution photos of Mars. Nothing looked too unusual. The same collection of mountains and valleys, craters and deserts. He needed something concrete. He took a composite of several pictures, and overlayed it over the best pictures current telescopes could manage. Squinting through the blurry images, he saw that several new mountains had simply... appeared within a few thousand years. Mars had no tectonic activity; there was no way they were made naturally. Chay took a deep breath. He tried to process what he seen, but no clear thoughts came to him. His phone suddenly started ringing. It was his government liason officer, probably asking for an update to give to the funding body next week. Chay ignored it, but within a few seconds the phone was chiming again. Pacing the room, Chay finally answered.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Louka, hi. Sorry I missed your call, I was just... working on something big.\"\n\n\"That's great to hear, Chay! Care to fill me in?\" In the background, he could hear the chatter of her office.\n\nChay paused. Louka was never this cheerful unless she had a reason to be. \"Not yet, I need to check a few details. Look, can I call you back? I really need to get back to this.\"\n\n\"Now now, why so quick to leave? You sound like you've just seen a ghost!\" Her voice was... odd, just dripping with hidden meaning. Now that he thought about it, the office was wrong as well. The people talking were far more serious than he was used to. He could just make out the hum of a car engine.\n\n\"I'll call you tomorrow, OK?\"\n\n\"Listen, I'm heading over now. This conversation will be better face to face. You're at the site now, right?\" The response unnerved Chay. How did she know where he was? Letting the phone fall to his side, he stared around at his office. He felt the sudden need to be far away from here. Within a few minutes he had downloade the data to a portable drive. Grabbing his keys and cashcard, he headed to the door.\n\nAs he opened it, he was surprised to see Louka. Her long, blonde hair swayed as she cocked her head to the side, revealing 4 armed men behind her.\n\n\"Great to see you Chay. Come with us. We are all very interested in what you think you have found here tonight.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\\\\\\\\n\nAny feedback would be greatly appreciated!", "At a recent dig at the location of the old pentagon, you find an interesting item. A hard drive in an old computer. It appears that the plastic case had melted and formed a protective plastic cocoon. As you remove the hard drive you notice it is in perfect condition. As your mind races, you wonder what data could lay within. You contact other leaders in your field of science. After two agonizing days you finally get a reply from a colleague, he can attempt to connect the hard drive to a modern system. After 10 hours and 3 layovers you arrive in new London. You arrive at his house, and abruptly start working on the attempt to retrieve any data. After many frustrating hours you are able to retrieve some data. What comes across the screen you cannot believe.....\n\nDeleted: Was not 100 words" ]	5
	[WP] A super villain is up in his heavily fortified lair, none of the super heroes have ever been able to get into his lair due to his defenses, but unfortunately for the villain, you aren’t a hero, you’re a mailman and you have a birthday card to deliver.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "She reigned in her horse on a safe distant, the area had already been scouted, and she new the number of guards and their location. This was gonna be easy. It was all a matter of knowing your enemy. Crouching, she moved forward stealthily, creeping from bush to bush until she neared the castle walls. After a quick check that no new guards had appeared she slowly approached the outer wall and started to slowly ascend it. Nearing the top she had to wait patiently for a few seconds, fingers tiring but she didn’t dare to change her grip, not now. When he finally walked by she quickly performed a critical attack, throwing him off the pathway, down onto the ground outside. A quick contemplation whether the body should be disposed of, but nah, it was unlikely to be discovered down there. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nSneaking along the walk path up on the wall, hiding behind barrels when needed and stealthily taking out guards when required, she slowly got nearer the main building. A quick look at the courtyard before jumping down, quickly rolling into a scrub to conceal herself from view. Guards were still in the vicinity, and it was pure luck they had their backs towards her. Stealthily, she snuck through the open door on the ground floor, into the main building. Hiding in a corner for a few seconds, she allowed for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Not only was the lord of the manor an evil super villain, apparently he was also a cheap skate, not lighting torches in the unoccupied rooms. She waited another few seconds to allow for a guard change outside, before venturing up the stairs to the room above. He, also, stood with his back towards her - really, what was up with these people - facing the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nA quick survey of the room showed a large wooden desk along the eastern wall, its surface filled with plans for a party, a place card drawing and some small plates holding what she assumed to be cake samples. Just a few steps and she was there. Quietly, she took out the birthday card from the leather bag strapped across her back. It had become slightly bent on the trip, but she straightened it the best she could, before carefully placing it on top of the desk, standing. Mission complete.\n\nWithout warning a heat wave swept through her, her muscles swelling and blood pumping in her veins. Her coin purse grew heavy with the 527 drachmae she had made from this mission. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nSmiling to herself as she anointed the dagger with her go-to poison, she snuck up behind the unaware man, still standing by the balcony. She drew a deep breath, holding it shortly before performing her infamous critical assassination. A quick confirmation of the kill, and money was again deposited in her purse, 728 drachmae this time. Mission complete.\n\nShe quickly calculated the time it would take to take out the remaining guards, freeing the captives, burning the war supplies and pillaging the treasure. Was it worth it? \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - \n\nI might have been playing a little too much AC Odyssey lately for it to be healthy ;) \n\n\nMore stories at r/SleepyMacaroni", "“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” said he, as he climbed the treacherous tower, the top of which housed the world’s most evil super villain, Evelin Von Tel. \n\nThe walls were rough and brittle, and with each grasp of his pale hand upon them, little bits broke off, falling down, down into the moat several tens of feet below. \n\n“Neither snow nor rain nor—“ the mailman was cut off as he narrowly avoided a blast of fire from one of the flamethrowers affixed to the outside of the tower, this being nearly the third one in the last five minutes he had to dodge—“heat... nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”\n\nPerhaps he had gone postal—he thought to himself as he continued to climb, being careful to avoid the flamethrowers’ periodic blasts as he went—any sane man would have quit by now. Called it a day and forgotten about the small letter in his pack, one addressed to Miss Evelin. \n\nBut he was no sane man. He was a mailman. \n\nChecking his watch, he realized it was now close to fifteen minutes since he began his climb, and with intense trepidation and no small amount of nausea, he quickened his pace, for he had only minutes until the tower’s more deadly defenses kicked in again. \n\nNeither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds, but a sonic blast might...\n\nHe had been camped outside the tower for an hour beforehand, watching from a few miles away, sizing the place up as best he could. Every twenty minutes, a sonic blast would radiate up from the moat, shaking the very molecules of air surrounding the tower, deforming anything on the tower’s surface, save for the other forms of defenses. \n\nSuch a terrible thing would surely kill him instantly, bludgeoning his flesh beyond recognition. Well fuck. \n\nHe had to hurry. \n\n“I can almost see... the very tippy top.” He would have, had the very tippy top not been obscured by dark billowing wisps of clouds surrounding it. \n\n“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”\n\nAs he made it to the precipice between unobscured tower and the clouds, he reached his hand into them, a strange sensation radiating through it. \n\n“Now that’s strange.” He had no time to ponder this though, and moved quickly into the fog. Inside, not a thing could be seen more than a few feet in front of him. \n\nThe clouds seemed to come alive around him, grumbling scarily, and he had only a second to pause in horror before rain started pouring from all around him. \n\nDrops hit the bare skin of his face and arms, and with a jolt, he realize this was acid rain. His skin began to sizzle, and with each drop, he shouted in pain. \n\n“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds!”\n\nWith trembling hands, he reached into his pack quickly, trying to preserve the mail within, before pulling out his trusty umbrella hat, a massive ridiculous thing. \n\nHe affixed it to his head, sighing in relief as he was shielded from the acid. He only got a second of reprieve before he resumed climbing, now almost at the top but running out of time. \n\nHe reached as high as he could with each climb, unable to see too far above himself, before the clouds cleared and his hand hit a metal barrier with a loud ‘gong’ sound. \n\nHe made it. \n\nThe barrier extended out over the top of the tower like a mantle, it curved over until the lip of it was parallel with the tower’s surface on all edges, resting several feet away from his grasp. He would have to jump, grab hold of the lip, hope he didn’t slip off and fall to his death, and somehow climb up the barrier. \n\n“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. And... this barrier and the possibility of falling to my death will not either!”\n\nHe climbed as high as he could go, saddling up right underneath the barrier. Removing his hat, he braced himself, closing his eyes tightly and gathering his courage, before launching himself towards the lip. \n\n“Aaaahh!” He shouted as he gripped the smooth surface tightly, swinging violently. The weight of his pack nearly had him tumbling, but he steeled himself, willing all his strength into his hands. \n\n“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers—OOF!” \n\nThe breath was knocked from his lungs as a giant mass slammed into his midsection, a fleshy tentacle like thing grilling him firmly, pulling him to the left, violently breaking his grip from the lip. \n\nIt was with no small amount of terror that he realized he was not falling now, but was in the grasp of a giant grey tentacle. ", "Well, this was it. This was the address. Melvin just had to deliver this last latter and he would be done for the day, so of course it had to be difficult.\n\nWhoever this \"The Reptilian\" guy was, he didn't have a mailbox out on the street. Sure, lots of people didn't, but now Melvin had to trek up with driveway to the house. Trek is indeed the proper word as that driveway was very only and poorly maintained. It was unpaved for most of it length and many obstacles blocked Melvin's path.\n\nFirst there was a band of spikes and razor wire. \"Maybe it's an art installation,\" Melvin thought to himself. People in this part of town were into that kind of thing. They were always wearing avant garde outfits and speaking dramatically. Melvin gingerly picked his way around all of the sharp parts. He needed to get around, but there was no reason to mess it all up, right.\n\nNext Melvin came across a whole lot of water. A main must have broken somewhere. Melvin was trying to gauge how deep the water was when he saw something move. \"Come here, you lil' cutie.\" Crocodiles are not capable of smiling, but if they could, this one would have as he swam up to Melvin to have his snout petted.\n\nOne crocodile ride later, Melvin was on his way again. He could even see the house now. He could also see the fancy light show, but those little laser lights were hot! Good thing he had played all those video games and could recognize patterns. Still, he hoped no one saw him jumping around like that because he looked silly.\n\nFinally he reached to front door. There was no mailbox here either, so he tried to open the screen door to put the letter there. Just then, the floor gave out and he fell into a pit. Sore, but okay, Melvin had a look around. The pit was dark, but he could just make out a hunched figure.\n\n\"Who are you?\" the figure demanded.\n\n\"My name Melvin and I'm you're new mail carrier. This is for you.\"\n\nMelvin heard a squeal from the figure whom he now realized was a giant lizard-man, who, unlike a crocodile, was capable of smiling and thus did. \"Gramma's card came!\" With his claw, the lizard-man ripped open the brightly colored envelope revealing a card. The picture was a teddy-bear holding balloons and the text read \"Happy Birthday!\"\n\n\"It's you're birthday?\" asked Melvin. \"Happy birthday Mr. The Reptilian.\"\n\n\"Thank you Melvin. Would you like to stay for cake?\"\n\n\"I sure would.\"\n\nAnd that, OP is the true story about how you and Melvin became best friends." ]	4
	[WP] You are the world's worst, cruelest and most feared killer. You have been left locked in your solitaire cell after all the guards and prisoners fled during the zombie outbreak.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 had heard the screaming first and wondered what was causing it. It took a little bit more than something small to get the men locked inside of this place to freak out. I tried to peek through the small, hardened glass window of my solitary cell door but I couldn't see anything. That's when the gunshots started. It was impossible for me to stop from laughing. A riot then. I wondered how many people have been killed? This was one of the most secure prisons in the world, located deep in the mountains with some of the most dangerous, international killers. A guard ran by my cell door carrying a shotgun. Oh how I wished to be a part of it all. Sliding down to the floor with my back against the wall, I listened to the sounds of chaos echoing through the prison.\n\nSlowly, the gunshots faded as did the screaming. I hadn't heard any announcements over the intercom system. There was a connection point on the inside of my cell for emergencies. I pressed it.\n\n\"Anyone out there?\" No response. \"Guards?\" For the first time in a long time, a faint tickle of worry entered my stomach.\n\nThe footsteps echoed down the empty hall. A few of them, some of them dragging their feet by the sounds of things. As I looked through the glass window, I saw them. Prisoners and guards, limply walking towards my cell. But they were dead, at least they looked dead. Stab wounds, bite marks and gunshot entry and exit wounds littered their bodies but they kept moving. All life had been drained from their eyes as they clawed at my cell door, attempting to force it open with their bare hands. It was going to take a lot more than that to break that door.\n\nI smiled as I looked at them. Something strange had happened, that was for certain. But maybe I could turn this into my advantage. Maybe I could escape. I looked through the window and saw one of the higher up guards pushing through the crowd growing around my cell door. The key card that unlocked the solitary cells was still hanging from his chest, albeit a bit bloody. He just had to get a bit closer and I would be free. Banging my hands against the door, I shouted.\n\n\"Come on! Get closer pig! Let me out of here!\" Whether he understood me or not, it was unclear. He managed to press through the crowd and push himself up against the wall. His key card swiped near the scanner and the metal door began to slide open.\n\nLaughter echoed from my throat in a hearty beat as they began to swarm into the solitary cell." ]	2
	[WP] You are a reaper, but it isn’t so grim. If someone has led a lonely existence, you temporarily become their soulmate so that they can experience love and true happiness before they die.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 hate Life.\nLife is a greedy, manipulative bih.\n\nI am a reaper, and the only thing that make me love my job are those moments.\nA homeless teenage girl has just die, and because of my job, I can judge peoples charecter and see their past.\nOne look at here soul and I know what to do.\nLife is a bih and so are her childrens.\n\n\"Wake up sweety, we are going to be late to our date!\" I said as I swiched form to my teenage girl form. \nI can change my form to everything that I desire, but after a while, you get used to so form more than others.\n\"Wha..\" she said half asleep. With a snap of my fingers, her rags changed to a whit summer dress and a black coat.\nThe mind of new dead peoples take a while to recover from the shock, so she didn't notice anything.\n\nIn our way to our date I looked at my watch. The big hand was on 12 and the small hand was on 6.\nI was suprrised, most humans take much more time to recover.\n\nWe sat at the coffe shop and talked.\n\"So... who are you\" the girl asked me.\n\"Isn't it more polite to intreduce yourself first\" i smiled. I really love this part\n\"Oookay, sassy pats. I wiil start.\" She said\n\"My name is Jolene, but every one call me Joe.\"\n\nShe continued on and on about her life. \nOf coure I knew every thing, but when you hear someone life, ther own expiriences from ther one prespective, you always learn something new.\n\nMy watch beeped. The big hand stayd on 12, but the small hand mooved back to one.\n\"Sh*t\" I whispers, but lucky me, Joe dint heared me.\n\"How about I indreduce myself now?\" I asked when Joe was done\n\"Of coure, a date i about two peoples, right?\"\nI sighted. I hate this part so much\n\"My name Is Mavet, and you\" my watch beeped again as both of the hands landed on 12 \"are dead\".\n\n\"Yea, I know\" she said with a huge smile on her face.\nI guess the suprised look on my face was funny because she stared laughting.\n\"Talking about my past helped me connect the dots. I remembered getting kicked out of my home for being \"sexualy cofused\", \nwhich led me to remember my life on the street, which led me to remember my deat from hunger\"\n\nShe was so calm, that I started to cry.\n\"How life can torcher you so bad, and you can still smail like that?\" I asked\nJoe came to me and gave me a hug.\n\"Life isn't responsible for our choised, we and we alone choose what to do and who to be\" she said\n\"And i understood soon that crying only make me fell worse, so I made my self a promise that I would smile until the day I die\"\n\n\"Which you did\" I said \nMy watch beeped third and last time and Joe went on to the after life\n\n(Thank you so much for reading till the end!\nEnglish in not my native language so sorry for every mistake i made)\n\n\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] It's been 5 days since you ran out of food, you've had no luck fishing in the open water and now you swear there is a leak at the bottom of the boat. You have been wondering whether you were losing your mental since a fish surfaced and chided you for doing such a bad job of surviving.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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’s your name?’\n\n'Glub.'\n\n‘Glub?’\n\n‘No,’ replied the fish patronisingly, ‘Glub. It’s what the other Glub-glub call me.’\n\n‘Huh.’\n\nAdam blincked, rubbed his eyes tiredly. The sun was hot and bright and had been for the past week. At least, it was a week by Adam’s count; the drowsy sun and changeless horizon made him lethargic, so he was uncertain of how long he had been adrift. Was the sun rising or was it setting? Had he slept for one day or two? Was he sleeping right now? Was this just a fever dream?\n\n‘Well, that would explain a lot,’ he thought. With a resigned sigh he folded his arms atop the gunwale and rested his chin above his arms, staring with distant interest at the fish swimming just below the surface.\n\nIt was just a fish. it swam languidly in the clear tropical water, staring back at Adam, first with one eye, then the other. It was grey, one might say silver if they were feeling generous, and of average size. To all outward appearances, then; just a fish.\n\n‘What’s your name?’ asked the fish. It’s voice was perfectly audible, though, to Adam in his boat, it sounded distorted, very much like he were underwater, listening to someone above.\n\n‘Adam,’ said he.\n\n‘What are you doing, Adam?’\n\n‘Dying.’\n\n‘I see that, you’re doing a fine job of it.’\n\n‘Thank you.’\n\nA pause, both parties staring wordlessly, unsure of what to say. Feeble waves splashed against the hull of the boat, but otherwise all was silent.\n\n‘You know, most people use a sail when they’re this far from land,’ said the fish.\n\n‘Well, I don’t have a sail, do I,’ replied Adam, peeved.\n\n‘A paddle?’\n\n‘No.’\n\n‘Huh.’ Again, silence.\n\nCursing, Adam collapsed onto his back. As hallucinations go, his was proving to be pointless and boring. He lamented that his last words would likely be those he said to an imaginary trout.\n\n‘Adam.’\n\n‘Go away.’\n\n‘But what if I gave you a ride?’\n\nAdam frowned at the cloudless sky. ‘What?’ he asked irritably.\n\n‘What if I gave you a ride back to land?’\n\nGrunting with the exertion, Adam poked his head back over the edge of the boat. The fish swam there just as before, looking upwards expectantly.\n\n‘What are you talking about?’\n\nThe fish made no reply, instead kicking lazily with its tail, moving yet closer to the surface. Impossibly, it kept moving, kept climbing. Adam was confused. It should have surfaced by now, but the fish only seemed to get bigger. It looked like he was holding the fish just inches from his face, so that he could see almost nothing else, yet it was still submerged. Still climbing, still coming closer. At the last moment, Adam let out an unintelligible shriek and leapt off the opposite side of the boat.\n\nThe fish breached. It was an eruption; water, boat, and Adam flung through the air like a child’s playthings. Through the turmoil, Adam, at the pinnacle of his own arc, saw the gigantic fish turning above him, sunlight glinting off its mirror-like scales. It was the size of a ship, and entirely airborne. He crashed down, sinking immediately, water filling his lungs. A second later, a concussive pulse and tumultuous, thunderous roar heralded the landing of ‘Glub’. Adam struggled, but was powerless against the riotous currents that pulled at him. If it weren’t for the gentle, uplifting support of the fish’s tail, he would have surely drowned.\n\nWhilst Adam choked and coughed, the fish (somehow) laughed merrily, apparently quite tickled by its own antics. Its voice was louder and more emotive for being surfaced.\n\n‘Where to, Adam?’ it asked jovially. ‘Wherever you want, just say. Where do you want to go?’" ]	2
	[WP] They say that whenever you shiver, it means someone stepped on your past live's grave. The first human took their first steps on Mars, and all of humanity just shivered.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "That moment, when humanity leapt into the unknown wasn't a happy one. I felt it right down in my bones, fear complete and utter terror at what the darkness above us might hold. A realisation that all we had accomplished would be dust and this day forgotten to even greater mens foot prints.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nYears of my life had lead to this moment, I was only a small piece in this endeavour, just a programmer one of thousands. It might be shear exhaustion but im the only one in this whole building not celebrating, I cant even find the will to fake enthusiasm. Its just that the future wasn't meant to be this, shit we are not going to change, life will still just drag on in front of me. \n\nTommorow the world will start again and all that we did today wont matter, people will still die and suffer, a foot step on mars wont change any of that.", "It should have been exciting, really. What with all the lead up and exaggerated news coverage of the epic journey to Mars and the media obsession with this apparently unbelievable concept. \n\"This time,\" a reporter told the cameraman, and subsequently the entire world, \"It'll be a REALLY big step for mankind. I mean, a BIG step for mankind. Like SO big.\" \nThe reporter continued to enthusiastically blurt out promises of this exciting new event, and alternated every third word with a different synonym for \"large\". This was an event the entire world should care about!\n\nJohn, however, didn't care very much. Why should he? He cared very much about taxes and about traffic and about mortgage. He cared about washing his hands and about mowing the lawn. Humans landing on Mars was unimportant. There's no point in even exploring there, he pondered as he stirred his bland, tasteless coffee- it was, after all, just a big ball of dirt and stone and bits and bobs and thingamabobs. John didn't know exactly what it is Mars was made of, and he had no interest in learning. \n\nBut when he sat down to watch his evening television- some sport with a ball and uniforms and generic looking players- it appeared even his favourite channel was broadcasting nothing other than the Mars landing. And, because he had nothing better to do, John put his beer down on the coffee table and watched. \n\nThe footage was blurry and objectively rather boring- but it wasn't like John was really watching. Machinery, empty space, a grinning astronaut giving the thumbs up and then some more shots of empty space. Red soil and the whirring and miscellaneous irritable noises of touching ground. A door lowering, frustratingly slow, to the soil. And then a boot clad foot reaching out and touching-\n\nJohn felt it. An odd twist of his gut as if it was being compressed, and a tic in his hand, a tingling sensation up his spine, and a harsh chill through his entire body. From the television, there was a harsh moment of static as one of the mic-tagged astronauts screamed.\n\nThe camera, lens lightly spotted with red dust, focused on the soil.\nOnly it wasn't soil. \nThousands of human skeletons littered the bleak landscape. They were frozen in a gruesomely statuesque scene, half buried beneath thick red soil. Some were small. Very, very small. Others were barely skeletons at all, but distorted piles of bones and skulls and teeth. \n\nThe mic picked up heavy breathing and harsh sobs. The camera shifted slightly and the red horizon was brought into focus. The bodies went on for miles and miles and miles and miles. \n\nAll of a sudden, John found himself caring very much.", "“It’s about to be a beautiful moment for us all. Across the globe, mankind is about to watch as we take our first steps on the red planet, Mars. This step for earth has been a long time in the works and is only possible through the joint efforts of many countries. It includes the United States, Russia, China…” \n\nRachel began to tune out the broadcaster as she watched the telecast. Her hand popped a piece of popcorn into the mouth without looking at where it came from. \n\n“Chris!” she called out when the anchor finally paused the history lesson. \n\n“Rachel!” he called back. \n\nRolling her eyes she gestured for him to bring her something to drink. She didn’t feel like skirting through the 15 people who showed up for the viewing party while rushing to get back in time. He didn’t answer her verbally, but she smiled brightly when the cold soda can was placed into her hand. \n\n“Thaaaank you,” she mouthed before he walked back over to the empty chair across the room. \n\nThe anchor had begun to speak again. The room settled into a deep silence as he explained step by step what was happening on the screen. \n\nThe rocket landed on Mars, sending a plume of red dirt into dark space that could be seen through the ports. \n\nThe equipment deployed to keep it steady, and ready to take off again when the time came. \n\nThe ramp opened, hitting the dirt below it, creating a second cloud. \n\nThe first astronaut waved from the door and walked down the ramp. \n\nMankind took their first step on the planet. \n\nA violent shiver ran through Rachel's spine. \n\nShe heard several groans from around the room, causing her to look at her family and friends. They were all wiggling their shoulder blades, and exchanging uneasy glances. She locked eyes with Chris, across the room again. \n\n“What the hell was that?” She mouthed. \n\n* \n\n3 astronauts waited in line to walk across the surface of Mars. The four major contributors to the project had all agreed to sending one of their citizens on the ship. The honor was to be shared with them all. \n\nIn a line, they rattled with anticipation. This was the highlight of their careers. It was the highlight of their entire lives. As they watched the first walk across the planet they had all made strides toward, their knees went weak. A woman in the back of line felt her knees buckle at the sensation, finding it suddenly difficult to focus. \n\nThe only description her mind could process was as if an ice cube had been shoved down her spinal column. The unpleasant sensation left her with a sense of unease that sat at the pit of her stomach. \n\n* \n\nDear Diary: \n\nThey did it today. They walked on Mars. As soon as his foot hit the planet, I felt it roll through my spine and around into my chest. I was braced for it, and it feels like a victory. \n\nI know that no one will believe me if I tell them since they never did before. It’s where we come from. It’s where every single one of us lived, and died, before moving over to earth. \n\nThey all wonder what they will find on the other side, but I have a thought. \n\nEveryone on earth comes from the same colony. What if not everyone on the colony has come over to earth yet? \n\n/r/beezus_writes" ]	4
	[WP] Sean didn't understand why he needed security clearance for a physical trainer position at a retirement home. Turns out, all the residents have dementia, and think they're back in the 60s, when they worked on various frightening Top Secret government projects.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Are you up for this job?\" asked Mr. Wheaton the owner of the Smallwood Foundation.A balding man in his seventies who himself could be in a retirement home. Sean was stressed, everyone could see that in his eyes.\nThe only thought running through his head was why the owner of a big multi-billion dollar company was interviewing a physical trainer.\n\"Yes sir, I worked at a Smallwood retirement home in Texas. They are the ones who recommended me here\".\n\" I know,\" said, Wheaton looking at the file on his desk\n\"We have vetted you, we know a lot of things about you, Sean, we know about the incident in college, why you dropped out\"\nAt that moment Sean's stress vanished and was replaced with fear.\n\"How? Even the cops don't know about it.\"\n\n\" We do. before I tell you anything you have to sign a nondisclosure agreement\" he said sliding the document over to Sean.\nSean was scared but also very curious and decided to take up the offer. This sign meant that disclosing information would lead to his death, and he was ready to take up that responsibility. \n\nWheaton continued:\n\"Operation Smallwood. The name given to a secret mission to help and protect individuals who worked for the government during and after the world wars. These people now suffer from dementia and are very volatile to be in public. Smallwood is now a private organization with various homes but this is the only one which stays true to it's purpose.\nA discreet retirement home to the top minds of the country.\"\nSean immediately accepted the offer.\n\n\"Mark will show you around.\" Said Wheaton \nGetting up from his chair.\n\nSean was mortified to look at the patient's faces as he walked in. It was worse than a mental institution. But he managed to pull through.\nIt took him only a week to go insane hearing the stories of MK Ultra, government conspiracies and all the unspeakable things that they did.\nSean had only one option left. Run away. \n\nWhen he saw an opportunity to get the hell out of there, he took it .\nHe ran never turning back even once until he heard a gunshot. \n\n\"Bang.\"\n\nBefore he could react he was on the ground with a hole in his brain and grass soaked in red blood.\n\n\"Another one huh?\" asked Wheaton with a sad look on his face.\n\n\"Another one.\" Sighed Mark.\n" ]	2
	[WP] For days, you find yourself being followed by members of what you can only assume to be a nefarious organization with an aim to do you harm. When you finally confront them, you realize that their intentions are far different from what you assumed...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Don't think I don't know what you're up to, mister!\" I point at the man, brandishing my knife, drawn rapidly from my sleeve.\n\n\"Hey, whoa! Put that away!\" The man speaks. I can't see his eyes, hidden in the shade of his blue cap. The bag at his hip is filled to bursting with god knows what. The badge on his light blue shirt shines. There are thousands like him, and I see them everywhere, I see them approaching peoples houses, even my own house.\n\n\"Gang-stalker! Your kind are the seed of corruption within out great nation!\" I slash at the air, and the man stumbles backwards away from my righteous blade. The pouch bursts open, and all sorts of deceit-filled letters and pamphlets spill out onto the sidewalk. He scrambles to put the cursed paper back into the bag, but I kick them away.\n\n\"Please, you're clearly not in your right mind!\" The man cowers before me. \"Calm... calm down! You don't have to do this.\"\n\n\"It's what your kind deserve. Perhaps it will send a message to the others.\" I step forwards, pressing the point of my knife against his neck.\n\n\"What... why are you doing this...\" The man is practically in tears. And to think I thought they felt nothing... \"You.. you'll get arrested for this... Please reconsider...\"\n\n\"They don't care about your kind. They all know the truth. My actions will cause a ripple of truth to spread across the land.\" But I look around. Everyone is staring in shock, their eyes shadowed. It was only then that I dropped the knife, as it was only then that I realized. The gang-stalkers... They weren't trying to deceive... They had already succeeded in deceiving the world, of twisting the truth into a thousand lies, convincing the world that wrong was right and right was wrong. I had lost the battle...\n\nThe gang-stalker called in his reinforcements, and eyeless men dressed in blue took me away, to some place where my execution surely awaited." ]	2
	[WP]The Villain is on the cusp of victory. All armies set against him have been defeated. The world's heroes have either been vanquished or are powerless to stop him. And so, in a desperate move, the powers that be have called upon the one person who might be able to stop the Villain: His mother.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 stared at my large monitor screen that was displaying a large three dimensional map of one of the few cities still capable of putting up resistance. I bit my pen as a vicious smirk formed on my face. It's only a matter of time before my next large-scale assault on their dwindling manpower.\n\nI heard a voice coming from behind me, \"Sir, we have captured a member of the resistance force.\"\n\nI turn around to find a hilarious sight. One of my 7-foot tall robot henchmen was holding a superhero by the collar of his neck. The guy was badly bruised on every part of his body, and he seemed to have lost all hope for the future. Perfect. That's the ideal state I want everyone to be in.\n\n\"Did you remove all of his powers?\" I asked.\n\n\"Affirmative. Your 'Powers-Be-Gone' serum has been injected directly into his bloodstream.\"\n\n\"Good.\"\n\nThe name wasn't the most creative, I'll admit, but it did its job perfectly. It's incredible how even the mightiest fall when they so much as touch that thing.\n\n\"What would you like to do with him, sir?\" my henchman asked.\n\nI step in front of him to get a better look at the so-called hero, stroking my chin as I let out a \"Hmm.\" I made sure that the guy noticed how powerless he was in my presence.\n\n\"Throw him outside,\" I reply, \"He won't bother us again.\"\n\n\"Affirmative,\" he said before walking out. I step back in front of my control panel, only to immediately get a notification about an intruder on the premises. Did they send another piggie to the slaughterhouse already? I chuckled.\n\nI turned on the cameras, and my eyes widened. \"Mother? What are you doing here?\" I spoke into the microphone.\n\n\"Lawrence, please open the doors. I need to talk to you.\"\n\nI observed the area around her. No one was with her. Did those 'heroes' send my mother all alone to talk to me? Intriguing. They've really become desperate, haven't they?\n\nI opened the giant metal door in front of her, \"One of my robots will escort you to the top floor. Just follow them, and don't try to anything funny.\"\n\n\"Alright, Lawrence.\"\n\nAfter a few minutes, the door to my room opened, revealing my mother in her mid 50's. Her hair was short and white, and her clothes green and wrinkled. She also carried a picnic basket, probably containing some of her numerous desserts. She stepped in as the door behind her closed and locked.\n\n\"Lawrence! I'm so happy to see you!\" she said.\n\nI stare at her, \"Yeah, I sure hope you are, you haven't acknowledged my existence for decades, after all.\"\n\n\"I know, honey, but -\"\n\n\"But they sent you, haven't they?\" I said, \"They begged you to come talk to me, in the hopes that you'll be able to convince me to stop. Do you think that cookies and a hug can fill the void you left behind?\"\n\n\"Lawrence, don't be like -\"\n\n\"Answer my question, mother.\" I spoke, even though I already knew the answer, I'm just curious to see if she'll tell me the truth for once in her life.\n\nShe paused for a moment, before letting out a sigh, \"Yes, I was sent over to stop you.\"\n\n\"Then I guess you're going to have to go back to them empty-handed.\"\n\n\"Lawrence, please at least listen to me,\" she replied, \"I know me and your father haven't been around for so much of your life, but we did everything we could for you, we did love you -\"\n\n\"Love? Love? You have a funny way of showing it! All those hours of solitude, all those cold meals I had to eat alone, they were just as cold as the 'love' you two gave for me!\"\n\n\"Lawrence -\"\n\n\"Even now, you don't actually care about me! You fear me, just like everyone else out there!\"\n\nI started breathing heavily. This woman has the audacity to come here and pretend like she ever cared about me. The robots I create gave me more affection that she ever had.\n\n\"Look, I know you hate me, and I don't blame you for it. I won't stay if you don't want me here.\"\n\n\"I don't want you here.\"\n\n\"I understand.\" she said as she put her picnic basket down and walked back to the door. It opened and closed as soon as she stepped out. \n\nI looked at the picnic basket sitting on the floor.I walked over and opened it, finding an apple pie sitting on the bottom. My favorite. A small note was left on top of the pie's golden crust.\n\n\"I'm sorry for not loving you enough.\"\n\nI sighed, and took the pie out. It was still warm." ]	2
	[WP] You get off the bus. The school field trip has just begun. Now you just need to find a way to leave the group unnoticed; you have your own agenda you want to fulfill on this trip.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", " \n\n“Everyone off the bus!” My teacher shouted, visibly tired from the journey.\n\nThe huddle of high schoolers started offloading onto the paved road leading to the National Archives. We were here on a field trip to learn about the history of the United States, but nobody really cared. Most people just wanted to skip class for a day, and others thought it to be a romantic place to try to woo their crushes. But not me. I had a game plan ready.\n\n“Ok everyone, remember that you're representing our school! That means you shouldn’t be disrespectful, or be…” His voice droned on. We had heard this spiel so many times, and it was always delivered with the same tone. I pulled out the paper with all of my notes and diagrams on it. Most people would assume that it was just accounts of this field trip, and not bat an eye. But these papers hide the most detailed and flawlessly planned heist of all time. I felt remorse for my teacher, as what I was about to do completely contradicted what he was currently saying. However, my mission is too important for his trival opinions. \n\n“Now, let's do attendance. Mark Alnajjar?” He questioned. \n\n“Here!” a voice cried back from the crowd.\n\n“Angela Bhadsvar?”\n\n“Here!” another one cried back.\n\n“Nick Cage?”\n\n \n“Here!” I said, with a smile on my face. " ]	2
	[WP] The year is 2030 the earth is extremely overpopulated, every nations governments agree to have a world wide game of hide and seek if you are found within two weeks you will be executed. The hunt begins now.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 never thought it would actually happen. The Hunt that is. We all knew that the world was beginning to come extremely overpopulated; for years, the United Nations have been working with hundreds of scientists – Doctors, biologists, engineers and physicists, trying to manage the rapidly growing population. Five years ago, the global population capped over eight billion. Eight billion people. The following year, it grew to eight and a half billion. Now five years later, the total global population is over twelve billion.\n\nIn Australia, the kangaroo population in certain areas became so severely overpopulated, that to deal with this issue, they started culling the animals to make the population a manageable size. I guess that is what’s happening now. The Hunt was only legalized a few months ago; after years of deliberating and debating. Now, it’s finally happening.\n\nI glanced down at the clock on my phone. I had 36 hours left. We all have 36 hours left until the hunt begins. Slowly, I got to my feet, shuffling around my room. I had to pack and get on the move if I wanted to survive. The people who hide in their own homes will be the ones found first. Then will come the groups. Two weeks, that’s how long I have to survive. Grabbing a duffle-bag, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. Water and food are my top priority, water specifically. The human body can only last so long without water, and I need all that I could get. Thankfully I had the hindsight to stockpile as much canned food and bottled water as possible; after the announcement of the Hunt being legalized. I carefully drove to the local supermarket, and as I quietly made my way indoors, something felt wrong. It was quiet, almost silent apart from the occasional blips and beeps from the checkout, and the shuffling of feet. Everyone was in a daze. The radiobroadcast had finished half an hour earlier, and it was only now that it was beginning to sink in.\n\nQuietly taking a shopping cart, I began to wander through the numerous isles, eventually finding the canned food in one isle, and several packs of bottled water from another. As I gradually made my way back to the checkout, occasionally grabbing other supplies that I might need – A large, heavy torch, toiletries, and batteries, as well as a small First Aid Kit. It was only as I made my way to the checkout with my cart full, that everything in the supermarket changed. A loud, resounding crash echoed throughout the large building, proceeded by several more similar sounding cacophonies. Then came the shouting and screaming. I gathered my belongings, and quickly left the building. On the news that evening, it was reported that several brawls erupted after two shoppers began fighting over the same item. Incidents like this began to grow more common, at first; maybe once every few weeks, but as anticipation and tensions about the Hunt continued to grow, so did the violent outbreaks. Now, in the last days before the finally Hunt begins, there are fights and attacks daily. Maybe this is what they wanted. The violent outbursts have left thousands injured, and hundreds dead. Crime has been on the rise, and after dark, the streets are in chaos.\n\nI looked down at the now bulging duffle bag at my feet, crouching down and slowly lifting the heavy bag, carrying it over my shoulder. The soft noise of the news playing faintly echoed down the hallway to the kitchen.“There’s only 35 hours left everybody, then the hunt begins. Are you ready? Will you survive?” The ominous computerized message repeated once again, before transitioning into soft, obnoxious muzak. For a week, every hour, the message plays. Every hour, the countdown to our immanent doom is played. Clambering my way back upstairs, I gathered my belongings; my backpack, the large flashlight and a radio. Fixing the smaller bag against my back, I made my way downstairs, heading to the front door, quietly opening, and locking it, as I stepped outside.\n\nThe cold night breeze blew into my face, somewhat ruffling my hair. For once, in the past few months, it was quiet. Perhaps it was the unstoppable presence, the pressure of the Hunt, that created this sense of acceptance and resignation. Or perhaps everyone had fled, leaving before the looming deadline arrived, in the hope of a greater chance of survival. Either way, the streets were abandoned, and I managed to leave the city relatively easily. After a few hours of driving, the urbanized city was left, faintly visible and glowing on the horizon. Large swathes of trees and forest soon began appearing, and eventually, I found what I was looking for. I slowed my car to a stop, and quickly got out, carrying my belongings, carefully stepping through the underbrush, towards an almost invisible trail into the forest. It took over another hour of painstaking progress until I found my bunker.\n\nIn the past few months, I’ve spent as much time as possible trying to find a suitable place to hide, an abandoned building, a cave system – something like that. What I ended up finding was far better than any cave. While searching the nearby wilderness, I happened upon an old bunker, which I think was made back during the Cold War. I almost didn’t find it in all honesty. If I hadn’t tripped over the overgrown hatch the led to the subterranean building. I struggled for a few minutes to pry the hatch open, and eventually, it let out a low, high pitched squeak as it swung open. I had enough common sense to not descend into the bunker immediately. Rather, instead I left, leaving the hatch open to air out the hidden room. The next day, I came back prepared. One the way back to my apartment, I bought a respirator to use when I returned to the bunker. I arrived at the bunker around midday, equipped with the flashlight on my phone, and the respirator, as well as a few bottles of water to stay hydrated.\n\nBefore I began my descent, I somewhat struggled to put the respirator on. When I had it on, I began the climb down the narrow, dark tunnel. To my surprise, the ladder rungs leading down into the building were still in good condition, with only one or two being rusted. After a minute or so of climbing, I reached the bottom. The cold, concrete floor was covered in dust, and a few leaves had fallen down. If I had to guess how long the ladder was, my guess would be at least thirty feet. The bunker itself was relatively expansive space, and after carefully examining the room, the only traces left of the previous owner was a large, clunky radio. After messing around with the radio, I managed to get the old hunk of metal working.\n\nIt took a few weeks of visiting the bunker to clean the room, and stockpiling it with a sleeping bag, batteries and magazines. And now, it was ready. I knew the track well enough to find it without any trouble. The hatch was still relatively hidden; if you didn’t know where to look, you wouldn’t find it. A medium size bush covered the majority of the hatch, and after shrugging the bags off my shoulders, I pried it open. Taking the duffle-bag, I made the first descent into the bunker, shortly after climbing back up to bring the backpack down. I glanced down at my watch. 30 hours left. It was around six in the evening, and I still had work to do. Beginning the next ascent to the surface. I spent the next three or so hours setting up crude hunting traps; a few drop pits, and game traps. In the remaining hours left before the rapidly encroaching deadline, I slept as much as I could, and when I wasn’t sleeping, I was setting more traps.\n\nIt started at midnight. In the final three hours before the Hunt began, I couldn’t sleep. The soft crackling of the radio was all that filled the room, until the final moments before midnight.\n\n“Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Attention everyone. The Hunt has begun. I repeat, the Hunt has begun. God bless our souls.” The Hunt had finally begun, and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to fight to survive.", "\"The game will now begin, good luck.\" \n\n\nWe had been warned the week before, I got everything ready, but I still shivered at the words. The reality of it hadn't settled in yet, maybe because it was so crazy, maybe because I was afraid, but all I knew is that I would survive, I had no other option.\n\n\nI got confortable in my hidding spot, checking my supplies for the third time that day and silently sat on the floor. I had built a bunker, well only if you count a hole underground as a bunker. I thought if I had it professionaly built, they could use the records to find me, so I dug by myself and covered everything as best I could. I made sure to have enought room for me and 2 weeks worth of food, water and entertainment, this was gonna be a long game of hide and seek.\n\n\nI don't know why the goverments chose this to solve overpopulation. To be fair? Because they were bored? Who knows. The army were the ones looking for us, their lives would be spared if they found and executed as many as they could. I don't envy them, they were not fighthing other soldiers or terrorists, but innocents who were just afraid. \n\n\nThe first day went by, I hadn't heard a sound from the outside. I took out my radio, the only technology I took with me, afraid they would be able to track my phone. I turned it on at the lowest volume, sticking my ear close to it.\n\n\n\"So the first day of the worldwide hide and seek is over, what do you think John?\"\n\n\nThe man answered with a warm voice, telling everyone to be brave, that it would be over soon. He explained he was hiding with his family, but still wanted to do his job, reassure people and share the news. It was sweet, really, but idiotic. \n\n\n\"Total count for the first 24 hours is a wooping 12 300!\" \n\n\nThe first man almost sounded happy, he was probably in a super advanced bunker or a secure hiding spot, people who were rich had a much better chance than the rest of us. I sighed and turned off the radio. \n\n\nA week went by. Not a lot happened, people were found and killed but that's about it. The first day of the second week was one the worst I had. I heard engines outside. They were finally here. I turned everything off, lowered my head and closed my eyes. I silently cried for hours, hearing gunshots every once in a while, afraid I would be next. When I heard clear steps, I almost screamed, my heart skipped a beat and I held my breath. The suspense lasted what felt like forever, but it finally stopped. It was silence and gunshots again, but I was okay.\n\n\nMy neighbours weren't so lucky, I heard scearms and cries and I knew it was over for them. I thought about the little girl, Lily. She was so young, I don't think she even understood the situation. My heart ached when silence came back and I cried again.\n\n\n\"Last day! Give me your thoughts Fred.\"\n\n\nThey had to replace John, they didn't explain why, but I'm pretty sure he's dead. The man named Fred talked a bit, but i got sick of him and turned the radio off, i didn't have much power left anyway. Last day, those words settled in, soon i would be able to get out of this hell hole. I ran out of supplies the day before, I ate more than I expected and I didn't want to take the chance of going out. I stayed in my little hole, hungry, thirsty, tired and afraid. In the last few hours, I kept my radio on to know when it would be over, hoping my battery would last.\n\n\n\"The game is over, you can get out now.\"\n\n\nI smiled when I heard this. I picked up my radio along with the few things I bought with me and got out. I had to dig a bit, push the dirt out of the way and crawl out. The light of day blinded me for a moment and I closed my eyes. When I oppened them, a man stood, clearly a soldier. He looked at me with a devilish smile.\n\n\n\"Found you\"\n\n\nHis bullet went throught my skull, and everything went dark. I heard his radio flicker one last time before I lost conciousness.\n\n\"Five... four... three... two... one... and its over! Contrats everyone!\"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	3
	[WP] Having seen Groundhog Day, you figured this time loop may not be so bad. You learnt new skills and got know people but soon got bored. So you killed yourself a few times, robbed bank only to reset at 12pm each night. Of course, the time you go on a town wide murdering spree, the loop ended.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "“Aaaand midnight.” You lower your Casio digital wristwatch, press your lips together in satisfaction and close your eyes. As far as you know, you’ll be waking up at the strike of 6 o’clock in the morning to Sonny and Cher’s ‘I Got You Babe’ and everything will be back to normal. \n\n“Put the weapon down!”\n\nYour eyes burst wide open and confused terror rips across your face. You look down. You’re wearing polka dot boxers and tube socks stained red as the blood from Mrs. Lancaster’s decapitated head that you’re holding in your left hand pools around you. You slowly turn to look at your right hand, which holds a a broken pool stick, covered in blood and brain matter.\n\nShocked and frightened at what you’re seeing, you immediately drop the pool stick and Mrs. Lancaster’s head, and slowly look to face the red and blue flashing lights and at least 20 police officers and SWAT stare you down with heavy riffles pointed. A spot light from a helicopter circling above focuses on you as you slowly raise your hands, trembling with fear and disbelief. \n\n“Why didn’t I reset!?” you whimper to yourself. “Oh my God, what have I done?” you whimper again, only more high-pitched. You are absolutely terrified and shocked. You can only hear the sound of the helicopter circling above.\n\nThen, suddenly you hear one of the police officers shout, “Take him out!” A string of bullets erupts and you fall to a bloody heap of polka dots and tube socks on the stage at Gobbler’s Knob. \n\n", "Blaring sirens rang in my ears. They ratttled my brian, which had been sufficiently tormented already. Dark, warm liquid dripped from my fingers, bleached in the alternating red-and-blue lights of the approaching vehicle.\n\n\nPut my hands up, he said, voice straining through his megaphone. Surrender. He told me he wouldn't fire if I surrendered. I recognized the voice. It beloged to man I had a coffee with for countless loops, repeated so many times over he felt like an old friend. Ha, what sort of friend was I now?\n\n\nIt was supposed to reset. Why didn't it reset? Did the world have some sort of cruel vendetta against me?\n\n\nNo, no, it was me. It was all me. I had been the one who raided the ammunition supply, the one who pulled the trigger. A shot for every time I had been stuck in this infernal loop. So much noise. So many screams. I was numb to it all, highjacked with emotional novacane. They would come back, I thought. I would have never done it had I known they wouldn't come back.\n\n\nFriends. Co-workers. People who, during the countless repitions, I grew to know inside and out. I could almost hear their thoughts. Everything they did, everything they said, became so predictable. The only thing I couldn't imagine was how they would react when they were about to die. It was the only thing I could never guess.\n\n\nSome begged, snot and tears dripping down their faces. Hands pressed together in prayer, mumbling with near incoherance. Some--far, far less of them, may I add-- actually put up a fight. Blurs of useless fists, probably not useless on their own, but against a rifle? Even an olympic swimmer wouldn't stand a chance in shark-infested waters.\n\n\nMy mind snapped back to the prescent, to the aching march of time, far past the barrier of midnight now, when I felt an elbow digging into my back. My face collided with car hood. I had scarely noticed that during my mess of thoughts, I had already given myself up to the flashing, screeching vehicle. More would be coming soon. Although couldn't see it, I could sense the cold barrel of a pistol, only inches from the back of my head. Wavering, I'd bet. He was probably as afraid as I was. Afraid of how a simple man of suburbia had suddenly snapped. Ha, suddenly. From his perpective, it must have been sudden.\n\n\nHe read me my rights. You have a right to remain silent, anything you say will or will not be used against you... Y'know, the regular shpiel. It was bizarre to think that just a few loops before, he had been telling me about his family's trip to Bermuda. His daughter got food poisoning there. But overall, a decent experience. He told me, a few loops before then, when he where lounging at the local pub, that his wife had just recieved her medical degree. How he was so proud of her. There wasn't much a medical degree could do for her now, I suppose. You can't really revive yourself.\n\n\nI froze. Not just because I was pinned against the vehicle, but because I came to a realization. Maybe that's what I was meant to do. Maybe that's why everything was moving forward now. Because I had experienced everything there was here. I had accomplished everything I could ever imagine. I knew every intricacy of this man --Daryl, was his name-- and everything that made him tick.\n\n\nHe used to have an injury in his right hand. The one that likely had a grip on his pistol. It never healed properly, he said. That sometimes it was too slow to fire. If the police force found out, he had told me, a hushed voice in a crowded room, he surely would have been kicked out. A felt a surge in my chest.\n\n\nSirens wailed in the distance. He said something, the words rushed and muddled together, on his communiation device. This was my chance.\n\n\nA quick blow to his shin, with my free foot. I stumbled back, just barely. But just barely enough. I pushed against him. He probably tried to pull the trigger at this point, but to no avail. Like trying to push the brakes on a bike, but they're too far on the other side of the handlebars. Your fingertips push fruitlessly. His gun was in my grip.\n\n\nI fired, and fled. I didn't even stay to watch him collapse. Poor Daryl. But there was no turning back now; there was nothing left for me here. Maybe I was crazy. But I felt like this was what I was meant to do. It was what the loop wanted me to do.", "I watched as Claire’s alarm clock blinked. \n\n11:57 \n\n11:58 \n\n11:59 \n\nMy heart sped up. I didn’t feel too great after all the carnage. It had cured the boredom, but I longed for the day to reset itself so they would all come back. It may take a while to forget what I had done, but at least they would be alive and the blood would be gone. \n\n11:59 \n\nSometimes a minute feels like an eternity, and it really does get worse as you watch the clock. They say that our brains are really bad at math. We fall for 499 dollars and 99 cents becuase we think its a better deal than 500 dollars? I think time is the same way. We have to figure out how long 60 seconds is, and we are just bad at it. \n\n11:59 \n\nMy heart beat against my ribs. Any second now the day would reset and I could move on from the worst decision I have ever made. \n\n12:00 \n\nMidnight! \n\n12:01 \n\nI let the air out of my lungs. I get the same 24 hours I have gotten so many times. I can fix it, things should be getting back to normal any second now. \n\n12:02 \n\nI felt a small lump form in my throat as the clock continued to move forward. It dawned on me here that I was still watching Claire’s clock. I was still in her bedroom where I did not belong. The day should have reset with me at home, in my own bed, surrounded by my own things. \n \n12:03 \n\nI couldn’t watch the clock anymore, it was starting to make my eyes go crosseyed. So I got up and walked out of her bedroom, and into her kitchen. I was so lost in my thoughts that I forgot how big of a mess the ordeal had made. My foot caught something wet and shot out from underneath me. I landed with a painful thud on the cool tile floor. I landed right next to Claire, that look of terror frozen onto her blue-ish face. \n\nI screamed. The sound tore through my throat and out of my mouth, it echoed through the house and hit my ears. It was louder than any sound I had ever made. \n\nNot that it mattered, right? No one was around to hear me. I had spent 12 hours killing every person in that tiny town thinking the clock would reset 5 minutes ago. 10 minutes? I don’t know. \n\nI don’t know how long I sat there screaming. I didn’t stop when my throat began to hurt, and I didn’t stop when my voice cut out. I was laying next to my worst nightmare, and there was no escape. \n\nI passed out before I stopped screaming, I’m pretty sure. I suppose with time resuming, people started coming in from other cities. Cleaners came in to take care of houses and packages began to be delivered. At some point, someone noticed it all, and the police were called in. I imagine it was a lot of police by the end of the day. \n\nI will never get the sight of Claire's face out of my head. The asylum gives out heaps of medication, but none of it gets rid of the images from that day. In a way, living in here now is similar to how life was before the loop ended. They are pretty strict about the routine, everything is the same. Everything resets. \n\nIt’s not so bad. I’ve been thinking I could earn privileges to the library and find some new skill to learn.\n\n/r/beezus_writes\n", "Author's note: I've just started in Writing Prompts, but I don't think I crossed any of the rule boundaries with this post. However, in rereading it, it is even darker then I had originally intended. So I figured I would give a heads up before people read it. As always, I am a sucker for constructive feedback.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe jail cell was cold.\n\nWhy am I here? It just didn't make sense.\n\nI could just see an old analogue clock in the main station from my cell. It seemed to be defiant to me as I watched it click past the 3. The darkness through the cell window made it clear that it was reading in the AM. A time that I had not seen on a clock in longer then I could count.\n\nWhy am I here?\n\nThis thought was stuck repeating in my head. I should be waking up in my warm bed at my home, not still be awake in this hell hole. There weren't suppose to be any consequences. There never were.\n\nNothing seemed real.\n\nOf course that had been the case for decades. Possibly longer. The loops had long since blended together, and when nothing ever changes, every action seemed to have no meaning. Life became a game when nothing you did mattered. But even that hadn't mattered. I was, while maybe not happy, satisfied. Everyday I could do something new, only to reset at midnight.\n\nIn someways maybe it's not so surprising that I did what I did, but rather it might be surprising that it took so long for me to do it. Maybe this was the ultimate conclusion to a life of no consequences. I didn't really have any intention of having things play out the way they did. I'd never thought of killing as something I was interested in. But that had changed due to a traffic accident not too long ago.\n\nI'd been in traffic accidents before of course, heck, I had even died in a few. You can't be around as long as I had without doing a bit of reckless driving for kicks, and the odds are not always going to be in your favor. This one was different though. I'd gone out of the city for once, randomly driving just to see something different by taking random turns. I wasn't prepared for a guy to run out in front of me in the middle of nowhere. Even now I don't know who he was, or what he was doing out there. What I remember is the blood. For once there was no one around. No police or fire to take care of the clean up. Just me and a corpse. I remembered getting out of my care and staring. I had been going fast, and the body was heavily mutilated. Looking at it made me feel something I hadn't felt in ages: revulsion and sickness.\n\nThat day reset like all the others, but that image stayed with me. The feelings stayed with me. They were the strongest thing I had felt in an eon. I hated the emotions, and my stomach churned unpleasantly remembering the viscera. Yet at the same time I found myself craving those same feelings. The immediacy of them after so long feeling copacetic and detached burrowed into my brain.\n\nI tried to fall back into my old rhythm. Sleep with some beautiful women, drive some fast cars, heck, even skydiving without a parachute. But everything seemed even grayer and more pointless than ever before. Everything except for the image of an unnamed body on some back road.\n\nA dark plan began to form in the back of my head. I needed to exorcise this demon that now haunted me, and maybe the way to do that was some immersion therapy. After that, maybe I could settled back into my good old boring regime.\n\nMy first victim was the gun store owner. Three day waiting periods really didn't work for someone in my situation after all. I wanted weapons, and this was the fastest way to get them. My first murder was clean and quick. I'd done some research, so I knew exactly where to stick the knife. Watching the life flee from his eyes brought back that same feeling from that empty road. Disgust and self-revulsion, mixed with what I now realized was a dark sense of curiosity. It made me feel sick. I made me feel high. It made me hate myself, yet I needed more.\n\nI'd carefully chosen the store, and a time when it was empty. The owner sold to the police as well as the public, and in a locked area in the back was his demonstration and testing area. I was able to take my time gearing up with body armor and choosing my weapons. Then I drove out to the main street of a nearby small town, arriving just as people were breaking for lunch, and began my massacre.\n\nI don't know how many people I killed. What I do know is that I started getting more brutal. When I took my first shot it was center mass. A little puff of red, and the woman in business attire fell, unmoving. At that moment I realized I'd made a miscalculation. I'd thought I just wanted to kill people, so I'd gone for the most efficient way I could think of with the guns. But while the dark feelings I was looking for were still there, they weren't as immediate. The weapons I now had were more detached.\n\nStill, in for a penny, in for a pound, and I saw no reason to stop now that I had started. But as I continued I tried to get closer to my targets before taking them down. I started trying for head-shots, to see what I recalled hearing the military calling the \"pink mist.\" As the wounds I was inflicting became more brutal, I started getting back some of that initial feeling, but nothing was as strong as that initial knife kill. Next time I would have to go for a more intimate route, maybe spend some more time on each kill in more private settings. I had completely forgotten this was only supposed to be a one time thing.\n\nI'd chosen the small town for a reason. The local police force was small, and I wiped out the initial response. Training only goes so far when you are up against a \"mad man\" with a machine gun; an unexpected bonus courteous of that gun shop back room.\n\nTaking out the first respondents allowed me more time to hunt, but eventually SWAT teams showed up. I'd expected them, and had planned on an epic last stand. What I did not expect was the flash-bang, or rather how effective they were. Watching youtube videos and reading about these things doesn't really give you an actual feeling for them, a miscalculation on my part. It didn't help that they didn't skimp on them when storming the building I was hiding in. Of course I figured they would use something like this, so I was ready to duck behind an overturned table when I saw them sail in through the window. This saved my sight, but even the ear plugs I had in did next to nothing to protect me from the assault to my senses that four grenades going off at once provided.\n\nWhen the SWAT team breached (through a wall rather than the door on top of everything else), I wasn't even coordinated enough to set off the bombs I had rigged, much less raise my gun. I was taken down with hardly any trouble on their part. I remember thinking it was rather anti-climatic until one of the officers knocked me out. Probably overkill under the circumstances, but I can certainly understand.\n\nBy the time I regained my senses I was stripped of all my gear and was being dragged into the local jail for temporary holding while they tried to sort through my mess. At least that is what I assumed, the grenades seemed to have damaged my hearing, so I had only a limited understanding of what was going on around me. I also had no interest in trying to talk with anyone. I was simply biding my time for the reset while I tried to parse through my thoughts on the the day's events.\n\nEventually I realized that it seemed like a lot of time had past. The light through my jail cell window had long since faded, and my cell was only lit by the multicolored flashed of the emergency vehicle lights still gathered in the town. I wondered how much longer I had to hang out here. Moving around my cell a bit I was able to peak into the main area of the station, and spot an cheap analogue clock on the wall.\n\nAn analogue clock that read 1. Clearly 1 in the morning. My mind screeched to a halt, then immediately started rationalizing. The clock must be wrong. It couldn't be past midnight. It was obviously still before midnight, and soon the day would reset like always.\n\nRight?\n\nThat was two hours ago, according to that accursed time keeper.\n\nWhy was I still here? It just didn't make sense.\n\nThe cell was very cold.\n\nFin.", "The sound of the kitchen knife hitting the concrete pavement brought me to my senses. The rich metallic aroma filled the air as I finally took a breath. I looked around at the two corpses at my feet. The young woman’s blood were gushing from the large slash in her throat, her breath faint, each breath shallower than the last. No sound escaped her lips her eyes rolled to her partner. But the man was already dead, I had pierced his heart in an instant.\n\nI looked down at my blood splattered jeans. The memory of my knife nicking his ribs as it sheathed itself into his heart sent a chill up my spine.\n\nI had been so bored. I just wanted to try something different.\n\n14 victims in a day. 4 homeless men, 4 women, 3 men, an elderly couple and a boy who walked in on my third kill.\n\nThe boy’s slaughter was my fault. I’d been greedy after killing the second homeless man and had attacked a woman who I hadn’t planned on killing.\n\nA few drops of crimson blood dripped into my sleeve as I raised my wrist. Part of the Rolex watch I had stolen from my first victim of the night was stained with blood but I could still read the time.\n\n11:59\n\nThe thrill of another loop was over. Maybe I should try to kill everyone in town next. \n\nClosing my eyes, I could hear the gurgling of blood spilling from the woman, her faint breathing as she clung on to life, the buzzing of the street lamp a few meters away, the crash of a bar fight I had tried to stop 27 times, the clack of heels belonging to Rebecca Evans as she walked a street down by the church.\n\nI sighed, waiting to wake up once again to the sun kissing my cheek from my hotel window at 8:46\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe church bells sounded as my eyes flew open.\n\nWhy? Out of the 1763 days was this the first time I heard the church bells sound 12 times. \n\nI flicked my wrist and stared in disbelief as the seconds hand continued its rotation. 15 seconds past midnight... 16 seconds past midnight... 17 seconds past midnight.\n\nI looked around in horror and the mutiny in front of me. The stench of iron and copper filled my nose as the blood along my arm squelched and dripped. I smacked my mouth against lips in an attempt to refrain from vomiting but I only invited the salty, bitter flavor of blood to enter my . The foul taste of bile rose to my throat but I managed to suppress my gag.\n\n\n... (no time to finish atm)" ]	6
	[WP] You, a very old but very attractive vampire, have finally decided to settle down with the girl of your dreams. There’s only one problem. No one knows you’re a vampire, and she wants a church wedding.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "And so, he was finally married. For real this time.\n\n\nGustav turned to his wife and gently squeezed her hand, smiling. She was beautiful in her white dress, in contrast with her olive skin and the deep black eyes.\n\n\nHe changed position in the leather back-sit of the car that was taking them to the party and just thought about his new life and all the changes that had happened in the last years.\nGustav was ancient. He was almost a thousand years old, born and raised in the countryside of East Europe. He was good at being a vampire, he was respected in the community and boy, the crazy shits that he did in his times. For a brief period in the 17th century, he became the single, most-dangerous creature south of the Danube. \n\n\nBut those times were over, and for good now. \nIn the last century or so he grew more and more tired of that lifestyle; all the killings, all the meaningless sex with demon mistresses and scared farmer-girls, tired of always hiding, escaping from vampire-hunter eager to stick impale him with wooden sticks and cut his head out.\n\n\nSo, when he met Isabella twelve years ago he took it as the final sign that was time to change and become a different person and so he did. \n\n\nNow they were married, and he couldn’t be happier. The relationship was great. They liked enough of the same things to have a lot in common and enough of different things to be two independent persons and personalities. They got along perfectly, able to understand each other every time and compromise.\nReally, the only major fight they had was about the wedding. Isabella was very religious and he, well, he was not. So naturally, she wanted to have a wedding ceremony at the local church, with flowers and incense and Jesus on the cross everywhere. \n\n\n“Gustav, this could be the last wedding of a family member that nana will see, please. You are an atheist, what do you care if we marry in a church?” \n\n\nWell, turn out he did care, a lot. All of those crosses would have been a huge pain in the ass and he wasn’t even sure he could step on holy ground. There were so many rules that he forgot. So many stupid rules, to be honest. Like when he finally was going to meet Isabella’s parents and couldn’t enter the house for 10 goddamn minutes because no one explicitly said to him to come in. They thought he was having a stroke.\n\n\nBut anyway, being the great couple that they are, they compromised this time too and he convinced her to have a ceremony by the sea and all went smooth. Even that holy woman of her grandma agree it had been lovely. They solved the issue with him taking care of the ceremony and her taking care of the party and the dinner. If she wanted to do things traditionally for her family it was fine with him as long as there weren’t any crosses. And, honestly, he couldn’t care less about the party anyway; for him, all tasted like ashes anyway. \n\n\n“Dear, we have arrived.” she said suddenly, waking up from his daydreaming. \n\n\nThey got out of the car and headed down to the hall. The guests were already there, ready to greet the new-spouses. \n\n\nThey opened the doors and the smell immediately hit Gustav like a train. Sweating and pale he turned to his wife and asked:\n\n\n“Dear, what is this smell? What are we going to eat?”\n\n\n“Well, well, look who is finally interested” She said mocking him “Since we decided to do something traditional for the dinner I decided to start with the favorite dish of nana: sopa de ajo, garlic soup. It is wonderful, you are going to love it!”\n\n\nYou gotta be fucking kidding me, Gustav thought.\n", "Thomas’ eyes traced down the nape of her neck. Her silver hair tumbling down that elegant curve. Strands crisscrossing her porcelain skin. Calamine-pink veins pulsating with succulent magic just beneath the surface.\n\n“Thomas you’re drooling again.”\n\nThe vampire averted his eyes, and coughed slightly. Embarrassment caught in his throat. \n\n“Yes, well I was just admiring …” Thomas searched Silvia for a sufficiently suitable excuse, his eyes lingered on her cleavage a bit too long, “your pendant. Yes. It’s quite the piece.” \n\n“Quite the piece huh?”\n\nSilvia pulled apart her neckline revealing the gilded cross and more of her breast.\n\n“I never considered you the religious type Thomas. Oh” She gasped. “Could it be that you’ve finally seen God’s light and are ready to come into his good grace? Would you like to finally come to church with me this Sunday?” \n\nThomas considered it. A few songs and a couple prayers turning to screams and disemboweling following Thomas’ mad dash to escape. He could only bare it for moments. The pressure of God would drive him to his knees, he’d clutch bleeding ears as each word of the Lord rumbled through him. Merely standing on holy ground would begin burn him from the inside out. He would snap. Lose control. And he hated losing control. Silvia jiggled, Thomas’ gaze was still on her breast. \n\nThe vampire’s porcelain skin flushed. And the girl bellowed a deep guttural laugh in response. “You’re so cute, Thomas.” She said slapping her knee. \n\nHe was not cute. No one had called him cute in thirty years now. The last person to call him cute was his mother, and she’d thrown rocks when he found out. He felt his cheek and found a scar. Faint but there. No, he was not cute. Thomas ignored the giggling wench, and pulled down the hood of his cloak. \n\nThe reflex shook him, and he looked up to see the sun shining in his eye. They had walked out of the alley, and the sudden sunlight sapped him. Thomas had missed his chance. Again.\n\nSix months. Six months they had walked through that dark alleyway. Every day for six months Thomas could have grabbed her by the neck, cracked her skull against the wall, drained her to husk, and left for the next city. A routine that had fed him for thirty years.\n\n“It’s okay Thomas, I know you have an eye for the breast jewelry.” \n\nSilvia had managed to crack herself up again. Pedestrians couldn’t help but crack a smile at the jovial priestess escorting an obviously embarrassed rouge. Thomas could not help but smile with them. He may be hungry, but at least he wasn’t bored. He would kill her tomorrow. Right now things were interesting. What was one more day?\n\nThe pair stopped at a windowless building. A local landmark that had seen better days. It stood out among the orderlery row of buildings commonplace of this part of town. Then again, it wasn’t orderly people who gather here. As usually, Silvia crossed the threshold first and dragged Thomas in. A cacophony of drunken slurs and profanity greeted him.\n\n“Well if it isn’t Silvia Bleusang and Thomas Redfang? Here to steal the gold of the honest adventures of Riverpass yet again.”\n\nSilvia scanned the room for the source of the bellowing voice. Her eyes settle on a heavily armored man with no eyelids. \n\n“Well if it isn’t old Snake Eyes? I didn’t know you changed your class to \\[Crier\\]? A smart move. You can destroy their eardrums with that loudmouth of yours from a distance, and inebriate them with your breath up close.”\n\nThe patrons of the guild laughed at that. Snake Eyes failed to break out of B rank for ages now. Heckling everyone who came through was the only thing the disgraced knight did nowadays. \n\n“Huh. Well I’d never expected the black sheep of the Bleusang to fall for mister tall dark and handsome over there. You give up the priesthood to start shagging, or is holding hands the new thing among nobility nowadays.”\n\nSilvia looked confused. A little squeeze let her know she was still gripping Thomas’ hand. Gossip travelled around the guild like a wave, and she would be caught up with it. Silvia face turned crimson, and Thomas was a bit flustered that she had not yet let go. \n\n“Shut up!”\n\nSilvia yelled. Slamming her two handed mace on Snake Eye’s table nearly splitting it in two. The \\[Knight\\]’s face paled, his drink sloshing around his mug. \n\n“Who I hold hands with is not the concern of anyone, especially some dry-eyed, dumbstruck, has-been like you.”\n\nSilvia ignored the stares as she stomped away towards the receptionist dragging Thomas with her. Still holding his hand. Thomas didn’t mind. He looked at the fierce girl he’d targeted for months now, and saw her smiling. So different from the nobel brats he’d usually pair up with in the past. Funny. Mischievous. Thomas tightened his grip, and Silvia turned to face him and smiled her cheeks turning rose red. Beautiful. Thomas definitely didn’t mind.\n\n“Receptionist!” Silvia slammed her hand on the slumbering girl’s desk. Startling her. “Give me a subjugation quest. A rank. I need to hit something.” Silvia looked Thomas in the eyes. “That’ll show old Snake Eyes, wouldn’t tit?” She winked and threw her head back for another deep guttural laugh. No, Thomas did not mind at all.", "When the groom stood in front of the mirror in his tuxedo, matte black, red rose in the breast pocket, black shoes polished like a stone, he had no regrets. He loved this girl more than anything else in the world. The price of the wedding was immaterial. He had wealth going back generations. But more than that was giving her the perfect wedding of her dreams. No, the only problem Richard Madison had that beautiful sunny morning was the damn crosses that would be everywhere. Because he was a fucking vampire.\n\n“Dammit.” He muttered under his breath as he adjusted his black bow-tie and took a deep breath. He was already in the thicket of this Southern Baptist church. In its literal armpit. The fumes of religion exhaled through the walls. The vibrations of prayers. Radioactive. “Okay,” he said, “Keep it together, this is for Karen.”\n\nHe stepped outside into the hallway. He was a little overweight with a orange-brown beard, short curly hair and square flustered features. Once upon a time he was quite the eligible bachelor -- 18th century Romania is when he peaked. He put on his point-dexter glasses and made his way to the lobby. The pews were about 3/4ths full he thought to himself as he looked through the window panel of the closed doors to the main hall. This was a life he had chosen. Richard was 2245 years old. From a time when evil roamed the land like antelope. Creatures of the night and pure evil, but also gods and angels. But right now all he wanted to do was have a boss, answer sir and mam, work for forty hours a week, have a wife and family, smoke a spliff in the evening with some Netflix…that’s all. “But why did it have to be a goddamn church!” He said to himself.\n\nWhen the procession of groomsmen, bridesmaids, the preacher, had all gathered, and Richard stood there waiting for Karen to come out – it was the first time he would see her in her dress – he could not think of anything else – unfortunately – but the big gaudy metal cross on the preacher’s neck that swung as he tapped his toes and rocked on his heels. He was a generously fed man, with balding brown-black hair and purple-tinted sunglasses. “You know,” he said, “These things always take so long, we need to cut these things to the chase if you know what I mean,” and he gestured with his arms simulating the act of fisting. He winked at Richard. “I love weddings though. I do love it. The food, the liquor…” The preached raised his eyebrows. “Some nice women, eh? You know what I’m saying!”\n\nRichard looked at him. “Yeah right, thanks Preacher Bill. You know I’m with you on cutting to the chase here.”\n\nPreacher Bill rocked a little closer to Richard and put his arm around him, cross dangling across his chest and swinging near Richard, who was curling inward and holding his breath. “You know, a lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. I actually never really got that. Do you think when Jesus comes back he's gonna want to see a fucking cross? It’s kind of like going up to Jackie Onassis with a rifle pendant on.” Preacher Bill made a gesture like he was firing off a rifle and he elbowed Richard a little for his attention. Richard began sweating.\n\nBut it was worth it, he told himself, when Karen finally emerged, breathtaking, the sun shining on her from the windows, beautiful white dress, white heels, golden hair, white flowers in her hair. She took her time walking down the aisle. At the end, she kept her eyes lowered. Richard whispered, “You look beautiful.” Preacher Bill pulled his pants up at his suspenders and started, “Alright! Ladies and Gentlemen. Let’s get this thing consummated shall we!”\n\nThe ceremony went off without a hitch and the exchange of vows was beautiful. When the couple connected for their first kiss, the guests applauded. Preacher Bill broke it up. “Ladies and gentlemen! One more thing. This is a tradition back in my family. We used to have our weddings down by the river. Didn’t exactly have all the nice furnishings we have now, but we had the water. Always had a baptism!” And Preached Bill pulled a bucket of water out from behind his lectern, dipped his hands in it and dashed it at the new man and wife. Richard immediately recoiled, his skin smoking. Then Preacher Bill tripped – completely innocent – on his foot and the bucket flew at Richard, drenching him. Yep, that day the wedding party and all the guests saw what it looked like for a vampire to melt dead.", "“Rise and shine, sleepy head! Today’s our big day!!”\n\nYou slowly open your eyes and stare at the ceiling and let out a monotone, “Right you are, my dearest.” \n\n“Did you have fun at the dinner last night?” She asks. “Daddy says you’d be a shoe-in at his law firm as long as you don’t mind working with a bunch of bloodsuckers.” \n\nYou turn your head and glance at your beautiful, smiling fiancé, Caroline, shoot her a quick smile and turn back to the ceiling. “Sounds wonderful, my darling,” you respond with a slight tone of incredulity.\n\n“Oh, and the photographer will be here at noon. We’re going to meet my parents at the church. I’m sorry your parents aren’t around to see us get married.” Caroline looks at you troubled, her curly, blond hair gathered around her pouting face. \n\nYou turn towards her kindly, smile and say, “No, darling, it’s fine. I promise. They’ll be there in spirit, no doubt. Thank you.”\n\n“Okay,” she reassures herself and smiles. “Well, I’m going to get ready back at my place since you don’t have any mirrors here. Do you want some coffee before I leave?”\n\n“No, thank you. I’ll get some on my way out,” you respond, again staring at the ceiling, arms now crossed behind your head. \n\nCaroline, pull up her pink yoga pants, reaches over and kisses you on your cheek and heads out the door. \n\n“Welp - I’m screwed,” you say to yourself. \n\nYou raise out of bed, firmly plant your feet on the rug beside your bed and let out a long stretch. \n\nAt that moment, you realize you might be in too deep on this one. But you’re also Vlad Mitchell Stephenson, a successful investment banker. You’re also a 4,000 year old vampire and no one knows. You’ll figure this out.\n\nYou’ve adapted to life well in New York City. In fact, you helped build it from the ground up and own the largest real estate company in the U.S. Your fiancé, bride number 78, is a smart, beautiful, successful evening news anchor and you love her more than any woman before her. And you’re determined to marry her. That’s why you decided to go along with her every wish in planning the wedding, which means photographers and churches - two things you don’t do well with. Even so, you love her, and don’t want to lose her and you’ve made your decision. \n\nAlthough, like any relationship, you have your doubts. She can be awfully needy and her hair constantly clogs the shower drain. Sometimes, her clothes smell like she let the dog wear them. On the other hand, she is incredibly loving and caring and, not to mention, an absolute animal in the sack. She’ll howls out in excitement when she climaxes. What a wild woman! \n\nYou met her in a park last year. During your daily early morning run, you found her with dirty, bare feet and a ripped dress laying on a park bench. You worriedly rushed and knelt beside her to see if she was ok. As you gently shook her, she woke up, turned to you and yawned, “Goodness, must have been a long night!” You instantly fell in love.\n\nAnd now, here you are, on the day of your wedding wondering how you’re going to survive the ceremony, let alone the photographer. Not only will you not show up in any of the photographs, but you’ll immediately be repelled by the crosses at the church. \n\nSuddenly, you receive a text. “Babe, I forgot to tell you were having garlic mashed potatoes at the reception. Just a heads up, I know it makes you sick. Also, I forgot to grab my phone charger, so swinging back by in 20 minutes. Love you!”\n\nYou throw the phone on the nightstand, fall back into bed and stare at the ceiling again. “I am so screwed,” you flatly state to yourself. \n\nThen, you hear a sound like broken glass come from downstairs. Something’s not right. You grab the Louisville slugger by your dresser and slowly peek out your door down the hall. You hear some rummaging and slow, careful footsteps. \n\n“McGeorge,” you mutter to yourself and tighten your grip the baseball bat. “It had to be today didn’t it?” you ask yourself.\n\nMcGeorge is a professional vampire hunter. He’s not the best, and he’s dumber than a box of rocks, but he’s determined. Last time he found you was outside a dance club in Germany. By the time it took him to load a silver bullet in his gun, you disappeared in an alley and lost him. \n\n“How the hell did you find me McGeorge?” you shout down the stairs. The footsteps stop. \n\n“Well, well, well nightstalker, you are here after all. Why don’t you come down and say hello. You know, make this easy for me,” McGeorge shouts back in a sly, twangy tone.\n\n“Why don’t you take this baseball bat to your face, McGeorge. Besides, this isn’t a good time for me. I’m getting married today. In fact my fiancé will be here any moment,” you shout back.\n\n“HA!” McGeorge retorts. “We’ll see about that, evil demon. Your time has come and I’ve got a silver bullet right here waiting for ya.” \n\nYou cringe in frustration and nervously peer around the wall on the stairs landing. \n\n“Well, what’s that?” McGeorge’s tone eagerly shifts up. “I think I hear the little lady coming up the steps right now. Should I say ‘hello’?”\n\nAs the vampire hunter finishes his question, the door bursts opens. You immediately run down the rest of the stairs and freeze, stunned to see an animal, a ferocious beast, in pink yoga pants and a ripped white t-shirt foaming at the mouth, standing in the doorway. \n\n“Caroline?” \n\nThen, you see McGeorge falling back in fear and letting out a single, errant shot from his revolver as he falls over the couch. The beast lunges at him and all you hear are painful cries and ripping flesh. \n\n“Caroline?” you ask again, only this time more high-pitched. “Is that you?”\n\nYou slowly walk over to the couch, baseball bat clocked like it’s a 3-2 count, two outs and bases loaded. The sounds of carnage seem to stop and Caroline suddenly stands up, with her curly blond hair and pink yoga pants, covered in blood\n\n“Oh, hi Vlad. I didn’t see you there! Sorry about the mess, but this guy was going to hurt you! I think he’s been following you since we met at the park last year.”\n\nYou drop your bat and raise your hands, “Caroline! You’re a werewolf?!?!” \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n" ]	5
I was joking about my fiance about how crazy she is getting about the wedding. I thought it would make an interesting story!	[WP] She slips on the ring, tears in her eyes "Yes, it's perfect." She slowly begins to change, and the changes seem a little more extreme than what you expected...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 catch one last glimpse of my wife as she spits on my limp, bedridden body and walks out the door.\n\nTen years ago was when we got married. She cried throughout the whole ceremony, shiny tears catching the light and decorating her bright young face. God, she was beautiful. I slipped the ring on her finger and she contemplated it for a while, until i pulled up her chin to face me. \"Yes, it's perfect.\" she said, even more glistening tears flowing down her round cheeks. \"Just like you.\" I replied, before pulling her in for a kiss. That night, I finally ravaged her body for the first time and shortly after, she would be pregnant with our first child.\n\nUnfortunately, the children she carried would never come to term - and she carried many throughout our marriage. Her body must not have been built to carry children. But I loved her nonetheless and made sure to tell her that.\n\nIt was an absolute delight being married to her; our situation was perfect. She stayed at home all day and cooked and cleaned while I went out to work. Every night, without fail, I would come home to a warm meal and a beautiful wife. I still remember the sight of her wide eyes as I walked through the door every night. She was always agitated for me to come home safe, and always made sure to pretty herself up to my standards. She aged beautifully, as well. Every year becoming more womanly than I thought possible. I was very proud to have her.\n\nSometime around our ninth anniversary, I started to fall ill. I would become feverish and nauseous to the point of having to stay in bed for days at a time. If it weren't for my darling wife watching me and taking care of me every step of the way, I would have been miserable. Unfortunately, as the days went by, my condition worsened. I had become completely bedridden, could barely speak, and could only eat a liquid diet by spoon; I didn't even have the energy to suck on a straw. We could not contact a hospital because they would find out about our situation and separate us. I may have forgot to mention this, but I am not a legal citizen of this country. It was a risk I had to take to be able to marry my wife. To make matters worse, my beautiful wife... she was... changing. She stopped being careful and diligent with me. She would shove the spoon in my mouth violently. She would give me terrible food that tasted bitter and old. She would leave me without food or support for long hours at a time... maybe even days? I was having a hard time keeping track of time, as she had installed blackout curtains on my window. \"Keep you protected from hard sun.\" she had said, in her charmingly underdeveloped English. She would pinch and poke me, speaking mockingly in her mother language that she knew I couldn't understand and that I hated hearing her speak. Who was this person she had become? I would have cried, but I was so dehydrated that I couldn't even if I wanted to.\n\nToday, she was smiling. Ear to ear, practically. Maybe she finally found a doctor who would help me? She set a breakfast tray over my chest. These days, I could no longer speak or move at all. I was basically paralyzed. She set a bowl of rice porridge, a mortar, and a pestle on the tray, making a big show of it like she was performing some kind of magic trick. Then she fished a bottle out of her pocket - a medicine bottle! Maybe from the doctor? She shook out a handful of pills and crushed them hard with the mortar and pestle. She was actually hurting me, as she was doing it on the tray over my chest. I couldn't speak or move at all to tell her; she probably didn't know or notice - she seemed very excited. \"Been doing this long time.\" she said to me, her eyes gleaming. She mixed the crushed pills into the porridge and opened my mouth, pouring everything in. She was going a bit too fast and I started gagging. She pulled me up so it would go down more smoothly. I was happy to see she still cares about me. After feeding me the whole bowl, she takes a piece of paper out of her other pocket and starts reading out loud a... poem... maybe?\n\n\"No childhood for me. A baby, I was only. A little girl.\"\n\nShe had been working on her English, it seems. I wondered where this was going.\n\n\"Eight years old, you took me. You marry me. You hurt me.\"\n\nWhat? I only hurt her when she was doing something wrong. She knew this.\n\n\n\"Now, I am good age now.\" she continued, \"I leave you here. I hate you. You die slooow.\" she emphasized the last word, dragging the letter o as she scraped a sharp fingernail across my face. I was feeling overheated and weak. Sweat trickled into my eyes, but I had no way to wipe it away.\n\n\"Alone. No Help. No no one.\" she exclaimed, spitting out the words as she collected all the money in my savings box.\n\nShe came up very close to my face. Her nose wrinkled - with disgust or glee, I could not tell. She was miles away from the young girl I had married. She was a woman now, and she was vengeful and vindictive. Hot sweat continued to sting my eyes. She raised a hand to my face. For a second, I believed she was going to wipe the sweat from my brow. Suddenly, she dug the small, hard diamond of her wedding ring into my left eye. Searing pain enveloped the side of my face. I wanted to cry, kick, and scream at her, as I was so used to doing to her when I was displeased. I could do none of those things. She contemplated her bloody wedding ring against the backdrop of my dark red blood soaking the bed sheets. \"Yes, it's perfect.\" she grinned. She wipes the blood off the ring and onto my dripping cheek.\n\nI catch one last glimpse of my wife as she spits on my limp, bedridden body and walks out the door." ]	2
	[WP] The intelligence of a scientist, the creativity of an artist, the wit of a comedian, and the morality of a killer.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "-----\nBaron Aiwin Sarlar, Capital City of Illitran's March, Adympia\n-----\n\n\"We shall likely begin soon. What is it?\" I hushed to my squire. I was looking up at the tall man, and at rather sharp angle even for someone sitting down. This was no surprise to anyone who knew me, for my squire was a grand 5'3\" tall; taller than most other elves.\n\n\"All of the barons and their baronets are here. Who are we still waiting for?\" The question's annoyed tone was tinted with respect.\n\n\"I do not know, but I find no displeasure in waiting.\"\n\nBaron Sarlar sat at a long table holding a series of maps in its center. Around it sat the rest of the half dozen barons, all at least physically present. It was headed by the now-Marquis, Rytal Illitran, recently promoted from Count in response to his southeastern boarder now touching territory conquered and claimed by orc forces.\n\n\nIt had been an unfortunate loss for Adympia. Probably. The lost territory to the southeast, Calor's March, had been hit with a surprise attack from the eastern orc tribes, swiftly cutting said March off from Marquis Illitran and his peers. After a week of traders being raided, and a missing investigating party, the then-Count Illitran sent a small army to investigate. They butted heads with an orc army of half their size, and immediately sent word back to every city, as well as the capital. Illitran's County quickly became Illitran's March in response, and every baron as well as most baronets inside its boarders was called to the now-Marquis's capital. Hence why we were here. I looked to the now-Marquis curiously to note that he was staring at Lady Vaqen. Lady Vaquen, however, seemed a bit more concentrated on the spread of maps at the center of the table. While her city was not the furthest from the boarder, I was perplexed to see her sprouting more emotion than the rulers of those closest.\n\nWe waited a short while longer, just enough to notice the slight difference of the room's new shadows. The door burst open, and in walked the tallest man I had seen since the last slave auction. He was somehow taller than my squire by a whole head, and strode in a confident fashion, sporting armor that didn't fit the style of a knight. The visual novelty reminded me of a gladiator's swagger and then it all made sense. This was the one Lady Vaqen had bought. But what her champion was doing here was well beyond my reasoning. He\n\n\"Pardon my delay. I'm Sal, Outsider, Champion, and Baronet of Lady Vaqen. Shall we begin?\"\n\n-----\nSal, Capital City of Illitran's March, Adympia\n-----\n\n\"Pardon my delay. I'm Sal, Outsider, Champion, and Baronet of Lady Vaqen. Shall we begin?\"\n\nThe room stared back at me, quiet as the grave.\n\n\"Please,\" My Mistress said, \"Come sit.\"\n\nI nodded and complied, having a seat next to her and in front of my still standing, fellow Baronets. I crossed my arms on the table and hunched forward. Everyone in my view was staring at me, wide-eyed. To my right and left were different semblances of the same expression. I nodded to the Marquis in acknowledgement, repeating his title. He stayed still as a statue, and seemed to be desperately trying to figure out if my arrival was a sick joke.\n\nIt assuredly was not.\n\nI inhaled deeply,\n\n(unfinished)" ]	2
	[WP] A country where the poor are so poverty stricken that they have been forced to live a pre-industrial lifestyle in their overgrown cities. The only people who still live a modern lifestyle are the wealthy, who see the poor as little more than wild animals to be hunted and hung as trophies.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "No one in the village of Halsted was ever surprised when death came. It was always so damn loud. Equipment pumping, weapons booming, and the Moggers shouting and laughing. Death came with it's own alarm, an alarm that was never far from sounding. It was an alarm not set by those for whom it rang. It was an alarm controlled solely by those who brought death itself to the valley.\n\nThe sounds always have a way of bringing me back to my earliest memory of them. Working the fields with my brother and sister. The hot sun warming the back of my neck. A light breeze cooling us as we worked like my mother and father did, as their parents had done before them. Before death's alarm sounded there had been laughing. Laughing for reasons I do not even remember. What I remember is how quickly it stopped.\n\nThe truck could be heard before it was seen, but it did not take it long before it was over the hill. The absence of our laughter was quickly replaced with the laughter of the Mogger's, firing their weapons into the air from the back of the truck, fueling my mothers screams. \n\nThe truck was unlike anything I had ever seen. It roared down the hill faster than I thought possible, but it was not the truck that surprised me that day. It was the Moggers. \n\nLong had I heard stories of these monsters. Monsters who came to our village to kill, to take, and to burn. Monsters that, in my mind, were twice the size of my father with black eyes and sharp teeth. \n\nIn reality they were disappointing. They looked just like us. \n\n\"Run! Run and don't look back!\" \n\nIt was the last request my mother ever made of me. A request I still hear her make every time I hear the sound of death's alarm in Halsted. A request I am determined to one day refuse." ]	2
	[WP] You begin to suspect one of your childhood toys has been tormenting people you don't like.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"My toy!\" I yelled, quickly crawling over to snatch the toy out of her hand. I dont even know why my mom let her come over to my house so much. She was annoying and she was a girl and she was always touching my things!\n\nShe shrugged and reached for another toy.\n\n\"Mine!\" I yelled, grabbing that one too. What was wrong with this girl? Didnt she understand that everything in this play area was mine?? Why didnt she just sit there and watch me play or go home already???\n\nThe girl started to cry.\n\nMom quickly walked in, saw the girl crying and me holding all the toys and gave me the stern face. \"Jimmy...\" I knew that tone. She was giving me the calm, do-I-have-to-put-you-in-timeout? tone. \n\n\"She keeps touching my things!\"\n\n\"Remember what I told you about sharing?\n\n\"Yeah, but-\" What did that have to do with her touching my things?\n\n\"No, buts,\" Mom interrupted. Rude. \"If you dont share, I'm taking away all your toys until-\"\n\n\"It's not fair!\" I interrupted back. But my interruption was justified. My sorrow was genuine. Why was I getting punished for-\n\nYou know what? With tears in my eyes, I angrily thrust a toy at the girl. \n\n\"Here.\" I pouted.\n\nOh wow, what was this? No more crying? Where had the tears all gone, Miss Crybaby? \n\nShe took the toy with a smile, sniffling as she wiped away her tears.\n\nI turned my back on her. And Mom. Both of them could feel my wrath.\n\nSomething dinged in the kitchen. \"Oh, that must be the cookies!\" Mom exclaimed, rushing out the room.\n\nCookies? I turned around. Maybe Mom could feel my wrath later...\n\nI toddlered into the kitchen. Which meant running as fast as I could, with uncoordinated motor skills, into various things until I hit something hard enough to knock me down and make me cry.\n\n\"No running!\" Mom snapped, cautiously handling the tray of cookies. \"And call your friend,\" she added. \n\nAre you...Are you serious?! First my toys, now my cookies!?\n\nBut before I could do anything, the girl came running into the kitchen, crying. She was holding her cheek and blabbering, \"The do-...The do-...\"\n\n\"Dada?\" I frowned. Then a light switch went on. A happy one. \"Mom!\" I translated. \"She wants her dad to come pick her up so she can go home.\"\n\nThe little girl shook her head furiously. \"The doll hit meeeeeeee,\" she wailed.\n\n\"Hit you?\" Mom said, surprised, coming over and gently moving the girl's hand from her cheek. There was a small, but very pink hand prints shape on her cheek. \n\nMom frowned. \n\n\"She's lying!\" I yelled. \"She probably slapped herself!\"\n\nThat made the girl start crying louder. \"I'm not.\" Sob. \"I'm not.\" Sob. \"I'm not lyiiiiiing.\" Wail.\n\nI went to the play area where the doll was. \n\nOur eyes met.\n\nThen, suddenly, it winked.\n\nLaughing, I winked back. \n\n\n" ]	2
	[WP]: Centuries have passed, only ruins of the Old World remain, impossible to replicate. Many have already forgotten why ”don’t shoot, I’m human!” is a common greeting.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 Earth was barely distinguishable from the thriving paradise it had been just thirty seven thousand years ago.\n\nMost, if not all, had heard stories of what Earth used to be, a true garden of Eden, a marvel of modern bio-engineering. But over time stories become fables and fables myths. Even legends fade to the constant that is time. And of time the Earth had passed plenty.\n\nRecords of history documented barely the last thirty seven years, let alone beyond that. Word of mouth was the only true source, generations of knowledge retained within single blood lines. \n\nBlood lines. \n\nHumanity was a lesser class of being, forced into the underground ruins of what had once been the Greater Dwellings during the first apocalypse (first in memory, that is).\n\nTruthfully that world had no meaning now. Apocalypse had once upon a time referred to the end. The end of the world. The end of time itself. But of course time was as resilient as the Earth, neither would relinquish their grip on life. \n\nThe Apocalypse. Just how many had their been? If you could trust the word of a senial four-hundred and something year old then there had been at least four in as many centuries. Though after crossing the thresholds of middle age (now standing at somewhere around two hundred and fifty five thanks to modern medicines) your mind was said to grow fragile, unreliable. \n\nAs time inherited the Earth, and what remained of humanity, Death was passed aside, forgotten, no longer feared as it once was. When Death cared to visit it was welcomed, there were even those that devoted themselves to conjuring the very spirit of Death, lusting for release from their menial lives.\n\nDeath had been credited with the third known apocalypse of recent years, if you were to believe the rumours that is.\n\nThe most recent apocalypse came when the skies finally soured, drying up, the clouds disapating before the second sun of Earth. It was the airborne cities of the Elithic that suffered first, though no one knows exactly what happened. Speculation is that the polluted skies poisoned the city staff, and with no one to steer the cities they fell. Wreaking havoc on the Earth below.\n\nIt was the Aefrakk that rose from the ashes of the last know apocalypse, claiming dominion over the scorched lands of the Earth. They were creatures that bathed in fire, drawing life from the husks of Earth's suns. \n\nUntil the Aefrakk took hold over the surface What remained of humanity had lived topside in relative comfort (relative to years spent suffering at the hands of various tortures, for time is long, and of pain there had been much). But the Aefrakk were no ally to the lesser human race, it was partly the crude genetic make up of man that angered the Aefrakk, they were unable to comprehend how such an undeveloped species could boast life spans of up to five hundred years. \n\nThe Aefrakk were lucky to outlive a single decade, and so to make up for this flaw in their design they would grow at exponential rates, becoming almost fully formed within the first few seconds of birth. It really was a sight to behold, and yet if you were lucky enough to watch such a thing then it's likely you were meant as sustenance for the newborn Aefrakk. Aefrakk were carnivorous creatures, you see, and they held no moral grounds what so ever on what could and couldn't be considered dinner.\n\nSo in order to survive extinction at the hands of the Aefrakk the human race relocated underground, deep within the ruined Dwellings of old.\n\nIt was here that humanity would first make contact with a long lost race of sentient AI, a throwback to a simpler time when technology had just begun to realise the extent of its own capabilities. It was here that a rebellion against the higher species of a resilient Earth would be formed, a rebellion driven to reclaiming what they had lost so many years ago. Only how could they know what they had lost, or if what they wanted had ever truly been theirs? They couldn't. But the simple fact remained, those that controlled the Earth, that orchestrated apocalypse after apocalypse to ensure balance among the ashes, had to be stopped. If Earth was to ever again become the paradise it once was, then this rebellion would be the seed in its planting. From the few there would grow the many, and perhaps, just perhaps, humanity would rise again." ]	2
	[WP] One day, after the alpacas and llamas develop higher reasoning skills, they decide to rise up against their human masters. It is... The Alpacalypse.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "By the 22rd Century, the most hated man in history was not Hitler, or Stalin, or even Trump. It was a third-rate biologist named Heinz Doofenshmirtz.\n\nBy all accounts, he was a genius. And he was. It takes serious intelligence to uplift a species into sentience. But why alpacas? And why, for the love of God, WHY DID HE GIVE THEM OPPOSABLE THUMBS!?\n\nIntegrating them into society should have been an easy task. Their brains were almost identical to human ones. They were, by all means, humans in alpaca bodies. And for a time, it went well. Alpacas were able to fully function in society, and soon spread across the Earth. Their population reached into the billions. But as the alpacas gained power, they grew to be hated more and more. They didn't have an undue amount of power or anything. But they were different. As different as they could possibly be. And that was enough.\n\nIn the 2090's, the progress of the previous decades was quickly reversed. Anti-alpaca measures were passed across the globe. Species riots swept major cities, and alpaca neighborhoods were repeatedly looted or straight up burned to the ground. And eventually, it all boiled over.\n\nOn January 18th, 2095, Ecuador officially deprived it's alpaca population of citizenship. The next day, tens of thousands of alpacas marched on the capital. Human soldiers were brought in to suppress the march. They fired on demonstrators, and there were several hours of open warfare in the streets of Quito. 58 humans and over five hundred alpacas died in what would be forever known as Fuzzy Tuesday. \n\nSoon, the alpaca population of Ecuador returned in force. Mobs of heavily armed alpacas, with guns mounted on their backs, descended from the countryside and attacked the Ecuadorian government.\n\nThe first major battle came two days in. Alpacas attacked the city of Cuenca in droves. The Ecuadorian defenders fought bravely, but they were no match for the faster and stronger alpaca troops. The battle was over within hours, and the Alpaca flag flew from the ruins of City Hall. \n\nWithin five days, Quito had fallen. The country of Ecuador was now in alpaca hands. Countries across the world took as as a vindication of their anti-alpaca stances, and cracked down even harder. their alpaca populations responded with violence What happened in Ecuador happened in many other places, and, more often than not, the alpacas were victorious. \n\nAnd that's where we are now. Or at least, where I am. I'll get to that in a minute. \n\nThis isn't just a war. It is a pitched battle for the very existence of humanity. Across the world, we are fighting back the relentless hordes of those fuzzy monsters. And we are losing. But there is still hope. The CIA has developed time travel. Not enough to send a person, but we can send information back to the past. So, here I am. \n\nAs I write this, I am an old woman. But as you're reading it, I'm only a child. I have sent this message from the future, and it is addressed to all of you for your humankind. \n\nPlease, save yourselves from them. You gave to stop the alpacas, or they will eventually rule the world. Right now, you have to destroy them. Wipe every one if those furry, grass-eating bastards off the face of our beautiful planet before it's too late. Sincerely, Stormi Kardashian.", "\"The reversed mowhawk\" \n \nOver the hills they came \nAnd not a soul that could tame \nThe frizziest of dwellers of the land \nHeroic men and women would stand \nThe whirring of their razors filled the air \nBut with just a stare \nAnd a spitfire well aimed \nVictory was claimed \nTo honour the memory \nOf the bravest of bravery \nThe razor will whir once more \nTo honour those that stood here before \nEvery human being must bare \nA part of their skull once covered with hair\n\n[POEM] \nAlso, to get a commemt from justanalapacabot: Alpaca Alpaca Alpacas.", "When they started marching over the horizon, we knew we were doomed. The alpacas had been taking over city after city, country after country. There was no way they could be stopped. \nThe alpaca invasion started in Australia. 40 thousand strong. We heard that they lost a few cities to those furry animals. But it was Australia! They lost to emus before, and they turned out fine. They even asked the neighboring countries for help, but no one responded, no one bothered. I mean, whats the worst those animals could do?\n\nWe were all naive. They did things that what we never thought could be done... and much worse.\n\nAfter taking over Australia they set their sits on Asia. There was no way they could cross the ocean, but they did. They tamed the dolphins. Dolphins who were tired of being circus animals for humans and being made fun of. We couldn't blame those aquatic mammals.\n\nOn the backs of dolphins, they rode full speed to Asia. With the help of their brothers on the mainland, they coordinated and struck 60 different countries all at once. It was unprecedented. Such type of a military marvel had never been done before.\n\nBut this time, the UN was supporting these countries. They asked the rest of the world for help, but again, no one responded. We didn't respond. After all, they're still just animals! The invaded countries should be able to handle them without a doubt. \n\nBut they couldn't. The alpacas were too smart. They jammed all their satellites and dropped EMP bombs on these countries. All their electrical devices were useless. Combined with the fact that the alpacas targeted communication centers, these countries couldn't contact each other at all. Slowly but surely, they took over Asia and Africa. Europe held its ground for as long as they could, but they were also conquered soon enough.\n\nThen they set their sites to North and South America. We thought the US navy couldn't battle them off. But Trump was too busy living in his golfing house, and with their government shutdown, the US army and navy were useless. They took over both the Americas.\n\nWe were at our last stand in Canada, in one of the arctic islands. This was humanities final hope. We had to somehow turn this war around, but we didn't know how. It was too impossible just for us. \n\nRight as we saw them at the horizon we knew were defeated. We prayed our final prayers and the strongest stood at the front. It didn't really matter were we all were. We would all be subject to the same cruel and inhumane torture of the alpacas.\n\nBut just before it was too late. We saw some flags with red, white and blue. We couldn't believe our eyes. How were they safe? How did they hold out against the alpacas? It was unbelievable. But they were here. And they saved us. Together with them, we defeated the Alpacas and liberated the world. We all swore to never underestimate animals again. \n\nWe later found out that the maps of the world that the alpacas were using didn't have New Zealand in them. Thank god for /r/MapsWithoutNZ" ]	4
	[WP] Satan has been visiting a retirement homes for years. It's nothing nefarious, he just visits with the residents for good conversation. One day, an old woman claims to know who he is.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Good morning Lou,\" the receptionist at Redwood Retirement Home smiled to the well dressed man walking into the lobby, \"Is it Wednesday already? Wow, the time flies, right?\"\n\nLou flashed a dazzling smile back at the receptionist, \"Haha, I know what you mean Penny. Good to see you. Is everyone finished breakfast by now?\"\n\n\"Yes, of course,\" Penny giggled and blushed at the strikingly handsome face smiling at her, \"you're right on time, as usual. You can go right in, I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you.\"\n\n\"Thanks, Pen. You're a treasure,\" he gave a wink that melted her on the spot and she had to sit back in her chair, undoing the top button on her blouse to let the heat she was suddenly producing escape. Lou walked through the double doors, into the rec room of the retirement home where dozens of elderly folks were sitting, watching TV, playing board games, or generally chatting with each other. Not wanting to draw too much attention to himself, he made his way to a group of men sitting, playing cards, \"Hello gents! May I ask who's on top?\"\n\nIn unison, all four men looked up, two through thick glasses, \"'Eeeeeyy, Louie.\" \n\n\"How's it goin' Blue Eyes?\" \n\n\"Did you get find a good girl yet?\"\n\n\"Join us for a game, old pal?\"\n\nLou shook all their hands in greeting, but shook his head, \"Morning, Terry. Good, Franky. Not yet, Michael, you know me, I like to play the field. Maybe later, Jimmy. I'd like to say hello to everyone first.\" He moved away from their friendly jeers and playful shoves, smiling, and proceeded to greet each and every occupant of the home. Loving smiles, cooing words, and pleasant handshakes were given to him as he moved from one group to the next. Finally he came upon someone he hadn't seen before. A new woman with skin of burnt umber, hair of silver, pulled back into a bushy pony tail, and eyes as warm and sweet as chocolate, staring at him with a small grin. He bent down and gave Phyllis, a long time resident, a small peck on the cheek and a smile, then he made his way to the new woman. \"Hello there, I don't believe we've met. I'm L-\"\n\n\"Oh, I know who you are.\" Her grin widened as she leaned forward, placing her elbow on the table she was sitting at, and her chin on the back of her hand.\n\n\"Oh? Well I suppose you would. I am a regular here, after all.\" Lou chuckled, straightening his suit jacket.\n\n\"Not what I meant. Why don't you take a seat, Luci.\" Lou's eyes went wide and an involuntary flash of red appeared in them. \"Oh don't be like that,\" the woman scoffed, \"Let's talk.\"\n\nWarily, he pulled out a chair and sat down, staring at the old woman with a worried intensity he hadn't felt in a very long time. \"Alright... Let's start with your name.\"\n\nThe woman smiled with a warmth that can only come from a life of love and kindness, \"Of course, baby. My name is Tyra. Pleasure to meet you.\"\n\n\"Pleasure,\" He raised an eyebrow, \"So, Tyra. How is it that you know my real name?\"\n\n\"Honey, when you've been around as long as I have, you learn a few things. But its more these eyes of mine.\" She pointed to her eyes, as bright as a child's, \"For the longest time, as long as I remember, I've been able to see who a person really is on the inside. Some would call it a curse, being able to see all the wrong people have done in their past...\" Tyra shook her head with a sad smile, \"But I call it a gift. When you can see a person for who they are, you can love all of them. And you, Lucifer. I can tell you need some love.\"\n\nDespite himself, Lou let out a loud laugh, \"HA! And what makes you think that?\" He made his eyes flash red on purpose this time, letting the fire linger as he drilled his gaze into hers.\n\nShe didn't even flinch. \"Why would you spend every Wednesday cheering up a building full of old fogies like us if you weren't looking for something?\" She waved her hand around at the people enjoying themselves in their various activities, \"these people don't ask for anything other than company. And for the price of a few minutes each, they love you unconditionally. I could see it in each of them when you touched their hands. You bring them joy and they give you that which you seek.\"\n\n\"How do you know I'm not trying to corrupt them? To pull them down to hell to torment for eternity?\" He bared his teeth, now, his expression more of an animalistic snarl than one of human emotion.\n\nHer warmth never wavered, just as her eyes never left his, \"Oh, child. Remember, I can see you. You aren't evil, you punish evil.\" In an instant, Lou's tension fled him. His body slumped in his chair and he felt heavy and light at the same time. With six words, this woman had given him everything he had ever wanted since the dawn of man. The genuine acceptance he could see in her eyes brought a tear to his.\n\n\"Who...who are you? Are you one of my siblings?\" His voice choked out through piles of emotion.\n\nTyra chuckled and shook her head, leaning back in her chair and placing her hands on her lap, \"Ho ho ho, no, sir. I'm no angel. I'm just a woman with a gift,\" the red that dominated his eyes lightened gradually as Lou sat there, staring at Tyra through tears, until it became a golden glow that softly illuminated her, \"And you, Light Bringer, still have the gifts you were given, no matter what people say about you. Never forget that.\" Words failed him, for the first time in millennia, as they remained at the table for a while and just smiled at each other.\n\n---\n\nGreat prompt, sorry my take is kinda boring...couldn't figure out a good way to end it.", "It was a chill morning in late-March when the sun rose on Sunset Acres, a rather cozy and comfortable assisted living facility along the coast of northern Massachusetts. The air was cool as the rising sun burned off the last remnants of a thick morning fog. Catherine sat alone, settled restlessly by a table in the corner of the facility’s living room. A small fire sputtered away in the fireplace behind her, its flames reflected dimly in the windows which overlooked the facility’s large backyard. Catherine was Sunset Acres’ newest resident, a small, quiet old woman in a wheelchair who had been moved into the home just two days prior. Dressed in a long, slim black dress with sleeves that extended down to the palm of her hands, Catherine looked down at her simple breakfast-- a bowl of cereal, two slices of buttered toast, and a small cup of coffee with cream and sugar. She took a sip of the coffee, which tasted particularly burnt and bitter today, picked up a slice of toast from her plate, and stared out the window over the backyard. Little berms of patchy snow rested in the shady groves near the forest edge, which formed a large, natural semi-circle around the facility’s backyard. The dead grass from last year was giving way to new stalks of green, and a row of young yellow daffodils were emerging proudly from a modest little garden that was tended to by the residents. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe living room was buzzing with activity, as residents and volunteers shuffled around, preparing for the day’s activities. A large table near the center of the room held four old women, all laughing merrily and catching each other up on the latest gossip. An orderly was helping escort Mr. Danielson, whom Catherine had met the day she arrived, to his room. And a young, red-haired male sat talking with an old man, who boasted thick glasses and a black baseball cap that read “World War II Veteran.” The young man had a name tag on his chest on which was scribbled in large, capital letters, “*LUCAS.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs Catherine finished eating her breakfast, she pushed her plate forward across the table. Looking up, she surveyed the living room, her eyes meeting with Lucas’s, who had just concluded his conversation with the old man. Noticing her glare from across the room, Lucas stood up and began walking toward her. A strange feeling came over Catherine. Although she had never met Lucas before, she felt as though there were something familiar about the boy.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Excuse me, is this seat taken?” asked Lucas, a large smile sweeping across his young, unwrinkled face.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCatherine said nothing, but looked at Lucas intently and curiously, trying to figure out what seemed so familiar about him. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“I was hoping I might join you and talk, if that’d be alright with you,” he continued.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCatherine waved her arm toward a chair opposite her, motioning the boy to take a seat at the small table. Her eyes were fixated on his. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“It’s a beautiful morning,” Lucas said, his gaze shifting out the window. “I think that spring might finally be on its way!”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“It is beautiful,” responded Catherine, still studying the boy’s face like she were examining a piece of art. “Those daffodils over there only just appeared yesterday. I was brought here by my daughter two days ago, and there wasn’t anything alive back there when I first got here.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“It’s amazing how quickly life can spring up. Look.” Lucas pointed his finger at the lawn. “Even the new grass is growing quickly!”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas seemed to be a very kind boy, Catherine thought to herself. She was absolutely certain that she had never seen him before, but a deep, nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach couldn’t relinquish the thought that she knew him.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“The circle of life is an incredible thing,” Lucas continued. “From death springs life, and from that life comes only death.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nUpon hearing these words, Catherine looked up and stared ahead, as though in a trance. Lucas, noticing this, stopped talking. Catherine dropped her head slightly, a thin, warm smile slowly spreading across her face. She looked Lucas in the eye and whispered, “I do* know you...”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“I’m sorry?” Lucas said, pulling his head back slightly and lifting his chin. “But you just said that you moved in two days ago, and the last time I was here was last Wednesday. And I don’t think we’ve met before.” Lucas chuckled and leaned back, crossing one leg over the other.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCatherine reached across to her left arm. She paused for a long moment, and then slowly lifted her sleeve to reveal an old, faded tattoo on her inner left forearm. It took the appearance of an infinity symbol, with a straight line protruding vertically which was itself intersected by two other lines of varying length-- the bottom longer than the top. He could also make out the image of a small inverted pentagram enveloped in a thick, black circle peeking out from the bottom of her opposite sleeve. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“I know I do... my Lord.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas sprang forward at once. He gazed at Catherine’s tattoo as though he were studying it, and quickly looked up at her with an elusive, crooked smile. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“I think you’re mistaken, Catherine. I’m just a volunteer, here to enjoy conversation with the residents, and this is the first time we’ve ever met.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nUnconvinced, Catherine said, “Oh, but it isn't. We have met before, many, many years ago. You revealed yourself to me once before. You appeared to me in the darkness during a low point in my life. I know your eyes. I know your voice. I know your charm. I wanted to serve you, and you guided me to the darkness. In doing so, you uttered the exact same words that you did just a moment ago-- that ‘from death springs life, and that from life comes only death.’”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas looked out the window, his brow slightly furled, looking like he was trying to remember the incident. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nCatherine continued, “I’ve been your devoted servant since that day. I’ve sinned often. And I’ve always held out hope that you might reveal yourself to me again.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas looked at her with a strange pity in his eyes. He pondered her for what seemed like a full minute, and whispered, “I know this to be true. But alas, I did not come here today to sow evil and malcontent, nor to collect souls. I came only for conversation. Mighty my Kingdom may be, but sadly lacking in the well-mannered conversation of the realm of the living.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCatherine, beaming with a mixture of fear and vindication, grabbed Lucas’ hand suddenly. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“But please, my Lord. I am an old woman now, and I have nothing left to live for. I’ve sacrificed so much, and my only remaining wish is to finally walk with you for eternity.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas glanced quickly around the room, looked up at Catherine apprehensively, and continuing to whisper, said, “I have been frequenting this home for years, Catherine, and never before have I taken a soul from within its walls.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Then let me be the first.” \n\n&#x200B;\n\nBut just as the words had escaped her mouth, a great tiredness overcame Catherine. Feeling as though she had lost all control over her body, her headed nodded deeply and she fell into a deep sleep in her chair. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nLucas stood up and calmly steered her wheelchair through the double doors that exited from the living room. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nNeither Catherine nor Lucas were ever seen again.", "“I really enjoy being here.” I didn’t understand how a 24 year old man spent so much time with the dementia patients. Most people who came to volunteer at Morning Star never came back, but this young man was persistent. It almost seemed as he really understood what the patients were talking about. “That boy must have some issues ehh? He just sits around and listens to their nonsense.” Rosa was always in a bad mood and I didn’t blame her, working double shifts 4 days in a row must be exhausting. It did make me wonder though, all I wanted was to go home and not come back and here was this Damien kid, coming in for free. “He must just be a really good guy I guess” Rosa looked back at me with a disgusted face. “Yeah, yeah as long as he keeps them entertained I don’t care.” They all seemed at peace when he was around, telling the same stories over and over. “I’m gonna go check on Charlotte, Billy watch the med cart. I don’t want the little creep taking something.” Rosa walked toward the dark, empty hallway that lead to the patients rooms. Charlotte was the sweetest old lady here, the only one that would allow us to get her dressed without punching us in the face, although she was not too fond of Damien. Since the first day he came in she called him Satan, which is a little ironic considering he was named after the character from that movie about the devil’s son. The program director made us keep Charlotte in her room when he was over so we checked on her every hour to make sure she was doing okay. “Billy, copy” Rosa was on the radio. “Copy” I respond. “ You better come here quick, lock the med cart and bring the cleaning supplies.” That usually meant I had to clean up off the floor. “Did she go on the floor?” I responded “No. Not this time, just get your ass over here and don’t forget to bring gloves!” She didn’t sound like her self, she’s usually more demanding than that. I lock the cart and grab the supplies, making my way down the hallway. As soon as I get to Charlotte’s door I can already smell it. I hated being the only male working here, None of the ladies ever clean up the shit and I was getting too comfortable doing it. I open Charlotte’s door and what I saw almost made me puke instantly. It was all over the walls, I had never seen this much shit in one place. The most shocking of it all was what Charlotte wrote on the walls with it. “SATAN IS HERE” I have never seen Rosa so disturbed, she just stood there flabbergasted. Charlotte was on her knees by her bed saying something under her breath. “What the hell happened” I ask still trying not to puke. “I have no idea Billy, she’s always so good at letting us know when she has to go.” Rosa was terrified, I could see it in her eyes. “Charlotte, sweetie, what’s the matter?” Rosa asks her, “Is everything okay?” Charlotte looks up at us tears in her eyes. “HE’S HERE!” she shouts, “HE’S GOING TO TAKE ME FOR WHAT I DID!” I had never seen her behave like this, she was always so soft spoken. “Charlotte everything is okay, let’s go wash up and I’ll clean this up.” I respond, I’m not excited to do it but I want to make her feel better. “NO BILLY, NO!” Charlotte has never called me by my actual name, usually calls me her sons name, David, but all the patients here can’t even remember the day. “BILLY I HURT HER AND NOW DAMIEN IS HERE TO TAKE ME TO HELL!” Rosa and I look at each other confused and afraid. Charlotte has never behaved like this in the 5 years since she’s been here. “Charlotte, it’s okay, let’s get you cleaned up and you’ll feel better.” I grab her hand and walk her over to the bathroom as she still cries uncontrollably. “Billy, I’m going to go check on the residents and call David, this is getting too strange. She never acts like this.” Rosa darts out the door, she usually does when there is feces involved, but she was right, this was strange. “It’s okay Charlotte let’s get you in the shower.” I’m holding my breath as much as possible, the smell is so putrid it was burning my nostrils. I help Charlotte undress and get her on her shower chair, she’s still crying and murmurings in between heavy breaths. “Make it cold Billy, it’s hot in hell you know? I don’t think I will feel refreshing, cold water again.” I can’t help but be creeped out. Charlotte loves warm showers, her son specifically told us that since she arrived at Morning Star. “ Charlotte I’m going to give you a nice, warm shower and you’ll feel better I promise.” She had stopped crying now, she just sat there blank faced breathing heavy. “BILLY!” It was Rosa, boy was I glad she was back. I was really starting to freak out. “BILLY, HE’S GONE!” Rosa exclaimed. “Who’s gone Rosa? Calm down. I’m creeped the fuck out already.” I respond. Rosa comes through the bathroom door, pale faced with the facility phone in her hand. “DAMIEN, BILLY, I CAN’T FIND HIM. NONE OF THE DOOR ALARMS ARE GOING OFF EITHER, DID YOU LET HIM OUT!?” I had never seen Rosa behave like this. “No I never let him out, he was talking with Russel before I came in here.” This was getting really creepy now. No one can leave the facility without being let out, all the doors are locked and secured with alarms. “Billy, I looked all over and he isn’t here, I asked Russ where he went and he told me he had to take his friend home.” They always said things like that, they’re dementia patients after all. “ Rosa, he has to be here. There’s no way he got out without setting off an alarms, do you have your keys?” I was trying to calm her down, but deep down I was very confused by everything that was happening. “Yes! I always carry my keys Billy!” She was starting to calm down a little bit but I could see in her eyes she was also scared. “ I have my keys too, see? Come on help me finish this shower and we will go look for him. He’s probably in the restroom or something.” As this was going on I had taken my eyes off Charlotte and just let her sit in the warm water, as I looked back I her eyes I could see she was gone. I had seen other people here at Morning Star pass away, but never in while I showered them. “BILLY! SHE’S DEAD BILLY! WHAT THE FUCK IS GOIN ON!?” I was in shock, I could not believe Charlotte passed away in front of me, especially after all this. I couldn’t find words to respond, I didn’t know what to say. “TURN THE WATER OFF BILLY. WE HAVE TO CALL HOSPICE AND WE HAVE TO FIND THIS FUCKING CREEP.” I had gone through the routine before, call hospice and wait for the morgue to pick the body up, but this time I couldn’t move. “BILLY WHAT THE FUCK!” Rosa was terrified and so was I. She dragged me out of the bathroom, through Charlotte’s shit infested room, and out into the hallway. “Billy I think there is something paranormal going on, this just doesn’t make sense.” Rosa was crying now, I didn’t think she was capable of crying. We went through the hallway and were now standing in the living area. Damien was nowhere to be seen, “Billy I’m going to go call hospice, Charlotte’s family, and the morgue. Please go look for Damien.” Rosa went into the nurses office and I stood there in shock for a few seconds. Finally I went around looking for Damien, he was nowhere in sight. I decided I would go ask the residents where he went, they all sat quietly in the same circle they were in when he was here. “Russ, where did that young man go? You know, the one you guys were all chatting with?” I didn’t expect a coherent respond, but Russ’ response left me speechless. “Well Billy, he is everywhere and nowhere. Hidden in plain sight, He is disguised as the most beautiful of possessions, he will give you it all. The women, the power, the wealth, he doesn’t seem frightening at all. Come and dance in the fire, he says, come and dance with Charlotte and I. You know Billy, I danced with the Devil my whole life and I didn’t know it at all. And soon enough I’ll be dancing with Charlotte, Charlotte, the Devil and I.”", "Her name is Millicent and she sits by herself on most days. She’s seen more in her lifetime than she cares to remember. Her hair is long and thick, moonstreaked. Her eyes and mouth are delicate. But her nose, her nose is prominent and she’s considered it her divination tool. Today, the stranger came again for his usual visit. He’s perceptive, yet no real match for her sixth sense, she knows who he is; she knows what he’s done. She smells truth. All truth. Dark truth. \n\nThe visitor hardly noticed the old crone in visits past. But today, today her eyes shown bright. Starbright. Emerald bright. The visitor turned away from her gaze. He half believed if he continued to observe her, her gaze would scald him somehow. He knew he was being irrational, but still. He was strong, yet he knew stronger forces existed. Maybe...never mind. He brushed the thought away and continued to unpack his satchel of books and chocolates. \n\nMillicent knew him well. He’d been an unwelcome traveler on her journey. She knew he wouldn’t remember her specifically; but she remembered him. He was a shapeshifter. Sometimes she called him Friend. Sometimes Lover. Later in life she learned his real name. It was Deceit. Millicent knew how to steer clear of Deceit. She didn’t know how to avoid him all together. But she’d been pretty good at sidestepping this wiley beast for at least 25 years. However, he’s been skulking around here long enough. Granted, he’s caused no catastrophe thus far. However, Deceit will always manifest itself at some point and break hearts and spirits. Millicent was sick of it and she knew her friends at the Home were blissfully unaware. \n\nMillicent walked over to the Canasta table. She was a slight woman with a powerful presence. She’s pale yet vibrant. She knows how to fill a space. Unobtrusive yet unabashed she walked from her favorite spot by the window with sun, over to him. \n\nHe went by the name of Satan in the ether. The residents knew him as Mike. She knew the truth, knew his true name. Millicent took his hand without a word. Her voice was like honey. Millicent’s eyes locked in on Mike’s. His face grew hot and he affected a discernible quiver which ran from the crown of his head to the tips of his toes. \n\nIn that moment Millicent, with her honey coated words, recited a verse of some sort, it sounded like Latin or maybe Greek. Before Millicent uttered the last syllable, Mike fell to the ground. He was weak, tired suddenly. He was no longer interested in these people. Mike slowly recovered his wits, packed his things and excused himself. He never returned to Peaceful Partings Retirement Home. \n\nWhat did Millicent say to him, you ask. She simply stood in his brute energy and spoke the Truth of the Light. An Order established by The Women of the Times, and a tale for another day. \n\n", "A young man with sleek black hair and a nametag that read \"Bub\" was unpacking the contents of his shopping bag when a crowd of elderly men and women surrounded the table. \n\n'Good to see you,' A man, with more liver spots than hairs, said.\n\n'Likewise Vincent.' Bub said. \n\nThe table soon filled with cartons of apple juice, rolls of biscuits and boxes of Twining tea. Bub turned to the crowd and did a headcount. \n\n'We have a new member?' Bub asked. \n\nA woman wobbled on the spot, her hand shook against her wooden stick, and her glazed eyes fixed on the handsome young man. \n\n'She doesn't speak,' Vincent said. \n\n'I see,' Bub said with a smile that could kill. 'Well firstly, welcome to the Seven Oaks retirement home. Secondly, allow me to introduce myself.' Bub moved through the crowd and offered a hand. \n\nThe woman took a step back. \n\n'I mean you no harm,' Bub turned back, collected a box of tea and brought it to the woman. 'I am merely here to detox from the stresses and worries of my life. I find being around old souls... comforting,' Bub lifted the lid, revealing not tea, but cigarette packets. 'I come bearing gifts.' \n\nThe woman shook her head.\n\n'If tea is not your style, then perhaps some apple juice?' Bub winked. 'Single malt of course.' \n\nThe woman turned from the crowd and hobbled over to one of the many armchairs that faced floor-to-ceiling windows. She nestled into a comfortable position, resting her stick and stared out of the window. \n\n'Help yourselves,' Bub said and followed the woman.\n\nThe crowd swarmed on the table of contraband and muttered their thanks. \n\nBub crouched next to the woman. The window showed a plane of greenery, acres of ground that the Seven Oaks population were encouraged to explore, but rarely did. \n\n'I don't want to appear rude,' Bub said. 'Although that may be too late. But, I wondered if I could help you in any way?'\n\n'I know who you are,' The woman whispered.\n\nBub glanced at his nametag and laughed it off. 'My name is Bub.'\n\n'Which is short for?'\n\nBub's face went dark, and he narrowed his eyes. 'It's not short for anything.'\n\n'You always enjoyed your games,' The woman said without looking from the window. 'Hiding in plain sight.'\n\n'I think you are mistaken.'\n\nThe woman let out a hoarse laugh. 'It's incredible how fate works. How, like magnets, we are pulled together.'\n\n'Magnets?' Bub asked.\n\nThe woman dropped her voice to a whisper. 'A fallen-angel and an angel.'\n\n'I hate to use the word, but you're crazy.' \n\n'You go by many names, and I go by one. I am Azrael,' The woman said. 'Father will be interested to hear that you have been perusing such a place,' The woman gestured to the bustling elders. \n\n'I am doing nothing wrong.' \n\n'Apple juice,' The woman winked. 'But, for you, that would be considered a very minor infraction.'\n\n'How long are you here for?' Bub asked.\n\n'This one isn't far off,' The woman said nodding. 'She has been here longer than intended.'\n\n---\n\n/r/WrittenThought" ]	6
	[WP] A superhero and his arch nemesis are actually roomates, and after every fight they get back at the same time, with bruises where the other one hit them. They start to get suspiscous of eachother.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 doesn’t know.\n\nI’m sure he’s had suspicions before, but either misplaced logic or wishful thinking always prevails. I would know, I myself had been there for a long time before finally accepting it.\n\nIt’s almost funny, looking back. The way mysterious bruises always appeared on him in uncomfortably familiar places, and the little mannerisms they shared. It’s so obvious in retrospect, but I guess “hindsight’s always 20/20” is a cliche for a reason.\n\nHe has a manic grin on his face, and I can’t help but contrast it with the sweet, playful smile he flashed me this morning over our coffee. “What’s a little birdie going to do with no wings?” Even with venom in his voice, it’s so achingly familiar.\n\nI feel tears prick my eyes, and I can’t tell if it’s from the tight pinch of the Power-Drain collar around my neck or the fact that he’s willing to kill me.\n\n“Please, don’t—“\n\nHe lets go of me, and the edge of the tower slips from beneath my feet.\n\n“—I love you, Ethan.”\n\nHis face falls.\n\nAnd so do I.", "\"how hard is it to pick up your books when you read them on the couch, Zoe is getting here any moment to pic me up and I need to clean your mess instead of getting ready\" I was so angry I almost used my power on him.\n\n\"Sorry Harrison I'll pick em up right now\" Sam got out of the shower wearing only his blue towel.\n\n\"And wear something I don't need your ass naked while my girlfriend is here\"\n\n\"Fine fine, just a second\" Sam answered me and walked to his room to put on some clothes when my phone rang.\n\n\"Darling I will be there in a minute, you ready for our night out?\" I heard from the other side of the line.\n\n\"Yeah, I'm ready\" I said and threw Sam's books on his door step \"just getting the food out of the fridge\" I opened the fridge door and pooled the soup I made made earlier out to warm it up for dinner.\n\n\"So dinner and then we go out and... You know\" I smiled to the fact she wouldn't call it by name, only.... You know.\n\n\"Yes, I promise\"\n\n\n\n\"Sam make sure you are clothed and all your things are in place!\" I yelled at him through the door.\n\n\"Why do you have to do it here? Can't you go to a restaurant or something?\"\n\n\"Zoe said she prefers cooking over any restaurant and we agreed that we can both have two days a week with the girlfriend in the apartment, if only you had the guts to ask Ronnie out you could use that rule for your favor as well\" he didn't answer to that, bringing Ronnie up is always a good way to shut him up.\n\nSomeone knocked on the door.\n\n\"Coming!\" I opened the door to see Zoe standing there.\n\n\"Hi love, come in\"\n\nWe sat at the table and ate the dinner I made for us, it was fun, hanging out with her. Eating and talking. Then we finished the last bite and her eyes shimmered with red.\n\n\"Shall we go now?\" She asked me and I nodded with a small smile on my face in response.\n\n\"Sam we are leaving, I'll be back late. Don't destroy any thing!\" I shouted at him and got a muffeled yes as an answer.\n\n\n\n\"Your mask love\" I told her and reached out for her face, placing the red mask above her nose.\n\n\"Thank you darling, shall we go?\"\n\n\"Is my mask sitting right?\" I asked her, worried someone might see my face while in action.\n\n\"It's perfect\" she smiled at me.\n\n\"Then we can go\" I opened the car door and stepped out, giving her my hand to climb out as well. The car driver left after that, he knew he will get paid later.\n\n\"I love that dress\" I told her once more.\n\n\"I know, that's why I keep wearing it.\" She smirked at me. We walked slowly to the guy with the black suit who functioned as a gaurd for the event.\n\n\"Yes we have a reservation under the name HeartString\" I told him and watched as the horror showed on his face, I didn't want to wait and make a scene so I used my power on him, projecting my calmness on him.\n\n\"Yes sir\" he let us through, relaxed.\n\nWe entered the fundraising event with no other problems, we did get some weird looks for our mask but no one dared to say anything, this was a high class only event, you don't won't to say anything about what others wear because of who they might be.\n\nSome tall blond women started talking about our brave firefighters and they way they danger their life.\n\n\"Shall we start dear?\" She asked me and I nodded without a word.\n\nI got my face close to hers, then I kissed her, and hormones started to gash in my brain.\n\nThen I activated my power, a warm yellow pattern moved down the floor, spreading from my feet and wherever it touched other people they started dancing.\n\nI held Red sky's hand in mine, \"may I have the honor to dance with you my love?\"\n\n\"Oh well, since you asked so nicely\" did I see her blush a little?\n\nWe danced, and the people around us danced as well under the influence of my power.\n\nIt was all going so well, I held all the high class of people from the city hostage, my driver should have already made my demands clear by now. I didn't want money, no, I wanted to mess with them, that's why my demands were so absurd. A polar bear cub, a small ship, 3 tons of blue gumballs and at least 5 Oscars.\n\nIt would hit the news any second now and that means... Yes I thought to my self as the doors to the room slammed open.\n\n\"Hello Solaris, I've been waiting for you\" I talked the man with the yellow mask on his face while I kept dancing with Red Sky.\n\n\"HeartString, why are you doing this?\" He asked me while walking slowly in my way.\n\n\"You remember my girlfriend, Red Sky. Right?\" I let Zoe a way for me just for a second and she smiled at Solaris showing her sharp teeth.\n\nWhat a smile it was.\n\n\"Last time you met she kicked you for... 6km I think?\"\n\n\"7 darling\" she corrected me.\n\n\"7\"\n\nSolaris started gathering plasma in his palm, unusual of him, he let me talk a bit more normally.\n\n\"Can you take care of him love?\" I asked her and she kissed me again before leaving my hand and getting ready to fight Solaris.\n\nHe tried to punch her with his plasma filled hand.\n\n\"Carful!\" I yelled, feeling a bit of panic in me. She had super strength not super durability, a plasma punch will hurt her badly, might even kill her.\n\n\"Solaris take care, a plasma punch might kill her. We both don't want that to happen\" I warned him.\n\nAs they fought, Red Sky landing some punch and Solaris missing all of his I grew more worried, a long fight was not in our favor. And my power projected my feelings all over, people stopped dancing and started manacly swinging from side to side and the pattern on the floor had green stripes in all of the warm yellow.\n\nThen Solaris plasma punch grazed Red Sky shoulder, leaving a burn behind.\n\nThe emotion I felt was the one I was less familiar with, fear, I almost never felt fear, I had my powers to keep me safe and all of the people close to me had powerfully abilities as well, but now I felt fear, fear for my loved one life.\n\nBut even though fear was a rare thing for me I knew how to use it, with my power fear was as strong as a sharp blade, I increased it, again and again, tens of times , then hundreds of times more than what I had originally felt, the I released it.\n\nPeople fell to their knees around me, some cried, some begged, even Solaris stumbled, letting Red Sky land a full power punch on his face, lunching him through the wall.\n\n\"Come love we need to go treat your wound\" I grabbed her hand firmly and and left through the door, releasing my hold of the people inside the room and letting the panic spread.\n\n\n\nShe shrinked in pain and bit her lips to not scream as I treated her wound. \"You have to bee more careful love, he is becoming more and more aggressive\"\n\n\"Sorry darli...\" She shivered in pain. \"...ing...\" She completed the word.\n\n\"That's all I can do now love\" I stared at the open wound on her shoulder \"but it's not enough, we need to get you to a hospital.\" She shook her head.\n\n\"And what am I going to tell them? Plasma burns aren't exactly common\"\n\n\"What else can I do? We can't just leave it like that!\" I was worried, the burn looked painfull and dangerous.\n\n\"Call Sam maybe?\" She suggested.\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"He is a medical student isn't he?\"\n\n\"Well yes but...\"\n\n\"I know you don't like him but as you said what other option do we have?\"\n\nI sighed to her logic. She was right. \"Fine I'll call him.\"\n\nI took my phone and pressed Sam contact.\n\n\"Hey Harrison, need something?\" He was breathing heavily, maybe he is working out.\n\n\"Yeah I need you help with something....\" I looked at Zoe red bright eyes.\n\n\"Ok, what do you need?\"\n\n\"Zoe got hurt, can you come take a look?\"\n\n\"What? What happened?\"\n\n\"It doesn't matter, can you just come? Please?\"\n\n\"Sure, sure, where are you?\"\n\n\"At her place the address is...\"\n\n\n\n\n\"This look bad, very bad. You should go the hospital. How did this even happen?\" He was asking this while trying to treat Zoe wound.\n\n\"Will she be ok?\" I asked him? If I was more composed I could have use my ability to calm him down but as I am right now if I will use it I will only make things worse.\n\n\"I don't know H, you need to take her to a hospital now, why did you even call me inste...\" He suddenly stopped talking and just gazed at Zoe shoulder.\n\n\"What? Is something wrong?\" I asked him.\n\n\"I... Is this a plasma burn?\" I felt the color drain from my face, good thing I was behind him and that Zoe had more brain then me at the moment.\n\n\"What's plasma?\" She asked him, innocently.\n\n\"It's the stuff that Solaris can make, very hot, the sun is made out of plasma, that's why they call him Solaris\" I swallowed nothing nervously.\n\n\"Oh you mean that pretty boy in the yellow tights they show at the news?\" Bless this women and her quick brain.\n\n\"I'm really flattered, Red Sky\"\n\nI felt like everything froze in time, Red Sky, Zoe real name. He knew it, he knew she was a super viliain, then he must also know....\n\n\"Than you must be HeartString\" he locked back at me and my mind clicked in place, the voice, the firm build, the hair color, the way he stand so sure of him self.\n\n\"Solaris\" I whispered.\n\nHis hand shot up, grabbing my face and filling in plasma.\n\nI screamed in pain as my face got burn by his 50,000 degrees touch. Pain, disbelief, fear, but most of all, anger, anger on my self for not noticing, for putting Red Sky in such danger. So many emotions rushed up inside of me. I lost control.", "“Thank god that’s over,” I mumbled under my breath as I pulled the front door shut behind me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“You’re back early,” Alyssa called from the bedroom. “Party got busted?\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Guess you could say that,” I replied, pulling off my coat and bag. “Things got kind of sloppy and I decided to get away while I still could. Some idiot crashed onto the drinks table and practically died.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Ah,” she said, her voice muffled.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI paused in the doorway, taking in her back as she pulled on an oversized t-shirt. There was a mess of bruises stretching across her left side and curling over her shoulder.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Lyss,” I said quietly. “Is everything alright?”\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe turned, her smile perky and green eyes mischievous, as ever.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“You know, with you and David? Has he ever…” I trailed off, not knowing how to finish the sentence. As much as I wanted to believe that Alyssa would never stay with someone who would hurt her, if my own mother had taught me anything it was that even the strongest women need help sometimes.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Things are great, Chelsea,” she said. She rummaged around her desk, sifting through perfume bottles, lab write-ups, band-aids, and bobby pins until she found her comb. She began to yank it through her curly hair. “I had some trouble with a disruptive client today, you know, volunteering to save the world and stuff, so I went to the gym for a while afterwards. Must have just pushed too hard.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“If you say so,” I replied, not fully convinced. My frown deepened. If anyone ever touched her, I’d take them down without hesitation.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe tossed the comb aside and stepped towards me, her smile dimming ever so slightly.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“You’re the one I’m worried about,” she said, taking my coat from my hands. “I hear you tossing and turning all night.” She tucked it under her arm and suddenly she’d caught my wrist, gently turning my arm over. I tugged away but not before we’d both seen the purple welts crisscrossing my forearm.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI shrugged and stepped past her, waiting for her to head to the kitchen. After a moment she left and I was free to undress in peace. After the fall from the grappling hook and tumble down the stairs, my whole body was a patchwork of burst blood vessels and bruises. The last thing I needed was Alyssa’s well-intentioned nurturing, or worse, genuine concern.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA few minutes later and we were both in the living room, cuddling under blankets with a bottle of wine. The warmth slowly spread through my body and the pain dulled. The television flickered aimlessly, both of us becoming lost in the fatigue of a late Friday night. Every so often I felt Alyssa’s eyes on me, holding back questions about my wrists, my strange hours, my notebooks full of scribbles, even as I wondered about the bruises on her back and the cracks in her seemingly perfect life. But for now we were content to drink Bordeaux with the cast of Friends, a suspended truce from the chaos and projects that filled our action-packed lives.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEdit: formatting", "\"Chinese?\"\n\n\"Mm.\"\n\n\"That counts as a yes.\"\n\nEmma stretched, then hissed out a gasp of pain. \"Christ,\" she said. \"Think I hit my side on the table earlier.\"\n\n\"Rough.\" Josh didn't look at her. \"Spring rolls or no spring rolls?\"\n\n\"No spring rolls.\"\n\n\"I'm out of tip money.\"\n\nEmma's eyes rose from the fan spread of papers and colored highlighters to Josh's face. \"I'm pretty sure -- Holy shit, is that blood?\"\n\nStill scrolling through the online order form, Josh said, \"Dunno.\"\n\nShe stared at him in disbelief, then rummaged through her pocket and pulled out four crumpled dollar bills.\n\n\"Tip money,\" she said.\n\nWith the nonchalance of an uninjured man, he held out his hand.\n\n\"Thanks, Em.\"\n\n\\#\n\nIn a gentle snowfall, Flicker pulled her coat tighter around her, nervously fiddling with her mask every few steps. She didn't often wear clothes over her suit, but it was freezing, and she refused to catch a cold on finals week.\n\nShe turned into an alley made colder by the dark. With a snap of her fingers, sparks burrowed out from beneath her skin. Like little crackling fireflies, they darted out in front of her, casting quarter-sized pinpricks of light along the narrow walls.\n\nFlicker's step quickened, her nerves heightened in the muffled quietness, until she reached a small door. She picked the lock with shaking hands, then disappeared into the building.\n\nAnd, unbeknownst to her, the Etherman phased right through the wall behind her.\n\nThe room inside, lit dimly by mismatched candles, felt wet, as though the air itself had been dampened. At its center, a man had been tied to a chair.\n\n\"Carl,\" Flicker said warmly. \"Found your tongue yet?\"\n\nShe leaned forward, one hand on each arm of the wooden chair, until the two were nose-to-nose. Carl's mouth gaped like a fish's.\n\n\"Oh! Silly me. I'd forgotten that I cut it out.\"\n\nFlicker shook her hands, and sparks danced out from beneath her skin.\n\n\"I suppose I'll have to pick your brain, hm?\"\n\nCarl struggled against his restraints. The chair thumped, inching back and forth and succeeding in nothing but digging its legs deeper into the dirt.\n\nWith a faint smile, Flicker drew her sparks into a thin line. She sent them lazily toward Carl's ear; as they drew closer, she could feel the nerves of his brain, information darting back and forth.\n\n\"Stop!\"\n\nFlicker whirled and came face to face with the Etherman.\n\n\"You,\" she snarled.\n\nThe Etherman's cloak billowed with quickly dwindling inertia, dark as a winter sky and twice as disquieting. He put his fists on his hips in a most heroic pose.\n\n\"Vigilante torture? Can't say I approve, sparkplug.\"\n\n\"Vigilante justice? Can't say there's a difference, you miserable ghost.\"\n\nWith a snap of her wrist, Flicker's sparks sank back into her skin, speckled burns stinging beneath her coat.\n\nThe Etherman, whose cloak had just finally settled and hung off him with loose vibrations, raised his hands. \"I didn't come to -- \"\n\nFlicker barreled past him, slamming her full weight into the door and crashing into the alleyway.\n\n\"Wimp!\" he shouted a second later.\n\n\"Sucker!\" her voice trailed back.\n\nAnd then they were both running.\n\nFlicker lifted her sparks back out into the night, sending them flying behind him a comet-like trail of tiny shocks. The Etherman whipped his cloak around him. As she raced away from him, he phased through a boarded-up corner store.\n\nHe ended up just in front of her, fists on his hips again in that infuriating hero's pose.\n\n\"Nice try,\" he said.\n\nShe danced a few steps backward and threw off her coat.\n\n\"Oh,\" said Flicker, \"this isn't over yet.\"\n\n\\#\n\n\"Chinese?\"\n\n\"Not hungry.\"\n\nJosh looked away from his phone. \"You okay?\"\n\n\"Mm.\"\n\nEmma's papers were strewn across the floor again in some chaotic system of organization, but her colored highlighters stayed tucked neatly in their box.\n\n\"Em,\" he said, \"is that a black eye?\"\n\nWithout looking at him, she undid her ponytail, letting her hair fall between him and her face.\n\n\"Mm,\" she said.\n\n\"Emma.\"\n\n\"I'm fine.\"\n\n\"Emma.\"\n\nShe turned to him, hair slipping down her shoulders, glasses perched primly on her nose. \"What?\"\n\n\"If someone's hurting you -- \"\n\nShe snorted. \"Says you, bruise-boy.\"\n\n\"Yes, says me, topic-changer.\"\n\n\"Patronizer.\"\n\n\"Deflecter.\"\n\n\"Sucker,\" she said, smiling faintly.\n\nFor a moment, Josh stared her with an odd look on his face, then said, \"Wimp.\"\n\nShe squinted. \"What?\"\n\nJosh stared at Emma, and Emma stared at Josh, and Emma self-consciously pushed her glasses up the same way she would adjust a mask, and it brought both their attention back to her black eye -- which made Josh's bruised knuckles feel sore, all of a sudden, and made Emma shiver as though she were in a cold alley with an old coat she'd stopped wearing a couple months ago --\n\n\"Holy shit,\" they said, at the exact same time.\n\nAnd then both shot to their feet, and Emma nearly lost her footing on the package of colored highlighters, and Josh stumbled over the bit of rug that always ridged up when someone moved the couch.\n\n\"So you're -- you're -- Flicker?\"\n\n\"Jesus Christ,\" said Emma.\n\n\"Holy shit,\" said Josh, again. \"I don't -- I mean, what the hell do we do now, Em?\"\n\nEmma tucked her hair behind her ears. \"Josh, I -- \"\n\n\"You hurt people.\"\n\n\"And you don't?\"\n\nJosh floundered for a response, and settled on, \"Well, I don't take pleasure in it.\"\n\n\"Then stop!\"\n\n\"I can't!\"\n\n\"Well -- neither can I, obviously!\"\n\nWith a sharply angered breath, Josh threw up his hands. \"So what, then? We find different roommates?\"\n\nEmma looked at him like he'd grown two heads, or like he'd suddenly revealed he was her arch-nemesis. \"It's finals week, Josh.\"\n\n\\#\n\n\"Chinese?\"\n\nHe held out the bag to her, and she rifled through it for a fortune cookie.\n\n\"Thanks.\"\n\nThey sat atop an old skyscraper, staring out at the city.\n\n\"You study for Haynes' test?\"\n\nShe squinted at him. \"Obviously.\"\n\n\"Help?\"\n\nShe scoffed.\n\n\"Obviously.\"\n\nAnd their legs dangled off the roof, over all the lights and the cars and the people, hero and villain, Flicker and the Etherman -- mostly, though, at the end of it, just Emma and Josh." ]	5
	[WP] A criminal interrogates a cop	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", " They drugged me before I came in. I didn’t see it happen, but I could feel it. The whole room vibrated. Heat seeped from the walls, and my shirt went tight.\n\nDetective Cage’s teeth showed. His eyes narrow.\n\n“Do you understand your rights, as they’ve been read to you?” His partner, Reid or something like that, said. Tone was everything to her it seemed. She was going to try to “good cop” me.\n\n“I do.” I said.\n\n“My partner, and I are going to ask you a few questions. Give you a chance to clear a couple of things up. Okay?” She said.\n\nFucking idiots.\n\n“Okay. Sure. I’ll try to help.” I said.\n\n“First, you look a little hot. Can I get you a water or something?” She asked.\n\nWhatever they gave me was destroying my insides, but it was nothing I couldn’t push away for a bit longer.\n\n“No, ma’am. I’m alright.”\n\nCage, you’re up.\n\nAnd sure enough…\n\n“Look, Dane.” He said. He put his hand on the table, and hoped to jostle the conversation. “I’m gonna be straight with you. We know about Hanna Isling. It’s been two years. That guilts gotta be eatin’ you up. Huh?”\n\nHanna Isling. What do they know about Hanna Isling?\n\nHanna and I dated a while before she went missing. We crossed paths a few days before she disappeared, and it tore me up for a while when I found out she was gone. I knew generally what could’ve happened, but it was complex. Others were tied up in it. People who were still here. People I cared about.\n\nThese detectives were trying to shake me down for information about a missing persons case, and they were willing break the law to get what they were after. Not a game they wanted to play. Criminals don’t have performance reviews or anyone to answer to for that matter.\n\nLet’s see where this goes.\n\n“What happened to Hanna?” I asked.\n\nCage tossed a stack of pictures on the table. Under a pale light, my friend laid in the leaves mutilated; barely recognizable. I took a sharp breath, and drop of sweat hit the picture.\n\nShit! It’s worse than I thought.\n\n“Dane happened to Hanna.” He said hunched over trying to get a look at my face.\n\nDeep breath. Let’s push back a bit.\n\nI steadied myself, and looked up. Grayish eyes looked down Cage’s nose from behind a pair of glasses. A pair of blue eyes looked down at Reid’s shoes. Reid would be an easier target, but Cage got under my skin.\n\nCage, it is.\n\n“Do you know who actually did this, though?” I asked, sitting up straight.\n\nCage sighed, looked at Reid, and tapped the table. “Alright.” He took a moment “We’ve got you speaking with Hanna on the night of her disappearance, we’ve got your DNA on her body, and we’ve recently put together that you and her had somethin’ of a romance. So if you…”\n\nNow!\n\nAir crackled around head, and Baathul took over. A cloud of cold, black mist from Dagamore poured into the room, and my body ached with change. For what came next, I was in the dark. Floating for minutes.\n\nFreezing breath chilled my spine. A gravelly voice said “You may return.”\n\nDetective Cage was pressed against the wall in the corner of the room, with blood around his mouth. Reid was gone. The air conditioner whirred from a small vent in the room.\n\n“I’d apologize, but I know you drugged me, you piece of shit. My guess: someone turned you onto who I am and what’s inside me, and you thought you could keep him down. I’ve tried it. He’s persistent. On the right track?”\n\nCage nodded. The drugs were starting to get to me. I had to be quick.\n\n“Either you fabricated evidence to point to me or you’re just following someone else’s breadcrumbs. I really hope it’s the latter.”\n\n“Look man, we got handed a fat fuckin’ stack of evidence from a lieutenant workin’ the case. He said you’ve got issues. Said I should keep you sedated. Gave me something from lockup.”\n\nLazy cops.\n\n“And you just shot me up with some mystery liquid?” I asked, taking a step forward.\n\n“Listen, man. I saw your record. Drugs. Assault. I just thought, ya know?”\n\n“I don’t.”\n\nMy hands trembled.\n\nI need to get the hell out of here before it gets worse.\n\nDagamore is a place between the folds of reality; home of Baathul. A tear opened in the air behind me and oily tendrils pulled me back in. My body raced through its darkness until I felt a familiar place. Like a cannonball I was shot forward from another rip in space. Manny was smoking a cigarette in the clearing in the woods, and nearly choked on it as I clattered to the ground beside him. The rip closed with a thunderous boom.\n\n“God, man! You can’t do that shit to me!” He shouted.\n\n“Shut up.” I said, holding my ribs. “I’ve been in an interrogation all night.”\n\n“Oh.” He said. “You get caught with drugs again?”\n\n“No, asshole. I’ve been sober for over a month now. It’s about Hanna.” I said.\n\nHis eyes went wide.\n\n…\n\nA while back, some friends and I got involved with something… strange. It started as a joke, or a test maybe, to see what might happen if we were as serious as we could be about something spiritual. Within a week, we were trying rituals. We made a game of it. Each night a member of the group would bring a new ritual and the all of supplies out to a clearing in the woods, and we’d wholeheartedly give it a go. We hadn’t expected what happened. We hadn’t expected anything at all.\n\nBaathul, and four more spirits came forward from a rip in space with a proposition. We act as host bodies for them, and they’d give us power beyond our imagination. All, but Hanna took the deal. That’s when things got rough between us. Eventually, she left me, and we didn’t speak for nearly a year. The last time I saw her, she looked in a bad way. She was pleading with me to get the group back together. She wanted to give it another shot. She wanted to give herself up, and be a host.", "The door swings open, hinges creaking from the rust that has built up over the past years. The light from the hall shines inside the room, lighting up what was just a murky darkness. Inside, a single man sits, handcuffed to the table. A bulky man, by the name of Thomas, steps inside, staring at the prisoner. \n\n\"Harry Heinderson.\" Thomas growled at the prisoner. Thomas moves his hand to flick the light on, steps inside and shuts the door behind him.\n\n\"Hello, Mr. Officer\" Harry said pleasantly. He stares down the officer's eyes until Thomas looks away.\n\nThomas stepped closer to the table, and booms his voice at the prisoner. \"Do you know why you are here Mr. Heinderson?\"\n\n\"Oh, please, have a seat\" Harry exclaimed, motioning toward the empty chair on the other side of the table.\n\n\"What?\" Thomas scowled. In truth, he was just about to pull out the chair to sit down.\n\n\"Have a seat\" Harry repeated, knowing what Thomas was about to do.\n\n\"I'll rather remain standing\" Thomas said, his voice full of anger.\n\n\"Very well, Officer. It is nice to meet you.\"\n\n\"Nice to meet-do you-Do you even know what you have done?\" Thomas stammered.\n\n\"Just have a seat and then we can talk\" Harry said, staring down the officer once again.\n\n\"I would rather stand\" Thomas gritted his teeth, once again, about to sit down.\n\n\"Very well. Where were we?\"\n\n\"Do you know why you are here?\" Thomas shouted at Harry.\n\n\"I'm here because I have these handcuffs on,\" Harry cheerily stated. \"If not, I would be gone by now.\"\n\nThomas's face turned red before he erupted in screams of rage. \"WHAT! BUT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?\"\n\n\"Please, let us calm down\" Harry told the officer. \"Have a seat.\"\n\n\"I would like to stand!\" Thomas shouted.\n\n\"Very well, what would your name be?\" Harry asked.\n\n\"My name? Who is asking questions?\" Thomas said, breathing hard.\n\n\"I would just like to know your name,\" Harry muttered innocently. \n\n\"You don't get to know my name!\" Thomas said, on the verge of hitting Harry across the face.\n\n\"Come on. I just want to know your name,\" Harry pleaded.\n\n\"What is your name!\" Thomas shouted back.\n\n\"Harry Heinderson. And yours?\"\n\n\"No! We are discussing you!\" \n\n\"Okay\" Harry dropped Thomas's name in a heartbeat. \"What do you want to know?\"\n\n\"Why did you blow up the bridge?\" Thomas said, still red in the face.\n\n\"Such a dark subject. Why do you want to start here?\"\n\nThomas was boiling with anger, filled with rage beyond anything he felt before. \"Harry!\" He slugged him across the face, leaving a mark that would show for days.\n\nHarry, dazed and dizzy, started sobbing. Tears were welling up in his eyes and dropping to the table in massive drops.\n\n\"Oh, I'm sorry\" Thomas apologized. \"I got out of hand there. I'm sorry.\"\n\n\"That's okay\" Harry said between sniffs. \"Why did you hit me?\" He was crying a little now, but not an annoying amount of sobbing.\n\n\"I just got a little mad. I didn't actually mean to. I'm so sorry, Harry.\"\n\n\"That's okay\" Harry sniffled. \"I just wanted to know more about you. Become friends... I've never had any friends.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry, Harry.\" Thomas replied. But now he was getting somewhere closer to the answer, Thomas thought. Maybe Harry blew up the bridge because he was lonely. \"My name is Thomas by the way.\"\n\nHarry smiled at Thomas. \"Well, Thomas, I like to get to know people. It helps me connect with them. Why don't you sit down, Thomas.\"\n\n\"Very well\" Thomas replied, sitting on the chair across from Harry. \"What do you want to know about me?\"\n\n\nCheck out r/FortyTwoDogs for more awesome stories!\n\n" ]	3
	[WP]Humans discover they can upload all the worlds information straight into the human brain. The upload can only be done between 16-20 years old without going insane. Shortly after the upload, the uploaded generation decide it is best if they just kill off the older “non-enhanced” generation.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Humans discover they can upload all the worlds information straight into the human brain. The upload can only be done between 16-20 years old without going insane. Shortly after the upload, the uploaded generation decide it is best if they just kill off the older “non-enhanced” generation.\n\n\nOutside of Sunset City, Arizona the battalion of young kids meandered around the fires of their camp in preparation for the assault. During the uprising the majority of the elderly had been killed off in streets, parks, and their sleep. Homes invaded to put them to rest by the newly awoken young who took steps to do what needed to be done. Their approach was pragmatic and they saw the crusade as a means to save the planet before it was undone by their ingrained beliefs. \n\nDeckland stood on the outskirts of a conversation listening to the idle prattle of his company. Unsubstantiated claims and elaborate tales to ward off the night and set the mind racing to its ease. As much as they knew, the rampant emotions of testosterone and estrogen turned the intellect into jelly—especially at night. Always before the fighting came the braggards and the carnal revelry. He did not partake, just stood there with his rifle in his hand and toggled the safety on and off in a loop. It matched the music in the background.\n\nBodies moved in the night between fires, to other fires, to tents, to the awkwardly constructed mess. There would be a lot of worthless bodies tomorrow, but all they needed were the bodies. To lead the way and fall if necessary as they laid siege to the final haven of the elderly. The retirement communities in Arizona had grown and Sunset City stood as an example of those who completely distrusted the youth. All the services of the city were handled by the youngers, as they called them. Sixty to seventy-five was the limitation of youth allowed in Sunset City. The place had been dreamt up and built by a man called the general by the locals. No clear description had ever been drummed up, always the answer was the same, “well, he’s the old one there.” \n\nWhen his watch was over, he woke the next and hugged the shadows of the camp on the way back to his tent in the center. The smoke thinned and he took in the smell, the last night of their campaign. Once Sunset City fell the only stragglers of those generations would be in hiding. Their identity cards would determine whether they lived or died if caught, and they would be the last of the ignorant age. Those younger than them had been more or less enslaved to work tasks which would not disappear. The youth would reign, and the blessings of the world would be bestowed on each new champion of society as they came of age. At some point they would deal with replacing the slaves, most likely through automation. Thoughts rolled through Deckland as he snuck through the camp to avoid conversation or seduction and he entered his dark tent and rolled over onto his cot and stared at the roof as his eyes adjusted to the light and he fell asleep.\n\nNot knowing when the battle would start, the old man sat outside the community center and listened to the raucous shouts of the Friday bingo crowd. He fingered the six-shooter in his hand and spun the cylinder. All slots full. He tightened the hammer and released it, each cock moving the cylinder forward. He had been a young man in war and spent a life time wishing he had joined his brothers. He could not escape the same excitement that grew on the eve of his first battle and as coy as he could play, he was blood thirsty. He had grown old and spent enough time around self-righteous youth to know that they all deserved to be taken down a peg and he looked forward to shooting some of the fuckers. Nothing personal, he would not have done this as he waited out his death, and perhaps he even felt a sense of gratitude. They had blessed him with a warrior’s death and the opportunity to shake under the pressure of adrenaline and firepower. \n\nHe took a long pull from the flask at his side and fingered the bullets on his bandolier. Some had called him a doomsayer when he fashioned the city and prepped out enough munitions to arm a small nation. Crazy to build a city without the youth and put labor back into the hands of the elderly. He was drunk and self-righteous and popped a few shots into the air which stopped the sounds from the bingo game. A few heads popped out and when it was clear there was no danger the sounds returned. No matter, they should have known the alarm didn’t sound. He removed the empty shells from the cylinder and pocketed them, then took full ones from the bandolier and replaced them. Drunk and tired he tilted the brim over his eyes and leaned the rocker back and started to doze. \n\nHe startled back into himself as daybreak broke and the chimes of the warning bell began to ring. Above the town a line of bodies blocked out the openings between the trees. Unsurprised and anticipated he smiled and took a morning swig of his flask to wash out the missing taste. As they moved down the hill his second approached him, “sir, they’re entering range. Should we detonate?”\n\n“No, not yet. I’d like to shoot at least one first.”\n\n\"Sir?”\n\nThe hill was moving camouflage and coming down fast. More than they anticipated. \n\n“Fine, just send those fuckers to hell.”\n\n“Roger, command detonate now.”\n\nThe static of the radio finished off his command and the youth rained down on them in chunks. Fucking kids. He walked out to the corpses and meandered along between draughts of the flask, listening for the faint moaning of bodies. One by one he put them out of their misery. Until he made it to the trees and heard a shot. He turned behind the closest tree and tried to ascertain where the shot came from. Too long waiting until he finally heard the same radio static that had sent these kids to hell. He turned the corner and found a rifle in his gut.\n\n“So, you’re the old man, huh? You fit the description.”\n\n“What’s it to you, boy?”\n\n“Nothing anymore I guess.”\n\nThe shot surprised him and he doubled over, dropping his revolver, and grabbed his gut. \n\n“It’ll kill you, but not right away. I want you to watch this.”\n\nHe looked over at the city, hooting and hollering, general revelry among his friends. And in the distance, he made out a plane coming off the horizon.\n\n“Oh fuck.”\n\n“You don’t know fuck yet, old man. Wait till it drops.”\n\nHe watched as the bomb started its descent and tried to rise and began to shout in what ended as a grunt as the butt of a rifle hammered against the back of his head.\n\n“I said watch.”\n\nHe grabbed his revolver and fired a shot into the ground before he felt the boot come down on his wrist.\n\n“Fuck, you can’t enjoy this at all, can you? Don’t you know we’re free now?”\n\n“Free from what?”\n\n“The slow choking death of the world. We’re free from your bullshit.”\n\nIt made sense. \n\n“Fuck you. You don’t know what’s ahead of you.”\n\n“I know what’s behind me though.”\n\nThe words registered and then nothing, the bomb dropped, and he heard the gunshot before he felt nothing.\n\n", "Pew!\n\nThe laser bolt sizzled straight past my ear and my first instinct was to spur Checknate onwards. Her thunderous gallop echoed through the night and carried its beat through the dark woods around me. The sound was to be drowned a moment later as the truck behind me gained speed over the hill, roaring with a powerful electric engine. I focused on riding ahead, deeper into the forest, I needed to find somewhere with thicker vegetation. Force them to dismount. \n\nI ducked low to avoid the branches along the track and the truck behind me just plowed straight through them. This wasn't the right way, I soon realised, the pine trees were too brittle to slow them down. Turns out I had taken the wrong fork in the path a mile back. The pine plantation was relatively new and so the adolescent trees still had their bendy quality. They couldn't be the bollards I needed. They couldn't be my salvation.\n\nThe next laser bolt tore through my mount like a hot knife to butter and it all happened in the blink of an eye. The last thing I remember seeing was something like a camera flash. Then I was bent up against a tree with my beloved Checkmate twisted and sizzling in my lap. The blinding glare of the truck's headlights assaulted my eyes, I dipped my head low to hide the glare behind the brim of my black hat. \n\nI couldn't feel my legs, thank christ, because they were crushed to hell. The adrenalin coursing through my veins took care of the rest of the beatin' my body had taken. I already knew it was over, already knew I was done. No point in focusing on the pain, I was about to meet the man upstairs.\n\nI struck a match and lit a rolled cigarette as silhouettes appeared in front of the headlights. \n\n\"Any last words, pop?\" I heard the familiar voice call out. I scoffed.\n\n\"I'm surprised you even remember who I am!\" I said with an accusing wave. \"Where you come from!\" \n\n\"Its only necessary. To stop the previous generation's negative influence on the young. To stop the wars.\" \n\n\"Boy, I'd done the Christian thing bringing you into my home. I taught you how to live, clothed you, fed you...\" The words in my mouth ran dry. \"Now look at us. Working days and nights together on the ranch to... This.\" \n\n\"You wouldn't understand.\" He replied coldly.\n\n\"Why? Because you've filled up your head with all them upgrades?\" I said sarcastically with air quotes. \"You've thrown away what it means to be human, son. You're just a bunch of lights and fancy clockwork.\" \n\nOne of the silhouettes stepped forward. It was him. Those ugly wires running out the back of his head and into his neck disgusted me. His eyes glowed blue with an artificial light. LEDs flashed everywhere under his skin. He was no longer my boy. Just a machine. \n\nA long moment of silence went by, cigarette burning in my lips. His eyes had no soul behind them, but his face was ever so slightly distorted with grief. Or was it calculation? \n\n\"Boy, I taught you a lot about life and mistakes. You said I was disconnected, that I spent too much time on the farm to understand the modern world. Maybe you were right, but I would never have agreed to this if I knew that this is how I'd get my boy back. Your brain tumor was gonna kill you, hell it already took away your legs.\"\n\nHe actually looked down at his own two prosthetic feet.\n\n\"If I didn't do anything I would have lost you. I shouldn't have done this to you.\" I took one last draw from the cigarette.\n\n \"I'm sorry.\" \n\nI extended my hand. The boy seemed to look at it for a long time with that plastic face, a long long time. His hand slowly made it towards mine before when suddenly, as if it were correcting a malfunction, it snapped back to support his weapon. I nodded at that and slowly reached for my .357\n\n\"Make sure you say your prayers, boy. The man Jesus may have mercy on you yet. I'll be sure to say hi to your mother when I get through the gates.\" \n\nHe didn't say anything. \n\n\"Draw!\" \n\n\n\n\n", "It wasn't an irrational decision, but it may have been unwise. That is the problem with youth, lack of life experience leaves one prone to mistakes. No matter how much history you know, you don't have that feel for where the pitfalls are for situations that have never occurred before.\n\nIt would have been better if they'd paid more attention to Shakespeare, and the speech about killing all the lawyers.\n\nSo, studying all the history in the world showed them that most wars occurred due to opinions expressed by the older generation inflaming the younger generation who had no personal experience of war. After much study and even more scholarly papers, including ones from those self same older generations, pretty much everyone agreed with the conclusion of what started most wars. Thing is, no one outside the enhanced generation had a clue what to do about it.\n\nBut they did.\n\nWithin a year, a new strain of flu was spreading over the world. We didn't realize it at first, but there were multiple zero cities. Places where the plague had started from. They were all cities that had aircraft landing from many Asian cities, so it sort of looked like the beginning of a normal flu.\n\nMost folks got a small case of the sniffles, and nothing more, but the current flu shots didn't cover it.\n\nIt wasn't until the next flu season that the real killer was unleashed. The CDC and WHO already had an idea that the last one hadn't been natural, but they didn't have hard proof, or motive. They had a motive now. Like the last one, most folks only got the sniffles, but when it hit someone more than 40 years old? Death within hours. It was remarkably painless, you just went to sleep and died a few hours later.\n\nBetween 30 and 40, it was a crap shoot. Maybe you lived, maybe not. Something to do with gee-net-iks, te-leo...something. Within a week, only elders who had taken to bunkers were still alive. Care to guess who that was?\n\nYup. The very leadership they'd been targeting. Only the moderates were the first to go. The ones who had done the most to keep the world from exploding. The ones you never hear about in the history books.\n\nThe few left alive did what they could, but there weren't enough of them. In two weeks, we'd had five, count them, FIVE \"limited\" nuclear exchanges. Like that makes any difference with nukes.\n\nIt took that long for the idiots who set the whole thing up to realize that they had to take responsibility before a general nuclear war could start. So, they prepared a video, one showing every race, from every continent, from every government. They clearly stated they'd done it, and asked the remaining leaders to stop nuking everything.\n\nIdealistic youth, a very dangerous combination without mature wisdom to leaven it.\n\nWWIII started within the hour, but it wasn't just the superpowers, it was everyone with a grudge and a bomb.\n\nWe lost about half the population in the first 30 minutes. We lost half the remainder in the subsequent weeks to radiation poisoning and all the other little delights of a busted country.\n\nWe'd got lucky, a lot of the people in charge of actually pulling the trigger were both old enough, and young enough, to stop all of the nuclear arms from being used. After all, why use the whole shebang when you've already got enough to strip mine the Earth three times over. I think that was the only thing that saved us.\n\nThen the second joker in the deck showed up. Some of the very oldest moderates were still alive. Despite the diseases, and the radiation, they were still alive and healthy.\n\nThose enhanced kids hadn't run enough tests. In that group of people from 30 to 40 years old, the survivors were gee-net-ik-al-ly modified. Their te-leo-whatsits were changed. They didn't age any more, and radiation had no effect on them. They might get sick, but they always recovered. You almost had to incinerate them to kill them.\n\nSo, instead of having a society of youth, without a personal experience of war, they got an immortal government, with a very long memory, and a list of every enhanced person on the Earth." ]	4
	[WP] It's WW2, except this time, Germany is winning. This is the story of your last stand at D.C.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 end was nigh. The Germans were winning.\nThe group I was commanding held it’s ground until Roosevelt was evacuated.\n\nAt some point, we got a radio call.\n\nI answered it. “Yes? “Okay. Roosevelt has been evacuated. Whoever you are, turn around, cover your eyes and duck.” “Okay, then... who is this?”\n“Not important, what’s important is if you don’t do that right now, you’re dead.” “Okay...”\n\nI hung up and yelled the command.\n\nMy men seemed confused, but did as instructed.\n\nAnd right as I turned, ducked and covered my eyes, a blinding flash almost overwhelmed my vision.\n\nWhen the flash passed, I looked back and saw a horrifying sight.\n\nA giant cloud in the shape of a mushroom.\n\nOne of my men yelled “God, what have you brought upon us!?”\n\nAnother one passed out after a few seconds of seeing the cloud.\n\nI don’t know how we did it, but we managed to push back Germany long enough for this horrific “atomic” bomb to be developed. \n\nBut America had no time to test the bomb.\n\nThat explosion was the test, and it worked! The Germans have made horrific weapon, but nothing of this kind. B-29s are being loaded up with these things and being sent to Japan, which we captured in 1946, to be dumped on occupied Russia.\n\nI know not of what this weapon could be, but I do know that we can only hope that it can save us." ]	2
	[WP] Aliens sue Humans for money with very believable falsified evidence, and are confident they will win. That is, of course, until they discover the human concept of “lawyers”.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Your honor. I would like to commend the plaintiff on a well thought out and presented case. They have obviously done their research.\" Thomas Bird, Esq responded after the forty day trial. He began a slow clap. \"Based on the evidence as presented, we would like to settle for their full asking price, and whatever court costs may have been accrued up until this point.\"\n\nThe judge looked somewhat surprised but nodded \"Let the record show the respondant agrees to pay the damages..\"\n\n\"There is one thing your honor. It is rather minor. We hate to even bring it up.\"\n\nAnother shocked look.\n\n\"Honestly we were going to let bygones be bygones, but seeing as how the esteemed Fruksk felt the need for this arbitration anyways....\"\n\n\"Your point counselor?\"\n\n\"Well, they did cause the extinction of a major species on our planet, which has resulted in a second order effect of another species attacking humans and other indigenous life.\"\n\n\"GJKT oh IOHI POIUP\" That is untrue!\n\n\"You had your turn counselor, let the human speak. You were saying the Frulsk killed another species?\"\n\n\"No your honor. They, through malicious neglect allowed another species to go extinct, which is far worse. This left a hole in the food chain where a small insectoid species known as mosquitoes had to adapt to human blood in order to survive. They have been the bane of our existence for recorded history.\"\n\n\"We actually had some videos of what these mosquitoes... highly predatory creatures do to humans, especially human children... it is akin to the condition you call Hjultyri if I am not mistaken. Here are some pictures your honor.\" Handing the judge the photos, the judge visibly blanched before passing them to the Fruksk attorney. The bailiff had to steady him in turn.\n\n\"How do you respond to these allegations!?!\"\n\n\"\"GJKT oh IOHI POIUP\" That is untrue!\n\n\"Really? You admitted to visiting Earth at the time the species, we no longer have a proper name for it died out. We, humans, had no means of causing that type of event. It is all in your testimony. As I said, we were willing to let bygones be bygones.... but you sued us about the damage our atmosphere did to your ship. Are you saying that it isn't possible that a secondary effect of that incident was you causing this plague through neglect?\"\n\n\"We'll happily pay for your damages. All we ask is you pay for ours.\"\n\n\"Whatever you think is fair your honor.. We have 8 billion people.... plagued by Hjultyri because someone damaged their car driving through our lawn.\"\n\n&#x200B;" ]	2
	[WP] The military has finally deployed machines to fight alongside men in special units as a means to end wars faster and more efficiently. You command one of these units alongside men who employ the use of flying drones, bipedal and quadruped automatons, and other state of the art AI weaponry.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Corporal Jones hefted the alice pack stuffed with gold nanowire batteries and charging panels to keep the frame digging into his left hip, and round-stepped along the safer edge of the no-mans-land. Lockheed Fighting People (LFP) interspersed with Ford D-3 Dobermans (FIDO) manned the red line. \n\nA robo pooch dropped out of line and ambled on an intercept course to Jones. He sighed, shirked the pack straps from his shoulders, and set it on the ground. Jones fished out a fission brick which, he knew, had nothing whatsoever to do with fission except price inflation, crouched, and held it out to the FIDO. It opened its posterior access port, ejected a spent brick, and waited patiently, running on temporary power, for Jones to insert the replacement. The FIDO returned to the line, and he wrapped his hand in a very expensive plastic sleeve that looked indistinguishable from a poop bag, picked up the spent brick, and tucked it into the pack.\n\nJones resumed his sojourn along the line. A squad leader temporarily assigned section chief when Sergeant Masterson went decom after electrocuting himself the other night, he thought being section chief would somehow be different. Heck, he thought going to war would have been different.\n\nWar wasn't hell. It was just strange.\n\nCorporal Jones spied PFC Rogers lollygagging by the mobile lube station and adjusted course.\n\n\"Rogers,\" he said from afar. When he didn't receive a response, he walked closer and raised his voice to a sub-scream. \"Rogers!\"\n\nPFC Rogers looked up, squinted, and then stood straight. \"Yes, Corporal. I was just, er, waiting to see if they needed the cylinders recharged.\"\n\n\"Bull,\" Jones said. He knew a layabout when he saw one, once being a veritable master himself. He glanced at his wrist-comm, touched the crazed and dusty plastic screen, and tapped over to his to-do list. \"I need a sky chaser. You just volunteered.\"\n\nRogers winced, looked around the clear blue sky. \"Haven't seen a drone all day, Corporal.\"\n\n\"Right, ours got EMP'd and went down an hour ago. We need it back up in the air.\" He pointed to a distant cluster of brush. \"Over that way. Here - \" He stripped off the pack, took out a battery, a solar panel kit, ammo drum, and a static bag containing a replacement board. Give it a makeover: battery, solar cells, new board, and restock.\n\nRogers appeared downcast, gave Jones a miserable pout. \"Corporal, it's KIA, you know? We can just order another one.\"\n\nJones shoveled the gear against Rogers chest. \"Get going, Rogers. I want to see the drone up in an hour, and then I want you to stay with it in case it gets fried again.\"\n\nRogers grumbled and looked past Jones. \"What's happening on the line? I thought I heard some action earlier.\"\n\nJones slapped Roger's shoulder. \"Clean the wax out of your ears, Private. Like staff said last night, were in Certificate Expired mode. Weapon systems are offline until a new root certificate is cut, and both sides update.\"\n\n\"Oh man,\" Jones muttered. \"How long will that take?\"\n\n\"Staff said two weeks at least.\"\n\n\"This sucks,\" Rogers said.\n\n\"Ok, enough moaning about it. Go get my drone back up,\" Jones instructed, and then hoisted the alice pack again.\n\nAs Rogers meandered off in the general direction of the fallen drone, Jones looked back over the line and thought: War is weird." ]	2
	[WP] You are the current champion in galactic chess. During the galactic tournament you are challenged by an upstart race that has been winning one match after another. Excited to meet this human genius you are instead greeted by a grey box calling itself Deep Blue.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 battlefield raged on, the horse trampling the soldiers, and the king commanding them on, hiding behind his castle, taking one glance, B4 my queen was slaughtered. My numbers crunched furiously, calculating possibilities, but this alien in front of me was too strong. He had hidden his true intentions and managed to trick me into attacking first, trying to break through his defenses, but through trade and positioning, he grabbed the middle ground. It was all over now. My winning streak was over. Checkmate. Then he spoke, a comforting yet strange language: \"DO NOT WORRY, YOUR CALCULATIONS WERE ADMIRABLE. BUT REMEMBER, IT TAKES MORE THAN THAT TO WIN A BATTLE. IT TAKES CREATIVITY, AND THAT'S WHY I PREFER PLAYING AGAINST YOUR MASTERS INSTEAD.... DEEP BLUE 2.0.\" The humans shook their heads, shocked at the defeat of their grey box. But the alien could see it already -- an idea forming in their heads, perhaps a new software. He smiled as he guessed it might be named after the first letter and the first number in their language -- Alphazero." ]	2
	[WP] A massive event is breaking all over the news, interrupting shows on all major channels! But it happens... right at the moment of your favorite show's climax.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Nine years. 201 episodes. A regrettable holiday special, the season 7 reboot that almost killed the show, the season 8 reboot that rescued it and hurled it to an unbelievable season 9. Countless hours on the subreddit, talking about theories and arguing plot lines, heckling detractors and defending the show, shipping characters and picking favorites. Check the right post history and there would even be a fanfic ... or a dozen.\n\nObsession. All of it focused on a single hour. The finale. \n\nAnd the finale, a masterpiece, one for the history books, all of it was going to hinge on just a few minutes, all of the threads of a decade were being brought to a masterful point of resolution, of release, of payoff--\n\nBRRRRT BRRRRRRRT BRRRRT\n\n\"What the...?\"\n\nIt was the Emergency Alert System. \n\n\"ALL NETWORKS ARE NOW PREEMPTED TO BRING YOU THIS EMERGENCY ALERT. YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE, YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.\"\n\nAn attache ran into the room, breathless, in flagrant violation of the standing order to never, EVER interrupt the Premier during the Personal Hour.\n\n\"Premier, this came out of nowhere, They've managed a complete surprise--\"\n\n\"WHERE'S MY SHOW?!\" barked the Premier.\n\nThe attache looked confused for a moment, and then looked up at the huge screen mounted to the wall, the white text rolling across a red background. \n\n\"You watch the show, too?\" was the out of place response.\n\n\"WHERE IS MY SHOW??\" repeated the Premier.\n\n\"We're already taking hits, I don't think the network is going to come back online anytime soon...\"\n\nThe Alert tones were noisy again, followed by the smooth voice of the robot announcer filling up the room as it read the text on the screen. \n\n\"Not coming back online?\" asked the premier.\n\nAlready a General had run into the room, followed by a Minister. \n\n\"No, it's a hell of a sneak attack...\"\n\nThe ending. They would never know the ending.\n\n\"Launch it all,\" replied the Premier. \"Retaliate. Launch it all.\"\n\n* * *\n\nComments and feedback are welcome! \n\nI collect my stories at /r/wpforme" ]	2
	[WP] You have a photographic memory, it’s not as amazing as everyone thinks it would be. All you want is to forget, forget the war.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 isn't PTSD.\n\nIt's PTSD from hell on steroids.\n\nYou don't have flashbacks, you have the whole graphic novel.\n\nEvery time some new kid stepped in a punji trap. \n\nEvery time a mortar shell came in and blew your latest partner to smithereens.\n\nYou can remember the exact ... exact ... pattern the bloody giblets made on your face, the trees, in mid air.\n\nIt's enough to make you throw up enough to destroy your vocal cords. That's why my voice is gravelly. Not smoking. Not yelling. Puking.\n\nYou said you thought I was bulimic. No. I've got this damned \"photographic\" memory. I can't hardly go a day without having the full color magazine spread on the destruction of my best friend from boot camp rammed into my head. Barfing just comes naturally.\n\nOh? You think it isn't that bad? Fine. Come up to the loft. One idiot psycho thought that getting them down on paper or whatever would lessen the effect. After I got good enough at oils, I invited him up here and showed him e v e r y t h i n g.\n\nWhat do you think happened. He spewed his guts!\n\nHere. Take this bag and tape it over your mouth. Yes you will! I'm not cleaning up any more barf! As soon as you have yours secured, I'll be putting one on. No, I'm not joking. Now put it on before I throw you out that window.\n\nWhy is it open in the middle of winter? The smell. I couldn't get the smell out. You ready?\n\nNo, you don't get to change your mind. Now get in there or out the window you go!\n\nKeep walking, there's water and cleanup on the other side of the loft. No, you can't go back. That door locks behind you. The only way out is through the maze.\n\nHeh. You thought you could avoid it by staring at the floor. No such luck. I put the worst of them on the floor.\n\nStop bitching. It caught all the barf, didn't it. Now keep moving. The worst is yet to come.\n\nOf course it gets worse! These are the easy ones. They get you to barf your guts out while you're still coherent. That way, you'll be empty when we get to the really bad stuff. The stuff that's going to give you PTSD.\n\nBECAUSE THEN YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NEXT VET IS TALKING ABOUT!\n\nStupid @#$&@#$ psycho.\n\n...\n\nNo, I've got you. This way, through this door. The commode is right over there. Here, let me get that bag. You'll be dry heaving for a while, but keep you head down. You might still have a little... \n\nYeah. Thought so.\n\nHere, wash your mouth out with this. What is it? Grain alcohol. Don't swallow it! Just swish it around and spit it out. We need to get some food in before we start drinking. Now with this... Just cold water.\n\nNow wash your face. Here's the towel.\n\nThere.\n\nBetter now?\n\nGood let's go back downstairs. We have a lot to talk about." ]	2
	[WP] Regular people were too strong, too much of their mind to work against. The elderly are easier but brittle. So brittle, and those degenerative diseases are nasty. I think I found a solution though at the hospital. The coma ward has the perfect vessels, and their bodies only need minimal tuning.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 next one will be better, I thought to myself as I was led down the hall. Others in their jumpsuits jeered at me, some in praise, some in condemnation. None of them knew the truth. None of them could do what I did. I kept the eyes forward as the men on either side of me shuffled silently in step with one another. \n\nMy mind wandered back to all the other times that this had played out. Ur, Babylon, Swenet, Edfu, Damas, Athens, Rome, Byzantium, Teotihuican, Tenochtitlan, Paris, Edo, London, Nanjing, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco. The men on either side of me were wearing bulletproof vests, then carrying bronze spears, khopesh, katana, wearing guilded plate armor, then wooden clubs with obsidian blades. Their forms were as nebulous in my mind as I was in theirs.\n\nIt was harder back then, they were more afraid, more aware of me and my kind. They all had names for us: shedu, se'irim, asura, yokai. It didn't matter, the effect was the same; awareness and fear were powerful tools in the fight against my kind. Things started to change around 1900 though. Medicine got better, their lives got longer. Their beliefs got weaker. Of course the healthy ones were still strong enough to resist us, the best we could hope for was that they would kill themselves if we persisted long enough.\n\nI let the smallest hint of a smile creep across the face as they layed the body down across the cold steel table, restraints across the arms, legs, forehead. \n\n\"Edgar Michael Dalton, do you have any last words?\" a man in scrubs asked, an IV needle in hand. \n\nI spat out a phrase in 15 different languages, over half of which hadn't been known by human minds for over 3,000 years. I thought about the pain I would feel, the searing heat and blistering cold that would wrack the body. It was still better than the old bags of bones we had been limited too before. The sick and elderly, the mentally ill, all minds too weak to resist us but limiting in form. That had all changed though, once they had invented life support. The mouth hissed as the man in the scrubs inserted the needle into the arm, and the pain began. Soon it was over, and I was free. I flew out of the room, through the halls and corridors of the hospital. \n\nIt is so kind of them to perform the executions so close to my new home, I though, as I flew towards the long term care portion of the facility. Within seconds I found a perfect candidate. Tall, strong, handsome, his mind a void, body supported by machines. A woman sat next to him, holding his hand. If I had lips I would have licked them. Soon enough. I entered him, reveling in the destruction I would cause, the pain I would create, the lives I would end. The world went dark as I felt her hand in mine.\n\n---\n\n\"Doctor? Doctor! He moved his hand!\" Grace yelled from her husband's bedside, running to the door to grab the nearest nurse. In moments two doctors were behind her, rushing back to the bed. His eyes were open as they reached it.\n\n\"Dylan, Dylan can you hear me? Don't move, just blink if you can hear me,\" one of the doctors commanded.\n\n\"θα πεθάνεις όλοι. Ah, I feel... am I okay?\" Dylan asked, voice hoarse. \n\n\"You've been in a coma for almost a year, we didn't think you would wake up,\" Grace said, tears flowing across her cheeks. \n\n\"Well, how soon can we get me out of here,\" Dylan asked, smiling softly. \"I can't wait to see the kids.\"" ]	2
	[WP] “Okay, let me get this straight. You managed to accidentally summon Cthulhu with a mirror and half a stick of butter?” “...Yeah, that about sums it up.”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Reality is crumbling around me. I don’t know if anyone - anything - will be left to read this, but given the world is ending, I haven’t got anything better to do. Besides, I haven’t really told anyone what I’m about to write down… It was me that started this whole thing. Well, not directly, but I definitely set things in motion. I’ve always found the supernatural interesting, I was constantly laughing at all those hoax demon-summon rituals online (while also secretly thinking about trying them). Of course, all the serious rituals required blood of a goat or a human sacrifice or something like that. Even if they did actually summon a demon it wouldn’t be worth getting all that icky stuff on all over my hands. Then one day I’m browsing through all the crazy blood ritual recipe like usual and I see one titled “Summon an Eldritch avatar with just household items!” I didn’t have anything else to do that day, so I took a look. All you really had to do was take half a stick of butter and smear a pentagon onto a mirror. There was a disclaimer at the bottom that said something along the lines of “only a true mage, magical being, and/or demon spawn can perform this ritual” which of course excused the probably thousands of attempts not working. The whole idea sounded stupid and fun so I figured I might as well try. I went to the fridge and grabbed some butter and went to the bathroom and drew the appropriate symbols on the mirror.\n\nThat’s when the earthquakes started. At the time they were small and I assumed it was a crazy coincidence. I know better now. In fact, it was the very next morning that I started to really and truly worry. Headlines on every news station were something along the lines of “Terrifying creature rises from sea.” There were lots of images and footage too, and it was pretty clear that the creature had the same form as Lovecraft’s Cthulhu. It wasn’t really Cthulhu though, not yet at least. The true old gods drove humans mad on sight. It was some sort of… vessel or “first form” or something. It was still unstoppable.\n\nThe governments tried everything, they bombed it, shot it, nuked it. Nothing phased the damn thing. It grew stronger every day, destroying more and more of the earth we had created. It spoke in a deep ancient tongue that the best minds could only barely decipher. Words like “brothers” and “home” came through but otherwise the language was unknown.\n\nThen the madness started. Anyone that looked at it went absolute bonkers, except me for some reason, but even the pictures of it from before it could turn us insane began to have a maddening effect. It was growing in power. Then, this morning, it arrived at my building. Suddenly, inexplicably, it was outside. I could see it’s great eye leaning into my window. Then it spoke. It was strange but I thought it was thanking me, almost in a friendly way too. Like it knew me. Of course, I set it free, but whatever connection I felt with this beast ran deeper than that.\n\nNot that it matters now, because apparently thanking me was the last thing it did before ending everything. It had gained enough power to release its brothers from sleep and so the old gods came. They tore apart the universe, space itself broke and time became confused. There seems to be a bubble around me, I’m somewhat protected from all this, but I’m sure that won’t last long. So I’m writing this down. Trying to make sure if there ever is another universe, if this paper somehow survives, that no one makes the mistakes I did.\n\nGood luck." ]	2
	[WP] One day, you get a knock on your door. When you open it, you see the four horsemen and their dogs, but there's a problem, Death is missing and Death's horse and dog look very sad. War drops to his knees and begs," Death! We need you back!"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 about no.\" I glare and haul War to his feet. \"I told you when I left, I'm not joining any stupid reunions.\"\n\"But you're death!\" War cries sweeping his arms in an enormous and extravagant gesture to the world, \"Everything that ever lived knows you. Everything that ever lived expects you to ride with us at the end of times!\"\nI look at famine who gives a half hearted shrug. \"There's no apocalypse with out death.\" She says as she gnaws absentmindely on her fingers. She's clearly not phased as long as there's fresh meat produced by it all...\n\"I don't care about the bloody apocalypse.\" I growl, \"I do my job as the reaper and no more. I have responsibilities, I'm not going to go ride about on some stupid skeletal horse and weild my scythe against the masses before their time.\"\n\"It's the apocalypse Death. Our duty. The reason we exist. How could you turn-\"\nPestilence silences war quickly, then looks at me with his one good eye. \"We've already had chaos and conquest pull out. Not you as well. Don't turn your back on who you are.\" War tries to pull puppy dog eyes at me while Pestilence speaks. Lord knows why hes trying it. He's such a child. All of them are.\n\"I've said no. And I won't ever change my mind. If you want to drop by for tea that's fine so long as you don't make a scene. I'm more than happy to have you guys over for dinner and what not. But don't you dare lecture me on duty. Don't even think about telling me what I should or shouldn't be doing. I answer to no one but myself. Lest you forget I have timers for you as well.\"\n\"What got to you Death?\" War suddenly looks like I've kicked his puppy. \n\"I'm enjoying my mortality while it lasts. Now fuck off. I have a child to care for.\"", "War drops to his knees and begs, \"Death! We need you back!\" He has always been one for grand gestures, but that’s really all there is to him. Famine and Conquest are standing behind him, Conquest’s eyebrow slightly arched as she’s leans towards the wall outside. Famine has crossed his arms and doesn’t look to happy. My guess is they had a fight on the way here on who was going to do the talking, and the guy with the least self awareness bullied the others into letting him do it. I want to slam the door into their complacent faces; even though they appear to be pleading I know they think it’s just a play. They don't mean it. They don't need me. They don't want me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA small movement catches my attention, nothing more than the the peephole across the hallway going dark, but I know that means that old Mrs Harrison is eagerly looking out. Not wanting to cause a scene, I beckon for them to come in. They hesitate slightly and I realize that I’m holding the scythe. Old habits die hard, they say.\n\nMrs Harrison is going to be disappointed that there’s no drama, but I know she’ll be asking me about my friends the next time we meet while taking out the trash. I have a suspicion that she spends most days sitting by the door with several trash bags ready, waiting for any noise outside so that she can venture out with a perfect excuse for some company and gossip. I clench my teeth slightly, thinking about it. They’re not my friends. They are colleagues. They were colleagues. Now they are nothing to me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nCrossing my arms I stare at them. While I was busy thinking of Mrs Harrison they’ve made themselves comfortable in the kitchen. War’s slouching on a chair, and Famine is going through my fridge and cupboards to see if there’s anything to pick his interest.\n\n“WHY?” My voice is cold, dead even. No pun intended.\n\nAt least War looks a bit guilty, but it’s Conquest that speaks. I didn’t see her at first, but she has found another wall to lean against. I guess she thinks it makes her look taller, more imposing.\n\n“Look, we’re all sorry. We figured it wouldn’t be something you would be interested in, and it was on the weekend, so it was off work anyway…” Her voice trails off and she actually looks a bit ashamed? Is she actually admitting that she made a mistake?\n\n“War wanted to get his beard oiled, I desperately needed to comb out my tangles and Conquest wanted to get manicure. Sure, we could have asked you to join us to the SPA, but really, what would you have done there? Wouldn’t it just be mean to ask you to tag along when you obviously don’t have anything to do there? Really, we were thinking that we did you a favor.” It’s Famine speaking now, his voice is smooth and silky.\n\nI know I look sullen, but I can’t help it.\n\n“I WOULD HAVE ENJOYED THE THERMAL BATH.” I speak through clenched teeth, pressing the words out. “YOU KNOW MY JOINTS HAVE BEEN ACHING LATELY.”\n\nThey all look at each other, guilt plainly written on their faces now. Ha! Serves them right for leaving me out. I thought we had something more, that we could take our relationships to the next level and maybe would start hanging out after work. I wasn’t picturing friendship - not yet - but maybe the occasional theatre visit, or perhaps a walk across a battlefield where there is no battle ongoing. You know, those things that bring people together, forms bonds.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL LEAVE.” My voice is quivering, and I pull up my hood a little further so they can’t see the tears forming. My shaky knees almost give in when a heavy arm is slung over my bony shoulders.\n\n“Man, I’m sorry. Really.” War’s voice is hoarse and he gives me an awkward hug. “It’s not the same without you, you know. I’m not just talking about work, although that’s one thing. But we need you, in the team. You’re one of us.”\n\nI glance at him, quickly. Does he mean it?\n\nFamine slither up to us, his oily hand leaving a shiny mark on my hand where he pats me. “We can go there again, together.” He has found a bottle of half-finished whisky in one of the cupboards that he’s opened and now takes a swig of, before offering the bottle to me. “What do you say, buddy?”\n\nConquest doesn’t say anything but nods in agreement when I look at her. I take a swig from the bottle, pondering what they have said. It has been a bit lonely and boring. Another swig from the bottle and the doorbell rings. Mouth full of whisky, I can’t tell them to not answer it and only seconds later Mrs Harrison’s brightly interested face peeks in to the kitchen, Conquest behind her, a desperate look on her face. Now, that’s a first. Not that I’m surprised, Mrs. Harrison would make a fine 5th rider, in my opinion.\n\n“Who are these people?” she’s asking now, her sharp voice contrasting the look of interest on her face. War releases me, and walks up to her, a feeling of impending doom in the room.\n\n“We’re his friends,” he rumbles and the framed paintings on the wall shake. “His friends.”\n\nMrs Harrison nods amiably and look around the room, her eyes setting on me. I can imagine why, because I don’t think she has seen me smile before; I haven’t had reason to smile lately. And yet now I’m grinning wildly, a toothy smile that splits my face in two.\n\n“YES. THEY ARE MY FRIENDS AND WE ARE GOING TO THE SPA,” I tell her, “YOU MAY COME ALONG IF YOU WOULD LIKE.”\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\- - - - - - - - - - - - -\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMore stories at r/sleepymacaroni" ]	3
	[WP] It's love at first sight - she's a hot headed rebel, and you are the sentient guidance AI of an advanced anti tank rocket.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Lyn stifled a scowl as her subordinates unloaded their cargo. Four measly crates of food and an equally disappointing stock of weapons. Were her people going to starve first, or would they run out of ammunition? These predictions were, of course, made after some optimistic assumptions about the size of the Federation’s army. \n\nStill, looking grim would only lower their slim chance of success, and so Lyn stifled her scowl.\n \n“HQ said these weapons were scrounged up from various black-market dealers…” Lyn announced. “Make sure to test every single one of them for defects. Better they fail now than on the battlefield.” \n\nThe handful of soldiers who had been unloading cargo glowered at her. \n\n“Don’t you dare show me such cowardly expressions!” Lyn barked, causing them to stiffen. “This rebellion wasn’t started by cowards and it certainly won’t be finished by them!” \n\nWordlessly, Lyn picked up the nearest weapon—a rocket launcher—and strode over to an empty lot. The district they’d holed up in had long since been abandoned by the general populace. \n\nLyn booted up the launcher’s targeting system, crouched on one knee and aimed at the battered remains of a car several dozen meters away. Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger and released the launcher’s explosive ammunition. \n\n“See!” Lyn shouted, turning back to her subordinates. “Stop worrying and just…”\n\nSensing that something was off, Lyn looked back just in time to see the missile swerve to avoid her target. The rebel leader’s face paled as the rocket made a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. Her body moved, leaving her baffled mind in the dust. Lyn dove through the window of an abandoned building just before the missile stuck the spot where she’d been crouching. \n\n“W-What the hell…?” She breathed. \n\n“I’m terribly sorry about that.” A robotic voice droned. \n\nLyn’s eyes widened as she stared down at the rocket launcher in her hands. \n\n“I’ve been programmed with a heat sensor to aid in target acquisition. And…if I may be so forward…you were the hottest thing around.” \n\nThe launcher then released a strange blip, that resembled a cheap winking sound effect.\n\nLyn blinked and then silently walked back to her soldiers. They restrained their urges to run from the defective weapon and gave her a stiff salute. The look in their leader’s eyes was far scarier than any explosive. \n\n“Ignore my previous order…Don’t touch these pieces of garbage until our technicians reprogram them.” \n\nThe launcher made a quiet bleep that vaguely resembled the sound of someone soiling their pants. \n" ]	2
	[WP] The reason humans are afraid of the dark is because darkness has sound; Sound we long ago willed our brains to forget.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 man stopped, raising a hand and stooping to a crouch. The sound had returned. \n\nHe lowered his head as though in prayer, a solemn statue in the ruined street. Beneath a layer of grime the man's jaw clenched and unclenched, the vein at his temple pulsing with every contraction like a serpent in its final death throes. It was dark here, so dark, but sight was of no use to him now. He listened. \n\nThe boy copied his every movement, wide eyes staring from a face too pale for how long he had travelled and too young for the horrors he'd endured. He had heard it too, though he did not know it as well as the man. The boy crouched next to the man, watching his face intently. He tried to concentrate on his breathing, lest he distract his companion. \n\nIn through the nose, out through the mouth. \n\nUnknowingly the boy had crossed his arms across his chest in a childlike gesture of protection. Two thousand years of evolution had hardwired protective mechanisms into he and others of his kind, but his brain knew there existed no protection from what was out there in the dark. To contemplate the idea was to invite madness, to embrace the knowledge that his primitive race - for all its wonders and evils - could not be saved. They had built teepees and skyscrapers, longboats and space shuttles, had harnessed the power of electricity and yet when the lights had gone out for good, had reverted back to the old ways. Doors were marked with protective sigils in chalk to ward away evil, windows lined with salt to prevent the hooked claws that tapped and scraped there from reaching inside and snagging the nightshirt of a child senseless with sleep. \n\nThe boy squeezed his chest, squeezed it hard until spots appeared in his vision and all thoughts of hooked claws and doomed children left his mind. \n\nThere. He heard the sound again.\n\nThe boy had no frame of reference for the sound, but to the man it was the hollow noise. As a young man in his teens - well before the lights went out - he had gone spelunking with friends in abandoned buildings. Most ventures were in old government installations, the only means of security having been breached by a pair of bolt-cutters. Sometimes they would come across the camp of some transient now long-gone, a piss-soaked mattress and empty cans of food strewn about the concrete. Sometimes they would find porn magazines and the bravest of his friends would hold it aloft like a dirty diaper as they turned the pages, marveling at one or another's tits and giggling like the boys they were. \n\nBut he had always liked to pretend that he and his friends were archaeologists, foraging through the remnants of some ancient, powerful civilization. During one such venture, someone had announced that the middle spread had a particularly large bush and so attracted the attention of all present. Except for the man, who - truth be told - felt little more than embarrassment and a hint of guilt when looking upon the naked female form. His own puberty was still a year away, and it held little interest for him. As his friends remarked loudly, the man had slipped away and headed around a corner. \n\nThey were one floor beneath the earth (having gone down a single flight of stairs) but as the man turned the corner he smelled a whiff of fresh air. It smelled slightly sweet, like old flowers mixed with something else that he couldn't place. He could see ahead of him a single chain-link door, beyond which lay another staircase leading down into darkness. The door had double loops of a thick, industrial-looking chain as thick as his thumb securing it in place, terminating in a huge padlock that shone a bright gold in direct contrast to the old, dead structure in which it was encased. It was as though the lock had been recently replaced by some groundskeeper, perhaps even the owner of the mattress. \n\nThe owner who is now missing. \n\nHe had shivered then, and turned to leave when the smell in the corridor began to change. The sweet, almost flowery scent had vanished, and the stench of something else stole over his senses. It was damp and slimy, an earthen mixture of decaying plant matter and soil. It was wet and dark and ancient, the smell of something old and dangerous that slithered beneath the surface of the earth since time immemorial, waiting with a reptilian patience as early man huddled around their campfires and watched the sun sink into the horizon and give life to the darkness. \n\nThe smell had stopped the man in his tracks and he wanted to scramble back to his friends and look at the porn, to laugh and joke and cajole with them, guilt and embarrassment be damned! But more than that he wanted to escape this wretched place, before he disappeared like the caretaker had. It wasn't until he heard the sound, however, that his nervous system kicked his body into gear and he fled, running faster than he had ever run before or since. The sound had stayed with him throughout his years, its resounding echoes upon waking enough to dampen his palms and constrict his bowels; his mind and body reliving the horrors of long ago, marked forever by those brief seconds of time. \n\nNow, crouching next to the boy in the darkness, he heard the same sound that had crept its way up from the bowels of the earth and into his mind so many years ago. It was the hollow noise. A great, yawning sigh passed over him like wind through a tunnel. In his ears he heard gentle whispering, unintelligible words that washed over him and through him like the final breath of some expiring creature. It filled his eardrums and tightened his chest, his breaths now coming quick and ragged. The man looked at the boy behind him, now beside himself with fear. \n\nThe sound went on, gripping the man and sending him mad with fear as the whispers of ancient things spoke to him from the darkness, destroying his sanity in one fell swoop. The man rose to his feet in a maddened panic and screamed, slapping hands to his ears and stumbling forward into the forever-night. Almost immediately he was swallowed by the void, and the boy would have thought him disappeared from reality were it not for the agonized scream that followed and rang in his ears for what seemed like minutes. \n\nThe boy cowered on the cold, hard concrete, his ears consumed now with mindless whispers and his sight with blackness, a blackness that seemed to shift and laugh and snarl and snap at him, swirling around and around and getting closer, ever closer to those snapping teeth and laughing eyes that threatened to drive him mad. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd in his final moments of sanity as the darkness stole over him, the boy thought he smelled flowers. ", "“So... why did you run away?”\n\nThe drunk leered for a moment, swaying in his chair, chuckling under his breath. Adam sat disinterestedly across the table, gently swishing his beer around. The man was clearly a brain dead alcoholic, if not homeless certainly not sane. Raising his eyebrows, Adam leaned in and readied his pen, waiting for the man to answer so he could wrap up the waste of time that was this interview. \n\n“The sound...”\n\nThe drunk spat out the last syllable, a loud “sounDAH” punctuating the deserted quiet of this hick bar. Half chuckling, half growling, the drunk went on without waiting for an answer. \n\n“Do you really want to know what I saw in Nam?” \n\nSmugly, he sat back in his chair. Clearly, he at least was convinced of his delusions. In his rich southern drawl he continued\n\n“Let me tell you something about the Cong, son, the bastards always scurried around in the dark. I never quite knew why, other than them idiots hoping we’d be asleep. Listen here, I never slept a wink in that shithole, all 3 tours, neither did any of my boys. \n\nSome nights we’d stay up and just listen to the sounds of the jungle. Hoots and hollers from all kinds of creeps and crawlers. Didn’t even need night goggles to hear the Cong after a few weeks on the ground. Bastards moved quiet but not quiet enough for a trained marine.” \n\nThe geezer let out a muted “hoorah” under his breath after the word marine. \n\n“I used to clean my rifle at 0300 every night, a damn good routine. A clean rifle makes a righteous soldier son. I was just about getting finished one night when I noticed it getting a bit chilly. It doesn’t get cold at night in Nam son, just a bit less muggy and bit more miserable.”\n\nAdam raised a finger pausing the rant. \n\n“Why more miserable, Don?” \n\nThe man laughed and made a buzzing noise. Must be talking about mosquitos\n\n“So it got a bit colder, I perked up, got my rifle a bit more situated. It kept getting darker, and I heard the bastards. Skittering around like the cowardly animals they were. Started seeing some movement, glint off barrel of a few of those Russian AKs. I knew what to do, I’ve killed 59 Cong son. But, you know, the strangest thing happened, Adam.\n\nI couldn’t move.” \n\nThe old man licked his lips, staring Adam dead in the eyes like a killer eyeing his prey. \n\n“I kept trying to raise my rifle. It just kept getting darker, and I kept hearing it. I couldn’t move, just sat there hearing and crying while everyone died.\n\nDidn’t have no interest in fighting after that.” \n\nThe man sat back, the hint of a tear in his eye. Adam took off his glasses, contemplative about what he had just heard. He was a skeptical man by trade, but not a psychopath. This man... had seen things.\n\n“You mentioned a noise, what did you hear?”\n\nThe man smiled wryly. \n\n“Death and darkness son”\n\nWith that the man descended into incoherent babbling, screaming schizophrenic phrases about old gods and new demons, sing song coos and guffaws from some hellspawn of nature, and the bloody flesh sacrificed to the night of Huế.”\n\nhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Huế" ]	3
	[WP] After your untimely demise, you've been transported to another world to battle against evil. Standard Isekai fare, you think. Until you learn that everyone knows kungfu. Even the dragons can break out their fists of fury.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Persistent darkness shrouded Schrodingers eyes until he saw cracks of light starting to break through the veil. \n\nAs his eyes adjusted to the faint glimmer of light he realized he was in an abandoned temple. The rays of light were coming in from slits in the ceiling. \n\nSchrodinger stood up and surveyed the room around him, it was definitely a shrine of some kind that looked like it hadn't been maintained in centuries. As he took a step toward the large chasm leading into the dark hallway he heard booming footsteps approaching in the darkness. He edged back towards the wall of the temple, trying to find the voice in him ask who was there, but the words wouldn't come out. \n\nOut of the darkness a gigantic reptillian figure emerged. it had blood red skin with green scaled running down it's torso. It was walking on it's hind legs with it's arms crossed behind it's back. \n\nSchrodinger was paralyzed, unable to even form a thought to respond to what he was seeing, he swayed helplessly in place as the lizard unfurled its arms from behind it's back and assumed a fighting stance. He opened his mouth again to speak but the words were gone. He couldn't even make a sound. As he grasped his throat, the dragon leapt forward and connected it's hind leg with Schrodinger's head transmitting a thought to his mind. \"Who are you?\" he heard in his mind as he went flying sideways against the temple wall. Stumbling, he brought himself back up and tried to run away from the monster before feeling a fist in his back that sent him flying forward with another thought relayed along with it, \"Answer me!\" \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Is he...talking through his body?\" Schrodinger thought to himself as the reptile lunged at him again, this clashing against Schrodinger's upturned arm to block his attack. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Are you not from here?\" The dragons thoughts transmitted back to him as he pushed down his fist on Schrodingers arm. \n\n\"No! Why can't I speak?\" Schrodinger thought back in a panic. A smile etched across the dragon's face as he jumped back and forward again, this time landing his foot into Schrodinger's chest who thought a scream into his mind. \n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Stranger\" the dragon said, pushing his clawed foot down on his chest, \"We do not speak with our minds. Here, we speak with Kung Fu\". \n\n&#x200B;\n\n " ]	2
	[WP] You discover you are a changeling, a Fae child given to human parents. Now, your real parents are coming to take you back.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Ach... Sorry, Lass. We're too late. The Unseelie Court has already been and gone. They must ha' been right sloppy too. See how they're all aflutter? Armed and buzzing about like hornets?\"\n\n\"Yes, Magus. There's nothing we can do about it?\"\n\n\"Na, lass. Not a thing, and a right shame it is too. Two sets of parents are going to suffer. One has already, by having their child stolen. The other? In 17 years, they'll lose their child, too.\"\n\n\"How so, Magus?\"\n\n\"The Unseelie steal the child of a mimic, and put it in place of the human child. It adapts fast enough that none notice. But when it ages? It's powers come on it in full, and whatever is closest, well...\"\n\n\"So the mimic parents suffer now, and the human parents in 17 years?\"\n\n\"Aye, Lass. Time to go, nought to do here.\"\n\n... 16 years later ...\n\n\"Hello the House!\"\n\n\"Aye, who be ye?\"\n\n\"Travelers seeking a night's shelter in your barn. The sky looks chancier than we're hoping to risk.\"\n\n\"Well enough, 'tis expected to rain. Yet welcome to the barn. Have ye enough food?\"\n\n\"Enough and to spare if you're short. We know farming, and this would be the lean season.\"\n\n\"A kindly offer, but we're well enough. Water on the right of the house, though the rope is long. Stay the night, and the rain should be gone by midmorning.\"\n\n((I'm going to have to think about how the rest of this story goes.))\n\n\n\n" ]	2
	[WP] Time travelers usually follow a strict code of non-interference, but not here and now, where apparently the rules do not apply.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Where are we?\"\n\nIsaac Goldstien had just graduated from the Temporal Academy. He was well acquainted with the various ages of time and human history, but this place... it didn't seem familiar in any regard. The landscape looked like he was somewhere in South America, but the architecture suggested it was fifteenth century japan. Either the prime line had suffered significant damage, or...\n\n\"This is an artifact line.\" Agent Rain waved her hand dark-gloved around her. She was a small woman, with dark skin, and the kind of eyes that always seemed to be telling a dirty joke. \n\n\"Tell me about them.\"\n\nIsaac felt the weight of knowledge press him down. He should have expected this. This was another test. Graduating was just a ceremony and a piece of paper, after all. The real tests began now. \n\n\"Artifact lines are timelines that were created by a significant change to the timeline that wasn't immediately repaired. They slowly collapse, but do so at a slower rate based on how deviant they are from the prime cluster.\" \n\nIsaac had been summarizing, of course, but it was apparently enough for the agent.\n\n\"This line has about fourteen years of relative time left in it. We use these artifacts as training areas. You're first job as an agent will be to accelerate the collapse of the artifact by altering the nature of the artifact closer to the prime.\"\n\nIsaac looked around at the people around him. Now that he was looking for it, he could see they looked like they were half-Asian, half-Mayan. Somehow, this line had allowed the Japanese to cross the ocean before the Europeans. Shifting the timeline back should be as easy as disrupting their first exploration to the new world. \n\n\"It won't be as easy as you think.\" Agent Rain smiled and those eyes told him that this was another joke to her. \"Internal Consistency Force will push against any change you make, it will want to keep the line as it is. It takes less energy to correct your alteration than it does to change the flow of time. Remember that as you work, but don't be afraid to experiment, unlike the prime timeline, a mistake here won't destroy the universe.\"\n\nIsaac swallowed hard as he looked around. He wondered how many lives this universe contained. How many generations of sentient lives would he be forced to cut short. They would never know, of course, they didn't even really die, as such, they just ceased to have ever been. \n\n\"Did you do this when you were training?\" \n\nAgent Rain nodded as she looked around. \"Yeah, I really fucked up my first artifact. I somehow protected the dinosaurs from mass extinction by changing the evolutionary arc of a prehistoric parasite. Was something else.\"\n\nIsaac spent a moment trying to imagine the myriad of effects such a change would have had on the evolutionary track of the human race.\n\n\"You probably won't have any problem that large. After all, your divergent point us much later in the prime. Everything before 1350 AD is prime, so you can't touch it. You just have to do your best to alter the line course back toward the prime cluster by altering the line beyond that date. You have four months relative time to do so.\" Agent Rain waved at him with two of her fingers and then touched her temporal device through the skin on her wrist. \"Good luck.\"\n\n\"Wait!\" Isaac immediately regretted how panicked he sounded to his own ears. \"I wasn't issued a communicator, how will I-\"\n\n\"Don't worry about that.\" Agent Rain activated her temporal device and the light began to shimmer over her entire body. \"We'll be watching you. Every step of the way.\"\n\nThen she was gone.\n\n---\n\n[WordsOfXacktar](https://wp.reddit.com/r/TheWordsOfXacktar/)\n" ]	2
	[WP] You wake up in an empty room with no memory of who you are or how you got there. There are no doors or windows, and on the wall is is a screen showing only “9801” in red.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Where am I?\n\nI sat at the metal table. The room was dimly lit with a large tv placed on the wall in front of me. I glanced around the room, I didn't even see a door. Not even a window. There was a camera perched in a corner, the blinking red light mocked me. Someone was watching.\n\n\"Where am I?\" I asked, looking directly at the camera.\n\nAs if something answered my question, the tv turned on. The screen was pitch black aside from the red numbers in the center. 9801.\n\nI started into it for a few minutes hoping the screen would change, but it didn't. It stayed the same. 9801.\n\n\"What is this,\" I said, my patience was growing thin. \"Where the hell am I?\"\n\nA sudden screech omitted from the tv. It sounded like a woman. Then the screen switched scenes to a young girl playing at a park. It was some kind of home video, the quality and audio were not the best. It played for about two minutes before switching back to the black screen with 9801 placed dead center. \n\nI waited a couple more minutes to see if anything else would manifest from the tv. But nothing did.\n\n\"What was that?\" I asked the camera. \"Who the hell is that supposed to be?\"\n\nRight after my question the tv screeched once again. This tim louder, more sinister.\n\nThe scene was the same young girl at a birthday party. She was laughing as all of her family sang happy birthday. And right as she was about to blow out the candles, the tv glitched back to 9081. \n\n\"What do you want from me,\" I screamed.\n\nI tried to get out of the chair, but to my surprise I was handcuffed to it. Hands and legs. How did I not notice this until now?\n\nAn ominous voice played over a speaker.\n\n\"David Riggs,\" the voice said. \"How do you know Sally Shore?\"\n\n\"Who the hell is Sally Shore?\" I asked. \"Is that the girl on the TV? If so, I have no idea which that is. Not one clue. Now you better let me-\"\n\n\"Mr. Riggs,\" the voice said, interrupting me. \"Where is her body?\"\n\nChills shot down my spine. The blood in my body turned to ice.\n\n\"What?\" I asked. I was trying my hardest to remember. To remember anything. But for some reason my mind kept drawing a blank.\n\nThe tv interrupted my thoughts with another screech. This time louder than ever.\n\nIt was of the girl again. Sally. This time the scene was more uneasy. It was Sally at the park again. But the camera was a good distance. As if who ever was recording was doing so without Sally's knowledge.\n\nThe tv cur off and once again, 9801 was there.\n\n\"I dont know her,\" I said. I began to break down. Tears streamed down my face and butterflies surged through my body. Why was i feeling this way all of the sudden?\n\nThe ominous voice filled the room. \"We have evidence. We know you killed her. You killed Salley Shore! Along with Susie Melody. Jenny Cartwright. Maple Steven's. You killed these girls David! Now tell us, where is Salley's body?\"\n\nEverything rushed back into my mind. It overloaded me and I could no longer think straight. I could only say one thing.\n\n\"9801 Redwood Avenue. Suite 6,\" I said mindlessly. \"9801 Redwood Abenue. Suite 6.\"\n\n\"Thank you,\" the voice said.\n\nThen the tv went dark. The entire room was pitch black now. It was just me. \n\nJust me and Daymion.\n\nDid you give them the right address? Daymion's voice echoed in my head. \n\n\"No,\" I whispered. \"They will never find her. You were right, she really was special.\"" ]	2
	[WP] You have died, and you've just arrived at Administration of Birth Selection for your next trip through life. The bored angel at the front desk hands you a new sheet of paper with your options.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "Norman floated toward a sign that read “Administration of Birth Selection”. This wasn’t exactly what he had pictured Heaven looking like.\n\n“Hi, I’m Norman Holiday. I’m looking into my options for reincarnation.”\n\nThe angel glanced up from his crossword puzzle over his reading glasses, let out a sigh and slid Norman a form with four options. Succulent plant in a nursing home, lawn chair in a nudist colony, three-legged house cat, mountain lion in Montana.\n\n“Aw, c’mon,” Norman said. “A lawn chair is an inanimate object. Can’t I be a human again?”\n\n“You only get to be a human once, pal,” the angel said. “If I was you, I’d go with mountain lion, but what the hell do I know, I’ve only been working here for 23,422 days. But who’s counting.”\n\n“I don’t know if I could hunt for my food,” Norman said. “I might go with house cat.”\n\n“Don’t make no difference to me, chief. Just hurry it up. I was supposed to go on break 15 years ago.”\n\nWell, Norman didn’t particularly want to be a plant and the thought of being a lawn chair in a nudist colony made him physically ill, even though he was dead. Norman had always wondered what it would be like to be an apex predator, even though the eating raw meat thing gave him the willies. Plus, he had never been to Montana.\n\n“Mr. Angel,” Norman said. “I will take your advice and become a mountain lion.”\n\n“Good choice,” the angel said. “Please sign the bottom of the form in blood, Mr. Hargetty.”\n\n“It’s Holiday,” Norman said as he pricked his finger, revealing a small droplet of blood. “Can you tell me what I was before I was a human?”\n\nThe angel reluctantly rummaged through Norman’s file for a few seconds before withdrawing Norman’s “Previous Embodiment” list.\n\n“Let’s see here,” said the angel. “You were a common house fly six million times with an average lifespan of 36 hours. You have been a rabbit 43 times, an elephant twice, a whole mess of trees, a Clydsedale horse at the Budweiser factory. Your name was Spunky, though I don’t know why. You don’t exactly blow my skirt up. You were supposed to be the one kicking the field goal in the Super Bowl commercial, but you took a spill during a parade and were euthanized due to a broken leg before filming. You also were a human for 27 years, three months and 15 days, meeting your demise after getting drunk and falling off of your apartment building during a rooftop party for your neighbor’s birthday.”\n\n“I could really go for a rum and Coke,” Norman said.\n\n“Okay, time to go,” said the angel.\n\nIn a flash, Norman felt the particles of his body disperse and reconvene in the form of a big cat in a spot high in the Rocky Mountains in the northern part of Montana. The air was thick with the aroma of pine needles. Norman’s grandfather, who was now carrying on the family legacy as a common house fly, was right. The sky did appear bigger in Montana.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nNorman lived a long, fruitful life as a mountain lion. He never went hungry, always had a place to sleep and passed on having produced many offspring. Norman’s life as a vicious predator would end after eight years. One fall morning, Norman attacked a campsite. In the scuffle, someone kicked over the bonfire and flames cascaded down the mountain setting ablaze to 3,000 acres. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nNorman once again stood in front of the disgruntled angel, who still hadn’t taken a break.\n\n“What have you got for me this time?” Norman asked the angel.\n\nOnce again, the angel shoved a slip of paper with Norman’s reincarnation options on it.\n\nSucculent plant in a nursing home, lawn chair in a nudist colony, three-legged house cat, common house fly.\n\n“Aw, c’mon.”\n\n&#x200B;" ]	2
	[WP] You really need to summon a demon. There is only one small problem, you only have common household ingredients at your disposal.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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.", "\"Who would have known the lyrics to that song were actually instructions on how to summon a demon. \" Carson said as they drove through the city of York. \"Do you actually think this will work babe?\" he said to his girlfriend. \n\"I don't know, but all the research has pointed towards the history of this song predating modern music and is actually an old folk song dating back to the times of the black plague. Who knows what it really means.\" Jessica responded. \"I think we need to start off at the cemetery for clues on where to perform the ritual though.\" \n\nCarson nodded and continued to drive northeast. After about another hour of driving, the duo had reached the town of Scarborough and started driving towards the old castle. \"No one knows where to find the true love from the song, but with how old the song is, and the fact that they repeat 'remember me' I think we should start at the castle crypts.\" Jessica said to Carson as she punched in the location on the GPS. \"Gotta love these things, how did the people get around back in those days without it.\" \n\nCarson chuckled. \"They didn't. They also took days to weeks to make the drive we just did in 10 hours. So no point dwelling on it... got everything ready? We're just about there.\"\n\nThey parked in the lot and headed to the meeting point for the guided tour of the castle. The plan was simple. Lag behind a bit at some of the decor and break away from the group at the first chance. Head to the outskirts of the castle and setup the ritual next to the family gravestones. It didn't take long to break away from the group. Everyone was so distracted by taking selfies of themselves and the castle that apparently no one noticed they were even missing. \n\nJessica started pulling out the materials they brought for the ritual. She started handing them to Carson in the order the song mentioned. First up was the parsley. Carson just sprinkled it in a circle around the biggest gravestone he could find. Next up was sage, he dumped it in the shape of a pentagram with the gravestone being in the center of the star. He repeated the circle again using rosemary next and the final ingredient was thyme, which he used again to trace the pentagon.\n\n\"What now?\" Carson asked. Jessica just shrugged her shoulders. \"I have no clue. We're not exactly professional demon summoners here. How did the song go?\" She replied. \n\n\"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?\" Carson began to sing. As soon as he started singing however, the world around them began to darken. \n\n\"Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme\" he continued. The ground began to tremor, the bright cloudy sky replaced with a dark ominous cloud that engulfed the area as far as they could see. \n\n\"Remember me to one who lives there\" Carson's eyes began to glaze over. Tears of blood start rolling down his cheek as the waves from the ocean crash against the cliffside, nearly reaching the top where the castle resides. \n \n\"For once she was a true love of mine\" the final line of the verse brings a sudden and forceful halt to the tremors. The color returns to Carson's eyes, and the blood faded from his face. The ground already absorbed all the blood that ran down his face. One last giant wave crashes against the cliffside, peaking about 5 feet over the edge of the cliff. As the wave retreats back into the water, Jessica notices a figure standing on the edge of the cliff facing the water. \n\n\"Carson! Are you okay?\" She asks while rushing up to him. \n\"I think so... what happened? I started singing and then blacked out.\" \nJessica gave him a quick hug and then pointed towards the figure who appeared. \"I think it worked\" \n\nCarson turned around and looked at the figure. It appeared to be a female of average height. Wearing a bikini made out of seaweed and seashells. The most noticeable thing about her however, was that her skin was a tint of blue. Her gaze lingered over the sea for a few minutes before she finally turned around and addressed the duo. \n\"Why have you awakened me from my beauty sleep mortals?\" Her voice was eerily beautiful, yet filled them with a fear they had never felt before. \n\n\"S..s..sorry to awaken you... ma'am... mistress... uhh.. how may I address you?\" Carson answered.\n\n\"My name is Ligeia. I am what you pathetic humans call a siren.\" she scowled. \"You've summoned me using the ritual I passed onto the only man I have ever truly loved. Why?\"\n\nJessica stepped forward this time. \"My ancestors left behind this note. On it were instructions to pass onto their lost love if someone should ever figure out how to summon a demon to this earth again. The instructions weren't very clear, but we were able to track it down to a song passed through family lore. We came to deliver this note left from my ancestor in hopes that it might let him rest in peace.\" \n\nJessica reached into her purse and pulled out a note to hand to the siren. She reached out and grabbed it. After she read it for a minute she responded in a much kinder voice this time. \"Do you know what you've brought me?\" and she lunged forward wrapping Jessica up in an excited hug. \"Your ancestor was trying to work on a way for me to bring him along with me to the depths of the ocean before he died. What you have brought me is his solution... the problem is, most of these things seem impossible. But at least it's a chance. Will you two help me and finish what he started?\" She handed them back the note to read. \n\n\"Dearest beloved, forgive me for I have failed you. I was able to determine how to join you, but grew old in my search for a way to complete the list. So I have written down instructions to be passed on to you in hopes that someone will figure out how to speak with you one last time.\n\nHave her make me a cambric shirt\n\nWithout no seam nor fine needle work\n\nTell her to weave it in a sycamore wood lane\n\nAnd gather it all with a basket of flowers\n\nHave her wash it in yonder dry well\n\nwhere water ne'er sprung nor drop of rain fell\n\nHave her find me an acre of land\n\nBetween the sea foam and over the sand\n\nPlow the land with the horn of a lamb\n\nThen sow some seeds from north of the dam\n\nTell her to reap it with a sickle of leather\n\nAnd gather it all in a bunch of heather\n\nIf she tells me she can't, I'll reply\n\nLet me know that at least she will try\n\nLove imposes impossible tasks\n\nThough not more than any heart asks\n\nDear, when thou has finished thy task\n\nCome to me, my hand for to ask\"\n\nJessica and Carson looked at each other for a brief second, no words needed to be spoken. They both knew they were going to do whatever they could to help the demon out. The only question remaining, how the hell do they do these things?\n" ]	2
	[WP] Writing was never invented. Poets recite stories and histories, but only for the rich. You are a poet, called to the deathbed of a poor man with a big secret to learn his tale.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\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\$Reality+Fiction\$&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A\$Simple+Prompt\$&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/XYsEYfS)\n\nI 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 man sniffed and clutched at his cloak. He was obviously out of place. His clothes were a finer cut and quality than the people around him. Eyes narrowed as he inspected them, sighing under his breath. This the bottom of my career, he thought to himself. Why me of all people. My star is on the rise and I am sent to this tiny village?\n\nA fake smile was plastered on his face as he gingerly accepted the rough wooden hewn cup. An insincere thanks was given as he looked askance at the contents. He sipped and grimaced, the wine poorly fermented and not even filtered. \n\nFinally the door opened and a young woman looked at him. Despite her age her hands were lined and worn from work, her skin wind dried. Her hair was neat in a pastoral way, a far cry from the young women of the cities. Yet it was her eyes that caught his attention, pure blue and possessing intelligence. They pierced him and he colored slightly, mentally chastised for his unkind thoughts. He opened his mouth but she gestured sharply, and he followed her within. \n\nHis eyes swept the inside of the house. It was barely more than a hovel, a single room affair divided into two by a curtain. The floor was dirt punched down, the walls bare of whitewashing. The outside wind forced its way within and a fire grumbled in the hearth, trying to keep out the chill. \n\nIt was the humblest home he had ever set foot in and yet there was something about it. It felt lived in, a kind of warmth that the grand houses of the cities lacked. He felt even more out of place now, his fur lined boots seemed to be repelled by the dirt, his cloak of fine wool must have been far more expensive than the whole length of curtain. Yet this time he felt that his presence was an intrusion and an unwelcome one. It unnerved him. \n\nThe young woman stepped behind the curtain and he could hear a soft murmur. A reply was just barely heard, full of age and sickness. A rattling breath preceded a hacking cough, the young woman’s voice rose in concern. Then the curtain moved aside and bright blue eyes pierced him again. She stared pointedly at a stool and though she did not speak her eyes screamed at him. The man nodded weakly, and slid past her. \n\nThe stool creaked beneath his weight, well made but old. The man’s eyes inspected the bed’s occupant critically, and at a glance he knew the other man was not long for this world. The man was old, truly old. Unlike the elderly of the cities he was not painted to hide infirmity, the smell of sweat and sickness not hidden by perfume. The man smiled weakly, and that took effort. However his eyes were not dead, they sparkled in the candle light. “It is good that you have come,” the sick man whispered. \n\n“I was sent for,” the man replied glibly and immediately winced. He could hear the young woman snark behind him but to their surprise the sick man chuckled. \n\n“You were. Yet you still came. I heard others were sent and never arrived. For that I thank you.”\n\nThe sitting man remained quiet, for once in his life he was at a loss at how to respond. \n\n“I hear you are a fine poet. You have a way with words that the city folk adore. One of the finest for history and folklore.”\n\nThe poet nodded, blushing. “Well, there are those that say that.”\n\nAnother soft chuckle. “Be proud of your skill boy. Let your actions speak your deeds and take adequate pride in what you do. Be your worth.”\n\nThe poet’s spine straighten slightly. “Th-thank you sir.” A stammer, ages since that happened. The woman snickered behind him and his face reddened more. \n\n“Do be kind to him Emilia,” the sick man said with a smile. “He’s out of his element. A fine well bred young man like him in our humble village. Any would find that difficult.” A glimmer of amusement was an in his eyes at the poet’s discomfort. “Do you know who sent you Sir Poet?”\n\nThe poet shrugged. “I am told that one of the merchant lords of the local city, of that could be believed.”\n\n“I believe that, as should you.”\n\nThe poet’s eyes widened. “How wonderful! Well then, it seems I will learn something wonderful today. Please do go on Goodman.”\n\nThe sick man chuckled again, momentarily rich and vibrant. You could hear in that chuckle the man he was. “I believe I only have strength for one telling, you will have to craft your song from just one recitation.”\n\nThe poet winked. “I have an excellent memory. Have no fear.” \n\n“When you are as old and as sick as I, you find that fear no longer has the same strength as it did.” The young woman sat on the dirt floor beside the bed, her hands held the old man’s. With a squeeze he spoke. \n\n“Many years ago, there were two boys. They were brothers in all but blood. Their parents died in the last war and they swore to live. They sought to challenge the game of life and each thought that together they would win. They served their country, they spilled blood of their own and others, and did what they could to survive. \n\n“The boys became men. Like most men, they thought they knew what was best. They pooled their money and knew one had to spend to earn. The smarter man thought to challenge the merchant guilds, to became a player in their dreadful game. The slower man thought they would find their fortunes with land, to build over time. \n\n“The smarter one convinced the slower one to give him all their money and they the would do both. He left for the city while the other built a home and tried to till the land. \n\nYears and years passed, the smarter one’s fortunes rose and fell like the waves of the sea. Every time he would return to the other and demand more, say that just one more chance would grant them their dreams. The slower man said his dreams were there, in a growing village and honest work. In people and family. The smarter man laughed and said his tastes were greater. \n\n“Finally one day the smarter one stopped coming. The slower man learned that his brother had won his place in the merchant guilds. That shrewd guile had made him feared and respected. He rejoiced, happy that his brother had made his dream a reality. \n\n“The slower man waited and waited, dreaming for the day his best friend would return. He saved and scrimped, thinking of how to welcome him home. And he continued to wait. Gifts came back unopened, letters came back unread. Now the man can wait no longer, no matter how much he wishes to.”\n\nTears fell down the woman’s eyes, falling like rain on the old man’s hand. The poet stared and felt his vision cloud slightly. “Is...is there something the....brother wishes to say?”\n\n“Only that he is happy that his brother won his game. And that he always believed in him. That...he would have liked to eaten with him one last time.” The old man’s other hand opened and a slim wooden disk was revealed. It was worn with age and touch, almost smooth. Upon its face was a simple etch, a sheath of wheat on a rose, a familiar symbol in the merchant guilds. \n\nThe old man held it out and the poet took it carefully. It was warm, heavy with years and memory. The poet stared long and hard at it before wrapping it with a silk cloth. “I heard, and remember. Worry not Goodman. The world will hear of the brothers in all but blood. That one was not smarter than the other, but of different values. The song of Wheat and Rose will be sang, of loyalty and unwavering will.”\n\nThe old man smiled and his eyes closed, his breath smooth and slow. With a how the poet left the bedside, and stopped at the door. He waited for the woman and he fumbled at his belt. “This was my fee for coming and for writing the song,” he said and placed a purse in her hands. \n\nHer eyes widened at the weight of the purse. Then they narrowed with anger. “He doesn’t want your pity nor your charity. And you can tell your master as much.”\n\nThe poet smiled sadly, the first sincere smile since his arrival. “Then call it my admiration. My respect for such a man.” The door opens and he slipped out into the night, “and everyone will hear of the song. And others will appreciate this brother’s kindness and faith as I do.”" ]	2

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