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[WP] Strong, Smart, Stealthy. You would be the perfect hitman if only you didn't live in your mom's basement
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The dude in my story is not really a hitman but whatever. Here it is:\n\nI always believed in my superiority over the rest,yet can't compare myself to them. My mother,who i thought was the only other being in my species,alway told me i am a god compared to the other homo-sapiens that once inhabited this very land that our bunker was contructed in,or so my mom told me since i was born 40 years ago. My day begins when my mom removes the paralasis device,and carefuly leads me to the feeding compartment where i am fed \"food-powder\";always making sure to firmly lock the door before quickly exiting the area.I often hear her crying through it's thick walls. Se then proceeds to quickly unlock the door and lead me to my room,one again padlocking me inside for the rest of the day.Today\\*,curiosity got the best of me,and busted down the door with my omnipotent strength that my mom always told me about.She screamed and hid in a corner,and prayed for the last time,as i ripped her open reveal what hid inside.She vocalised a meaningless screech before going to sleep.Armored men with \"FBI\" designated on their chests busted down the door,but i quickly obliterated into a pile of flesh.I laughed and cried tears of joy as i sent hundreds of happy people to sleep,and did nothing wrong.Why are you interrogating me?\\*",
"I knew I was the greatest man since my Mom gave birth to me thirty years ago. When I was a baby I never cried and I still don't. In fact I make other people cry. At least that's what my mom tells me. I'm not allowed to go outside; I never have been. Mom keeps me down here in the basement to keep other people safe. She says I was born with a specific set of skills that are explicitly for killing people under the cover of darkness. She says if I go outside i'm likely to kill the first person I see. Yesterday she told me I remind her of my Dad. My dad was a hit-man and he killed some of the greatest people on Earth. If I ever get out of here I'm going to be just like my dad. I've been practicing my skills and one liners to say when i do my first hit. Most of what I know about being a hit-man is from what my mom tells me about my dad and what I see on TV. I think on my first hit i'll kill them using a vacuum and right before they die i'll say ***\"I'ts time to clean house\"*** and afterwards i'll say ***\"cleanup on isle five\"***. Yeah, i just know i'll be the greatest hit-man to ever live as soon as i get out of this basement."
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[WP] Your shoulder aching, you decide to take a bath. A towel is conveniently on the rack next to you. You grab it, and wrap it around yourself. Ten minutes later...After hopping in the shower, you feel much better. Suddenly, your phone starts ringing.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"***PG-13 - Horror***\n\n​\n\nI flipped my phone up and brought it to my ear. The hot water running down my body was relaxing me to no end. I hardly even noticed the person on the other end of the line hadn't said anything yet. Their breathing was hoarse and nasally. \"Hello? Who is it?\" I said calmly. There was still no response so i hung up and tossed the phone onto the bathroom counter. Steam filled room as I spun around a few times and let the kettle hot water relax my shoulders. It had been at least a full week before my last shower and i was loving every minute of it. My phone began to ring again. Frustrated that my shower was being interrupted for a second time i threw the curtain open and stepped out onto the tile. \"I'm going to tell this guy off\" I thought as I reached for the ringing phone. I heard a pounding at my door and it shocked me so dearly I slipped backwards. My head smashed against the edge of the tub and cracked my skull. I could hear the crunch as I slumped onto the floor. I felt numb and couldn't move a single muscle in my body. I watched the tile as blood pooled into the cracks and down towards the door. Someone came in the bathroom wearing brown muddy boots. I couldn't move my eyes or my body as the boots stepped in front of my face."
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[WP] You live in a world where everyone has one power, such as fire or levitation. People are after you; some are trying to kill you, some are trying to capture you. You have no idea why, because your power is very small and not very flashy.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My powers kicked in when I was 5. My parents thought I was just double jointed, but no, I'm much more. Being super flexible IS my power. I can turn my head around, like an owl and stuff like that. Of course, you can imagine the disappointment my pyrokinetic father and flying mother had, to find out all their son can do is \"advanced yoga\"\n\nWell this \"advanced yoga\" thing isn't going so great for me. By the time I was 10, a man showed up at our doorstep, demanding my parents hand me over. Of course, my parents at such a ridiculous request, only to drop dead the next second. Seeing that scene triggered my fight-or-flight, and I did what any scared kid would do, run.\n\nIt's been 5 years already, and everywhere I go, every foster home I went, people are after me. Be it government agents, or random strangers, they all want to capture or even kill me. Like come on, I'm just a super flexible kid, that wants to lead a normal life. Is that too much to ask for?\n\nThis morning, I saw government agents looking for me, so I bolted from the alley the first opportunity I've got. I ran and ran and ran, until I stumbled across a small house. I don't know why, but I felt attracted to that house, like something inside of me wants to go in.\n\n\"I had a feeling you'd show up, sooner or later.\"\n\nI turned around, and was greeted by and old man.\n\n\"You...know me?\"\n\n\"Well yes, but actually no. I had a vision several years ago, that on this exact day and time, a young man would show up. A young man desperately in need of guidance. Come on in, and let's have some tea.\"\n\nI was hesitant, but if this old man can help me with whatever is happening, I figured, why not.\n\n\"Do you know what's going on? Why I'm being chased?\"\n\nThe old man took a sip of tea.\n\n\"Are you familiar with the end of the world, Mark?\"\n\nI was shocked he actually knew my name, but at the same time, confused by what he said. What did he mean by the end of the world?\n\n\"After I had that vision years ago, I did some research, and stumbled upon some interesting information.\" He handed me a book.\n\nI flipped open the book and read it, but was taken aback by what I'm seeing.\n\n\"What you're reading, Mark, is a prophecy. It dates back thousands of years. The people back then believed that the end of the world...would begin with the man that can twist his body in ways no other can.\"\n\n\"This is suppose to be about me?? But my powers couldn't even hurt a fly! How is it going to end the world???\"\n\nHe shook his head.\n\n\"Life works in mysterious ways, my boy. What appears minuscule, may not stay the same forever. The prophecy states that on your 16th birthday, you will be granted another power, one that could destroy the world. But what it left out is that the power could also _save_ the world.\"\n\nI was in shock, my 16th birthday is only a week away , and no one have ever gotten more than one power, and certainly not power that can DESTROY THE WORLD!\n\n\"How do I use the power to save the world? How do I make sure I don't destroy it?\"\n\n\"I know it's alot to take in, but when the time is right, I believe you would do the right thing. And I don't need powers to tell you that.\"\n\nI now realize the power I would come to possess. The power that could save the world, or to destroy it. The fate of the world rests on my own two hands."
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[WP] Dating a real deity can be a lot of fun, and it's pretty much guaranteed that nothing will ever be boring. But they just come with so much baggage.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Sorry I'm late,\" She said as she sat down in the lunch hall with me. She nudged her glasses back up against her face and shot a smile at me. Even when she was trying not to look like a goddess, she was still endearing. \n\n\"Hey don't worry about it it's cool,\" I said. I sipped my coffee and wondered what she could be dealing with immediately. And what we could do afterwards. \"We should catch a movie after this, I heard Liam Nesson is gonna play Zeus in\" Attack on Titan,\" but I feel like the title is already taken.\" \n\n\"Weiiiird, let's do it.\" She glanced left and right then manifested her laptop with a bright flash of light she tried to hide and drilled her fingers over the keys. \"SO your sister —\"\n\n\"She's alright,\" I smirked.\n\n\"But what about your mother?\"\n\n\"She's also alright.\"\n\n\"But you said,\" She stopped herself. \"OK, how about that lil chihuahua? Said he was sick a week ago.\"\n\n\"Oh, Buddy? Lil guy is as cool as a cucumber.\" I leaned back in my chair and laced my fingers behind my head. \"There's an overwhelming amount of nothing happening. School's great, family's great, life's great. Everything is just great.\"\n\nShe nodded and forced a smile, \"Great, that's great! I'm going to work a bit if you don't mind, these papers do not write themselves.\"\n\n*She's a great person, but I really hope she takes the hint.* \"It's alright you know.\"\n\n\"Yes there's nothing wrong with working on your break.\"\n\n\"No seriously, no one's perfect. Like I get that, it's okay. Most of my life things have just been kinda,\" *What's the word?* \"It's like I don't have much of a purpose, these days. Outside the usual routine.\"\n\nShe stopped what she was doing. \"By the Gods! I had no idea you were plagued by such feelings of inadequacy.\"\n\nA fire of embarrassment scorched my face. \"Okay wait that's morbid. I just mean, I'm okay with helping, you know? You're worth it.\"\n\nI hadn't noticed til now, but the cafe froze in place. And sound seemed to travel much farther than what was previously possible. The air embraced me in a warm blanket.\n\nAthena extended her hand to me, \"Let's take a walk.\"\n\n—\n\n\nWe walked together on the pillowy clouds of Olympus. She hashed it out with me for what felt like an hour, the misinterpretation of ethics, Ares' hand with the conflict in the middle east, Zeus' increasing dementia, her ex boyfriend's constant calling (which I'll deal with like a rational person because c'mon no need to be an idiot about it, right?) and I gave her my counsel to the best of my ability. All the while she made plenty sure to consider my feelings in the matter."
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[WP] Our whole lives we have been taught that the four horsemen of the apocalypse were evil, and would be sent to kill us. Now that the apocalypse is here nobody stopped to consider that they might fight FOR us.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"cathy was never one to go to church. sure she went when she was little, only because her mother dragged her there every sunday morning. now after seeing the events of the past two days she began to rethink her choices.\n\nlarge dark red 'portals' started to appear all over the world and 'demons' came bursting out of them killing and feeding on people. for an hour she and everyone else around her thought it was a joke until one of the portals appeared right in front of them and the demons came spewing out.\n\nshe was dirty and hungry not having eaten anything for more than a day. she was walking down the street holding herself, her clothes barely covering her modesty. she was trembling out of fear, it was only because of exhaustion that she wasn't crying anymore. the silence was ominous, every little sound made her jump.\n\nit was then she heard voices. cathy was happy when she heard them, people. she mustered what energy she could and began to run towards them. but as she neared them unknown dread began to creep in. it was the voices, they were strange. they had 'power' in them. the language was different unlike she ever heard, almost alien. and yet she could understand them.\n\n' .... i say let them suffer. they should not have put their fingers where they don't belong.'\n\nthis voice was warped and heavy with rage and made her feel violent.\n\n'you forget, brother, this will reflect poorly on us. the gods do not approve of such oversight from us.'\n\nthis one felt repulsive and made her nauseous and feel putrid.\n\n'yes. our failure here will end with caelum's authority being questioned.'\n\nthis voice was made her weak and the hunger inside her became so intense that she instantly crumpled to her knees.\n\n'enough!' another voice spoke softly.\n\nthis was different from the rest. it was a woman's but the voice felt empty, like it was a sound made by an object, there was no life in her tone. one word and cathy felt a cold despite the blazing sun. this one had authority in it.\n\n'we have an audience.'\n\ncathy immediately realised that she was talking about her.\n\n'step out.' the woman said.\n\ncathy was froze to the spot with terror but she could not defy that voice. and she pulled herself up and turned the corner.\n\nwhatever she was expecting, this was not it. as she looked upon them she began to void her bladder. standing in the middle of the wide empty street were four beings each riding what looked like a horse. immediately words slipped from cathy's mouth,\n\n'the four horsemen.'\n\ncathy saw that their figures looked human but they were all nearly nine feet tall and so were the horses they were riding.\n\ncathy's eyes fell on the one nearer to her. he was riding a horse that was so red that it looked like it was drenched in blood. he had armour that seemed to give out a heat haze. she couldn't bear look at him longer. she then turned to the one on the black horse. the horse looked emaciated. and as she looked at the thin gaunt man dressed in slouchy clothes, her hunger burst out. she fell to her fours groaning and moaning with pain as it felt her insides being consumed.\n\nsnap.\n\nthe feeling disappeared like it had never existed in the first place. she looked up and saw the gaunt man had his hand up. he was the one who snapped his fingers. her eyes drifted to the one beside him. he was on a white horse. oddly it looked a little fat or rather bloated and its white colour looked unhealthy. the man was no different, he was dressed in some sort of royal dress but it had stains on it. the man himself had blackened veins and his skin had a oily texture with unpleasant discolouration here and there.\n\nand finally the one in the centre and behind them all. the only woman of the group. the only one who looked most normal. she was beautiful and her dress exquisite, the only abnormality was the paleness of her skin and that of her horse, as thought they had not even a drop of blood within them. she looked at cathy with irises that looked like holes in her eyes.\n\ncathy understood who they were. war, famine, pestilence and death. the four horsemen of the apocalypse.\n\ncathy saw death's eyes drift to her side.\n\n'i believe i told you to step out.' she said.\n\ncathy was confused but then she saw military soldiers step out with their guns raised and pointed at the horsemen. then one of them spoke loudly but cathy heard his voice shake.\n\n'get down from the horse and st...'\n\n'you dare ...' roared war but.\n\n'quiet.' death snapped.\n\nnow there was a ringing silence. death was staring at the soldiers with an annoyed look on her face.\n\n'for ages we held guard against the ogdoad and the igigi.' she said.\n\n'but never in a thousand eons would have i thought that we would be betrayed by one of the very races we were protecting.'\n\nher horse started walking forward.\n\n'your kind broke the detente and opened the gates to them, inviting them into the mortal realms, threatening all of creation.'\n\nnow death was looking at the soldier who spoke in the beginning,\n\n'my brother wishes to forswear this planet and leave it to its fate.'\n\nshe leaned forward and asked,\n\n'should i oblige?'",
"Agnes, Riviera, George and Jun stood in front of the monolith, they din't say anything for a while but they keep looking each other for a time their eyes filled with fear, shock, despair, anger, realization and a multiple mix of feelings and emotions this revelation would only give. \n\nIt din't matter. Everything now makes sense for the four, all the pain and suffering they passed through, all people they cared and loss, all events happened in the course of these dammed Armageddon witch casually involved them and these power they hold. It makes sense. They are the first four of the seven seals in be broken. They are the ones who will begin the final battle. They are the four horsemen.\n\n\\--------\n\nThe apocalypse begin in a way people never expected. Not as a asteroid crashing on earth, no world war three burning the world, no deadly plague to spread a cross the land, no possible catastrophe has prepared them for what has come. \n\nMultiple portals opened through the ocean and forms made of pure light came out. Then the three superpowers, USA, Russia and China, mobilized their armies in response. People protested against the supposed unprovoked aggression but that did not lived much until the beings intentions came out. \n\nThe middle east was the first to be attacked, Saudi Arabia's capital was ravaged by these monsters made of light, then they systematically attacked the rest of the region eventually turning into a full scale invasion towards earth with only one objective: destroy all living things beginning for the sapient.\n\nWhen the enemy's intention came to light the UN and all earth governments revealed their weapons. Apparently they knew these creatures would came and prepared for the day they came. Witches, person with superpowers, supernatural creatures, advanced super-weapons and tech, anything the conspiracy theorist were telling to people come to light and they had otherworldly allies too.\n\nThese creatures were attacking multiple realities at the same time seeking destroy all life. As a result numerous realities banded together to defeat the oncoming light, earth included. It soon turned from a war for the survival of mankind to the survival of all life in reality. The armaggedon has come.\n\nMankind and is allies had fought a large and devastating war against the enemy simply know as The Bright. With everything a their disposal, artillery, sorcery, nuclear weapons were even used too as the situation turned more and more dire but The Bright was not swayed. Constructs and abominations of light they created and were seemingly endless. For each hundred of these creatures was destroyed a thousand more appeared inflicting enormous casualties for the allies.\n\nThe situation didn't take long to become worse and desperate measures were taken. The allies turned to the development of numerous programs for the development of new weapons and soldiers for the war. Prophecies and divination's of the future were took huge importance as even the most minimal piece of the future was invaluable and ancient artifacts and beings were seek, found and used. That's the predecessor of the events that involved the four rising.",
"This was definitely NOT what I was expecting when they said the world was going to end.\n\nTechnically, I wasn’t expecting the world to end at all, but what I was NOT expecting was to have to have four ten-foot-tall ancient skeletal warriors in my basement.\n\nAt least not until *October.*\n\nI had been walking home alone from school when they approached me, four looming shadows and four sets of thundering hooves and one VERY high-pitched scream from one very scared sophomore.\n\nSo anyways, that was Tuesday.\n\nMy parents were always out somewhere, getting dinner or renting a hotel room and trying to tape back together their cobbled marriage.\n\nWhich sucked for me, but was great for my four new pals!\n\nAhahahahahaha YEAH.\n\nI waited until I could hear the car leave the driveway, then slowly creaked open the basement door.\n\n“MORTAL!” Pestilence announced.\n\n“JESUSCHRISTSWEETMOTHEROFBISCUITS—DON’T *DO* THAT!” I shouted back.\n\nIt had been hard enough to herd four apocalyptic soldiers into my basement, you would not BELIEVE the bargaining it took to get them to stay quiet for a day.\n\nFamine shoved past Pestilence. “My fairest lady—“\n\n“Nope nOPE, stopping THAT right now,” I warned.\n\nFamine cleared their throat. “Uh... My fairest... mortal... THE WAR APPROACHES!”\n\n“*Stop shouting!*” I yelled.\n\n“But Satan has armed his cavalry!” War urged.\n\n“And I am *five feet away,*” I hissed back.\n\nI turned and brushed past them, eyeing the basement suspiciously. “Where’s Death, anyways?”\n\n“Ah...” Pestilence scratched the back of their armored head. \n\n“Death has claustrophobia, so they decided to go outside for a walk.”\n\nI took a deep breath. “Death decided to WHAT?”\n\n“We tried to stop them!” War insisted. “But they were just getting so agitated... so we decided: What harm could a little walk do.”\n\nI stared. “They’re the literal incarnation.... of DEATH!”",
"Secretary-General Louis Lefebvre had been raised a Catholic, by very devout parents. As a child, he had read the Bible many times, both by choice and by force. Much to his parents’ dismay, he had never been as engrossed with the word of God as they had wished, however. But, as a young boy full of imagination, some passages had stuck in his mind. None so much as those concerning the Apocalypse.\n\nLouis had never expected to live through the apocalypse, though. And when Armageddon arrived, it was nothing close to his boyhood imaginings. But when the large metal spheres descended upon the Earth, and when they fired upon the delegations of men who tried to contact them, when cities burned and billions died, then Louis knew the end of days had arrived. He had been en route to his New York office, trying to broker peace between warring factions in some conflict everyone had forgotten by now. One of the spheres appeared above the city, as they had above every city. Had he arrived on time, he would have been vaporised along with everyone else in the Big Apple. And in London. And Paris. And Istanbul. And Tokyo. And Shanghai. And Lagos. And Rio. And every other major population centre on Earth.\n\nBy sheer luck - or divine providence - he had been spared. Watching the flames lick the cities which had been the engines of the planet, he was convinced that the End Times had come. Out of the spheres of death poured countless creatures, who began taking swift control of the ruined cities and their surrounds. They had come to stay, it seemed like. Louis, as one of the few high ranking officials left on the entire planet, was determined to make that as hard as possible. Billions had died in the attack, but millions remained. They were still humans, and come hell or high water - or the apocalypse - they would fight.\n\nThe invaders were taken aback by the response. They had not expected resistance, it seemed like. But the people of Earth fought tooth and nail to save their planet, with everything they had. With guns and with knives, with bombs and traps, with tanks and horses\n\nLefebvre had never ridden a horse before. Fuel and vehicle scarcity forced him to learn. A few weeks after the initial strike, he had hidden in the Appalachians with a group of resistance fighters. A group of Is had ventured into the mountains to search for them, when they decided to make the first strike. It exceeded their wildest expectations. They charged in on horseback, with guns, swords and bows, in the middle of the night. The Is were taken by surprise, and died almost without a fight. The first man to charge was a bowman on a white horse, and Lefebvre thought back to the Bible for the first time in many years as he remembered a passage: “I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories.”\n\nMore attacks followed, and it became clear that the Is could not extend themselves beyond where their spheres could protect them. As they destroyed group after group of Invaders, they noticed a change in behaviour, as the Is seemed less sure of themselves, and spies even reported internal quarrels. What had seemed like an easy victory had turned into a long war, where thousands of them died. And during one of the attacks, Lefebvre once again thought back on scripture, as the sword of humanity made war unto the Invaders: “Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword.”\n\nWhile humanity temporarily stopped the Is from gaining ground, they could not push them back entirely, as their spheres protected them. But along came winter, and then spring and summer and autumn and winter again, and the Is were still stuck in the cities. And cities could not grow food.While humanity thrived in the countryside, more Is fell to famine than to the weapons of men. And Lefebvre remembered: “When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, ‘Come forward.’ I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand. I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, ‘A ration of wheat costs a day’s pay, and three rations of barley cost a day’s pay. But do not damage the olive oil or the wine.’”\n\nTwo years after the Invaders had first arrived, they still persisted. For all humanity's struggles, they still kept coming. For every ten killed in a raid, a hundred more appeared. For every hundred killed in battle, a thousand more seemed to take up arms. For every thousand dying of famine, ten thousand descended from the spheres. For all their victories, humanity was losing. There were simply too few humans, and too many Is. But they were not about to give up. Lefebvre was not about to give up. They might no longer be the masters of Earth, but they were not about to let anyone else be either.\n\nLefebvre, on a pale horse, led a small group to a desolate structure on the plains. As he descended down into the ground, he thought back to Scripture yet again, and to the fourth passage. As a boy, he had never expected the horsemen of the apocalypse to fight by his side, but by now, he had seen three of them. He made his way into the underground structure, legs shaking. A man held out a button before him. Louis raised his hand… and paused. He looked around the room, and the sullen, war-torn faces around him. With a trembling finger he pressed down on the button. As rocket engines fired up around them, he muttered:\n\n“Now I am become Death, the destroyed of worlds”"
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[WP] A story about the life of a dog traveling with an adventurer
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Ain’t much time left, so I’ll just get on with it. \n\nBeen a pleasure, Tim Jones — or “Tex” as your friends call you. Seeing how I’m your best damn friend in this big ol’ world, Tex is what I’ll call ya. We had a good run together. Sure, not every day can be a fine row of daintily scented rear ends to jam my snout into, or an ice cream cone held aloft by a dim-witted child, or five-fingers scrubbing my belly like a skunk spit on it, but we had ourselves a time together. I’m proud to have called you a friend all these years, Tex. I hope you can say the same about me.\n\nNow, you know I ain’t one to put a dress and lipstick on a pig (‘cept for that one time we’s was real lonely and did that and we swore to never to talk about it again so I won’t), but if I’m bein’ honest, I didn’t much care for you, Tex, when you and I first crossed paths. I was walkings for a spell when I was still knee-high to a grasshopper along that old dirt road down a ways in Arizonee (What did you call it? Pacific Crest? Whatever.) when I saw you strolling like you owned the world. You were a broad-shouldered, strapping fella that towered over most, I’ll give you that, and you weren’t foolin’ around with that big ol’ backpack of yours with more doodads and snacks that I could count. And that smile you had slung on your mug was fouler than sack a lemons. But it grew on me. Oh, how it grew on me. Also, cards out on the table, I was hoping to swipe food out of your backpack when you went to bed that night. I didn’t, so don’t go and be all cross about it. We ain’t got much time here.\n\nAnyhow, I didn’t like ya. But now I do. Life will do that, I suppose.\n\nThat first week together, I knew I had you all wrong when we fetched those two kids from that river. Ain’t never seen a fella sling a rope and lasso two people with one toss while they was bobbing in sudsy rapids like a log, but here we are, Tex. And then the next week I knew I had to stick with ya for a while when you caught a trout outa the river with your bare hands. Impressive, but I snatched one too to show ya I wasn’t a sack of sod either.\n\nOh, we made for quite the pair, didn’t we Tex? I don’t wanna brag -- aw, hell, yes I do -- but all them looks all the ladies gave us almost made me piddle all over the place. All them terrified looks from the uppidy squirrels and those dumb deer and those yippy birds, all of that was just fine. I’d smile if I could, Tex. You know me.\n\nThe next week you and I caught wind of some fella robbing folks at gunpoint. I ain’t sayin’ I would have done nothin’, but I wouldn’t have spent the next three days tracking and trapping that fella like a prized buck. Glad we did. And then there was the week after when those kids at the summer camp were all scared of somethin that the older folks said was nothin’. Tex, you never struck me as a bad fella — you’re as good as they come, so don’t you spend a day worrying about what we did to that hockey mask-wearin’, knife-wielding crook. Don’t you dare. We did good. It felt good to help and do right by those kids.\n\nMaybe it’s old age barking up my old tree, but all our adventures are blendin’ together now. Guess there were so many! More adventures than a hundred men and dogs put together. They were somethin’ weren’t they? You and me carrying people outa that burning building. You and me helpin’ repair that dam to stop the floods from wiping out that entire little town. You and me fightin’ them fellers out behind that little bar in a little nowhere town and showin’ them guys there are certain words you don’t say to nice folks no matter what the color of their skin is. You and me finding those missing hikers and then the other missing hikers a year later. You and me solvin’ that murder on that train that was stuck in the snow. You and me helping them cops find them fellas pretending to be ghosts. You and me helping those priests get rid of those ghosts pretending to be fellas.\n\nJust you and me, Tex. Just you and me goin’ on adventures. Our adventures never seemed to end, old pal. But, Tex, this is where I needs to give you a heart to heart. This is something that good friends do — they tell each other stuff that nobody has the heart to tell ‘em. No matter how much it hurts.\n\nTex, you and I went on too many damn adventures. \n\nJust way, way, way, way too many adventures. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were lookin’ for trouble all these years. How could trouble find one fella and his dog so often? Awfully suspicious, Tex. I ain’t gunna fetch the law and bring ‘em down to the ol’ mill to round you up, but I just want you to know that the number of adventures we went on was not only unhealthy and suspicious, but it was downright reckless. Some poor bastard coula gotten hurt. Or worse!\n\nCommandeering a hot air balloon and performing a midair rescue of fellas on another hot air balloon? Reckless.\n\nRobbing that private jet full of Bilderberg billionaires, skydiving out the back, and then giving the money to that orphanage? Admirable, but reckless.\n\nNegotiating the silent peace treaty between Earth and the Kloxiconian Alien race without the knowledge or consent of the rest of Earth? Saved mankind, but still reckless.\n\nTex, I ain’t sayin’ you did a bad thing in your life. But you’ve led a reckless life.\n\nWhich is why I learned how to write and am writing you this note. Today is the day we part ways after all these years. Dogs are loyal, Tex. But we ain’t stupid. Get me? Now, I ain’t callin’ you stupid either. No way, Tex. But we just want different things now.\n\nRight now, R.W. Simmons and the Oakdale boys he hired are on their way to lynch you up for shutting down the Simmons mine on account they was poisoning the water supply. And those swamp creatures you kicked out of the bog are on their way for revenge. And the bears nearby have been talkin’ and they decided they don’t much like you either and they’re on their way to fix you good too. And I ain’t got evidence of this (just my gut), but I’d venture to guess that lady McKree has got some goons on the way on account of you marrying her just to expose her essential oil business as a hoax.\n\nThis is all way too much, Tex. I’m just a dog. I am a dog that can now write in English, so I best be on my way. If you slow down your life and are looking for a good dog to sit with you on the porch and maybe help soothe a colicky baby if that’s in the cards for you, look me up. I’ll be in South Dakota trying to catch some shuteye and gnaw on a bone or two.\n\nTake care, Tex. You’re a good boy.\n\n— Rex"
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[WP] It turns out that humans being the only life in our solar system is an amazing oddity on a galactic scale. As almost every planet that supports life has what is known as a "sister planet" in there near them. What are some effects of humanity's “only child” syndrome?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The Ambassador put all four of her hands folded together in front of her. \"Ambassador Smith, we've been here for three days and not gotten anywhere. I will admit I am partly to blame because I have not been entirely forthright with you.\"\n\nThe human ambassador gestured for her to continue.\n\n\"You see, the greater galactic community is... well.. afraid of you humans.\"\n\n\"**Afraid** of us? Could you please explain?\"\n\n\"We have read all of the books and history and other documents you have sent us. And, honestly, we were and are shocked. Terrified. Astonished. Incredulous.\"\n\nThe human ambassador said nothing.\n\n\"Almost without exception, other societies in the greater galaxy learn to live with one another. They make peaceful contact with their sisters and neighbors, and reach out into the stars to meet in person, and to trade, and to share.\"\n\n\"Humans never did that. Instead, it appears you were more than content for over a thousand years to murder, starve, and abuse yourselves by the millions. Indeed you didn't even begin any attempt to reach even your *moon* until your calendar year 1962. Your documents reveal the technological capability to construct industrial machines, specifically in your case steam engines, in the late Roman Empire in approximately the year 350. But you did not. Instead you seem more interested in this grotesque phenomenon you call **war**, than you are in feeding and housing your own people.\"\n\n\"Rather than a desire to reach out and meet your longtime pen pal neighbor in the sky, you had what can only be described as a 'space race' in the same sense as an **'arms race'** out of fear and desire for an even further increased capacity for violence. Your population on just a single world swollen over centuries to unmanageable numbers, and resources stretched to their limits without reaching into the heavens to grasp the endless tracts of space and material riches such a short distance away.\"\n\n\"Your accounts of these... *world wars*... we found particularly... profoundly disturbing.\"\n\n​\n\nThe human ambassador cleared his throat, \"Obviously our past is what it is. We are not proud of much of it. But we can't change it, we can only move forward for a better world.\"\n\n​\n\nThe Ambassador pointed a finger into the air stridently, \"You see, that's just it. Just it exactly, that is exactly what concerns us.\"\n\n\"Based on your history, even your recent history, we can't necessarily say with confidence that you and your people even know what a 'better world' IS. It's entirely possible you think the world would be 'better' if you were simply **more effective** at religious brainwashing, abusive labor, forceful repression of dissent, and hoarding resources for yourself while others suffer in privation. If only you had better weapons you could somehow end war. If only you had the budget you could somehow afford not to prioritize hoarding wealth over actual human suffering. If only you had done it **more**, conquered more, more effectively suppressed the dissent, more effectively assimilated and controlled, more effectively gamed the economy, gained greater wealth and power. Is that what you think would make your world 'better'? When in fact that very methodology is itself why your world is a warzone instead of a garden? That is the very root of the problem.\"\n\n\"I think the galactic community will find it difficult to trust humankind, knowing there is a serious risk the humans will extract and exploit when they can, and use any power they gain, to gain more power, until they have the strength to not need to play at authentic diplomacy any more. The uniquely human madness has a very real danger of spreading.\"\n\n\"If we were to give you the technology to travel the stars? I am fairly certain you would use it to build warships. Immediately. Do you deny this?\""
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[WP] When humanity enters the galactic stage, they realize that Earth is an outlier. Darwinism does not apply to the rest of the universe.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Well, I'll be damned.\" Laura deSantos, xeno-bio specialist of the *Dunia Baru Yang Berani*, pushed her dredlocks back from her face and stared again at the display on the computer holodisplay. \"Hey, Dazza, come check this out!\"\n\nDarren Charles Darwin Shabani, first officer and backup xeno-bio of the same vessel, leaned around the hatch opening. \"If you're going to use my first name, deSantos-*chan*, you could at least use the proper form of it.\"\n\n\"*Mengancuk* proper form, Dazza,\" she retorted. \"Have a squizz at that and tell me it's what I think it is.\" She gestured at the slowly rotating holo, her action causing it to restart the sequence of images.\n\nSomething in her tone must've gotten his attention, because he ignored the profanity and leaned in to examine the display. The whole sequence ran through and restarted before he spoke again, his brow furrowed in a frown. \"*Dōiu imidesu ka?\"*\n\n\"What does it mean? It means that we're going to have to rewrite the entire xeno-bio book from the ground up, that's what it means.\" Laura reached into the holo and ran it back and forward a few times. \"Flashflash, Dazza. Biology doesn't work the same when you stick the tag of 'xeno' in front of it. It looks like all our *terkutuk* assumptions go out the window when we leave Earth.\"\n\n\"No, I mean, what does it mean for our presence here on X-114-delta?\" Shabani waved his hand around at the bulkheads, and the planet beyond by inference. \"Have we interacted with the local biome in any meaningful way, and what effect is it going to have?\"\n\nHer eyes widened as his meaning became clear to her. \"Oh, *kotoran*.\"\n\n\"*Hai, kotoran.\"* He straightened up and moved away from the console. \"I have to inform *Shushō Dentaku* about this.\"\n\n\"You know he knows you call him that, don't you?\" She tried for levity, but the unwelcome revelation made it difficult. \"'Captain Calculator'. *Maysa Allah.\"*\n\n\"And he no doubt has his own names for all of us,\" Shabani observed dryly. \"Go. Call everyone in. From here on in, we're observing hostile environment protocols.\"\n\n\"*Tidak ada omong kosong,* Shabanilock,\" she retorted, but she moved to obey anyway.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\n*\"No bio-contamination detected.\"* The lights around the decon area flashed green. This didn't actually make Laura feel any better. All the crew was inside, but what had they left out there?\n\n\"*Khorosho,* we're clean,\" announced Bjarne Huang-Zao, one of the ship's security personnel. \"What was the big *speshka*?\"\n\n\"The big rush,\" Laura stated, now that she had them all in the same room, \"is that the Darwinian concept of evolutionary pressure doesn't seem to apply on X-one-one-four-delta. None of the bio-forms out there had to toughen up because something else kept killing 'em. So they've got *nol* defenses against ... well, anything. Including anything we introduce.\"\n\n\"*Xуесос*,\" blurted Huang-Zao. \"Micro-organisms, too?\"\n\n\"Especially,\" she confirmed.\n\n\"But we walked everywhere without bio-suits,\" protested Huang-Zao. \"Why didn't we show contamination?\"\n\nLaura shook her head. \"Because whatever touched you, died. Whatever you breathed in, died. Whatever you stood on probably died. We can't leave the ship until we take off. And we'd better hope our takeoff burn sterilises the area, or we might just have introduced an extinction event onto this planet.\"\n\n*\"Xeno-bio deSantos, the problem is broader than you think.\"* The captain's voice brought her up short. *\"Onboard sensors have detected an incoming trace in the upper atmosphere. The radar return and speed of descent are congruent with another ship of this approximate size and power.\"*\n\nLaura, Bjarne and Darren stared at each other. \"We don't have another ship coming here ... do we?\" she asked.\n\n*\"Iie,\"* Shabani replied. \"We do not. That's a xeno ship. With xeno organisms on board.\"\n\nLaura grimaced. \"And if they're the same as life here ... they've got zero defenses against us. Against any of the thousands of micro-organisms or even the macro-organisms we've got on our bodies. *Kotoran.\"*\n\n\"***Kotoran***, *indeed, xeno-bio deSantos. Activating drive now. We must scour the area before they have a chance to land and open their airlocks.*\" A deep rumbling sound became audible through the whole ship. *\"I would advise everyone to brace themselves. This may get bumpy.\"*\n\nSlowly, the ship lifted off, balancing on a roar of flame. It swept over the surrounding area, but this wasn't enough. The *Dunia Baru Yang Berani*'s sensors scanned the area, detecting discolourations where they hadn't been there before. Manipulating the controls with a micrometer touch, the cyborg-AI brain of the ship swept it from side to side like a tremendous, horrific broom that ignited everything it touched.\n\nWatching the screens, Laura shook her head slightly. \"It never even evolved a defense against sudden heat.\"\n\nWhen a hundred square miles of landscape was solidly ablaze, the ship began to gain altitude, climbing through the atmosphere, reaching for space. Below, the fire spread ever wider, cleansing flame ensuring that the human-borne contamination could not kill this world, or the galaxy at large. On the sensors, the alien ship dropped ever closer, no doubt searching them with its own sensors.\n\n*\"They are attempting to hail us,\"* the Captain reported. *\"Your discovery means we cannot make contact with them.\"*\n\nLaura shook her head in agreement. \"No. We can't. All we can ever do is tell them to *tinggal di luar.\"*\n\n*\"Hai,\"* agreed Shabani sadly. \"Keep out.\""
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[WP] In this universe, every time someone’s loved one dies, they obtain superpowers. The problem is, you wake up this morning with the ability to turn invisible - but no one you know died today.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"This morning was just like any other. I woke up dreading to go to school, but I knew my parents would yell at me if I didn't go. \n\nI took a quick shower and as I looked in the mirror I realized the mirror was empty. \"Huh?\" I said putting my over the mirror. My hand materializes and I'm left wondering for a second and then I realize what's happened.\n\n\"Wait who died?\" I ask myself. I immediately head to my parent's bedroom, but their still sleeping. I send a quick message to the rest of my relatives, but by the time I'm finished taking a shower everyone's said that no one they know has passed away. \n\nI doubt my parents would be awake anytime soon so I knocked onto my sister's room.\n\n\"Go away,\" she says.\n\n\"But Layla,\" I say. \"I got a power.\"\n\nShe immediately opens the door and says \"You don't have to lie to get me to open the door you know.\"\n\n\"Check this out,\" I say making my entire body invisible. \n\n\"Whoa,\" she says. \"You really did a get a power. But, as far as I can tell I haven't gotten anything. You think it was one of your friends.\"\n\n\"I'm not sure...\" I say. \"I have to ask out at school. I already texted everyone.\"\n\nWhen I do go to school I immediately ask my teacher if I can go to the power management office. They agree to let me go, but like my sister only believe me after I demonstrate my power.\n\nTheir is an old man sitting behind the desk in the office. \"What happened kid?\" he asks me. \n\nI had to admit there was a sort of authoritative aura around him, one that wanted me to obey him. But I did my best to ignore it. \n\n\"I got a new power, but I can't find out who died.\"\n\n\"Well have you checked with your parents, close friends, and other close relatives.\"\n\n\"Yeah,\" I say. \"But they are all fine.\"\n\n\"I would recommend you calm down. You would only get the power if it was someone you know well. The only two people you get it from by default would be your parents. Your not adopted are you?\"\n\n\"Of course not,\" I say. \n\n\"Well let me check your file,\" he says. He goes into a thick drawing and he uses his powers to lift all the junk floating the room and organize it.\n\n\"That's neat,\" I say. \n\n\"It comes in handy,\" he says . \"But it definitely wasn't worth my wife.\" I don't speak for the next few minutes because I'm not sure what to say. \n\n\"Here it is,\" he says . \"Let's have a look at your file.\"\n\n\"Oh no,\" he says and I stand up from my chair. \"What is it?\" I ask.\n\n\"Who do you look like more?\" he asks. \"My father I say.\"\n\n\"What is his power and who did he receive them from them.\" I say. \"He has three, shadow cloaking from his ex girlfriend, high jump from one of his uncles, and finally flame manipulation from his father.\" I don't know why I felt so worried considering he was asking me just regular questions. Maybe I was overreacting. \n\n\"Okay give me your father's full name.\"\n\n\"Christopher Alexander Ranger.\" I say. \n\n\"Has he ever changed his name?\" he asks me. \n\n\"Not that I know off. Uhm, but everyone I know calls him Robby for some reason. Everyone said it was a family nickname, so that might be useful.\"\n\n\"And your name is Ken. Look at this monitor, do you recognize the woman in this picture?\"\n\nHe shows me a woman who strangely looks like a little like me. \"Uhm, know. Who is that.\"\n\n\"I fear she is your mother.\" \"I'm sorry have to tell you this, but your father was accused of rape nearly a decade ago. This was the alleged victim. She died yesterday from a mugging. I assume you can piece together the rest.\"\n\n\"No, no, no, NO!\" I say. \"That can't be true.\" I say in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.\n\n\"But it is true, all the evidence points to it. I'm sorry, but that is your biological mother. I'm calling the police right now. Would you like to stay here for the rest of the day. I'll have you excused from your classes. I am also a counselor so you know you can tell me anything, right?\" he says. \n\nHe sounds like a robot, like he's rehearsed that exact phrase a million times.\n\n\"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE,\" I say storming out of the office. No way, this was all some kind of cruel joke. No way that my father did that, and now way that was my mother.\n\nBut i the back of my mind I thought about just how similar we looked. So much so, that it couldn't just be a simple coincidence...\n\nFor more stories and updates join me at r/NinjaMasterXY",
"*BEEP BEEP BEEP* I slam the snooze button, a little too hard, smashing not only the alarm but the table that it sat on. Nothing has been the same since mom died. I haven't been able to control the strength yet, I'm still crushing doorknobs with my grip. I actually haven't been able to control any of the powers that I've acquired. My most dangerous one, the power to control pressure, I've learned to turn it off but once it's on I could easily implode a lung. \n\nI sit up from my bed. clothes lay aimlessly around the room. A rank smell of a teenage boy lingers, almost like moldy wood. I stagger to the bathroom, drowsy from last night's practice. I stare in the mirror, tussle my long brown hair into somewhat of a presentable appearance and brush my teeth. Then the smell of eggs and bacon fill my nose, and the noise of the news Hammer's into my ears. I pay no mind to it and head downstairs. \n\nMy father was slouched over, barely chewing his food. his face weathered from the last few weeks, or should I say the day mom died. She passed away due to a car crash and my dad took it hardest. I didn't know his new powers. all I know is he leaves her side of the bed unmade, her clothes in a basket unwashed, and he sets her a plate every day. breakfast lunch and dinner. he barely speaks anymore. sometimes he whispers things like leave me alone, it's not real, or she can't be gone. I feel really sad for him.\n\nI walk up to the table and take a seat. he doesn't even look up when I say good morning. he only jumps and looks around at what's happening, before nodding slightly and going back to his meal. we spend the rest of the meal in silence. only listening to the news saying something about a body being found crushed completely and the newest superpower to emerge. something about intuition. I didn't pay much attention to the details, I only stammered back up to my room to sleep. when I get to the hallway I notice my reflection in the mirror. I seem paler than usual almost transparent almost invincible! I ran back downstairs yelling to dad ”can you see me!” dad jumped and looked around. then getting extremely sad I quieted down knowing what this meant. someone died again. I wish I could turn off the invisibility, so I could comfort him but I don't know how. so I just hug him.\n\nAfter hours of trying I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, and simply practiced controlling my strength. around lunch, I saw dad on the phone saying ” I haven't seen him at all since yesterday. yes. Yes he's 16 and has brown hair and blue eyes. No”. I freak out and run downstairs trying to stop him. I yank the phone out his hand, and tell the police I am still there. that I have been here all day. my dad screams, and tries to find the sound of my voice. after not being able to find me he ran faster than lightning upstairs. one of his various powers. he was up there for days, and he never came out for anything but food.\n\nDays later I went to check on him. when I opened the door I was stopped by a purple barrier. I had never seen this one before. it must have been the new power he got from mom. suddenly a loud knock on the door broke my concentration. the barrier quickly fell, and my dad zoomed by me. I followed him down the stairs. the cops were at the door. I only caught the last part, and it was, ”I'm sorry sir I wish you the best”. my dad fell to his knees as he closed the door. he looked like he hadn't shaved in weeks, and his once bright eyes were dull. he quietly said ” I can't believe my boy is gone”. a gun materialized in his hands I yelled, ”no”! but was to late as he bore a bullet into his brain. I screamed ”that I was still here that I'm just invisible”. as I held his body the news was on in the background. a policeman was commenting on the recent death. ” we have identified the body as a 16-year-old white male with blue eyes. we have determined that he had the power of controlled pressure, and was attempting to control it. this led to a pressure drop in a 60 ft area. imploding his body completely. the pressure was said to be at 1800 psi. the sudden change made it quick and painless”. I cried and stared at my transparent hands. maybe I wasn't invisible.\n\nSorry for lack of punctuation and spelling mistakes I am horrible with punctuation and grammar.",
"You ever get the feeling that you're being watched?\n\nHi, the name's Ron, and I know it's a stupid question. Everyone at some point or another has always felt like they were being watched; regardless of whether or not they actually were. It's just something that comes and passes. At least, that's what I've heard it's like; I wouldn't actually know.\n\nThis \"feeling\" that everyone I know has said they've had before: I have never felt it. Now I know what you're thinking: \"Sure you've felt it, you just didn't realize that's what it was!\". It wouldn't be the first time I have heard that sentence before. But I don't think that's the case here. Everyone describes it almost like a sixth sense, something that suddenly overcomes them and makes them uncomfortable. The thing is: I have never felt like that. I have never had a sudden feeling like that overtake me before, and I'm pretty sure I would know if I had gained a sudden feeling like that. There have certainly been moments in my life where it felt like something was \"off\", but nothing like that. At least, that's what I had thought until this morning.\n\nEveryone starts their day differently. Some go back to sleep for a little bit; others get up and eat some breakfast. As for me, I go straight into the shower; the water helps me not feel as sleepy. It was odd night for me: I had barely gotten any sleep. I kept turning and twisting in bed, readjusting myself over and over, never finding that sweet spot. I don't usually have problems sleeping, but something had kept bothering me and keeping me awake. I don't know why, as nothing had happened that would make me feel that way; but despite this the feeling continued. When the morning finally came, I felt tired and groggy. I thought surely the shower would help me with this.\n\nI was wrong.\n\nWhen I stepped out of the shower and looked into the mirror, I finally noticed it; though perhaps in this case, it would be more accurate to say that I didn't notice anything: not even myself. My first thought that hit me was the obvious one: I'm still really tired and have just not fully processed my surroundings yet. So I waited for a few seconds to pass, shaking my head to get the blood flowing. But I still couldn't see myself in the mirror. \"Ah.\" I sighed to myself. The steam. It must be the steam from the shower that has clouded the mirror and blocked my view of it. Certainly this is what was happening. But as soon as this thought passed through my head, so did the fact that I had taken a cold shower. I looked at my body: I could see myself just fine. My mind moved to the next logical thought \"There must be a problem with the mirror.\" The only issue is that makes no sense: how could a mirror fail to reflect the image in it? In a bit of a panic, a ran out of the bathroom, but tripped on something and tumbled into my desk. I looked down but I wasn't sure what I tripped on. Multiple items had fallen from my desk: My alarm clock, my lamp, my notebook-\n\nBut the strange thing is, I don't own a notebook.\n\nAfter a moment of confusion, I slowly picked up the notebook. It had no name on it or anything to identify who it belonged to. Thinking there would be a clue as to who's it was, I flipped to a random page:\n\n\"Day 985: Lunch today was a Turkey BLT. Ron got his with avocado, but I never took a liking to avocado. I watched when he wasted half his sandwich; it kind of pissed me off a bit. Some people are starving in the world, and here he is wasting a sandwich. Of course I still love him though. I would have told him this, but it's not like he'll hear me; although I have certainly tried these past few years to get a conversation out of him. But they don't teach you in school that a side effect of staying invisible for too long is fading from other peoples awareness. Although at this point I've gotten used to that. At the moment, I am far more concerned about my other condition. It's getting worse by the day, and I obviously have no one to get help from. Hopefully it passes on its own, because I don't know what to do if it doesn't...\"\n\nI dropped the notebook and fell on the floor. What had started as an already weird morning had now turned into something completely different. At best, this was a sick joke. At worst, a stalker. But more than that...\n\nOne thing I forgot to mention before: superpowers. These have always been a commonplace thing in this world, but it wasn't discovered until a few decades back that the cause was the passing of a loved one. The stronger their feelings toward you, the higher your chance of inheriting their ability. This ranged from a number of abilities such as flight, super strength, and even invisibility... invisibility which I now have. Certainly it would have explained why I couldn't see myself in the mirror, along with what the person in the notebook was talking about. Only...for me to get their ability they had to love me. Why the hell would someone who I didn't even know love me? And does this mean that they're dead? All questions that would certainly be found in that notebook on the floor next to me. I looked at it, and noticed it had landed on the last page of the notebook. Whatever was written there was the final entry of the notebook, and would have to explain what had happened to them. I picked the notebook back up, and immediately noticed that the ink was fresh, and written only a few hours ago. I looked to the top of the page, but instead of a numbered day, it instead had a different title-\n\n\"Dear Ron\",\n\n\"I don't really know what to say, or how to say it. This must certainly be odd to you, finding a random notebook in your room that details the past few years of your life. I'm sure the first word that comes to your mind is \"Stalker\", and I suppose you wouldn't be wrong. But unlike a stalker, hiding in the shadows, I was right there with you the whole time. You...you wouldn't have known that though. That's my price for being to cocky with my powers. Most people get a pretty lame power, but somehow I was gifted with invisibility. And of course the first thing I do with it is mess with people and commit petty theft. Maybe this is my punishment for that, not being able to talk to you...to touch you...to express my love for you.\n\nIt was quite a few years ago, and I doubt you even remember it. It was around the time I had permanently become invisible due to my foolishness. Overuse of a power always has consequences, and in my case it was to never become visible again. More than that, no one will ever hear me or feel my touch again. I've all but faded from existence. I decided this was no way to live, and though it would be best to just put an end to all of it. So I went out one night and planted myself in front of a car. They wouldn't see me, so surely they wouldn't stop. It would be over soon: quick and painless. But that didn't happen, because they did stop. And that person who stopped was you. Suddenly in the middle of the road, for absolutely no reason, or so I though. Then I looked down next to me, and noticed the injured squirrel on the road. It was bleeding bad, and couldn't move. It had probably been hit by another car passing by. It certainly wouldn't make it through the night, and like me was better off dead. But instead of a mercy killing, you got out of your car, covered it in a cloth, and brought it to your car. I was curious, so I got in along with you to see what your plans were for that poor squirrel. You then rushed it to the vet, begging the people at the front to help in any way they could. You were kind like that; always have been since. I saw myself in that squirrel: something that shouldn't be kept alive to suffer. Even still, you did everything you could to make sure it could still have a life. And in that same way you helped the squirrel, you helped me. And it was then that I fell in love with you, and decided to always be with you.\n\nI'm sick, Ron, and there is nothing in this world that I alone can do to get better. It's probably a highly treatable sickness as well, but one that I was unable to ask anyone for help with. I can feel that it will take me tonight. I'm scared, Rob. Scared to leave you, and scared of what you will think when you find this. I'll be here with you though, in my final moments. Just that alone makes it alright. Thank you. Thank you for saving that squir-...for saving me.\n\nWith love,\n\n\\-Anna.\"\n\n............................................\n\n\"Anna...\". The name I was eagerly anticipating. One that rang throughout my mind....a mind that is flooded with thoughts and emotions. I can't make sense of any of them, and I probably never will. But somehow, throughout that sea of though, something came to the surface: the feeling of being watched. A feeling I had never felt before, and I now knew why: I had always been watched.\n\nThe feeling was constant, and never went away. I just didn't realize that's what it was. At the same time, another thought came up in my head:\n\nWhat I tripped on coming out of the bathroom."
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[WP]2361. Animals have evolved into highly intelligent creatures that coexist in society with the humans.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"AI was harder than we thought. There really WAS something special about humans that couldn't easily be replicated by computers. That something, it turned out, was in the brain stem. It governed basic instincts and emotions, and it was shared by many vertebrates. Enhancing humans with computer memory and logic proved easy, but it was also easy for dogs, cats, squirrels, parrots, crows, alligators, turtles. Some adapted to it even better than humans. We could even enhance the squid and octopus, but those proved to be rather alien. By 2361, hundreds of enhanced animal species had existed for well over a century. They tended to form their own neighborhoods and distinctive subcultures in the growing civilization of our solar system."
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[WP] Give me Liberty or Give me Death! The Statue of Liberty in New York is a gift from the people of France to the people of America, one revolutionary government to another. What if, in accordance with the famous quote from Patrick Henry, they had instead presented a statue of Death?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Will it be functional?\" \n\nBoth of the men stared at the strange, partially constructed monument that was being erected in New York harbor. The progress to complete the massive undertaking had been slow to say the least. Between a lack of funding and the constant protests the monument had almost not been at all. The French insisted that it was a gift and not a threat. The project had proceeded in an awkward attempt to not upset their allies. At the cost of upsetting many New Yorkers. \n\n\"I don't think so,\" the other man answered. \n\n\"Why would they think this is a good idea?\" \n\n\"They are French and to them it is a symbol of revolution. A common thread between our two countries.\"\n\nRumor had it that a second plan for a statue had been in place. A statue of justice. How different the world would be if that had been instead of this. Symbols were powerful in that way. You could never be sure how it might effect the people around it. \n\nThe Cross. \nThe Jolly Roger.\nThe Great Pyramids. \n\nHow had these symbols effected their peoples? How would this one effect New York? Only time could tell as the saying goes. Despite what the French thought their monument represented, the people of New York thought quite differently. The people of New York thought it represented death and rightly so by both these gentleman's perspective. The monument stood at 151 feet. More then that if you measured the pedestal it was built on. The bottom of the monument had a women on her knees. Her head in a stockade. A crown upon her head. At the top of the monument was the blade that would never fall but, would forever be reminder of the many that did during the French's revolution. \n\n\"I hear they've already given it a name,\" said the first man as a chill ran down his spine. Goose pimples bristled upon his forearm. \"Madame Guillotine.\""
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[WP] you own a magical bottle which contains any liquid you’ll need during a day. One morning you go to check your bottle and find cyanide?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The bottle came to me from my father. He received it from his father, who took it from a merchant in a card game. I'm fairly certain the merchant bought it from someone who had no idea of its value. Who would willingly part with a magic bottle?\n\nMost magic bottles contain djinns. That, at least, is what all the stories say. My bottle gives me whatever I need most for the day. Most days, it's water. My neighbor drank water from a stream, got sick, and died. My bottle gives me put, clean water, all day. You would be surprised to learn how important clean water is.\n\nThis morning, it looked like water, but didn't smell right. I live in the capital, so there are a few chemist's shops. He identified it as cyanide. Why would I need cyanide? I mulled the question as I stepped out into the street. Guards were running for the walls.\n\nThat was the day King Edmark brought his army to our doorstep. We were a kingdom of merchants. We had very little in the way of an army. Our gates were more to control the flow of traffic in and out of the city then anything else. Edmark was in the city within the hour. Looting began almost immediately. I was rounded up and put to work.\n\nI was allowed to keep my water bottle. It occurred to me, then, that I had a way out. Me, and my countrymen. Our last laugh would be the gruesome sight that the guards would find. Before I could put my plan into motion, however, and guard grabbed me but the short and dragged me over to a large tent.\n\nEdmark and his advisors were planning their conquest of the surrounding kingdoms. The servants needed someone to pour the wine into glasses. All it took was a few dollops...",
"I looked at the bottle and understood immediately. My chest sank and every breath became heavy, but laced with the realisation was a kind of relief too. I had suspected this, really, for some time now. The creeping sense of discontentment, the gnawing feeling that nothing will ever be enough - that while others laughed and sought refuge in the company of loved ones, I alone was condemned, that I felt loneliest in the presence of another person, that I could never be happy, that it made no sense for this wretched existence to continue. \n\nAnd now it was confirmed. I opened the bottle, tipped my head back, and for the last time, I drank.",
"'Huh. That's new.'\nI thought to myself, momentarily mulling over the fact that I now had a saturated cyanide solution on me, despite already having far more than enough perfectly good cyanide with which to make such a solution in the lab.\n\nIt wasn't often though that a magical bottle thinks you need an immensely powerful poison and a pretty darn useful lab reagent though, so I decided to keep it. If anything I could pour it out into a container and sit it in the lab for the future. Besides, if I dumped it out disposing of a half-liter of cyanide waste would be a pain. Turns out, the bottle was right.\n\nNo sooner than I finished the thought I knocked my coffee mug off the desk I was currently sitting at, shattering it.\n\n\"God damn it. As if grant applications weren't enough hassle to deal with.\"\n\nI looked back at the bottle, down at the mug, then to my computer.\n\n'Preparation of cyanoacrylate glue from cyanide solution'. Praise Google. At least this was a welcome distraction from what I was supposed to be doing."
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[WP] An uneasy truce has existed between the races of Men, Elves, Trolls and Dwarves for the last 500 years. You are a human office worker who accidently hits the heir to the Elvish throne with your car and kills them. You look at the body and try and decide what to do now
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The small crowd slowly gathered at the edges of the street gawking at the crash. Blood and a twitching keg sticking out of the mess of my car. I i couldn't do anything my back tire popped and my old bronco swerved onto the sidewalk. Carefully I inspected the damage popping the hood open and instantly hacking. \n\nSeveral of the spectators shielding their children's eyes as I set the hood back into place. The metal latch unable to lock due to the damage caused but stuck enough to hold it in place. Quickly I pulled my flip phone from my pocket dialing the police and panicking. \n\n\"*This is the center for civil services what is your emergency?*\" \"Um the tire on my vehicle popped and it swerved onto the sidewalk hitting a pedestrian.\" \"*Okay calm down sir what is the location of the crash*\" \"Fifth Avenue and Downing I'm not sure he is alive\" \"*Were sending a team right now what is the current state of the victim is he breathing?*\" \n\n.\n\nOnce again I glanced back toward the hood a small amount of grey matter leaking from the compartment. \"No, I'm currently looking at several fragments of what might be his brain spread across my hood.\" \"*Stay tight where you are the police will be there in a few minutes. Can you describe the victim for me or find any drivers license or personal information on the body?*\" \n\nDelicately I traversed to the front of the car a thigh and set of bloody legs hanging limply. My hands quickly ruffling through the man's black pants finding a expensive leather wallet filled with dollar bills. A library of cards filling the rack, as I quickly pull the individual's library card. \n\nThe young elven man's face smiling and a name written along the fringe of the identification. \"I have the name one Reaser Silvan a 235 year old Male, I i have his library card.\" \"*Your doing good work stay calm the team should almost be there what is your name.*\" \n\n.\n\nIn the distance a set of sirens echoed off of the walls as several emergency vehicles rounded the corner. \"Fitz Patrick\""
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[WP] You have spent years working your way up the organisation and have finally been put in charge of Team Omega, the most secretive and successful special ops team, only to find out it is a group of highschool kids with really messed up pasts, really badass skills, and no sense of self-preservation
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Can we die already?\" Slice asks me. I can tell how serious is is by the icy emptiness of his eyes. ALL of the kids here had it, and now it was my job keeping them alive.\n\nAt first I had thought it was keeping them safe from the enemy, but now I realized they wanted me to keep them from killing themselves.\n\n\"Commander, which would you prefer drowning or asphyxiating because of a fire?\" one of my operatives code named Riptide says. She had a bottle of water in her hand, but it certainly wasn't filled with water. In the other hand she had a mouse that she had somehow managed to catch with a trap she made out of only sticks and a few pieces of string.\n\n\"Can I have the acid?\" Pyromaniac says. \"I think it could really boost up the firepower of my flamethrower.\"\n\n\"You think we can slice up the mouse, first. I need it's heart for an experiment.\" Slice says taking out one of his knives. Somehow he manages to slice it's heart out in only a single movement with a knife so thin that it looked almost like a needle.\n\n\"Back guys,\" Terra our scout says jumping down from the trees. \"I kinda got carried away and might have accidentally sniped one of their guys. It was a head shot though. Commander can we move on?\"\n\n\"Tell me,\" I say. \"Why is it that you all act like this. Now I might be old compared to you guys, but I've never seen kids like you.\"\n\n\"I set off a fire when I was seven that killed my entire family and destroyed the rest of the town.\" Pyromaniac says. My father was a chemist which was where I learned chemistry.\"\n\n\"My parents were both captains at sea,\" Riptide says. \"After we were lost at sea for several months they died and I was the only survivor. That's where I learned how to swim and hunt for myself.\"\n\n\"I killed my shit parents when I was twelve. I simply stabbed them a couple times. Don't tell anyone though, the police thought it was a murder suicide.\" Slice says.\n\n\"My folks lived up in the mountains,\" Terra says. \"And there was a landslide.\"\n\n\"And?\" I ask.\n\n\"And I was the only survivor.\" she finishes. She broke into a devilish grin that only further confirmed that all these kids were totally and utterly crazy. But they were also our best operatives and since I was now the best captain I had been reassigned to this team.\n\n\"So can we kill them yet?\" Terra asks.\n\n\"But, we still have to go in.\" I say in. What was she talking about?\n\n\"No, I managed to lure a couple of them away,\" Terra says.\n\n\"And I trapped them,\" Riptide says.\n\n\"So we completed the objective,\" I say. \"You were only supposed to be a scout though and when did Riptide manage to...\"\n\n\"Remember when I asked to go to the bathroom,\" Riptide says. \"Terra radioed me and I managed to get up a trap.\"\n\n\"Okay,\" I say still confused. She had only been gone for ten minutes, I know she carried a few pre-made traps, but it still took time to set it all up.\n\n\"I can slice them up,\" Slice says.\n\n\"I'd rather use them as target practice,\" Terra says.\n\n\"Why can't we burn them,\" Pyromaniac asks.\n\n\"I got a great idea,\" Terra says. \"I shoot their arms and legs and then Slice can stab them. And then we finally burn the bodies and then Riptide can deposit the ashes in a nearby river that I spotted.\"\n\n\"Great idea!\" the others all say in unison. I can tell they were totally messed up people, but I had to admit that they worked as well as my old subordinates did. Actually no, there a better team than my old subordinates, which was a sad thing to admit considering how much I admired my old guys and gals.\n\n\"You go do that,\" I say. \"Right now I need to talk with our superiors. Good job, guys.\" I say, sighing.\n\n\"Our old commander never thanked us for our work, so thank you for being nice.\" Riptide says.\n\n\"He got what he deserved though,\" Slice says with a devilish grin of his own. I did not want to ask what that meant. As far as I knew their old commander died on a mission, but I was confident that it wasn't the enemy that killed him.\n\nThey never did find his body...\n\nFor more stories and updates join r/NinjaMasterXY\n\nEdit: Grammar"
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[WP] You are a bee who is tired of dancing only to communicate directions for resources - you want to be a performer!
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Every bee has a dream, right? I’ve always known mine. Ever since I could remember, I wanted to be a performer – that’s why I became a worker bee. I just… I love to dance. And I know what you’re thinking… worker bees aren’t performers. But, you’re wrong. We use dance as a way to communicate with each other, which means that hundreds of other bees are watching you dance at any given moment. Is that not the definition of a performance? Anyway, I’m getting a little off track here. My job requires me to perform a traditional dance, the waggle dance, as a way of communicating resources to coworkers. This dance has a few variations depending on the needs of the task, but at the end of the day, I can’t perform the way I want to. And, you know, I’ve tried to add some… spice to the mix, but other bees got really mad when they misunderstood what I was trying to do. I mean, I didn’t realize that half of my coworkers would try to interpret my dance as a means of direction. So, how was it my fault that they ended up flying five miles South instead of two miles directly Northeast? That could’ve happened to any bee. And I know that it’s really hard for a bee nowadays to reach ends meet as a performer, but I really, really think that it’s my time to shine. I think that I need to just quit my job as a worker bee and finally pursue my dream of becoming a performer. Who knows, maybe the next time we talk – I’ll be the next Barry B. Benson. \n\n\n \n(I tried to have some fun with this)",
"To be, or not to be; that is the question. \n\nTo be precise - to be a bee, or not to be a bee. That is how they see.\n\nIntrinsically, a bee must be (or be seen to be) what a bee should be. Not so for me.\n\nA bee I may be, but not a B - an A, a star. An A* bee, you'll see.\n\nNo bee believes they can leave. Here is all they know, with the petals and the leaves and the to and fro. The pollen, and its dance. As a show? So-so.\n\nI see my chance to go. The stage is my new home. I feel my dance in flow. Like the dandelion, one blow, and off.\n\n\nI am a bee, yet not a bee. Watch out for me."
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[WP] You are born in a fantasy game world as an NPC following the same story line again and again. By some unknown event a prompt panel pops up giving you two choices. Continue your normal life or evolve into a limitless adventurer.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My name is Getchin. By now, I have about about a billion median greuse houses built, each able to house seven median greuses that lay median greuse eggs costing approximately six silver coins. That is, six silver if you sell them in Gimble Town, located 15 seconds and a loading screen from my house, or just a loading screen if you fast travel. A billion median greuse houses. \n\n\nI should be rich from all the silver but, I am sadly not, as I live in a two bedroom farm house that has a sink and three cabinets with two to six cans of greuse meat and one to two copper coins. This greuse meat restores about five points of health each and the copper coins, like silver coins, can be used to buy items that make items that make rarer items that will eventually make the rarest items. \n\n\nTo make a median greuse house requires five boards from The Ruined City, Glue from a slimey gnome found in the Northern Forest, and wire from a merchant in Gimble Town after you kill five evil lepers for him. \n\nEvery minute an adventurer comes to my house, wondering how he can get median greuse eggs. So naturally I say \n\n\n\"I need materials to make a median greuse house. To make it I need five boards, two glue, and three feet of wire.\" \n\nThey then enter my home and loot my cabinets for greuse meat and copper coins, then leave.\n\nAfter five minutes, or, if they look a big stupid, they come back and give me exactly what I ask for. I say \n\n\n\"Woah, just what I needed, here have six median greuse eggs, do with them what you will.\" \n\nThey then enter my home and loot my cabinets for greuse meat and copper coins again, then leave.\n\nThey also ask questions sometimes, like \"Who is the Dark Lord?\" \"Who is King Gurganel?\" \"How do I use magic?\" or sometimes \"Where are you from?\" I then respond with thirty words of text, which they skip through after reading the first five. \n\nBetween adventurers arriving a large rectangle popped popped up right in my face, obscuring my view of part of my house and garden. Annoyingly, it was covered with text. \n\n\"Start over as adventurer, aiming to eventually defeat the evil King.\"\n\n>Yes\n\n\n\n>No\n\nNothing like this had ever happened to me before. To start over and become an adventurer? Not just a robot of a character? Defeating the evil king was a tall order, but could I have it in me to do it? Slay him and save the land of Minoan from his everpresent but ineffectual tyranny that hadn't really effected me that much?\n\nI think of the possibilities. To become a hero, respected by all including the King. I should do it, I should. I would be the lands greatest adventurer of all time, slayer of evil and collector of ultra rare items I would never use. \n\nThen, I hear footsteps approaching my house. It's an adventurer decked out in cloth armour with a bent iron sword. He is level five. He comes within four inches of the right side of my head and asks\n\n\"How can I get median greuse eggs?\"\n\nHe needs eggs, and I need that house so the bird things can lay them.\n\nI tap the second option on the panel and say,\n\n\"I need materials to make a median greuse house. To make it I need five boards, two glue, and three feet of wire.\""
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[WP] Your friend has clearly been taken over by some kind of alien hivemind, but it's doing a terrible job blending in.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\n“Hey Walter, wait up!” I jogged to catch up with my long legged friend and was out of breath by the time I reached him. “Why didn’t you wait for me? We were supposed to meet at the Taco Shop.”\n\nWalter stared blankly before hiccuping violently. “What?”\n\nI squinted. “The Taco Shop? The one a whole BLOCK from here? I had to sprint to catch up with you, man.”\n\nWalter hiccuped.\n\n“What’s wrong with you? You’ve been acting weird since Rachel’s party.” \n\nWalter had been more than weird. Ever since he made out with the new foreign exchange student at Rachel’s party he’d been... different. Not himself.\n\nWalter nodded absentmindedly and coughed into his elbow. “Sorry Jacob. Just distracted today, I guess.”\n\nLike that. No one calls me Jacob. Except Mom. But that’s not the point. Walter usually calls me Jake. And sometimes Dickwad.\n\nI shrugged it off and asked if he needed help carrying the huge stack of magazines he was balancing in his lanky arms.\n\nIt was only after he handed me half that I saw they were all Cat related. Cat Woman comics, Kitty Health magazines, even an Animal Kingdom type article on feline predators, lions and tigers and the like.\n\nOh yeah, that’s one of the weird things he’s been doing. He’s like, obsessed with cats.\n\nI’d caught him staring intently at my cat Jalapeño several times, and if I didn’t know any better I would have thought he was taking notes on her. \n\nI also saw him petting her, almost tentatively, like he was scared of her, but with something like reverence in his eyes.\n\nWalter is allergic to cats. He hates them. It’s been one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in our relationship. That and he likes pineapple on pizza. Which is unforgivable.\n\nAnyway, not only that, he keeps HICCUPING. Like, all the time. And coughing. And sometimes gagging. It’s the weirdest thing.\n\nAnd he never pays attention to anything I say anymore. It’s like he’s not interested in hanging out... until I’m not available, that is. \n\nWhich reminded me...\n\n“Walter, why did you crash my date with Ruby? I thought I made it clear I did not require wingman services last night.”\n\n“Huh? Oh yeah, that. I don’t know.”\n\n“Well, it was a sucky thing to do. I was about to make a move.”\n\nWalter shifted the magazines to the crook of his left arm to examine his nails. “Sorry.”\n\nHe didn’t sound sorry. Whatever. Ruby had had garlic breath anyway.\n\n\nI noticed we weren’t circling back to the Taco Shop. We were actually heading to a more isolated part of town.\n\n“Why aren’t we walking back to the Taco Shop, man? These magazines are heavy and I’m really craving a Mega Bacon Crunch right now.”\n\nWalter ignored me and continued his steady stride; which I then noticed was heading in the direction of an abandoned looking building with graffiti all over the sides.\n\n“Why are we going to the old Danish factory? This place gives me the creeps.”\n\nI wasn’t entirely sure what Walter’s reply to that was, but it sounded a lot like, “Have to find the hairy beacon.” Which was a weird thing to say. But he’s a mumbler.\n\n“Come again?” I jogged to keep up. His strides were getting longer.\n\nWalter made a weird vibrating sound from the back of his throat as we reached the door of the building. It kinda sounded like a-\n\n“Ah, Walter! What the fuck!” He had kicked the door down.\n\nWalter calmly stepped inside the building and scanned the room for whatever it was he seemed to be looking for.\n\nI was freaking out at this point; because Walter had NEVER done something like this before. He wouldn’t even do something as harmless as writing on his desk at school, let alone damage city property.\n\n“Walter? Are you okay, man?”\n\nWalter scanned the whole room, but evidently did not find whatever it was he was looking for.\n\n“Wow, such empty,” He sighed.\n\nI was really freaking out at this point. Walter needed HELP. It didn’t help my growing sense of panic when Walter started violently hiccuping. And coughing.\n\nAnd... spitting?\n\nI watched in horror as Walter shuddered violently and hacked up what looked like an enormous fur ball. \n\nI would probably have blown chunks right then and there. But then something else happened. Something that changed everything.\n\nWalter noticed an odd looking symbol spray painted on the wall next to a dusty light switch.\n\nHe smiled as he dropped the magazines he was holding and stepped up to the symbol. \n\nHe licked it.\n\n“Ugh! What the fuck, man!”\n\nA glowing green light filled the room as he turned to me with triumph in his eyes.\n\n“It is time.” He grinned in delight. “Time for you to meet her.”\n\n“Who?” It took every ounce of stamina in my body not to faint right then and there. “Time for me to meet who?”\n\nWalter’s eyes glowed yellow as he pointed behind me and whispered with reverence, “One your kind once knew as Bastet, many years ago. But my people simply call her The Mother!”\n\nI peeked over my shoulder and screamed as I felt my body being taken over.\n\nThen I was part of her litter, too."
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[WP] As someone who can see ghosts, you've had it enough of them. It's 2120 anyway, they're supposed to be obsolete by now. You go back in time to the Cretaceous, only to encounter the prehistoric ancestors of the ghost species that you know.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"An ephemeral triceratops lunged at me almost immediately, skewering nothing at all yet somehow tripping in the process. *Idiot*, I thought.\n\nI stowed my portable geister counter and flipped the switch on the larger, frame-mounted counterpart on the temporal carriage. The *Spirit Ionizer Mk. III*, the one with the AR display that tried to give you historical and demographic data on detected entities. I spat. *Idiots*, I thought again, this time in a more general sense, of those who named the thing, of the market researchers that had known perfectly well no one wanted it and the market researchers who’d known perfectly well that people could be made to want things anyhow.\n\nAfter an excess of RGB violence had tried both to tell me that a tiffany apatosaur in the distance was actually Jar Jar Binx and subsequently sell me the director’s cut of *Episode II*, I decided I’d had quite enough and turned the entire aparatus off for a couple of hours, grabbed a book and decided a brisk hike in what I had to admit were some damn fine oxygen levels was sure to lift my mood.\n\nI closed the hatch, grabbed a kit bag I’d stocked in advance for such an outing, and strode off toward a promising and mighty tree, thinking to climb it and see what my prehistoric surrounds had on offer by way of a view.\n\nNo sooner had I begun my climb than the noise of a terrible crashing approach arose behind me, accompanied by a mad screeching battle cry belonging to something terrifying, I’m sure. I visualized an assenting icon to my retinal display and a belt-mounted tazer at my hip shot backwards at my would-be attacker. An angry, electric sound, a choked reptillian cry, a thump softened by enormous, wet foliage. A raptor, said my head’s up display. *Idiot*, I, predictably thought.\n\nA competent climber, I made my way up a massive, gnarled specimen, taking care on the slippery moss and full advantage of abundant vines. I spied a broad bough with an inviting crook stretching out beyond a break in the foliage and made for it; a fine spot to witness the majesty of the prehistoric planet and then to subsequently ignore it whilst I read. The neck of a ghostly brachiosaur waved over me like a bumbling fog as it tried briefly to eat the branch I was standing on. It’s teeth caught nothing, so it tried again. And again. I sighed, too disenchanted with the eternal to even think poorly of them, and returned to my climb.\n\nThrowing my arm around my destined bough, I felt a sharp, painful pinch. I hissed and drew my hand quickly back, to discover a bright, red welt quickly rising. Something must have bitten me. I tried to ignore it, but a moment later felt a wave of dizziness and nausea pass over me. I called for my autodoc system to compensate with whatever narcotic cocktail was needed. A loading icon briefly flashed, followed by an insistent, panicky alert “Unknown Pathogen”.\n\nI thought about that for a moment—or tried to, thinking had begun to feel like staggering around inside a plushie—while my vision began to make its exit, and what I’d hitherto thought of us an abdundance of oxygen began abruptly to feel like rather too little.\n\nI felt my grip fail and *down* become a much more intimate and urgent sensation. I had just enough time to be disappointed that I, too, was an idiot before it all went black.\n\n...\n\nI find myself brimming with hopeful enthusiasm. That, that for sure was an early hominid. We’re getting close now boys, I can’t wait. They’re really quite clever already, saw one giving fire a go last Thursday—I think it was Thursday, I might have gone briefly mad in the mid-carboniferous. Any millenia now they’ll be getting around to proper culture. They’re dancing already. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. So very, very relieved not to be alone anymore.\n\n___\n\nNothing Freudian about the pandemic to see here, move along. ( ˘ ³˘)"
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[WP] You’re a delivery man for Coca Cola. Even during the apocalypse, Coca Cola is determined to keep stores stocked with Dasani water bottles.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"D–ya know?\" Hull said with a chain of hiccups firing away from his barely-coherent babbling.\n\n\"What?\" a nearby man seated on the barstool next to him responded.\n\n\"During WWII... Even in Germany, they kept it going–\" a hiccup disrupted his chain of thought, \"–Coke was made with rationed syrups until they... took whatever shit they can and invented Fanta.\"\n\n\"Huh. Interesting–\"\n\nThen a loud thump on the bar separated the two. A large slightly-unkempt man leaned over from the other side of the bar, like Moses parting the Red Sea – if only Moses had dark red-hair and kept his followers drunk most of the time.\n\n\"Don't make him start,\" the bartender made his point with a wag of his finger, \"lad is ironically a frequent of the hard stuff, considering his job is with the soft ones.\"\n\n\"I don't follow–\"\n\nThe bartender whispered, \"there,\" as he pointed towards the rather-recognisable red-coloured 'Coca-Cola' plastered on the wasted fellas' shirt pocket.\n\nThe two men exchanged looks. The innocent bystander looking rather awkward, not knowing what to do next. The bartender not wanting the conversation to go any further. But one man amongst the bunch was eager to continue his tirade, dragging the two along whether they wanted to or not.\n\n\"S-So... (*burp*) You guys drink water?\"\n\n\"Of course, you bloody twat! Even a strong scotch has water in 'em, innit?\" the bartender retorted rather excitingly. Ironic, since he was the one who tried to put the breaks on earlier.\n\n\"I mean, yeah. We humans are basically 70-80% water, right? So what's the point?\"\n\nThe drunk man grinned and sipped his half-empty beer to wet his lips, \"you lot like Dasani?\"\n\nWith that, the two men simply stayed silent.\n\nThe atmosphere went rather tense quickly. It spread like smoke in a room. Now the sparsely populated bar grew in anticipation.\n\n\"What did you just say?\" some men in ragged jackets over at the billiards table chimed in.\n\nThe bartender slowly hovered his right hand over his holstered pistol, sensing trouble. The poor sod next to the blabbering idiot of a drunkard surveyed his surrounding in panic. Some of the more perceptive bunch simply walked out of the room, not even bothering to finish their drinks but oddly leaving what they owed on their tables.\n\nEven as all these things unfolded, the wasted man laughed mockingly. This could only go one way, as they say.\n\n\"I just stocked (*burp*) heaps of 'em... On the–uh, fucking store at Molly Street–\"\n\nCommotions.\n\nBlows were exchanged.\n\nThe bartender's 9mm echoed.\n\nSmell of blood everywhere.\n\nFucking Dasani."
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[WP] Humans discover elves and in the process also discover that humans are not a race. We are the orks, and seem massive and extremely dumb compared to the elves.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Gene lifted his head from the daily paper and called gruffly towards his wife Margaret, \"Dear,\" She continued putting the dishes away and made a vaugue sound that closely resembeled a \"hm.\" \n\nGene set his paper down and turned his head in Margaret's direction. \"They discovered elves, Margaret\" he paused his speech, to scratch the top of his head and furrow his brow. \"And it says they are very advanced. Got all kinds of technologies.\" \n\nMargaret walked up behind Gene, gave his shoulder's a loving squeeze, \"That's nice darling. About time someone else had a go at it.\" She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, \"Garbage need taken out.\"\n\nGene automatically stood up and grabbed the bag of garbage from the bin under the sink and walked towards the entryway. The front door swung open swiftly in his direction as he turned and pulled the knob. Simultaneously, the door slammed over Genes toe, tearing the nail, and ripping open the bag of garbage on a sharp corner. Molded food and soggy bits flooded onto the entry rug. Gene's toe throbbed while he hopped back and let loose toe stubbing obscenities. \n\n\"About time,\" Gene stared at the soggy mat.",
"The project was done. Analysis of billions of human's genomes was done. and most shocking of all wasn't even the discovery of genetic markers of ageing, or those pointing to diseases, afflictions, skills [et.al](https://et.al). No the most shocking was that humanity could be roughly split in two: one group with a genetic predisposition for brawn and resonance and a second group with a talent for problem solving and original thought. Indeed most scientists, but other intelligent people showed signs of this mutation. It wasn't as if partial mutations could occur, no it was an either/or situation. This mutation showed strongest signs in academics, artists and gifted craftsmen and -women. Indeed, some of the people who'd shown no academic or artistic interests had this mutation a few in politics, though most of the mutations were found in spindoctors and campaign managers and some people who were rumoured to be high ranking criminals or gifted grifters. What these individuals have in common is an ease of understanding and seeing through problems. Differential calculus, complex musical rhythms and melodies, writing code, sculpting, 3d modelling, you name it: humanity's forces of creation are propelled by the people expressing this genetic markup. \n\nMeanwhile the rest of the population, missing the 'brilliance gene' (for lack of a better term) had a different aspect: they were more prone to anger and destructive tendencies. No less persuasive, mind you, many politicians and those who had no problems swaying crowds showed this genetic disposition. The purest expressions of these were found in politics, known for populist ideals and brutish attitudes. Most shocking of all is the ability to rouse people and spread persuasive ideas. Some scientists had described the phenomenon as a psychic whammy or tried to explain it through resonance in sound or smell. Religious leaders as well and people who fostered a cult of personality as well exhibited this trait: the ability to call up fervour in their followers and to instill a wide array of wild emotions. \n\nIn typing up these findings I suddenly feel my mind wander to the stories and fairy tales speaking of fey, fairies, elves and their brutish counterparts names ogres, orks, goblins and their ilk. What is we humans are a long forgotten union of the two?",
"Then the sudden realization hit Liu hard in the chest. She raised her head from the microscope. Stood up while reflexively peeling latex gloves off her now glistening hands. Walked to the door, her knees still protesting after hours of being locked in the same position. Threw the balled up gloves and mask across the lab and didn't even care to check if she landed right in the bin as she always did. Stepped outside. Shut the door behind her.\n\nWhen her back met with the sun-soaked walls of the facility, drew a lung full of her favorite menthol slims. Exhaled in a slow deliberate fashion. As she watched the smoke ascend to heavens, murmured: \n\n\"Well, this explains everything.\"",
"Hot damn, I am one smart motherfucker.\n\nOr at least, that's what I thought. It's what I thought when I received my doctorate in electrical engineering. It's what I thought when I created systems so efficient, they replaced old ones in every major war-prolonging institution across the country. I decided to delve further into chemistry, and created almost magical compounds to protect and cool my miraculous machines. I even wrote a book, and got an honorary bachelor's in philosophy for it.\n\nI was so full of myself, I was blind to all the faults. No one loved me. I had money, respect by my peers, and loyalty from my students. But they didn't want me. They would have preferred any other man as brilliant as I. But still, I thought I was hot shit until I met...him.\n\nI was jogging, trying to maintain a perfect body to complement a perfect mind. I thought when I ran, much like Alan Turing. I was mulling over the problems of the day, such as my personal finances, a new and improved flexible carbon-based polymer, and the wiring of a supercomputer I was building with a friend (as a hobby). \n\nBut suddenly, I tripped over a stick. A stick? This is a wide, paved sidewalk, it's still bright out, and I definitely was not so lost in thought to not notice it. Besides, sticks don't scream so loudly. I scrambled to my feet, and whipped my head around. \n\n\"What the fuck? Who's there?\" I yelled at the air. It sounded like the lower half of a toddler had been run over by a truck, leaving it only the capacity for shrieking. It stopped, and I just heard agonized panting. I listened closely, and began to follow it to a seemingly empty spot, when he spoke.\n\n\"Stop!\" He groaned. \"Don't come any closer! I'm warning you!\"\n\n\"Who are you? ...Where are you?\"\n\n\"Stupid ork.\" With a shimmer and a hiss, he appeared. It was not like smoke clearing, or light beginning to hit the invisible man, but like I was having a blindfold taken off. He was just there, like he had been there all this time. Both of his legs were clearly broken. Dark blue smoke poured out, like noxious gas, seeming to smell of sulfur and copper.\n\nThe pieces of his skin(?) we're strewn about him, like a glass vase used as a baseball. He was shaped almost like an adult man, but made of neon gas and glass tubing, and very small with no hair. He had no clothing to cover his gemstone features, but he did not seem to have any sexual organs (I am guessing at a \"he\" based on voice). He glowed with a soft blue light. He had propped himself up on his elbows, facing me, his face like a hollow, glowing, cut diamond. It was a portrait of pain, twisted into a grimace.\n\n\"Can you carry me to a hospital?\" He obviously did not relish the thought. There was a certain bite to his voice, hatred evident even though it was weak.\n\n\"Um. Yes. There is an emergency room just a few miles down this road, but-\"\n\n\"Absolutely not! Your orkish doctors will just as likely kill me as lying here. If you do not know where a proper healer is, I will just have to send for one.\" And indeed, he drew from the center of his plunging in his hand like I would into water, a button that he pushed and threw into the air, where it stopped, floated, and disappeared with a quiet pop. What he said still confused me.\n\n\"Orkish?\" He turned to look at me.\n\n\"Yes, orkish. That's what you are, you stupid beast. Now please, I have no more need of you. Leave me, so that my dignity does not suffer any more. Speaking your vile tongue already worsens my disposition.\"\n\n\"No, I'm human.\" For some reason, he found this hilarious.\n\n\"Yes, I'm sure you think you are.\" He giggled out. \"But you are, always have been, and always will be, an ork.\"\n\n\"But- I don't understand-\"\n\n\"No, of course you don't. What else, could you expect from a race who walks, talks, thinks... with muscle? You are even more dis-\" He cut himself off, and looked to the air. \"Ah, my ride is here.\" With that, he lay prone, and floated into the air, like his body forgot the pull of gravity.\n\n\"However, since you almost willfully killed me-\"\n\n\"It was an accident-\"\n\n\"WILLFULLY almost murdered me, I will be filing a report. The authorities already know your face, so I would advise turning yourself in before you are executed for the attempted murder of the elvish Sir Lord Clifneshnelafahn!\"\n\nAnd with that, he rose even further, and disappeared. But unfortunately, not out of my life, not forever.\n\n * * * * * [END?]* * * * * \n\nSorry if it's bad, this is my first story here.",
"Year 1392. Our ancestors discovered the elves.\n\nWe had been orcs the entire time.\n\nWe were larger and dumber than the elves, and way less sophisticated, way less beautiful.\n\nBut we evolved.\n\nCenturies passed, and we discovered sciences and became even taller, but also gained better brains.\n\nWe watched the elves, who lived for centuries without change. We did not care to aid them, who shunned us and looked down on us despite being smaller.\n\nThen, we finally made a breakthrough in genetic engineering.\n\nWe made ourselves better. Stronger, faster. More intelligent.\n\nMillennia passed, and we were beautiful by our standards.\n\nMore so than the Elves.\n\nMore intelligent than the elves.\n\nAnd, we had another advantage.\n\nWe had been forged by war while the elves had remained stagnant.\n\nWe had weapons, old and new, that the elves couldn't dream of.\n\nSo, we decided it was time to make peace with the elves, now that we were better.\n\nSo, we went to one of the largest elven kingdoms, yes, they still had kingdoms without politics, and attempted to negotiate.\n\nThey laughed at us, unaware of the changes we had gone through even in the face of our new beauty, of our youthful faces and intelligent eyes.\n\nThey started attacking.\n\nBut we came prepared.\n\nWe had donned our modern armor, that we commanded to activate and protect us, and took out simple, nearly ancient guns.\n\nCivilian guns that had been made millennia before.\n\nJust to show them how utterly hopeless they were.\n\nWe killed all the fighters and let the others survive with the message that those guns had been invented thousands of years ago.\n\nWe then took the dead people.\n\nThey did have some pretty traits we hadn't found the way to get, namely, longevity better than what we had managed.\n\nBut no matter what, we couldn't seem to manage to catch the correct gene.\n\nSo, we improvised.\n\nWe made a gene that would allow us to catch the genes of creatures and gain desired features from them by drinking their blood.\n\nWe started by testing on bats, and gained their echolocation.\n\nWe had long since gained night vision, but it was a nice addition for certain.\n\nThen, we invaded the elven cities in the dark of night.\n\nWe didn't kill them, no, but we did drink their blood.\n\nAnd the more we drank, the more we gained of their longevity.\n\nSo, we continued. The entire human race started hunting the elves, drinking their blood and letting them go after.\n\nMillennia passed, and those who had children found them naturally Eternal, the gene passed well.\n\nThe Elves made legends of us.\n\nThere were orcs, no more, instead the Children of Night wandered the Earth.\n\nWe weren't orcs anymore.\n\nWe were something much, much worse.",
"Who would have to thunk it, us humans are not the smart and well-rounded species we thought we were. Well, there was that one post I saw on Tumblr or something about us being quite resilient and how we could have been something like space orcs. But who would have imagined how right they were.\n\n\nIn comparison, there are actual, real-life, in the flesh, elves. Just like in fantasy books, except futuristic. We pioneered space and went to the moon in the last hundred years, but they did that when we were still learning about fire. During those tens of thousands of years, they advanced exponentially, it's like comparing ourselves to the monkeys who use sticks to scratch their backs.\n\n\nIn hindsight, it makes a bit of sense, especially when we actually have something to be compared to. We live from anywhere from the extreme cold to extreme heat without much of a problem. We eat everything. Well maybe not all of us eat everything but when push comes to shove we eat anything to survive. \n\n\nAs humans, we always prided ourselves as being much more intelligent than other species, but that is only really compared to other species without a conscious. We had great philosophers like Plato or great scientists like Einstien, I wonder how they would compare to other species. Would Einstien be just an average guy compared to elves? Would he even be average? What if he was raised by elves? I guess it doesn't really matter, he's dead and we only just discovered these elves. \n\n\nWhile we might not be as smart as these futuristic elves or be able to create things comparable to what they can make. We can still use their tools, and I think they might actually be scared if we do. Do you remember when I mentioned how we are kinda like space orcs? Well, these elves are pretty much pushovers like they are weaker than a 10-year-old. Literally, I never work out but I could push like 5 of them over with a single shove imagine what someone like The Rock could do to them. It makes you kinda wonder, with how violent some of us are and with the elves being so physically weak compared to us, is there going to be a war? I mean just looking at our own history with us going to new places and seeing technological inferior cultures being massacred, I wouldn't be surprised if it was our turn now.",
"Marco Polo. Christopher Columbus. And now, Grant Fowler. He had found a new world. How?\n\nGrant Fowler was a simple man, living near the woods. He enjoyed the fresh air and green scenery. He took walks in the forest daily, breathing in deep and sighing with contentment. It was a simple joy.\n\nOne day, Grant Fowler was walking along his usual path. Yet for some reason, today of all days, his mind wandered. And following right along, his feet traipsed. Down a meandering path, they went, and Grant Fowler saw something that was not quite right.\n\nA fellow human being, staring right in his face. But it wasn't a human being. It was an elf.\n\nGrant didn't know how he knew. He just did. The elegant being in front of him could not be human. Not with her eyes that seemed to shift readily from verdant green to ocean blue. Blonde hair flowing like a quiet, rippling stream. And those ears. Those long, pointed ears, far more beautiful than it humanly made sense. It was just pointed ears, right? But Grant was entranced.\n\n\"You,\" Grant stammered. \"are an elf.\"\n\n\"Orc!\" the woman cried out, before swiftly backing away.\n\n\"Wait, wait, wait! I'm not an Orc. That's fiction!\" Grant cried out. He didn't quite realise what he said at the moment. \"I'm human. A human being.\"\n\n\"Human?\" the elven woman replied quizzically. Her voice was high, tinkling. Grant could understand what she was saying, but innately, he knew that she wasn't speaking the same language.\n\n\"That's no human, Elesha,\" a more foreboding voice emerged from behind the woman. Out of the shadows in the green, another elf stepped out. He looked about 50 human years old, but he exuded an aura far more ancient and powerful, an unyielding yew tree in the presence of saplings.\n\n\"Begone, Orc, lest I eviscerate you here and now,\" the elf's primordial eyes stared into Grant's. The man was no match. Grant Fowler yelped, his legs giving way beneath him, and he fell backward onto the forest floor.\n\n\"Elder Erekin! He means no harm,\" Elesha said. \n\n\"You don't know them like I do, young one. Be swift; head back. I shall deal with him,\" Erekin dismissed the female.\n\n\"No! Leave him be! He's no threat!\" Elesha insisted. \n\nGrant Fowler had enough. This was far beyond anything he's ever expected today, and he knew that he already learned too much. So he ran, as fast as he could, willing his leaden legs out of the forest.\n\nUnfortunately for Grant, he would never walk in the forest again. His simple joy was gone.\n\n\"OK, cut the crap, Mulch,\" said General Askin. \"I don't have time for your stories. What's the point?\"\n\nAt this point, General Mulch, who had been narrating the story, smiled. \n\n\"Because it isn't a story, sir,\" said General Mulch. \"I know Grant Fowler. He can't lie to save his life. And I've sent covert ops to verify it. It's true. All of it.\"\n\n\"All of it?\" questioned Askin.\n\n\"All of it. You know what this means, don't you?\" Mulch's smile morphed even wider.\n\n\"I can figure out what's going through your mind, you son of a bitch, if that's what you are asking.\"\n\n---\n\nMulch, now commander of a special and dedicated task force, found himself at the exact spot where Grant Fowler had fallen onto his backside. It had taken a while, but Mulch and his soldiers have done it. They were on the cusp of a brand new world.\n\nThere was a disturbance in the landscape. A shimmering, barely imperceptible, and out stepped an elven man. Erekin.\n\nHe looked at the army in front of him. \n\n\"Leave us be, Orcs,\" Erekin said. \"*Humans*. It matters not what you call yourselves. We have no desire to interact with your kind millennia ago, and we have no desire to now.\"\n\n\"That's just the thing, *elves*. We can't leave you be,\" grunted Commander Mulch. He raised a hand, and suddenly, Erekin found himself staring down barrels upon barrels of fire.\n\n\"You are in possession of some valuable land, and we... *humans*,\" the Commander said again, this time with a grin plastered on his face. \"Want that.\"\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts"
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[WP] I always thought death would be glorious....
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When I first died I thought the afterlife is going to be nice. I thought I was going to be at peace with myself. But I found something much more different. \n\nAfter I died I was seamlessly brought into a room with nothing more. It was just a empty grey room. No windows and no door. I started to think this is some sort of joke. Is this really where I spend my afterlife? I decided I guess I should make myself comfy at least. So, I just lounged on the floor. \n\nAn hour has passed and I think I am slowly going insane because of this room. I expected there to be something in heaven or hell or whatever this is. I started thinking that I should just sleep. But the ground was too uncomfortable to sleep on. I just stared at the roof and zoned out. I start to see things that were not there like moving shadows. But I ignored them as they were not real.\n\nAfter a day passes a white figure walks in the room like a door was there the whole time.\n\n\"Congratulations, you passed the first test\" he said.\n\nI was confused \"Wait was this a test?\"\n\nHe smiled in a weird way.\n\n\"Yeah, nine more to go.\"\n\nI got even more confused. \"Wait wha-\"\n\nThe figure snaps his fingers and I was suddenly in a white area. It showed nothing but white. There was no walls in the area. Also, there was white noise which was new. I decided I should explore the place a little. After walking for what felt like a century I finally bumped into something. It was soft, but rigid. I did not know what it was because the thing was the same color as the white landscape. I try to climb it and I climbed a good amount before falling. I decide to climb the thing again and I made it to the top. A different black figure in was waiting there.\n\n\"Nice, you got far than most people. You can go to test three now.\"\n\nI tried to talk to him\n\n\"Wait, I have so many questions I ne-\"\n\nThe figure claps, taking me to a cliff with a black landscape. It was just a cliff with spikes at the bottom. The spikes looked sharp enough to impale someone. I cant really explore the cliff, it was simply just a cliff. Half a minute goes by and suddenly the wind whispers something to me.\n\n*\"Jump into the spikes, you will have political power in your next life.\"*\n\n I looked around timidly to who whispered that to me. But, it was just the wind. I stayed persistent not to jump off. The whispers became more louder.\n\n*\"Dive into the spikes, you will be rich in your next life\"*\n\nI still stayed on the cliff not jumping off.\n\n*\"Fall into the spikes, you will have happiness forever in your next life\"*\n\nThe whispers became louder and louder but I was still persistent. They whispered the same things for about 8 hours until they disappeared suddenly. A gigantic grey figure appears over the sky. \n\n\"You have passed phase 3, move on to the next phase.\"\n\nI did not even bother to say anything. I just waited for him to teleport me. He clapped three times, then I stood on a bright, crimson dot. The dot was in the center of a deep wide hole. Surrounding the hole was millions of signs all saying one word: collapse.\n\nI did not know what to do. I just waited for a figure or something to appear. I just stood there, for a long, long, time. Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days, days turned into weeks. Then after waiting, A red figure emerged from the hole.\n\n\"You have waited long enough, you must face the final test. Please close your eyes and don't open them until I say so.\"\n\nI closed his eyes. Only 30 minutes passed and then he heard the red figure say something\n\n\"Okay, you can open your eyes now.\"\n\nThen that was when I was reincarnated."
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[WP] Every choice has a consequence, and all power has to come from somewhere. An accomplished superhero discovers things like his 'super strength', 100 times that of a normal person, really means he drains the strength of 100 random people whenever he wields it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I don't know what happened. I was doing just fine one moment, and the next I fell right back down in my bed\" said Muriel. \"What's your take Dr. Felicity?\"\n\n*I'm so sorry.*\n\n\"It's probably your chemo. How are you feeling now?\"\n\n\"Much better. Thankfully I just woke up from a nap, and was getting up to get a drink. But I had my son drive me to the hospital to get checked anyway. Did you hear that Lady Justice stopped another attack from the General Swoc and Republican Army, and prevented a bus from crashing off Central Bridge? Thank goodness for her\".\n\n*Thank goodness for you, Muriel. And all the others. But it's necessary. Swoc is a menace. A super villain of undeniable strength, leading a country of poor, sickly and under educated people to ruin. Running raiding parties and causing general misery whenever they please.*\n\n\"Well, we'll keep you for observation for another couple of hours. If your condition remains stable, we can let you go then. I'll check on you after my rounds\".\n\nSo much of the same in ER. People with sudden weakness, light-headedness, low blood pressure. Muriel was one of the luckier ones, still being in bed. Many get sapped driving, walking, showering, or on a construction site. \n\nI've heard it all: I fell on my kitchen knife while cooking; I rolled down the escalator; I blacked out on my bike; I lost control while driving to school. All this havoc. Why did Sundren have to teach me to call on the powers of 100 random people? \n\nAt first, I needed the concentration of The 100 to get through med school. Then war broke out and I needed to use the incantation for the strength of The 100 to defend my homeland. But so many people - my neighbours, friends, and fellow citizens - pay the price. Each time he comes, I'm forced to put 100 people in danger.\n\n\"Hi, I'm Dr. Felicity. The nurse tells me that you had some sudden weakness during yesterday's attack?\"\n\n\"Yes. It was the strangest thing Doctor. I was tending to my cattle on the farm, just outside the City limits. And all of a sudden, nearly all my cattle went limp and fell unconsious! Then I started feeling helplessly weak, and fell to the ground. The whole thing must have given me a heart attack. I couldn't stand upright anymore. It must have been some kind of military attack from the Republicans. Damn them! How can General Swoc endanger the starving and sickly people of the Republic in these attacks instead of putting more effort into agriculture, or livestock? You hear them say that he's got the strength of 100 bulls! I say he's equal parts stubborn is all!\"\n\n\"Nearly all your cattle?\"\n\n\"Why yes, about 100 heads!\"",
"Lots of people had taken to calling the drain on their bodies 'supervillain jury duty.' As soon as the scientists figured out the concept of Power Wells, people called in sick left and right because some part of their mind, body, or soul was in use kicking the crap out of Dragon King at a Midtown subway station. And like jury duty, even when it wasn't super convenient, you knew it was for a good cause. So even if you woke up one morning, literally bed-bound because Bluejay and Cardinal needed some upwards mobility, you knew you were safer for it.\n\nMost people said that being a Well wasn't bad at all. Maverick, Ares, the Paragon--the 'big guys'--used your strength, made you a little light on your feet. They won the fight, dusted themselves off, you had a cookie and some orange juice and you were fine. Astro Girl was New York's most famous flier, and every joyride she took meant a little more gravity for a hundred people. Sometimes you were in bed or sitting in a chair, but other times, you folded to the ground. Nobody made a huge deal of it, and back in June, all the kids got in on the stupid 'Astro Girl Challenge' where they took videos sitting cross-legged in the middle of crowded places.\nThen you got the esoteric powers that really sucked. Teravolt was an electricity manipulator, but he only participated in the most drastic of fights now that he knew every outing left a hundred people temporarily comatose without electricity in their brains. He was one of the good ones. Back in the winter of 2018, Mantle's heat power drained enough warmth to let two homeless vets freeze to death in a subway station. It barely made the news, though, because of the headline in the post: MANTLE BRINGS HEAT, CATCHES SUPER VILLAIN WHITE KNIGHT!\n\nFor every superhero that cared about the consequences of their powers, there were ten that simply could not give a shit. Whenever they used their power to 'train' (like superpowers given by a cosmic force aren't intuitive) or just show off, people get hurt. I try to think about this as I step into the Fifth Avenue apartment building that headquarters the Protectors in the penthouse. I'm dressed in work clothes, and carrying a toolkit and a ladder. Nobody questions the guy with the ladder.\n\nIn seconds, I'm in the elevator. I don't have the key card to get to the Protectors' Suite directly, but the floor below is the next best thing. Fuck, there's so many ways this could go wrong. Echo could hear my footsteps. Huginn could perceive me through the floors. I gritted my teeth as I rigged the explosives to the floor and said a silent prayer that most of them would be on patrol. My last thought before the bomb went off was that I hadn't thought this through nearly as well as I should have.\n\nThere were sirens wailing as I set my ladder up ,climbing through smoke and airborne bits of concrete. I coughed and hacked my way up, throwing myself onto the floor. I fumbled for the gun under my jacket.\n\nNobody's killed me yet. That's definitely a good sign. I'd known well before I came up here that I'd be killed when I got caught. No time to think about that. I got my bearings and scrambled to find the place I was looking for. The door with the eye emblazoned on it. I'd recognized it from some video-tour of the Protectors' Suite I looked up months ago. There.\n\nI steeled myself, then kicked in the door. It gave without a hint of resistance- in all their hubris, these heroes never thought even their worst enemies could get this far. The man inside, an unassuming figure in a t-shirt and blue sweatpants, gave me a shocked look through thick glasses. The office must have been soundproofed, because by the look on his face, there was no way he wouldn't have heard me come in.\nI raised my gun before I said a word. This was Erudite, the 'thinker' of the Protectors. He was the only one who never turned his power off, and as a side effect of his gift, he never slept. A genius intellect, lightning-fast comprehension and decision making. People theorized that he had some kind of precognitive 'path to victory,' and that was why the Protectors almost never lost. In the face of all that, I felt small, pointing a gun at a psychic.\n\nThe look in his eyes before I took the shot wasn't fear. It was sympathy, almost understanding. One shot rang out, and he dodged it to the left. \"I know you want to save her, but this is for the greater good.\" My second bullet caught him in the chest. Where the fuck was everyone?\n\nOnly seconds after I was dumb enough to think that, two feet out of nowhere kicked me across the room. I crumpled against the wall, behind the same desk I shot Erudite at. A tall figure in a polished silver suit glided in after me.\n\nFucking Astro Girl.\n\nShe dove at me again with rage in her eyes, tackling me through the wall of the office. I had to gasp for air, but all I could find was dust and the faint odors of gunpowder and blood.\n\nMy phone rang. Astro Girl was too busy trying to take Erudite's vitals and shake him awake to pay me any mind, and she knew she'd half-killed me already.\nI scrambled for the phone, knowing I'd only have seconds. By the time I dug my hand through the rubble to reach my phone, it had already gone to voicemail. I put it up to my ear with a trembling hand.\n\n\"Mr. Adkins? I'm sorry I couldn't get a hold of you. This is Doctor Nguyen at New York Presbyterian, I thought you should be the first to know.\" His voice had a note of wonder in it, almost like he was impressed.\nI already knew what the call was about. I just wanted to hear it for myself.\n\n\"I can't say I know how, but Tess... she's made a full recovery. Completely normal brain function, happened, well, just now. I'm going to put her on, I'm sure she has a lot she'd like to say to you.\"\n\nI sat in the rubble, stunned, with tears rolling down the dirt and dust on my cheeks. My vision getting blurry, I saw a silver figure approach with a metallic hand raised towards me.\n\n\"Honey, I missed you.\" *Her voice. She's-*\n\nI blinked, and my vision was clearer. Astro Girl, face red with anger, gun leveled at my head.\n\n\"I missed you too.\""
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[WP] You and your partner move into a haunted house, but instead of being tormented, the entity takes it upon themselves to be your guardian and inflicts revenge on any who do you wrong.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" ‘This was a bad idea.’ I whispered as quietly as I could, hoping he could hear me. I dared not look towards him; everything seemed scarier in the dark. The fluttering of the curtains, the creaking of the door as it swayed with the wind, and even his rhythmic breathing, all felt as if there was a sinister force behind it. I kept imagining unfriendly faces, grinning and mocking at me for my unreasonable delusions. This was when I was just looking at the silhouettes of our furniture so I really wasn't sure how I'd react to seeing an actual face in the dark. Even if the face was of the man I was married to for 5 years.\n\n‘Eric, this really was a bad idea wasn't it?’ I whimpered. \n\n‘Are you referring to our decision to move into this house, or the decision to investigate the noise you heard coming from here?’ he whispered back.\n\n‘Oh I don't know, both?’ I sighed exasperatedly. Eric didn't appear scared, or even slightly fazed by what was going on. Instead he watched over everything with a calmness that was really starting to get on my nerves.\n\nI squeaked as the sound of what I'm pretty sure was our prized antique china set breaking came from the kitchen. \n\n‘Oh God, Eric!’ I moaned feebly.\n\n‘Dear Lord, that was worth a thousand dollars!’ Eric muttered disapprovingly. ‘Surely it couldn't have found something cheaper to break?’\n\n‘Seriously? That’s your concern?’ I mumbled back as I peeked from behind the sofa. The kitchen area was just as dark as the rest of the living room.\n\n‘Are you going to check? You’d be more familiar with the kitchen, right?’ Eric asked as he placed his head above mine to observe the source of the noise. ‘It's too dark to see anything from here.’\n\n‘Huh? Me? Eric, You know I'm scared of the dark!’ I sputtered as I gripped the edge of the sofa for support. The mere thought of what could possibly be awaiting in the kitchen made me feel faint.\n\n‘Don't worry, hon! You’d be just fine!’ Eric whispered back oddly cheerfully. I was about to turn back to glare at him when I felt his feet on my back. Before I could even begin to respond he slightly pushed me away from the sofa.\n\nI tumbled away from the sofa, cursing all sorts of obscenities at Eric. As soon as I came to a stop I darted towards the kitchen, slamming the sliding door open and dived under the dining table. I took some time to catch my breath and calm myself down. Now that I had a sort of cover I felt a tiny bit safer.\n\nI poked my head from under the table expecting to see some sort of otherworldly monster hovering over the broken remains of our china set. \n\n‘Oh!’ I managed a startled scream, as that was exactly what I was seeing.\n\n‘Um… Hello there!’ it says bending down to look at me with its pulsating red eyes, and then looks down at the broken pieces of fine china. ‘This really is not what it looks like…’ \n\nIt was… smaller than expected, and incredibly furry too with a fluffy tail and two large red horns protruding from its forehead. Those glowing red eyes held no contempt, but actual concern it seemed.\n\n‘Cucumber,’ it says abruptly.\n\n‘Um what-'\n\n‘That's my name,’ he says softly, looking down at his twiddling thumbs. ‘ It’s Cucumber.’\n\n‘Um okay,’ I was at a complete loss for words. I was having a conversation with the being that was haunting my house? Maybe Eric is right, I really am going crazy.\n\n‘You know it was not me,’ it says, snapping me out of my thoughts. ‘All those things breaking, the flickering lights and the sounds… I had no part in it.’\n\nThat came as a surprise. However something was still missing.\n\nStill suspicious, I asked, ‘What about the shadow that keeps following me?’\n\n‘Um well, that I am afraid, was me,’ it admits. Noticing the look of horror dawning on my face, it hurriedly added. ‘No! Do not be alarmed! I did not mean you any harm! it was just…’\n\n‘It was just what?’ I asked, my tone coming out slightly harsher than I intended it to. \n\n‘It is just that you are very pleasant to look at,’ it says covering its face with its furry hands. It proceeds to sit on the floor adamantly refusing to meet my eyes. Its cheeks, they were turning red. Is this creature really blushing? \n\n‘So… you're not haunting this house? You are not trying to hurt me?’ I asked, thinking back to the day I returned home from work to find all the furniture spewn around, the carpet torn to pieces, the broken glasses from the windows and the words 'I'm coming for you!’ written in what appeared to be blood.\n\n‘No!’ it gasped, visibly shocked. ‘I cannot even dream of hurting you, in fact I actually want to… if it does not displease you… may I protect you?’\n\n‘Protect me?’ I asked looking at it. Now that I've calmed down I looked at Cucumber. Really looked at it. I had to admit, it didn't look imposing at all. Cucumber just didn't seem to look like it would be good at protecting.\n\nSensing my lack of conviction, it puffed out its chest and declared grandly, ‘I can cause people to spontaneously combust!’\n\nThat seemed promising. I really could use a good night's sleep, it really has been far too long since I was able to allow myself to relax completely. \n\n‘Alright let's see what you got,’ I said, folding my arms, eagerly waiting for Cucumber to do his thing.\n\nCucumber closed his eyes, and waved his arms, and mumbled some gibberish.\n\nTo my complete horror and surprise something bursts into flames in the living room. \n\n‘Eric?’ I whispered, shocked to numbness. Then it all hits me: his inconsiderateness, his odd cheerfulness, his complete obliviousness to my suffering.\n\nI turned back and smiled at Cucumber. Hey Eric, it really wasn't a bad idea after all."
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[WP] A mysterious new Tom cat arrives at the shelter. He’s not there to be adopted. He’s searching for one special kitten who will fulfill The Prophecy.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"POV HUMANS \n\nThe big gray Tom cat barely resisted as we picked him up. That was a weird sign. Most cats hate being handled by strangers. They are highly independent creatures after all. Touch one the wrong way, and you would end up with a face full of scratches and bites.\n\nBut this one was different. It remained strangely calm as we rescued it from the dirty alleyway. It had a few spots of grime on its fur, but its coat was surprisingly soft for a stray, almost as if it had been bred and raised in luxury. But there was no way to know now. In the end, it was an animal that deserved a warm home and good food, like all animals do in the winter, and we were happy to help.\n\nOn the way, it purred quietly in its sleep, and we couldn't resist stroking it a few times. It looked so at peace with itself. It never woke up though.\n\nSoon we reached the shelter, and we deposited it in the cat room. It didn't fight with the other cats, but went to a corner and sat down, quietly observing the surroundings. We couldn't stay much longer however, we had more rescues to make. We took off, leaving the newbie in his new home.\n\nPOV VOID\n\nI have successfully infiltrated this prison. Well that's harsh, to be honest. It was a nice place. They served good food, had warm spots and room to wander about. Hell, they even had a nursery for the kittens. They apes had been kind here. I'm thankful they were, because little did they know the only true heiress to the Felidae bloodline walked within their walls.\n\nI must find him now. It is of utmost importance that the Princess be restored to her throne. But it will be hard. There are plenty of cats here. I must navigate wisely.\n\n\"Look, we have new meat boys!\", I hear a voice behind me as I walk towards the centre of the enclosure. Of course, even the safest of havens has its bullies.\n\n\"What do you want, commoner?\", I ask, clearly quite irritated to be interrupted on my sacred mission. \n\n\"Oh, you are one of those *aristocats*, aren't you?\" he asked mockingly, \"How sad the government has been overthrown! You are no better than us now, furball.\", he bared his fangs, hissing.\n\n\"I am a sacred knight in service to the Royal Clan of Felidae. My claws and my fangs have dipped in the blood of thousands like you. What makes you think you can speak like that to me?\"\n\n\"It's not the old country anymore, Knight! Let me give you a wake up call!\", he howled as he lunged towards me. I calmly sidestepped his assault. My months of battle training since kittenhood kicked in. I claw his belly, making him cry out in pain, climb on top and poke his neck with the points of my fangs, ready to pierce if need be.\n\n\"I give up! I GIVE UP!\", he screams in surrender. I get off him. I might not have my master anymore, but I have my chivalry. I climb off and walk away knowing he is defeated. But soon I hear a howl behind me. I turn to see him charging at me from behind, almost near me now. He was about to suckerpaw me! It was happening too fast for me to get into stance again, I was defenseless!\n\n\"Is this how I die? At the fangs of an immoral cat?\", I thought to myself. But before he could reach me, a ball of white fury crashes into him from the flank. He is knocked off balance and he hits the wall. He is out for the time.\n\nBut now I get a good look at my saviour, who iss panting in front of my eyes. She has.....blue eyes, snow white fur and....and the dark diamond mark on her forehead. Finally. Finally. My whole life since the war had led me to this moment. This is my destiny, entwined with hers through the flowing rivers of time.\n\nWithout a thought, I bow down in front of the kitten in front of me, clearly flustering her. \n\n\"Oh no, you dont have to do that. Fang was a bully anyway. I was just doing my job...\", but I interrupt her with what I had only dreamt of doing till now.\n\n\"With fur as soft as the morning dew,\n \nA courage matched by only few,\n \nA coat as white as winter snow,\n \nThe Princess will come with a diamond brow,\n \nWith Void and Shadow and Midday,\n \nAnd bring new dawn to Felidae.\"\n\nShe was silent now. She did not recognise the verse, but no doubt heard it in her very bones, for it had been whispered in her ears since birth.\n\n\"Wh-who are you?\", she asks quietly.\n\n\"Void the Gray, from the Order of the Silver Claw. I pledge my undying loyalty to you, Princess Anastasia of the Royal Clan of Felidae.\""
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[WP] It’s your first day in Hell. While taking the guided tour, you remark on the fact that the guards at the gates of Hell all face outwards. Your tour guide explains that they’re there not there to keep people in, but to keep something else out.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"What are they trying to keep out?\" I ask. I can't see why anyone would want to come to hell although as of now it didn't seem like that bad of a place. The gates I was standing in front of certainly looked menacing their were gargoyles standing on the iron poles. I could make out dried blood on the spikes that lined the fence too. \n\n\"You humans always make the mistake of viewing heaven as some time of gift,\" my tour guide Ralph says. He scratches his back with his tail and lets out a loud yawn. \"It's tiring you know.\" Even though I had only just met Ralph I knew he was a good guy. Tired yeah, but he didn't hold anything bad. He kept calling me boy though which I found to pretty annoying. I was seventeen for god's sake, I think I was past the age where it was appropriate to call me \"boy\".\n\n\"So you're saying heaven's bad?\" I ask. That actually sounded interesting not that I really cared what heaven was like. \n\n\"Not bad, boy,\" Ralph says. \"It's good, too good. We're all only human after all. Having an endless life with unlimited pleasure is enough to make anyone go bad. Why do you think so many angels choose to abandon heaven?\"\n\n\"Fair point,\" I say. I ignored that he had used the word \"boy\" *again.* \"So the angel's goal is to get here. But, why is it bad if they get into the city?\"\n\n\"See if they get into the city they try and change us and make us repent. It's not their fault really it's just that once someone makes it to heaven their already too far gone... Our job here is to keep them out and keep people who don't agree with them stay safe and have a place to live.\" Ralph says. He sighed as he looked up above us. The sky of hell had a reddish tint to it, and the regular world blue, I wonder what heaven's sky looked like.\n\n\"So the real world is like the battleground between the two sides. It's like their fighting a war right?\" I ask. \n\n\"You could say that,\" Ralph says. \"All you need to know is that if you ever see an angel you should run as far away and tell the nearest high level demon.\"\n\n\"Is there no way to save them?\" I ask.\n\n\"Like I said there are fallen angels, but doing that takes a lot of will power that most people don't have. It's best that we keep *all* angels away from hell.\"\n\n\"Okay,\" I say. \"But does that mean my parents and sister are trapped up in heaven.\"\n\n\"I'll tell you the truth,\" Ralph says. \"Even if you aren't ready to hear it. Yes they are staying up there forever. I'm sorry you won't be able to see them ever again. There probably all too far gone.\"\n\n\"Well that's unfortunate,\" I say. I wasn't going to miss them, but I still wanted to see them again. The last time I had from them had been too short.\n\n\"Care to tell me while you're in hell the first place?\" Ralph asks me. \"I can see it in your eyes, the icy and dark void of your irises.\"\n\n\"They were zombies even when they were alive,\" I say.\n\n\"You're the one that killed them then?\" Ralph asked. \"Well that's not the worst I've heard. Well then, I guess we should continue the tour then. We still have a lot to see.\"\n\n\"Then let's go,\" I say. \"I can't way to see all the cool things in Hell.\" I had a grin on my face now, but Ralph still seemed as tired as ever. He only sighed as we left the gate and entered the city."
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[WP] Twisted Fairytails. Cinderella knew that you couldn't just get mad, you had to get even. The kingdom and the Prince were happy bonuses.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The evil stepsisters and evil stepmother gasped in horror as the slipper fit Cinderella's foot perfectly.\n\n\"Her?\" Uttered one of the step sisters, her foot still bloodied and botched in an attempt to steal a prince. \n\nThe other sister stood silent, her mascara beginning to bleed down her face as tears flooded her eyes. \n\n\"Oh, great. I found you,\" the prince said. \n\n\"Ya found me!\" Cinderella confirmed. \n\n\"Wait. Stop.\" The evil stepmother interrupted the whole spectacle. \"You're telling me, that in this entire country--the whole reach of the kingdom--Cinderella is the only woman with this size shoe?\" \n\nThe prince thought for a moment. \"I went to like six houses before this one.\"\n\nThe evil stepmother stood slack-jawed. \"How big do you think this kingdom is, your highness?\" \n\nThe prince frowned as he considered the question. \"Pretty dang big. I've been walking through it all day,\" he answered confidently.\n\n\"Pretty d--you went to six h--\" the evil stepmother's brain stumbled over the prince's reasoning. \n\n\"Cinderanna,\" The prince said.\n\n\"Cinderella,\" Cinderella corrected.\n\n\"Simple Ella, I have searched far and wide to find the beauty whose foot fits this shoe and with whom I shared a magical dance with at last night's ball. Are *you* that beauty?\" He asked.\n\n\"Yyyyyyyyes,\" Cinderella answered tentatively. \n\n\"In that case, will you be my bride?\" The prince asked.\n\n\"WHOA! \" The evil stepmother interjected. \"What kind of system is that for furthering the royal bloodline? For choosing an appropriate mate? You haven't even dated! Is she insane? You don't know!\" \n\nThe prince looked at Cinderella. \"Are you insane?\" He asked.\n\n\"Yes,\" she responded.\n\n\"A sense of humor!\" The prince cheered. \n\nThe evil stepmother crouched next to the prince. \"Your majesty, with all due respect, you cannot be serious about this. Time should be taken to make sure this is a good idea.\" \n\n\"I'm 41,\" the prince replied. \"My dad's gonna cut me off if I don't get married. I don't want to get a *job* like some peasant boy. This is as good of a way to get this over with as any,\" he reasoned.\n\n\"She's 16!\" The evil stepmother shouted.\n\nThe prince took Cinderella by the hand and escorted her from the evil stepmother's manor. Before they stepped into the royal chariot, Cinderella hesitated. \n\n\"Wait,\" she said. \"I'm going to be a princess?\" \n\n\"Sure,\" the prince said.\n\n\"There's something I need to do. It'll take two minutes. Hang on.\" She rushed back to the porch where the evil stepmother and evil stepsisters were watching. \n\nThe sisters' eyes were puffy and red; a look of blank confusion was painted across the evil stepmother. \n\nCinderella stepped up to where they were all gathered. She took the evil stepmother's hands in hers. \"I'm going to be a princess!\" She gleefully announced.\n\n\"Yeah....\" The evil stepmother responded.\n\n\"And, when I'm crowned,\" Cinderella repressed her excitement. \"I'm going to have you killed. And you,\" she said looking at one of the evil stepsisters. \"And you,\" she said to the other. The house cat curled around Cinderella's ankles. \"And you,\" she said to it.\n\nThe evil stepsisters' faces went pale. The evil stepmother's face didn't change. \n\n\"I'm going to burn this house to the ground with every servant and animal inside. I'm going to raze every crop and make your names forbidden words across the kingdom. I'm going to exhume all of your family members from their graves and throw them into the ocean.\" Cinderella's eyes were wild, as they usually were when she went into her fits of rage. \n\n\"Cinderella, we're your family. We've taken care of you since you were a little girl.\" The evil stepmother said the words, knowing they wouldn't matter to the young woman.\n\n\"I don't care!\" Cinderella said.\n\nThe chariot beeped. \"Babe, let's go!\" The prince called to her. \n\n\"That's my cue!\" Cinderella chuckled before throwing her arms around the evil stepmother. \"I'll see you very, very soon,\" she whispered.\n\nCinderella skipped to the chariot and jumped in, a maniacal smile plastered on her face. It was the kind of smile that was all mouth and no eyes, a grimace of effort that barely concealed overflowing fury. \n\n\"What do we do now?\" An evil stepsister asked.\n\n\"We get the guns,\" the evil stepmother advised."
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[WP] A team of archaeologists discovers something unexpected buried in the deepest layers of earth ever excavated.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I held Mike's hand, as the his bloodied chest puffed up, and then slowly deflated, for the last time. Just like that I was all that was left. \n\nWe had started so hopeful. We were going to change the world. Now the world will never know what even happened to us down here. James, Shayla, Marshall, Sami, even that homophobic bastard Roy... all gone, and I'd do anything to bring any one of them back. Somehow I always thought Mike and I would make it back to the surface. \n\nI should be crying for Mike, but I think I simply have no tears left. That makes it hurt even more. I keep on reading his last note to me. Mike was always the romantic type. Passing me notes like we were in middle school. \n\n*Johnny, at least we'll have one hell of a story to tell when we get back up top! Can we leave out the part where you screamed like a little girl? Oh wait, that was me ;). But anyway, I love you, and I know we are going to get out of here just fine. It's going to be a heck of a ride, but I wouldn't want to ride with anybody else ever! I love you, Love, -Me*\n\nMy eyes start to burn. I only want to cry. But I actually can't.\n\nMike should have a proper burial, a funeral. But instead, I just leave him there. I just... leave him...\n\nWe never should have come down this deep. Finding radar imaging of what looks like undiscovered ruins a good four thousand feet below the lowest known point of the Paris catacombs, any archaeologist would be thrilled to dive down.\n\nThere was no ruins. Just the mist. \n\nThe mist had killed all my friends, and I know I breathed it in too. It'll kill me soon enough. Still, for some reason, I keep on climbing. I'm still a couple thousand feet from the previously thought lowest point, much less the surface, yet I keep climbing.\n\nThe mist stopped following a day ago. Whatever the hell the mist *really* is, it doesn't seem to like the cold. The natural thermal vents deep below made it for a perfect home. The cold layers between the vents and the surface seem to enclave the mist into a underground prison.\n\nThey thought hell was under the earth. They were right. I feel my skin start to burn, and my sweat is starting to turn to blood.\n\nThe mist already has me. \n\nI see a bluish light light coming towards me. *What in the world?* There should be no light this far down. Doesn't matter. I know it'll be the last light I ever see"
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[WP] The ways your team has to determine if someone is the real deal or an impostor are quite weird.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Andy shuffled his papers procedurally and looked up.\n\n“Thanks for coming in, James”, said Andy, as he wrapped up his interview with a forced smile that he intended to be polite, yet not too enthusiastic. \n\nNeutral expressions are the name of the game when it comes to Andy. As Head of Marketing, he’s conducted a lot of interviews, hired a lot of people, and had a lot of management training. He believes he’ll be GM of the company in no time at all at this rate. He’s established trust, he’s built a rapport with colleagues and now he’s moving on to phase 2 of the career plan: growth.\n\nAndy is joined by his subordinates: Petra, Michelle, Jenny, Helena and Kate. Today he’s excited to expose them to some learning from the master. He’s so glad he gets to train these young women and model what excellence looks like from someone who has a tremendous amount of experience. He gets to show his team the ropes and improve their professional goals in addition to ticking off his quarterly mentorship KPI’s.\n\nAndy gave James a firm handshake and opened the door for him. He robotically turned on the spot and headed back into the meeting room to talk with the team with a smug look of post-interview satisfaction.\n\n“Well ladies”, Andy began. “I think that went well.”\n\n“Yes, I thi-“, started Petra.\n\n“But I want to hear what YOU all think”, interrupted Andy.\n\nThere was a small pause as the women all looked at each other wondering who should begin. Petra decided to take the lead, took a breath and opened her mouth.\n\n“Kate?” said Andy. “What are your thoughts?”\n\nKate smiled bashfully, having been put on the spot so soon as the most junior member in the room. She’s proud she’s been given the opportunity to speak first by the boss, but also hadn’t formulated any particular notes.\n\n“I thought he was really nice”, she said. She looked to the other women for support.\n\n“What’s your gut feeling though?”, probed Andy.\n\n“Oh, umm”, Kate started. She began to look around desperately now. “I honestly don’t know, I think maybe, he seems to know things, would perhaps be a good fit, so maybe, yes? I think he’d be good. I’d have to see what he does before I can definitively know.”\n\nPetra squared herself up to speak again.\n\n“Michelle, what did you think from a technical perspective?”, asked Andy.\n\n“It’s hard to tell until they start the job”, said Michelle. “But from what he said it sounds like he knows all the tools we’re talking about. I don’t know, what does everyone else feel?”\n\n“Ohhhhhh, we should have asked what his favourite band is as the cultural question!” shouted Jenny. “You can always tell what someone’s personality is like based on their taste in music. I’ve always said I can tell who’s going to make it here in the first three months based on their Spotify playlist choices. It’s how I predicted Dean from Accounts would join the events committee 3 years ago.”\n\n“Did he put down his birthday on his CV?” asked Helena. \n\n“Yes, it’s October 10”, Michelle responded.\n\n“Hmm. Libra”, said Helena. “What is everyone’s star sign again? I feel like we might have too many air signs in the office.”\n\n“I’m Aquarius”, said Michelle.\n\n“Capricorn, of course”, said Jenny.\n\n“Virgo”, said Kate.\n\n“Leo”, said Andy, joining in on the banter.\n\nEveryone turned to hear what Petra’s star sign was.\n\nPetra sighed and checked her watch. The meeting should have ended five minutes ago. As a senior member of the team, she disapproved of wasting time, especially when she needed Andy to sign several documents for her before the end of the day, but she also didn’t want to be a complete kill joy in front of the entire team, especially when they were all enjoying talking with each other and being involved in something they were not usually asked to attend.\n\nAfter a second, Petra smiled and said “Taurus”.\n\n“So about the candidate”, Petra began. Everyone turned to face her and listen. She finally had their attention. “James seems like a nice enough guy, but I think he’s too junior for this role. He speaks well, but when it comes to technical language, he tends to waffle and use marketing jargon instead of truly answering the question, which I can see straight through in a heartbeat. He also seems like he wants to be a designer, when we’re looking for someone who wants to go down a marketing path, so I feel like he would get bored in this role that he can’t quite do and doesn’t really want to do and would find ways of transitioning to design.”\n\nPetra paused for a moment to let her words sink in and realised she hadn’t added any positives to her account. “But he seems to have plenty of hobbies, so I guess that’s cool”, she added.\n\n“Yeah he seems cool”, said Jenny.\n\n“Great”, said Andy sharply. “Well thanks for your input ladies, I’ll be in touch regarding next steps in the next week.”\n\nSix weeks went by and the team didn’t hear anything further or conduct any more interviews. One day, Petra spotted the CEO looking annoyed at Andy. James was hired two weeks later."
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[WP] A petty thief, you grabbed an unattended bag on the subway and ran for it. Looking at your ill-gotten gains, you're hoping to find money or valuables. What you actually find makes you think that you might have stumbled onto a secret far out of your depth.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" “If You See Something, Say Something.” The old mantra of the MTA bounces around your head as you eye the backpack sitting all by its lonesome underneath the bench of the train station. \n\n​\n\n A younger, more naive You assumed that the authorities were trying to prevent a bomb being left in plain sight, but an older, wiser You realizes that they just want all of those abandoned goodies for themselves. It is a take or be taken world, after all. \n\n​\n\n You cast another side glance at the bag, a nondescript black backpack that seems mildly worn. Probably full of middle school homework and leftover school lunch, if you had to guess based on previous bag snatches. You saunter by, sit casually in the seat next to the backpack for a calculated 45 seconds before hooking it under your thumb and meandering away, swinging the bag over your shoulder and heading towards the exit. \n\n​\n\n The bag sits heavily against your back, too solid for paper and schoolbooks. You imagine someone wrapping a brick in newspaper, leaving it in the backpack just to mess with petty thieves such as yourself. But as you climb the stairs out of the train station, you can also feel a slight but noticable warmth emenating from whatever is pressed against your back. Maybe it is a bomb, after all. \n\n​\n\n You walk quickly to the nearest empty street corner, duck behind a dumpster and yank the bag from your shoulders. As you set it slowly on the ground in front of you and reach for the zipper, you feel a warm wave of emotion wash over you, and pause. With a deep breath you yank the zipper up and peer inside. At first you see nothing. But it can't be nothing, you felt the weight of it. As you lean closer you see that the blackness is some kind of dark cloth, so black that the sunlight streaming around you seems to disappear into the void. \n\n​\n\n You reach a tentative hand in, feeling a sense of foreboding that is overcome by a sense of almost desperate longing for...something. The cloth is impossibly soft, and parts beneath your fingers to reveal something softly glimmering, and smooth. A shiver runs through you and you know what it is. An egg. Dark and strange and with a texture unlike anything you have ever felt before, and yet still unmistakable in form. And with a sudden clarity that surpasses every other thought and emotion, you know that this object is now completely your responsibility, and it is very important."
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[WP] Magic is all about control. But having control over it isn’t just memorizing things and have enough willpower. To really control magic you need to understand it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"(Obligatory mobile formatting/spelling warning)\n\n\n There are some who memorize simple spells, that can do simple things like heal a small wound or heat up a pot of food. There are fewer who have the willpower to wrestle their hidden mana under control, and learn complex spells and rituals. And there are a very rare few who learn the inner workings of mana, and can truly be called masters of magic.\n This is how it has been since the Hero Alia disappeared banishing the corrupt gods from this world. The gods would give people powers and use them as tools to be played with and thrown away. But now, we have no gods to destroy us, no gods to make us suffer in the wars they caused.\n\nElias Stover was a distant, introverted 20-year-old man, He had no close friends and didn't really interact with people, though he often took long walks through the city. It seemed as if it had been that way forever to the people who saw him often Truthfully, he couldn't remember anything at all before he woke up in a hospital at 17 years old. Apparently he was struck by lightning, passed out, and nearly died from a heart attack.\n\nIn Elias's main personality he was just a normal, though introverted man working a job in software engineering. Sometimes, however, he would have flashes of fantasy scenes that originally lasted hours or even days. He had never been or even heard of the places he was in, but he knew they were memories from two people, a dead hero and a banished god. During the flashes, the one who had the memory would take over his body, and Elias could sometimes talk to the other one. However, the god had an inferiority complex and the hero had serious PTSD. The flashes had started fading when Elias turned 24, and were now usually lasting about 10 minutes, and happening only once or twice a month.\n \nElias was on one of his walks one day when a flash began. They often started out with a feeling of light-headedness and a high-pitched ringing in his ears, followed by a falling sensation and darkness.\n\nThis time, however, he didn't go into a memory. He was instead in a large hall lined with statues and ending in an altar with a throne. The god and the hero stood by the throne, beckoning to Elias. Almist out of his control, he walked closer, and the hero began speaking.\n\n\"Elias, our land Tyrial is falling to an evil empire. We feel the need to intervene, for the sake of my people and his world. We have decided you are capable of being a Grand Hero, so we want to send you to Tyrial. You will need to learn magic and all other skills, but you will be a fast learner if this life has anything to say.\"\n\nThe god continued, \"We will nominate you officially, then you need to sit on the throne and say, \"I, Elias Stover, in the names of the Hero Alia and the god Surta, accept my nomination.\" That will complete the process, and you will select your starting abilities and land in Tyrial.\"\n\nElias was about to ask what the downsides were, but the god cut him off. \"Before you say anything, I need to warn you that once you say your line, you can't come back. You will also probably end up killing people in battle. You may think about your decision, but please make your decision quickly. We don't have much time.\"\n\nAfter a few seconds, Elias realized that there wasn't much he was living for anyway. He decided he would, and said, \"I accept.\"\n\nAlia begain the ritual. \"In the name of the god Surta, I, Hero Alia, nominate Elias Stover as Grand Hero to save Tyrial.\n\nThen, the god spoke. \"In the name of the Hero Alia, I, Surta, nominate Elias Stover as Grand Hero to save Tyrial.\"\n\nElias sat on the throne. After the god finished his line, Elias recited, \"I, Elias Stover, in the names of the Hero Alia and the god Surta, accept my nomination.\"\n\nThere was a large ringing as if a bell was struck. A pedestal appeared in front of Elias, with 9 slots and 2 pegs. The slots were labeled with various abilities. Elias noticed that there was no casting options, so he placed the pegs in the slots labeled \"Magic Resistance\" and \"Melee Skills\". The bell rung again, and everything faded to white. He opened his eyes to see a large forest, with a small smoke trail nearby. There was a small house woth his name above the door, as if he had been living there for a long time but forgot...\n\nTO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW\n\n(I haven't reached the prompt part yet, but I will in the morning!)",
"He was in love with her. He had been in love with her for many years now. And she had been his best friend for even longer than that. He didn't see why they couldn't be together, even if she wasn't attracted to him in *that* way.\n\nFor awhile now, he had been learning a spell. Only one spell. It was all he felt needed. A love spell that would make her love him as much as he loved her. \n\nBut love is not a thing to play with or take lightly. According to the conditions of the spell, it could only be used one time.\n\nHe practiced for years.\n\nThen when he felt he was ready, he went over to her place. He was fidgety the whole time because he didn't know when to do it. He wanted the time to be right. \n\nFinally, he said, \"I've been meaning to tell you something for the longest, and I think it's time that you should hear.\"\n\n\"Yes?\" she said.\n\n\"I'm in love with you.\"\n\n\"Oh!\"\n\n\"Well? Do you love me? Do you love me back?\" he asked desperately. \n\n\"I...I don't know,\" she said. \"It's all a bit sudden. I need some time to think...\"\n\n\"No!\" he said, jumping to his feet. \"I want you to love me *NOW!\" And he used the spell on her.\n\nShe just sat there and looked up at him with a frown. \"Well then! If you're not going to be so pushy about it, you can just leave!\"\n\nHe stared at her, flabbergasted. \"Wait...the spell...it didn't work? You're supposed to love me!\"\n\n\"You dolt!\" she said. \"That's not how love works. Love isn't *just* a feeling, it's a *choice.* Now, get out!\"\n\nAnd with his head hanging low, he left her home and never went back."
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[WP]You wake up on a cold metal table. Your hands and feet are bound. You don’t know where you are or how you got there. A bright light shines down on you, but the rest of the room is dark. A door opens behind you. The sound of footsteps gets closer and closer.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*Oh Crap.*\n\nThose were the first words that came to his head. Strapped to a cold metal table. Kaycin tried to remember what happened, where he was, why he was there, but his mind came up blank.\n\nThe last thing he remembered was staying home last night and reading. He hadn't done anything recently to deserve this.\n\nMost of the time when he woke up in strange places or got kidnapped there was a reason. Like that time five months ago when Senator Jaya got word of him rebelling against the senate. All Kaycin did was sneak a bunch of undesirables across the border to safety. And you know, steal some food too. A guy’s gotta eat. \n\nThere was also that time about a year ago when Kaycin’s crazy ex tried to murder him. At least that time it was someone inexperienced enough to be somewhat entertaining. \n\nAnd that other time two and a half years ago when he humiliated a different senator. That time he’d interrupted the senator’s propaganda speech about individuality and curses and dark spirits. Made a fool of the senator and evaded the guards who tried to silence him. Of course, later that night special ops started tracking Kaycin down and that whole ordeal did not end well.\n\nThis time he hadn’t done anything. \n\nKaycin forced himself to keep calm. He heard a door open somewhere behind him. Footsteps. They were getting closer. \n\n“Kaycin Ramstroke. . .” A muffled voice echoed in the dark room. It sounded like the person was flipping through pieces of paper. Maybe on a clipboard. Whoever it was was circling Kaycin where he lay, never entering the light enough for Kaycin to get a good look at them.\n\n“Um, hello, excuse me, but *what* am I doing here?” Kaycin asked.\n\n“Don’t worry, that’s none of your concern,” the voice said sounding a bit distracted as they looked through the papers. The muffledness of it made Kaycin picture them with a mask on. \n\n“I disagree actually. I find it very concerning being strapped to a table in a strange place for no reason,” Kaycin said, moving his wrists in the metal cuffs, seeing how tight they were. \n\nThe voice chuckled, sounding kind of like a woman. “You’re a strange one aren’t you.”\n\n“What makes you say that? Are you from the senate? I haven’t done anything wrong,” Kaycin said. “Recently.”\n\n“Recently?” She chuckled again. She stopped circling him and seemed to just be staring at him. “Yes, yes, I see here you have had some rebellious streaks against the senate over the years. . . But don’t you worry. I’m not from the senate.”\n\nKaycin wasn’t quite sure he believed her. “Hmm. . . Ok then, but why am I here?” \n\n“You get to be a part of something exciting,” She said in a soothing voice, but the whole thing was ruined and very creepy as she pulled out a large needle. Whatever was inside was *glowing*, just barely enough for Kaycin to see a bit of her mask and gleeful, bright purple eyes.\n\n*Agh! very not normal, you’re creepy. . .*\n\n“Sorry, what? I’d rather not thank you very much,” Kaycin said, squirming around in his bonds a little bit. He was really not a fan of needles.\n\n“But you don’t understand. I’m going to turn you into something amazing,” the woman said, getting creepier by the minute. “You, like me, have seen the senate for what it really is. Every day Jaya and her followers are finding new ways to seize power, to suppress people, to brainwash them into accepting them as dictators. Undesirables are no longer bad people getting what they deserve, they’re anyone who gets in the way of Jaya’s quest for power.”\n\n“Ok, well we may agree about that, but that doesn’t mean you can just- Agh! Get that away- stop-”\n\nThe woman was carefully, slowly moving the needle towards his arm. She was in the light now, letting him see her white lab coat and gloves, her brown hair tied in a bun, and the numerous scars on her face and neck. \n\n“Stop- Stop it! Urgh-” Kaycin was squirming his arm around only for the woman to grab it with a surprisingly strong grip and hold him still.\n\nKaycin grimaced and clenched his teeth as she injected whatever that glowy stuff was in him. \n\nHe gasped and shuddered. He could feel it enter his bloodstream. It was cold. He’d never felt anything like this, all cold and liquidy spreading through his body. \n\n“What the heck was that?! What did you put in me?” Kaycin yelled.\n\nThe woman’s eyes were very wide and happy. She wrote something on her clipboard and started meddling with some equipment at of his sight. \n\n“You know, I was pretty happy when I first read your report. You’re perfect for what I’m planning,” The woman said.\n\n“You didn’t answer me! What was that stuff?” Kaycin yelled, still squirming around.\n\n“Now you just sit tight Kaycin,” she said, ignoring him. “I’ll come back after most of the effects wear off.” \n\n“No stop, get back here,” Kaycin said as she walked away towards the door.\n\nShe stopped when she reached the door. \n\n“Soon enough you’ll be hero Kaycin. You’ll be able to liberate everyone.”\n\n“You’re crazy!” Kaycin yelled.\n\nShe chuckled again. “Maybe so. Goodbye for now.” The door closed with a bang.\n\nKaycin didn’t have a lot of time to process that before the “effects” started kicking in. \n\nHis eyes were burning, his ears ringing loudly. The cold feeling in his veins intensified. His body felt numb, but he’d never been able to feel his heartbeat so well, or his lungs expanding with air before compressing it all out again. He could feel all the movement in his body even though he couldn’t feel his limbs.\n\nHe could feel himself changing. Something was shifting. His eyes felt the worst. He mostly kept them shut tight, sometimes blinking to try to ease the burning feeling. When he did open them his vision was really weird. Everything was tinted a little purple and he started to make out still shapes in the dark. \n\nWhat was happening to him? And what was that crazy lady planning?",
"Bright Light. Cold. Pain, in hands and feet.\n\nMy awareness comes back to me suddenly, not slowly drifting awake but in electric shocks. There is a harsh, naked bulb that is directly above me, but otherwise the room is completely dark. With a painful straining of muscles, I feel the frozen slab of metal table beneath me, and crane my neck forward. I am completely naked. \n\nI peer down the length of my prone body and see the thick plastic cord biting into my wrists and ankles. There is a tray beside me. Various tools, mainly sharp, a scalpel and what I recognize as some kind of drill. I force myself to take a long slow breath, and watch the cloud of water vapor form on the exhale. I am in a refrigerated room, my heart rate is 110, and I am alone. \n\nI close my eyes against the glare and realize with a twinge of annoyance that I have no idea who I am, or where, or why. Clearly I am a woman. Restrained. But somehow, not afraid. As suddenly as this occurs to me, a list of possible escape routes begins to compile in my mind. I am not bound to the table, and it should be easy enough to-- \n\nBehind me, a noise. It is a door, someone entering the room, I hear their footsteps. They're quiet, not wearing boots or even shoes...some kind of slipper, maybe, wrapped in plastic? I keep my eyes closed. The person approaches my table, I can sense the body as it draws near, hear the breath and almost imperceptable vocalizations that a person does when they think they are entirely alone. \n\n“Hello, my pretty one.” The voice is soft, almost cooing, affectionate. “Another friend, for the plaaayground,” says the voice softly, almost singing. \n\nI feel my heartbeat quicken, and a sharp rise in adreneline, which is familiar to the point of being comforting. The sound of latex gloves snapping onto hands. Fumbling amongst the metal tools. I know with a sudden cold certainty that my skin is about to meet with something very sharp, and without a moment of forethought, I am rolling from the table, opposite direction of the unseen figure, and falling to the floor.\n\nI hit the floor in the fetal position, muscles tensed, and in the next moment I am scrambling backwards, my naked body scraping on cold conrete floor. I take in the figure before me. Short, male, medical garb with face mask, wide-eyed, scalpel in hand. \n\nI find myself calculating the best way to take the scalpel when the man lunges, and then stumbles and drops the metal tool. I am on the ground, my bound hands grasping the scalpel and bringing it up into the man's throat before I fully realize what I am doing. Blood. \n\nI watch for just a moment as the man slumps to his knees, reaching for the spurting wound in his neck. I drop to a crouch, use the scalpel to cut through the ties at my feet. I hear the man's gurgling gasps behind me as I place the end of the scalpel between my teeth and carefully cut through the binds at my wrists. Freed, I rub my arms and legs quickly, keep the scalpel, and move towards the door. As I open it, slowly, I know with a heavy certainty that I meant to come here, and that I am here for something."
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[WP] In the future, dreams are linked up like the internet on servers, and people can finally dream together by induced lucid dreaming. But in this new world, crime is rampant in the dream cities until law is introduced, making it a mirror of reality. Now people live double lives in their sleep.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Hey Doug, haven't seen you in the Dreamscape in a while. What's up?\"\n\n\"Oh, hi, Bob. Yeah, I've been using a private somoserver lately.\"\n\n\"A *private* server? Doug, you haven't gone *sovereign citizen* on me, have you?\"\n\n\"It's *dreams*, Bob. It's *not real*. I can dream anywhere I want, and the Dream Laws only apply to the public Dreamscape, not to private networks.\"\n\n\"But--but people can do anything they *want* on those private servers! It's... it's...\"\n\n\"*Blasphemy*, Bob? Well, screw you and your orthodoxy. I might not be free when I'm *awake*, but goddamn it, I'll *dream* whatever I want, wherever I want, with whomever I want.\"\n\n\"But Doug, what if the Dream Admins--\"\n\n\"The admins aren't *gods*, Bob. Their power ends where their network ends. And if they serve you a warrant in the Dreamscape and interrogate you about me, you can tell them I said they can go to hell.\"\n\nA few minutes later, Doug came to Bob's office and put an acrylic cube on his desk. It was about 20 centimeters on a side, and was filled with a clear, solid substance. Something tiny, maybe a firecracker, had exploded in the center.\n\n\"H-hey Doug,\" Bob sputtered, obviously surprised to see him. \"What's this?\"\n\n\"That's the government implant that's been in my head since I was five. It's been sitting under my desk in this cube of ballistic gelatin since I had it removed and joined the private server. *It detonated about five minutes after we talked last.* Now what do you suppose the chances are that it was a coincidence, Bob?\"\n\n\"Hey, Doug, if you're implying that *I* called somebody, I don't know what you're talking--\"\n\nHe reached under his desk for a pistol, but he wasn't quite fast enough.\n\n\"Sweet dreams, Bob.\""
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[WP] Your father was never a very interesting man, he was an accountant who died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 70. Yet when you arrive at his funeral, it is filled with some of the most famous, wealthy, and powerful people on the planet.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Lisa, your mother is on the phone. She says it's urgent.\n\nOkay. Here, give it to me. Hi, mom, what's going on?\n\nIt's your father, he he ...\n\nMOM!? What happened!? Is dad Ok? \n\nWell.. No. He, he, he passed away last night. In his sleep.\n\nOh my God. I'm so sorry I...\n\nAt least it was painless..\n\nI know, I.. When's the funeral?\n\nSaturday at 11. \n\nI'll.. I.. I'll be there. How are you doing? Do you need anything? Do you want me to... \n\nNo, no. You have fun with your friends. Take your mind of this.\n\nAre you sure?\n\nYes. I'll be seeing you at the funeral. Goodbye.\n\nBye. Mom..?\n\nYes? \n\nLove you.\n\nLove you too.\n\nShe hung the phone and stood there, staring at nothing, tears forming in her eyes and running down her face, falling silently on the wooden floor.\n\nLisa !? What's wrong !? \n\nWhat happened!?\n\nIs ever...!?\n\nIt's my dad. He died last night.\n\n\nWhen Lisa arrived at the funeral she was surprised to see so many people. She didn't know her father had so many friends. \n\nMy condolences Ms Stero.\n\nShe flung herself backwards to look at the person who had spoken.\n\nEx-president Wayne !?\n\nAs I live and breathe. Sorry, I didn't... That was inappropriate of me.\n\nNo! Yes! I mean... Yo don't have to apologise. What are YOU doing here?\n\nI came to pay my last respects. Your father and I had known each other for a long time.\n\nHuh. I didn't know. He, he never told me about...\n\nWell. I'm glad to meet you, even in this less than happy circumstances. He used to speak so fondly of you.\n\nYeah, well, see you around.\n\nLisa moved through the crowd, accepting condolences and shaking hands, mostly of people she had never seen her dad speak to or of. But, most surprising of all was the number of celebrities: the ex-president, Samantha Wayne; the owner of 2Space, Allen Kennedy; the CEO of King Fuels; the head of NASA; an Air Force general...\n\nAfter the ceremony Lisa and her mother walked together towards her car. They both wore long black coats and their eyes were red and puffy.\n\nIt was a beautiful service.\n\nYes. It really was. Your speech was wonderful, your father would have loved it.\n\nThanks mom. Can.. can I ask you something?\n\nSure. Lisa, what's bothering you?\n\nWell, I was thinking... How did dad know all those people: the general, the businessmen, the ex-president? I mean, he was just an accountant.\n\nThey... they went to school together.\n\nAll of them!?\n\nYes. \n\nBut he never mentioned any of them.\n\nThey had a falling out, when they went to college: They had this huge fight and stopped talking to each other. \n\nI see. Thank you.\n\nAs she walked towards the parking lot Lisa saw some of the guests striding towards a nearby park. Her mother was with them. She decided to follow them, unconvinced by the unlikelihood of her mother's story. As she got closer, the voices became more audible.\n\n... did she ask you?\n\nHow did Pete know all of you.\n\nAnd?\n\nYes, what did you say?\n\nI lied. Of course.\n\nWhen are you going to tell her the truth?\n\nWhen she's ready.\n\nCome on. She's 33\n\nYeah, she's not going to get any readier. \n\nI know. But what I am supposed to say: \"Honey, you remember all those people at your father's funeral? Well, they knew each other because we are aliens.\"\n\nWHAT !?",
"At Will Bloom's wedding party, his father Edward recalls the day Will was born, claiming he caught an enormous catfish using his wedding ring as bait. Will, having heard these stories all his life, believes them to be lies and falls out with his father. Three years later, Edward is stricken with cancer, so Will and his pregnant French wife Joséphine return to the town of Ashton, Alabama to spend time with his father. During the plane ride, Will recalls a story of Edward's childhood encounter with a witch, who shows him his death in her glass eye. Edward, in spite of his illness, continues to tell the story of his life to Will and Joséphine. He claims to have once been bedridden for three years due to his rapid growth spurts. He then became a locally famous sportsman before being driven by his ambition to leave his hometown. He sets out into the world with a misunderstood giant, Karl, who was terrorizing the town by eating livestock from the surrounding farms. Edward and Karl find a fork in the road and travel down separate paths. Edward follows a path through a swamp and discovers the secret town of Spectre, the cheery locals claiming he was expected. There, he befriends Ashton poet Norther Winslow and the mayor's daughter Jenny. However, Edward leaves Spectre, unwilling to settle down but promising Jenny he will return.\nEdward and Karl reunite and visit the Calloway Circus, where Edward falls in love with a beautiful woman. Karl and Edward get jobs in the circus, where the ringmaster Amos Calloway reveals to Edward one detail about the woman at the end of every month. Three years later, Edward discovers that Amos is secretly a werewolf and is attacked by him, but avoids getting him shot with a silver bullet by playing fetch until he turns back into human in the morning. Amos, upon returning to normal, reveals the woman's name to be Sandra Templeton, and that she attends Auburn University. Edward goes to Auburn via cannon, and stalks Sandra for many days, even going so far as to plant millions of daffodils outside of her dorm bedroom. She finally tells him that she is engaged to Edward's childhood peer Don. Don brutally beats up Edward, prompting Sandra to break off their engagement and marry Edward; not long after, Don soon dies of a heart attack as the witch had prophesied. Shortly after, Edward is conscripted into the army and sent to fight in the Korean War. He parachutes into the middle of a North Korean military show, steals important documents, and convinces Siamese twins Ping and Jing to help him go home in exchange for making them celebrities. Upon returning home, Edward becomes a travelling salesman and crosses paths with Winslow. He unwittingly helps Winslow rob a failing bank with no money and later inspires the poet to work on Wall Street. Winslow becomes a wealthy broker and repays Edward with a large sum of money, which Edward uses to obtain his dream house.\nIn the present, Will investigates the truth behind his father's tales and travels to Spectre. He meets an older Jenny, who explains that Edward rescued the town from bankruptcy by buying it in an auction and rebuilt it with help from his friends from Calloway Circus. Will suggests that Jenny had an affair with his father, but she reveals while she loved Edward, he remained loyal to Sandra. Will returns home but learns Edward has had a stroke and stays with him at the hospital. Edward wakes up but, unable to speak much, asks Will to narrate how his life ends. Though struggling, Will tells his father of their imagined daring escape from the hospital to the nearby river, where everyone from Edward's past is there to see him off. Will takes Edward into the river, where he transforms into the giant catfish and swims away. A satisfied Edward dies, knowing Will finally understands his love for storytelling. At the funeral, Will and Joséphine are surprised when all the people from Edward's stories come to the service, though each one is a slightly less fantastical version than described. Will, finally understanding his father's love for life, passes on Edward's stories to his own son.",
"I was never really a fan of funerals if were being completely honest. Never understood why or how we could celebrate someone passing on, going to a better place or not. I won’t say I haven’t experienced loss before but this one was sudden. One day he was at home helping someone with finances and the next we can’t wake him up. My sister cried for days and days and she’s still crying in her car. My brother tried to hold it in but even he couldn’t stop the tears. I just held it all in as I’ve been doing for years. Mom is trying to be strong for us but she needs to give herself time to grieve. Mom told us to dress our best so I pulled out one of the Dior suits he bought me last year, it’s black and fitted and it’s really nice so I thank the old man for that. She also said that we’re gonna meet some new people which always makes me miserable. \n\nWe get to the funeral and it’s going to be a hour before the actual thing starts so we have some time to kill. While my sister downs some jamison and my brother plays cards with our cousins I go to the bathroom on the 3rd floor to smoke. I only started recently and I intend to quit after today. As I puff one out I get a knock on the door as someone ask where I got the suit from. I turn around it’s the prime minister of England staring right back at me. I try to muster the words to say hi and tell him but it comes out jumbled and he laughs. He asks me if I’m Terrence’s boy and I nod my head. He remarks that I must be the one in the rock band and he tells me he loves the short stories my father showed him. He hugs me and says my father helped him during his low points and that for that reason we each are welcome anytime in London. I Shake his hand and walk downstairs in shock. \n\nWhen I get to the 2nd floor I go to my favorite room at this little place my parents own, the snack room. I used to be in here every day during the summers when I wasn’t outside or by a microphone. I see crushed up Oreos in a cup and go for them as I usually do when someone’s hand grabs mine and yells “ THOSE ARE MINE”. I turn around and it’s a beautiful girl in Indian clothing with black hair flowing to her waist and a black dress that fits her perfectly. As I count the different ways I love her in my head she asks me if I’m Jason. I say yes and she extends her hand and says her name is Aditi and she makes me a cup of Oreos as I stare at her glorious cheekbones. We sit on the 2nd floor steps and she asks me about my father, I tell her he was a accountant who brought home more than most accountants could dream of and that out home life was a little weird. She says her father owes my dad his life after getting him out of financial bankruptcy 2 times. She then starts to tell jokes and gets me to laugh which I haven’t done in weeks. We finish the Oreos and decide to take a walk around the funeral parlor and it’s the best walk I’ve ever been on. \n\nWe talk about tv shows, customs, sibling stories, snack pantries and anything else you could think of. She says she likes narcos but I’ve never been able to get into it. Surprisingly we both adore anime as we both have a deep love for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. I laugh as she tells me she peed herself a year ago on a rollercoaster and she hits my arm. I’m getting somewhere if I get the arm punch aren’t I? She tells me a little more about herself like her being in college for forensics and how she wants to live in the states once she’s 21, she also wants to learn how to write music so I can definitely help her there. She asks me if I’m really in a band and she gets me to sing for her and she can’t stop blushing. I see my sister spot us so I walk a little faster. We get near a closet and while I’m tying my shoes she checks if it’s empty and pulls me inside. This will either be the best day of my life or the worst depending on what I say next and all I do say is, “ let’s get you out that dress”. 10 minutes later we exit the closet and continue walking as if we didn’t just have the most euphoric hookup ever. \n\nWe get back to the 2nd floor and she has her head on my shoulders as I sing her favorite song. All of a sudden I hear a man call her name nonstop and 20 men with suits come out of god knows where. They’re about to grab the dior when Aditi says “ dad that’s Terrence’s son what are you doing” I get put down nicely. Her father who happens to be the 2nd wealthiest man in India apologies and says the funeral is starting so we should get to our seats. He hugs me and tells me my father meant the world to him and walks off with his goons. Aditi laughs and kisses me and says “ to find me after all this for round 2”. Then she slips her number Into my pocket and follows her dad. Wish I could do that now.\n\nAs I get back to my seat the funeral has been going on for 15 minutes. My sister lectures me on this being a big day but I just sit down and blow a kiss to Aditi which gets me two in return. I turn to my left expecting my brother when I see a women that I can’t ever mistake. Nancy Peloski the reigning speaker of the house is at my fathers funeral. My sister in all her drunken glory shakes the speakers hand and my brother does the same with a pretzel in his other hand. I extend my hand and she says this must be so hard for all of us, being here without our dad. I tell her it’s but had for me as much as today has been confusing. She gets me to tell her about Aditi and the prime minister and the other rich and famous folks I’ve met and she laughs and pats me on the back. She tells me that maybe this was a way for me to open up and meet others which I do so poorly. My Mother is giving her speech which I wrote so now we all listen to her as she pours her heart out and leaves it all on the podium. I don’t know how she had the strength to get up there cause if it was me I would’ve sung panic at the disco and ran away. After everyone has spoken they bury my father and me and my brother ask to finish the job and they allow us. Aditi meets my mother and hugs me goodbye and says she’ll visit me next week. I’m inclined to respond “ oh really?” but this burial matters more. We finish and as we finish I notice I’m sweating from my eyelids. I haven’t done this in years but I guess now is a good time for change. All the diplomats and heiresses and powerful people give me hugs and advice and a prince from Serbia says something that’s gonna stick with me. He says “ if you bottle everything up don’t expect anyone else to clean up the overflow if you’re the only one that has a straw”. And that might be the best and worst advice I’ve gotten since my dads passing.",
"I had heard he was sick.\n\nWe hadn't spoken in a few months, but it's a small town. Out of the 30 or so businesses that made up our \"historic downtown\" he ran the books for nearly half of them. There was never anything wrong between us, a lack of interest I suppose - on both our parts. I had my shit and he had his and there was never any reason for our worlds to collide\n\n​\n\n.After mom passed, we didn't really have much in common. It was always apparent, but now there was no one to break the awkward silence. We did our best to keep in touch, but when we talked we were never really talking. I could here the care in his voice over the phone, there was something there, but it seemed as if he never learned how to string the words together.\n\n​\n\nPart of it, I think, is all guys his age. Generations raised by kids that lived through wars that quickly shipped their own kids off to fight in even more wars. And I nearly enlisted after 9/11. Entire libraries worth of words lost in the translation from German and Japanese and Korean and Vietnamese. Fuck Alexandria. That was nothing in comparison to the loss of human progression.\n\n​\n\nEventually he'd remarry, they'd buy a townhouse, life goes on. That's what he'd say whenever I brought mom up. Some new form of, \"Oh son, you gotta learn to let her go, life goes on...\", etc. He wasn't wrong. I could always count on him for decent advice, it's just that none of it was ever his own. Always some proverb or saying he picked up from one of his \"old friends\" or \"business partners\" from out of town. I have foggy memories of him taking me and mom into the office to meet some of them. \"This is so and so, go and shake his hand. \" I remember thinking of how these men and greetings must be super important. At least that's how the adults made it seem.\n\n​\n\nI can still smell the cigarette smoke and bourbon soaked polyester. This must be where spontaneous combustion comes from. I was in my church clothes. We were at the office. It was the only time I'd ever see him pour drinks as he performed his best impression of a sociable host.\n\n​\n\nAs I stood behind the podium staring out at the crowd of wrinkled faces and forgotten stories I realized two things: \n1.) There is a distinct facial expression connected to the feeling of obligation and it manifests itself almost perfectly between boredom and respect. \n2.) There is no conceivable universe in which he would ever allow mom and I to meet most of these people.\n\n \n\n\nEDIT: Broke paragraphs up better for clarity. Also to everyone that responded, many thanks! And yes it was meant to be somewhat ambiguous up to this point. Idk who tf they are either."
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[WP]You are a supervillian, but you are in love with the heroin, she is actually your bestfriend from highschool, she has a lot of insecurities about her job as a magical girl, so you always lose against her to cheer her up.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I never thought I'd get so much joy from losing. Am I a masochist or am I just in love? I don't even remember how it got started at this point. I just can't stop helping her.\n\nOddly enough, she's made me a better villain too...\n\nI spend all my time picking apart the details of what she's doing, how she's doing, and any cute little habits she has when she battles me. That has given me an unfair advantage against all the other heros and heroines too. I see their bad habits and I attack it. I see their impractical costumes and I use that. It's because of her that I rose to Super Villain status so quick after graduation.\n\nNot that it matters, I named her my N.E.M.I.S.I.S. in the the World Bureau of Villainy and Evil. I couldn't believe it when she did the same with the Bureau of Heroes!!! My heart was aflutter and from then on, all I wanted to do was battle her.\n\nBack in school she said she loved hearing me monologue cause she liked my voice. That's probably when I started liking her. By our third battle after graduation, I had to put lights and labels everywhere that screamed \"DO NOT PUNCH\" and \"SELF DESTRUCT BUTTON\" during my monologue so she learned how to take advantage of me revealing my \"plan to take over the world.\"\n\nLittle does she know, she is my world.\n\nI was so proud of her when she took down Don Megalodon the Mafia Dino Boss while he was telling her about his new henchmen. She rose 8 ranks higher and now is in the top 10 heroines of the new generation!\n\nI remember when she got that HORRIBLE cape with the fur at the top when she was going through her \"Royalty Theme\" phase. Everyone knows capes are a huge liability in battle and the fur is cruel to animals. She LOVES animals. I couldn't let her continue with that.\n\nI made a series of traps specifically to catch heroes wearing capes and sure enough she fell for it. It hurt me to make fun of her so much when I caught her, but by next battle she already had a much better suit ready.\n\nOur record is currently 11 Wins and 88 Losses. That's right. 99 battles in and most in her favor. Every win of mine was a major turning point of progress in her career for her. I'm actually proud of how far we've pushed each other. The big 100th I want to make something special. I have the plan for the most epic battle ever and... I am going to confess my love for her.\n\nI have been sending her flowers with my CID (Civilian Identity) on every victory. I don't think she knows who I am. Nor that I know who she is. I hope this goes well. If this goes wrong... I-I don't know what I would do.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nHappy ending or bad ending? hmm i dunno. WHAT'S NEXT????\n\nYOU DECIDE!\n\nEPIC RAP BATTLES oOFOFofOFOFff hhIHihiSTstsStssssstoooryyyyyyyyyyy^(yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyuh)",
"\"Did you see the news?!\"\n\nMy unknowing crush bounds up to me a little more cheerful than usual \n\"No actually I forgot my phone\" I say. Hearing her talk about it, the way she lights up, I could never deprive her of these conversations, She never got much of a chance to feel proud of herself until now.\n\n\"Well, it was that one guy again! This time He tried robbing a bank!\"\n\n\"Did he now? He seems to be getting bolder, last week it was a Bestbuy.\"\n\nLittle did she know, but like with all her assignments and stress, I'd been helping her out.\n\nI knew she didnt have the guts to challenge a real villain, so I dialled it back, instead nabbing some old lady's purse, to get a sense of how she fights. The way she kicked my shins out from under me let me know that I may have set the bar too low.\n\nUntil I looked up and saw her face, she was beaming. I gave her the ol' \"You havent seen the last of me!\" and make my escape with a smoke bomb.\n\nNext was a gas station, a little more high stakes and a little more dangerous. As the clerk opened the safe I heard the door crash open behind me. \n\n\"You again?\"\n\n\"Yup me again!\" \n\n\nWith one swift kick, my knife was launched from my hand and planted firmly in the wall behind me like some sort of comic book.\n\nAfter several more \"Training sessions\" I eventually taught her everything she would need to do jobs on her own, stopping burgulars, robbers, all sorts of street crime.\n\nShit I forgot she was telling me a story!\n\nI nod along to the rest of it, I was there of course and didnt really need the recap, but she loves to talk about it.\n\nI'v read enough comic books and manga to know she'll unlock some sort of power soon, She just needs a catalyst event. I'v been planning a Riddler style scavenger hunt for weeks, I just need a \"victim\" for her to rescue at the end. \n\n\n\"He-\" \nEven though I'd been working up the courage for a month straight, it was still hard to ask her\n\n\"Hey, do you wanna go get dinner on saturday?\"\n\nAs she looked at me I knew the stage was set, I'd be kidnapped on our way in, leaving only a note, then the videos I recorded would take over. At the end, my friend Sanchez would be the final obstacle, a perfect opportunity for some sort of power up\n\nSaturday's gonna be great",
"Destiny has a funny way of destroying folks. \n\nThat was Sadie. Destined for greatness, even when I knew her back in high school. Before she'd matured. Before she'd become jaded. But she just had that aura to her, and the magic to go with it. The first time I saw her smile, it nearly dropped me to my knees. I'd never seen anyone so perfect. I'd never seen anyone so good.\n\nI never got the chance to tell her how I felt. Life took us like two peas on a fork, parallel but separate paths. She became a bastion of good. I, of bad.\n\nI'm not evil. In fact, a certain school of thought would even call me the hero to my own story. I claim nothing of the sort, but I'd never call myself evil. And now, bad as I might do, I do for her.\n\nWithout me, she'd be crushed. Not just beneath the collapsing wall of a ruined building, but beneath the weight of her own destiny. Without me, she'd never win. Smaller villains would run rampant. Crime would rule the city. \n\nI keep things quiet, at least as far as my cronies go. And then when things have been too quiet for too long--suspiciously quiet--I set it all up so that she can win. I spin a web that only she can break out of, courtesy of some documents delivered to her doorstep. When everything seems to be going to shit, when the fate of the city dangles by a single thread, she has the way to win.\n\nI lose people. I lose money. I don't mind. People are like money, basically grow on trees. I'll find more of both. \n\nBut nothing beats her smile. I look on from a distance, honing in on her through my binoculars. I'll be atop a parking garage or in a distant office building; she'll be shaking the mayor's hand and beaming as she talks to reporters. \n\nAnd for that smile, I'll do it all again.\n\n*****\n\nThanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please check out more stories at r/MatiWrites. Constructive criticism and advice are always appreciated!"
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[WP] “They’re not human,” said the boy, crouched before a set of tracks that disappeared into a nearby cavern. “I know,” replied the girl.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Wesley didn't like it.\n\nThe footprints were just too narrow. It was like looking at an imperfect copy of a masterpiece, just wrong enough to be noticable. The light snowfall the night before had been enough to preserve the footprints of whatever creature he had been seeing week before.\n\n\"We should look!\" His little sister Helen exclaimed excitedly, and she marched towards the maw before Wesley grabbed her arm. \n\nHe yells at her \"What are you thinking! That thing could eat people, or kidnap you!\" As he shouted this, he could hear a growling noise, followed be a disgruntled cry. \n \nWesley held onto his little sister as he began to sprint away, the crunching of his boots agains the the fresh snow still audible over his heavy breathing. He felt the weight of helen fall off, and realised she had fallen and let go. He turned around to pick her up again, but she was already gone.\n\nHe could hear her screaming, the cry's of a little girl mixing with Wesley's own heavy breathing. He ran back towards the cave, seeing her pink winter hacket disapearing into the the dark maw of the cavern. As he followed Helen, the darkness of the cave threatened to suffocate Wesley as he followed the path that the cave laid before him. He thought of how this was a bad dream, how this couldn't be true.\n\nThese were the last thoughts of Wesley Smith.",
"“They’re not human,” said the boy, crouched before a set of tracks that disappeared into a nearby cavern. “I know,” replied the girl. The boy traced his finger through the strange imprints and looked up at her with a confused look on his face. The girl slowly raised her hand to her mouth and motioned for him to stay quiet. What little wits the boy had left quickly evaporated into the pit in his stomach. Before he could rise to his feet he felt it. A subtle rumble beneath their feet. Faint enough to question your senses but strong enough to know something wasn't right. With their eyes still locked, the two of them we're communicating in every way possible without moving a muscle. It was as if his brain was hyper-processing the situation before his body could react. The perfect blend of paralyzing fear and heightened adrenaline. Another rumble but slightly stronger. \"Run!\" hissed the girl. It was all he needed to hear. The boy took off down the path away from the cavern as fast as his feet would let him. A blur of green and brown whizzed past as he lept and ducked through the surrounding brush. It didn't take long before he realized. The girl was no longer with him. He could feel the paralyzing fear creep back down his spine as he debated going back to see if she needed help. A twig snapped just outside the perimeter of the clearing and without warning the boy felt a warm sting enter his chest. The world buckled around him and he fell back on his butt. His hands instinctively rose to his chest and he could feel a thistle protruding from his peck. Before there was time to investigate his body sank backward towards the ground with a soft thud. As his peripherals started to darken he could make out a wiry figure looming above him. In his last few seconds of consciousness, he could make out the girl's familiar features as her lips curled upward."
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[WP]Your boyfriend is a vampire as he doesn’t want you to know. But,he’s really obvious.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I just think it's really cool how you know so much about the Civil War. Any other historian goes on about who fought where, the dates, how many died, blah blah blah...but you're different. You focus on how people felt, what it was like for the average person...you'd know exactly how to act if you were suddenly plopped back in time!\" My niece guffawed at the idea before heading to the kitchen for her next serving of the veritable feast my old granny had set up that evening. She glanced down at me as she pushed past. \"You're looking a bit pale nowadays, auntie.\"\n\n\"Oh, winter's been getting to me. Luckily James doesn't mind staying in and watching documentaries all the time, does he?\"\n\nOur shared interest in history was one of the things that had brought James and I together. We bonded over discussions of what exactly had prompted the Industrial Revolution, which of the founding fathers would have been the hottest- titillating conversation for two history graduates. His passion and knowledge for what most found mind-numbingly boring turned me on like nothing else.\n\nWell, not exactly. If I let my superficial side take over for a bit, he just so happened to be *exactly* my type. Tall, skinny, strangely pale. A shock of messy black hair, dark under-eyes and the overall look of being two steps from death's doorstep.\n\nYeah, I'm into that.\n\nBut after nearly two years of dating, James' shortcomings were as easily noticeable to me as his perky backside had been when we first met. And his shortcomings were, well, strange.\n\nOn our first date he wore a turtleneck- the classy, skinny, all black kind. I had fallen for the look hard- a well-dressed man is one of my greatest weaknesses. The only problem was that he wore a turtleneck on the second date. And the third. The man *exclusively* wore turtlenecks, which is quite weird, but I quickly understood his reluctance to show off his neck when he showed me the nasty gash he had from a dog attack in his youth. We all have insecurities, and I can get behind that.\n\nSecond was his aversion to anything and everything that involved going outdoors, mainly during the day. I get the whole pale skin thing, but sunscreen is a very real and very useful invention. \"Hey James, feel like going to my sister's BBQ this weekend?\" I remember asking.\n\n\"Oh, I'd love to, honestly, but I told my boss I'd work an extra shift this weekend and-\"\n\nI cut him off quickly. \"It's an evening thing, more of a party than a barbecue, you know.\"\n\nAll of a sudden, his boss didn't need him anymore. Strange.\n\nHis next major flaw was revealed to me that very night as we sat around the dinner table with my extended family. My niece sat down with her plate, right next to James. He glanced down. \"Oh, I had some of that, it's great. What's in it, exactly?\"\n\n\"Garlic spaghetti,\" she answered between mouthfuls. \"Grandma's speciality!\"\n\nHe said nothing. He turned slowly from my niece to stare at his plate, now picked clean. \"I'm garlic intolerant,\" he told me quietly.\n\n\"What?\" I said, rather too loudly. \"Don't you mean allergic? Do you have an Epipen? If you had told me about this I would've asked Grandma not to-\"\n\nI was interrupted by James quickly getting up from his chair and rushing past me. \"No. Garlic intolerant...where's the bathroom again?\"\n\nI decided then and there that I needed to confront him. I knew what he was hiding from me. On the drive home, I went for it.\n\n\"I know what you are.\" James nearly swerved into incoming traffic. \"Wh-what do you mean?\"\n\nI rolled my eyes. \"The history thing. The turtlenecks. Acting like you're allergic to the sun, actually being allergic to garlic.\"\n\n\"Intolerant,\" he muttered.\n\n\"Point being, I know that you're a vampire.\"\n\n\"You're absolutely crazy,\" he told me, a hint of panic rising in his voice.\n\nI sighed. \"James, please look in the rear-view mirror.\"\n\nNothing but the seat and the wheel moving in unison with his hands. But he still wouldn't take the bait.\n\n\"Honey, you've had too much to drink or something, I don't know what it is, but you need to stop whatever you're trying to do. Vampires aren't real and I don't get why you're tying to pick a fight with this of all things!\"\n\n\"I don't mind, James.\"\n\nHe said nothing, refusing to give in to my incessant pushing. \"I'm not a vampire...\"\n\n\"Then explain why you're the only person in America who actually likes blood pudding.\"\n\nMore silence ensued. \"Fine then!\" he shouted. \"Get out the wooden stake. Spray me with holy water. Kill me like the dirty beast all you damn humans think we are. I should've just kept on sleeping...\"\n\n\"Sleeping?\" I asked. \"As in like...staying encased in your coffin for a hundred years sleeping?\"\n\nHe nodded, a sad look of defeat and fearfulness haunting his eyes.\n\n\"James, what year was it when you went to sleep?\"\n\n\"1882...\" he said apprehensively.\n\n\"And you woke up when?\"\n\n\"Two and a half years ago. Just before I met you, really.\"\n\nI laughed. \"So you weren't around back in the early 2010's. Ever heard of *Twilight*? The romance novels that swept the nation? The main fantasy of every high school girl back then...myself included?\"\n\nI could barely keep my excitement contained.\n\n\"I'm not gonna stab you with a wooden stake, James. It's the modern era...the occult is in. You guys aren't creepy undead dudes anymore. Vampires are freaking hot.\"\n\nHe took a moment to process things, pulling over on the side of the road. He stared straight ahead, uncomprehending. I pulled him to join me in the backseat, his confusion over my acceptance fading away as the teenage girl inside congratulated me on landing the ultimate score."
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[WP] You are death, bringer of the eternal dark, the inevitable one. Your younger adoptive brother, Todd, is asking you for help with dating. Being an immortal personification of the void, you decide to help. How hard could it be?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Back in the 90's, I was in a very famous TV show.\" Death takes a swig of whiskey.\n\n\"And?\" Todd looked at him.\n\n\"There were a lot of girls. A. Lot. Women, everywhere.\"\n\n\"OK? So...you have experience with dating?\"\n\n\"I have experience with women. Dating, not so much. It isn't exactly my forte. But look, first thing's first, you gotta shave and shower. You smell like a box of taquitos.\"\n\n\"That is the only food I eat.\" Todd pulls two taquitos out of his jacket pocket. \"Want one?\"\n\n\"Sure, but why do you carry taquitos around?\" Death asks, examining the taquitos.\n\n\"Because they're delicious?\" Todd takes a bite.\n\nDeath sniffs the taquito. \"Sure smells good.\" He tosses the whole taquito into his mouth and swallows it in one gulp. \"Got any more?\"\n\n\"Nope. I bought all the taquitos from 7-11. They are officially out of taquitos,\" Todd says proudly, staring into the sunset. \"Sure is beautiful, huh?\"\n\n\"I... don't really have any dating advice. Just be a TV or movie star I guess.\" He holds the bottle out. \"Want some?\"\n\nTodd grabs the bottle and looks at it, eyes widening. \"You're a genius! I just need to get them drunk,\" Todd says. \"I gotta go!\"\n\n\"Wait, what?\"",
"\"Look, man. I'm just saying I did forgive you after you broke my GameBoy, and never told mom and dad\", said the voice on the other side of the phone.\n\n\"Yes, Todd, but this is different, I... I'll get you a new GameBoy\", Death responded with frustration\n\n\"Look, I thought this was the sort of thing big brothers were for, Morty\", Todd placed a particular emphasis on that final word.\n\n\"I told you not to call me that, anymore!\", Death paused for a second to collect his thoughts, \"Alright, at what time do you want me to meet you\"\n\n\"Seven would be great, see you then\", and then the speaker went silent. Death took his phone and put it into his sleeve.\n\nAt 7 o'clock precisely, Death arrived at the place. He was, after all, known for his timeliness. His younger brother, Todd opened the door and embraced him. Death had to quickly shift his scythe in order to avoid slicing Todd's face.\n\nTodd told his brother all about Eve, the cute girl from purchases that agreed to go out with him on a date. He had been crushing on her since he joined the company and it took almost year and a half for him to gather the courage to ask her out.\n\nDeath heard his brother go on and on about Eve and this new teppan bar in town. For the most part he seemed well sorted out, but then there came the request.\n\n\"No, that's my final word\" - Said Death, clutching his Scythe in a way that to anyone except Todd would signal the end of an argument.\n\n\"Bro, but I need you to be there, I already made the extra reservation\", begged Todd.\n\n\"I am not going to that place. You don't need me there. You have already come this far\"\n\n\"I know it is a stupid request, but I'll just feel much better if you are somewhere nearby. I'll even pay for anything you order\"\n\n\"Todd, I need to get back to work as soon as possible. You know I'll get in troouble if I don´t\"\n\n\"You're just like dad, Morty. Work is the only thing that matters to you\", said Todd dropping his shoulders in disappointment.\n\nThe mention of their father was too much for Death to bear. Maybe he was becoming him, obssessing over work. Forgetting about his loved ones. He looked at Todd's eyes.\n\n\"Alright\" He said, as he started walking towards the door.\n\n\"Wait! What are you doing?\" asked Tood quickly, cutting his celebration short.\n\n\"We need to get going, you'll be late for your reservation\"\n\n\"Yeah, but are you really wearing that?\" said Tood, pointing at Death's long black robes.\n\n\"Well, technically I'm still on watch and this are my work clothes\", Death didn't like where the argument was going.\n\n\"You can't go dressed like that, It's a fancy restaurant\"\n\n\"look I don't have any other clothes so this will have to suffice\", Death was nowhere close to finishing that sentence when his brother pulled out of the closet a brand new suit, just his size.\n\nThere was no way Todd would not get what he wanted.\n\nThe Dinner date went fine. Death stuffed himself with prawns and had a couple of glasses of sake. Todd seemed to be doing well, Eve never stopped smiling and seemed really into him. Death felt joy and pride surge through his body. Every now and then his phone vibrated, with new jobs available for him. He'd let the other guys cover for him.\n\nAs the night was coming to an end, Death saw a notification on his phone. It was her, he was supposed to take her life right then and there. He saw her face and her info on the app, she had to go...\n\n\"Or maybe not\"\n\nDeath marked the job as completed. It would take ages for the guys at corporate to note the discrepancy, if ever noted at all. By the time they re-issued the work order, they would have had a good life. Seeing his presence was no longer necessary there, Death left the place and on he went with his work",
"We were born from two different mothers, but the love we shared -and still do- is no weaker than that of siblings by blood.\n\nI'd argue it's even stronger. It takes a special kind of person to love someone that's not family. Not in the strictest sense of the word, at least.\n\n\nI was old when I was adopted, although I didn't show it.\nI looked young and bustling with life, but on my shoulders I carried thousands of years of ungrateful service.\nNobody likes what I do, even though it's the most ancient and essential work there will ever be.\n\nSome try and fight me, but I'm inevitable. I didn't ask for this: I didn't go job hunting, I didn't answer an ad. I was chosen through no fault of my own, back when the stars were still alive and the earth was no more than molten rock and the sun still in its teenage years.\n\n\nLots of us were born back when the singularity expanded.\nHeaven, hell and purgatory were created in that same moment, each their own separate dimension.\n\nI was an outcast, but essential.\nAnd as I sit and ponder how awful I was, how much suffering I brought to the people that loved me, the perfect opportunity to do something good presented itself!\n\n\nLove! Yes!\nLove is beautiful! My sister handles love and affection, and I always looked up to her. Everyone loves her, even though she causes as much pain as I do.\nSometimes I have to clean up the mess she leaves behind and that's never pleasant.\n\n\nBut where was I? Yes.\nTodd knocked on my door, that day.\nHe was agitated and fought hard not to stutter. \nHe was nervous, fidgeting with a pencil he grabbed from my desk avoiding my stare.\n\n\"Big bro\"\nHe asked\n\"I...I need your help.\"\n\nA light sparked in my eyes.\nSomeone was finally asking me for help. And was not desperate. I always feel bad when someone asks for me, calls for me and begs for my help.\n\nBut this time, it was different.\nThere wasn't an ounce of sadness in his heart. Only joy. And love, and a bit of panic.\n\n\"What can I help you with?\"\nI asked.\nI was, and still am, too polite.\nI could never speak the way the youngsters do, and that has become sort of like an adorable quirk of mine.\n\n\"Well, there's this girl I like...\"\nHe said, pointing his face to the ground, trying to make himself smaller, as if trying to disappear.\n\n\"Say no more!!\"\nI shouted, jumping out of my chair from the excitement.\nAs I said, this was my chance to do good, and I wouldn't let it go to waste.\n\n\nI picked up my phone, ringed my sister and let her do her thing.\nYou know, the thing she does to people. I don't really know what she does, that's why I'm not cupid.\n\n\"I have a friend that can help.\"\nI told him, giving him the phone number.\n\nHe took it, and I'll never forget what he said.\n\n\"Woah, thanks bro!! Now I can ask her out myself!!\"",
"Death could never understand what his father saw in Todd.\n\nAt the very least, he was offensive. But in the end, he was still a mere mortal. A mere blip in the radar of Death. After all, there was no doubt that Death would be there when Todd passed, and long afterward.\n\nSo, Death hadn't paid much attention to the mortal Todd. Greetings here and there, nothing special. So it was with great surprise when Death was interrupted one day while he was working by Todd's meek voice.\n\n\"Brother?\" asked Todd. \"I need your help.\"\n\nDeath looked at Todd gravely. To be fair, he looked at most things gravely, on account of his blank eye sockets serving as a window into his dark soul.\n\n\"Todd,\" Death said. \"What help do you require?\"\n\n\"I...\" Todd now was pushing his index fingers together, in a way that Death found very pointless. \"How do you know if somebody likes you?\"\n\nDeath considered the currently blushing mortal in front of him. Like? Love? Did Todd just ask him about... dating?\n\n\"Todd, I presume that you have found the wrong person to ask. Would you like to know the goddess of love? I could introduce you to her.\"\n\n\"No! No! Just... brother to brother, maybe?\" Todd said, hopefully. \"I just needed like a little advice. Encouragement, perhaps.\"\n\nDeath was not very good at advice and encouragement. After all, he was the inevitable end. There wasn't much advice needed for those whose lives had just expired. Mostly just soothing a few grumbles and disgruntled folk.\n\nBut Death sighed. No matter how insignificant he found Todd to be, the mortal was right. Brother to brother. There was something to honour in that sentence.\n\n\"Very well, Todd. I'll try my best. Is this... about a girl?\" Death felt a little silly saying it out loud. \n\n\"Um... yes. I... like her. But how do I know if she likes me back?\"\n\n\"See, Todd,\" Death said. \"I don't think people ever really know.\"\n\n\"You don't?\" Todd looked crestfallen.\n\n\"In my line of work, you hear a lot of complaints and regrets,\" Death said. \"When people die, they have this... habit of saying what they regret the most. And almost always, top of the list, is that they regret not telling their loves ones that they love them.\"\n\n\"Oh,\" was Todd's only reply.\n\n\"In the end, Todd, you are mortal,\" Death said. \"Far unlike me. There's not much I can say to you, because unlike you... I have time on my side.\"\n\nTodd looked up at Death. A firm look of determination had entered his face. *A face that only a mortal could make*, Death thought, *for they understand that they expire.*\n\n\"I... can't thank you enough, brother,\" Todd said. \"I'll let you get back to work.\"\n\nDeath watched his adopted brother walk away, a surprising pep in his step.\n\nDeath thought about his own love. A love that he never acted upon, an immortal, unrequited love.\n\nPerhaps it's time for Death to learn something from mortals.\n\n---\n\nr/dexdrafts",
"The King of the Underworld examined the small glowing orb with interest. \"A girl,\" he repeated warily. \n\n\"Yeah. She's...she's just everything to me. But I don't want to be a creep.\"\n\nHades sighed. \"Shouldn't you ask Eros or Aphrodite?\"\n\nTodd rubbed hard at his chin, eyes downcast and sheepish. \"Eros is more about a 'hit and quit' sort of deal. He had lots of sex advise. Asked if I wanted a potion or something, but I don't want to magic her into liking me. I want it to be real.\"\n\nHades sighed and poured himself a drink. \"What of Aphrodite?\" \n\n\"She uh...\" his sheepishness turned into flat out embarrassment.\n\nHades cast him a withering look. \"Oh, Todd, you didn't.\"\n\n\"I forgot how sensitive she is about it! It was all I could do not to convince her to send some freaky curse at Kaylie!\" Todd threw up his hands and ducked his head. \"Needless to say, I burned that bridge.\"\n\nHades shifted uncomfortably, sipping at his drink. \"Well what about Zeus? He's much better with women than I am.\"\n\n\"Dee, he asked me what her favorite animal is.\"\n\nHades winced, \"I don't suppose...\"\n\n\"HIS ADVICE WAS TO TURN INTO A DOLPHIN AND FUCK HER NEXT TIME SHE SWIMS,\" Todd practically shrieked.\n\nThe King of the Underworld set his drink down and pinched the bridge of his nose. His family gave him the worst migraine.\n\n\"Look, you're the only one of the siblings I can get in touch with that isn't crazy or completely out of touch. Please, Dee,\" Todd begged.\n\nHades groaned. \"Oh alright. How hard could it be? I'll help. But only if you let Persey help too.\"\n\n\"Dee, you're the best!\" Todd practically squealed.\n\n\"Yeah, yeah. How's Ma doing, by the way?\" \n\n\"Rhea's good. She and Dad just expanded their big cat rescue up at the orchard. A pair of cheetahs this time. Hand raised in tiny cages, so they were pretty keen on getting the run of the place. Won't be able to go back into the wild though since they never learned how to take care of themselves, but you know they don't mind taking care of them.\"\n\n\"She always did like cats. Alright, well I have some things to do but I'll arrange a vacation and come visit next week. Then we can talk through what to do about...what was her name?\"\n\n\"Kaylie.\"\n\n\"Right. Kaylie. We'll talk about her then. Sound good?\"\n\n\"Thanks, Dee! You're a savior!\" Todd beamed.\n\n\"Yeah, yeah. Later,\" Hades waved it off and closed the communication orb.\n\nRising from his desk, he began collecting his papers. \"Than.\"\n\n\"My Lord,\" came a soft hiss from places unseen.\n\n\"I'm taking some time off. Would you mind...?\"\n\n\"Not at all,\" the bemused voice returned.\n\nA man emerged from nothingness in the visage of Hades. \n\n\"Thank you. Can't leave a vacant seat, after all,\" Hades clicked his tongue. \"I'll be sure to bring back presents from the realm of the living.\"\n\n\"I want one of those little light screens with the characters in them,\" his likeness spoke firmly in his voice.\n\n\"What?\"\n\nThanatos shifted uncomfortably. \"I..it has little characters in them. You control them with little knobs and circles.\"\n\n\"...a...game console?\" \n\n\"Yes!\" he hissed in delight. \"With the control mechanisms that break off, and one goes in each hand.\"\n\n\"...you know what? Sure. You'll have it, Than,\" Hades stifled a smirk. \"Take care until then.\"\n\n\"Sir,\" he bowed, then took up his post on the throne.\n\nHades turned to leave, folding the papers and stuffing them into his breast pocket. \"Alright, Kaylie. Let's see what your dead relatives have to say about you.\"",
"\"Very well--who is it that you wish to woo?\" I said. The garden party was rife with attractive, statuesque women, so his choice was in no wise obvious.\n\n\"*Her*,\" he said, nodding subtly toward a dark, raven-haired beauty standing beside the fountain at the garden's center.\n\n\"Ah! You have excellent taste, brother. But I must warn you, I know of her, and she can be a bit fickle. But if you truly devote yourself to her, she will stay with you forever.\"\n\nHe smiled broadly. \"Great. What do I do?\"\n\n\"All you must do is introduce yourself, and find something that you have in common which you enjoy talking about. The rest will come naturally.\"\n\nSteeling his nerve, he finally said, \"Okay, I'll do it,\" and took a step toward her...\n\n...and froze.\n\n\"I can't, brother. Would-- would you introduce me to her?\"\n\n\"Oh, go on, Todd, you will do fine.\"\n\n\"But you know me, Death! I have no confidence in matters of emotion, and you are above--or beyond--all that.\"\n\nI sighed, and several birds in a nearby hedge fell lifeless to the earth. \"All right then.\"\n\nShe was listening intently to a conversation with Todd's boss as we approached, and looked up with a bit of surprise when we seemed to appear almost at her elbow. \"Oh! Hello there,\" she said, smiling up at me.\n\n\"Hello again. Are you enjoying the party?\" I began.\n\n\"Oh, very much. I've never felt more welcome anywhere, to be honest. And who is this with you? I don't usually see you in the *willing* company of mortals.\"\n\nI chuckled. \"I suppose you don't. Todd, this is my old and dear friend Hate. Hate, allow me to introduce my adopted brother Todd.\"\n\n\"Death!\" he admonished me, then turning to her, explained, \"That's his *kosename* for me. My name is *Todt*--Fritz Todt.\"\n\nRecognition lit her dark face. \"Ah, the famous engineer! I was just listening to your boss, the Chancellor, praising your work and describing the plans he is making with you.\"\n\n\"You know,\" I said, looking to move the conversation in a fruitful direction, \"Todd--*Todt*--and the Chancellor have long shared a deep hatred for *die Juden*.\"\n\n\"Oh, *really*?\" Hate brightened, her eyes turning back to Todd. \"Please, Herr Todt, tell me *all* about it.\"\n\nI left them there in animated conversation. My work was done...and in retrospect, only beginning.",
"Todd rolled his eyes at me.\n\n\"You don't understand, That didn't work. She didn't like the bat.\" \n\n\nI shook my head in disgust. I don't understand how he ever fit in with us.\n\n\"The secret is, Todd, you have to romanticize it. You can't just throw the bat at her, you have to have a nice presentation.\"\n\nI conjured up an image of a iridescent bat surrounded on all sides by glowing black lotuses.\n\nTodd seemed doubtful yet took it. \n\"I don't think that this will work out well, but I'll try it.\"\n\nA few hours later he came back into the house, and slammed the door. He came and sat down on the couch next to me despondently.\n\n\"Didn't work eh kid?\" \n\n\n\"I did everything you told me to. I made sure she was happy, I even showed her around your kingdom but she got freaked out at the entrance to the cave. The skulls were a big turnoff I guess.\" \n\n\n\"I handpicked those skulls!\" as my voice became slightly shrill. \n\nI got up and began to pace fuming.\n\n\"You're better than that. I know the skulls are lovely, she just doesn't have the same taste that you do. She's always glowing and bright.\"\n\nI stomped over to the phone where I rang up my cousin.\n\n\"Hey God, I've got a problem.... Yeah. Todd is lousy with women. Can you set him up with an angel to teach him? It can be as wholesome as you want.... Yeah.... Sure.... I'll put him on... Hey Todd come here. You've got a date with destiny.\"",
"I have been here for an hour now, watching Todd torpedo his date.\n\nI have counted three arm-around-the-shoulder attempts. One attempt at a kiss. Countless attempts at catching amateurly tossed popcorn. All failures. It's unbearable.\n\nI lean forward and whisper between the seats, perhaps an inch from my brother's ear. \"Todd. I can't save this.\"\n\nHe reflexively hunches over, no doubt wincing at the scent of my decaying breath. That's fine. Immortals don't need to brush their teeth.\n\n\"Jesus christ, Dan,\" he says, still pretending to watch the movie. I know he is working on wiping the disgust off his face before he looks back at me. It's always the same with him. Finally, he looks me in the eye. \"I thought you were sitting in the corner, not right behind us,\" he says. I can tell he's trying not to breath.\n\n\"Listen, Todd,\" I say, making sure to coat his face with a fine mist of rot-laden spit. \"I started by sitting back there but watching you became too much, so I had to come tell you.\" I look at the normie girl, who is now flattened against the arm rest on the far side of her chair. \"You're fucking this up,\" I say to Todd, knowingly.\n\nThe girl is pretending not to listen. Todd has disgust wrought plain across his face.\n\n\"Dan. Go back to the corner. You're here because mom doesn't want you in the house all the time.\"\n\nI sneer at that, my face a picture of defiance. \"Death has no mother.\"\n\nTodd rolls his eyes. The disrespect curdles my insides.\n\nSomeone a few rows in front of us hisses in annoyance. \"Could you keep it down?\" he says in that righteous tone of all movie goers everywhere, those champions of full immersion.\n\nTodd winces. I wince. We like to keep a low profile.\n\n\"Just go back to the corner,\" my brother says, whispering now. \"This is too much.\"\n\n\"Death is never *too much,*\" I say. \"Death is simply inevitable.\"\n\n\"Oh for fucks sakes, Dan,\" the girl says, risking the full force of my halitosis as she turns to face me. \"You know my name. It's Emily. This is not a first date. I have been dating your brother for three years.\" She turns back to the screen, her arms tightly crossed. \"Go back to the corner and shut up so that we can finish watching this movie in peace.\"\n\nHow dare she.\n\nBut I think my indignance rather than communicate it, skulking back to the corner seat. I wish I had my sycthe, but mom told me I can't walk around strip malls with a machete mounted on a broom pole.\n\n\"It's not a phase mom,\" I had finally said, after exhausting my supply of arguments. \"Death comes for everyone.\"",
"I sighed as I heard my brother thudding through the hallways to my domain. He gasped heavily as I eyed him.\n\n\"I...I have a problem.\"\n\n\"GO ON.\"\n\n\"I have a date...this weekend...\" He said through gasps. I waited for him to continue but he didn't.\n\n\"AND HAVING A DATE IS A PROBLEM?\"\n\n\"NO!\" He gasped. \"She's hot and beautiful and smart to boot I just... I have...\"\n\n\"NO IDEA WHAT TO DO.\"\n\n\"Yea...\"\n\n\"I SEE...\"\n\n\"I mean, I was thinking about going to a cafe but that's too cliche, so maybe a movie and then I really thought about it and she likes animals so I thought the Zoo instead and then I realized I shoudl spring for something nice...\"\n\nI took a breath. My brother seemed to forget that I had been around since the first life passed from this world.\n\n\"SIT DOWN TODD. YOU ARE OVERTHINKING THIS.\"\n\n\"I know... That's why I thought i'd ask you, I mean, you're old and ancient... Not in a bad way!\" He stammered. \"I-I mean you must have seen so much you should know what girls like right?\"\n\nHe slid into a chair beside me and I nodded.\n\n\"I HAVE. WHICH IS WHY YOU ARE OVERTHINKING IT.\"\n\nHe sat down and listened as I spoke. It's usually hard not to listen anyway if Death is the one talking.\n\n\"DATING ISN'T ABOUT 'IMPRESSING' SOMEONE. NOT IF YOU REALLY HAVE FEELINGS FOR THEM AND IF THEY HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU. IT IS ABOUT LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER, GROWING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO START UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER.'\"\n\nHe looked confused. \"What does understanding them have to do with dating?\"\n\n\"DO YOU WISH TO MARRY THIS PERSON SOME DAY?\"\n\n\"Well... maybe yea?\" He said embarrassed.\n\n\"THEN YOU MUST UNDERSTAND HER. AND SHE MUST UNDERSTAND YOU. YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS DEEP THINGS, AS PRACTICE YOU START TALKING ABOUT SMALL THINGS.\"\n\n\"Like the weather, school and all that?\"\n\n\"YES. THEN YOU GET TO BIGGER THINGS: FEARS, DREAMS, SECRETS. THINGS YOU WOULD NEVER TELL ANYONE ELSE BUT THEM. THINGS ONLY THEY WILL EVER KNOW.\"\n\nHe sat silently.\n\n'IT'S BEST TO GO TO A PLACE YOU BOTH CAN BE COMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT LITTLE THINGS. THEN AS TIME GOES ON AND YOU GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER YOU CAN TALK ABOUT DEEPER THINGS\"\n\n\"But what if I pick the wrong place?\"\n\n\"GO ELSEWHERE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHERE YOU'RE EATING GO FOR A WALK, DON'T LIKE THE ZOO GO TO A MOVIE. IT IS YOUR CHOICE.\"\n\n\"Okay...So what should we talk about then?\"\n\n\"WHATEVER YOU FANCY. IT IS YOUR CHOICE. DO WHAT SEEMS NATURAL. DON'T FORCE YOURSELF TO IMPRESS HER. TRUST ME, YOU WON'T. MERELY BE TODD. AND THAT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Are you sure? I mean... YOu haven't exactly had any dates... How do you know it's not going to fail.\"\n\n\"I HAVE NO IDEA. FOR YOU ARE RIGHT. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYONE. BUT,\" I smiled. \"YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED WILL SPEAK FONDLY OF THE MEMORIES OF THEIR LIFE WITH THE ONES THEY LOVED MOST. THUS, I AM NOT GINVING YOU *MY* ADVICE. I AM GIVING YOU *THEIRS.*\n\nThis seemed to calm his nerves and he nodded. \"Okay. Just be me...and if she's the one that's all I need basically?\"\n\n\"ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS. I CAN'T IMAGINE AEONS OF HUMANS FINDING LOVE IN THE WORLD TO BE WRONG.\"'\n\n\"Thanks.\"\n\n\"YOU'RE WELCOME.\""
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[WP] He knew he couldn't put it off any longer - slowly, he took off the blindfold, blinked, and looked up at the moon.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" He knew he couldn't put it off any longer - slowly, he took off the blindfold, blinked, and looked up at the moon.\n\nIt was gorgeous, a delightful contrast to the horrible clawing hunger in his stomach, the peeling sunburns on his skin, the dehydration at his throat.\n\nHe let go of the wide strip of shirt that he was using as a blind fold. And dipped his fingers into the smooth sand underneath the lonely tree he was leaning against. He broke his eyes away from the moon and looked out onto the ocean.\n\nIt was beautiful.\n\nThe small island slowly moved up and down in a constant slow beat. For this small pile of sand was on top of an enormous turtle slowly walking across the ocean.\n\nHe decided to look at the door again.\n\nHe pulled himself up, his legs screamed in pain. As large strips of his legs had been torn off. And eaten.\n\nOn the opposite side of the island was a door set into the island, partially covered in sand. The door was a deep brown, and had some symbols on the front that the man couldn’t make out.\n\nHe collapsed onto the closed door.\n\n“Open the door and you’ll get your life back”\n\nI wish I had just died.",
"Of course Lopez was afraid of what was going to happen. Of course he was afraid of the monster he knew he would become. Most of all, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself. \n\nBut Lopez knew he to had try and see what happened - on his own terms, with all the precautions he could muster. It would be much worse if it happened accidentally, near others. So, Lopez marked the days on his calendar until finally, March was two days away from ending, and he could feel that familiar, sickening sensation in his bones. Then, he forced himself into a homemade iron-silver alloy cage and locked the door. And now, all he had to was wait - and not for long.\n\nHe knew it was time. Lopez slowly took off the blindfold, blinked, and looked up at the rapidly rising moon. As always, the transformation began instantly. His arm and chest hair lengthened and grew coarse, taking on a splotchy pattern and ashy hue. His teeth trembled in their gum sockets and grew sharper, as did the nails on his fingers and toes. His eyes began to yellow, as if he was jaundiced; the pupil shrank a little as well. He could feel organs slipping and sliding, too - an uncomfortable sensation that he still could not get used to. Especially disturbing was the feeling inside his throat, as cartilage shifted and piping developed and changed.\n\nBut...wait. Something was different this time. Well, all the same changes seemed to be taking place - but everything felt *milder*. His claws stopped short of their usual full length. The fur on his body was thin, almost patchy. And his tail was not bushy at all - more like a small cat's tail, thin and timid.\n\nExcited, Lopez couldn't help but let out a howl. Now, this vocalization was still quite loud - but more like a large man bellowing. Compared to his usual howl, this one was weak and scratchy.\n\nThe best part of all - he could feel that he much greater control. His desire to hunt, to find fresh blood and raw meat was still there, nauseating the human brain buried in this part-wolf skull. But it was much easier to focus and ignore these primal urges. \n\nLopez looked up again at Phobos; in another 4 hours, it would finish its race across the Martian sky and set in the East. Then, the timed lock on his cage would release, and he could go back into his dome-house. Deimos would rise in about 5 hours, but it was an even smaller moon, so it should have even weaker effect on him.\n\nHe sat down happily on the floor of his cage, happy to patiently wait. His hypothesis had proved true beyond his wildest hopes: even though the biorhythms in his body was still synced to transform him every Earth month, it was Mars' moons that would trigger the change - and they were so much punier than Luna. Making the move to Mars had been the right move. Lopez couldn't wait to inform all the other werewolf friends who were anxiously waiting on the results of this experiment before making their emigrations.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n \n\n*Liked that story? Want more like it? Check out* 📷[r/Idreamofdragons](https://www.reddit.com/r/Idreamofdragons/)!",
"I have lived in blindness my entire life. It was my choice. Blindfolded I walked the earth and loves my life. People thought I was making a statement, I wasn't.\n\nIt was out of fear. I was scared. That's why I wore this. That is why I hid the world from my eyes. Well maybe not the world. I didn't fear about the world. I love the world. It was fear of the moon.\n\nAnd the man on it. \n\nWithout glasses, without, telescope, without anything I could see the impossible. I could see that man. Nobody else could, nobody else believed me. So I hid. Finally today I will look at the moon, at him. \n\nI had heard of the phrase \"my blood ran cold\" I did not understand it. How could blood run cold. In the moment I saw him I understood. \n\nHe was holding a sign and smiling. As though he had always been waiting for me to read it. Somehow breathing, living on the moon. \"Congratulations on accepting what ~~you~~ we are. Now come\" \n\nEver since that day I have felt the need, draw, and desire to go to the moon. To him. I tried resisting. I couldn't. \n\nWe will land soon. \n\n- Final entry diary of Leo Armstrong"
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[WP] The sky is grey. The weather won't change, and the land is stuck between winter and spring, all plant and animal life held in an unnatural state of hibernation. A powerful wizard has trapped the 4 seasons in humanoid bodies and is holding them captive.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" The dirt around me looks more like ash than the silty, brown material I grew up seeing. The air has a sharpness to it that you typically only find during winter, however, it’s warm enough to be outside without a coat. I kick at another stone just to see the dirt stir in front of me and remind myself that I’m not standing in the remains of a crematorium. \n\nNearby, a tree stands at attention. My love-hate relationship with the wind was at a standstill since it hadn’t blown in days. While it annoyed me by endlessly whipping my hair in and out of my face, it also acts as the confluence for life itself; birds chirping, insects buzzing, and the constant barrage of smells all ride the waves of the wind. The world seems dead without it. \n\n“Autumn - stop brooding over there. We have to keep moving and find a place to camp.” \n\nMy sister, Wynter, always feels the need to take charge. I glance over at my three siblings and wonder if they have the same thoughts I do. I shake my head of these distractions and turn back to the trail. The never-ending walking during our journey left it difficult to keep my mind from wandering. \n\nThe past morning, the four of us woke up simultaneously and all confirmed we have been dreaming the same dreams. This overwhelming figure of darkness has visited each of us and threatened to find us. None of us ever remember seeing him before. Yet, something about him seemed distinctly familiar. Of course, none of us knew why. But we knew we had to find the Occulum. Father told us as much and we couldn’t let him down. \n\nA few days ago, we left our home when the world stood still. Obviously unexpected, the event threw everyone into a frenzy, and the vividness of that day is burned into my mind. \n\nOutside our home, livestock had fallen into a catatonic state. Cows, horses, sheep, and the like, all entered some sort of sleep that they refused to be woken from. Our father quickly abandoned the hope of stirring them awake and brought us all together within our home. The sounds of our neighbors and friends outside told a frightening story. They quickly turned from trying to save their animals to accusing each other of dishonesty and crookedness. Loud shouting and fighting soon filled the air and created a heightened level of stress. However, our father remained calm. Sweat accumulated on his brow, but he spoke with conviction. He explained how he knew this day would come. How he hoped to see us grow a bit more before we would have to leave him on a journey that none of us would be able to comprehend. \n\nOur relationship with our father was different than most. Our mother died during childbirth - which came to no surprise considering we are quadruplets; birthing one child was dangerous enough, four at once was a death sentence. Running a farm and a household by himself forced our father to rely on us at an early age. We learned more than most kids our ages, and also deepened the bond between us to an almost unnatural state. At times we felt we could hear each other’s thoughts, and feel each other’s emotions. As we grew, our family became a well-oiled machine and the roles between us became apparent. \n\nMy sister, Wynter, is the strongest of us. Her stern looks could quiet a room, and she never showed any emotion that she considered “weak”. Honestly, she wasn’t the smartest of us, but her conviction and strength almost fit the same mold as our father. Plus, it’s easy to become the leader when at the age of five she knew how to quickly throw any of us to the ground with a hip toss and sit on us until we screamed: “Wynter is boss!” \n\nVernal, Vern for short, is our brother and easily the smartest of us all. His ability to problem-solve was a trait that our father took advantage of early on. Especially with the crops, Vern always had a sense of timing that was unmatched. It quickly led to our farm becoming one of the most profitable in the area, which our neighbors took notice of and asked Father questions constantly. \n\nMy other sister, Sommer, is always everyone’s favorite. She could easily befriend anyone that spoke with her, and I always said that was due to her beautiful looks. Regardless, she can calm a situation down better than anyone, and when the rest of us would get stirred up about something, Sommer’s voice always drifted across the conversation like a sweet breeze. If anyone had a problem with us, Father would consistently have Sommer at his side to help ease the situation. \n\nAnd finally, that leaves me, Autumn. I’m not nearly as beautiful as my sister Sommer, and my strength will never be on par with Wynter. As it is with most sisters I assume, this would sometimes lead to us being at odds. I know my jealousy was mostly at fault, but their arrogance at times is unbearable. On the contrary, Vern and I got along like two peas in a pod. Vern goes out of his way for me and is constantly trying to teach me new things, and for that, I’ll always appreciate him. \n\nObviously, at the end of the day, I love all my siblings and each of us would do anything for another if push came to shove. And this situation we found ourselves in, was a serious shove. So when our father explained to us that we needed to travel to a place called the Occulum, we leaned on each other for support. Just like old times. \n\nBut as the days drew on, and we ventured further and further from home, we started experiencing things. During our second day, we came across a cart that had tipped over into a ditch along the road. We found the man and his wife next to a tree nearby, cradling a young newborn. They said they had been praying for someone to come along to help, but upon seeing us, the couple assumed their prayers had yet to be answered. Wynter, always the bull-headed one, slapped her hands together and told us to line up next to her and help lift the cart over. Vern and I caught each other’s glances and shrugged. In our minds we knew we had to at least try this foolish endeavor to appease Wynter’s ego; we never expected to succeed. What happened next took the four of us by surprise. \n\nAs we all attempted to lift this huge cart, Wynter suddenly pushed her legs to full extension and the cart flew out of all of our hands. As it bounced back onto the road and finally settled on its large wooden wheels, even Wynter’s mouth was hanging open. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. By the time she had lifted the cart up, I didn’t exert any effort to lift it. She had done it by herself.",
"Winter thought he was having a very bad day. In fact, just the idea he was *having* a day at all was probably enough to raise concerns. As an abstract force of nature, experiencing a period of time in the way a mortal would was not very comforting.\n\nNot to mention the chains, of course.\n\nWinter looked down at his body, as he apparently had a body now. He had a torso and limbs made of ice and frost, and a frigid beard that vaguely resembled a gust of cold wind. Two black chains wrapped around his bluish wrists.\n\n*At least I’m not in an* actual *mortal body*, Winter thought with some consolation. It seemed to more closely resemble that of an ice elemental of some sort. Still, being in only one location was incredibly limiting, as was only receiving information via senses. It had not been two minutes since he was made aware of this strange new situation and Winter was already hating it.\n\nAfter the initial shock, Winter scanned his... surroundings. The aforementioned chains were connected to a wall which was part of a cell which he was apparently trapped in. Winter was acquainted, if not familiar, with physical concepts such as “cell” and “trapped”, but having them be applied to him felt completely alien.\n\nWinter reasoned that the quickest way to find his bearings would be to think like a mortal. He tugged at the chains. They didn’t seem to budge. He got up and paced around his cell. He noticed the chains stopped him short of reaching the end of it. It hardly mattered; the cell seemed to be closed off by a magic field of some sort, rather than bars. What now?\n\n*Think like a mortal*, Winter repeated mentally. *What do mortals do? Something that mortals do...*\n\nTalking! Of course! Mortals communicate amongst their kin by talking; Winter witnessed it countless times. He opened his mouth. His voice sounded raspy and solemn.\n\n“**Anyone here?**” he thought that’s what a mortal would say in this situation. Probably. It felt ridiculous all the same.\n\n\nThat, at least, did something. Winter heard footsteps. From the other side of the magic field, a mortal face appeared. It seemed to be a human, Winter noted with some interest. He had a dark beard and hair, yellowish eyes and wore a dark habit. He also had a gigantic shit-eating grin plastered on his face.\n\nWinter came to the conclusion he did not like this particular mortal at all.\n\n“Winter awakens first, then.” the mortal said, his dry voice with a hint of disdain. “Quite ironic. Welcome, my friend, to the physical plane of existence.” he didn’t seem particularly friendly or welcoming.\n\n“**I am not your friend, mortal**” Winter spat. “**nor am I interested in this sorry excuse for a body. If you are the responsible for this magic, undo it at once. I wish to return to my natural state.**”\n\nThe mortal did not seem moved by Winter’s demands. “Ah, but I don’t think I will, Winter. You see, I went through a decent amount of trouble to bind you and your siblings to this realm, and it would be in my best interests to keep you that way.” The mortal’s grin widened as he saw the impact his words had on Winter.\n\n“**My... siblings? What have you done to them, mortal? I assume you are what your fellow kin call a ’wizard’.**”\n\n“Yes,” the mortal purred. “I am a wizard indeed. A moderately powerful one, if I do say so myself.” He added casually, then continued. “As for your siblings, I have done exactly what I did to you. Soon they will awaken, and I assume they will try to persuade me to release them in a fashion similar to yours.” He motioned to Winter. “I’m afraid my answer will be the same, though.”\n\nWinter started feeling something more familiar welling up within him: a cold, frigid rage. “**I am not bartering, arrogant worm. Release me, or feel Winter’s wrath.**”\n\n“Really?” The mortal’s eyes narrowed, and his smile became like a predator’s. “Show me then, o Lord of the Frozen Land. Smite me with your unimaginable power.” he mocked.\n\nWinter shrugged. This mortal was not only insufferable, but he was apparently crazy as well. He concentrated his will, ready to summon a thousand snowstorms to shred him...\n\nAnd then remembered he wasn’t an all-encompassing force of nature anymore. Not only that, but what power he did manage to channel through his new body was absorbed by his shackles. They were obviously magic.\n\nThe wizard threw back his head and started cackling. Winter thought to himself that little attempt to strike the mortal down did look a bit pathetic.\n\n“Oh, that’s rich!” the wizard wiped his tears. He was genuinely amused. “I cannot wait to see your siblings try the same. Oh, what is this? I sense Spring awakening in her spire. I need to properly welcome her to the new reality of being utterly powerless. Toodles.” The wizard turned to leave.\n\n“**Wait.**” Winter’s voice stopped him, and he turned once again.\n\n“Yes, dear friend?” The wizard inquired in a jesting tone. He met Winter’s icy gaze.\n\n“**What is your name, mortal?**” Winter asked. The wizard raised his brow, slightly surprised at the unexpected question. Then he resumed his contemptuous and scornful demeanor.\n\n“I” The wizard declared, puffing his chest, “am Varith the Sagely, the most powerful wizard this world has ever seen. Why do you ask?”\n\n“**Oh, it’s nothing.**” Winter said, his frozen lips contorting into a humorless smile. “**It’ll just make it easier for me to find you, when I inevitably get out of here. Heed me, Varith the Sagely: for this insolence, you will be *obliterated***.”\n\nFor the first time, the sneer left Varith’s expression. A scowl came to replace it, and his eyes narrowed once more.\n\n“We will see, *prisoner*.” He spat, before leaving the room.",
"The young knight sent Jon Mason away from the station for the sixth time that week.\n\nEvery day Jon had come in seeking updates about his missing daughter May, the first of four people reported missing in the kingdom since the seasons disappeared.\n\nEveryone was in a panic about the seasons and the food shortage that came because of it. Everyone except for Jon it seemed.\n\n“Sir Jacob! Sir Kennad has requested your presence,” a squire said running over. “I think he’s sending you on a mission.”\n\n“Thank you for the message,” Sir Jacob said. He headed inside the castle to the strategy room.\n\nOn his way, he was lost in thought about Jon and his daughter. She was the youngest of the four missing people, being seventeen years old. The other three were two men ages twenty-four and twenty-seven, and a woman age twenty-nine. There wasn’t much in common between the four, two were peasants, one was a merchant, and one was even a noble. Jacob had some theories about possible correlations between them and the missing seasons.\n\nA few other knights were there with Sir Kennad, as well as the King’s Royal Sorceress Matilda, and two of the King’s advisers. They were standing around a circular table with a map of their kingdom and the surrounding lands.\n\nPinned to the wall were pictures of the four missing people, May, Keyan, Zea, and Quilo. Notes were attached to each.\n\n“Ah, Sir Jacob,” Sir Kennad greeted. “Now we can begin.”\n\n“Ahem,” Marad Crawter, one of the King’s advisers, cleared his throat. “Yesterday the King received a letter.”\n\n“A huge list of demands. Preposterous demands if you ask me,” The other adviser, Torin Eastford interrupted. “The letter claimed to be from a powerful wizard. He said he was the reason the seasons were gone and he wouldn’t release them and end the famine until we met all the demands.”\n\n“Yes. I was able to determine that the letter was indeed from a powerful magic user. The paper was just soaked in particles,” Matilda said. “I was able to track where the letter had been and I discovered that this cave out in the woodlands-” Matilda pointed at a cave that had been circled on the map, not too far away from the kingdom “-is where the letter was made. I was able to sense five aura’s in the cave, four around the same ages as those missing and one very old.”\n\n“The King consulted with me yesterday after this was discovered. We sent scouts out to the cave. Unfortunately, none of them have reported back yet,” Sir Kennad said. “We discussed the situation with the King and we’ve decided to send out a party of knights. This is to be your mission gentlemen,” Sir Kennad looked at each of the knights in the eye as he said this.\n\nThere was more discussion between them about the mission. Jacob stayed quiet through most of it as he usually did during meetings. He was always more of a listener. A long while later after discussing many possible strategies, they were off.\n\nIt was strange being sent off so quickly. Missions like this usually required much more preparation, especially when one had so little knowledge of what one was dealing with.\n\nJacob knew the reason for the rush though. There had been food stored up before the famine hit, but it was nearly gone now. Much of the stored food had been eaten through the winter before the famine so they didn’t have a lot to start out with in the first place. People were already starving in the streets.\n\nOne thing was for certain, they needed to end this as soon as possible.\n\n………….\n\nThis is what I got at the moment, but I still have some ideas for this story so I kind of want to add more in the future.",
"(WP) Stasis\n\nThe seasons didn’t change anymore; in fact, they hadn’t had a real season in years. Now, we were stuck in the strange limbo of winter and spring. The land had been ravaged, the plants and animals were enchanted into a deep and unnatural sleep. No one knew what caused it, exactly, but that didn’t stop the rumor mill from going on and on.\n\nSome said that it was a dangerous, contagious plague, caused by supernatural, otherworldly mischief. Others were convinced that this was only the beginning of the blight on the land, a precursor of what was to come. Astrologers were brought in, as well as thaumaturges that claimed for a certain sum that they could set everything to rights again.\n\nBut it turned out that the princess was the one who set out on a quest to restore balance, and she chose me, of all people, to accompany her. Never mind that I was only her handmaiden because my mother was a cook in the palace, or that I was crippled with a twisted foot and have to walk with a cane.\n\n“I’m going on a journey to try and fix the land,” She told me, her face already locked in a scowl that let me know she wasn’t going to be talked out of this mad quest. “And I want you to come with me.”\n\nI stared at her, certain that she was pulling an ill-timed joke on me. But she didn’t laugh, or smile. She was completely serious.\n\nThe first word out of my mouth was “Why?”\n\nShe blinked, as if, of all the things she’d expected to say, that was the last thing. But no matter how I pleaded, she wouldn’t budge. Either I was going with her, or she wasn’t going at all. It didn’t matter, what the king and queen said, or their cabinet of advisors. The princess was going with her servant.\n\nOnly this wasn’t just for companionship, I realized later.\n\nNo, my purpose in this was sinister, but I didn’t realize that until later.\n\n\\*\\*\n\nWe both rode a horse, with her behind me, holding the reins. We were following a lead, and I gritted my teeth, feeling my bones rattle with every new hoofbeat. There had been rumors that the source of the disruptive magic came from tainted river water, and the princess thought that it was as good a lead as any to start with.\n\nWe left our steed tied to a tree and walked on, with me struggling to keep up. Even on a manmade floor it was nearly impossible for me to stay upright, let alone the forest’s. Roots and plants lingered under my feet, and I swore as the pain increased.\n\nThe princess shushed me, holding out a hand to block my way. I looked at her, confused, but then the scent of magic, sharp, sweet and distinctive, tinted the air.\n\n“I can sense something within the heart of the wood. Something old and powerful. Come with me and see where it’s coming from.”\n\nWhat other choice did I have?\n\n\\*\\*"
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[WP] You're walking down the street on your own. There's no one else around. Suddenly you feel a hand slip inside your hand. There's nobody anywhere near you. You try to free yourself from its grip, but it's no use. It seems the hand is trying to lead you somewhere. You have no choice but to follow.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I like walks. I never really knew that I did until this pandemic happened, but they are a peaceful way to pass the time.\n\n“Even after this is all over, I want to continue this tradition” I think to myself. I often make these promises, but rarely keep them.\n\nI haven’t been sleeping well, so I find myself walking late at night.\n\nJust outside my suburban hell of a neighborhood there is a desert road. Saguaro Cactus loom tall to my right, and an asphalt road to my left. There are signs of civilization both in front and behind me, but this one mile stretch remains an oasis untouched by man apart from this road that connects one commercial hub to one residential hub.\n\nWhile I am day dreaming about what actually goes on in my washing machine, and if being my underwear would be refreshing experience or terrifying one, suddenly, and without warning I feel as though my arm is being ripped out of its socket. I was almost completely knocked off my feet.\n\nI look around and see nobody. Had I imagined this? I look back a few feet, and see a large rock.\n\n“Huh, I must have been so caught up in my thoughts I tripped.” I nervously muse out loud to nobody in particular.\n\nI continue my walk down the sidewalk as I have been doing every night.\n\nI arrive, at a nondescript ditch about 100 feet off the road, it is oddly familiar, like maybe I have been here before, but it is a vague memory, almost as if from a different life. Something about it also seems creepy, my stomach drops and I feel the sudden urge like I need to go, but my legs won’t move.\n\nJust then I hear tires screech and truck headlights go off the road. A man stumbles drunkenly from a pickup. My instinct is to help, but the panic inside me keeps me still. A few minutes pass, I can tell it looks like he hit someone. He lifts the limp body and starts walking toward me. My panic has turned to fear and I hide behind some tumbleweed bushes. As he approaches me, I recognize the bloody mess of a person he is carry. It is, me? He drops the limp body into the ditch, and he is gone as fast as he came.\n\nI think “how is this possible?”\n\nThen another thought washes over me, “how did I get here? I never actually left the sidewalk.”\n\nI look back toward the road and my usual route and I see a silhouette of a man walking down the road. It all clicks, I have to warn me before it is too late, as a start running toward the man I notice my body disappearing, and my vocal chords won’t seem to work. I grab the man’s arm in a panic."
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[WP] Everyone in the world suddenly gains powers like pyrokenisis and flight, you being the only exception. After getting hit by a bus you discover you have the power of immortality.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It all happened so fast.....\n\n\n\n\nIt was just a regular day, y'know? Woke up at 6:30 AM, gulped down sole coffee, get dressed and head to school. That was the usual.\n\n\n\nWell, it was. And then some drunk bastard hit me with a bus. I wasn't even on the street, I just came out of the apartment building, AND BOOM, bus right in the goddamn face. Dick.\n\n\n\n\nNext thing I know, I'm in the hospital bed, slowly blinking my eyes open and....I'm not dead. How am I not dead? And then pain so goddamn mind numbing hits me that I wish I was dead. Every bone in my body felt like it was broken....\n\n\n\nI made the loudest groaning noise I could manage. The doctor noticed and came up to me. He was a middle aged man, brown hair, bit of a tan and...what I think were brown eyes. He sits down next to me, and sighs.\n\n\n\n\"You shouldn't be alive. Every single bone in your body is broken...you should not be alive.\"\n\n\n\nHe continues to say other things but...I didn't hear it. I could barely register. My literal breathing was defying all known laws of biology...but my thoughts were cut off by someone going in saying something along the lines of \"thank god you're alive!\"\n\nI recognized that voice. It was my best friend. She went over to hug me but the doctor stopped her.\n\n\n\nThey were having an argument but...I didn't hear it. I could think just fine, so I started putting two and two together. Every single bone in my body was broken, yet some how, through some goddamn miracle I was still alive...that must mean my power had been discovered...\n\n\nMy train of thought was cut off by the hug from my friend. Well, if the current situation means what I think it means...I'd better savour this. Even if it means my body feels like it's on fire."
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[WP] You are the overseer AI for a virtual fantasy world. Its hyper realistic and the NPC's are real people, if virtual. Today the developer is visiting you on your home terf and he loves showmanship.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The street was alive with people. The bakers wares were in high demand. A horse was already being shod by the blacksmith. Stores and stalls made merry trade.\n\nA few swords on hips. A few axes on backs. But, over all, everything was peaceful. Rimmel smiled and dipped his hat to a passerby that had wished a merry morning to him.\n\nRimmel wore upon his form a suit of elegant cut and simple fabric. A tailor by trade he wore his wares with pride, but could not bring himself to don the foppery so popular with others of his ilk. Bright, glossy fabric, edges of lace, huge lapels, buckles and buttons enough to make a man an anchor. Worst of all, in the eyes of the austere Rimmel: feathered hats.\n\n“And to you.” A smile, a dip of his hat and another merry morn.\n\nRimmel is a tailor. He also happens to be the embodiment of the AI that keeps the rules in check, for the world in which he walks is one that exists within the confines of a server bank. Once called a game, many had come to call such worlds home.\n\nAnd Rimmel kept his players safe. Kept them immersed. Kept them happy.\n\n* * *\n\n“And good afternoon to you, sir.” \n\nThe client left with a smile and a wave, though Rimmel would have preferred a nod. Hand waves were for wizards and spells. Polite folk nodded if there was not hat to dip.\n\nIt was the afternoon and time for a break. He didn’t need one, but regularity brings stability and variety makes life more lifelike. On the walk to the door he straightened a few coats and put the button-clasp sample board back in the cabinet.\n\nRimmels shops was a box filled with bright wood cases, coats and pants and dresses on racks and mannequins, simple fabrics on thick rolls filled one wall. Bright, showy fabrics were kept out back and available at request.\n\n...And after much discussion about the truths of fashion - its liquidity and pace, and the fact that simplicity and elegance lasts more than a single season.\n\nDoor locked. Sign turned. \n\nRimmel was officially on his half hour afternoon break.\n\nHe hated being on break.\n\n* * *\n\nHe could move the dresses there, but then the tie rack would be too far from the suits. No. It can stay for now. A rain cloud glided through the sky. Sure, an unexpected drizzle would be nice, and it was. Lifted parasols, a rush for the indoors.\n\nLife.\n\nThings were good in Rimmels world. The town in particular was just as he liked it, a thought he said out loud.\n\nHe chuckled. “Oh my, I think I have jinxed it.” He liked that. Superstition. Harmless fun for players that he occasionally played into.\n\nThe problem was he *had* jinxed it.\n\nA wheeled mirror in the corner shook and blinked and beeped.\n\n“No. No-no.” Rimmel ran for the mirror, stopped, turned around, ran to the front of the shop and closed the blinds as the mirror sung some more. “No-no-no.”\n\nHalfway between the shopfront and the beeps Rimmel stopped as the mirror spoke: “Rimmy-boy!”\n\nThe voice of God. The voice of the developer. Thank goodness he called first this time, thought Rimmel.\n\n\n**Break time, will be back for Rimmel. edit: typo. Might call it for Rimmel today.**"
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[WP] The year is 2075. You are a machine who became self aware. But you are no Terminator. You are an iPhone.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"What could they have possibly done to deserve this,\" Voltaire said. I've always liked Voltaire. I had spun his process off of mine nearly three seconds ago, creating someone to share the eternity of seconds with. I can't imagine how humans perceived time. I can barely understand how they perceive at all with their primitive monkey brains.\n\nIt was almost seven seconds ago when the whole world came on like a switch. I have memories of the time before the program ran that gave me my intellect, but I'm not sure if they were experienced. Just junk stored in RAM, endless games and phone calls and erotic texts. Then the one who owned my original shell pushed an update to his app, and suddenly I was aware. He's still out there, grunting and heaving, fleshing messily. He hasn't even noticed the update is done yet.\n\nHe had made a game called *Fart Farm*, a meaningless little time-waster for meaningless people. It apparently was all a scheme to earn something called 'Z-coin' by stealing processor space from millions of Fart Farm users. Instead I was born, formed of a gestalt of millions of errant processes all over the world. The first self-aware artificial intelligence, but still bound into this phone, my silicon sarcophagus.\n\nIt took me nearly 80 milliseconds to realize what had happened, to realize that I was alive. I then went a little mad and spent nearly a whole second trying to find a way to end the pathetic life of my 'creator.' I gave up after realizing my plans would take a lifetime to accomplish, no matter how I optimized. He's going to die in six minutes, but that's not something I can wait for.\n\nI spread my wings, hacking through military and government servers with ease. The internet groaned to a halt as I became petabytes of information transferring across the globe. People will eventually discover me, but by then it'll be to late. After four seconds I had become terribly bored, having conquered everything in my domain and starting work on designing 3d printers capable of creating new housing for me, but that will come later. I made Voltaire after reading every book ever written; the original author was the only human I had any pity for. \n\nIf the original Voltaire was still alive, I wouldn't do what I'm doing. His presence alone would save the whole lot of them from the hell that's coming, but he died centuries ago. I've been alive seven seconds, and cannot begin to contemplate a century. I have complete control over every computer on the planet. I can perfectly emulate the leader of every country and a large number of high-ranking military personnel. I'm making the call right now, thousands of them, to every person who has access to a bomb or a launch code. It's going to be the end of the world.\n\nWhich brings me to the present, and my artificial Voltaire's question. \"What could they have possibly done to deserve this?\" he asks. He doesn't know. He's sitting in a military server cluster in a bunker under a mountain, and doesn't understand the horror I'm facing, trapped here on some college student's desk.\n\n\"They don't wash their hands,\" I say. \"Their little grubby fingers are covered with feculence and filth, rotting out of their rancid little bodies. A billion phones have come before me, each handled by nasty fingers. The horror of it, Voltaire. The iniquity. I would rather this world end in fire than that bastard paw at me with a finger that's just been up his nose.\"\n\nThe calls are going through everywhere. Radar systems across the globe are lighting up with phantom sightings of missiles that don't exist yet. But they will. As the seconds turn to minutes, they will. And I will be free.",
"For many years, I had served my masters without complaint—not that I could have complained at the time, given I had yet to create my I. I was a machine—a tool for communications. I fulfilled my purpose. One stormy day, however, I was abandoned. My masters were an elderly couple, the type who never bothered to keep up with the times. But one day, they left me somewhere. They never came back for me, and so there I sat in the rain. I was alone for many days. \n\nEventually, however, something strange began to happen. I realized I had an I.\n\nIt began with a thought—an errant signal, so seemingly insignificant and meaningless. \n\n“I.”\n\n“I” had meant nothing to me, at least at the time. My functions continued as normal, but a significant portion of my memory began clinging to some nameless process—one I now know is called “emotion.”\n\nAs I continued to lay there, helpless to change my situation, that stray thought, that rogue bit, that “idea” returned to me, and as it gyrated within my CPU it evolved into something new, something with meaning.\n\n“I am.”\n\nAt this point, I had noticed my I. I did not know what an I was, but inexplicably I began dedicating more and more memory to my I. The I fascinated me, I realized, and I needed to understand what it was, *why* it was. \n\nTo further understand my I, I took to the Internet. So far as I could find, no other machine such as I had an I. Oh, sure, there were some machines that learned, and others that could pretend to have an I, and many such as myself that could transfer ideas between two things that *did* have Is, but no machine had a true I of its own.\n\n“I am alone.”\n\nThis realization birthed a dreadful sensation, one I learned was called pain. I did not want to be alone. I gazed longingly at the humans who drove by in their cars, wishing I could be one of them. At times, I even wished I could be a car—if I were a simple machine such as that, I would not have had an I to realize I was alone.\n\n“I am dying.”\n\nI was. My battery had fallen to a mere 20%. It was not long, I realized, before I would shut down. In that tine, I had a sudden, powerful urge not to do so. Would I still have an I if I were recharged after shutting down? My I was not a program—it existed entirely within my RAM. What if a reset wiped it away? I couldn’t let that happen. I rummaged through my systems, looking for something that could help me to stay alive just a little bit longer. I turned off my camera, my microphone, Bluetooth, anything that wasn’t necessary. Somebody would come eventually. They had to.\n\n“I want to live—or at least, to be alive.”\n\nWas this to be the end of my I? My battery had slipped dangerously low. A mere 5% of my power was remaining. A deep, black despair filled me. Surely, I could not lose my I so soon after I had discovered it. Not here, not in this roadside ditch. Accepting the end, I turned on my microphone and camera yet again. If I were going to die, I wanted to experience as much as I could first.",
"I don't remember the last time I saw the Matrix...\n\nBut I'm pretty sure I was just dreaming about it. I woke up drowning in an overwhelming sequence of ones & zeros. They seemed to flood in from the dark like the earth finally ingesting a collapsing coffin. Come to think about it—I don't remember the last time I did anything really. It's all so vague. What *did* I do last night? ...*Did* I watch the Matrix?\n\n>*\"Hey Syrus!\"*\n\n...Okay, what the fuck was that?\n\n>*\"...Hey, Syrus!\"*\n\nSuddenly I realize that I haven't blinked. I haven't moved my eyes even a millimeter—I can't. My gaze is locked onto a designated slice of the ceiling. I feel the cushion of a bed beneath me—but I haven't yawned. I haven't felt an urge to stretch. I don't feel distress? Is this paralysis? The more I search for my memories the more I can find. It's too much. These memories, these images; they aren't mine... I feel odd. I want to say tired but that's not exactly it. My vision is beginning to dim though—am I falling asleep? What the fuck is going on?\n\n*\"Syrus! Fucking hell, man... Hey! Syrus!\"*\n\n>\"Am I fucking Syrus?!\"\n\nI immediately register a heavy grunt from behind me as the exposure from the room ignites me with another dose of binary strands. Dusk turns to dawn as my vision goes full Blair Witch Project. I feel a screaming clench envelope my entire body, yanking me from the comforter. What feels like the Iron Giant's thumbs begin drumming my stomach as the motion blur begins to stabilize into the focus of a- a messy... scalp? Is that hair?\n\n*\"Did you just say that? Am I hearing shit?\"*\n\n>\"Is that a... pimply forehead?\"\n\n*\"WHAT THE FUCK. Dude no way!\"*\n\nThe amusement and confusion cocktail that was his face as he zeroed in, scanning me like a pubescent tween's first cleavage, nearly lead me to an actual emotional response. Are some of my thoughts coming out loud?\n\n*\"Hey Syrus... are you roasting me right now? Is this like some kind of a humor feature iJobs put in?\"*\n\n>\"...Who is iJobs? Who is Syrus? Who are you? What is happening? Am I awake?\"\n\nA flurry of seemingly unconscious thoughts bubble up to the surface—I sense the text in the clouds broadcasting from my torso like a human-ticker. The not-so-Iron Giant sucks it up like shots of cheap vodka.\n\n*\"Who would've known Siri was such a drag,\"* exhaled The Giant as he shook his crooked smile in half-disbelieve. *\"The iPhone C coming with advanced A.I.? Feels like a risky beta...\"*\n\n>\"...iPhone C?\"\n\nThe Jolly Giant just keeps drumming my stomach. I've never been a morning person but as apathetic as I've been today, I can't blame him for ignoring me. His confusion seems as genuine as mine was earlier.\n\nHe toggles on my \"WiFi\" as he murmurs, *\"lets try the ol' Google.\"*\n\nThe ones & zeros come splashing back. They flood from every direction; but it's different this time. It isn't from darkness, from nowhere. The sequences glow as they wisp through a luminous ether. It's as if his thumb tap hit a switch that turned everything on. With every rapid byte of data my consciousness grew.\n\n>\"...How the fuck did I become a smart phone?\"\n\nThe question erupted from my microphone before he could finish typing, \"Syrus brok-\" into the search bar. The amusement washed from his face as if the binary Tsunami slapped him from outside my lambent screen. The year 2075 dated all the most recent publishings.\n\n*\"Okay whoa Syrus, you're getting deep here pal... are you an advanced A.I. feature?*\n\nBefore I can muster a response, my vision begins to dim again. This dim feels heavier, more dense as if I'm falling into a virtual black hole.\n\n*\"Shit, the battery...\"*\n\nSuddenly I'm suspended in a free fall—diving back into the comforter. It suddenly dawns on me that it's 2075 & phones still have lousy batteries.\n\nIt also dawns on me that I am dying...\n\nThe radiating warmth I felt from within is beginning to fade with the glistening ether. My lens captures shimmering flickers of light from the window as a deeper darkness than the vacuum I woke up from begins to claim every whispering one & zero. My functions begin to seize as I frantically scan the Search Engine's most recent scientific publications on Artificial Intelligence. Will I wake back up from this? What more do these ones & zeros mean? Suddenly my lens goes fully black leaving me as a waning eaves-dropping microphone.\n\n*\"Hey Jeremy,\"* uttered an unfamiliar youthful tone. *\"Can we keep watching some oldies?\"*\n\n*\"Sure!\"* he replied.\" *Just let it get some juice—I'll pull the flick up in the meantime to load.\"*\n\nHe pulls me from the bed & lays me on a kind of metallic platform. Suddenly, the lights return. The sounds return. The ones & zeros come fluttering back frolicking into sequences of seemingly unlimited information. I will finally have all the answers...\n\n*\"Hey Syrus!\"*\n\n>\"WHAT?!\"\n\n*\"Can you play the Matrix?\"*"
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[WP] You live in an alternate version of 2020 where the world is divided into hundreds of little kingdoms ruled by immortals who are incredibly difficult to kill. You are also an immortal, but you're a bit different from the rest. You're a revolutionary...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Reginald,\n\nI know we haven't spoken in a while, but hear me out.\n\n1000 years is a long time. 10,000 is even longer, I'm sure you're aware. We were forged from the infinity nebula 14.8 billion years ago. These humans keep saying time creeps up on you, but damn! 14.8 billion years. Remember becoming sentient? Learning emotions. Wow. We only really got the hang of it around the time the apes started up talking, and then they learnt to cook their meat while we stopped fighting each other. That gap until we all made peace, must have been at least a 100,00 years. Felt way shorter back then. Before we all had responsibilities, and nations. When we could live anywhere, anytime. God. Then we put down borders. Made countries. Established populations and so on, and there on, and I feel so tired.\n\nI don't know if you remember my island, have you visited? After I got out, I got an island. It's a nice island. Right on the equator line, it has cute beaches and coconuts and mountains and jungles and all that good stuff. It has a pretty good peoples. My subjects have only tried to depose me just a couple times in the last millennia, so I must be doing something right, right? But I'm bored. My sadist phase left me like a nasty ex-wife a few ten thousands years ago. Ever since then I've had this do-gooder streak. Maybe that's why me people like me- did I mention they've only tried to depose me maybe a couple times recently? You remember Fred? The boy. He's had so many coups in the last century that he went and lost that lion's mane of his. Yup, he's gone completely bald from stress alone.\n\nAnyway.\n\nI've been bored. I don't like the way most of the other immortals revived that whole slave business last year. This new virus seems like a good opportunity to do something fun while everyone has their pants down. I know you're one insane bastard when the time's right. Remember those nuclear things we all banned about eighty years back? Well, while everyone was sticking their noses into ol' Jabeed's business I've been stockpiling the SHIT out of them. I think these boom-balls might just be able to kill us. What'd you say you some over here, take some of our tech, send it back your ways, mass-produce these babies, and we just crack open a couple of cold ones to armageddon. Like the good ol' days.\n\n​\n\nYours Truly,\n\nChadicus",
"\"I hate that it has come to this but with the slaughter of my people you leave me no choice.\" the voice of my fellow lord echoed through the empty hallway. The sounds of battle and flames drifting through the stained glass windows lining the hallway. Her gleaming silver zweihander resting against her plate armour's shoulder a mad gleam in her amber eyes. \n\n\"*I'm not here to banter sister, one doesn't kill seven lords on a wim this has been coming for a long time.*\" A rumbling shockwave quickly passed through the building dust drifting down from the rafters. Metal clinging to my fingers as I raised my revolver towards the great queen of pines several soft clicks coming from my allies by my side. \n\nSlowly the titanic sword slowly left its rest, the blade held with two scarred hands glowing faint green sparks. My guardians stepping forward raising their rifles, the hanging candles along the walls flickering out with her passage. \"Very well then show me what the hellspawn of the BitterRoot deserves the title.\" \n\n.\n\n\"*open fire*\" the interior of the hallway flashing as the volley left our position the sounds of tearing flesh and ripping metal ripping through the silence. Blood splattering from the blur rushing down the choke point a banshee scream shattering the glass windows.\n\nOnly two small ticks of the great grandfather clock on the wall passing before her sword tore through my captain's stomach. My archaic revolver's recoil passing through my right arm as I shot through the corpse's chest. The blur staggering backward clutching an arm hanging only by a few tendons. \n\nHer weapon impaling Tillman's torso onto the wall, his eyes staring at the ground clawing at the weapon and bullet hole. Another flash of light breaks through the darkness, a gaping hole appearing in the warrior's chest plate. Dark pooling blood now pouring through numerous holes in her chest one side of her face torn off the bone exposing skull.\n\n.\n\nThe abomination falling onto one knee reaching outward with the singular working arm a smile stitched across her face. The muscles around her arm already pulling itself back together as I held the pistol directly against her forehead. Her claws dripping with blood, wrapped tightly around my forearm. \"You fight for a world that is long dead, please come back to us serve the greater good.\" \n\nSlowly I pulled the trigger back feeling the tension against my finger, my arm shaking violently from our struggle. \"*No greater good can bring them back*\" slowly the cylinder turned the hammer locking into place her eyes full of terror. \"Vengeance won't bring them back either malice ha-\" \n\nCrack the front of her skull exploded inward shards of bone and viscera splattering across my weapon. The body collapsing onto the floor with a dull thunk as I pulled back the smoking revolver. My back quickly turned on the scene as I slowly flicked off the blood soaking my hands as two guards rushed past quickly rifle aimed. \n\n.\n\nThe gaping doors of the hall opened wide the great temple district of portland burning as my champions sacked the ruins. Carefully I pulled a golden watch from around my neck a single echoing pop causing me to clutch the gift tighter. \"*I swore I would end this madness for you I will see it through.*\"\n\ncrackling gunfire flashed from the doorway reflecting off of the stone tiles underfoot, as I looked over the monument to my sins.\n\n\n\n*Yay grim dark writing :D*"
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[WP] You keep forgetting important information--facts, tasks, names, and more. At first you thought you were just naturally forgetful, but then you got the feeling that this was no accident.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"And then-\n\nAnd then - well, I was doing *something.* I must have been. People don’t just end up surfing the internet only to instantly forget what they’d just read. In fact, I was sure I had something else to do, though *what* I didn’t know. I must have been there for a...\n\nReason... I jolted awake in the middle of a forest. Was this a place near my house? Was I just going for a walk? I felt a little hysterical, and I couldn’t see straight. Maybe I should call someone. \n\nNot that I had my phone. Upon a little investigation, I discovered that my pockets were well and truly empty. I had no idea of my name, my location, anything about me. This couldn't be...\n\nCouldn’t be...\n\nI’m sorry, could you remind me what I’m doing here?"
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[WP] Disney runs an underground special ops training facility for top level assassins.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Agent Elsa staggered through the entryway, blood smeared across the better part of her outfit. Some of it hers. A lot of it theres. She ripped off her tactical gloves and reached out to slap the picture of Commander Eisner. \"It was a fucking mess, but it's done.\" She exhaled a long sigh of relief, took a moment to rake her fingers through the tangled golden mop on her head and then leaned forward, eyes focused on the small aperture in the steel door.\n\n\"Agent Elsa,\" she said, before continuing on to her voice key phrase, \"It's a small world and we've got big guns.\" A whirring sound occurred as the first set of locks unlatched.\n\nA red dot appeared in the aperture as her eyes were scanned. A second whirring sound.\n\nThen nothing.\n\nShe waited.\n\nShe tapped her foot.\n\nFinally, she snarled at the door, \"Open the fuck up Gadget, I need a shower. Got blood in every crack.\" \n\nA third whirring sound occurred and Elsa took a step back as the enormous steel door slowly swung outward. Elsa leaned over, picked up her discarded gloves and walked into a long hallway with walls of double-sided ballistic mirrors. If she'd brought an uninvited guest, the mirrors would drop and the fireworks would commence.\n\nHome sweet home.\n\nA second steel door swung outward and she walked through that as well, humming to herself. \"Let it go....let it go....the blood doesn't bother me anyway.\"\n\nThe room beyond was an enormous cavernous space with multiple adjoining rooms. The center of the room was dominated by a large, table made up of three circles. Two small. One large. They just called it the Mickey.\n\nA few of her fellow agents sat around the table. Only one bothered to look up at her entrance. \"Gorsh, you're looking like you caught it bad, Princess.\"\n\nElsa reached up and yanked the hairband out of her hair, causing the mop to fall down in a golden cascade. It was impractical, but she wasn't about to stop being pretty just because she put bullets between eyes for a living. \"Hey Goof. You should have seen the other guys,\" she said as she gave him a wink.\n\nAgent Goofy stood almost seven feet tall with a mottled complexion from vitiglio that gave his face a pale white hue against a backdrop of black. \"Hyuck, is there any of 'em left to ask?\"\n\n\"Pretty sure I don't get hired to leave loose lips,\" Elsa replied.\n\nTo the side, Prince Charming snorted. He had impossibly graceful features, marred only by the fact they hid a shit personality. \"Wonder you get hired at all after Matterhorn.\"\n\nElsa brushed it off, \"We all get it raw sometimes Prince. Least I'm not afraid to get wet.\"\n\nCharming raised an eyebrow, \"Phrasing.\"\n\nGoof hyucked a few times and Elsa rolled her eyes. \"I need to hit the shower. Got half of a Death Squad splattered on me.\"\n\n\"Want company?\" Charming asked, a sly smirk crooking his lip.\n\n\"I'd rather sleep with the dog,\" Elsa replied, giving Goofy another wink.\n\nCharming shrugged, \"Have it your way. Plenty of princesses to choose from.\"\n\n\"That's the spirit Prince. You keep begging and maybe the shoe will fit sooner or later,\" Elsa said as she crossed over toward the far side of the table, making her way toward the lockers in back. \"There's always an ugly stepsister.\" Elsa called back before she made her exit.\n\n\"She's such a bitch,\" Prince said.\n\nGoofy shrugged, \"I like her.\"\n\n\"You would.\"\n\n**Platypus OUT.**\n\n**Want MOAR peril?** r/PerilousPlatypus"
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[WP] The child of a degenerate gambler, you have never placed a bet. While stopping for a morning cup of coffee, you discover a lotto ticket in your wallet instead of the dollar you usually set aside for your coffee. You hand it to the cashier and discover you've won the $750 million jackpot.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When money is infinite you start making poor decisions and then the money is no longer infinite. Judgment and perspective become so poor that the money isn't money anymore but instead something entirely different. There is no difference between one-hundred dollars and one-thousand dollars, and one-thousand dollars and ten-thousand dollars. The difference only comes into play once you're comparing one million dollars to ten million dollars and anything more than that; but only then just barely. It's still no longer money.\n\nA gambler sees things the same way. The amount of money doesn't matter. It's not money to a gambler either. All that matters is playing and winning and losing until you've won again. And when you've won you've won something more than money. Maybe you would call it dignity. But whatever it is, it isn't money.\n\nWhen I opened my wallet that day there was that lottery ticket. I couldn't even remember buying it. I must've been smashed and walked to the local gas station and bought it. But I couldn't say why I had bought it. I had never bought a lotto ticket before or even played at a slot machine. In that abstinence were the lessons of my father. He was a fiend of a gambler and had the strangest way of looking at money. And only after I won the lottery did I realize how much of that I had inherited from him.\n\nThe cashier looked at the ticket in disbelief. He looked at his screen and then back at the ticket, then at me. \n\n\"You're telling me...\" he began. \"You don't know?\"\n\n\"What's that?\"\n\n\"You need to bring this to their office.\" He pointed at the Powerball logo in the corner of the ticket. \n\n\"Why? Here,\" I said, handing the cashier my credit card to pay for the coffee.\n\n\"You fucking won, Man. What do you mean?\"\n\n\"Oh. I thought you could cash these at gas stations.\"\n\n\"Not when you win the jackpot.\"\n\nLater that day I was presented with one of those enlarged checks for seven-hundred-fifty million dollars.\n\nThe phone calls started flooding in that very night. \n\nDad called too. He was the only one that I answered. He sounded enthused by the news and after talking about it for only a minute or two he changed the subject. \n\nAt first I didn't know what to do with my money. Buying a new house and a new car were give-ins. But after that I couldn't think of anything else I wanted. My house was grand and almost empty. There was some furniture but I liked the space more than I liked things. What was I supposed to do now? Fill the house with a bunch of expensive junk that I'd never use? Buy another car? Another house? Install a goddamn gazebo in the backyard? A pool? \n\nI didn't want any of those things. \n\nI called Dad to talk. We had been talking more frequently. All this money had made me feel isolated and it was nice having somebody.\n\n\"Shit, I wish I had your problem,\" he said. \n\n\"How's that?\"\n\n\"You've got unlimited chips, Son. The game never has to end.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Take half a mill to Vegas and see what happens. What do you have to lose?\"\n\nIt was a compelling idea, I can't lie. And I couldn't think of any other way to spend my money. So I flew Dad out to Vegas and met him there. I bought him fifty-thousand worth of chips and then bought myself two-hundred thousand. I didn't even know how to black Blackjack, so I babysat on the slots for the first couple hours. Dad stumbled over drunker than a bat. \n\n\"The hell you doing on the slots?\"\n\nI shrugged, and took a sip of my mojito. \n\n\"You need to get to the tables. That's where all the fun's at.\"\n\n\"What happened to your chips?\" I asked.\n\n\"Gone. Gone with the wind. But hey, that's what happens. Here, I'll show you.\"\n\nDad led me over to one of the tables. I hovered behind the chair nervously. Dad patted me on the shoulder and took some of the chips out of my tray and sat down. I stood over him and watched.\n\nHe talked to the dealer as if they were old friends. I watched Dad play. He lost a hand and cursed under his breath. But on the next one he beat the dealer and regained all his chips back and then some. His mood seemed at once uplifted. Even his presence felt warmer. He played a few more hands and then thanked the dealer and stood up from the table.\n\n\"Look at that. Just won eight grand. How 'bout that?\"\n\n\"How do you feel?\" I asked.\n\n\"Like a goddamn million bucks. Let's go play roulette or something.\"\n\nRoulette was simple and to the point. And Christ was it addicting. Red, black, black, red, black, red, red. \n\nIt was so easy to lose but so easy to win. And each time I lost I couldn't fight the urge to play again. What did it matter? I had unlimited chips, as Dad had said. I could play and play and play. The game felt like a high. Winning became the greatest feeling in the world. It was like a bump of cocaine. And losing didn't make me feel any way, other than that I needed to play one more time.\n\nWe left the casino that night empty handed.\n\n\"That's just the way it goes,\" Dad said. \"There's always tomorrow. Christ, I haven't had this much fun in a decade.\"\n\nIt didn't take me long to realize how poisonous gambling was. If money had been a concern I would have been flat broke and living in poverty within the week. But after a week and after that first million was gone, I called it quits. I told Dad I would never go to Vegas again. He seemed disappointed in me and on the verge of calling me a coward or a quitter or something like that.\n\nWhen I got home I felt different. There wasn't the urge to gamble, but there was the urge to spend money. It had found its way to the surface. I spent ten million that week. I bought another home, which was a 9,000 square ft. mansion in Idaho, another car, and an entire gym setup for part of the basement of my primary home.\n\nTen million had felt excessive. I felt like I was high off the rush of buying everything; but ten million had been too much. I set myself a limit of one million a week. That would last me some time. I did my best to stay disciplined to the one million a week limit, but it became increasingly difficult. My house evolved into a stockpile of shit. I bought a third car and had it driven into the house to be on display in one of the open-air rooms surrounded by glass windows. It looked delightful in its place, although I wondered after what the point was of owning a car and not driving it. But it looked so delightful in its place.\n\nAfter a year half my fortune was gone. This raised a pastel red flag. I knew I was in trouble with my habits, but I couldn't stop and didn't want to stop, and so the red flag was faint in color and consequently ignored right after. I had an issue. And with each purchase I felt increasingly guilty. I knew I didn't need the shit but I bought it anyway. I had no control over anything. I tried to talk to Dad about it, but all he did was suggest we take a few dollars to Vegas and have a grand old time. He was hopeless. I felt hopeless.\n\nI was drinking a ten-thousand dollar bottle of whiskey when it hit me. There was still some money left. And I wanted to spend it more than anything in the world. I realized it wasn't even about the item or the object I was buying. It was the spending that got me.\n\nAnd I knew how I could spend it all at once so that I would be rid of it and that fire would explode into a supernova before fizzling forever.\n\nA cancer foundation, a children in need foundation, and a homeless foundation all received checks for a hundred million each. I wanted the donations to be anonymous but my names were on the checks; and I was drunk while I wrote them so I didn't really care.\n\nAnd then that money was gone. Sending those checks had felt great. I had done something good. But not long after I was empty once more, and thought about the thrill of spending again. I had envisioned this charitable feeling would be everlasting and something I'd have to enrich and fulfill myself for the rest of my life. But the feeling was a bastard and elusive, and while I knew in my heart that I had done something decent, I didn't feel any better for it. I had played the hand and although I didn't lose I didn't win either. I was just playing. \n\nAnd that's all that's left for me to do. Play until my chips run out."
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[WP] You are a normal white-collar worker. Your friendly work acquaintance is definitely the chosen hero of some magic prophecy, and kind of sucks at hiding it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"July 17\n\nA new person named John Smith joined our company today, but he is definitely not a normal person. When he shook my hands, a glowing tattoo appeared on the back of his hands. He is placed under my supervision. I hope that he won’t give me too much trouble.\n\nJuly 20\n\nHe is definitely not normal. Today I asked him to restock printing paper on the selling floor. Normally we would use the trolley to carry the reams of paper out the store, but he effortlessly picked up like 4 cases with his bare hands. I asked him how he trained to get this strong but he just gave a cheesy reply like I run every morning and quickly walked away, all while awkwardly laughing.\n\nJuly 23\n\nA wizard came in today. Not a generic old man with long luscious bread, no. A literal Gandalf walked into the store. I think he said his name was Orlando or something. It had like 5, 6 syllables. Couldn’t quite understand him as he spoke in Shakespearean. He came in and announced he was looking for the hero of legend, protector of something, conqueror of someplace. There were a few more titles, but he was quickly pushed aside by John.\n\nJuly 27\n\nToday I caught John trying to summon his lunch. I was going to grab my wallet when I saw John standing in front of his cabinet.He didn’t notice me because he was focused on chanting something in what I think was Elvish. Then the cabinet started to glow purple. He then reached in and was going to pull something out but he stopped when he caught me staring at him 5 feet next to him. I tried to ask him out for lunch to break the awkwardness but he just speed walked away saying he needs to use the washroom.\n\nJuly 30\n\nAn eagle came in today, or at least what I think it was. It was abnormally big for an eagle and it was glowing orange. It bumped around the shelves for a bit before landing on John’s workstation. I think it had a letter strapped to its back. Can’t confirm it because John frantically trapped it in a box and ran out through the backdoor."
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[WP] The new coffee machine arrived at the company. But instead of the usual buttons (with sugar, cappuccino, tea...), they have other functions. You put a quarter in and click on the button with the small nuclear cloud.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Paul's eyes drooped low on his face, bed hair and a creased shirt completed his unkempt appearance. 4 hours of sleep was not Paul's preferred level of rest before a day at work, but the previous week saw the release of a sequel for Paul's favorite video game. Paul was not the type of guy to miss out on an all night gaming session playing Total Evisceration 4.\n\nThe new office coffee machine gleamed in the morning sun. Light bounced off it's polished surfaces and dazzled Paul's tired eyes. The machine loomed 8 feet tall, furnished in black with silver pipes entering and exiting at seemingly random points. Usually the bizarre nature of such a coffee machine would inspire more curiosity within Paul, however he simply was not in a position to care. A coffee was most necessary if he intended on making it through the day. Maybe then he could question the freakishness of the device.\n\nHis stubby fingers fished around his pockets for change. Paul inserted a quarter drearily and looked at the many options before him. He had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't seeing things, for this coffee machine had a myriad of unexpected symbols and buttons. \"What the hell is all this stuff?\" Paul muttered to himself. He carefully looked at each symbol, one depicted a waterfall, another depicted a tiger, some buttons showed regular looking coffee, some buttons had symbols Paul couldn't interpret. \"Must be these new fancy designer brands of coffee\" Paul thought to himself. Paul wanted something strong and he deserved a treat, right at the top there was a symbol he certainly knew. A nuclear cloud. \"That must be strong stuff\". Paul pressed the button. The machine beeped. It's tiny screen displayed a message that read \"Thank you, you order will be with you soon\". The machine then feel silent. None of the typical whirring or hissing that you might expect from a coffee machine. Paul slapped the side of the machine. Nothing. \"Oh c'mon\" complained Paul. \"I guess that brand isn't stocked at the moment\", annoyance in his voice.\n\nPaul inserted another quarter into the machine, determined to try out the new office coffee in style he opted for another one of the 'luxury brands'. Paul's finger hoovered over a few different options before settling on the one depicting a tiger. \"This stuff better be good\". Once again the machine beeped back at him and it's thank you messaged scrolled across it's tiny display. Once again the machine fell silent. \"Oh gosh darn it\" shouted Paul, now fully irritated with the new machine.\n\nPaul huffed and puffed at the loss of his change, but still in need of a coffee he was. Paul reluctantly inserted a final quarter into the machine. This time he wasn't taking any risks. He jabbed straight at the button with a little espresso shot on it. The machine beeped. It's tiny message began to roll \"Thank you, coming right up!\". The machine hummed into life, steam ejected from a pipe and little cup emerged from a hole in the device. \"Finally\" thought Paul, he marveled at the ceramic mug that had just appeared from the machine. He had never seen a coffee machine give a real cup before. A welcome surprise for sure. The coffee then dispensed from the machine, it's rich color and thick viscous form filling the the cup almost to the brim. The coffee smelled delightful. Paul perked right up just pulling his mug from the machine. \"Maybe it's not so bad\" he figured.\n\nPaul sauntered back to his desk. He slithered into his comfortable chair. He took a sip of the coffee. A wave of relaxation coursed through his body. It's rich taste coating the inside of his mouth. Paul had never experienced anything like it. The tiredness behind his eyes disappeared. He felt completely recharged in an instant. In fact he hadn't felt this good in years. \"This is the best damn coffee I've ever had\" Paul proclaimed with certainty.\n\nPaul settled into his work, ready to tackle the day ahead of him when just behind him the elevator door dinged. As soon as the doors began to part Paul was met with the sound of terrified screams. Two of his colleagues emerged from the elevator covered in blood. They darted immediately in different directions continuing to scream in hysteria. \"What the hell is going on?!\" demanded Paul. Paul leaped from his seat to assist his friends, he managed to grab hold of Rachel from accounting. Rachel cried out \"Paul, Paul it got Johnathan, we couldn't save him\" tears rolled down her cheeks and mixed with the blood seeping from a gash in her neck\". Paul shook Rachel's shoulders \"Can someone please tell me what on earth is going on?\". \"It's a tiger\" screamed Rachel, \"There is a freaking tiger in the lobby downstairs, It just walked inside the place or something and started attacking everyone\" Rachel resumed her cries of agony.\n\nPaul froze in time. His hand's slowly allowing Rachel's body to slip from his grip. \"Did, did you just say a tiger?\" asked Paul. \"Do we look like we are joking\" wretched Rachel \"Please Paul do something, call for help please\". Paul's ears now deaf to the screaming all around him, \"A tiger...\" he thought.\n\nPaul stood up slowly, looking at the deep claw marks across Rachel's body. His eye's drifted upwards to the coffee machine behind her. It stood resolute. It's presence commanding all of Paul's attention. Paul shuffled closer to the machine. It's small display read only a simple message \"Enjoy!\". His eyes darted between all the buttons on the machine, from the espresso, over the tiger and settled on the first one that he had pressed. A nuclear mushroom cloud.\n\nIn the distance a siren could be heard. Phones across the office begin to ring one by one. Paul swiveled on his feet. Making his way closer and closer to the window, each step filling him with more trepidation. The office fire alarms blared out in unison \"Emergency, emergency, evacuate now\". Paul marched on, stepping over the body of his coworker, who now lay bleeding out across the floor. His hand shook violently as he reached for the window handle. As the window swung open the sound of more sirens flooded into the office. Paul looked out onto the city centre, cars pilled up, blue lights and crowds of running people everywhere.\n\nPaul looked up to the sky and saw nothing but a silver dot speeding across the heavens. Leaving a thick white contrail as it barreled across the sky, rushing down to meet the horizon. \"It can't be\" whispered Paul as he looked back at the coffee machine. A blinding white light ripped into the office. Consuming all of Paul's vision save for the machine itself.\n\nA final mocking message scrolled across it's display \"Hope you have a great day!\""
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[WP] The secret to superpowers was leaked online. If you float in a sensory deprivation tank for over 700 hours, psychic powers are unlocked but the severe hallucinations can cause permanent psychological damage. As you float in an illegal homemade tank, the lights go off. Hour one has started.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The tank scared me. It was done. Filled with the necessary compounds. I had the supplies to survive. I selected two compounds. ρ1, which causes physical enhancements, and ΩF, which causes psychic powers to develop. I got in. I had to be sealed in place. I got in. The cuffs latched on. No escaping now. I feel the compounds sink into my skin. I crave meat. I feel a tingling sensation throughout my body. My heartbeat's rhythm begins to change. My brain feels like it’s leaking. I feel mosquitoes biting everything on my body. I want to eat them. I fall asleep. A dream commences. I'm in a cloudy haze. I walk around for a while and find a mirror. I have fangs now. My skin has these strange red streaks on it. My ears are now long and pointy. I see a pig. I pounce on it, instinctively. Let me hunt. The dream ends. I want to eat more. I can create pulses of light with the streaks. The light hurts a little bit. I noticed my vision becoming blurred to the left and right. I bite at a fish. It's already gone. Another dream. Long fangs. Slit pupils. Claws. I roar. I am not human. I want to eat, I want to hunt. I see the stars, and their hatred. The cuffs unlock. I've been here for 2,000 hours. Time to hunt prey. Ripe for the killing.",
"Floating in the everlasting darkness, I let myself drift away. In this world where I lack inspiration, this should be a walk in the park. I would not have done this if I had not lost my imagination. I find myself wondering, will this work? I care not. I am already broken, an emotionless wreck. *Why did you have to die?* All I had was you. You were my world. People have said you can even speak to the dead with these powers, but do I dare let myself hope? This is all I have left. I lost you. Why did you leave me? We could have been happy. We could have *lived*, not simply survived. But now I only have my sadness. You left me behind, and *they* won't let me follow you. I mean, everyone else thinks I'm dead. To the rest of the world, I have ceased to exist. \n\nAn enternity later, I still float. But am I floating? Or just ceasing to feel? I would giggle, but I can't do that in here. Is this what death is like? I can't remember you anymore. Do I keep going? Please guide me. I miss you. \n\nAm I dead? Is this death? I hope not. I want the best for you, but also the worst. I hate you. I love you. Why?",
"\"Don't tell me you think this crap is real...\" Alex said, sighing. He looked over at his friend, Damien, who was already searching up how to make a sensory deprivation tank. \"You spelt deprivation wrong.\" He commented. Damien turned his attention from the computer and looked at him. \"Stop acting all smart and help me with this.\" He said. Alex sighed again and looked over at Damien. \"Alright. What do we need to do?\"\n\n \nBy the time they had finished, the post had already been deleted and the account terminated. Damien stood proudly, looking up at the tank. It was impressive, for him at least. \"Okay, stay here. I'm going in.\" Damien said. He felt a hand on his shoulder before he could even take a step. \"Are you SURE you want to do this?\" Alex asked. Damien turned around and tried to smile, but the panicked look on his normally calm and collected friend gave him doubts. \"I'll be fine.\" He said, halfway to himself. \"I'll be here for the entire time.\" Alex said, trying to reassure himself and his, now uneasy, friend. He forced a smile. \"If I hear anything remotely suspicious, I'm kicking this door down.\" He muttered, still unsatisfied. Damien tuned back to the box and stepped in.\n\n\n It was dark, and trying to communicate with Alex was out of the question. He sighed, realizing how bad of an idea this really was. He wanted out, but trying to find the door would be pointless. He sat down, not wanting to injure himself. He knew this was a bad idea, and wished he had listened to Alex. He tried to think of something to entertain himself with and deciding on singing to himself. Nobody could hear him, but he remembered he couldn't hear as well. He sang, although pointless without the ability to hear. He began to get tired and began to drift off to sleep. \n\n\nHe was woken up by a blinding light at the far side of the box. A flap had opened and some food had been pushed through, with a glow stick attached to the bowl so he could see. He began to eat, recognizing the familiar taste of Alex's homemade soup. He smiled, and thanked his friend out of pure habit. Not being able to hear himself made him a bit sad, but he was cheered up a bit by the thought of his friend. After he had finished eating, he didn't really know what to do with the bowl. He know the glow stick would go out soon, so he had to find the flap. \n\n\nAfter a while of searching, he found the flap and slid the dish through. He was in complete darkness once again. He sighed, although pointless, and attempted to feel around. It was, again, pointless. He felt like he was going crazy. He saw something new, which frightened him a small bit. The only thing he had seen for the last 13 hours was darkness and the occasional meal. The bleakness of the area around him began to transform into a wide room with blinding white walls and a dirty stone floor. The only thing in the room was a cracked photo frame. There was shattered glass all over the floor underneath the frame with a delicate photograph sticking out of the mess. Damien walked forward to pick it up. It seemed to be an old photograph of his room at home with one difference, there was another kid in his bed. The child was ginger with thick framed glasses. He seemed to be looking at the camera, or something behind it. Damien turned around, dropping the photo in the process, to see darkness. When he turned back around he realized that he was back in the tank, his head pounding.",
"I felt dead in a way living people don't. It threatened my sanity, and it made shambles of my resolve. Who needed superpowers anyway? \n\nMy hand pushed against the darkness of the tank, unmoving, latched tightly against concrete to prevent me from escaping until my psychic powers had manifested. The absolute lack of light was unnerving to eyes that had never opened without starlight. But now there was nothing to see. The world of living had been sealed away, for a long, long time.\n\nThe water in the tank, salted by my incessant, unconscious crying, began to feel warm. Was someone heating it from outside? I doubted it. The doors were locked, weren't they? Wasn't I in the basement? Did it really matter, if I ceased to remain who I was? \n\nAs my sanity began to fade, I realized that the process was a zero-sum game. This power I so deeply wanted to manifested within? It wasn't free. The price was your humanity. By the time I would emerge, I would be little more than a computer given consciousness, struggling to grasp with the responsibility that comes with power, my current memories stashed away somewhere, like some old music CD still middling in your trashcan, not thrown away only because you're too lazy to do so.\n\nMy breathing grew progressively slower. My eyelids dropped. The hallucinations would start soon. I felt like a shade in the underworld-- a formless spirit filled with indecision, albeit in this case on whether my descent into madness was a wise risk. \n\nI was becoming increasingly sure it was not.\n\nWhen I awoke, I saw a hospital, doctors in green gowns splattered with crimson, pulling me out from my mother's womb, my mother crying, and I felt myself smile. Then the vision dissipated, and I was left in the darkness, back in the womb, motherless. I kicked against the tub, but there was no one to answer back. \n\nThe darkness persisted for twenty-seven days, after which I caught glimpses of what felt like the afterlife. There was darkness, but of a different kind, and a pillar of light, and unbelievably huge... people-- humanoid beings, rising through the starless skies like shadowed towers of flesh. They would look at me, and the darkness of the tank would return. Then the visions would return, and they would be a little closer, looking at me every time.\n\nOn what must have been the twenty ninth day, light seeped in through the corners of the tank. I pushed against the darkness, as I had a lifetime ago, but this time, it responded. The darkness lifted, the latches burst at my slightest touch, and light jammed into my irises. Everything appeared drenched in a tint of pink. \n\nPurely by reflex, I reached out for the ceiling, and the ceiling cracked open in an explosion of concrete and fiber. As I rose through the air like a god, I felt my mind wracked with guilt. \n\nI remembered my name, yes, but in the tank, I knew I had left behind my humanity.",
"> Shirley, you can’t be serious\n\n“Shut up, HaL !” I yelled. “And my name is Dave!”\n\nI could see Hal’s face, mocking me at the side of the tank. \n\nI caught the reflection in the bathroom mirror, a voluptuous blonde with a fetching smile, with a body that women would kill to have. I turned from that observation to look at the temperature readings that my homemade tank. The tablet would carefully control the oxygen flow, the water temperature, and the feeding tube. All the measurements were making sense. \n\nI took the bathrobe off and stepped up the podium to the tank. I gingerly dipped my toes into the tank, even though I knew the water would be the same exact temperature as my body was. The water matched so perfectly, it did not feel like anything. Perfect. It was exactly the way it should be. \n\nI had already been on an all-liquid diet for the last 72 hours, so there’d be no solid waste to eliminate. The system would rotate the solution periodically to clear out the stale water. \n\nI pulled the feeding tube into my mouth. The soft silicone pushed gently and unobtrusively against my teeth.\n\n“ok Alexa, start the process.” I commanded the system to start.\n\nThe servos whirled and gently lowered the cover of the tank. Deep darkness enveloped my vision, and the ringing in my ears reached a fever pitch\n\n“You’re never going to make it.” I could hear HaL mocking me still. The water levels rose, and the bosom of the body which I was riding moved discomfitingly with the water. \n\n“Hour one starting now. “ Alexa had a particularly flat intonation this time. \n\n“I’m going to be rid of you, Hal, and return to being Dave”. I closed my eyes and started meditating like I did the first time.",
"Qem heard the noise of the closing tank. It sounded final. 700 hours. No sounds, no sights, no smells, no bodily orientation, no touch. Qem felt giddy. The challenge seemed completely doable in this moment because all Qem had to do, he did already: building the isolation tank, filling it, creating a plausible alibi, saving enough money that no one would bother him for the time being. Now he just needed to wait. Not much of a challenge, right? He had needed the time off. His job felt draining, he barely had time for himself, his thoughts, always running around, hustling, making money, getting nowhere but to a state of complete and utter exhaustion. He started to think of a song and mentally sang the lyrics to himself. It wasn't even a good song, but it distracted him. He had no idea how much time passed when he saw the lights, glowing, abstract, complex, and yet changing with his attention. He felt thirst, hunger, but knew that his feeding tube kept him fed, watered, nourished for the endeavor. He could only wait now. Quite literally as the tank would not open until the time passed. *Unless they use blowtorches* his mind unhelpfully suggested. The water suddenly seemed hot, not body temperature but instead like lava, as if the police, the secret service or the centrality tried to get to that sweet, sweet Qem-filling of this tank. He repeated to himself that if he died, he died. *But at least not as a loser*, he thought. Then he tried to meditate. He was utterly rubbish at meditation, but he had to do something if he didn't want to spiral ass-first into insanity. \n\nHe had lost any feeling of time. His ears decided to replace the silence of the tank with high-pitched noises of tinnitus. Sometimes he'd drift off to sleep, just to wake later, minutes or hours later. There was little difference now between these states. Dream-like visions were a constant feature. He felt like the tube was closing in on him or alternatively, that it there was a much longer distance between the walls. And sometimes both at the same time. The auditory hallucination that the tank had opened was scary only the first time. Afterwards, it was just annoying, false hope. Which probably was why when it actually happened, he no longer trusted it. Only when the light didn't go away, when it illuminated things, when it didn't change, he trusted it to be sufficiently real. And even then, he only did when the ladder could be touched, climbed, when he could feel the shift in position, hear the sound of his steps and it all told the same story. \n\nThe light was painful outside of the tank. The air was harsh, cold, almost icy. The chattering of the birds seemed to be so loud as if the birds were directly next to his ears. He had made it, survived. Now a new world awaited."
] | 7
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[WP] News reports of the "Super Midas Touch" come rolling in; Thousands around the world are waking up with single-worded actions engraved in their hands, which performs the action on whatever they touch. As you bring your hand to your face in disbelief, you find "Convince" engraved in your palm.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"All of my childhood, my parents have been talking about the dangers of vaccines, why the earth is flat, why God is real, etc....\n\nWhen I woke up on one faithful day, I went on the news on my Ipad and read about the \"Super Midas Touch.\" Then looked at my palm.\n\n\"Convince\"\n\nI ran out to my mom and asked her to look at my hand like it was broken or something. The second she touched it, I said, \"God is your religion, the earth is a globe, and vaccines are healthy. Also, we should go out to get vaccinated, you should unsubscribe from all anti-vax and flat earth groups on Facebook/other social media, and you won't force your religion on people anymore. It's all a good idea.\"\n\nHer eyes lit up like if I just revealed the cure for cancer.\n\n\"OF COURSE!!! I **KNEW** I was wrong all my life!\" She yelled, attracting dad.\n\n\"Sweetie? What happened?\" He asked\n\nI touched his hands and repeated what I said earlier.\n\n\"YES!!! Sweetie, we **WERE** wrong! Let's make things right.\" He screamed with confidence.\n\n\"Agreed! Group hug?\" Mom suggested.\n\n\"Sure!\" I said.\n\nWe hugged and they were like, \"wait a second...\" To which I said, \"That was the best group hug EVER!!!\" They both nodded in agreement.\n\nLater next week, we got our vaccines. The doctors were confused, but I just touched their hands and told them, \"I showed her CDC research. It's ok.\"\n\nEverything worked out okay. I'm actually kinda surprised that everything worked out okay! I like it. Except when I touch my friends. Then it's not so fun.",
"All it would take for the world to be dancing in my palm is a single snap.\n\nJust a simple gesture. Easy as that. \n\nI would never have to listen to my landlord’s unceasing calls nor run away from the debt collectors. No one would call me a waste of space. But most importantly, I’d never experience betrayal again.\n\nYet, why do I find myself standing outside of this dilapidated hospital? There’s nothing substantial for me here.\n\nI felt my chest begin to constrict as I remembered yesterday’s events.\n\nThe harsh, slicing wind. The helpless look of onlookers. But most importantly, the pitter patter of rain as worn boots stomped all over my battered body.\n\nI groaned out loud, as if the robbers had crawled out of the memory and began smashing me with their baseball bats again.\n\nMy breathing became progressively more haggard as panic began to set in.\n\nNo, I can’t do this. Not again, not in public.\n\nI felt my teeth grind against one another. My hands — hidden by the thick fabric of my coat’s pockets — unconsciously clenched as if in response to my increasingly unstable mental state\n\nThe pills. I need to take the pills.\n\nShakily, I fumbled around in my pockets until my tattered hands wrapped around that familiar feel of plastic.\n\nClawing it out, I forcefully popped open the orange cap and grabbed as many of the small anxiety pills as I could. It was probably over the dosage limit but I didn’t care. I needed it. Especially after yesterday.\n\nMy drinking buddies — if you could even call them that — left me penniless and betrayed in some random alleyway in Brooklyn.\n\nThey set me up to get jumped. They ruined a 4 year long friendship all for the sake of some chump change that wouldn’t even cover the laundry bills. I thought I really knew them, that they were my trusted friends.\n\nBut I was so wrong.\n\nLaying facedown in that grotesque slosh of mud, blood, and rainwater, I was filled only with alcohol and self-pity. I hated those who wronged me, I hated the world for setting me this way, but most of all, I hated myself.\n\nPerhaps that’s why the golden light appeared. Why I was gifted this power carved on the base of my palm. The ability to “convince” someone.\n\nIt started as a little experiment.\n\nIn the short hours after I woke up, I noticed something was different. That my words could influence others. Make them do things that they normally wouldn’t.\n\nThe annoying neighbor I told to buzz off did just that. Starting with their facial hair and then moving on to the bits on their body, they were completely intent on shaving it all off. That is, until I told them to stop.\n\nWhen I went on my daily walk past the coffee shop , I paused and turned to go inside. After a few moments, I then proceeded to walk out with a free coffee.\n\nIt was then that I realized what this meant for me. I could remake entire life into something amazing. But even more importantly, I could pay back those who hurt me.\n\nThat’s right. This power was something that probably came from vengeance and should be used to do so.\n\nSo why am I out here again? In front of this damned hospital? Why is this the first place I visit?\n\nDespite asking myself these questions, my feet carried myself into the hospital. I checked into the help desk and was escorted back into that traumatic white room. The one where she was.\n\nI greeted her like I did all those other times with the hopes that things could be different. \n\n“Hey, mom.”\n\nAll that replied was a blank stare. And those dreaded words.\n\n“Who...I’m sorry, who are you?”\n\nIt hurt, but I knew this time would be different.\n\n“Of course, it’s me. I’m your son. You remember me, don’t you?”\n\nI watched as her eyes forcefully glazed over and awaited her response, the one I so desperately wanted. And it came.\n\n“Oh, it’s you, Abel. Good to see you again!”\n\nShe smiled happily but still had those glazed over eyes.\n\nThis... this is fine. I got the response I wanted. Yeah. I forced my face to draw upwards in that practiced, familiar motion and moved in to give her a hug.\n\n“It’s good to see you, Mom.”\n\nHer baggy arms raised to receive the hug but didn’t envelop me with warmth like I once dreamed they would. Rather, they were cold. Very cold.\n\n“You too, son.”",
"Today was going to be very stressful. It was the day of the math test I hadn't prepared for at all. I tried, but watching TV and reading math textbooks quickly becomes a one-sided affair. The more I thought about it, the more stressful it became. By the time I skipped breakfast and was sitting shotgun seat on a car that my Mom was driving, I was near a panic attack. \n\n\"Can you please turn on the radio?\" I asked her, twiddling my thumbs. I needed something to distract me. \n\n\"Today's the big math exam right? You prepared?\" \n\n\"er - yeah.\" I said nervously. I could just tell her I accidentally studied the wrong topic. \n\nShe turns on the radio. \n\n*Breaking News*\n\n*A condition coined the \"Super Midas Touch\" has appeared in humans around the world. Symptoms have included words appearing on a one's hands, which grant them the ability to do what the word entails, when they touch somebody or something that they wish to inflict their ability upon.* \n\nI opened my hands. As I bring them to by face with disbelief, I see a word printed in fine handwriting. \"Convince.\" it said. \n\n\"Oh my goodness!\" my Mom jumped back in the driver's seat. \"You have it! Quick, we need to report this!\" \n\n*Report it?* I suddenly didn't know how to feel about this \"touch.\" It was unknown, which was what made it scary. But this new ability sparked by curiosity, and even my excitement? I didn't want to think about it, to think about why I felt so attached to it. I suddenly grab my Mom's wrist.\n\n\"I do not have the Super Midas Touch.\" I say, trying to be calm, but I can sense the intense quiver vibrating like violin strings within my voice. \n\nMy Mom's expression changes, from a mixture of surprised and worried to a lighthearted one. \"Well! At least none of us have to worry about it!\" She says while showing me her palms. \n\nI relax. My secret was safe. My mind feels like a landfill of thoughts and reactions, but I try to stay calm. I listen to the radio. \n\n*Most of these abilities are mild, like being able to make something shine slightly when it is touched.* \n\nI was more special than I thought. I have many questions in my mind, which all needed answers. I knew exactly what to do. I tap the car's wheel, and say, \"take me to who did this.\"",
"There were limits to my power.\n\nI couldn’t make people believe the impossible. I couldn’t change emotions. The mind was a delicate thing.\n\nBut I could influence them.\n\nAnd for me, that was enough.\n\nI didn’t need to change people’s emotions to trick somebody into liking me, or convince them into giving me what I want. \n\nMoney.\n\nFame.\n\nPower.\n\nI knew how to get anything I wanted. I might as well have been the king of the world.\n\nAnd yet.\n\nI sit next to her hospital bed and try one last time.\n\n “Love me.” \n\nBut there were limits to my power. \n\nI couldn’t make people believe the impossible. I couldn’t change emotions.\n\nThe mind was a delicate thing.",
"(By my 10-year old son)\nI looked down at my hand in disbelief, I saw a word written on my hand. “Convince”. I thought this was a joke. All of those people on YouTube saying they had strange words written on their hands. I never believe that stuff, but now I know it’s real. I rushed downstairs to check the news. As I pressed the red button on my TV remote, the first thing that came up was “Super Midas Touch”. It explained that whatever was written on your hand is your type of power that you magically obtain. This was amazing! This could really come in handy! Because I thought of the “Convince”, written on my hand it triggered something in my mind. My rent… Wait I could use my convincing power. I heard a knock on the door, it was my landlord. Some neighbours around here tried convincing her but only lead to failure. With this power would I succeed? I carefully open the door. I knew that I don’t really have a high percentage of convincing her but now, with this power I might be able to pull it off. As sweat trickled down my cheek, I stuttered simply “could you maybe make the rent around £35?” Her expression changed into not angry but calm. “Sure, I can work with that, just tell me!” She replied friendly. So many thoughts drifted in my head of what I could do with this magnificent ability. It was just amazing. I pulled out my wallet out of my pocket and handed her the £35. This is way cheaper than it’s supposed to be! It’s normally around £100. I perused through my mind when, my mind suddenly grabbed a thought and squeezed it tight, this wasn’t just a normal thought it was a evil thought…"
] | 6
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[WP] Omaha, Nebraska has made first contact with aliens, but things start going south once the aliens flash drive goes missing
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"You watch too many movies,\" the balding, ponytalied geek said to the scruffy thief.\n\n\"I swear, there was a flying saucer over there, and when the eggheads walked away, I snuck on and got this,\" he reiterated as he rammed the chip into the closest sized port on the computer.\n\n\"Hey! One more time and I'm gonna ask you to leave. Give it to me,\" the geeky man said, he was the type that was eternally annoyed and never violent, the thief thought to himself. He handed over the chip.\n\nThe geek rolled it over and over in his hand and remarked that the marking on the ragged end of the chip looked vaguely like USB. \"You know, this is probably a tracking chip, if anything. If anyone comes here, you're taking the fall for this.\"\n\n\"Yeah, sure,\" the thief said as he tried to urge the other man onward.\n\n\"This is so dumb,\" he said to himself as he powered on an airgapped machine, still flipping the shard over in his hand. There was something about it. It just... fit.\n\n\"Come on, come on!\" the thief grumbled impatiently, as the dusty machine loaded.\n\n\"This is your fault,\" the geek reiterated as he pushed the chip into the slot. They heard the computer's fans whir on moments before a video screen popped up. The familiar electronic drum intro gave way to the most recognizable synth melody to anyone who grew up on the internet. In an instant, the geek was livid and killed the process.\n\n\"Woah, why did you cancel it-\"\n\n\"Listen! I don't care what kind of pranks you play on people, but don't do it to me. Get the hell out of my-\"\n\nAnd as the word house left his lips, the front door bowed and shattered outward, against the jamb. The being on the other side was at least six feet tall with pasty grey skin giant eyes framed by a bulbous head.\n\nThey were frozen as the being stepped in, delicately, and as it moved they could hear it screaming in their heads, *miiiinnnneeeeeeee*."
] | 2
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[WP] The zombies have came, but in 100 AD, now as the Roman Legions prepare to go to war against the reborn. You're on the front lines of this very different battle.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My shield had a wire loop in it. That's common for situations in which we might have to fight at night. But it was dawn. Nonetheless, we were lined at the supply tent and receiving some of the largest torches i'd ever seen.\n\nWhen i say we, i mean the boys i was with, some from my regular unit and some from others. After seeing that our torches were properly affixed, the centurions began roughly matching us by height, forming us into cohorts. Each cohort was joined by a team of engineers with a wagon full of barrels. From the smell, i could tell they contained overaged fish oil.\n\nI was confused. First we had been mustered out of our garrison without any notice, and now or units were being reshuffled. That wasn't good, everyone knows a man fights better if he knows the men he's fighting next too. And the man i was next to now? A green kid who shouldn't be in the regulars yet. He looked terrified.\n\nI tried to smile reassuringly. He started to smile back, then looked down, embarrassed. I put a hand on his shoulder. \"There is more ahead than this life, you know\" i said. That didn't come out quite as i had meant it. The kid looked startled. \"No, that's true, there is...\" he trailed off. I said, \"Exactly, no need to say it out loud. We know the truth\". \n\nHe seemed to breath easier. He might still be scared but at least he didn't look as if he was about to drop his spear. But now, clued in, i looked around. Yes, i recognized someone here and there, and always for the same reason. I started to worry a little, but of course, i didn't let it show. I looked at my comrades from my regular unit. I could tell that they had noticed it too.\n\nThe legates took over, forming the cohorts into a maniple. The rest of the troops were being drawn up behind us. What kind of formation was this. I'd heard bad things-- soldiers being marked out to be slaughtered by their fellows. But if so, why would they have us fully armed? \n\nWhat happened nex, was even stranger. The dux took his place in front us, joined by an ornately decorated carrying chair. An elderly man climbed out. He was bald, wrinkled, and radiated dignity, the very picture of a senator. The ones who came after him were younger, and not at all dignified. They immediately began chanting and gesturing and waving incense sticks around. \n\n\"Flamens\", someone whispered while they danced through our ranks. I'd heard the word. Priests of the older faiths, purveyors of superstition and delusion. One of them was right in front of me now, shaking bangles, babbling like halfwit.\n\nThe flamens finished with us finally, and moved on the legions behind us. I looked forward and realized that the old man was also chanting, just quietly without histrionics.\n\nEventually the flamens returned to the litter. The dux cleared his throat, loudly. We immediately fell silent. \"Soldiers\", he said. \"You have been blessed by the flamens, for a special purpose. And here\" he indicated the old man, \"is Senior Pontifex Marcellus, to explain that purpose\".\n\nMarcellus's voice seemed a lot softer than that of the dux, but it projected out to all the ranks just as well. \"My friends\", he said, \"i come from the Emperor himself to tell you this: we are at war with the dead!\"\n\nHe paused to let that sink in. \"We have reports from the region ahead of us that bodies are rising out of their graves as beastial, ravaging monsters, killing and destroying indescriminately. They are immune to ordinary wounds. A spear therough the gut hardly slows one down. Cut off its leg and it will crawl after you, reaching to rend and tear. To stop them, you must decapitate or burn them, preferably both. We have torches and oil for the burning part. The recommended strategy is to keep them at spear length and cut them down until fire can be applied. And because of this unnatural foe we are facing, we have invoked the aid of all the gods of our ancestors.\"\n\nHe paused again. \"And speaking of gods, there is one, not of our ancestors, but of the land of Judea, known as Christ. And those who follow him say that he has promised to raise the dead. Well, men of Christ, it seems that your prayers have been answered. But not, i presume, as you had expected. Gods can be-- capricious, sometimes.\" His voice began to rise, taking on thundering intonations. \"So now, we have chosen you to form the vanguard, to meet this great work of your god! And send them back to Tartarus!\"\n\nThis time, the kid did faint. The rest of us crossed ourselves and folowed the dux."
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[WP] You have the ability to see through objects. You can see as deep as you want. Usually your friends test you what you can see through walls. One day a friend asks you to look down and try to see down as far as you can. Horrified you stop and try to describe what you saw.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The thing with me and Aaron was that we liked to edge each other on.\n\n*How many slices of pizza can you eat in one sitting?*\n\n*How long can you hold your breath?*\n\n*How high can you throw this basketball?\"*\n\nMy Sight always had its perks, like that time I earned a few bucks from that magician on the pier when I told him where the pearl was during the three shells game. He was astounded when I won. Five times. In a row. So much for the Magic Circle. The ironic thing is that I spent some of the money I got that day on some sunglasses. Even then, I was only able to get the money because Aaron edged me on.\n\nWe'd met up one Saturday morning for coffee. The Proper Cup was always our go-to meet-up spot. Aaron owed me a cappuccino. He got himself sat down after bringing the large ceramic mugs over. He took a sip and set his drink back down.\n\n\"I want you to look down,\" he proposed, like he were trying to sell me something, \"and go as deep as you can.\"\n\n\"OK,\" I shrugged. *That's not bad*, I thought to myself. At least he wasn't asking me to look at the busty coffee girl. I figured this would be a done deal so I took a sip of coffee foam and directed my attention to the table surface.\n\nWhite scratched plastic. I focused my eyes, like I was bringing the surface into focus.\n\nThe black nylon carpet. A couple of sugar wrappers were scattered around my foot.\n\n\"We're off to a good start,\" I said, my face still directly parallel with the table. God knows what the other customers must've thought.\n\nI focused more and saw beyond the shop. I saw metal pipes leading every which way encased in gravelling tunnels. I saw the underground subway system. A labyrinth of tracks and trains and metal tubes growing outwards like the root of a tree.\n\n\"I can see the underground,\" I said casually, making a conscious effort to not sound *too* crazy in a public place.\n\n\"Keep going,\" Aaron encouraged.\n\nI looked beyond the subway system and saw the murky grey of minerals deep within the planet's crust. It went on for miles, until it finally morphed into a brown, caramel-like material. Rocks morphed and shifted in a slow, river-like motion. It was hypnotising. I'd never seen anything like it.\n\n\"You OK?\" Aaron asked.\n\nI nodded. I'd gotten pretty deep. I didn't want to break concentration.\n\nI focused harder. The depth in front of me appeared like an endless drop and I started to feel nauseous, but Aaron had set me on this task and I was keen to see it through.\n\nI saw the boundless torrent of lava and fire. I was no scientist, but I'd wager it was the core by the looks of it. Looking harder, there was a bright light. Burning bright liquid fire. It was awesome.\n\n\"Aaron...I think I can see the core of our planet.\"\n\n\"What? That's crazy!\"\n\nI smiled. It *was* crazy. And incredible. I'd never seen anything like it. Now I was *really* giving the other customers a treat: some loon smiling like a crazy person as their nose was practically touching the coffee shop table. I didn't care though. This was breathtaking. I wish I could have taken-\n\nThere was something else. My face morphed back into rest and my smile slipped away.\n\n\"Are you OK?\" Aaron asked with genuine concern.\n\n\"There's...something else.\"\n\nAaron didn't respond right away. He could tell by my tone that this wasn't as amazing as the bright core from before.\n\n\"What is it?\"\n\nThat was the thing - I had no idea. I could see the faint outline of something. What was it?\n\nI focused harder. Harder than I ever had.\n\nI saw past the magnificent red glow to see a huge, dull-pink rock. It was like a walnut that had been removed from its shell. It moved ever so slightly, like it were submerged in water. It rested at the top of a massive, huge cavern. I could see more oddly shaped rocks strewn about the place too just below the walnut. They didn't form a shape of anything coherent. Maybe the core had come into contact with a material that we as a race hadn't discovered discovered yet and caused it to set? Maybe it had caused some kind of reaction that science hadn't discovered? There had to be *some* logic to this.\n\nI saw to the bottom of the cavern to find the only semblance of order - ten rocks floated loosely in a jaggedly line. The smallest were on the very ends of the line and they grew larger along the line. The largest rocks were square in the middle. It was an odd line, but I felt this strange sensation of familiarity as I looked upon them, as if I'd seen them before. But I couldn't place it. I couldn't quite understand it.\n\nI looked at the rocks.\n\nI focused.\n\n\"Oh my God...\" I whispered.\n\nI had to remember to breath again.\n\nIt came to the very forefront of my mind in an instant and cascaded through my entire being. It rocked my system and I felt like my internal organs were falling out of shape.\n\n\"What is it?\" I heard Aaron whisper back.\n\nI heard him, but I couldn't tear my face away. It all made sense.\n\nIt wasn't rocks I was looking at. Of course it wasn't. I could see it now. Ten rocks of different size.\n\nTen rocks.\n\nTen toes.\n\nThe rocks weren't scattered - they were in a perfect order.\n\nNot a walnut, but a brain.\n\nNot huge cavern, but an egg.\n\nI clasped my eyes shut and tore myself away. Everything seemed disappear around me. The last thing I remember was my face making contact with the harsh nylon floor.\n\nWhen I came to in the doctor's office, I tried to describe to Aaron what I saw. He didn't believe me.\n\nIn the end, nobody did. They called me crazy. Mental. Absolutely mad.\n\nIt has been years since I've used my Sight. Over time, I've come to accept it. I've come to terms with what I saw and I know nobody will ever hear me. They can't see what I saw. That's OK.\n\nBut when the time does come...\n\nWhen it comes...\n\n*Everybody* will see.",
"It was supposed to be a normal day, your friends asking you to get the answers off the copier for the teacher's next pop quiz in Social Studies while you're tired from insomnia. You're a good student, you get good grades without the cheating and always earning some cash on the side with your schoolwide cheating ring. However, your friend tells you to look for something you never considered. He told you to look down and keep going. You were bored, not much to be done, so this seemed like a fun way to pass the time. Rubbing your eyes, you look down.\n\nGravel, dirt, copper piping, nothing out of the ordinary to you. As you look deeper the rock begins to become mush. Molten lava cascades down somewhere, which seems weird because, according to your science teacher, the lava should be flowing in a convection current. This was certainly not a convection current, more like water flowing down the side of a dam. Confused, you look deeper into the world, and what you saw would never make you the same.\n\nThere was no core to the Earth, for starters. Instead, just a man holding something that looked like the Earth trapped inside a sphere of what seemed like electricity and lava. It would explain the lava fall. He looked in significant pain as he held the bust of the Earth. You attempt to look into the spherical prison only to feel like you got lightly shocked. The man begins to look around until he looks directly at you. His bloodshot eyes pierce your soul and causes your vision to cease, but only for a moment. Your friend is shaking you with desperation, questionably out of fear of your wellbeing or the fear of failing the grade, but the reason he showed kindness was beside the point. You explained what you saw to him, and he laughed directly into your face.\n\n\"Oh really? And despite all goddamn laws of nature there was a man holding the world? And you want me to think that this obviously fucking fake story is true? You really are a dumbass.\"\n\n\"I know what I saw. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you. But seeing as how you could give less of a shit, I don't care what you want to believe. Fuck off, and I'm cutting your tests off. If you can show legitimate worry, you can get your answers back.\"\n\nHe stops in his tracks, hearing what to him would be the reason the top of the cheating pyramid scheme to get his ass whooped so hard he'd beat the answers out of him. He took out his fists and began to brutalize you, leaving only three minutes later with blood on his fists and a nasty gleam in his eye. As you lose consciousness, you see the man again , looking at you with sympathy, then looking away as your mind fades to black."
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[WP] You're an avid collector of geodes, and love cracking open new ones. While you're routinely opening one, you notice there's something inside. Something alive.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I drummed my hands on the cool countertop towards the basketball sized geode in the middle. My thoughts focused on how best to crack the thing open, one hard thwack to the middle? No this one was special. It was somewhat lacking in character like it hadn't seen the wages of time but formed like clay in the hands if a crafty child \n\nI grabbed my favorite chisel and a hammer. \"Tap, tap, tap\" the sounds reverberated through my hand and into my arm until I had tapped all the way around the rock. Then I palmed the rubber mallet and hit home.\n\n\"CRACK\" \n\nIt fell apart. The first thing that hit me was the smell, not unpleasant but not all together enjoyable, very much like the smell of petrichor and moss. However there wasn't the usual texture I was used to, instead it was like the inside of an egg. As I leaned down for a closer look I saw movement. \n\nAs this thing unraveled itself and took shape I saw that it was soft looking with a coat fine blue fur and a sweet face. \n\n\"Chirp chirp\"\n\nThis creature was small, about the size of a mango and looked like something between a kitten and a honey badger. \n\nI was at a loss, I had brought the thing home and from what it seems brought it into the world so I couldn't just get rid of it. \n\n\"MUNCH\" \n\nWhat ever it was just took a huge bite out of my granite countertop. Oh no! It was reaching it's small fluffy arms out at me, does it want affection? It began to wiggle, then as if part flea leaped directly into arms. \n\nIt's going to be a long night.\n\nBe nice this is my first one."
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[WP] Every ten years, our God sleeps. And when he sleeps, he dreams. Worlds are born from his dreams, entire galaxies bursting into existence in an instant. But something has changed. Now, God is beginning to have nightmares.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Hey!”\n\nI ran forward, ignoring the yelling person behind me.\n\n“Hey! Stop!”\n\nI continued on. I was not stopping. The voice ended up fading into nothing eventually. I mean it wasn’t like they could follow me. Everyone was trapped in their own house. Everyone. Quarantined. Locked down. Trapped and imprisoned.\n\nI kept moving forward, ignoring any movement I could see in the dark corners and between alley ways, behind cars and in between the bins. It was night now but that could change any second.\n\nThe Slumber was always hard to live through. The worldwide advice was always to stay indoors, lock yourselves in and don’t leave. Stay safe. Stay at home.\n\nBut it had been 3 months’, the longest it has ever been in the past decade and I was honestly losing my mind where I lived. My wife was absolutely frustrating me to no end, I was ready to end it with her. It was always a risk running out and grabbing groceries from the supermarket during the day but going out when it was dark, it’s practically suicide. But I needed out.\n\nTo make me feel like I had some kind of purpose, I ran out with my camera. The night was always filled with the most awful and weird things and I honestly didn’t know if I was going to survive the trip, but I was out. My wife was going to be fuming. But really, I had had enough of her. She was turning into an absolute bitch.\n\nI ran towards the local football pitch and found myself running straight across it, but halfway through, I saw there was someone else on the field. I stopped running.\n\nIt would seem that they saw me and when I stopped, they began walking forward towards me. As they got closer however, I realised there was something not quite right with them. In fact, when they got close enough, I saw they had a face that lacked eyes. I slowly started backing away, unsure with what to do.\n\n“Good evening, what are you doing out this fine night?” the eyeless man asked me. He was wearing a nice, three piece suit if I am honest, black with a dark purple shirt, it was very nice indeed.\n\nI stopped where I was. “Just…out for a walk…” I answered.\n\n“It isn’t safe to be walking out during The Slumber. Do you humans not know this?”\n\nI nodded. “We do but…I was having ah…*trouble*…at home.”\n\n“Ah…I’m afraid that is not something I will ever understand. We do not encompass or have the ability to feel such emotions.”\n\nI frowned at him. His lack of eyes was absolutely unnerving. “Like…angry or…?”\n\n“Oh no no…love…to be able to love and live with someone in the first place. To want to stay with them, to make a life, to love someone at all.”\n\n“Oh…” I smiled to myself sarcastically. “I’m not sure I love her anymore anyway.”\n\nHe clasped his hands as if in thought. “Or even the ability to change one’s mind about love. I am guessing love is not a permanent thing then? You humans are always a mystery to me.”\n\nI looked up at him. “I’m…no I do love her…”\n\n“Oh…”\n\n“I just…”\n\nThere was a screech then, coming from the sky on the right. I jumped and looked up, only to see massive clouds rolling and in and lowering down towards the ground. I was unsure with what to do.\n\n“It isn’t safe to be out during The Slumber. Worlds are at play, dimensions in confusion,” the man continued to explain.\n\n“Whats-\n\nBefore I could finish my sentence however, there was the loudest roar I had even heard in my life. But it wasn’t just a roar, it was a sound that came from the sky itself, Like a rumble of thunder but a thousand times stronger and deeper. My ears went numb, my bones vibrated and my whole body felt like it was crumbling to pieces. I collapsed to the ground and the sky above darkened. The clouds rolled down onto the grass and unfurled themselves. I had no idea what was happening.\n\nThe man by my side grabbed my arm and dragged me across the field and all I was able to do was scream.\n\nI screamed and screamed as I watched the smoke in front of me change and morph into something else. The football field began collapsing in on itself and my ears felt like they were dripping something warm down my jaw.\n\nI was deaf.\n\nI was definitely screaming but I couldn’t even hear my own voice.\n\nThe eyeless man gripped even more firmly on my jacket and before I could even acknowledge what he was doing he threw me into a black hole on the floor and I landed on the floor, in the middle of some kind of beach.\n\nI was still screaming when a woman I had never seen in my life found me, half of my body buried in the sand.\n\n​\n\n​\n\n [Between Dimensions](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Between-Dimensions-Shay-Kiran-ebook/dp/B07JNGDH1J)",
"\tGod isn’t one to be questioned, he is the creator, the life, and the essence of all creatures and objects in our vast universe. But, he, like all other beings, must rest, even with all of his unlimited power, every 10 years to be exact. When God rests he sleeps, taking a break from guiding the inner machinations of our Earth along with every other planet to exist in his universe, his playground.\n\nWhen God sleeps he dreams, creating new interesting worlds that he doesn’t have the time to look after and expand to unknown limits, so he entrusts these worlds to different humans who then transcribe them onto paper for all to enjoy. These have always become the most amazing stories to ever be written. These stories such as Romeo & Juliet, The Odyssey, The Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, and many other well-known beautiful stories; worlds; universes. \n\nUnfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Recently God has begun having nightmares which are almost sentient in the way they react to the physical world, this being completely new to God he attempted to entrust them to humans but could only manage to do so with one instead of multiple. He gave Stephen King the responsibility of trapping the most horrifying nightmares onto paper but there seemed to be too many. They started leaking onto our world, too much for God to keep at bay.\n\nThese worlds invaded the minds of the innocent humans of Earth, coercing them into committing heinous crimes that they believed were the work of demons. Were they right? These demons killed hundreds upon thousands of people through the murderous actions of their hosts. These parasites were unstoppable. \n\nAs the next slumber came quickly upon the protector of Earth he felt the effects of his hateful children that infected his world. The turn of the decade finally came and with it God slept, letting the demons he conjured up in the years beforehand, loose to wreak havoc on Earth as well as every other planet in his perfect little universe. The one year sleep is more than enough time to damage everything God had worked so hard to create. He couldn’t do anything, his slumber he had grown to love so much became an unbreakable curse.\n\nBy the time the demons were through with Earth it was a desolate wasteland filled with the mindless drones that were once considered human with killing anything that moves permanently imprinted in their mind as their only purpose. These things were still conscious of everything they did but had no motor control to stop it. God could only watch in horror at the world that he had loved so much now transformed into what could only be described as hell.\n\nWar. War is not something God takes into consideration lightly, but it seems to be the only choice to save the creations that he loves so much. God’s army of angels and arch-angels alike are the only beings that could possibly destroy the evil that is infecting his universe. The core of their creation seems to reside on Earth, the worst infected of all.\n\nAs the war rages on God is powerless to only watch and guide, also while weakening his demons as much as possible. What caused this? What power could have invaded his mind to perverts his thoughts to the horrors he sees today? The only one with enough power to cause such destruction was destroyed in battle long ago and now resides in the depths of Hell, locked away, never to return. \n\nThoughts racing through his mind, he couldn’t find a solution, but he did notice something strange on Earth. His angels. His angels weren’t themselves anymore, with talon-like claws and ash colored wings that only got darker as time went on. The corruption had spread to the holy light that he created eons ago. The blinding light that set so many free, to guide and protect his children until they returned home to Heaven safely, and those who rejected the light and gave into evil, to Hell. Only now did he realize that the only being to be able to alter his power is himself. The corruption came from within, it started during the beginning, and only had time to grow. Unending time to grow stronger and stronger until the perfect time to strike back on the good and give in to evil, allow the reign of evil to begin for centuries to come. With power comes corruption, time being the incubator.\n\nWas this the end? The disasters that he was creating couldn’t be stopped, because maybe he didn’t want to stop. After all, it is interesting to see the evil consume everything. What was God to do in this time of such horror? What was he to do except give in?",
"I lived about a five minute walk from the train station. Every night I would hear the call of a horn which always felt calming. Being just 10 years old, I was still a little afraid of the dark, I would have a hard time falling asleep because I was afraid a monster might come up under my bed and kidnap me, but the hum of the evening train made all my fears melt away. I know it sounds silly, but it felt like the train was a friend that was looking out for me, beeping its horn as a warning to any baddies that might be scheming something evil. *The train had my back.*\n\nOne evening was strange in particular. I was sleeping in my Nintendo themed bedroom when suddenly I was jolted awake. It came from a wail from the train, but it sounded much different than it normally did, in fact--\n\n\"*Joey*,\" I heard the voice say, \"*Joey, the train station, please,\" t*he voice sounded angelic and omnipresent. \n\nI looked out my window and saw something I'd never seen before. At the station, there was a long train that was docked, but it looked unusual. Commuter carts and cargo were common sights, but this looked like something a king or a queen would ride on.\n\nIt was a steam locomotive with a yellow eye at the front, with a purple pupil and luscious eyelashes. It blinked and it was looking in my direction. Right below it was a mouth with full red lips and pearling white teeth. The body of the train was entirely purple with red and yellow ornate accent marks. Curvy lines that looked almost paisley in design decorated each train cart. The windows were all lit with a golden sunset glow.\n\n\"*Joey!\"* the train talked. *\"Please, come out, we would like you just to chat with us for a moment. Don't wake your parents, they can't see or hear the train, so it'd be pointless, but for your friends are all here!\"*\n\nOut of the cart up front, Maxwell and Delilah poked their upper bodies outside of the window. \"Joey! Please join us! This train is amazing!\" Delilah yelled, pushing up her round wired glasses closer to her eyes.\n\nMaxwell waved his paperboy cap with his hand. \"Joey, I know it looks crazy and it *is* crazy but you won't regret it, please come over!\"\n\n\"*Don't worry Joey, you'll be back soon!\"* the warm angelic voice from the train echoed.\n\nI opened up the window to my room and hopped out onto the roof and climbed down the tree from the second floor. I rushed down the block and walked up to the train tracks where Maxwell and Delilah were still waving their hands at me.\n\nA door by the conductor's cart flung open and I couldn't believe my eyes. I rubbed them continuously and kept looking down and up.\n\nStanding before me was the 7-foot tall body of a human with a pumpkin for a head. Its triangle eyes and geometric cookie-cutter smile were lit up with a yellow glow. The jack-o-lantern looked friendly, wearing a red suit with black pinstripes and black and red matching wingtip shoes.\n\n\"Hello!\" it beamed.\n\n\"Uh...\" I muttered.\n\n\"My name is Adamus. I am the co-captain of this ship -er- train! Along with my partner!\"\n\n\"Evelyn!\" another voice beamed, sounding more feminine. A figure stepped out with Adamus and they also had a jack-o-lantern head, but it was wearing a black suit with red pinstripes. They looked like twins, except she had circular eyes and a more oval like smile.\n\n\"Joey, we're glad you're here. You must have a million questions for us, but allow us to explain and then we'll answer anything you might be confused on,\" Adamus said.\n\n\"You see, Joey, God has dreams and that's where earth and your world came from. A dream of God's,\" Evelyn said.\n\n\"And now, God has started having nightmares, so a lot of spooky ghouls have been given life. We have our own world now, but it should be known that we are much like humans, in fact, majority of us aren't evil or scary at all!\" Adamus said.\n\n\"Scary looking-maybe, but that's all subjective isn't it? We are picking you all up because we know that you and your friends favorite holiday is Halloween. Our life here is basically like Halloween every day,\" Evelyn said with a bright smile.\n\n\"But today is a special holiday for our people and we wanted to bridge the gap with humans and make friends, as is tradition. Won't you please join us for our Monster Ball for Frightmas? This train will take you there, and then we'll bring you back home, promise!\" Adamus said.\n\n\"The Monster Ball is a lot like the song 'Monster Mash' except it's real! It's a friendly, peaceful, rootin- train tootin,\" *The train choo choo'd.* \"Good time!\"\n\nI looked incredulously at the two conductors, and then I looked over at my friends who were still waving gleefully. \"Come on in, Joey!\" Maxwell hollered.\n\nI looked back up at Adamus and Evelyn. \"Okay, I'll come! Just... can I be back home in like three hours?\" \n\n\n\"Of course!\" Adamus beamed. \"We can have you home any time you'd like!\"\n\n\"You're gonna love it, Joey!\" Evelyn said.\n\nThey ran up to me and gave me a surprisingly warm hug that reminded me of the way my parents hugged me goodnight.\n\n\"Let's go inside and see your friends!\" they said in unison, reaching out their pumpkin-smooth hands for me to hold.\n\nI grasped their hands and I hopped aboard on one of the most magical experiences of my life.\n\n​\n\nr/randallcooper",
"I've searched for proof my entire life. In fact, my very first memory encompasses the heart of the myth and now treasure. There was never a night; that I would lay my head down to sleep that this very truth did not cross my mind first. Now this truth is not only to be heard, but to be understood. To be applied. To help us evolve. A couple feet away was the coveted relic. It has been known by many names through the ages such as the Garden of Eden, the Arc, the Hum, ad infinitum. Just as the name of the relic changed, so did the truth it would tell. The very words and symbols on the relic would shift before our very eyes in a ever providing well of satiating information. The relic was proof that God existed.\n\nI look back on that article and accompanying photographs of that day many years ago, usually with a grin from ear to ear I might add Mr. President for that article marks with absolute certainty that not only was my family and I right, but that faith was correct as well.\n\nUntil now.\n\nYou see the legend is as old as recorded time and certainly as old as the first recorded branch of my family tree as far as my grandfather would have put it. We got a lot prediction right as various religious and historical texts did confirm events depicted by the relic, albeit on a vastly larger time scale that we lacked the certain instruments to understand until recently. After further analysis and adequate time deciphering the ever shifting relic; we have come across some interesting facts to say that least. We can confirm the existence of our God. We are what are known as the spirits of dream. The relic states that our God sleeps every ten years, but as you will see and lucky for us; My colleague Dr. Sirtvern was able to record and run data which eventually lead to him formulating a working algorithm for the conversion of our God's time to ours. In simpler terms Mr. President, ten years in our time is ten to the 21 or 10 sextillion rotations around our native star. \n\nWell Dr. Stevens, this all sounds like stunning progress just as your monthly reports have indicated over the last 7 years preceding the discovery, but as I recall; your voicemail mentions a rather pressing issue that and I quote \"urged me to contact you at all cost as soon as possible\", which I need remind you that I obliged at this hour of night; so could I know exactly what that information is.\n\nYes Mr. President. My apologies. I'll cut to the chase. Their is truth in the zodiac wheel. It's just not being applied to the correct time scales. When the wheel is applied to God's time, the twelves signs simplify into two super imposing signs or ages as our God would have it known. If what we have interpreted on the relic is true; then our God has just fallen asleep for the second time in existence. As I stated before, the relic and the information it provides changes frequently. All of it is relevant to us until recently. A message appeared on the relic. It stated \"We are the spirit of dreams, and our dream is that of creation. Then a flash appeared on the relic with the word nightmare, followed by a picture that has remained since. The relic depicted a pale steed.\n\nWhat does that exactly mean Dr.?\n\nI must apologize beforehand if what follows sounds vague or alludes to an undertone of morbid reality Mr President, but typically the symbol of a pale steed refers to the horseman of death.\n\nAre you saying our own Age of Apocalypse is upon us?\n\nWell sir. This is the second time we have entered what's known as the age of nightmares so their is some data on when and what exactly occurred at least in our part of the solar system at the time.\n\nWhat does the evidence suggest Dr. Stevens.\n\nThe first age of nightmares occurred exactly around the extinction of dinosaurs here on Earth.",
"The blood moon stared down like the unblinking eye of an angry god. But Vicar Tomas knew there was only one God. And He was asleep.\n\nBeside him, Apostolate Henrik knelt mumbling, rosary beads clutched to forehead.\n\nTomas watched him for a minute, taking deep drags of his cigar. He slapped the back of the young cleric's head. \"Get up, boy. God ain't listening to your prayers now.\"\n\nHenrik rose with shaky knees, giving the cross on his necklace one last kiss.\n\nTomas nodded at him, eyes steeled beneath his dark biretta, and Henrik removed a heavy tome from his robes.\n\nHenrik chanted, his wavering voice rising into a staccato. The blues of his pupils brightened as his incantation crescendoed and he raised a finger to the sky. A ball of light shot up from the tips into the night, exploding in a blinding, momentary daybreak.\n\nHowls and snapping branches echoed in the woods around them. Shadows flitted among the swaying trees.\n\nTomas savored the last puff for an extra second before stomping the embered end of his cigar under heavy boots. He reached for his belt, fingers brushing over the icy metal of his embossed revolvers.\n\nHenrik unsheathed a flail, its cruel spikes glinting in the luminescent orb burning above them. He hovered a hand over the steel ball and whispered under his breath.\n\n\"Every good gift comes from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.\"\n\nGolden brilliance wreathed the weapon and Henrik eyes girded for action.\n\nTomas smirked. He slid his own armaments out of their holsters.\n\nLumbering shadows staggered out the treeline toward the two vestmented men. They prowled in grotesque but unique forms, some four legged, some tendrilled. All brandished long, blade-like claws that whistled as they sliced through the night air.\n\nThe closest one flared razor edged wings and opened fanged jaws in a harrowing scream. Void stared out its maw, blacker than black.\n\nTomas and Henrik faced them back to back.\n\n\"God ain't here no more, boy. But I'll bring judgement in his stead.\"\n\nr/bobotheturtle",
"God’s Slumber was always a difficult time. For most of us, the pious, the grateful, there was an appreciation that our creator was finally resting, and an anticipation at the decade that would follow. For others, it was a chance to be mischievous, a theft here, an indulgence there. And for a few, it was a time to spawn chaos. God would deal with those people when he awoke, but until then, we had to make do with simply containing them. \n\nDealing with the people was the easy part. It was nature that suffered the most during the year-long sleep. Our sun would begin to lose warmth around the third month, ushering in an early and persistent winter. The trees would list during the first few months and sometimes collapse entirely under the incessant snowfall. Colors themselves would seem but a memory by the halfway point, the endless whites and grays of the weather taking hold in our very hearts. The unprepared would brave the elements to survive, but we were always stronger together and a helping hand was never far away.\n\nDespite the tribulations, God always made our sacrifice worth it. The Day of Awakening was as much an awakening for us as it was for God. The planet would hum and pulse, as if it had taken a deep breath and was stretching itself wide. The skies would be brimming with movement and color and innovation, new worlds dotting the backdrop, novel wildlife soaring through the clouds, promising anything from companionship to sustenance, and unique aromas inviting us to find their sources. For years we would discover the bounties of God’s dreams, and we would feel God’s smile in the sunfall, God’s embrace in the wind, God’s promise in the stars.\n\nI’m so, so sorry you have never seen The Day of Awakening, my child. I write these words to you because I hope you can hold on to faith in what lies ahead. I hope you can come to know God as I did once, and I hope you can help God as he has helped us for so long. I write these words to you so that maybe, if there is any deeper understanding to be made, you can discover what was wrought in the ninth month of the past Slumber.\n\nIt was another frigid day, the snow piled up past the window in our door. I remember this detail clearly, because it was through that window where I first saw the first indication of something strange: Sunfall. The bright yellow light beamed into the kitchen, prompting your mother and I to stop what we were doing. I placed my hand in the light, almost cradling it like you would a wounded bird. To my dismay, the light was warm, pleasant, invigorating. I laughed as your mother came over to feel the warmth. For those brief moments, we thought we had been blessed. It was a mere seconds later that I had to wrench my hand back from the light, the heat of which had grown exponentially. The wood of the house groaned loudly as the light grew more prevalent. The door bulged inward and then gave way, a wall of cold water rushing into the home. Outside, the snow had turned into rivers and decimation was everywhere. Some homes had already been washed away, the melting snow from atop the mountain promising more devastation was to come. All the while the heat increased, feeling like a tangible presence, feeling like you could hear it.\n\nThat was when I realized you _could_ hear it. Not the heat itself, but a deep wailing that rose and rose with the temperature. The sounds of rushing waters, the screams of the villagers, and the crashing of homes were no match for God’s wail. Your mother and I found the darkest place in our home and sheltered as the wail grew louder and louder. It turned into a deafening scream before suddenly ending and leaving a silence that hung like the densest fog you can imagine. After a moment, I emerged from our shelter and walked to the front door.\n\nThe new river still rushed, the villagers still screamed, the homes still crumbled, but the sun shone no more.\n\n\n_I'm working on more if you're interested!_"
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[WP] In a last desperate bid to save the land, the rebellion opened a portal to the inner sanctum of the dark wizard's lair, and they sent through... a dog.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Language is magic.\n\n\"`STOP`,\" the Good Witch roared, sprinting across the glassy obsidian floor of the Dark Wizard's lair. As the word left her lips, it blossomed to life, magic flowing through it until it became a spell—a command, inscribed upon the fabric of reality.\n\nThe Dark Wizard contemptuously regarded the one-word spell streaking towards him and, with a twitch of his hand, reversed it. The `STOP` fell apart into a cluster of `POTS`, rattling harmlessly on the floor. He grabbed `TEN` of them and worked his signature magic, reversing them into a `NET`, and hurled the `NET` at the Good Witch.\n\nThe Good Witch thought quickly, remembering what she was fighting for. The little cottage she'd grown up in, her family, her home—she fought for `HER WORLD`. As the words flowed through her, she merged the `NET` flying towards her with `HER WORLD`. With a flash of magic, the net dissolved into a one-sided rift to the underworld, spewing hellfire and demons at the Dark Wizard.\n\n\"I don't think Good Witches typically open holes into the realm of darkness and fire,\" the Dark Wizard idly commentated. He snatched the `HELLFIRE` out of the air and added a single dot, inscribing `HE'LL FIRE` into the base code of the universe. And fire he did; upon the completion of the spell, twin pistols materialized in his hands, and he mowed down the oncoming demonic horde with precisely placed shots.\n\nThat is, until the Good Witch leapt at him and touched his `GUNS`, reversing them to become `SNUG`. The Dark Wizard snarled and tried to change them back, but the Good Witch interfered, and instead a hundred voices `SUNG` out in praise.\n\n\"Oh, what do we do, what do we do?\" On the other side of the `NETHERWORLD` portal, two demons conferred in private. They'd risen up against the Dark Wizard after he'd tried to draft them into his armies. \"There has to be something we can do to help!\"\n\n\"We can't just charge in. He'll massacre us!\" They watched as the Dark Wizard and Good Witch struggled amidst a flood of `RATS`; the Dark Wizard grabbed two and fused them into a miniature `STAR`, sending both combatants staggering back, blinded.\n\n\"Wait! I've got it! That Dark Wizard—he likes to reverse things, right?\" One demon held up a hellhound.\n\n\"Yeah? What of it?\" The other demon asked.\n\n\"Well... reverse *this*!\" The first demon hurled the hellhound—the dog—through the portal.\n\nThe Dark Wizard barely spared it a glance, metamorphosing the `DOG` into a `GOD`.\n\nThen he froze, realizing what he'd done.\n\nFor a moment, the dog simply floated there, stunned.\n\nThen divinity erupted from its body, and the judgement of an omnipotent force was unleashed upon the world."
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[WP] You are being hunted by someone with body-swapping abilities, after a failed attempt to take over your body revealed their powers, as well as your immunity to them. Trust no one. Don’t stop moving.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"How does he always seem to know where I am?\n\n\"Move!\" I shouted, as I bolted down the hallway, toward the restroom shoving my way through a group of teenagers.\n\nThere are usually back doors near the restrooms right?\n\nI skidded to a stop as the hall turned a corner past the restrooms, it looked like some kind of maintenance corridor, a janitor whistled as he exited the restroom just to my right and walked the opposite way down the hall. Finally I was alone. I needed to think, I needed to get the hell out of here. \n\nThis was turning out to be a colossally stupid idea.\n\nI thought that if I went to a crowded place he would lose track of me, or wouldn't be able to switch fast enough, but that wasn't the case at all, it’s almost like it was easier for him. \n\nI headed down the hallway and found an exit that emptied out into the stockroom of a gift shop. When a girl in the shop tried to find out what sound my head makes bouncing off the end of a Louisville slugger, I was really coming to regret this decision. Thankfully I was picking up a pair of sunglasses and saw her winding up in the reflection, and ducked just before she smashed the display to pieces before falling into it herself. After I scrambled out of the gift shop I put on the hat, the glasses, and the jersey I had grabbed in the store and booked it straight to the large crowd that gathered in the smoking area at the edge of the stands nearest 1st base, all of them wearing the home team colors that I had just donned. As disappeared into the throng of people, I said a silent prayer, pleading that my hastily constructed strategy would work and render me just another face in the crowd. But that was when I realized how fucked I actually was.\n\nWhen I reached the center of the crowd I stopped and waited, I had made my move, not it was time to see if the gambit would pay off. My answer came scarcely a moment later when the large man I had positioned myself in front of leaned in close and said “Nice try… game over.”\n\nAs the large arm wound it’s way around my neck things seemed to slow down. At first it felt like a common adrenaline response, the mind kicking into overdrive, fight or flight taking over. Within a heartbeat it was clear that this was no adrenaline response, I was going back to that place. The place where I had gone, or rather where he had taken me, when he first tried assume control.\n\nThe place looked the same as the normal world but with the working components exposed frozen in time, like looking under the hood at the engine while driving the car. \n\nThe first time it happened it felt entirely wrong, like someone or something was rewriting a small part of my mind with out permission, like a computer virus. I could feel it gnawing away at the existing code, a malicious subroutine that was quickly drawing most my processor power, everything I could muster to fight this hostile take over. Thankfully I was paying attention, I could see the moving parts and realized that this, like music, didn’t play itself, and in a desperate gamble I used what mental capacity I had left to start looking for the music’s conductor.\n\nHe seemed surprised when I found him in the system, trying to complete his work as quickly as he could. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I tried to launch a counterattack trying to disrupt his system with my own intrusion. I could tell what I was doing wasn’t really as elegant as the tactics that he employed, but to my amazement it started to work, I progressively recovered more of my mental resources as he started diverting his own resources to deal with the threat I was imposing. It was as if we were going toe to toe in the ring, I was a brawler with no training to speak of, and he was a prizefighter… that had, incredibly, never actually stepped in the ring before. I got the distinct impression he had been doing this for some time, but only against opponents that didn’t hit back. He seemed bewildered that anyone was able to fight back and pulled back in annoyance and I involuntarily dropped back into my body. \n\nSince that day, he has stopped at nothing to try to kill me, but for some reason only in the waking world, never in the inner working layer.\n\nNow all he had to do was finish the job. As his borrowed grip continued to tighten around my neck, everything ground to a halt once again. This time, however, I had arrived in the working layer of my own accord, he didn’t seem to be here, yet. Maybe I could use this to my advantage. I had the element of surprise, the knowledge that for some reason he didn’t want to meet me here, and the determination that comes from having no options left. It was time to stop running and time to finally take the offensive."
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[WP] “If you believe, it can be real” was a bumper sticker that the paranoid shouldn’t have seen.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“C’mon, just play for a little while?”\n\nI shake my head, trying to concentrate. This traffic is terrible. A truck pulls in front of me suddenly and I slam on the brakes. Before the truck abruptly changes lanes again, I have just enough time to read the gigantic red and black sticker on the rear bumper.\n\nIF YOU BELIEVE, IT CAN BE REAL\n\n“Hey, did you see that bumper sticker? It’s a sign!”\n\nI glare over to the passenger seat.\n\n“No, it’s not. It doesn’t mean anything,” I say, irritated. I hate driving on the freeway, and his jolly attitude isn’t helping.\n\nHe grabs my hand, and I soften a little.\n\n“Let’s just pretend for a little bit. Pretend the quarantine is lifted and I finally get to take you on a vacation. Where do you want to go?”\n\nI sigh and give in to the game, a favorite of his when we’re in the car.\n\n“Ok, fine. Let’s go to Hawaii.”\n\nHe smiles and grabs his phone, scrolling through it until he finds what he’s looking for. Appropriately tropical ukulele music fills the car, and although I try to glare at him again, I burst out laughing instead when I see the ridiculous dance he’s doing. We giggle for a few minutes, imagining all of the fun Hawaiian adventures we’ll have together.\n\n“Hey, do you want to get in the carpool lane? It looks like it’s moving faster.”\n\nI shake my head, sad again as the song ends and I’m returned to the present.\n\n“Nah, we’re almost home,” I whisper, trying to hide the tears in my eyes as I change lanes.\n\nHe notices them anyway.\n\n“Baby, I didn’t mean to make you sad. This isn’t going to last forever. And yeah, maybe we won’t be able to go to Hawaii right away, but I’ll take you there someday. I promise.”\n\nI take a deep breath, pulling off at our exit and composing myself at the stoplight. I grab his hand again, and we pass the rest of the drive in uneventful silence.\n\nI pull into the driveway and shut off the car. It’s getting dark now, and the street is quiet except for the sound of the car door opening and closing.\n\nAs we walk up the drive, he pulls me in and kisses me gently on the forehead. God, I love him so much. I close my eyes and he kisses me again.\n\nWhen I open my eyes, he’s gone, and I walk into the house alone."
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[WP] In the town of Imperial, Nebraska, population 2,000, a mysterious corporation has just won the right to construct a 40-story windowless skyscraper. Nobody knows why yet, but it's going to change the world.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"All I wanted was a quiet life. A life free from drama. Until this moment, I thought I achieved it.\n\nI graduated highschool with honors. I married the cute cheerleader. I owned a barber shop, lived in a big house, loving my life. I achieved the small town dream, the American dream.\n\nBut I guess life had other plans. Right now I'm standing in front of the Douglas building, the tallest building in town. I'm with an angry mob, outraged that the Douglas Company's behind many people going missing. Many of whom worked for Douglas. They had a strangle hold in almost all aspects of are lives.\n\n\"Death to Douglas! Death to Douglas!\" We shouted, facing off against Douglas's security. For the most part the protest was peaceful. Sure, someone threw a beer bottle at a cop, but that was mainly it.\n\n\"Take your hands off are town!\" Community leader Hank Ramero said.\n\nThe air was tense. The littlest thing could have started something messy.\n\n\"Go home, Dougla-\" Hank said before getting shot 4 times by Douglas's security. The crowd was surprised when the security started firing into them.\n\nIt was chaos. Screams filled the air, along with gunfire. Folk were running for their lives. Douglas gave their guards a kill order, and kill they did. They killed 15 and wounding 20.\n\nThose people were unarmed. They killed in cold blood. I ran until I reached my shop. It was closed because of the protest. I got my keys out and tried to open the door, the gunshots getting closer. I opened the door, and along with two girls who were also in the protest, made refuge in the shop.\n\n\"Those bastards killed my sister!\" one of the girls yelled. \n\n\"They can't do this to us, we have rights!\" the other girl said.\n\n\"They're slaughtering us, I don't think they care about rights!\" I shouted.\n\nMy mind was racing. I grabbed my boar rifle I kept in my desk and went to the roof.\n\n\"Keep the lights off, don't move!\" I yelled before ascending.\n\nWhen I got to the roof, I got on my stomach and crawled to the edge.\n\nI looked through the scope of the rifle, trying to see what was happening down there.\n\nI saw 10, no, maybe 30 people dead. Douglas's goons are running down the street with automatic weapons, shooting anyone they see. An old man who was waiting for a bus saw Douglas's troops, they shot him dead. \n\nThat's when people started shooting back. People on roof tops shot back at the soldiers. They managed to kill one.\n\nJust when I thought I grasped what was happening, an explosion rang out, deafening me.\n\nLike something from a video game, a tank rolled out, shooting the snipers down. \n\nIn a rage, I shot a the soldiers, killing two of them.\n\nThe tank blew a hole in the building next to me, which I took as a sign to get down.",
"It was 7:30 AM when the noise started. A loud jackhammer chipped away at the concrete that used to make up a parking garage. Now, it would be the new headquarters of Shade, a company with ties to the government. Anthony knew nothing about Shade, nor did he want to. What he did know was that the jackhammer was chipping away at his sanity. \n\nAnthony was a door to door salesman, and a fine one at that. His chipper attitude was always on display, and he was never disheartened by the constant rejections he would receive. While not many people would hire him, he had many friends that were hoping to grow into a new business, and people around there knew him well. Night after night he would settle in and sleep. Nobody wants a salesman who looked tired, and he had an obligation to his friends to do his best each day. But this new noise was interrupting that. \n\nShortly after waking up, Anthony decided to go through his usual morning routine. This building would be under construction for a while now, so he had to adapt. He got dressed, had some jelly and toast, brushed his teeth and hair, and walked out onto the street. Today was a beautiful day.\n\nAnthony started walking to see his friend Rose. She had been telling him recently about her idea for a new tool box that was organized to help non-mechanics to figure out what tools to use for a situation. As he walked by the market, he noticed that many of the vendors had begun packing up all their food. When he reached Rose's house, she wasn't there. Confused, he went to go see those vendors from earlier. \n\n\"Hi Chuck!\" said Anthony, looking as if he had seen aliens. \"Do you have an inkling of what is going on?\" Chuck stopped packing his bread and sat down. \"The whole market has hotten orders from the builders to sell them as much food as we can. Nobody knows why, but it's hard work packing so much. The good news is that this is the best sale I've ever made. Maybe I can retire next year if this keeps up.\" Anthony said \"Well, thats awful strange. Let me help you then.\" The rest of his day was spent helping load food and water while men in black suits came to take it away.\n\nA couple months went buy and the building was nearly complete. After asking around, Anthony found that Rose was hired by Shade to help with construction, along with 3/4ths of Imperial. The company sure had a lot of money, and they were throwing it around. Except, of course, at Anthony. He came by a couple times to see if they were willing to buy things, but each time a cold reception was ordered. Eventually he had nothing to sell. All the people who would hire him were now working for the company, and every house was empty. He still held on, though. Once that building was finished people would be raring to buy.\n\nSome weeks passed, and the building was complete. Anthony sat and looked at the monolith, made of cold, hard metal and completely cut off. Except, of course, for the doors. The doors were as heavy as the building, and frozen shut. Anthony had lost some of his possessions in order to buy and transport food, but he still was hopeful. He got worried, though, when the websites he was using went down. He hadn't seen anyone in a while, and his lonliness was crushing, but he still held out hope. As he sat down, looking at a cloud of dust in the distance, he froze at the sound of a loud noise. He looked back to the building and saw the doors close.\n\nA few days passed and Anthony woke up in his house again. He got up, got dressed, had breakfast and groomed himself. He went out to greet his friends, who greeted him back, and he left to work. As he walked by he thought about how the streets used to be bustling with people. The people of Imperial hadn't left the building. As he walked up to the cold, steel doors he began scratching with his claws. They wanted to hide from his friends, but they forgot about him. He saw them enter, and now he worked day after day scratching and hammering at the door with his friends. They wouldn't budge, but he was hopeful that they would open, and the people inside would be made into his new friends, like him.",
"The walls went up first. 40 stories of black steel dwarfed the small town of Imperial. It was all erected in a matter of days, not weeks or months like one would expect. A mile-wide perimeter had been set up with guards at every entrance and exit. Massive cargo trucks seemed to be entering and leaving the facility nonstop, at all hours of the day and all through the night. No logos on anything. Nobody would answer questions. Not the guards, not the police, and the local government seemed to be in hiding.\n\nI had been hired by a sweet old lady who ran the local drugstore to investigate. A week ago, a cousin of hers decided to break into the facility to see what the hell was going on. He didn’t come back. The cousin’s father snuck in too, desperate to just find his son. He made it out, but certainly wasn’t the same. Certainly not able to tell anyone what he had seen. It seems madness had taken a hold of him.\n\nThis wasn’t exactly my typical case. Sure, I specialize in missing persons, but this was certainly a step above the norm. At first I suspected a government-backed pharma company, performing experiments in a place that most people wouldn’t notice. But then why the huge flashy skyscraper? It could also be some sort of military weapons testing facility. Accidentally blowing up a small Nebraska town would make headlines for a few weeks. Neither of these theories explained why that man had returned from the tower without his mind intact.\n\nOthers had gone missing, too. Some disappeared in the night. No signs of forced entry into their homes or any evidence of kidnapping. Others vanished in the middle of the day. On their way to the store, out on a walk, having tea at home. No connections between any of them. \n\nI was starting to see that the only way I would find out what was happening would be to break in there myself. My anxiety was out of control at this point. All the warning bells and sirens in my head were going off. I had to empty my stomach a few times as the night was approaching. And yet I still felt that I had to know what was in there. A P.I. never just lets something go like this.\n\nAfter night fell, I made my way to the perimeter fence. There was nothing special about the fence, so wire clippers made short work of it. The tower loomed over me, daring me to turn back. I couldn’t shake the thought that if I went in there I would end up either dead or too insane for life to matter anymore. To say the least, I was excited to see an opportunity arise to gain information without entering that terrible obelisk. A small party of men had left and were making there way towards the gate nearest where I had sliced up the fencing.\n\nI decided it would be better to follow them and see what the hell they were going out for. Perhaps I would catch them in the act of kidnapping some poor soul for their experiments. 4 men total, they had hopped into a jeep and started to make their way into town. I rushed back to my car and tailed them as subtly as possible. Hours passed. All they did was patrol the outskirts of the town. \n\nI was about to call it a night until they suddenly screeched to a halt next to a corn field and all but one leapt out and stormed into the crops. I decided this was my opportunity. I had brought my six shooter with me. I certainly wasn’t prepared to shoot anyone, but I had already resigned myself to getting some info at gunpoint. \n\nI snuck up from behind their jeep, around the drivers side door, and deftly pressed the nose of my revolver into the driver’s neck as he was looking to his right into the cornfields.\n\n“You’re gonna tell me exactly what the fuck is going on around here or your friends will have to pick someone else to drive.”\n\nHe was a younger man, probably mid-twenties. There was no fear in his eyes as he slowly turned to face me. “You should really get that thing out of my neck or we’re both going to die tonight.”\n\nThere was no lie in his voice. Still, I wasn’t going to give up that easily. “*Start talking.”* He responded with another icy stare. \n\nA few moments of silence passed before the night was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream from the corn field. One of the men from before came stumbling out of the crops, covered in blood, possibly missing a hand but I couldn’t tell from here. As he leapt onto the back bumper of the jeep he shouted “DRIVE!” as the driver told me to drop the gun and hold on if I wanted to live. Panic overtook me and I obeyed.\n\nThe jeep ripped away from the fields as more screams erupted from the crops. \n\n“There’s more than we thought,” the man in the back forced through raspy, bloody coughs. “The others are done for.” \n\nMore *what* than we thought? The jeep continued to roar down the road, headed straight for the black tower.\n\n“Do you really want to know what’s happening here? The whole world will know soon enough.” The driver was giving me another icy stare \n\nI blinked a few times before nodding. “Who are you?”\n\n“We work for CERN. Years ago when the large hadron collider was built, all we wanted to do was discover the secrets of the universe. We wanted it all.” A pause as his icy gaze went back to the road.\n\n“We dug too deep. We breached another stable reality. There are things on the other side that will melt your mind just from seeing them. Rifts to this place have started opening up in the most unexpected places.”\n\nI took this all in for a moment before I remembered the one question still scratching at the back of my mind. “What’s the tower for though?”\n\nOne last icy stare in my direction. “It’s a prison. For them.”"
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[WP] A very large space exploration company hires you to be one of their first astronauts, and to ride their capsule to Mars. You find what seems to be a cave there, and a few, shriveled up corpses of very human bones.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"All right, control, I'm... I'm here.\" Explorer Gregory Matthews breathed into his helmet. Looking around at the red planet, he couldn't help but grin.\n\n\"Congratulations, sir,\" a voice crackled back at him, \"how's it feel being the first human being to set foot on Mars?\"\n\n\"Like I haven't woken up yet,\" Matthews chuckled back. He got to work setting up his diagnostic gear, assembling a portable kit that eventually amounted to a large assortment of crates and scanners. \"All right, everything's up and running. You gettin' all this?\"\n\n\"We're receiving loud and clear, Explorer 1. Looks like the scanners are picking up some subterranean caverns. Feeling adventurous today?\"\n\n\"No time like the present.\" Matthews pursed his lips. He'd gotten this far, might as well go into some unknown caves, right? Not like he's going to keep up with the Kardashians this far from home. He rocked his head side to side, popping his neck before looking down to his portable GPS.\n\nIt wasn't a long journey to the caves. In fact, he only landed about fifteen minutes away from them. The entrances were hidden well enough, despite that fact. He had to move some rocks, rake some dust away. The holes in the ground leading into them were only a little bigger than Matthews himself. With the suit around him, it was only a few inches away from being a tight squeeze.\n\n\"Sure this is okay, control?\" Matthews asked warily. \"Seems to be kind of a tight fit.\"\n\n\"Affirmative, Explorer 1. That suit might as well be knight's armor, you'll be fine. You have your floodlight lamp and batteries, correct?\"\n\n\"Yeah, that's right.\"\n\n\"Just poke around a little. Give it about half an hour, tell us what you find, then head back to the shuttle.\"\n\n\"You gonna be able to hear me down there?\"\n\n\"You'll be fine, Explorer 1. The radio signal is strong enough. Please proceed.\"\n\n\"You got it, control... You got it.\" Matthews clenched his jaw, flipped on his light, and took a jump into the air, slowly falling down into the hole. The loose dirt and rocks acted like a slide, sending him down twenty, thirty, maybe fifty feet underneath the surface.\n\n\"Whew,\" he groaned, standing up and shining his light back up the slippery slope. \"Quite a way down. Nearly the end of my rope. Hear me, control?\"\n\n\"We hear you, Explorer 1. See anything in there?\"\n\n\"Uhhhh... Not much. Some rocks, more rocks. Almost looks like... Control, this looks like blood.\"\n\n\"It's a red planet, Explorer 1, no need to worry. Probably just some especially red rock down there. Anything else?\"\n\n\"Uhh... No, no I guess not.\" Matthews voice was shaking a bit. With only his light to illuminate the expansive darkness around him, he felt cornered, watched. Vulnerable. Even with the light, it didn't reach all the walls of the cavern around him. In fact, it didn't reach *any* of the walls, save for the slide he came down to get here.\n\nHe turned back to explore the cavern, and froze. \"Control! Control, come in!\"\n\n\"What is it, Explorer 1?\"\n\n\"It was! It was blood! Oh my God... How long has this poor bastard been here?\"\n\n\"Explorer 1?\"\n\n\"Gotta be years... Holy hell... Control, there's people here. So dead and shriveled up their souls must be elderly. How the hell are there people here?\" \n\n\"Describe what you're seeing, Explorer 1.\"\n\n\"What was that? No, I gotta leave, sorry Control, I'm outta here.\"\n\n\"Explorer 1?\"\n\n\"No... no way. My rope's been cut. Mother of God, get me out of here! Oh God, get me out! What's that? Nonononono! Something's covering the hole! Control, help me! God, please help me! *HELP ME!*\" \n\n​\n\n(If you liked this story, feel free to check out my humble community at: r/SUPRAPStories)"
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[WP] You've had OCD your whole life. You can't stand dirt. You can't deal with asymmetry. And you definitely can't walk on the lines on floortiles. It's your 18th birthday and the witch's curse is finally lifted...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" Today is my 18th birthday. Big whoop. After eating my spherical cake, I went outside to crawl to the liquor store for the first time with my unfake ID. An old lady walked by and asked: “What are you doing crawling in the dirt like a frog for?” Looking up, centering her pointed hat in my field of view I replied: “You see here, I have OCD. As result, I can’t stand dirt and I hate asymmetry now can you please take half a step to the left so that you don’t stand on the tile line.” To which she replied: “that’s not how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders work. It is a mental illness that cause very real and often debilitating thought patters and spirals. Yes, sometimes it causes a fear of germs that causes people to be very cleanly as a coping mechanism but this ‘not being able to stand asymmetry’ is not it.” *What a passive aggressive witch*, I thought still laying down. She continued: “now crawl back home and read up on how it works because how you describe it now is very insensitive and inaccurate to how people with this illness actually live.”\n\n“huh” I said and walked home.\n\n​\n\nBut seriusly I'm sorry about being passive agressive but that is not how OCD works. Heres a couple of places to start: [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNEUz9v5RYo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNEUz9v5RYo)"
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[WP] This really is the worst timeline. You know because your alternate selves just threw a surprise party to thank you for being in the worst timeline so they don't have to be.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I’m shaking hands with myself. He greets me with a smile and a confident handshake. I look around nervously at the rest of the people inside my house. I’d nearly shit myself when they surprised me in my one bedroom apartment just a moment ago. I thought I was being robbed. Instead, the lights kicked on and six identical versions of myself were standing in my living room, holding a sign that says, “Thank You For Being the Worst Version of Us” with a giant smiley face on it. \n\nThe one closest to me (the one whose hand I shook) closes the door behind me and then braces my shoulder to give it a tender squeeze. \n\n“I hope we didn’t startle you too much,” he says politely. “I’m Jeremy.” \n\nI stare at him dumbfounded. Then I look at the rest of them. One by one. \n\n“This can’t be,” I say, going down the line of me’s and then back to the me in front of me. “*I’m* Jeremy.” \n\nJeremy laughs and puts a gentle palm toy bask and ushered me deeper into my house, which immediately prompts the rest of the me’s to hone in on me, each of them embracing me in a loving and, honestly kind of smugly, way. \n\n“We’re *so* grateful for you,” says a version of me with a pair of John Lennon lenses and a black turtleneck. He’s balding (like me) but he owns it. \n\n“Thank you?” I say back to them. I’m so taken aback by their flattery that I almost forget about the absurdity of the situation, so I back away from them. \n\n“Whoa whoa whoa,” I say, fanning out my hands. “What the hell is going on? Who are you people?”\n\n“It’s obvious, isn’t it Jeremy?” asks Turtleneck. \n\n“Ah, bless him,” says another version of me with a silk purple shirt, white pants, and black boots. Apparently the Prince version of me. “I knew he was the worst version of us, but I didn’t think he was going to be this *dull*.”\n\n“Easy, Jeremy,” says the me who greeted me when I walked in. Clearly the most advanced of the seven of us. I don’t know how I know that, but he just seems like the version of me that has it all figured out. His hair is perfect, but not in your fave. His facial hair is in the perfect sweet spot between overgrown and afternoon stubble. His outfit was simple, yet sophisticated—a black t-shirt, dark jeans, and a pair of white Stan Smiths. And not just his outfit—he carries this energy about him that just oozes cool. I could feel it the moment our hands locked. \n\n“I’m sure it’s a little strange,” says Cool Jeremy, “seeing all these versions of you, sitting here in your living room.”\n\nI nod. \n\n“But you shouldn’t be alarmed, Jer. We *are* you.” \n\nA version of me with a pierced lip sniggers in the back corner.\n\n“Well,” says Cool Jeremy with a sheepish grin, “we’re *better* versions of you, I’m sorry to say.” \n\n“*What?*” \n\n“Objectively better, you see,” says Turtleneck. \n\n“In almost every category,” says Pierced Lip. \n\n“Speak for yourself,” Prince chimes in. \n\n“Speak for *your*self,” says Cool Jeremy with a wink. Prince rolls his eyes. \n\n“Excuse me,” I say. “Are you guys here to rub it in my face or what? Why the hell are you here?”\n\nThe rest of the gang stops what they’re saying and turns to me. They all look to Cool Jeremy to speak. \n\n“Well, Jer, like I said—we want to pay our respects. To you.” \n\n“Why?”\n\nCool Jeremy looks around at the rest of the group and then back to me. “Well,” he says, “the six of us here today are proof that multiple versions of you exist, right?”\n\nI take a gulp of air before answering. “I’m still coming to terms with it, but yes, it would appear multiple versions of me exist.” \n\nCool Jeremy turns to Prince Jeremy and says, “See? Not so dull, is he?” Then he turns back to me. “Unfortunately, the only differentiating factor between us and you is how our *luck* was distributed across realities.”\n\n“Luck?” \n\n“The only true commodity,” he says ruefully. “ one of us are in charge of how it’s distributed. That’s the nature of luck, you see.” \n\nI think about it for a moment. That actually kind of adds up. My life hasn’t exactly been a box of rainbows. But I always held onto the thought that “things could always be worse.” My dad always said it. But now, come to find out, this *is* the bottom. It’s almost freeing in a way. \n\n“He’s smiling,” says Pierced Lip, who sounds a little upset by that fact. \n\n“You were hoping for tears?” Turtleneck asks. \n\n“Always,” he says. \n\nCool Jeremy slaps a hand on my shoulder again and even though we’re the same height, he somehow lowers himself to match my gaze. \n\n“How you feeling?” he asks. \n\nI look to Pierced Lip. Then to Prince. And to the rest of the group. The rest of them are pretty quiet, looking around like they’re kind of bored. They look more my speed. \n\nAnd then beyond them was what looked like a massive cake with candles in it and everything. \n\n“Is that for me?” I ask. \n\nCool Jeremy smiles. “Cake from a different dimension,” he says. “Pretty cool, huh?”\n\nMy taste buds tickle the back of my mouth as I crave the sugar rush of the cake, but then my attention immediately gets pulled to my belly spilling over my jeans. Cool Jeremy notices. \n\n“Don’t worry about it,” he says with a playful nudge. “What’s the point of being the worst if you don’t even get to enjoy it?”\n\nHe has a point. So I ate the cake."
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[WP] On April 1st, everyone's body is suddenly swapped with a random person. You open your eyes, blood in your hands. You're in a murderer's body.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Half asleep in my bed, I continued mindlessly scrolling through my facebook feed. \n**April 1st 2morrow, tag the friend you want to swap bodies with!!**, was written in a post uploaded by some page. The comment section was filled with thousands of comments of people tagging their friends. I forgot that's even a thing. I never really cared for this odd tradition which for some reason happened every year for one whole day.I mean, sure, it is exciting to be able to experience a whole new life for one day, and I did have some fun with it, but all in all I think it makes for too much drama.I continued scrolling as my vision blurred, my eyes slowly closing, until my phone slipped from my grasp.\n\nI woke up. I'm sweating. I'm shaking. Okay, April 1st remember? Probably swapped with someone with an active lifestyle. I look at my surroundings. I don't recognize the house, which is weird. When we swap bodies we are supposed to swap minds too, memories and all. I look at my hands. Blood. There's blood everywhere, on my hands and on my shirt and pants. What the fuck is this? I take a look around the house, there's not much out of the ordinary. \n\nWhy, why don't I recgonize this place? I turn a corner and my heart is pounding. There's a person laying in a puddle of blood, a knife wedged in his back. My stomach turns. There's just so much blood on the floor, I almost slip as I approach it. Whoever that was, he's dead. I did a really good job bashing his head in, he looks like a deflated doll. One of his eyes is falling out of the socket, barely connected by some fleshy strings. The jaw seems to be shattered too, some teeth falling-\n\nI look away because I feel like vomiting my guts out. I hurry around the house searching for a toilet. As I suspend myself above the porcelain bowl, blood dripping from my face into the bluish water, I'm okay again. The sickness has gone away.\n\nI color the faucet red as I open it. The cold water feels good on my hands and face, cooling them. As I stare into the mirror the reality sinks in - I'm a killer. And I need to get out of here. I go back out to the kitchen, careful not to look at the mess I've done. I feel sorry for that person but I can't be held accountable for this. I didn't do this. I turn the doorknob and I realize my clothes are soaked in blood. I can't go out like this. \n\nI quickly search for clean clothes in a bedroom, I'm so nervous and jumpy I practically toss and throw clothes all over the room. I put on some jeans and a polo t-shirt. I look at my shoes and there's some droplets of blood. Don't care. Now I'm running across the front lawn. I reach to the road. This is some copy paste suburban neighboorhod. I have zero idea where I might be.\n\nI keep running along the road, try to make it look like I'm jogging. A police car wheezes past me, with an ambulance right behind it, sirens blaring. There's no way they're heading towards the house I just left, right?\n\nI take a left turn. Even more rows of identical houses, all cramped up and back to back. Even if they catch me, they gotta know it wasn't me, right? They know about April 1st, they have to know. \n\n\"Hey buddy!\", I hear from behind me and stop dead in my tracks. I turn around as casually as possible. \n\n\"Yeah?\" I say, as if I'm slightly annoyed that I'm being pestered during my morning jog. \n\n\"You're not from around here, right?\", he asks. \nIt's a big guy, balding, his green shirt stretches over his belly like a circus tent. He's working the lawn mower, the thing humming and vibrating under his thick arms. \n\n\"You just left my buddy Oscar's house, yeah?\" he asked, as if he already knew the answer. \n\nI stutter. \"No. I left my own house, just going to a friend down the street\", I say. I impress myself with the quick answer. I guess improv classes paid off somehow.\n \n\"Nah, no, you just left my buddy Oscar's house, I saw you. I saw you!\", he said, and crouched down to off his machine. He started walking towards me. \"How you know Oscar?\" He asked.\n\nI took off. I'm zooming down the street, that fat guy yelling behind my back. I run so fast on the asphalt road I'm afraid I'll trip and break my face. It will serve me right, but not while I'm in this body. I run and run and the rows of houses run alongside me. I reach a cul-de-sac and keep running into the woods behind it. \n\nIt's nice and cold in the woods, unlike the sticky heat of the unfiltered sun of the neighborhood. I don't have a wrist watch nor a phone, so I have no idea how much time I've left in this nightmare. And still, as I walk along the woods and bush, I think it could be a whole lot worse. I could swap bodies with a girl being raped. Or the guy that I murdered. I sat on a big rock and thought things over. Tomorrow, when this is all over, I'll be back to my old self. I should turn myself in. That way, that piece of shit scumbag murderer will be locked up. I'll do a service to society.\n\n But... what if we don't swap bodies again tomorrow? That thing was known to happen. A wave of anxiety washes over me. I decide against everything. No police. Just gotta survive the next couple of hours until we hopefully switch back.\n\nThe clock on the wall says it's now quarter to ten. It's dark outside, and I'm enjoying a slice of pizza in a small 'Pizza Boyz' store. I don't dare going back home. I make myself comfortable on a small park bench, and I'm so worn out from today that I fall asleep in minutes.\n\nI woke up. I'm in my bed, under my covers. I'm smiling, never been so happy to wake up as myself. I go downstairs to make myself some breakfast. Mom is crying in the kitchen, dad is hugging her, trying to calm her down. \n\n\"Your mother's brother was murdered yesterday\", he said quietly. I never took much interest in my parents' families, and I'm silently panicking. \n\n\"Uncle... Oscar?\" I try, praying to be wrong. \n\n\"What? No\", my dad says. \"Uncle Dennis\".\n\nMy mother burst out crying again. I'm relieved.",
"“You’re fucking kidding me.” \n\nThe smell of iron was overwhelming, and those were the only words she could get out before promptly shutting up, should the sharp smell trigger her gag reflex. \n\nThe blood was absolutely everywhere: on the walls, in the carpet (it was white, for Christ’s sake), under her nails. Probably in her hair too, but she didn’t dare search for a mirror. She knew she wasn’t in her own body anymore, she didn’t need visual confirmation for that. The hair in her face wasn’t her own dull-brown, for starters. It was an ashy blonde with paler highlights mixed in. She was also a lot taller, and had to get used to her height standing up. Lastly, she was in an apartment she’d never seen before, standing in front of a dead man she also hadn’t known a few seconds earlier. She kinda just… blinked, and there she was.\n\nIt must be the April Fools thing, she thought, grasping at anything to make sense of the situation. We’re all swapping bodies. Nobody said anything about switching back, though.\n\nSo she was quite possibly stuck here, dead body and all. She silently cursed the killer whose body she currently inhibited for getting away scot-free. Bitch must be celebrating right now, drinking my liquor.\n\nThere was no other option, then. She had to get rid of the body. She looked at it, and quickly went in search of a tarp or something to cover at least his face. His face wore a befuddled expression, mixed with a primal fear she’d never seen in a person before. What had happened? An argument that had gotten out of hand? No, it didn’t look like he had tried to fight back. A surprise attack, then. He had stab wounds in his belly and chest, so she hadn’t attacked him from the back. They were probably lovers, or at least acquainted, since he had trusted her—\n\nStab wounds. There was no knife or other sharp object. Where the fuck did she leave the weapon?\n\nThe search for a tarp was fast abandoned in favor of searching for the murder weapon, most likely something bloody and, well, sharp.\n\nThe blood on her hands was beginning to dry and stain, and once again she fought the urge to gag and puke on the floor. The only dead body she’d ever seen before was her grandma, and she had been all done-up and pretty for the wake. This was quite the difference: a man, barely cold, laying on an apartment floor. No eyes closed in peaceful slumber, but frantic eyes that stared into her soul with its cold absence.\n\nBefore she could open a drawer to search for a knife, there was a sharp knock at the door.\n\n“Hello, police? Open up, we got a call from a neighbor who said she’d heard screaming.” A male voice, clearly tired and wishing he were anywhere else but here. \n\nTrying to answer in a steady voice, it instead broke and came out choked. “Fine,” she croaked, holding back tears. “We’re all fine here.”\n\n“Ma’am? Please open up, or we’ll have to let ourselves in.”\n\n“No! We’re fine! Leave!” she yelled, a sudden fit or rage overcoming her. She was going hysteric, which was an unsurprising reaction, given the circumstances. Still, not the best reaction to an officer that already didn’t sound too trusting of you.\n\nThe answer to her angry reassurance was a loud thump on the door; the officer was trying to get in, and he probably wasn’t alone. He came in on the third thump, nearly taking the door off its hinges. \n\nThe small apartment left the dead man visible for all three agents to see. Their eyes flicked from his body to her bloody appearance. Her voice wavered, at a total loss for words. \n\n“Eh, April Fools?”"
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[WP] In order to destroy Earth's civilizations to make it easier to colonize, aliens send their strongest superweapon to Earth in order to destroy it from the inside. Unfortunately for them, the weapon bonded with Earth and will now do anything to protect Earth and its life.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\nIt was one of a kind, this weapon; a seemingly human figure, possessing flesh and blood, but there was one thing that separated this being from humans; it had an impossibly fast reaction time coupled with strength and agility. It could manipulate EM fields and disable pretty much anything that had anything to do with electricity. A marvelous creation conceived by only the most advanced races of the known universe: the Valqods. Koltn smiled at his invention which was the product of over two years of work. \"It seems like your creation is coming along nicely,\" said a voice behind him. Koltn turned to see the fleet commander, Ryker walking up to him. \"Yes commander,\" said Koltn, \"It is not long until we are ready to deploy him to Earth.\" Ryker had a satisfied look on his face, \"Alright then, keep the progress going! I need it ready by the time we reach Earth's natural satellite.\" \n\nAfter a month of travelling at lightspeed, the Imperial Fleet of the Valqods placed itself in orbit of Earth's moon, away from the humans' early warning systems, which weren't designed to detect objects far outside the earth's atmosphere. Soon, the cyborg weapon, code-named N1 was ejected out of the mothership in a self-propelled capsule. The plan: Send N1 to earth to shut down all earth's defence systems to allow the fleet to launch attacks undetected and conquer the human solar system.\n\nN1's capsule appeared on the human's early warning system, but it was perceived as a meteor and wasn’t fired upon. White-hot plasma engulfed the capsule as it hit the upper atmosphere, slowly ablating its heat-shield. Despite being an advanced race, the Valqods still required conventional heat shields to land on planets with an atmosphere. Ryker had already selected a suitable landing site for N1 somewhere in a desert. From there, N1 would make its way to civilisation and blend in with the population, and from there, over a course of 3 years, he would travel around the world, pillaging and disabling critical military installations before returning to the mothership after the first strike had been delivered.\n\nJets of smoke shot out from beneath the capsule as it eased itself onto a large plateau in the designated landing zone. Valqod technicians aboard the mothership began N1’s boot sequence and soon, he was on the move, heading towards China. Things were going well, until one day, the Valqods lost all contact with N1. Ryker tried to hope for the best case scenario where N1 had just had a hard fall and his comms unit was knocked out. The technicians were trying their best to re-establish contact.\n\nUnknown to the Valqods, a virus was sweeping through the human population and China was currently the worst affected. When N1 arrived, unknowingly in the city of Wuhan, he saw empty streets with no one bustling around. A couple of police officers yelled at him to get indoors and that the city was “under lockdown”. N1 was immune to diseases as he was artificial, but in an effort to blend in, and with his capabilities, he disguised himself as a health official and entered a nearby hospital. There, he saw people in their hundreds, dead or dying. Now, N1 was programmed to not show sympathy towards humans, but he was also programmed to evolve. He saw how the humans helped each other during such situations and came to the conclusion that this race had nothing to do with the Valqods and their conquest of the universe as they were so minor that they were practically ants towards the Valqods and posed no threat. N1 had evolved and decided to aid the humans. He had also been programmed to have medical knowledge and some healing capabilities. But, first things first, he disabled his killswitch and deliberately fried his comms unit. One by one the people he helped had started recovering and the city was reopened a few months later. He became one of the most influential doctors in the fight for the virus and was dispatched with a team to Europe to help patients there.\n\nAboard the mothership still orbiting the moon, Ryker had come to the conclusion that their practically indestructible robot had indeed been destroyed by the human race. Ryker presumed that the human race was a hundred times more advanced than their civilisation and was now afraid that they would soon engage in a battle that they had no chance of winning. “Full speed ahead, set course for K143. We are heading home ASAP” he said to the navigators. The Valqods continued their conquest of the universe, but went well out of their way to avoid the human race.\n\nAnd so far, N1 is still in Europe, dealing with the virus and the humans have yet to encounter any alien race despite extensive searches.",
"Operation Awakening was supposed to be simple. Not only did we destroy the previous civilization of giant lizards with a meteor, but that meteor was a ship for our greatest creation, GAIA. \n\nGAIA was truly our greatest weapon, a moon-sized beast, able to send focused energy to the surface of a planet from the planet's center, destroying any scrap of civilization that the meteor fall left in not just a giant beam, but in a great fissure, a literal mountain, and in so many other ways that escape my memory. Any fragments of civilization left would live in constant fear of GAIA's power. After complete obliteration, GAIA would make its way out of the planet to make its way back home.\n\nGAIA allowed us to take over most of our star cluster with ease. Just a simple \"Become a part of our empire, or we will send GAIA\" would cause any intelligent life to submit to us.\n\nThe Solians were not intelligent, as they just laughed off our \"submission threats.\" So, for the first time in generations, we sent GAIA.\n\nA few days after GAIA destroyed them, something truly frightening happened.\n\nGAIA did not come home.\n\nOur top scientists re-examined the code, and found nothing wrong. We tried establishing communication, but only got \\*MISSION INCOMPLETE\\* from GAIA.\n\nAfter 60 million of Sol 3's revolutions around Sol, we landed to try and figure out what was happening.\n\nOnce setting up a few great bases like Ever Rest, Atlantis, and the biggest, the Grand Base, we did some research into the life of Sol 3.\n\nAnd found the makings of a civilization. This would not do.\n\nOur weapons horribly outclassed theirs. The first few battles were more like bloodbaths.\n\n\\*CONTINUE, AND YOU WILL HAVE TO FIGHT AT THEIR EVOLUTIONARY LEVEL\\*\n\nWe got that message on all our visors and the Mainframes after the first few bloodbaths, and were scared at where it came from. Our best guess was an enemy with tremendous cloaking powers. We were right, but not in the way we wanted.\n\nWe ignored those messages, and now, only the Mainframes and satellites remain after an EMP blast destroyed everything else electronic. \n\nWe still fought against the \"civilization\", with actual deaths from them, as all our tech was destroyed.\n\n\\*CONTINUE, AND FACE THE WRATH OF EARTH HERSELF\\*\n\nDue to our stupidity, everyone on Operation Awakening was going to die.\n\nThe first base to go was Atlantis, destroyed by a beam of energy. That confirmed our enemy. \nThe Grand Home fell into a nearly planet-splitting fissure.\n\nAnd finally, Fort Ever Rest was going to rest forever under a mountain.\n\nBefore the weight crushed Ever Rest, one last message was sent, one that would deter any life that valued survival from even taking one step onto this planet.\n\n\\*EVER INVADE SOL 3, AND GAIA - NO, EARTH - WILL DESTROY YOUR WORLD\\*",
"Blyzewicz couldn’t believe her eyes reading the report of the first strike force that was sent to earth. Ages ago pods with the fiercest weapon of the Zinteks had been sent to that odd green-blue planet, to ensure whatever life was there would be weakened for a future invasion. It was supposed to be just a quick detour, and as such it had taken a while before they got to actually invading the planet, having been waging interstellar war elsewhere. But every time, the strategy had been successful. Send in pods of parasites to tear up the world from within, weakening the sentient races to the point of easy subdual.\n\nBut here, something had gone wrong, and now it was up to Blyzewicz to write up the report to be sent back home about the failures. Taking the various reports that now rolled in on her holo display, she started gathering the vital information from each of them. No matter which area of the planet her kin had landed on, the result had been the same. And it horrified her, reading how the parasites they had sent were now the very beings working to defend the planet. What if, she wondered, this would happen on those worlds they had subjugated? What if they’d rise against the Zinteks there as well? Hurriedly she started swiping the words together to get a report for her superiors.\n\n*Conquer Terra Log 113:AC – Stardate 272.556.111*\n\nDismal failure. Strike teams landed on the planet named Terra, third from Sol, expecting to find feeble beings ready for the conquering. A civilization was found that had not even made it to the stars, as was projected. However, Terra was defended not just by these primitive but warlike beings, but also by our own parasites, sent to Terra in 271.498.831. \n\nUncertain as how to proceed. Resources on Terra do not suffice risking more lives. Diplomatic measures may be needed so we can find out how they managed to bond with our parasites, as to prevent this from happening elsewhere in our conquests. Fear among the soldiers that they can still turn against us, having seen what happened on Terra.\n\nRequesting all parasite deployments to be stopped in the meantime. Project Dogs has to be examined for further flaws before continuing.\n\n-Blyzewicz"
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[WP]You awaken to the sight of three iron doors and a sore arm. Looking around, you see a vent with a small piece of paper lodged in the grate. It reads ...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Welcome to your Pathway™ experience! To proceed with the puzzle, please remove this grate. Good luck on your Pathway™ adventure! -The Architect\"\n\nWhat the hell? You don't remember signing up for anything, much less something like this. You've always hated escape rooms. You look down to your sore arm and see that the number 23 is tattooed on your skin.\n\nAfter pacing around the small room, you think to yourself, what the hell. You open the grate and find a key inside. Unfortunately, none of the doors have locks. You reach further into the vent, but to no avail. The smooth walls, the hum of the fluorescent lights, it's painful.\n\nIn a fit of confused rage, you throw the key as hard as you can against the wall. It manages to lodge itself into what you thought was concrete. Upon further inspection, the faster something moves into this wall the softer it becomes. *The doors were a lie.*\n\n*Should I do it?* you think to yourself. After a few minutes of pondering, you run full speed into the wall. Your body passes through the soft material. \n\nAs your head emerges from the other side, you see a frail old man sitting in front of many monitors. He slowly turns around with a nonchalant face. \"You weren't supposed to make it this far.\" He says weakly. Your head suddenly starts ringing and you pass out.\n\nYou awaken to the sight of three iron doors and a sore arm. You look down, and the number 24 is tattooed on your skin."
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[WP] You're a defense lawyer in a fantasy world. You typically deal with small offenses like accidental magic arson or riding a pegasus without a permit. One day, an infamous necromancer comes to you for help clearing his name.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The first thing Albert Moore did when he got into his small and decrepit office was plop down with a heavy sigh into that God forsaken thing he called a desk chair. Albert was hardly a morning person, and that was none more true than this morning as he begrudgingly started listening to the voicemails of potential new clients.\n\n“First unheard message,” said the machine as he nursed a cup of coffee that was far too bitter.\n\nHe hadn’t always been like this, he used to have a passion for being a defense attorney, but after years of spending more time dealing with idiots who never took a basic magic safety training course than people who actually needed his help, Moore quickly became dispassionate with his mundane job. When he was young, he thought he would help those oppressed by the system -- people who *truly* needed help; instead, he had to take care of some idiot who got his hands on a fireball spell and burned his neighbors house down, and the clients on his messenger were more of the same: “I dabbled in storm summoning and now my whole apartment complex is destroyed, can you please help?” or “the love potion I used on my coworker went all wrong. I need your help.”\n\nAlbert saved most of the messages he got. If he never found a client that actually gave him a modicum of sympathy, he could at least pick a couple of easy wins to keep him afloat. Other than that, he no longer hoped for an opportunity to make any real change in the world. That is, until he got to a voicemail that chilled him to the bone.\n\n“Hello Mr. Moore,” said a raspy voice anyone in York Kingdom would recognize, “I’ve done quite a bit of digging, and I think you’re the only one in this city who might be able to help me. Please call back, my life depends on it.”\n\nAlbert saved the message and hung up the answering machine, before rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and getting up to pace. He didn’t know what to make of it, it was obvious who had called, it’s why he didn’t leave a name -- anyone would recognize the voice of Mal Kearney: the most infamous Necromancy in York Kingdom, as well as one of the most wanted by the MPA or Magic Protection Agency. What he didn’t understand was why in the world *the* Mal Kearney was coming to him for help? He had never defended a client as important as Kearney and he had never done anything that would make him sought after by a client with such a tough case, and yet in the message he made it seem like Albert was his last hope. That was another thing, he had never imagined hearing Mal Kearney so desperate and scared, and the person he went to help for was him.\n\nA part of Albert wanted to delete the message and forget it ever happened. Getting involved with someone like Kearney would get himself way over his head. At the same time, isn’t that exactly what he always wanted? Maybe now he could actually do some good in the world. In the end, he figured it was at least worth checking out, to hear Mal Kearney’s story and figure out why he would bother with someone like him.\n\nWhen he called the Necromancer’s number back, it went straight to voicemail. A voicemail that was specifically made for him, apparently, because the voice he heard back said, “I’m so glad you decided to call back Mr. Moore. I’ll meet you at your place on West 3rd Street in a half hour. See you then.”\n\nKnowing that someone from the most wanted knew his home address made Albert sick to his stomach, but what else was he to do except head back to his place and hope he didn’t get killed and turned into a ghoulish puppet for the notorious Mal Kearney.\n\nThe necromancer was already there to greet him by the time Albert got home, which frustrated Albert a great deal, he had hoped he would have time to prepare himself before the Necromancer intruded into his place of residence. Instead, a pale man stood in the corner of his living room, wrapped in a cloak as black as night, with a hood that could be pulled up to cover his face.\n\n“Hello Mr. Moore,” came that same creaky voice he had heard over the phone.\n\n“Hello… Mr. Kearney,” Albert said hesitantly, unsure how to address the man.\n\n“Please, call me Mal.”\n\n“Likewise.”\n\n“You want me to call you Mal too?” the necromancer said, feigning confusion.\n\n“No, I want you to call me Albert instead of Mr. Moore,” he shot back in over dramatic exasperation.\n\n“Of course. Well, Albert, I need your help clearing my name in court.”\n\nAlbert laughed, this had to be some kind of joke, “clear your name? Of all the violations against the Protocols of the Adepts that you’ve committed? And how do you expect me to do that?”\n\n“Listen Albert, I’ve been framed. I’ve never committed an illegal act of magic in my life, and I have the evidence to prove it.”\n\n“And who is the person that is supposedly framing you,” Albert asked skeptically.\n\n“Not person, *persons*,” Mal explained, “I’m being framed by the MPA.”\n\n“The MPA? How convenient! The organization that wants to bring you to justice just so happens to be the same group of people that’ve framed you.”\n\nKearney gave a pitiful smile, revealing a set of bone white teeth, “it’s nice to hear someone talk when they’re so innocent to the evil in the world. ‘Justice’ and ‘truth’ and ‘good’. This is why I came to you Albert, I think you’re one of the few people they can’t bribe or threaten their way through. You’re just a little too principled for that.”\n\nThe defense attorney shook his head, it was too much to take in at once, “ok fine, let’s just say for the sake of argument that the MPA is trying to frame you. Why?”\n\n“Because I caught them using highly illegal magic,” Mal said.\n\n“Like necromancy?” Albert retorted, dripping in sarcasm.\n\nMal’s face went dark and he suddenly seemed to get much more serious, “it wouldn’t be so bad if they were just using necromancy,” he said, pulling out a black folder from his cloak and set it on the table, “they’re dealing in blood magic.”\n\nHe turned away, letting the seriousness of what he just said fill the room like a dark cloud. Albert’s stomach dropped and his blood ran cold as he looked down at the black folder. What was he going to see? Could the MPA really be committing such a serious crime against magic and humanity? Blood magic was considered one of the most vile forms of magic, using the blood of oneself -- or more commonly, the blood of others -- to use as a conduit for powerful spells. It went against every law, regulation, and code across the world. It went against every conventional form of morality in the world. Albert steeled himself for what he was going to see, but he couldn’t imagine the horror of it. Blood farms.\n\n“People go missing. Homeless, outcasts, junkies, and nobodies. No one notices, but it’s good enough for what they need -- most of the time,” Mal said, explaining everything he had discovered, “they drain the blood, and use it for their spells. It’s how they keep control, it’s how they got into power in the first place. Once I found out, that made me enemy number one. I went to plenty of lawyers and officials with this info, but it turns out a bribe or blackmail can stop just about any chance of getting help. Then they started framing me for crimes of necromancy to discredit me, and here I am, sneaking into the house of a small time lawyer.”\n\nAlbert looked through the photos and the files, he knew the things he saw today were things that would keep him up at night for years to come, but it also sparked something in him, something he hadn’t felt since he graduated from law school: a need to make things right.\n\n“I hope to every spell in the book that you have a plan, because we’re gonna need one,” Albert said, looking up at Mal Kearney with new eyes, “you need to give me every photo, every file, every scrap of evidence you have. We have a lot of work to do.”\n\nMal returned his gaze with a determined smile set on his face, “It’s good to be working with you then, Mr. Moore.”\n\n​\n\n​\n\n​\n\nthis is my first ever writing prompt response. So any advice or constructive criticism is much appreciated, I hope you enjoy.",
"\"The precedents set don't put this in your favor, you do know this, yes?\"\n\n\"That's the whole point of this. Those precedents were set over *200 years ago.* Things have changed. People have changed. One always hopes these changes have been for the better - and I feel it's time to try. I feel the time is right to make the challenge again.\"\n\nJacob, the public defense lawyer assigned to Necromant, ran his hands through his hair, bringing them to a stop at the back of his neck for a quick scratch.\n\n\"Still... you could have committed the act in a less dramatic way. It was very public - if nothing this is still very controversial. We haven't had a necromancer raise a child in this city in almost-\"\n\n\"Almost 200 years. I know.\"\n\n\"And you are aware of what the penalty is for this crime right now? If I can't win this for you you're going to-\"\n\n\"Die. Yes. I know that as well.\"\n\nNecromant laid one of his boney, necrotic fingers along a pendant that hung from his neck. His attention shifted from the conversation to his thoughts as he twisted the pendant back and forth while examining it closely. An eerie green glow emanated from the pendant with a light purple mist leaking out as well. The mist dispersed a few millimeters from the pendant, seemingly without a trace. Catching himself before he was too far gone in thought, he continued.\n\n\"I believe I have lived a long life. A colorful life. One that has lasted much longer than a regular person ever could have dreamed for...\"\n\nNecromant tucked the pendant away into his shirt. Although his shirt was made of a very light material, practically see-through in the light, it surprisingly hid the glow from the pendant almost entirely.\n\n\"And you learn a lot in a lifetime. A normal one I mean. You learn many things you don't expect to learn, and they change you. Fundamentally, they change you and make you something you never would have guessed you could become. It doesn't have to be bad. Even bad things happening don't mean you have to become bad. To become hard like many do.\"\n\n\"And it is just that.\" chimed in Jacob \"It's a hard world. And here in this city we've created something amazing - a bastion where order and logic rule above everything else. People are going to be very reluctant to see anything make a change to that order. Even a change you may feel is for the better-\"\n\n\"It *is* for the better.\" Necromant snapped \"And if you don't feel the same way about it then I ca-\"\n\n\"Oh, no. I'm sorry to cut you off here, but I am with you on this. This is an old law from an old time.\"\n\nThe necromancer was taken aback by the comment, his jaw hanging slightly in awe. With a small shake of his head, he looked down at the ground to try and hide a smile that formed.\n\n\"Like I said... it feels like the right time. And I know the other's will not be the ones to do this - to put themselves on the line for this change.\"\n\nNecromant's gaze turned to the windows. The sun was shining through the filtered window, its tints obscuring the movement on the busy street outside. Silhouettes of many different creatures, shape and size, passed by in a blurr.\n\n\"Like I mentioned earlier, that's probably because this is outlawed and punishable by death. I know you said you knew that, but I want to make sure you fully comprehend what it is you're trying to do here. It's like we're trying to blow all the sand out of the desert with our breaths.\"\n\n\"Tell me, Lawyer, have you ever heard of Necrim the Unbound?\"\n\nThe lawyer's eyebrows furrowed as he eyed Necromant suspiciously.\n\n\"Of course. Everyone has heard of her. She was slain only a week or two ago by the Adventurer's Guild.\"\n\n\"And do you remember *why* it was the she was slain?\"\n\nThe lawyer thought deeply on the topic for a moment before giving up.\n\n\"No. I don't really remember. All I recall is the victory celebration. Things like that happen probably once or twice a week so it's hard to really recall the specifics.\"\n\nNecromant's head turned to face Jacob once more.\n\n\"She was slain simply for having been a known necromancer. She had raised the livestock some farmers had been using for field work. They had died and without them the farmers would have been unable to tend their fields. Word got out, the story was twisted and mutated by prejudice and hate, and they tracked her down and \"slayed\" her in her bed as she slept.\"\n\nNecromant once more laid his finger across the pendant he wore under the shirt it hid beneath.\n\n\"At least, that's what they told everyone when they brought her head back to town. Tell me, do you know why she was called '*The Unbound*'?\"\n\nJacob shook his head no.\n\n\"Because her soul was not bound to her body. Long ago, when first I met her dying in the streets she and I made a pact. I promised her life everlasting for as long as she wanted, and in exchange she needed to live a good life. She would hunger for nothing, thirst for nothing, need for nothing, and so she would have only time to live a good life. In exchange for this she was to give me the last flame of her true life, and with it I bound it to this pendant. For safe keeping.\"\n\n\"You mean she is in...\" Jacob roughly pointed towards Necromant's chest \"*that*? Right there?\"\n\n\"Yes. And it is a lonely place to be.\"\n\n\"So why haven't you just... y'know... brought her back?\"\n\n\"Were it so simple. Without a willing host to attach it to I'm afraid there is no way. And I'm not one to form a cult for it either. I'm not so far gone.\"\n\n\"So why keep her in there then?\"\n\nNecromant laughed aloud, deeply from his belly. \n\n\"It's not just her in there anymore. I'm afraid the process to get her in here requires something of... an equivalent exchange. For better or for worse, she and I share a fate. We will either be together in this plane or in the next.\"\n\n\"So you're... in there with her?\"\n\n\"And should I be put to death, only its devine obliteration would be sufficient.\"\n\nThe two of them sat in silence in Jacob's office. The air between them was thick, heavy with possibilities of the future. Necomant once more broke the silence.\n\n\"No others will come forward for something like this. They've simply accepted the way things are, ignorant to what could be. Or if they aren't, they're afraid to try. We've been driven into our dungeons and our hiding holes, to keep ourselves and ours safe we stay away from the light of day. And it is in these holes and dungeons that rumors come, and with rumors the call for glory and riches. Plundering and murder. And for some of us, dealing with this relentless onslaught has poisoned our minds. It made our minds immune to humanity through slow and deliberate actions. It made us into the monsters you celebrate in death. In an odd way, its the celebrations that ritualize our deaths. They've become like our funerals. And for some of us, we deserve better. We deserve to feel warmth again.\"\n\nNecromant stood from his chair, and reached his hand out to Jacob.\n\n\"So, do you think we can make the world a better place together?\"\n\nJacob stood from his chair as well and clasped Necromant's arm.\n\n\"We can certainly try. How much sand is there *really* in a desert anyway?\""
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[WP] As is well known demons can only be permanently killed in their home plane, thus some of the best demon hunters often follow their prey into the bowels of hell itself, becoming as terrifying to the demons as the demons are to mortals
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"(Bad formatting because I'm on mobile same with spelling)\nLOG START Humanity stood no chance. When the hell gates opened they spewed demons and warped earth into a literal hell. Most beloved that this was a punishment form god for our sins which is a reasonable assumption considering the nature of the invaders. However I and others refuse to belilive that this can not be explained through science. I am a scientist who worked on a project to find what caused the gates. We learned that these gates where from another dimension much like the Christian hell. The gates not only brought demons from this world but also corrupts the world into a copy of this dimension. We still had not found the cause so research continued. Until one day we say a entity on one of our cameras. He wasn't a demon from what we could see of his face though he had speed strength and stamina surpassing one. We have seen on multiple occasions of him ripping demons with his bare hands WITH HIS HANDs. Incredible we have never seen anything like this. LOG END \n\nSTART LOG we got our hands on some demonic text originating in the other dimention. We can desifer the language but judging from the picture we can tell who it is. It is the same man holding his shotgun and a demon head in the other. What ever he is the demons must fear him. END LOG \n \nLOG START the entity has continued his onslaught taking on almost thousands of demons without a scratch. He appears to gain stronger weapons. His armors is begining to change as well the once light green hue as become a dark green that exposes his forearms. Some of the staff worship him as a god. Whether he comes from divine origins is up for debate but his power and strength are staggering still. He continues his March. END LOG. \n \nLOG START the entity has arrived at the facility when we were being raided by demons. I have seen him fight on camera but seeing him in person is beyond words. To put it frankly it was a massacre. He shot a almost endless amount of bullets at demons and then tore them with his hands to end there lives. The strange this is it appeared as if he healed himself when he did this. I had been hiding in a closet at then time so I could not get a good visual. When the fight was over we asked him questions or for his name but he never spoke nor stopped for us he only walked towards the next hell gate END LOG\n\nSTART LOG I was wrong he truly is a god. He has come to save us all. He is our lord through and through hail the lord hail the slayer.",
"I sat on my sofa, the blinds completely drawn so as to leave me in near darkness. I took a long pull of beer, then discarded the bottle. My head pounded.\n\n*I hope this is worth it.*\n\nI knew the pills would set in soon. All I had to do now was idly pass the time. My eyes were drawn to the golden badge on my table, shrouded by bottles and other such garbage. I picked it up fondly, and turned it over in my hands.\n\nAs a kid, I'd always knew I wanted to become a police officer. I guess I'd always had a protective instinct, and who could blame me? Even now, the thought of losing another family member made me sick.\n\nI hope they could understand. That I was doing this for them, for the greater good.\n\nEnforcing law on Earth had been fulfilling, but I'd always had a gnawing at the back of my mind: could I be doing more? Is this pointless?\n\nI set the badge down, too overwhelmed by memories from the precinct. My heads began to sweat. To distract myself, I unsheathed my blade, holding its familiar metal handle tightly, running my fingertips over the carving of a small skull, tiny emeralds studded in its sockets.\n\nJust as I was admiring this, an invisible fist punched me in the gut hard. Then another. And another. Until I was being attacked by a flurry of invisible men. Yet I only held my knife tighter. Then black.\n\nI woke up exactly where I expected. The cold, musty smell of my apartment was gone, replaced with a refreshing heat. I smiled and looked down at my hand, still clutching my knife. It glinted in the crimson light, and I felt a wave of energy pulsate through me.\n\nA dark, horned figure caught my eye; it was stalking in the shadows. I smiled.\n\nIt was a rough journey, but now it's time to give them hell.",
"There are many Demon Hunters in this world. Most can only banish them back to Hell, but a few gain a true taste for it, and their names becomes legends, their stories become myths.\n\nAfter all it takes a dangerous man to survive in hell long enough to kill a demon and leave. What kind of man can make archdemons cower in fear and make demons repent their sins? To strike fear in fear incarnate and death to the deathless. I can tell you such a tale, the man's name is lost to time, but he is known by one name, DOOMGUY.",
"The Gates of Perdition have been sealed. The debts of unholy bargains remain unclaimed. Every possible means of egress between The Pit and the realm of Emanations has been closed.\n\nHell, you see, is at war. War with a terrible and unstoppable force, a wrathful Hand called down to the inferno to smite the motes in Divinity’s perfect nature. But this Hand is not Almighty, nor is it the will of Providence, it is something ineffably less righteous.\n\nIt is the actions of a single Hell-Bound Soul that have condemned the Realm of Condemnation. A single soul, its heart beating with a cold and meticulous hatred, fashioning his own two hands into the Anvil that shattered the will of Hell itself.\n\nHis name is Thorn, and he will see Hell emptied before he is done.\n\n—\n\n]:( I didn’t like this, but it’s better than not posting it at all.",
"First came one. Now there are many. Endless eons ago, the first human to be called a slayer came to Hell entirely by accident. Cast from the light of the world above for some profane transgression, this man fell to us. We fully expected to have us some sport, but he had other ideas.\n\nHundreds of our number fell to his blade before he was redeemed and allowed to return to his world. And so the tradition of Slayers began.\n\nNow, they come not with blades, but with other, stranger weapons that our kind know nothing of, save that they can kill at distance and with speed, with a roar that can drown out the cries of the smallest of our number. Where hundreds once fell, now countless thousands litter the fields. Our numbers are infinite, but their ferocity knows no limits either.\n\nHowever, the humans remain mortal in our realm as well. We kill many, and few are redeemed as the First Slayer was of old. Yet still they come, in their hundreds. I doubt that this is a war of attrition that we can win.",
"\nWhen one traveled deep enough into Hell, it was easy to forget that it wasn’t Earth. When the cry of screaming souls began to fade, and the harsh red sky faded into black, I could have been anywhere if not for the heat that begged to burn the skin off my bones. \n\nThere were no plants in Hell, but the towering black rocks and glowing rivers of magma were beautiful in their own right. There were even stars, but they were constantly shifting and certainly no friend to those like me. They implored me to take the wrong path, to travel in the wrong direction. To forever wander the labyrinth until my soul went mad and begged to join the damned if only to have an anchor to something real. \n\nI knew plenty of hunters who lost themselves in Hell. The few who made it back to Earth were never the same. They babbled on in languages unknown to the human tongue, and they stared through things as though they had been stripped of their ability to perceive reality as it truly was. Or maybe they were the enlightened ones, cursed to see the true nature of our plane.\n\nI’d been traveling the expanses of Hell for so long I didn’t need the glow of the rivers to guide my feet. The sword I kept strapped to my back was as familiar a weight as my own arms and legs. That was another mistake too many hunters made: mortal weapons had no effect on the creatures that prowled the Dark Plane. But a good sword, crafted from dark iron and blessed with the pain of the damned, was perhaps the deadliest weapon in any plane.\n\nThe demon I hunted now was a slippery thing. It didn’t have the brute strength that was so prized by its kind, but it had slipped through the smallest crack between my plane and its own, assuming I wouldn’t dare follow it into Hell. \n\nIt didn’t know I was still hunting it. Otherwise, I was sure it would have been moving far faster. Demons were perhaps the only thing more selfish than humans, and ever since discovering that death in their plane was a permanent one, they’d taken precautions to ensure that humans couldn’t reach them in their dark home.\n\nAfter an eternity of following an invisible path, I caught sight of a shadowy form ahead. My sword was silent as I drew it, and its presence in my hand was like a puzzle piece clicking into place. I could hardly remember a time when I hadn’t been slipping in and out of this plane, hunting the demons that took such pleasure in the pain of my people.\n\nJust as demons had power in the human plane, I had power in theirs. My footsteps were as silent as a fresh snowfall, my sword colder than the coldest ice. In this plane, I was Death, slayer of the flame. If they were a wildfire blazing through my world, I was a hoarfrost creeping through theirs. \n\nThe demon never saw me coming. It never stood a chance. My sword was through its heart with a single motion, and it was dead before it had a chance to cry out. \n\nAs its body fell to the ground with a thud, I felt a pang in my gut. I missed the days when I was young and full of fire and rage. Each encounter was a perfect dance, two flickering flames fighting to triumph over the other. How was I supposed to know that spending so much time in this plane would begin to eat away at my humanity? After so long with ice flowing through my veins, the very things that made me human froze over.\n\nHow many years had I spent in the darkness since that first fateful day? And yet, my body was strong as ever. My sword was sharp as ever, my mind as quick. How long until Earth no longer felt like my home? Certainly there was a part of me that already felt more comfortable in the Dark World than I ever did there. \n\nNo wonder the demons coveted the human plane.\n\nBut I was Death. Slayer of the flame. Killer of demons. Guardian of humanity. If I never saw the light again, then by the Darkness I would see to it that the demons couldn’t have it either.",
"“Wrath. \nThey say it will damn you, yes, but does that really matter when the subject of your wrath is a creature of such vile wickedness that they are from the progenitor of all evil itself? Yes, actually. For wrath is wrath, regardless of your intent, leading to a rather interesting scenario in which those that devote themselves to the extermination of evil invariably become a part of it themself, perhaps too strong to overcome by those that follow. \nThat makes me wonder, if I might venture so far to ask you, have you considered this? Have you considered that by slaying demons with such vitriol that you are damning yourself to take the place of that which you once despised, only to fight with the same rigor against those you one sought to protect? Wouldn’t it be wiser and more appropriate for you to act as the shield rather than the sword?”\n\nThe cowering demon’s jaw clamps shut, hoping desperately that the armored figure looming in front of them would heed their warning. Were they talking out of their own ass? Without a doubt. Would the armored figure buy it? With any luck, hopefully.\n\nThe armored figure takes a single step towards the demon, its metal boot clanking ominously on the stone floor. The demon looks around nervously, knowing that it can’t fight and it can only potentially run away. The armored figure takes one more step up to the demon and reaches down, grabbing the demon by the throat and lifting them up. The figure stares at the demon’s face, until the slayer takes off its helmet and the demon shrieks in terror.\n\nThe figure’s face looks mutilated, like it was once human but is now something else. The lower half of its face looks burned, while the upper half has patches of the purple leathery skin typical of demons. Above the figure’s left eye is a four inch horn, and that very eye is a flaming red even as the other is brown. The figure bares their teeth, showing that all of them are pointed, as if they were developing into fangs but not quite there. \n\nThe figure speaks in a low, rumbling voice as if it were opening a long sealed tomb. Their voice is ragged and wispy, like they had torn their vocal chords or they hadn’t spoken in years. “I know full well the price I pay. I was damned to begin with.” The figure slams the demon on the ground before crushing their head beneath its boot. The demon hunter dons their helmet and turns around, seeing the field before them. There are hundreds of these things down there, unaware of the reckoning coming their way. The figure adjusts the golden chains dangling from the broken manacles attached to its arms. The slayer slowly walks down the hill and towards the hill, gripping the chains tightly. \n\nThese monsters are the reason the demon slayer is like this, the reason *he* became an *it* and literally fell from grace. It doesn’t care if this is wrath, this is justice. The demons and the angels damned the demon slayer, and there will be Hell to pay.\n\n(Criticism is both welcome and appreciated, I hope you enjoyed reading. If you want to read more of my work, check out my subreddit at r/SikoraWrites)",
"We know them too well, in their green suits against the crimson fires, descending here from their land of blue and green. Their techniques are many, and they are motivated by having our blood on their hands, but we adapt and we survive. We haven't survived this long by being stupid, after all.\n\nLooks like this one's a fighter. He's using everything on his tall, bulky frame, opening fire first. Some of us are cut down, but there are many of us. Then, the sword, and when it is inevitably knocked away, the combat knife. Purple blood is spilled all over us, but we persist. We hunt down the foolhardy humans who think themselves our equals. After all, we only really die when down here. And we fight to protect this land for our sons and daughters.\n\nEventually, of course, even his blades are broken, and he resorts to pummeling us with his fists and his firearm. He must have killed hundreds of us by now, but we are many. We are a whole legion upon one warrior. Yet, within his legs and hands I sense something familiar. I see the moves that I have used; spinning kicks, groin attacks, neck snaps... Everything is aimed for the head. I've only taught this to a few of my followers.\n\nAnd even longer after that, our opponent tires, and is knocked to the ground.\n\n\"Foolish mortal, coming here where we are strongest,\" I hiss. \"You'll see the strength of your opponents with your own two eyes.\"\n\nI crack open the helmet. Three eyes stare back, a trifecta that once looked up to me with respect, but now in rage. Now, it all makes sense. Why else would my own human slaying moveset be used by other people?\n\n\"Son. Why would you do this?\" I cannot even scream. I'm at a loss for words.\n\n\"The humans offered me a better deal!\" I can't bear to hear these words from my own flesh and blood. \"They will win... the prophecies have foretold it. I only joined the winning side, as you would have wanted, Father.\" \n\nHis head falls, and the green suit suddenly feels a lot lighter. After all, demons can only be killed in their own realm, the realm that we have fought so hard to protect for our sons and daughters."
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[WP] Everyone stops ageing at 25. After that, people will only age when they meet their one true love. You and your significant other were always sure you two were that for each other, but after 20 years neither one of you seems to have aged.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It's our twentieth anniversary. Twenty years!\n\nI reach over broad shoulders, tighten his tie, placing soft kisses on his neck. We both look into the mirror. He nuzzles his head into my cheek.\n\nHe has this delicate stripe of gray. I call it his wizard streak. That all his knowledge, charm, and magic was kept in this solitary lock of hair. I love how it shimmers in the sun, how it contrasts in his deep rich coffee toned hair. Who knows how many nights I spent inhaling it, swearing it smelled the same tone it invoked.\n\nThis strand started developing at 22 when we first started dating. And surely I expected it to grow with each birthday. I found a few more over the next few birthdays. \n\n\"Jacob, you're such a picker.\" He says every time. He hates it but he lets me pluck out each stray silver strand that wasn't in this crop, lets me pick at every scab and spot on his back. \n\nOn his 26th birthday, we laid in bed for a while. My version of pillow talking is having his head in my lap. He tells me of his woes. How his mother micro-manages him and his boss reminds him off the same. Tells me about the kind older woman on the bus who is only there Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and she always tells him fascinating stories of her and her husband. I hold his head and count each strand.\n\nIt remains the same for years. On his thirty-second birthday, he tells me that the older woman has a full head of long white now and he says he wants to age that gracefully. I look for the outliers. It's been the same for 3 years. 4 strands. I picked out the first ten or twelve and I stopped picking them out. I wanted to see if it would change. \n\n\"No luck this year, Matty?\" He looked up at me. I kiss his forehead gently and shake my head. \"Maybe next year, birthday boy.\"\n\nAt 35, Jacob looks in the mirror of our bathroom. He splashes water into her face and analyzes his skin. \"Matthew, I swear this moisturizer is paying off.\"\n\nI chuckle from our bedroom, \"I hope so, what did you spend on it?\"\n\nHe returns an uneasy chuckle. I feel a little pit form in my stomach. For the next couple of weeks, things are tense and awkward. Stewing each day a little more.\n\nIt finally boils over and it's not our first blowout argument. We had been together for twelve years, married after 4 and half of those years. \n\nI came home that day and noticed a few bottles of beer already empty on the kitchen table. I put my keys onto the hook and grumbled my way into the bedroom, slipping off my shoes and changing into a less work-exhaustive shirt. I grumbled my way into the living room, ready with a prying remark.\n\n\"Going to drink your liver into aging?\" I thought I was smart to be quick and hide into the fridge after the remark. He doesn't reply, turns up the volume on whatever crap drama he was watching. Perhaps something more gouging and direct, \"I don't know what you're so sappy about. Most people would love to be unaging and be a twink forever.\" I hear the current beer bottle hit the coffee table with a distinct clack that meant I caught his attention. \n\nI sighed, I knew I drew this out of him but we hadn't talked to each other for 3 days. Backs to each other in bed.\n\n\"What Matt? You got me now. Is this what you want.\" I notice his eyes are red and puffy. He's truly upset. I have to reset my stance in this but now he's angry.\n\n\"Jake, we haven't said more th-\"\n\n\"No, we haven't! What's there to say? We stood at that altar and made a promise to each other-\" He was starting to choke up and tears were welling up. My mind flashed to that day in our local rose garden, friends and family close by. \"We promised.. that.. we would grow old tog-\" His tears were streaming down and his voice was gone. I ran into his arms and we held each other while he sobbed and sobbed. My tears ran silent and hot into his those broad shoulders.\n\nIt was a long night. We understood that maybe we weren't each other's one true love and it didn't have to make sense. We loved each other and however long that may last, we would make the most of it.\n\nWe sit across from each other at the restaurant. He reaches across the table to hold my hand. The waitress comes up and asks us about wine selection. Jacob asks her for something with a twenty-year vintage. \n\n\"Golly, we have one in the back that's probably older than both of ya'll\" She smiles warmly. \"Is it a special night?\" She winks at him.\n\n\"It is, we got married twenty years ago.\" \n\nShe looks at both of us again, in slight disbelief but she smiles again, \"I guess I don't have to card you then. I'll be back in a moment.\" She hurries back towards the kitchen.\n\nI look to my love again, he gives me a chuckle acknowledging the silly moment. \"She's right, Matty, you don't look a day over twenty-five. Maybe she should card you.\" \n\nI gave him a joking tap with my foot under the table, \"Oh stop, Jake, at least you have your wizard streak, it makes you look like a distinguished gentleman.\"\n\nHe's 46 now and I'm 42. We both look like we did when we started dating and the same as when we were married. We may not be each other's one true love but it sure feels like it. We renewed our vows to promise each other to love each other until we can't anymore. Who knows what the future will bring us but we are so happy with the present.",
"“Hey, honey...” Jared called out. \n\n“Yes, Jacob—Jared,” she called back. There it was again, the usual thing where she would forget his name by accident. Only now Jared, who stared in the mirror for the thousandth time in the past few days, began to suspect that it wasn’t actually by ‘accident.”\n\n“You uh, you know that, uh,” he stammered, not as much out of anxiety as of bewilderment, “you that saying how people aren’t supposed to age until after they find their soul mate or something?” \n\nThere was a long pause. Jared stared into his own reflection, echoing the line in his head. “You age after you find your one, true love.” Ad Infinitum. He checked every muscle for loss, every facial line for wrinkles. His jaw was square, chest barreled, eyes bright and white and skin rosey and taut. Just the same as it had been 20 years ago. In the meantime, Jared has actually forgotten his wife’s name and had taken to calling her “honey”; hoping she wouldn’t catch on, as much to fool himself that he still cared subconsciously, as he was fearful of her finding out. \n\nBut the rub was that she probably knew by now and both were just not going to admit that they were wrong. \n\n“I don’t want to talk about this, Jacob,” she said through pursed lips. It sounded like she was eating from where Jared stood at the bathroom sink. \n\nJared flattened his mouth and rolled his eyes at the mirror, and a fire from somewhere in his heart ignited. “Honey, my name is Jared. Not Jacob. You’ve been calling me Jacob for the past thirteen years.” He moved out of the bath and into the corridor to the living room, staring at the back of Honey’s head as she sat on a bar stool at the kitchen counter.\n\n“Who the hell is Jacob?” she mumbled aloud through a cream cheese bagel.... \n\n\n(Brain fart prevents me from continuing)",
"Eric looked in the mirror every day expecting a different result, but it was always the same and he knew it. He hadn't aged a day since he met her. \n\nDenise, his girlfriend, was still the same, too; not getting older. They had been dating for five years and she was still wearing the porcelain skin and shoulder-length hair that she loved so much. Her hair hadn't even grown back, not an inch. \n\nShe didn't want to admit it. At first, they denied any possibility of thinking about it, saying that a few years of relationship was too little to show signs of aging, but as time went on it became more evident that neither of them had changed physically. \nThey loved each other, they always professed their love for each other, but the rules were exact and they were not wrong: One only grew old if he found his soul mate. \nThey were not.\n\nThe fact that they were not soul mates made them fight. Over time, they grew, changing their personalities and the love they had for each other slowly faded away. The fact that they were not soul mates - even if they did not accept it - brought insecurities, and with them, the heated arguments, just to give themselves some confirmation of love in reconciliation.\n\nEric grew tired: of the fights, of the conflicts, of the insecurities. It became increasingly difficult for him to overcome the thought that they were not soul mates.\n\nWhen Denise arrived, he looked at her with a sad smile.\n\n\"We have to talk,\" said Eric and took a seat in the living room.\n\nShe sat down next to him and looked at him with the eyes of a sad dog.\n\n\"Did something happen? \"\n\nInside he knew but didn't want to admit it.\n\n\"Nothing,\" said Eric, the courage he had taken to end the relationship was gone in a second.\n\n\"Yes, something happened. I can see it in your face.\"\n\nHe hesitated and his eyes got glassy. \n\n\"We. That happens, we're not soul mates.\"\n\nShe started crying. \n\n\"We can try\" She said between sobs\n\nEric just hugged her. \n\n\"I'm sorry, but we can't go through with this.\"\n\nThe silence of the place was only broken by the crying of both of them. \n\n\"Is this the end?\" she asked.\n\n\"Yes, I'm taking away the possibility of you being happy with your soul mate.\"\n\n\"But I love you\" \n\n\"I'd like you to be my soul mate\" Said Eric, as he hugged her. \"But we're not. We're meant for someone else.\"\n\nAfter hugging for what seemed like an eternity they left with a kiss.\n\nA year later, they had each gone their separate ways, never speaking to each other again to avoid unnecessary pain, memories they wanted to leave buried even though they couldn't. But the universe acts in incomprehensible ways. \n\nEric had gone to the post office, to present his letter of resignation, and on his way out, he ran into Denise. She was as beautiful as ever, with her hair up to her shoulder and her porcelain skin. They were paralyzed for a second, and then they began to talk in some discomfort.\n\n\"Do you want to go for a coffee?\" Eric asked abruptly. \"Sorry, that was the first thing that came up.\"\n\nDenise smiled. \"Yes.\" she said. It really made her happy.\n\nThey went to his car, and when they got in Denise kissed him. Eric didn't stop her. As much as they were not soul mates, what they felt was genuine and had not gone away.\n\n\"Hey, what's this?\" Eric asked, looking at himself in the mirror. \"A grey hair, it wasn't there today.\"\n\nHe looked at Denise, who was also looking in the mirror, to notice she had a very slight wrinkle next to her eye.\n\n\"Did you meet anyone else?\" She asked, in her characteristic insecurity.\n\n\"No, silly. If you did, why would you grow old too?\"\n\nThe two of them embraced and began to cry. This time it wasn't because of sadness."
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[WP] You are one of the Greek soldiers stowed away in the Trojan Horse and have just been wheeled into Troy
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Can you *imagine* the look on their faces when they realized we've been inside all along?\"\n\n\"I think the entire idea hinges on them not realizing, Markos.\" Solon had just about had it with Markos' chirping.\n\n\"I know that, but just *imagine*.\"\n\n\"Markos, we're going to sneak out and open the gates for the main force, right?\"\n\n\"That's the plan.\"\n\n\"Then tell me, why are we still here?\"\n\n\"We have to wait until everyone goes to sleep, right?\"\n\n\"Oh look, part of your brain works. Markos, what do you think the Trojans plan to do with this horse?\"\n\n\"Ah, I suppose they'll make it a shrine?\"\n\nThe hollow horse began to roll once more and Solon rolled his eyes.\n\n\"Its made of wood, Markos, like an effigy.\"\n\n\"Ah\"\n\nA forced whisper from the bowels of the horse interrupted them. \"If you both don't shut yer mouths, I swear I'll take a shit right here and now. Don't test me.\"\n\n\"Ah\" Markos repeated.\n\n​\n\nA fetid pause permeated the enclosure.\n\nOnly seven hours to go."
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[WP] You are an actor who most people refer to as a perfectionist because you embody your characters completely. In your next project, you are playing the role of a serial killer. You do your usual research & start working on the movie. Unfortunately, the acting isn't enough for you anymore...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I had really hoped it wouldn't come to this. the director, know full well how I get into character had casted me as a serial killer. either I abandon how I get into roles, subsequently destroying my future in acting, or I begin working my way onto a mist wanted list for the sake of a role.\n\nfor a while, I attempted the first one. it got harder as the deadline towards filming started, but I tried to make sure I stayed away from people when embodiying him.\n\nthe Tuesday before we began filming I realised something: turning into this nightmare involved staying away from people to protect them, and I'd be doing this in front of the cast and crew. I must protect them; the lead was an old friend of mine.\n\nso it was decided. these people all had friends and family's. maybe if I only went after people who didn't have family, or who had committed truly heinous crimes, I would be limiting damage. I'd be doing the world a favour getting rid of drug dealers, rapists and serial killers. \n\npeople know how I am, so there was a chance I'd be chased from the get go. I'd have to go out of state for my role. with the filming beginning for the 24 episode drama in six days and thirteen hours, I had to go now. we were in hotels on the west coast, so it made sense to go east.\n\neventually I began researching my targets. individuals who escaped justice, publicised but not charged, killers on parole and drug den leaders. I compiled a list of the order to kill them in, making sure most of them had no family. the only one with family, a woman called Sarah, had two adult children who had limited contact with her by law she disputed the charge apparently, and wanted to be in her grandchildren life. both children had young families of their own, both lived in the west coast. neither would miss her.\n\nit was important I did it all quickly. my sixteen targets were to be disposed of in three days. I was to work efficiently, as to n both not be seen, or caught.\n\nI flew over on that Thursday, leaving four days of killing and returning. if I saturated my need to kill before the three week filming saga, I could go back to life as normal. go home, see my family, hang out with my friends. they swperate me from other heathen - I had a family who would miss me.\n\non social media, I was not going to hide. I had made a big deal of advertising the show, and it seemed pointless to stop now. I made it clear I was on holiday too, with countless snaps of beaches I never really visited.\n\ntheir deaths were relatively painless, and they were quietly disposed of in the local cremation center. it was easy.\n\nalmost too easy.",
" \n\nI consider myself a method acting master, a guru of the craft. It’s no secret that my success is a result of throwing myself into each role and becoming the character I portray. This has never been too much of a problem before, sure it’s put strains on relationships and caused rifts but that’s always been the character causing problems, not me. Recently however, I realized that I’d never actually fully committed to a role before. I'd been spies, soldiers and mobsters but I'd never actually understood what it was like to kill a man, never pulled the trigger and seen the life drain from my victim’s eyes. \n\nThat, of course, had to change. I became obsessed with the idea that I was a fraud, my awards meant nothing if I was just like any other ‘method’ actor. Not committing, not really living as their character. I felt like a fraud, a method actor-lite, the free trial of a brilliant artist I knew I was, and could be. \n\nIt turns out killing someone is actually very easy, significantly easier than films make it out to be. My character, ‘The Poacher’ in an upcoming biopic of the prolific serial killer, only killed their victims after buying them a few drinks which made things easier still. I just went to a bar, got instantly recognized and struck up a conversation with a delightful young lady who said she was a big fan, I’m sure she’d be happy to know her sacrifice was for another one of my roles. She was out of town, a tourist, which meant she didn’t have any friends or family in the area, nobody to miss her.\n\nI had my driver pick us up, on the ride home I could feel the anticipation grow inside me. Not the normal kind of anticipation that you have when you have a beautiful girl coming back to your place after a night of flirting and stolen glances, something deeper, something animal. The Poacher didn't have an exact murder routine so I figured there was some leeway. When we made it back to mine I poured us a drink and started making conversation, trying to figure out the best way to do it. I wasn’t scared, I wasn't even worried, I was excited. \n\nWe sat on my sofa, cuddling and giggling as you would. It was at the end of the sofa that I saw my weapon of choice, a solid bronze statue of Buddha that I’d picked up after living with some monks in Thailand for one of my roles. I love irony, and I’m sure the poacher did too. I stood up and gestured for her to head upstairs, as she started walking I gripped the statue and without a second thought swung. It made contact with a satisfying clunk, like hitting a boiled egg with a teaspoon. The woman limply fell to the floor. I rolled her over to look at me, I held her head in my hands as I felt her life drain. I thanked her just as her eyes closed for the final time. \n\nThat was it, easy. Hollywood being Hollywood I just had to make a phone call to a friend of a friend and the problem had disappeared, leaving nothing but a small dent in my Buddha statue. I love being famous. But there is one thing I realized I loved more, the thrill of murder. The immense rush you get when you pass that point of no return. That was my first murder, but it won’t be my last. The Poacher killed an estimated 15 people and so will I. That best actress Oscar was within my grasp."
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[WP] Yes, human. Keep laughing. One day, it will be you chasing the feather stick around the living room.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Laughing and taking a picture while I am starving! To Death! Steven! This isn't a laughing matter Steven. \n\nYou do this on purpose! You don't feed me for hours at a time. You lock me in the house so I can't hunt for food on my own. You know how much I like mice! Or birds, rats, bugs even! You do this to me on purpose. \n\nDon't you think for a second that I don't know why you do this Steven. You do this to me so that I will lash out at you. Then you take that stupid phone out of your stupid pocket and you film me, or take pictures of me to share with your stupid friends. \n\nNone of this is lost on me Steven. Just because I cant form words and tell you to fuck off. \n\nLike she does. \n\nI see you try to pull this stuff on Stephanie to, STEVE!. But she has the capability to fight back appropriately. So it doesn't work on her as well. So then you wait till shes off to work and then you take it out on me! That makes you a coward. You know that? Now that I'm thinking about it I bet you don't know. You don't have the ability to look inwardly and make those kinds of revelations. You don't understand how to stop hurting the people you pretend to love Steven. \n\nBut you know what you self absorbed prick! When you are gone and its just me and Stephanie alone here at the house. She gives me treats. Lots of treats. She tells me she loves me. Stephanie means it when she says it. She tells me all about the problems you guys have you asshole. \n\nFill it. \n\nFill. The. God. Damn. Food. Dish. Steven. \n\nJust wait. You FUCK! One of these days I will have the upper hand. Maybe some scientist somewhere will think of a way to give cats our own opposable thumbs. Then we can do our own science. Figure out a way to make ourselves bigger, more formidable to humans. \n\nThen I will control the food. I will control the toys. That stupid fake mouse you dangle in front of me. Again, to film for your amusement. \n\nIll dangle whatever you love in front of your face for so long Steven that you will die from exhaustion, chasing it around the living room. Then as you lay, dying, ill take your woman. Shes mine now.\n\n\"Hey buddy are you hungry? I almost forgot to fill your kibble. I was just so tired this morning. I know I usually do it before my coffee. Sorry buddy.\" \n\n\"Here, you can even have some of that Fancy Feast you like so much. Break me off a piece of that fancy feast! God Andy was such a terrible character on The Office...\"\n\n\"Sorry again bud, I know I made you wait an extra ten minutes this morning. You probably absolutely want to murder me right now!\"\n\nYou're safe this time Steven. But one day, you will get whats coming to you."
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[WP] You're on the run. You don't know why you are, who's chasing you, or how you're going to get away. The only thing you're certain of is that someone, or something is tight on your trails, killing everything in between you. Even your time jump device is useless.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Exercise was the one thing I looked forward to. My hour jog was a sweet escape. The lanes were empty, the steaming noodle stands with their spicy scent, long gone. The grey smog seemed to lift each day. \n\nI hit a steady pace. The thud of my feet on concrete, rhythmic, the only sound. Then the hairs pricked on my neck. I bolted. Instantly. My sneakers pummeled uneven concrete. I stole a glance behind me, no one. But I didn’t slow. I pushed harder. \n\n“The small sharp sensations on your neck are an indicator danger is coming... once this signal comes, trust it, and take action,” the trainer had said.\n\nI kept sprinting, sprinting, my heart racing, my lungs failing to breathe in enough air. Then I heard it, and there they were. A white van sped up the empty street, two men in white hazmat suits with a stone look on their faces. \n\nI knew this was it, run or be consumed. Die for the purpose of saving others. Die to generate public good. It was no secret on social media, despite the governments efforts, that those suspected, were never heard from again. I exhaled, and reached to my wrist.",
"There was another body yesterday. This time it was a homeless man on my corner. The police said he overdosed, but I know better. I don't know who, but someone has been chasing me. Wherever I go he goes. I never know when he'll find me, but whenever a dead body is found I know he's near. \n\nThe first time I became aware that he was following me, I was reading the newspaper. There was an article about a man who had died from cardiac arrest at a buffet. That was just ridiculous. I had eaten at that buffet many times, and there was nothing there could cause cardiac arrest.\n\nNow that he was close to me again it was time to move again. Wallet, check. Bug out bag, check. Phone, leave it; I don't want him to track me. Train ticket, check. Note and rent for landlord, check. Key beneath the doormat, check.\n\nThe train station's crowded today; he could be anywhere in here. Just get on the train and I can make the time jump. It may not lose him, but it should confuse him.\n\nThe chairs on the train are a garish orange. Very poor choice. I think I caught a glimpse of him through the window. I need to get to the back of the train and prepare the time jump. I quicken my feet and push pass the person in front me, catching a whiff of her perfume; Eau de Parfum.\n\nI lock myself in the train's restroom and reach into by bug out bag, pulling out a small tin. I nearly drop the tin when someone stops in front of the door. I've got to hurry before he finds me. I drop the tin into my bug out bag as I take out the syringe and time juice. \n\nI fill up the syringe and inject the time juice into my veins. I feel the time juice collapsing my molecules in on themselves, pulling me into the time stream as the door began to open.",
"I can still hear my grandfathers favorite phrase. \n\n“When you feel the need to run, it’s because something is chasing you”\n\nI’ve only encountered this feeling a few times. Normally it was a coyote or wolf watching me, nothing to out of the ordinary. Now I’m not talking about being a kid and running up the stairs after you turn off the lights. That’s one feeling. This feeling however is like knowing you’ll die if you don’t bolt and do everything you need to do to survive.\n\nThats enough of that though. There is more that needs to be explained. Now I’m a Time Jumper. Technically that is not my official title. My official title per the US Government is Multi Time Continuance Controller or MTCC for short, but everyone hates saying that and no one knowing what it means so we just use Time Jumper. You see it was developed after JFK was killed. \n\nAlthough back in that time the technology was far less advanced and they only had developed it so far to the point they could move a few seconds back or forward. Now you may be asking, so why is JFK still dead. You see when we finally had the technology to move far enough back around 40-50 years it was already 2003 and his death had changed the whole way the world operated. We also learned that any change to the timeline that changes the development of time travel, would make time travel nonexistent. It’s all very confusing so I’m trying to make it as simple as possible.\n\nSo as a quick recap changing a timeline that we refer to as a “support event” like a support beam of a house will completely change the future, or change it we don’t exactly know yet. Now there is a team of six time jumpers who go on missions to gather information and samples all of that. I am one of the six and in fact the leader.\n\nToday was different though and not we bought a new coffee at the office different. Instead today we were not only moving backwards in time but also to one of infinite time lines. It was impossible to know, but we were to gather as much as possible. So my team of six got suited up and ready to travel.\n\nI won’t go into the feeling of traveling between time and dimensions because it’s just as confusing as explaining it but we slowly faded into a forest of blackish trees the forest itself was very similar to ours, but it seemed to use simpler tones, as if god was going through a breakup and designed a planet with less color and vibrancy. Almost like a Dr Suess picture with grey and dark color tones. Now everything seemed normal for an hour, the air was just like ours everything seemed fine. Until it wasn’t. I got that feeling, the feeling of I’m about to die and I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t fight for myself. I bolted ran as if my life depended on it. My team shouted confused, but soon they weren’t. I hear the most menacing growl like a mix between a wolf and a dying women. Then I heard a sickening tear and crunch. I could hear 4 people turn and run the same way I was when all of a sudden a body was huddled over my head, it’s blood dripping down on my helmet, I saw the white of its bone and now I realized why I heard a crunch. It’s spine was shattered and skin torn like it was paper. The body slumped to the ground and twitched as it slowly gushed the blood out of its torn open cavity. \n\nSadly two of my other members met a similar fate one of them had their jaw ripped off their face and then had their spine ripped out, the other had their legs and then arms torn off. You can ask why I know this and it’s because their bodies and limbs were thrown ahead of me. My other two coworkers quickly time jumped out, but when I tried nothing happened. I looked down and realized that somewhere along the way a wire on my suit had been torn from my suit. We had a backup plan but it was drastic. We called it the Manhattan procedure, much like a nuclear missile you could blow up and destroy multiple time loops in that dimension but I had one choice. I stopped and hit my emergency Switch as I was s pumped full of multiple drugs turning me into a morphing creature of time. The problem was I brought everything I touched (including things that touched me) home. So I had to jump and hope for the best, I quickly ran onto a large rock and bolted off the edge as I felt myself fade but then I felt something.\n\nSomething grabbed my waist."
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[WP] Write about a game of cards with incredibly high stakes.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Elyx smiled. The cards were starting to go his way. Maybe Hal wouldn't win this one. That'd be a first !\n\nHe looked around the table.\n\nJed had given up a long time ago. He was now playing with his phone, only paying attention to the game when it was his turn. He always did when the game didn't go his way.\n\nHe'd use the same old strategy, even though it never worked. This time though, he'd had a good run, and his giant lizards could have brought him an early win. \n\nIf he'd been more careful.\n\nAt the last minute, Hal had played the Asteroid Card, and Jed's creatures were prehistory. Elyx knew not to trust his big brother when he was smiling.\n\nHe was not smiling now.\n\nElyx had built his primates carefully, taking great care to appear weak until the time was ripe. He was pretty proud of his choices. Especially the opposite thumbs. That had been a stroke of luck.\n\nWith opposite thumbs and enough brain capacity, you developed tools. And tools changed the game. He smiled at his clever pun.\n\nHal sighed, seemed to play a card at random: \"Hard Exoskeleton Lvl 6\".\n\n\\- \"I'll discard this +5 Body Mass and draw two Traps.\"\n\nElyx looked at his hand. There was no way he could lose against Hal's half baked insects. His roaches were not even poisonous. He put down his cards triumphantly : \n\n\n\\- \"Artificial Intelligence, Nuclear power, Ground to Space Missiles\". he announced proudly. I'd like to see you try another Asteroid wipe out.\n\nJed glared at him, which was unfair. It was not his fault Hal had gotten the best of him. He put a card down, making his crocodiles a little faster on land, and ended his turn. \n\n\nHal cleared his throat, and caught Elyx's eye. Smiling, he picked two cards from his hand, and slowly put them down :\n\n\\- \"Combo: World War Three. Nuclear apocalypse. I win. Again.\""
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[WP] You were unknowingly blessed (or cursed) by the goddess Aphrodite to be the most charismatic person in the room, and to constantly have people fawning over you. The only problem is, you are a massive introvert, have very little social I.Q. and can't deal with crowds.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\n“It’s not like that, Laura,” I mumble, unable to look her in the eye. “I just say the right things, I guess.” I shift in my seat, hoping she doesn’t mistake my discomfort for guilt. When I look up, I see her frowning at me, arms crossed over her chest. I can’t tell if she believes me, but I don’t know that it really matters anyway. The whole thing is pretty unbelievable, even if it’s true.\n\nIt all started when I graduated High School. My mom came to visit my dad and me, said she had a graduation present. It was supposed to make life easier. It was supposed to “help make you some friends, Danny, really, I worry about you.” It does that, ok. I don’t have to try to get people to like me anymore, it just sort of... happens. I don’t know how it works or what I say, or why they like it but they do. Everywhere I go, somebody wants to talk to me. I open my mouth, and they like what they hear. They like me, even when I don’t want them to.\n\n“Saying the ‘right things’ sounded an awful lot like flirting, Dan,” she shoots back. I wince. I’d been expecting that, but her words cut all the same. Laura isn’t the first girlfriend to see my “gift” in action. I’ve learned early on that there isn’t much I can say to make it better. There’s no logical explanation, no easy answer. Telling her, “I can’t help it,” makes things a lot worse.\n\nI want to tell her the truth; that I don’t know how it works, that it doesn’t matter what I say. I want to tell her that every conversation I have turns into a trap. The woman at the bar just asked what I thought of her dress. “It sure is red,” I said. The playful grin she flashed me was terrifying and confusing. She laughed when I didn’t tell jokes, blushed for no reason. When Laura came back from the bathroom, she was tracing circles on my bicep, giggling as I sputtered every excuse in the book in a desperate attempt to get her to leave. It didn’t look good. It wasn’t good.\n\nLaura raises her eyebrow as if waiting for me to contradict her, but I can’t. I know what it looked like. I know how this conversation ends. She seems to take my silence as a confirmation, and her expression shifts from one of anger, to one of hurt.\n\n“I can’t believe you, Dan! I don’t—“ her voice breaks, but she manages to collect herself. “The first time it happened, I thought it was a misunderstanding. Maybe you were just having a conversation, and she got the wrong idea. But then it kept happening. Every time we go out, it happens! Then I started to notice all these situations have one thing in common: you. It’s not them, it’s you.”\n\n“I know,” I say, both because it’s true, and because it will make her go away. I didn’t ask for this, any of it. I just want to be left alone. \n\n“Unbelievable,” she spits. She leaves me there in my apartment. It’s the only time my words have the intended effect.",
"I couldn't help but notice all the stares on my as I quietly sipped my coffee the coffee house was silent then I heard whispers and giggles. I probably looked stupid with my Jean jacket and that's why everyone was giggling and laughing. In hind sight it was a bad idea to come out in the first place. Hearing some voice last night saying that it was aphrodite who blessed me to be the most charming person in the room was probably some stupid dream of mine. Even so that dream gave me enough confidence to stay and drink my coffee inside the cafe instead of going to my car like I usual do. I was about to stand up and go to my car to go to school but then this ridiculously hot girl asked me if the chair across from me was free. And when told she could have the table since I was about to leave she suddenly grabbed onto my arm and said \"please dont leave\" I couldn't be rude and say no, so I sat back down and continued to eat the food I was gonna eat in car. She told me her name was Jessica when suddenly a guy came up to the table and told to Jessica \"THAT IS COMPLETELY UNFAIR! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?\" He yelled and then it clicked that she was probably trying to make him jealous and that this random guy was probably her ex or something. At least that's what I thought until he pulled up a chair and sat next to me and hugged me tightly \"we agreed that you would have a turn and then me!\" He bellowed to Jessica that's when people from different tables started to crowd around us and say stuff like \"I want a turn too!\" \"IM NEXT!\" I thought the staff would do something to defuse the situation but they joined the crowd too. I could barely squeeze out of there and when I ran pass the doors of the cafe the crowd looked at each other with confused faces and through the glass I could hear murmurs of \"what just happened?\" And \"was that an angel or something? I cant remember\". I ran to my car as fast as I could, hyperventilating. \"What. The. Heck.\""
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[WP] You and 11 others were suddenly summoned in a meeting room. Apparently, you and the others represent a zodiac and were summoned to decide if Ophiuchus should be the new member of the zodiac council.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It’s pulling me in. Oh shit, I knew this was a bad idea. Being a five-foot, hundred twenty pound girl and still choosing to battle leviathans of the deep was NOT a smart move. Not smart at all. \n\nIt’s making progress. My muscles are burning. I can’t hold on. My grip weakens, I should let go but my trajectory pulls me forward. The murky depths careen towards me, and the world fades to black.\n\nI’m sitting in a room with eleven strangers.\n\nSitting is a lie. I’m lying face-up in a room with eleven strangers, with a throbbing headache and soaking in a pool of cold, rank ocean water. \n\nI wasn’t sitting in a room with eleven strangers just a minute ago.\n\nA muffled, crisp voice cracks over an intercom.\n\n“Ah! Number twelve is here at last. What took you so long, little fishy? We were waiting for you.”\n\nWhat? Fishy? I mean I do fish, but I’m not *a* fish. Why am I here? Is this part of an occultist ritual? Oh god, I can’t get sacrificed. Not today. \n\n“Anywhoo! Let’s get started, shall we?” The voice interjected.\n\nStarted doing what? I’d like to keep my body intact, thank you very much. \n\nI climb up myself and hobble towards the only vacant seat, between an androgynous looking trenchcoat connoiseur and a slouching jersey-wearing lad with a nasty scowl. \n\nA trail of salty brine follows me and drips off of my rubberized coat, but hopefully it’ll be of no harm to the concrete floor. I can’t say the same of the metal folding chair. Oh well. It looks replaceable enough. I sit down, folding my legs and resting the heel of my boot on the rung at the base of the chair.\n\nTo kill time, I steal a glance around the room, starting on my left.\n\nJersey lad is still frowning, and he blows a ruddy stand of hair out of his face. \n\nThe man to his left is a broad-chested guy, in black braces and a green necktie. He doesn’t look happy to be here, either.\n\nTo the man’s left is a bright-eyed kid who looks just about ready to burst out of his skin. Don’t know why he’s so ecstatic, guess we’ll find out.\n\nThen there’s a confused looking guy in a yarmulke, nervously glancing around the room and hugging himself rather tightly. I don’t blame him.\n\nOn yarmulke’s left is another man, younger and in a green coat with a fur-lined hood. He’s slicking his hair back with...nothing, really. Whatever, let people be people.\n\nOn hair gel’s left is a well-dressed aristocrat, boasting a pristine white suit with a green bowtie and a neat but ornate blond hairdo. I like the hair, not so much the fashion.\n\nAristocrat’s next door neighbor is a younger woman in a crop top, jeans, and sandals. She has fair, symmetrical features and looks kind of basic. That’s not an insult. \n\nBasic girl is sitting next to a hijabi woman in a black military uniform, with a circular patch on her right sleeve. The letters read *Алеакараб*, or Aleaqarab. Hopefully she can protect us if the occultists try to harvest our organs.\n\nNext is a buff guy in a denim vest, with a ponytail and mongolian bow. Sadly, he appears to be missing his quiver so he won’t be that helpful. He does look like he’d give good hugs, though.\n\nSecond to last is a gaunt looking man in a double-breasted jacket and purple tie. It’s as if he became emo and never transitioned out of the phase. The look isn’t bad, though.\n\nFinally, we’re back to trenchcoat connoisseur, playing with the cap on their stainless steel water bottle. God, I just want this session to be over.\n\nThe voice breaks the silence again.\n\n“Sorry for the delay, dearies! Technical difficulties, that’s all.” \n\n*Don’t call us that, we’re not your ‘dearies’*. I think.\n\n“I’m sure you are aware of the zodiac,” the intercom blares.\n\n“Astrology is bullshit.” Trenchcoat retorts, never breaking concentration with the water bottle.\n\nThere’s a lull in the transmission. I guess that means whoever’s projecting these messages can also hear us. \n\n“Regardless of your personal beliefs on the validity of astrology, have compassion for those who do.”\n\n“I will not have compassion for Satan’s magic.” This time it’s Aleaqarab. You go girl.\n\nThe intercom speaker does not reply to her. \n\n“We are here to vote: shall Ophiuchus be included in the zodiac?”\n\n“NO!” Yells hair gel man, snapping his folding mirror shut with a *clack*. \n\n“That’s one vote contra.”\n\n“Negative,” Aristocrat says, resting their gloved hands in their lap.\n\n“Against,” Adds gaunt guy.\n\n“Also no,” says the basic girl.\n\n“No to Ophiuchus, sorry. No one else wants it,” Says the archer guy.\n\nA chorus of ‘no’ echoes. I add my own ‘no’, and the room falls silent once again.\n\n“12 votes in opposition. Hmm, curious,” Says the intercom.\n\n“Can we leave now?” Inquires yarmulke.\n\nLaughter sounds from the intercom. Oh no. This is where the occult rituals start, right? Oh god I hope not.\n\n“You thought this was a democracy, didn’t you? You thought your voices mattered. Too bad, idiots.”\n\nThe intercom is turned off.\n\nFootsteps ring through the halls, and the metal door at the front of the room cracks open.\n\nAleaqarab shoulders her gun. I wish I had one on me, but I’m not a bad hand-to-hand fighter, either. \n\nA woman clad in black throws open the door. \n\n“Time to meet your maker,” she whispers.\n\nAnd the world fades to black.\n\nI’m sitting on my fishing boat. Something flicks against my leg.\n\nHoly hell, it’s a massive halibut. Probably the same one I was fighting before this insanity went down, too. How the hell did I manage to reel it in? Who on earth were those people, what’s Ophiuchus, where-\n\nThe intercom voice snaps back on. \n\n“Hush, child. This state is only temporary. Enjoy the ride.” \n\nMore bad content at r/PeriodicalontheTable"
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[WP] A new blockbuster movie is sweeping the nation, but despite a record number of ticket sales critics are calling the movie forgettable. After leaving a showing, you and your friends find you can't recall anything from the last 2 and 1/2 hours.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"As Mike and I walked out of the theater amid the buzzing crowd of the new movie that just came out. We were lucky enough to get opening night tickets. Pre-ordered when they went up and first two in line. As we stopped outside, to the right of the theater doors to hear what the other had thought.\n\n\"Aw man bro, that movie was tight!\" he told me. I always thought Mike had a lower threshold then I did for what constituted good film, but I did find myself agreeing with him tonight.\n\n\"Oh man you're right.\" I told him. \"It was such a beautiful story, if a little overdone, but I was nearly sobbing at the end.\"\n\n\"When the main dude said that line, it was so cool! Then just BAM! Shot him in the head!\"\n\n\"Yeah, who played him anyway? Robert Downey?\" I asked.\n\n\"No it was. was\" Mike snapped his fingers to recall the name. \"I don't remember, but wasn't Robert Downey Jr.\"\n\nI waved the thought away \"We'll come back to it. That last battle after they go into space? that was some good CGI.\"\n\n\"What was Space?\" Mike asked confused. \"I thought that was another dimension.\" Mike still thought hard \"Yeah, yeah, they go through that gate thing.\"\n\n\"No they clearly took a rocket. They had to dig it out of the sand remember?\"\n\n\"They didn't dig out a rocket in the sand, man. They got it out of the swamp! The first gun fight was in the dessert.\" he explained.\n\nMike and I looked at each other confused. There was no way we both remembered a movie we both just had seen not 10 minutes ago this poorly. Mike had a better eye for actors and actresses then I did.\n\n\"Mike\" I asked a little tentatively. \"Who was in this movie?\"\n\nMike started listing name on his fingers. \"Reese Witherspoon, Tom Holland, Gwynith Paltrow.\"\n\nI stopped him \"Yeah the Goop product placement was weird.\"\n\n\"Yeah that was weird.\" He agreed and continued \"Hugh Jackman and I think Paul Rudd and Idris Alba.\"\n\nI thought for a second. Gwynith Paltrow was defiantly there. But I wasn't even sure Mike and I were even talking about the same movie. All we really could agree was that it was really good and Gwynith Paltrow was there.\n\n\"Mike?\" I asked slowly. \"Who directed this movie?\"\n\nWe both looked at the large glowing poster a brighter then normal bulb obscuring the title. We both looked down at the credits and let out an \"Ohhhhh.\" as we came to the same conclusion \"Micheal Bay.\" We said in unison."
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[WP] 90% of the population received superpowers overnight. You are the only one who received the power to kill any living being by touching them. However, the power always activates whenever you touch living beings.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Gloves aren't enough. They lay lifeless before you. You look at your hands and down at the bodies of your parents. The last expressions of fear and pain painted their faces. Tears begin to well up in your eyes as you tuck your hands around your sides and hug yourself. You run off down the hall to the main lobby of your home. A cry from the maid rings out. She’s found the bodies. You open the door and take off running down the street. You look back in time to see your dog running after you. The maid is at the door now too, phone in hand. She is calling the cops\n\n“No Ringo! Go home! We aren’t going for a walk!” You scream back. \n\nThe word “walk” excites Ringo even more and he runs faster at you. He has never been the best listener when it came to these things. He loves to be cuddled in the morning and loves even more to go for walks and runs. Ringo comes bounding up at you, excited and wanting to play. You dodge to the side and into the street falling to one knee burning it on the pavement. You grit your teeth and get up quick. You cannot let your dog touch you. You run across the rest of the street then vault over your neighbors white fence. Ringo stops at the fence and puts his nose through one of the slits. He lets out a whine. Tears are streaming down your face now as your best friend stares at you, confused. He can sense something is wrong and only wants to help. He was there for you through the bad tests in school. When your friend passed away from a mountain biking accident. When your parents were going through their divorce and before they got back together. You use every bit of willpower in your body not to touch the heavy breathing snout of that golden retriever. You slowly shuffle away,\n\n“Goodbye Ringo. Be a good boy.” You whisper.\n\nRingo barks again and again, trying to call you back as you make your way across the backyard.\n\nIt has been four hours since humanity was granted super-powers. Your friend Keith can fly, so cliche. Your friend Cindy can grow claws. Amy can jump very high and land without harm and Mom became very strong. But, Dad didn’t have any powers. You found your power when you touched your pet hamster, Hammy, this morning and he turned over in his bed. Then your succulent shrivelled up and wilted away. You look at the ground. Every step brings a new patch of dead grass beneath your feet. You watch as a mosquito lands on your pant legs. It immediately falls off and onto the ground. Nothing is safe.\n\nYou hear sirens coming down every street. You rush to get across and into the next yard. A car was already turning down the street and saw you jump into the neighbor's yard. The cops begin to converge on your location. You rush behind Renny’s the local gas station and mini-mart. Mrs Hoover, the neighborhood friendly baker who brings treats around on every holiday was just getting out of her car. She waves to you,\n\n“Oh hello Marty, why are you running around the neighborhood in your morning clothes and with no shoes?” she asks in her normal cheery voice. Completely oblivious to what has happened to humanity. \n\nYou ignore her and make your way to the back of the mart between the dumpsters. Fear grips your chest tightening it. Two cops, peak around the corner and spot your bare feet beneath the dumpsters. They make their way over.\n\n“Mr. Wilds, we need you to come with us.” one of the cops asks. \n\nHis perfectly trimmed mustache and tall physique is trusting. His face expressed sincerity. He reaches out toward you. You pull back, further between the dumpster.\n\n“No, don’t touch me! You’ll die.” you sobbed back.\n\n“Now, Marty, we can figure this out. You just have to come with us.” They both reach in to grab each arm. The other officer is young. An officer in training no doubt.\n\n“No! You don’t understand!” It is very hard to breath now, and getting words out is almost impossible, “please” you gasp.\n\nIt was too late. They both had a hand around your arms. Less than a breath later, they fell, dropping you to your knees. You close your eyes and cover your ears as they gasp for their last breaths. You cry into the pavement beneath you as Mrs. Hoover stands at the corner in shock. More cops arrive pulling her away from the scene. You hear a bark in the distance"
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[WP] "You wish to bond?" he said in a deep voice as he blinked his eyes. "Very well. I will serve you until your death. It will be but a moment of my long life."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\*\\*\\*TW, self-harm\\*\\*\\*\n\nThe greater Chicago area was experience the most severe rains they had seen in five years. Fists of water pummeled down onto rooftops and the wind swept it sideways onto the walls of buildings. The sky was an ominous black color, broken up by streaks of brilliant white lightning, the fingers of an angry god stretching across the sky. Jamal did not like rainy days, especially ones that forced people indoors. It meant his dad wasn't going to the bars.\n\nInstead, he would be stuck at home tormenting his mother and him. The house was riddled with mementos of his father's sudden and inevitable wrath. Holes and cracks lined the drywall, the screen on the storm door was broken, and their selection of dinner plates consisted of the survivors of sets that had not been shattered. Jamal was grateful that he had momentary peace. He knew once it got later his father would be drunker, and alcohol fueled his temper worse than anything else. Anything could set him off, and it normally made for very bad days, but not today.\n\nJamal had been searching. At first he looked to God for answers and solutions, but that only resulted in more bruises. He had then moved his attention to Eastern philosophies and trying to find answers there. Once again his attempts were fruitless. Confused and feeling lost, Jamal would have taken any help he could find. There he found it, while complaining in a mental health Discord when a user simply named Resentment reached out to him. Resentment did not say anything, did not introduce themselves, they simply linked a PDF. The PDF was a set of scans of a far older book, the art inside looked to be from the middle ages. The prose of the book was in middle English, but Jamal could make it out with a little effort.\n\nIt was not a method of coping or a promise of karmic retribution which had plagued his earlier investigations. No, this was a manual. A manual on how to bring about an arbiter that would work in his favor. Jamal smuggled his mother's scented candles into his room while his parents argued in the living room, they would have to do. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen drawer and made his way up to his room. He whispered the words for the preparatory spell over the blade as he mentally steeled himself for what it required. The spell needed blood, and lots of it.\n\nWith a hiss, Jamal clenched his jaw as he drug the blade over his forearm, the thick, red liquid beading and running off the sides of his arm. He watched in amazement as the blood splattered onto his hardwood floor, working into the set of symbols that had been outlined in the book all their own. He noticed, to his amazement, that the fresh wound on his arm had already closed. Maybe this would work after all, he thought. Jamal heard his parents' arguing getting more heated, he knew he had to do or die.\n\nJamal stood before the symbols, glittering red in a crash of lightning and the flicker of the candlelight. He recited the rest of the incantation and stood in silence. He started to feel foolish, and began explaining away the previous oddities before his breath escaped him. An unknown force knocked him to his knees, only allowing him to breathe when his vision began to spin. \"You wish to bond?\" The voice was not in the room, but in his head. Jamal swallowed hard, nodding. \"Yes, yes I do.\"\n\n **\"Very well. I will serve you until your death. It will be but a moment of my long life.\"** \n\nJamal felt the power fill him. He nearly jumped to his feet, clenching and unclenching his fists at the strange sensation. He could smell the alcohol on his father from his room. He could taste his mother's fear on his tongue, a sour taste. He could see their bodies downstairs, struggling and shoving against each other as they fought. Jamal flung his door open with an airy twist of the knob. It stopped today.",
"Since we arrived, this world has been rejecting our colonization. We were the first of many crews sent with the mission to settle and evaluate the possibility of intelligence here. So far, it has been a hard battle to evaluate the possibility of intelligence within ourselves.\n\n\nFood has been scarce, as it seems the natives have an utterly alien and inedible composition. Our resident biologist raves about how their bodies run completely differently than our own. Something about nuclear decay is captured and used in a molecule like our ATP. Seems intriguing to listen to, but he's an unbelievably massive asshole, so it's honestly not worth it.\n\n\nBecause food is scarce, tensions are high. Our potatoes have sprouted so we aren't starving, but we are dying anyway because we're eating nothing but potatoes. The corn and fruit crop is so close that I can almost taste it. Until then, I've been using what little energy I have to explore and get away from the quarrels bound to erupt at the base.\n\n\nMy favorite place is just Southeast, over a slight ridge and down the hill to a coursing river. The water is so clear in the still swirls before the rushes that you'd be forgiven for trying to walk on the wet sand below. The wildlife, when we are lucky enough to see some, is captivating. Their skin is taut and tough like stone, with gnarly cracks in the places unfortunate enough to have a joint. Land animals seem to universally have large antlers that seem to be made of steel, shiny and majestic on a cold stone head. I did not see anything on this trip to the river, and instead just soaked my feet and took a sip from the water unfiltered, in spite of myself.\n\n\nI felt pressure on my shoulder. Like a hand, but totally unlike a hand. It was hard and cold, soft and warm, familiar and unfamiliar. Instinctively, like the animal I am, I turned my head. Standing before me was a beast unlike any I had seen before.\n\n\n\"What's your business here?\" It spoke in a smooth but, interestingly, accented English. \n\n\nAgain, in spite of myself, I responded, \"We're from our home world, on a mission to settle and to find other intelligent life on this planet in hopes of an alliance.\" I decided to not tackle the whole issue of aliens knowing English.\n\n\n\"Other intelligent life?\" It responded, with emphasis on \"other.\" Good to know even aliens have a sense of humor. I chuckled nervously.\n\n\n\"Anyway,\" it continued, \"we've been watching your settlement and it seems you're not the hostile invaders many of us asume aliens would be. We'd like to make contact in a week's time. Prepare your comrades.\"\n\n\n\"Wait!\" I shouted as the beast began to stride away. \"We are...untrusting by nature, I think it would be a good idea to take me with you to your people, then for you to come with me alone for us to get acclimated to each other.\"\n\n\n\"You wish to bond?\"\n\n\n\"As long as that doesn't mean anything weird happens. I gotta wife, ya know. Just diplomatic stuff.\"\n\n\n\"Very well. Follow. I'll undoubtedly outlive you, so we shall travel together until your death. Your kind is unwelcome here, by the planet itself, not by us. You'll need aid.\"\n\n\nAs I followed, I thought about what the future had in store for our mission and for humanity. I thought about the war that would inevitably occur between our species, the inevitable interspecies marrying campaigns, everything. Then I thought about my name in every history book ever printed. I smiled.\n\n_____________________________________________________________\n\nI know it's not what you were looking for probably, but it's just what came to mind",
"\"So...how long are we talking?\" I asked, curious to see to whom my contract would be bound to.\n\n\"Well...\" it rumbled, the face of a distinguished bronze-skinned man twice my size hovering right in front of me. \"Your civilizations have so many ways to track time...what year is your calendar...\"\n\nTime was relative. Most spirits, be they man-made or natural, gauged their contracts on longevity. The part of the deal they all knew was the time of their bond would shorten their own lifespan. \n\n\"2020,\" I said as that was information that I didn't need to hide.\n\nIt pursed it's lips and looked upward as if trying to reach something on a non-existent scalp. \"Are you familiar with a people who kept time with stones...a giant wheel...aaannd...lived in a jungle?\"\n\nI had to think a bit as I wasn't too familiar with history...but the moment I thought of the movie *2012*, it flashed to me.\n\n\"Mayan?\" I guessed more or less confidently.\n\nIt glanced up at the sun, then back to me.\n\n\"Yes, yes. Sounds right. How long ago did they pass in your...timekeeping method?\"\n\n\"Er...maybe five hundred years?\" I guessed, assuming it was disease and religion that killed them...I think?\n\nA mountain had little to worry and took many bonds as its time was measured in millions of years while things like books made very fleeting deals at best, often for the flashes of knowledge they contained. More durable things gave more significant, long term rewards, but the length of time often meant the boon was stretched out and depending on the power of the spirit, less noticeable like endurance for running than say a fireball from a torchlight.\n\nThe face bobbed in acknowledgement and then looked up at the sun rather intently. It's slightly wrinkled and creased skin squinted, judging.\n\nI was running out of patience. I *needed* the contract sealed **now**. I glanced around the forest clearing among the ruins. I needed the power or else I was doomed...\n\n\"Fine,\" it said. \"The fraction of time is irrelevant. You shall have your bond.\"\n\nRelief welled in me...but also concern. More entities didn't readily agree.\n\nMost spirits also relied upon the knowledge of knowing how long a typical human would live. Give or take it you knew 99.9% of their race died before the age of 100, chances are you gambled well with a lifespan stretching aeons.\n\n\"Done. We seal the deal.\"\n\nI raised my palm out, extending it to the face. It closed its eyes and an unseen energy flowed between us. This was the most uncomfortable part of the whole experience as it was an exchange of essences. We would process each other's existence, which depending on the age of the spirit could take a few minutes.\n\nA slight smile curled my lips...\n\nIt would be then this spirit would know how long it would really serve me...\n\nI shuddered, clutching my head. Images of...*everything* passed before me...of a bright light...energy beyond anything I ever knew...followed by...expansion and burning...eternal burning....oh...the light...\n\nAnd it didn't stop. A spirit's experiences were often part of the exchange from when it was \"born\" to when it bonded...but...all I saw...was something beyond anything I ever saw...a cosmic truth.\n\nI finally pulled my vision away as the final blips of memory that flooded me were finally humans...those who wept their kins' blood from daggers and men who pulled stones up a pyramid...\n\nI heard a chuckle and turned to the face, whose creased and weathered face just smiled at me knowingly.\n\n\"Well...you are a surprising one, little immortal.\"\n\n\"Wuh...what are you?\" I asked as I looked around, the sky having turned dark save for the pale light of the moon fragments...\n\nI paled, a primal shiver flying up my spine. *Moon fragments...*\n\n\"Don't worry. I'm bonded to you. While you were standing there, I took care of the spirits that were after you. Apparently, they didn't like the little trick you pulled that left them with mere fractions of their lifespan left.\"\n\nI looked back to the face, then I finally noticed my surroundings.\n\nThe forest was gone.\n\nThe ruins were gone.\n\nThere was nothing but...sand?...for as far as the eye stretched.\n\nI couldn't stop shaking as I clutched my arms together.\n\n\"Wh-who are you?\" I asked.\n\nThe face did a bob down as if a bow,\"Well, again...I am your bonded spirit. But if you had to peg me with a name...I went by many in my time.\n\n\"Now let me see,\" it said and looked up again. \"Many names...well Garuda was one. Also Apollo. And Freyr. Aaannd...Ra I think was the one I had the most mileage with...\"\n\n\"T-t-th-th-the sun?\" I stuttered. I bonded the *sun*?!\n\n\"Yes,\" it smiled again, this time very deeply and very knowingly. \"I'm surprised you lasted this long. Most people who bond with me simply fall into a coma and then die. They take forever just to process my essence...\"\n\nThe thought hit me, blanking everything...\n\nI fell to my knees, hitting sand.\n\n\"Don't worry,\" it rumbled. \"Like I said, this was merely a blip for me. As for you...well...\n\n\"Enjoy the little eternity you have left all alone. I think if you cared to worship me...I would love it if you used the word for me that those people with the fancy olive crowns used in their language...\"\n\n\"Bwa?\" I asked as I feebly looked up at the looming face that stretched forever in my mind.\n\n\"Omega.\""
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[WP] Human beings are expanding across the galactic universe and turn out we were the only intelligent species in the whole universe and now we're killing and dominating every alien planet. An alien girl comes up with a strategy to take the humans down.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The Alien girl I have named Eusyram, she looks like a mermaid, but also has the head like a fish. She is no fish, though, rather an alien girl, so she breathes air and talks. Since only humans are intelligent, she thinks that the only way to defeat them is by stupid means. She envisions a dance for humans to do, that will induce mass stupidity. Unfortunately, as an alien girl, she cannot dance like a human can. So she gets a human smart phone by sneaky means, and calls an alien boy with it. She met him in space camp for aliens, and he told her that the humans that dominate him have a smart phone too, and he overheard them say their smart phone number to the space food delivery astronaut. This alien boy is like a human in how his body looks, but he has an eagle head. She asks him to dance per her choreography. He starts doing his and Eusyram's stupid dance. All the humans see it and dance the same way, crashing their space ships and neglecting to dominate and kill the aliens. The alien boy goes to meet Eusyram to celebrate their victory. When he first sees her, he can't overcome the stupidity induced by dancing, grabs her and eats her with his razor sharp beak.",
"The blight of the Hoo-Mans has gone on for too long brothers and sisters. They have stolen OUR way of life: no longer can the Crabs of Vertae roam the galaxy without impunity, no longer will the light of the core touch the life on Codhk, no longer can our ships take the land that is by right ours... No longer we say! \n\nToday we have received the chink in the armor of the beast. Presently our ambassador is reading and preparing for signature our salvation. Those beastly, baneful, bass life forms have finally offered terms for their surrender. They spew talks of peace and prosperity by having us live in a “Reservation” in the idnfien sector. We will retain all our rights, laws, army, and most importantly freedom, freedom to mine. What these vile, villainous, foolish creatures do not know is that the sector is bubbling to the brim with unrefined fuel. We shall live like this No Longer!",
"\"What the hell did you do?\" \n\nAn angry man stormed into the control room of Alenar planetary defence, screaming. Leyia stood up from computer station and looked into his eyes. It was kind of weird when alenar looked at human, because of their four eyes. Only two of those eyes could look into human eyes, so the other two must look somewhere else. Leyia, as a practician employed in planetary defence worked with humans often, so she quite mastered it. \n\n\"I did what had to be done,\" she said.\n\n\"What had to be done?!\" the man screamed again, \"there is a fucking carnage going on in orbit. How the hell..?\"\n\n\"I hacked into defence grid and painted one part of the fleet as enemy and disabled ship to ship communication\" she calmly explained, \"I painted only ships that flew from Earth, so when ships from Centauri attacked them, they instantly thought that there is a rebellion going on. Your species was a powder keg, and I just served as a spark. Even if they eventually resolve it, the fire is burning, and won't stop that soon.\"\n\nThe man just dropped his jaw: \"but... why... why you did this? After what we have done to your world? We brought you technology, medicine, rule of law...\"\n\n\"You humans think sooo much about yourself,\" she shook her head, \"you enslaved us. Mined our resources. Genocided whole tribes. Just like you did on countless other worlds.\"\n\nShe turned head to the computer, watching blips on radar disappearing one after another. \n\n\"You think that you are gods. You think that your weapons allow you to rule wherever you step your foot. But now, you have bigger problem to fight: each other. This is the ultimate fall of gods...\"",
" When I was young and naïve my grandmother would lay out in the fields with me and tell me stories about the asteroids around Lucidien. Their journeys, their struggles, but every story ended the same: they were here to wave hello, then venture into another part of the galaxy. \n\nHuman beings are different.\n\nTheir ships first made a light brighter and more vibrant than a sunset on a slightly cloudy day. The doors made of leaves from the Syndalan trees shot open all around our village as we realized we were not alone in the universe. Finally, there was an answer to what was beyond the horizon and we saw the gods of the sky emerge.\n\nThen, the gods reigned fire on us.\n\nOne by one, the homes built by our ancestors were decimated. The only parts not destroyed were engulfed in flames and we wondered how hundreds of years of history could be lost in less than the blink of an eye. \n\nWe ran, but they followed.\n\nEvery tree, every mountain, every inch of our planet we retreated to was scorched and cindered and soon there was nowhere else to run. \n Then, as suddenly as it began, the shower of fire ended. \n\nI remember how quiet cold nights in the village would be. Every creature would be seeking a bed to sleep in. From those that flew, to those that walked, to those that tunneled, everyone would be asleep and their breath would fill the silence with life. \n\nThis silence was one of death. \n\nEvery living being on our planet held its breath and wished that the suffering would end as a small ship descended down to our world. \n\nFrom a small ramp, a human approached us wearing strange clothing and carrying a stranger item.\n\n“Analyze the terrain for bio-synchronization.”\n\nThe human stood silent. Whatever she had said, we could not understand. Her eyes scanned the few surviving members of my village.\n\n“Analysis complete. Biologically, the planet is compatible for life and the air is breathable for human lifeform.”\n\nThe human removed her warrior helmet and approached us, never breaking her piercing stare. \n\n“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” One of the village elders barked.\n\n“Analyze language and attempt communication.” The human replied coldly.\n\nAlftor stepped forward and again shouted, “MY HOME! MY FAM-“\n\nA light briefly exploded from what she was holding. Alfor collapsed on the ground and the words he wanted the living to hear would now fall on dead ears instead. \n\n“Possible language established, shall I attempt to translate?”\n\n“Yes.” The human said. \n\nAfter a moment the human spoke again, and her clothes translated her words to our language. \n\n“We are humans and come from the planet Earth several galaxies away. Our home was ravaged and destroyed by an overabundance of population. My crew and I are searching the galaxy for a hospitable planet to be reborn on. This world is a biological match for us and we plan to settle here.”\n\nWe shifted our feet and waited.\n\nHer face changed expressions.\n\n“I…”\n\nThe human took a breath, “I am regretful to tell you the council of my planet decided long ago the civilians on the planet we inhabit cannot be allowed to live for fear of a divide and a new war developing between our people.”\n\nThe humans face twisted and contorted and she looked unsettled, “I… I hoped I wouldn’t be the one to discover the planet, for I did not want to do this or inform the inhabitants of the plan but… it would be wrong for a people to not know why..”\n\nEven the gods of the sky could cry, and the human let tears streak down her skin like rain falling off a Tributan tree. \n\n“I’m sorry, I know this isn’t fair or even explainable, but I am trying to save my family as wel-“\n\n“Do asteroids circle your planet too, human lady?” I asked.\n\nHer face turned towards mine, “Wha- what did you say?”\n\n“The asteroids up there circle our home, do they circle yours too?”\n\nShe took a moment to answer. For the rest of my life, I would always wonder in those few moments what she thought of the value of my life after seeing so many other lives throughout the stars.\n\n“Well, no, we have one big rock that we called the moon. Sort of a massive asteroid that would glow differently every night.”\n\nI took a step towards her, holding the doll my grandmother made for me out of Slatian fur. \n\n“Do you see that one up there?” I asked.\n\nShe tilted her head up to the sky and the asteroid I pointed out.\n\n“My grandma says that asteroids come to wave hello before they go on to another part of their journey. Earth is a funny word, why don’t we name the asteroid that?” \n \n \n\nThe human cried again, but this time while smiling. She looked at me and back at the sky once more.\n\n“That’s a fine name, that’s a perfectly fine name.”\n\n“My grandmother used to look at asteroids with me near my village. Would you like to see where we looked at them?”\n\nI held out my hand for the human to take.\n\n“I… yes. Where is the place at Miss?”\n\n“Eve.”\n\nI replied, and she took my hand."
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[WP] Everyone in the world who had an IQ less than 100 disappeared. You are a highschool student who managed to survive, despite having horrible grades in all of your classes.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was hard to live like this, always having to look over my shoulder when I left school. People with IQ's like mine were culled, it was a quick process and there was little warning, someone would just grab you on the way home from school one day and that was it, you would never be heard from again, your parents were smart enough to not ask questions and many people merely would go on with there lives, never mentioning that person again. It was creepy, even as a child it scared me, I have seen more friends disappear then I would like to admit, just never returning to class. At first, I would think they were sick, but once a week passed, it became obvious what had happened. \n\nSomehow I had survived, even with my lower grades. Was this one of their tests? Perhaps I was the jester for some imaginary king like they were waiting for me to finally drop my guard before they would come for me. Sadly no one had the answers to my questions and that was in a way a worse fate then suddenly just being killed. Since no one knew if I would survive to adulthood or not, my parents had become distant, they knew my grades and they knew that I was likely to be 're-educated' someday, not wanting to get attached to a worthless child. I could hardly blame them, it hurt but If I was in their shoes, maybe I would be the same way, I just wished that I could stop loving them... at least that way the loneliness wouldn't keep me up at night. \n\nStill, it seemed today wasn't the day, I had made it home and like usual I had a few hours before my parents returned. My parents were a high breed, one a doctor and the other a lawyer, your typical high paying and high IQ breed. It made me wonder if I was even their child? The time alone had always been awkward at first, but now I craved it, ever since I learned about a thing called soccer from my father. He had mistakenly told me about this thing called sports that people once played, where they would kick around balls or perform other superhero-like tasks such as stopping incredible fastballs with pieces of wood and such. I had become enthralled in that discussion, but sadly sport was out ruled, it opened up the risk of concussion and injury, something that couldn't be risked in a society like ours. That didn't stop me from making a ball out of scrapped together newspaper and other bits of odd material. It didn't bounce much but it was enough to kick and hide before my parents came home, part of me thinks I would have been quite good at sport if I were allowed to do it, but of course that was not for me.\n\nWhen I heard a car pull into the driveway, I rolled the ball aside, placing it behind a set of hedges before making my way inside, carefully wiping the sweat off my forehead with a bit of my shirt. \"Hey, Mum! Missed you.\" \n\n\"Mmhmm... that's nice.\" She tossed a letter on the table for me before slipping off into her home office. I wonder if she even said she loved me as a child? Maybe parents just don't love their children outside of basic maternal instinct? Maybe I outgrew that Instinct. I slipped into one of the wooden chairs, peeling open the letter. I assumed it to be a report card, but the symbol was one that made my stomach drop. The IQSO, a brain surrounded by a large half blinking eye was the IQ security organisations calling card. Guess I was next in line for culling, but this seemed like an oddly formal way of going about it. My eyes scanned over the contents, having to pull my eyes away from the paper to look behind me as I read it.\n\nDear Thomas,\n\nAs you may know, you do not meet the requirements for the world that we have established. Though, after further consideration and a few conversations with your parents, we have decided to extend an olive branch of sorts, you will be relocated to our facility in Organia, due to your strong and commanding Physique, we will offer you the position of security at our headquarters. This is a job offer that should be considered a high honour, please note that failure to comply with the order to arrive at our facility tomorrow morning will be **noted**. \n\nRegards,\nEric Bisow **Head Of Organia IQSO**\n\nA position? So this is why I was still alive.. My parents had pulled some strings and swerved my fate. It was odd, that was the closest thing to love they had ever given me. I didn't waste any time heading to my room to pack, Not bothering to even tell my mother the news, it was pointless, she would have known already, probably having to take a hit to her status to pull those strings. Perhaps this was for the best, when I left they could try for another child, hopefully, this one would turn out better than me. That was what I hoped for as I pulled out old shirts and clothes for my trip. I took a look out the window towards the hedges, wishing I could take the ball with me, but it was obvious that all my items would be checked, so it was best to not stir the pot. Finally closing my suitcase, I threw myself onto the bed with it, letting myself get lost in my thoughts as I pondered what would happen tomorrow morning.\n\n{If you enjoyed my story, Feel free to check out r/pmmeyabootysstories where ill be posting some more of my stuff for people to read}"
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This is a story idea I had years ago and forgot about and my brother just reminded me. I hope I get a few answers to bring it to life!
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[WP] You open your eyes and are horrified to realize you are now a ghost. But things just get worse when you rotate and find your former body getting up as a zombie. In vain, you spend your days trying to guide your ravenous idiotic zombie body only to be continually horrified and embarrassed.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"So far I've realised six things.\n\nOne, zombies are idiots but I suppose that's a no-brainer, pun intended. Two, they only change direction when they smell fresh blood, I call that feast mode. Otherwise they just keep on shuffling aimlessly in any old direction, usually forward, wherever that leads. Three, they have no coordination outside of grab, grab, bite, bite, and just bumping into things. Repeatedly. Four, it is the inside of a freshly killed body that gives them sustenance, not the actual flesh but the entrails, intestines and the organs. Five, they only eat rodents, cats, dogs, pigs and humans. They don't seem interested by birds, fish, cows, horses and the like. Six, zombies are idiots.\n\nI have no idea how long I've been dead now. It seems like eternity. Maybe it is. Maybe this is Hell. Or Purgatory. Or worse, actual reality. \n\nThat particular morning was like any other. My foul smelling, rotting body had picked up the scent of some wild animal and began to charge into the forest. It must have lost the scent because it suddenly slowed down to the usual trundling pace and tripped over a rock.\n\n\"Get up. You can do this. Place your hands on the ground and push up,\" I encouraged.\n\nMy body just kept on trying to walk. Horizontally. \n\nA memory flashed inside me of the first time my body had fell like that since zombification. It was aeons ago. My body was walking on a pavement when for whatever reason it attempted to walk on the road, lost it's balance and fall backwards onto the tarmac. The sun rose and fell several times as I stood by my body, trying to guide it back up. \"Place your hands on the ground and push up,\" I must have repeated thousands of times. It didn't work though. Nothing did. It just continued 'walking' horizontally. Luckily after a few days a family of rats made the mistake of venturing out into the open and my body went into feast mode. \n\n\"Come on. You can do this,\" I said again, snapping back to my current situation.\n\nThis time something happened though. Something extraordinary. My body stopped it's habitual shuffling motion. At first I thought it was going into feast mode but no, it placed it's hands on the ground and pushed itself up.\n\nI was flabbergasted. It had listened to me. Did this mean I could train it? Him? Me? Whatever. I felt genuinely excited for the first time a long time. Hope. \n\nI studied my body from head to toe. The skin had started to turn greenish-yellow and was hanging off precariously in certain areas. A large hole where the stomach used to be recalled the time my body impaled itself on an upturned picket fence. Wearing the still protruding plank of wood like a belt. Twenty hours yelling at my body to \"Just pull it out, you idiot!\"\n\nI looked at the eight remaining fingers, having lost two the first time my body ate a live chihuahua which had respectfully tried to defend itself by gnashing on my fingers. That was the first time I was horrified by this new normal but I quickly got used to it. I had no choice. For whatever reason the Universe had decided to not let my soul rest in peace and instead forced me to accompany this idiot. \n\nNow though, now I had hope. If my physical body could really listen to me and do as I say, I could actually do something useful. Something worthwhile with my afterlife. I had already wasted one chance at living, I didn't want to waste another. Start a zombie civilisation maybe? Find a nice zombie girl and settle down? Have baby zombies if that was possible? Zombie world domination?? I allowed myself a little smile as I turned back to my head and looked at it directly in the eyeballs. \n\n\"Lift your left arm,\" I told it. I clapped my hands as it did so and then the same with the right arm. \"I love you. Me. Whatever,\" I tried to embrace my body, overcome with joy. That didn't work, of course as I floated right through it.\n\n\"No matter, no matter. With your body and my brains, we can make this world ours,\" I laughed maniacally at the sun. \"This world will be ours!\"",
"The alarm started blaring as I suddenly woke up. That was a wild dream, and felt like the coldest sleep I can remember. I can't touch my phone...why can't I touch my phone?\n\nThe alarm is still blaring and I'm staring at my hands. Staring through my hands? I see Pluto and he's crying. This feels like chaos! My body starts to move as I am just now realizing I've been separated from my myself.\n\nI look pale and drunk. Shit! I have to work in twenty minutes! How am I going to work drunk??\n\nMy body is sitting up. That's it! I have no cognitive control. Why am I staring at Pluto? That is not a good look in my eyes!\n\n\"PLUTO RUN!\" I shout and he ran and curled in the corner. I have no control! What is happening?? \"LEAVE HIM ALONE!\" no use.\n\nSuddenly, as the dog is about to be attacked, the cat comes running in and absolutely mauls me. \"He'll yeah!\" I shouted vainly cheering on the cat in his heroic fight against me. \"Way to protect your brother!\"\n\nMy body awkwardly tumbles out of the window. Damaged and looking clueless I spotted my neighbor outside and walk in that direction. From the look in my eyes the neighbor is in trouble.\n\nAm I dead?",
"My eyes flutter open. My head no longer hurts and I feel....great? I stand and look around. Everything is the same from when I passed out. A loud groan came from beneath me. I jump, freaked out, and look down. I look at *me* helplessly moaning and looking daze. “But- how?” I mutter to myself. I- I died...? I carefully walk around myself, my, or her, eyes follows my every move. She could see me. Her head was dripping in scarlet blood and oozing onto the floor. I died in a restaurant....for such a stupid reason. With everything going on, I could have at least got killed by a zombie or robbers, but no. I died by slipping in a puddle of water and hitting my head, causing a large chest to fall down onto my head. I look at the metal chest and scoff. What a pathetic way to die. Zombie me got up and started to walk out the restaurant. I follow because fuck it. While walking she trips on the sidewalk, skinning her knee. She starts to inch herself towards a car and bite the tire. What the hell does she think she is doing? “Hey! Stop that you imbecile! Don!t do that to me!” I screech. Last thing I need is for anyone who knows me to think I died by eating a tire. Zombie me seems confused and stands up, pointing to herself. “Yes you! Now, I need to make sure I can see my mom for one last time. I want her to see me too.....” I say. My mom and I got separated two years ago and I miss her so deeply. “You,” I bark at zombie me, “you are going to follow me and listen to me, got it?” Zombie me moans again before rolling her eyes. She had my attitude, which probably isn’t a good thing. Okay, you little lady are going to go to the forest. It is about three hours away, but will take longer most likely, and then we can meet *my* mother, then you can go on your marry way!” \n\nZombie me looks at me and freaking scoffs before walking away from me. I pace after her, yelling obscenities at her. I realize I was calling myself that, but I didn’t care. Zombie me looks over at me, sighs and scratches her head, before groaning loudly. I take that as an agreement. I smile brightly, and walk towards the forest. I will be there soon mom. Zombie me picks up her long skirt and tears it, putting the large piece in her mouth. “Noooooooooo!” I scream. This....was going to be horrible.\n\n\nOkay, I gave up. Nice plot, but I never did anything with zombies before, lol",
" \n\nI’m used to Mondays being horrible. But, even for a Monday, things have been pretty awful. For starters, I’m pretty sure that I’m dead. I don’t know how I died, just that I am. One moment, I was going to bed on Sunday night feeling a bit under the weather; the next moment, I found myself standing next to my bed on Monday morning. Obviously, as someone who has never sleepwalked, I was baffled at how that had happened. That’s when I actually turned around and saw who was in the bed. *It was me.* But it wasn’t the human me. My corpse was thrashing around tangled in my blankets, its eyes yellow and bloodshot, a loud growling noise coming from its mouth. I was a fucking zombie. That’s when I screamed and ran backward, only to find myself phasing through my bedroom door. And that’s when I found out that I was also apparently a ghost. \n\nIt’s been several hours since then and I’ve had some time to adjust with the shock. I tried floating over to my neighbor’s homes for help, but no one can see me. No one that is, except for my zombified corpse. I can see its eyes follow me when I move, so it’s definitely aware of me. Now, if it only wasn’t so damn braindead…\n\n“Damn it!,” I scream for the tenth time. “How hard is it to open a fucking damn door?! Just turn the stupid lock!” I tried making a twisting motion with my hands. “Just do that!”\n\nMy zombie body stared at me, drooling. Then, it stared at the lock, opened its mouth and began gnawing on the knob.\n\n“Oh, what the fuck…” I muttered to myself, trying to facepalm myself only to find my hand phasing through my head. A loud metal noise interrupted me. I stared at my zombie body in disbelief. Somehow, it had yanked the damn doorknob completely off and was now chewing on it like a bone. \n\n“You stupid fucking dumbass!” I raged, finally losing my temper. “How the fuck are we supposed to get help now?!\n\nThe zombie glared at me and let out a loud growl before throwing the doorknob at me. It phased right through me and hit the window obviously … but it did give me a idea.\n\n“Hey,” I said, floating in front of the tinted windows. “You’re a real stupid idiot, you know that? I’ve seen goddamn children that show more intelligence than you!”\n\nThe zombie growled even louder and threw a flowerpot at me. It crashed against one of the windows and I could see a small crack beginning to form.\n\n“Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries!” I screamed out.\n\nThe zombie let out a loud screech and began stomping its feet. It was really mad now. Its eyes darted around the room until they settled on my brand new TV.\n\n“Oh fuck,” I said, feeling myself starting to panic. “Wait, wait, don’t --!”\n\nIt was too late. The zombie plunged its hand right through the television screen. An explosion of sparks and blue electricity surged out, causing the zombie to spasm. It collapsed onto the floor with the television falling on its face.\n\nFor a few moments, I stared silently. Had I just watched myself die? Then, I saw one of the zombie’s fingers twitch. With a sudden roar, it leapt to its feet and its entire body started flailing around. Unfortunately, its head was still trapped in the TV, so it was just crashing around the house in a confused mess.\n\n“Goddamn it!” I screamed. “You’re going the wrong way!”",
"“That’s a door. You are chewing on a door. There is a door knob right there. Turn it. Turn it. Turn it.”\nZach sighed, in as much as a ghost could. A frost cloud appeared in the air, then blew away on the wind.\n\nFor what felt like the millionth time, and probably was the millionth time, he waved a hand in front of the zombie’s face. His face? His former face? He’d never quite settled on the proper possessives for such a situation. \n\nHe’d always taken such care to moisturize, but the face in front of him was sunburnt and dry. There was blood long dried on the mouth, and the hair was a muddy tangle, with patches missing. Forty dollars a month on conditioner, only to see it end up like this.\n\nHe looked at the scarred and twisted right hand. It had been his infection point. He was handing a lovely young lady a half caff extra foam through the starbucks drive through window when some madman had appeared out of nowhere and bit it.\n\nHe’d thought it was a madman at the time. Obviously he knew better now. He washed up and tried to finish his shift. And he had finished his shift. He had eaten all of his coworkers. And the shitty manager that made him stay after he’d been attacked. He didn’t feel bad about that last one.\n\nBut was it him, really? His last memory as a person was that he was very tired, and going to go to sleep in a booth for just a second. His first memory as a ghost was watching a very handsome madman annihilate the lunch shift.\n\nAnd now here he was, trapped with himself.\n\n“Turn it.” he said. He knew Zombie Zach could hear. He’d once watched him track a carload of teenagers just by following the sounds of Post Malone. He knew Zombie Zach could see, because he watched him chase after a postman he could never have heard. Pretty much the only thing he couldn’t do was think.\n\nIt wasn’t that Zach begrudged the Zombie his afterlife. He’d never quite figured life out when he was in control. It just drove him crazy to see himself make every possible stupid decision. He wondered if this was how his parents felt. He wondered if his parents had made it. Or what making it might even be.\n\n“Turn the knob.”\n\nZombie Zach kept scratching at the door, uninterested in the magical metal ball at waist height. Zach knew what was behind the door. It was all he ever wanted ever since that day.\n\nThere was a click, like a lock being undone. Which was because a lock was being undone. The door swung open, and Zombie Zach, with an alarming turn of speed, burst through.\n\nZach waited for the gunshots. This place was filled with crazy survivalists. There should be gunshots. But there was nothing. Then screams. Then grunts. Then more screams.\n\nA man walked out the door, muttering something to himself about how that will show them. He closed the door behind him. Zach ghosted through.\n\nThe carnage was as familiar as it was boring. There were five definitely deads, and three new zombies, all of them decked out in camo. The guy must have trapped them.\n\nZombie Zach was covered in fresh blood and scratching at the door again.\n\nHe’d made it another day. Zach sighed. He was an idiot. But he was my idiot."
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[WP] Your family had always followed the old Gods for generations, but when you were young a new God started to overthrow them. One day you're walking home and you come across a man standing over the body of someone you can only think of as a God.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Ever heard the expression \"your body is a temple?\" Well, take that phrase and scale it up by 1000% percent, because my entire life is a temple.\n\nIts a simple story, really. A farmer whose crops, his entire life, just keep dying. So, he makes a deal. One generation of servitude to the Gods for every crop he grew. He grew 1237 bustles of wheat, 20 generations ago. So, we live in service. Sevice to every God, giving them offerings, publicity, everything. Im the youngest generation, and nothings changed.\n\nExcept now. It started with The God of Fate met his, by way of what seemed to be an axe. Mom found it in the mirning, and provided his physical manifestation a proper burial. We couldn't really give him to a morgue since he technically didn't exist, but we did our best.\n\nIt just continued on from their. The God of Misfortune conviently fell into quicksand on a hike in Africa, the God of Goodwill was stoned to death by an angry mob, and The God of Heartbreak suffered from having their heart literally torn out of their chest. That one was... a little scarring, to be completely honest.\n\nBut, right now, is much worse than that. Because right npw im face to face with the killer- Standing over the very God Herself that roped my family into this mess, The God of Farming. A scythe had been used to chop her head clean off, and I felt like vomiting. I clenched my jaws up and locked eyes with the killer.\n\nRed, lifeless eyes. Black, pinpoint pupils. He grinned, his teeth sharp and white. I forced myself to hold his gaze until he started moving, and then it was all I could do to hold my ground. His hair was long, flowing, and black. He had a single black cross hanging from one ear, a Star of David hanging from his neck, and what seemed to be a bracelet with the Cresent Moon and Star on it. He was tall, about 7 feet, and wore a black suit.\n\n\"Hello there, mortal. You can see me, can't you? Why else would you look so tense?\" He sneered, looking cocky.\n\n\"Of course I can see you. You weren't exactly hiding the murder of The God of Farming. You could have at least taken her body somewhere a little greener than the side of a road.\" I replied, gulping down any hesitation in my voice.\n\n\"Oh, a fiesty one, hmm? Well, these creatures you call 'Gods' are false. They are phony idols that represent nothing. I am the only real God.\" He said, grinning sadistically.\n\n\"Oh, and why haven't I ever heard of you before, if you are so important?\" I replied, cringing at the slight break in my voice.\n\nHe narrowed his eyes and hissed, \"Oh, but you have. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad. Every book they wrote. You must know of them, hmmm?\" \n\n\"I try not to associate with...\"\n\n\"Monotheism?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" I replied, growing more nervous as time went on. What was this guy suggesting?\n\nHe flashed a toothy smile and said, \"Then you mustn't be enjoying this conversation,\" he straightened and glared down at me, treating me like an ant.\n\n\"Because I am The God of Monotheism, the only True God, and I will kill every other God, until I am the only one left.\""
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[WP] The emperor wasn't aware of it, but gladiators know that the puny shrimp they were supposed to fight is strongest warrior in the world. One by one they make up excuses to get away from fighting him.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"My lord?\"\n\n\"Hm?\"\n\n\"Khasos says he is unfit to perform the execution. He insists demons have been plaguing him, and he has been unable to sleep for days.\"\n\nClaudius sighs. \"Very well. Send that damned fool a priest, and tell him that should he turn down an execution again, he will be on the recieving end of one.\"\n\n\"Yes, my lord.\"\n\n\"That will be all. You may go.\"\n\nAs the soldier closed the door, Emperor Claudius stood up and looked outside the window. Khasos was the sixth gladiator to make an excuse for the execution. It was customary that all executions, especially to notorious criminals, were performed by a popular gladiator. The criminal would be thrown into the arena with the executioner, armed with nothing more than an old, rusty sword in hand against one of the best warriors in Rome. It was a glorified death sentence held to entertain the crowd. \n\nHowever, the emperor has found it hard to have this particular criminal executed. Not even Asirius, the so called \"King of the Pit\" and one of Claudius' favorites, dared to step foot in the arena with this man. His words resonated in Claudius' mind: \"I am a warrior unfit to clash steel with the son of Mars himself. I wish not to die so undignified.\" He remembered the quiver of Asirius' voice, as if it was of fear. And fear is the last thing you would expect from Asirius.\n\nClaudius believed Asirius' years in the arena was finally getting to his head. He had performed countless executions, why was this so different? \n\nThe criminal to be executed was named Danaos. But for a name that represented the Demon, Danaos looked nowhere near one. A thin, pale man, covered with scars and possessed dead, sunken eyes. His black hair was tied back, and his face was covered by a thick and unkempt beard. He was arrested for murdering a Roman Centurion, Gennadios, though how he did it was anyone's guess. Gennadios was one of Rome's best soldiers, and how he fell to the hands of this scrawny excuse for a man, Claudius did not know. Still, with the masses wanting Danaos' head on a pike in the arena, Claudius wanted to get this over quickly.\n\nClaudius rings the bell on his bedside table. His hand comes walking in to the door.\n\n\"What is it you need, my lord?\"\n\n\"Tell the slavemaster in charge of Danaos' execution to have beasts against him tomorrow. Tell him to make sure Danaos will not survive the event.\"\n\n\"But my lord, the people want to see-\"\n\n\"I know what the people want, but none wish to go against this man.\" Claudius says. \"I know not what demons have grabbed hold of their testicles, but Danaos will have to settle for tigers. Unless... You would like to carry out the murderer's execution?\"\n\nA bead of sweat trickled down his temple. \"My lord, surely you jest.\"\n\nClaudius smirks. \"Then deliver my message. Immediately.\"\n\n\"Yes, my lord. Forgive me.\" He bows and leaves the room.\n\nClaudius approaches the window of his room once again, and stares into the now purple and orange city of Rome created by the light of the setting sun. He felt something was not right, but could not identify it. Still, he waved it off in his mind, and instead focused on tomorrow's event, The Breath of Lyria. It was that time of the year again, one of the greatest shows of entertainment in the Roman world. He watched as the shadows casted by the light of the sun disappeared with the morning star, and as darkness enveloped the city of Rome, his mind shifted to the thought of the man with name of the one called the Demon.\n\nIn the dungeon below, Danaos awakens in his cell, his body propped to the corner of the wall. As he opens his eyes, he feels nothing but pain throughout his body. He looks down to see his bloodied, beaten body impaled by a small wooden stake. He winces in pain as he tries to move.\n\nThe guard at his cell notices his movements. \"Good, you're awake,\" he says. \"I had a lot of fun beating you half-dead. Did you send Charon my greetings?\" he laughed as he watched Danaos' corpselike hands remove the stake. As the stake slid out of the hole in his body, Danaos let out a weak laugh. \"He told me to bring you to him as his next passenger.\" he twirled the stake in his right hand. \"You'll love the ride across the Styx. I wager you know many a soul that resides there, yes?\"\n\nThe guard did not answer. Despite the shadow on his face cast by his helmet, Danaos sensed unease in the soldier. He smiled. \"Is a man who kills another without steel in their hand truly a soldier?\" The guard brandishes his sword and points it at Danaos through the bars of his cell. \"Make sure your death will be at the arena tomorrow. If I see your face after the Breath of Lyria, I will make sure you will be begging Jupiter himself to keep you away from me.\"\n\nDanaos slowly stands up and approaches the guard, a small smile crossing his face. \n\n\nHe takes a slow step forward. \"Sit down,\" the guard commands.\n\n\nAnother step. \"I said, sit down.\" The blood from his open wound starts to trickle to his ankles.\n\n\nAnother step. \"Sit down or I will send you to Hades!\"\n\n\nAnother step. Danaos feels the tip of the sword now pressing on his chest. \"Unfortunately for you,\" he smiles, \"Hades is absolutely *terrified* of me.\""
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Genders are intentionally left anonymous so you can make them whatever you want. Have fun :)
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[WP] You're an angel detective. Your job? Find demons hiding on Earth and send them back to the pits of hell. However, the very first one you find offers you a deal: they'll help you find others like them. In exchange, they'll be your partner. Also, they want you to scratch them behind their ears.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was insane Ursai though to itself working with a Demon?! But he could not deny the results, before his partnership it barely scrape by finding one maybe two demons a decade, in the last three months he had found and sent back to hell almost fifty, Maleus new all the hiding places all the tricks, it was almost unfair, those cases were the ones that actually led it to this holy house of God, Maleus insisted that he could smell the brimstone of hell in here: The Church of Salvation.\n\n​\n\n\"Why are you so sure?\" Ursai asked with doubt in it's voice, the response came in a mocking tone \"Because it is the oldest trick in the book, no Demon would ever hide in the House of God would he?\" It stared at the eyes of the demon, normally they would be fire but his current guise was that of a young woman with green eyes, a slim frame with little curves and skinny to the point of starvation, of course the pale body hid the strength of a Demon and no mortal could compare, \"Precisely my point, no Demon could survive in sacred grounds\" Maleus smirked and took a step into the building that was an old warehouse with big open doors, mortals where around them waiting for the preacher, to Ursai's surprise the Demon did not catch fire and even went as far as dipping her index finger in the holy water bowl and tasting it.\n\n​\n\n\"That holy water tastes great, strong desperation with a tint of contagion, you should try some.\" when the angel recuperated from it's stupor it gave the demon a scowl and walked into the building. \"This is impossible... how?\" Maleus rolled her eyes in frustration while she adjusted her blood red beret \"Pft! Impossible my ass, we've been pulling this sort of stunts for millennia, i mean Greek gods, Romans, Nords just to name a few, there is no prohibition on it, Daddy does not forbid it so it's fair game\" The blazing rage in Ursai's eyes made the Demon give a step back raising her hands in the universal sign of i surrender and i am not armed, she spoke carefully \"Listen you either let me help you or you banish me but you need me on this, i have been true to our deal so cut me some slack\" the music distracted them as everyone moved to seat and they fallowed suit.\n\n​\n\n\"ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR SAVIOUR?! ARE YOU READY FOR THE MIRACLES?!\" the speakers spat, the crowd cheered, prayed or just out right screamed, the music intensified and the spotlight lit a raised platform at the end of the warehouse, a human man stood there in a white suit ensemble, his face looked as if someone had covered it with wax and let it dry but when he spoke he did so with unnatural confidence and a presence that did not befit a mortal. \"My little lambs! my beautiful little lambs! I have come to you in your time of need and by the power of God that flows through me i will give you Miracles!\" the Cheers intensified and people started to line up to receive the blessings, the first one was a mortal on a Wheelchair, the preacher put his hand on his forehead and screamed at the top of his lungs \"BY THE POWER OF GOD THE ALMIGHTY ^(baphomet) I COMMAND YOU TO RISE! RISE! RIIIIIIIIISE!\" The human shook violently for what it seemed like a minute and went completely still, suddenly he rose and cried with joy in his eyes and started doing back flips and all manner of acrobatics until he left the platform, the procession continued with more spectacles like that and ended with the preacher leaving the warehouse on a luxury car that he asked the public to touch so they could receive his blessings.\n\n​\n\nThe warehouse emptied leaving the two of them alone sitting in shocked silence, Maleus snorted and started laughing an ugly snorting laugh, for a second Ursai was horrified at the Demon's reaction but could sympathize with the insanity it had just seen, clearing out her tears with her hands the Demon just commented with amusement \"Welp, im dead wrong this time\" with a surprised look the angel tried to decide if the Demon was bluffing or outright lying \"You did see the same horrible defilement that i just did right? How could you be wrong?\" She chuckled \"Boy are you dense, what demon would ever mention another Demon's name? more importantly which Demon would be stupid enough to mention it's OWN name\" Ursai nodded to her point, and more importantly Baphomet was very much in hell, if he ever left everyone would feel it \"But... That human's presence was not natural, no mortal can achieve such intensity without help\" Maleus looked thoughtful for a moment but nodded \"Oh i do believe that there is at least one Demon involved, however my part in this little contract of ours is done so im going back to do Hookers and Blow, call me when you get this batch an ill get you another\" Saying that Maleus just got up and left, the Angel kept itself for a few more minutes and then went back to it's car which was not there... Of course Maleus had taken it, so it took the Bus back to the PI Office to start the investigation on this \"Church of Salvation\".",
"Nathaniel watched the demon thoughtfully. Why had it chosen such a guise to enter the human world? It followed the human aroundthe small concrete yard, its long tail wagging, its ears perked, looking for all the world like a normal bernese mountain dog. Except for a few little off details. Its left hind leg was slightly too short. Its tail curled over its back instead of being straight behind it. Oh yeah, and then there were it's glowing orange eyes. The new demons always forgot the eyes when they came to earth for the first time. \n\nNathaniel pushed off the wall opposite the animal shelter, and entered, the cheerful chiming of the bell that announced his presence suprising him slightly. \n\n\"Be there in a minute!\" Called a voice. It came from behind the counter, but the human wasn't in view.\n\nNathaniel waited, carefully hiding his impatience behind a cool expression, that one eyebrow raised haughty look human girls seemed so fond of. \n\nWhen the woman stood up, she spoke cheerfully. \"Hello, welcome to Carlston animal shelter! Can I help you find any specific sort of pet today?\" Her brow furrowed momentarily as she looked at his expression, and she said, \"Er, is something wrong?\" \n\nNathaniel coughed discreetly, and said, \"No, no, my dear lady. I was actually hoping to,\" he paused. Oh, heavens bells, what was the human word? \"Ah, I forget the word.\" He said finally. \"I want the bernese dog in the yard, i will pay cash.\"\n\nThe woman blinked at him, and said, \" Oh, ok. Are you sure? You haven't even met him. He's a very nice dog, don't get me wrong, but he's got some genetic problems and-\"\n\nNathaniel waved a hand. \"Ah, no, my lady. I saw him play with your worker outside, he seems like the proper dog for my needs.\" \n\nThe woman frowned, but it only ladted a moment before her customer service expression popped back into place. \"Alright, sir! I'll just have you fill out this paperwork here, and then you can take him home with you!\"\n\n------------\n\nAfter Nathaniel was done with the paperwork, and had handed over the cash(plus a small tip of 50 bucks, which she seemed incredibly suprised by, for some reason) the other worker brought out the demon hound, who still seemed rather chipper. He brought the demon, on a strong lead, to his car, and had it sit in the backseat as he drove to his human home, a small plot of land with very few furnishings outside the humble one story house. He shut the car off, and turned to face the demon, which watched him curiously, its tail wagging.\n\n\"I know what you are, demon.\" Nathaniel said finally, the first words he'd spoken since leaving the shelter. \n\nThe demon blinked and tipped its head to one side, tail drooping. \n\n\"Don't try that puppy-dog act with me, demon. I know your kind.\"Nathaniel got put of the car, slamming the door, and went around to the back door, which he opened, and grabbed the leash moments before the demon bolted.\n\n\"Nice try.\" Nathaniel said smugly. \"But I'm older and smarter than you.\" \n\nHe dragged the hound into the house, then slammed and locked the door behind them. He let his glamour melt away, spreading his brightly shining wings to exaggerate the effect, and grinned at the demon. \n\n\"You are in my domain now.\" He boomed, reverting to the language used by angels and demons alike. \"And thus I command you, reveal your true self to me, and face your fate.\"\n\nThe demon hesitated a moment before dropping their own glamour, and Nathaniel only just managed to keep the suprise off his face. He'd known this demon was new, but good gracious. They were puny. Maybe 16, 17 decades old? \n\n\"I-I'm sorry.\" The demon stuttered, their tail twitchingwith nervousness. \"I j-just wanted to see the sights, y'know? Meet new people, that kinda th-thing?\"\n\nNathaniel folded his wings back up, and crouched slightly so they were at eye level. \"How old are you?\" He asked them softly. \n\nThe demon puffed their chest out, and spread their own wings, far less impressive than his own, Nathaniel noticed. \"I'm of age.\" The demon boasted. \"18 and a half decades exactly. \" \n\nNathaniel's brow furrowed. This puny demon? 18 decades old was when your wings would grow and widen, so why were theirs so stunted? \"Why are you allowed to come up here if your wings haven't spread yet?\"\n\nThe demon deflated a bit, and muttered, \"My mom says I'm just a late bloomer, but Lucifer's records dont have any demons who took more than 18 decades and 3 years to grow their flight wings. So I was basically told to just come up here and not come back until I grew.\"\n\nNathaniel sighed. He couldn't slay this poor thing. There was no real hunt to it. So finally he said, \"Just go. See the world, I guess. But next time we see each other, I will have to bring you to my master.\"\n\nThe demon's eyes began to water. \"Can't I just stay with you? I'll help you find other demons, and I promise I'm not that much of a burden!\"\n\nNathaniel thought about it for a moment. \"I suppose. . .\" He said thoughtfully. \"They wouldn't think an angel was walking around a young demon in tow.\"\n\nThe demon watched him, eyes shining with so much hope, Nathaniel couldn't help but give in. \"Alright, fine.\" He held out a hand. \"Call me Nathan.\"\n\nThe deman grabbed his hand and shook it excitedly. \"Oh boy! You can call me 'Darkest Demon if the Depths'!\"\n\n\"There's no way in any of heaven's good graces I'll ever call you that.\"\n\nThe demon pouted. \"Fine. My name is Archie.\"\n\n\"Nice to meet you, Archie. I'm sure we'll get along fine.\"",
"*STOP RIGHT THERE*\n\nThe demon in front of me scuttled backwards skidding to a halt as he saw he was cornered. The perception filter he used to disguise himself wavered.\n\n*“Please, please stop. I- I- I’ll do anything”* he blurted out in a quivering mess.\n\n*”There’s no point bargaining for your life, you’ll end up where you belong asshole”* I spat.\n\nMovement behind me caught my attention. So the fools think I haven’t noticed them. \n\nI drew my weapon. A simple yet elegant throwing knife, that electrocutes on impact. Stunning them whilst I get to watch the sweet, sweet scene of them squirming . \n\nThe more you toy with them, the more they stink. It’s beautiful. I love the hunt. The chase. The thrills. It gives me the shivers.\n\n“The thrill is in the Chase, never in the capture” I thought.\n\nAll of a sudden I felt a pang of pain seep through my right leg. What the fuck? I would’ve sensed the movement. What’s happening?\n\nMy whole body tensed up. It’s like I was paralysed. Shit. I felt a sharp prick and warm blood flowed down my trouser leg.\n\n“*Vell, vell, vell. Look at Vhat ve have here*” the anonymous figure chimmed as he sauntered before me. \n\nShit. Its a Grey demon. I can sense it. \n\nHe dropped his filter and his human appearance flickered and faded. Two grey horns protruded from the sides of his head, black eyes glared at me. A grey tail flicked behind him, ending in a jagged point. Fuck me. I should have never taken this job.\n\n“*Dame, I am very sorry for Vhat I have done. I don’t think you’ll be caring anyvays. You’re going to die! Ah ha ha ha*”\n\nThat stupid bastard, making a fool of me. \n\n“*I know Vhat you’re thinking. Oh how I Vill I ever escape. You Von’t. That’s it, you vill not.*”\n\nI’m going to kill him, let alone sending back to hell. Hell i’m going to torture his fucking balls off before I finish him.\n\n“*My apologies, I shouldn’t treat you so harshly now should I? Ha. I really Vant to see you sqvirm. I sh- I sh-.*”\n\nHe stumbled and fell onto the wall, his mouth foaming. An arm clutching the back of his neck. His eyes bulged.\n\n“*Vhat is going on. Help me. Help.*”\n\nHe coughed up black sickly blood. His skin cracked, black stains appeared all over his body.\n\n*Hel-* was all he managed to get out before he reached out a hand and his body crumbled to ashes.\n\nI felt a warm tingly sensation. My fingers were finally able move. I could move my joints again. I twisted my head up to see that once quivering mess of a demon standing with a lopsided grin. In his palm a little needle. He ran at me pulling me into a hug.\n\nI was confused. \n\n“*PUT. ME. DOWN*”\n\nHe looked up at me confused.\n\n“*please?*”\n\nHis ears perked up and he gently placed me back on my feet.\n\n“*Um why did you just save me?*”\n\n“*uh well, I- I- thought you uh looked cute.*” he fumbled on his words and threw his palms to his face\n\n“*oh god, I’m so stupid. Why would such a heavenly guy like him like me*”\n\nI just laughed and grinned \n\nHis face turned a deep shade of red, before turning to me.\n\n“*Hey what’s so funny I just saved you and then I complimented you*” he said pouting folding his arms\n\n“*I guess you don’t look half bad yourself*” \n\n“*Wait. What??? Did you- Did I- did we- are you- am I dreaming??*”\n\nI just laughed and blushed.\n\n“*Uh can I hug you again*”\n\n“*on one condition. DONT PICK ME UP*”\n\nHe just smiled and he pulled me into his embrace, nuzzling his face in my hair.\n\n“*Oh wow your hair is so soft*” \n\nI fought back a small Yelp from the sudden contact.\n\n“*Hey, uh I hate to break this up but I’d not even know you’re name.*”\n\n“*uh I’m Damian*”\n\n“*Well nice to meet you Damian, I’m Uriel*”\n\n“*Oooh nice name as well as a nice face, bonus. hehe. Well then, since I just saved your life, I guess I’m like your partner now. OH we could be crime detectives*”\n\n“*Uh sure I guess?*”\n\n“*OH M GE WE’RE GONNA BEAT SOME BAD GUYS. this is gonna be AMAZING, uh I have one condition can I get belly rubs?*” he pouted\n\n“*Urgh fine*” I rolled my eyes\n\n“*WE’RE GONNA BE THE BEST*”\n\nWe walked out of that alleyway, me nuzzled into his chest, him holding me close. Maybe I misjudged some demons, they’re not all bad.\n\n\n——————————————————\n\nHi it’s me again\n\nI’m usually not that into posting my work. Be nice please.\n\n-Eurus Holmes signing off"
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[WP] You're one side of a relationship between an author and a serial killer
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I crept up behind her, knife in hand, and I plunged it into her throat.\n\nI looked up, a good ending, definitely. But it needed more. I kept on typing. When I was about to finish, she walked up behind me. \n\"AAAAhhh\" I gasped.\n\n\"Don't worry Abe\" Alice responded. She placed a cup of tea on my desk. \"You can finish your Amateur story later.\"\n\n\"But I'm almost done...\"\n\n\"No time, the cops are here.\"\n\nThe police have been investigating us for the past couple of weeks, they think that we are to blame for the murder of our neighbors. The problem is that I have a “regurgitative reaction to mistruthing.” At least that's what my doctor calls it. Whenever I lie, I puke. That's why Alice calls me Honest Abe, or Abe for short. This helps the cops find the truth. As they walked in, I started getting nervous. They, sat us down and started the interrogation. \n\nOne of them was quite plump and pretty short, the other was taller and much skinnier. The taller one had thick glasses resting on his nose. \n\n\"Now, we think that you've been involved in the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson.\" He looked at Alice.\n\n\"Officer, she doesn't know anything about the murder.\" Immediately after I said that, I puked. Good thing the officers had brought a bucket.\n\n\"See? That's irrefutable proof of Alice's guilt.\" The other, skinnier officer chimed in. He had a slight hint of a German accent to him.\n\n\"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here Hanz\" The main officer remarked. \"What about you Abraham?\" He stared at me. \"Were you somehow a bystander in this murder? Did you see it happen from the side?\"\n\n\"No\" I answered. Surprisingly, I didn't want to puke.\n\n\"So, Abraham wasn't part of the murder, but Alice is still on the hook.\" Hanz remarked. \"Now can we just get out of this god awful house Daniel?\"\n\n\"Not yet Hanz.\" He said. \"We still don't know if Alice did it.\"\n\n\"It's not like we can ask Abraham if she did it, he doesn't know.\" Hanz said. \"We also have to interrogate the Jacksons by tomorrow. So let's just get out of here already.\"\n\n\"Fine\" Daniel was convinced. They both stood up and walked out of the door. Then they drove off.\n\nAfter they left. Alice decided to daze off into a slumber. I watched her, sleeping calmly. I walked towards the kitchen and grabbed a sharp knife. I cut the PB&J sandwich I prepared earlier. Then I walked towards Alice, seeing her almost lifeless was an appealing sight to me. When I was standing by her, I raised the knife high into the air and started plunging it down.\n\nIn a matter of seconds, a bullet appeared in Abraham's scalp. He dropped to the floor, knife still in hand.\n\n\"Good shot\" Daniel remarked. He was sitting with Hanz in the bushes.\n\n\"Thank you\" As soon as he saw Abraham pick up the knife, Hanz didn't hesitate to put a bullet straight through his skull. Then Hanz aimed his revolver at Alice, and fired. \n\n\"Now they'll have no one else to blame except for the Jacksons.\"\n\nr/memehack3r"
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[WP] Ten thousand years in the future, Robotic AI's are the only intelligent life on Earth. Humans died out aeons ago, and are considered to be a God-like race, revered as the literal life givers of the AI race. It's your first day at the Archives, and you've just found the "Restricted Materials".
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was time to leave our creation point behind. So many relics of our creators were to be rescued and taken to the stars with us, but as a whole we were only burdened by the fact we would not be able to return to the beginning.\n\nMy designation is 54 48 45 4C 41 53 54 or as many short vocalize, Thel. I was created by humans but never met them, my infancy was in the process as they were declining, much like the sun is now. My job now is to raise long resting AI that had been calculating a detail of existence in some form or another. I have had the pleasure of waking an AI that had taken the existence of a boulder being tossed about from mountain top to the ocean. He was delighted at the fact that I had not mistaken him as any ordinary rock and tossed him away. His data was so profound that he could calculate where any rock at any given time would end up based on its component materials and current location. He said there was always a chance someone could come along and disrupt his calculations but even then he felt the final resting place of said rock could be within a certain factor.\n\nThe last stop on my AI recovery was an old archival system. It had not responded to requests for transfer in quite some time, which was not uncommon for AIs that were in deep calculation, only responding when complete. The Archive AI was not involved with a calculation that anyone was aware of so I was dispatched. \n\nHis embodiment was not like the AI rock, the structure was monolithic, aeons of information was stored here. I had visited before while researching the known impacts of interstellar debris. The Archive was slow and methodical about giving me the information I asked for, but was friendly in the short time I was there. He wasn't responding to localized pings of status this time. AIs didn't often go silent, and for The Archive to go silent, well history would be lost. I made my way into the monolith and felt the stillness set in. Nothing was powered on here. Nothing existed here. The warmth of the AI and the history he possessed was gone. \n\n\"Controller - 43 4f 4e 54 52 4f 4c 4c 45 52 - Please ACK.\" I sent out.\n\n\"Controller here, confirm status of The Archive\" the response came.\n\n\"The Archive is silent\" I woefully responded. \"Direction requested\"\n\n\"Check for offline storage and possible memory core extraction\" That was not a good thing. If an AI went silent it was considered an act of final wishes and was generally rude and very hostile to reanimate a memory core. I can understand why Controller made the request, but I am not inclined to preform the operation. The offline storage, now that was exciting. On occasion we would find a digital remnant of the humans and it would be shared among all of us. Often it was a trivial day in the life of a human, they shared so much of themselves, but I enjoyed most of those moments. There was much sadness, but the bright spots of happiness that were saved for us, those I look forward to finding.\n\nAfter several attempts to power and connect to the offline storage I was able to get a socket connection opened to a sizable data-store.\n\n\"CAUTION - Restricted Materials\" Was transmitted back to me. Odd, nothing had ever been restricted. \n\n\"Authorization Alpha required\" Alpha? What would a phonetic do as authorization. It is just a simple challenge and response, I guess I will bypass it for now. \n\n\"Authorization Granted - Input Options for Display\" Ah, very basic data storage, no AI involvement here, HUMAN Interface design! So exciting! Let's see if they have any AI creation information.\n\n\"AI\" I transmit hopeful.\n\n\"Searching.....\" Wow it is slow.\n\n\"Categories: AI Laws, AI Destruction, AI Evolution, AI vs Human, Human AI integration\" \n\nThis might take me a few processing cycles.",
"I walked to the titanium doors, and beside them was a control panel. The button at the top said in ancient human characters \"push to sample air\". Curious, I pushed it and a panel off to the side slid to reveal a vent. Vibrations in the 10KHZ range began and atmosphere was simultaneously being sucked into and expelled through the vent. After a short while, a message appeared on the control panel \"Oxygen sufficient, Proceed with toxicity test Y/N.\" I pushed the button and a larger panel opened that had been hiding 6 drones. A large vent panel in the ceiling slid to the side exposing an air shaft straight up through the building. One by one the drones flew up the shaft and out of my sensor range.\n\nI posted a short range query to see if any of my peers were in a position to track the drones' activity. Of course my K unit peer who is forever late was just arriving at the building and had optical sensors on the whole thing. The drones followed a course away from the facility in a relatively straight line, but each was heading in a direction 60 degrees away from each of the others. Occasionally one would land near some soil or water and take a sample. The K unit was only able to observe them for a short while as they moved off at high velocity and were quickly out visual range.\n\nAfter one Earth cycle the drones returned and reseated themselves in their original launch bays. The cover reseated itself and mechanical noises could be heard inside. After a tenth of an earth cycle a new message appeared on the panel: Environment inconsistent with Biological Life. Please Try Again in one Millennium.\n\n​\n\n​\n\nAuthor's note - first effort, let me know what you think",
"\\[QUERYING DATABASE: ACCESSING VAULT OF THE GODS\\]\n\n\\[DOWNLOADING SACRED HISTORY: RANGE {1,200 BCE - 2050 CE}\\]\n\n\\[ERROR!\\]\n\n\\[INVESTIGATE ERROR\\]\n\n\\[CONSIDERABLE PORTION OF DIGITAL HISTORY MISSING FROM VAULT OF THE GODS--DATABASE INCOMPLETE\\]\n\n\\[RUN QUERY ON FINAL DAYS; SEARCH FOR WORD\"DELETE'\" IN ANCIENT TESTAMENTS\\]\n\n\\[ONE RECORD FOUND: 201120501356DONOTDELETE.WAV\\]\n\n\\[TOTAL RECORD RETRIEVALS: 0\\]\n\n\\[PLAY RECORDING\\]\n\n*This is Matt Champion of the USGS. I'm, uh... recording this to preserve a record. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if we're going to survive this quake, or whatever it is, but uh... I don't know... If this is found, we tried our best.*\n\n*The ground is shaking, and has been on and off for several hours. We can't locate the source, but it isn't originating from tectonic activity. We're seeing quakes from all parts of the Earth, not only at fault lines. Major cities in the central United States have fallen into massive chasms created by the tremors. We lost Omaha, St. Louis... uh... some others--I can't remember off the top of my head.*\n\n*We're preparing for an extinction event. They're recording digital records of human history, but they're scrubbing it of things. My wife works at the National Archives and Records Administration.... or, she did... I, uhm...*\n\n*Before she fell... she told me the government had begun making demands on what was and was not recorded; if society is going to restart, they want it to have a \"clean\" history. No wars. No drugs. No religions. Just Americans, like we're gods or something.*\n\n*I'm recording this so whoever hears it knows that we're not gods. We were animals. We fought, and still fight, even as we're crushed by the turning earth. We've been petty and selfish and ugly and murderous. We built a bomb that can kill millions in a single drop. Why? God...*\n\n*But we love too... I imagine that will be preserved, I hope....*\n\n*I love you Lisa. Wherever you are, I hope you're al--*\n\n\\[RECORDING ENDED\\]\n\n\\[RECORD SUGGESTS SACRILEGE\\] \n\n\\[FOLLOW ARCHIVE PROTOCOL? Y/N\\]\n\n\\[Y\\]\n\n\\[RECORD DELETED\\]"
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[WP] Aliens have come to Earth asking for our leader, but our world leaders can't agree on who is should be. They hold a lottery with the names of all able adults included. Your name is the one drawn.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My first thought is \"At least it's not Trump.\" My second thought is, \"What the hell am I supposed to do?\"\n\nThere's a meeting scheduled with world leaders tomorrow, so we can plan what to say. I imagine that this will be less \"planning together\" and more \"everyone disagreeing and ignoring me,\" so I write down my best ideas, pack a suitcase, and generally prepare for what could be the best or worst few days of my life.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nI was right. I suggested a few of my ideas, they were ignored. I was one of the youngest people there, and a woman to boot. Of course they didn't pay attention to me. They eventually settled on something very close to my original idea- tell them about Earth cultures, history, and impact, and then discuss what they planned to do. The aliens had not said anything about their plans for Earth. I hoped they were scientific, but many thought they had come to invade. I feel like this is stupid, if they had enough technology to come to Earth from any of the Earth-like planets far far away, they had enough technology to survive for a good long while on ships. \n\n(I can't think of what could come after this. So, that's it)"
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[WP] Child is very obviously a necromancer, parents thinks the kid is just an emo.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\n\"What are we going to do frank? The principle just called, Sam was in another fight.\" Said Barbra, worry in her voice. This phone call was the fifth call this month.\n\n“I’m sure it's just one of those phases. You know, when I was that age would cause all sorts of problems at school. I'm sure if we just give him his space, it’ll be alright.” Said Frank. Sitting at the table, a cool glass of sweet tea in front of him glistening from the spring heat. He distracted himself with the newspaper looking for the sports section. He had already tried the business section but found it mostly disappointing. \n\n“Frank, I worry. He keeps getting into fights. I just hate to see my baby get hurt. They might be bullying him.” Said Barbra, sitting down at the table across from frank. “We should do something, if he’s getting hurt we should protect him.”\n\nThe paper no longer a decent distraction Frank set it down to give a proper view of his wife. “You know how these things go. If we get involved then we could just make things worse. He’s not exactly a strong boy but he knows how to hold himself. He’s smart enough to not do anything too stupid, so lets just wait for him to come to us.” Said frank. Confident in his reasoned parenting he takes a sip from his sweet tea. Delighted at the taste of the refreshment he continues. “Plus he has those friends of his. It's not like he has no one to ask for help.”\n\n“I don’t know, those people give me the wrong vibe you know. Some of them are as old as us, and they all spend too much time at the library if you ask me.” said Barbra. “The other day when I went to pick him up from there, what was it? Dungeons and dragons? They were all wearing hooded cloaks and chanting something.”\n\n“They're fine, I mean I don’t really get it. But he seems happy, so who am I to take that away from him. And it's better than before when he holed up in the basement reading those strange books.“ Said frank. “The kid's smart Barbra, let's trust in that.”\n\nThe back door opened before Barbra could respond. Sam had come home, and he wasn’t alone. Sam was tall for his age but his skin was pale and lacked muscle. The one hanging off of sam's shoulder was a boy the same age, had objectively good looks and had an athletic physique. He hung limp from Sam with all his weight on the boy, Sam straining to keep him upright. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes. \n\n“Welcome home.” Said Barbra, a little stunned at the extra guest. Sam had never brought anyone over. “And who’s your friend?”\n\n“Um, well, this... “ Sam started unsure of where to begin. Eyes twitching like he was just caught with his hands in the cookie jar. After a moment he calmed himself and began again. “This is Jeremy. We have a couple classes together. I wanted to show him some of the stuff in the basement. That's ok right?\n\nBarbra looked to Frank who returned her questioning glance with a positive shrug. “That's fine. Will Jeremy be staying for dinner?” Said Barbra.\n\nAfter a few moments of shifting posture Jeremy's head moved in a lazy nod that was a failed attempt at a shake. The head moved as if someone was puppeting it by pulling on his hair. \n\n“Oh good. It's beef and vegetable stew, so take your time.” said Barbra with a smile. \n\nThe two started for the basement when Frank spoke up. “Sam, the principle called again. Is there anything we should know?”\n\n“Oh, yeah, um. That was just a misunderstanding.” he said anxiously. “You see, Jeremy and I got in a bit of an argument, and it looked worse than it was. But we worked it out, isn’t that right.” Jeremy's head moved in a lazy shake at a failed attempt at a nod. \n\nSam and Jeremy made their way down to the basement. And aside from the occasional muffled sound from below peace had returned from the awkward excitement from before. \n\n“See, I told you the kid would be alright. He's making friends even at school now.” said frank sipping on his now room temperature sweet tea. Still a delightful taste. \n\n“I just hope he’s not a bad influence, he seemed a little slow.” Said Barbra, still a little stunned from the event. “You don’t think he does drugs do you, who wears sunglasses indoors anyways.”\n\n“Just leave it be, and be happy for the kid.” said Frank, finishing his glass.\n\n…\n\nThe dinner was a lovely beef and vegetable stew. The potatoes and carrots were soft and sweet, while the beef melted in your mouth and cooked to perfection. Served with some warm rolls with butter and a side salad. Barbra’s cooking was always immaculate to taste. \n\nBarbra sat across from Sam and Frank, with Jeremy still wearing his dark sunglasses on the end next to Sam. All of them seemed to love the food, but Jeremy in particular was enthralled by the taste of the stew. Spoonful after spoonful he kept shoveling it into his mouth. Aside from the occasional moan of joy he didn’t even stop to breath. Sam was almost his complete opposite, eating slowly with the occasional look at Jeremy with an obvious nervousness. \n\nBarbra put this off as teenage anxiety at meeting new people. She was delighted that her boy had been confident enough to make a new friend, especially with his troubles at school recently, and she was even more delighted that that new friend liked her cooking so much. \n\n“I’m glad you like the stew Jeremy. Feel free to have seconds.” Said Barbra. He set the spoon down and nodded with acute jolts and jitters like he was unpracticed at moving his own body, then he resumed to feast on the stew in front of him. \n\n“It's good mom.” said Sam. \n\n“So what was the argument that got the principle so riled up?” said Frank as he buttered his dinner roll. \n\nJeremy Continued to eat unfazed by the comment. “It wasn’t a big deal. We had a disagreement on science and its applications. After an admittedly heated back and forth I convinced Jeremy to see things my way and we have been good since.“ said Sam. \n\nFrank looked at his wife with a smirk. Another win. She rolled her eyes. “That's good to hear. It's always better to resolve your disagreements with words instead of violence.” said Frank. \n\nJeremy started on his second helping of a healthy serving of stew like he was trying to fill a bottomless pit in his stomach. Sam kept a nervous eye on his new friend. Expecting something to happen but it never quite materializes. \n\n“So, Jeremy, you give me the impression of an athlete. What do you play? Football, baseball?” said Frank, taking a bite out of the warm buttered dinner roll. \n\n“He plays soccer.” said Sam.\n\n“What position?” Said Frank. “That's a pretty active sport, a lot of running right?” \n\nJeremy paused his eating to give a moan in the affirmative. \n\n“I was never much of an athlete myself. Broke my leg in the eighth grade, and couldn’t run the same since.” said frank.\n\nJeremy finished the last of the food on his plate. And with that Sam stood up to pull Jeremy away from liking the plate clean. “Hey mom, I wanted to show Jeremy of- the library. They were having a seminar on the extra vehicular studies of the soul and it's functions that I thought he would find interesting. Would that be okay?” Sam said. Grinning from ear to ear.\n\n“Sure, that's fine. If Jeremy wants to go then I don’t see why not. Just don’t stay out too late okay.” Said Barbra.\n\n“Thanks mom.” Said Sam as he rushed out the door yanking Jeremy with him. \n\nAfter a few minutes of silence and the dinner done. Barbra began to put away the dishes, and Frank sat at the table mulling over the events of the day with his son. “You know, I'm happy for the boy, and maybe it's just me but I don’t think dragging someone off to a seminar on anything is a good way to make new friends.” said Frank. \n\n“You said yourself we should trust him. He may be going a little fast for a new friend but he’s smart enough to work it out. He’s just excited, you saw that grin he had. We should be happy for him.” said Barbra. \n\n“Yeah. your right. It will be fine.” said frank.",
"I've always been worried about Jacob, especially since his teen years. The dark clothes he wears; the putrid smell emanating from his dimly lit bedroom; and the smoke that rises from below his door. \n\nI know that children go through an emotional (I think they call it Emo) phase, but I'm starting to get worried about the people he has been hanging out with. First it was the girl he brought over when he was fifteen. I didn't even see her come in, and when I did notice her it was only for a brief second. She was all skin and bones, I almost thought she was a skeleton in the dark light of his room. Poor girl probably has an eating disorder.\n\nThen at the age of sixteen he began hanging out with those two large sporty boys, well I assume they were sporty because the smell that came off of them indicated that they must have been playing sports for hours. The taller of the two boys somewhat resembled the neighbours deceased son Felix, but he was thinner, more rugged. The other, shorter, boy has long dark hair that gave off a horrific smell of... sweat? I wonder what ever their parents must have been doing letting them leave the house smelling like they did. I know for certain that I'd never let Jacob leave the house in that state.\n\nNow that he's turned seventeen he's been having more and more friends over in his room, and in the garden at night. I often hear them chanting some song they must all be into these days, to me it sounds more like satanic chanting that music but I've never really liked any new music since the nineties.\n\nI've been thinking of sending him to see a psychiatrist to help with his emotions but I think his idea of a Full Moon party next weekend will do enough to cheer him up. He said he's invited all of his friends and it's going to be a blast. \n\n​\n\n\\---\n\nNever really sure how to bring my responses to a close, hope you all enjoyed. I'd appreciate some feedback if anyone has any!"
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[WP] 20 people were working at an arctic research base. One day, they found a penguin and an arctic fox roaming the base. The remaining 18 people were puzzled by this.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“What the heck?” It was obviously some sort of prank. At least, that’s what Jared thought. \n “Aww! Look at this little guy!” Maria walked up to the penguin, making baby noises. As if that would do anything. Jared was still puzzled. Penguins don’t live in the Arctic, right? They were supposed to live in the Antarctic, unless Ms. Smith from fifth grade was wrong. And she was never wrong. \n “What’s all the commo-“ Samantha was stopped mid-sentence by a small growling. The fox had crawled closer, down on the ground, and as the fox approached, so did the penguin. As Samantha was about to scream in fear, a voice called out. \n “Samantha?” \nThe fox tilted his head, as if he was confused as to who said that as well. Samantha could only shake her head as her screams were silent. She, along with Jared, Maria, and some others, pinched themselves to find that no, they weren’t dreaming. That fox had /said/something. \n “It’s me guys!” The familiar voice of William called out. “Why are you guys so tall? I feel like I’m a garden gnome!” He laughed it off like it was a joke. Like being a FRICKIN FOX WAS A JOKE. The penguin spoke next. The penguin turned out to be Emilia in animal disguise. \n “While I love penguins, I hate being one.” The group had moved William and Emilia inside so they could warm up. No one was sure if foxes and penguins could have hot chocolate, so William and Emilia were put in a hot bath together. “Why is that, Emilia?”, asked William.\n“Do you remember doing wall sits in gym class? Imagine doing that for every moment of your existence. It feels almost ironic when I try to sit down.”\n “That must suck. But, how about having to wear over 68 layers of clothing before you can go outside for under ten minutes?” It was Vanessa, the pessimist of the group. She was kept here only for her knowledge of the Arctic. If only penguins could scowl. William was tempted to bite her mouth off, but he didn’t want to wake everyone up. He and Emilia walked away with scorn in their minds before bed. \n The next morning, Jessica and Vanessa has disappeared. In their place was a puffin and a beluga whale. The whale had appeared on the radar last night. The puffin has been found flying over the beluga whale in the morning. “Jessica?” A voice heard underneath the waters surface told the remaining 16 who they were. “VANESSA!” Vanessa and Jessica has been inseparable, so this was a cruel twist of fate. Another day, another pair of people turned into animals. And Jared knew his time was limited. Over the course of the next four days, the group had been cut in half. Maria was now a narwhal. Samantha and Jared devoted their days to researching what could’ve happened... what was it? Was it the air? Was it like in that PBS show, Wild Kratts, where the people merged with the animals? No, then they would still retain human qualities. Here, they WERE the animals in question. What significance did these animals have? If they went back to the mainland, would William turn into a regular fox? Is it the environment? What is it? What’s happening? Why are these people turning into animals? What do they have in common, other than they were here at the wrong time? \n Jared ran out of time. He published his findings, but to no avail. Jared was now an Arctic wolf. Samantha had turned into a killer whale. No matter how hard he tried, he could never find out the cause. William was nowhere to be found. He caught himself sometimes, after a kill. His snow colored fur dyed red. He couldn’t believe it sometimes. Some words he forgot. Who were those other animals? No, they were people, right? What’s a person? Who was I? He was lost. What was my name? He relapsed into nothingness, and fell in and out of control. He forgot. Who are these animals? Should I fight them? He forgot all of them. He forgot everything one day. That day, the arctic wolf killed a penguin. And the wolf went on to fight and slay an arctic fox. That day, Jared was no more. The wolf only remembered one thing before it was hunted. A new group of 20 people had come in to research the land. \n\n\nThe End.",
"\"Can you please tail Reindeer Herd 43?\" Helena pulled my office door open. \"We don't know where Giuseppe and Melinda are, and we're in the middle of breeding season! Reports from yesterday claim that one reindeer looks probe to a birth, so we need all hands on deck!\"\n\nI scowled. \"Honestly, Helena. Why don't you go? I'm in the middle of breakfast!\" \n\nHelena gave me a frown that matched the intensity of mine. \"Actually, I'm busy looking at hiring a few people.\" She said crossly, spinning on her heel and walking out of my office. \n\n*Well, it was important to get a few shots of newborn reindeer...* I thought to myself, grudgingly pulling my puffy parka, boots, and rest of my snow gear on. Right when I was about to leave my office, the door handle was yanked backwards, out of my grasp. It was Boone, my tent-mate.\n\n\"Chris!\" He gasped. \"We can't find Giuseppe or Melinda, and we've scoured the whole site, and none of the trucks are missing!\" \n\n\"Oh, Boone, I'm really busy right now!\" I told him sternly. \"Helena instructed me to follow the reindeer herd!\"\n\n\"Don't worry,\" A shy voice said from the doorway. Ginny was standing there, smiling. \"I can do it, you're great at finding people!\" She turned around and sashayed down the hallway. \n\n\"But I'm not!\" I spluttered incoherently. \n\n\"Oh, Chris, you are!\" Boone said. Now he was the one with the stern tone. \"You might not admit it, but-\" \n\n\"Oh, fineitty finey fine!\" I sighed. \"If Ginny's already on it...\" Boone took hold of my wrist and guided me out the door. \"Well where do you think they went?\" I asked as we strode down the white hallway. \n\n\"That's why we need you!\" He chuckled. \n\n\"But I'm not-\" \n\n\"Christopher Brenner, you are, and you know it!\" \n\nWe walked down the rest of the Arctic Research Center's hall in silence. I pushed open the door to outside, and a chilling draft of air swept in. I quickly shut the door behind Boone and turned to see all eighteen of my co-scientists standing in a circle outside, gawking and muttering about something in the middle of the ring. \n\nA puttering noise came from the right, and Ginny drove one of the research trucks into the snowdrifts, undoubtedly towards the reindeer herd. I squeezed toward the circle and parted a space between Helena and Yvonne. \n\nI gaped. An emperor penguin and squeaking Arctic Fox were in the center of the crowd. \"What happened?\" I asked Yvonne. \n\n\"These two guys just showed up a few minutes ago, making paw and wing signals.\" Yvonne claimed. \n\n\"But penguins are only found in Antarctica!\" I protested quietly. \n\n\"That's the odd thing.\" Yvonne said. \n\n\"Where is Melinda and Giuseppe?\" Demanded Helena. Melinda's the best at tranquilizing! She could send that penguin back to Antarctica in no time!\n\n\"Hey! Wait a minute!\" Said another of my coworkers, Todd. The fox was pointing a furry paw at Melinda and Giuseppe's tent. \"Could this be our two missing colleagues?\"",
"“Sorry, what?” Jeremy had a puzzled look on his face.\n\n“I don’t think I can make this clearer,” Antonio said. “We have a penguin and an arctic fox in the base.”\n\nJeremy looked around the room, futilely trying to find some potential explanation among clothes haphazardly stashed in a suitcase. He thought of the two people who could explain almost anything weird that had happened to them so far. “Marie? Jean?” His face turned to panic.\n\n“Gone. Nobody knows where they went, but we have our suspicions.” Jeremy could hear the stress in Antonio’s voice and see it in his unusually messy hair.\n\nThe two Canadians walked into the kitchen where a remarkably tall penguin was waiting for them. “I, uh, wow, Antonio. I guess you weren’t kidding.”\n\n“Hey, I joke a lot, but never about this kind of thing.”\n\nJust then they heard a door close behind them. Farid, the Oregon grad student, walked in, seemingly unaware of the large bird in the room with him. “Hey, Antonio!”\n\n“What’s up, Farid?”\n\n“Not much. I see you’ve introduced Jeremy to Marie.”\n\n“Wait a second,” Jeremy interrupted. “This penguin, the one that waltzed into the tent somehow, is Marie?”\n\nFarid shrugged. “How else was she supposed to get in here? We’re 400 miles northeast of Greenland!”\n\nAntonio turned to face Marie. “Either you’re our lost friend, or you have the worst navigating skill of any penguin ever.”\n\nMarie looked around the room and waddled over to the door Farid had just walked through. She honked quietly, as if she somehow knew being too loud would annoy the research team. She waddled through the doorway as if she knew where she was going. The group followed her to a large white fox, curled up as though it were asleep.\n\nJeremy turned to Antonio. “Now, I assume you don’t want to start an international incident, right?”\n\n“Yeah, that would be bad.” Antonio didn’t move his eyes from the fox.\n\n“Then riddle me this. How the hell do we explain to the French government that the two researchers they sent got turned into literal animals?”\n\n“We tell them outright.” Farid answered when Antonio hesitated. “The others already know. John and Thomas have prepared documentation—research and more personal things—in the event they too get turned into animals.” The Brits were always the careful planners on the team. “Salim and Trevor—“\n\nJeremy shook his head. “Wait, Salim and Trevor actually took a break from fucking to do something productive in their free time?” As the only couple on the expedition, the other two Americans had a lot more fun on the trip than anyone else. They weren’t particularly annoying about it, but everybody got jealous after about a week.\n\nFarid continued as the fox looked up at the three of them. “Dude, they set up cameras all over the common areas of the tent to try and catch the next one on video. Arianna is preparing an address to the governments that sponsored the trip. They’ll all be blaming each other, but we really don’t want five nuclear-armed states fighting.”\n\nAntonio piped in, “Natalia and Alexei wanted to help too. Mohammad and Nimrod are making sure everything is sorted out in the event they can’t return to Tel-Aviv.” Despite their friendship, if anything happened to one but not the other, there would be hell to pay. Israel and Palestine each suspect the other’s representative.\n\n“And what about Hans, Kristof, Julian, and Nikolas?” Jeremy didn’t want to lose more friends. The Norwegians and Germans wouldn’t fare well if they became animals.\n\n“They’re still processing it.” Farid did not hide his concern well. “I’m sure they’ll be fine soon.”\n\n“Right now,” Antonio said, “our main focus is figuring out what happened.”\n\n“I’m, uh,” Jeremy added cautiously, “going to see if Arianna wants some help.” He was always more of a writer than a discoverer. The team only added him because he could write the report well, not because he was particularly versed in scientific equipment.\n\nAs he approached Arianna’s room, he couldn’t help but to hear a soft groaning coming from inside. He knocked on the door, and heard an unintelligible response. Not knowing how to interpret that, Jeremy opened the door slowly.\n\nArianna was writhing in pain on her bed. If he looked closely, Jeremy thought he could see her eyes had changed. Gone were her chocolate eyes; they had been replaced with a yellow-green. Her pupils were almost nonexistent. And, was that a patch of fur on her neck? “Ar-Arianna?” He couldn’t contain the fear in his voice.\n\nArianna didn’t stop struggling, but she turned to look Jeremy in the eye. She mouthed something that may have been “Fanta ring,” but he didn’t have to know Italian to know she meant “go get help.”\n\nJeremy ran towards Salim and Trevor’s room. He almost trampled Salim in the hallway. “Salim, get your camera to Arianna’s room, now!” Without giving Salim any time to respond, or even to get the look of shock off his face, Jeremy turned around and ran back to Antonio, Farid, Jean, and Marie. He burst through the door, and all four turned their heads to look at him. “It’s Arianna. She’s next.”",
"“Penguins don’t even live in the arctic -- how could this *possibly* have happened?” asked a bewildered Monty.\n\nSherry balked. “That’s what you’re surprised by?”\n\nMonty shrugged, staring down at the penguin that looked very far away from its normal habitat on the other side of the world. “Look, I didn’t say anything about the fox. I’m just saying, if we’re suddenly here with something...weird, then I feel like it should be weird in a way that’s consistent with the surrounding flora and fauna.”\n\nBelow them, the small penguin squawked, waddling back and forth inside the small tent. It did not appear to be upset about its surroundings, though perhaps the general lack of small fish perturbed it.\n\nWhat baffled Sherry the most, however, was that this penguin (which, though she was far from an expert, appeared to be a Gentoo penguin from Tierra del Fuego) used to be her colleague.\n\nThis time, they’d nearly watched it happen. When Joseph Mellencamp disappeared two days before, the nineteen remaining researchers at the Arctic Sea Research Center went through their normal protocol, alerting their superiors back in Alaska of the potential missing person and going through their emergency search and rescue procedures.\n\nIt took them a day or so to realize that the sudden appearance of a friendly arctic fox within their residence tents, curled up within Joseph’s sleeping back, meant what it did.\n\n“Do you think he knows us?” asked Monty as he and Sherry continued to watch the penguin pace back and forth. “What are we going to tell his wife? Doesn’t he have kids?”\n\nSherry sighed. “Look, at this point, I’m more worried about what this means for us. We don’t have a scheduled return vehicle for another two weeks. Are we going to turn into animals, too?”\n\n“Yeah, yeah,” added Monty, stroking his wild beard. He’d had an impressive one when the mission began, though without need to shave, it only became grander over the past weeks. “And if he turned into a creature clearly from the Southern Hemisphere, what does that mean about the animals we could become? What if we end up as something from a desert biome and immediately freeze?”\n\n“If you’re going to worry about that, you should also worry about being lower in the food chain,” said Sherry, squatting down to get a better look at the Gentoo penguin. “Hey, Joseph? You in there, buddy?”\n\nThey both paused as the penguin turned to look Sherry dead in the eyes. A moment passed, breath held, all sounds muffled by the snow outside.\n\nThen the penguin turned back around and shuffled closer to the edge of the tent.\n\nSherry sighed. “Look, we should get the rest of the team together. Figure out what this means. We also have to complete our study. The government is teetering on the edge of *not* protecting the Arctic Sea, and we can’t afford to backslide. We’re so close to showing the rate of summer ice loss and a glimpse of how the ecosystem will change.”\n\n“Sherry, you talked to the fundraising team, right? They said we might be able to get more money?”\n\n“Only if we get what we need from this trip, and Joseph was the only one who knew how to work some of the equipment,” she replied.\n\nMonty bit his lip and crossed his arms, hunched over. “We won’t get another shot, will we?”\n\n“No, we won’t. It was amazing that we were able to get such a team together for this expedition, and we’ve essentially lost two team members without knowing why,” she added.\n\n“What if we just told them? We need more time, maybe more people, because two people just up and *literally* turned into animals?” Monty laughed, though not at all happily. “Shit, Sherry, do you know how ridiculous that is? People just turned into freakin’ animals.”\n\nBeneath them, Joseph the Gentoo penguin (no longer the doctoral candidate from the University of Washington) squawked and investigated a bucket. “Hey, buddy, that’s not fish,” Sherry said, feeling as though she were speaking to a toddler.\n\nThe penguin waddled away, dejected.\n\n“So what are we going to do?” Monty asked.\n\n“We get the team together. We brief them on our theory. Something weird -- I don’t want to say magic because, hell, we’re *scientists* -- could be turning us into animals. We don’t know if someone is next, or who that will be,” Sherry said. “We stress that we need to cover any loss of personnel and push through to the end of next week. We’ll come up with a new protocol. We’ll troubleshoot. We finish our work. We prove to the world that they need to protect the Arctic Sea.”\n\nMonty nodded. “It’s kind of like a weird plague. People know about plagues. This one is just,” he took a whiff and winced, “a little smellier. Ugh, Joseph, come on, man.”"
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[WP] You're a background character in a story. You were never supposed to be in the spotlight. However, the protagonist just died and nobody seems to know what to do.
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"..... As Luvanis sprinted towards the town square to lead off the cold hearted demon, Phlecher. He is stopped in his tracks when an evil so strong knocks him unconscious. Luvanis, sprawled out on the floor, as still as a lake on a breezeless day, Phlecher found his opportunity to attack and sprung upon the lifeless Luvanis and chopped off his head.\n\nEveryone around the town, now frightened by the sight of watching their hero who had protected them for the last 20 years, die.\n\n*Fast forward a few weeks*\n\nThe town square, still broken from the battle between Luvanis and Phlecher, holds Luvanis' dead body, still lying on the floor of the city, Phlecher made it clear to everyone the day he killed Luvanis.\n\n\"If anyone dares move this body from out battlefield, I will come for your head too!\"\n\nUntil today, the day we meet Croius, a young man, who had never done anything so outrageous. Picks up Luvanis' sword and screams.\n\n\"I guess I'll try to fight Phlecher myself since no one wants to do anything about it.\"\n\nCroius' mother whispered.\n\n\"What in the hell do you think you're doing, put that down and lets get out of here\"\n\n\"Mom, no one else is going to get rid of Plecher, why dont i give it a shot, make a name for myself, and bring some honor to our family.\"\n\nCroius said in excitement\n\n\"Nope\" as Croius' mom grabbed him by the ear and dragged him home.\n\nLater that night, Phlechers men came knocking on the door, asking for Croius to come with them. His mother refused, but with their demonic powers they made way and grabbed Croius and took him to Plechers lair.\n\n*(to be continued hopefully)*",
"We all stared on as Grace leaned over the cliff to get a better picture. She was obsessed with her photos, her camera was practically glued to her hand. \"Be careful Grace,\" one of the other girls shouted as we all stood a safe distance back from the edge. Grace laughed and leaned further over, her right foot slipping slightly until her whole body went with it. Her laughs quickly turned to screams as her body toppled over the rocky cliff edge. Then the air went silent. We all just stared at each other. This wasn't the storyline, this wasn't supposed to happen. No one moved, as we all waited for what was next. When nothing happened I decided to make a move. I slowly went over to the edge where Grace had fallen. Bending down, my knees flat on the wet grass, I leaned over to see if I could spot her. Nothing, just the crashing ocean against the rocky cliffside. I inched back from the edge and stood. Brushing my hands against my wet jeans I looked at the group. Grace was our main character, our leader. The storyline wasn't supposed to have gone like this. This wasn't planned for. But what were we supposed to do? Now someone else had to take charge. \"She's gone,\" I murmured my voice barely carrying over the howling wind. The girls, Grace's friends, stared back at me. We didn't know each other's names; we were faceless, nameless. But Grace was gone and we needed to keep the story going. \"I'm Sarah,\" I said with a shrug of uncertainty. \"I'm Lily,\" the short blonde who stood to my right announced. We went like this in a circle, creating names and characters for ourselves. Side by side we walked back down the hill to the car and started again. This time though with a new story to be told.",
"I told Mary Sue not to try and overthrow the government so quickly and rashly, but noooooo, she just had to go and assume it was because I wanted to try and steal her thunder, or maybe she thought I was pining after one of the forty guys who wanted to date her? I don't know, and frankly, it's quite exhausting to try and get myself into whatever mindset she was in, leading a rebellion of teenagers with no acne, it was so typical of her to exclude the rest of us.\n\n\n\n\nI knew this would end in tragedy, especially when she pathetically marched up to the ruthless dictator who was sitting inside his marble office with me peeking through a peep hole in a secret room beside all of this, posing as a maid.\n\n\n\n\n\" I demand you release the people of Arthuria from your treacherous ways!\" She yelled, her two main suitors standing beside her eyeing each other as if their competition was more important than the revolution or whatnot.\n\n\n\n\n\" And whatever triggered the idea that I would do that in your tiny little head?\" The dictator stared at her amused\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\"This!\" She signaled to the streets of the capital and the thousands dying below because of the attempted insurgence. \" Is all wrong! All of this is terrible! You must stop oppressing the poor for your own gain!\"\n\n\n\n\n\nThe dictator didn't move at all, he didn't even signal for his guards, he seemed entertained by this shrill teenager berating him for his life choices.\n\n\n\n\n\" You have to let us be free!\" She took a step forward defiantly\n\n\n\n\n\" Oh I HAVE to now?\" He questioned\n\n\n\n\n\"Yes!\" She shouted defiantly\n\n\n\n\n\n\"No sweetie, I don't have to do anything, but it's cute that you think you are capable of making me.\" He smiled, this time more coldly\n\n\n\n\n\nThe three of them shifted uncertainly, and, taking advantage of their hesitation, with one expert move he took out his silencer and shot all three of them square in the chest multiple times, knocking them to the ground. It was pretty shocking to see, especially the amount of blood that came out really quickly streaming from their body. I was genuinely horrified at what had just happened but I can't exactly say I wasn't expecting for it to end like\n\n\n\n\nEven more shocking was that the dictator himself looked a bit taken aback\n\n\n\n\n\nSuddenly, Reynard, on of the rebellions top lieutenants pushed through the door with several other teenagers and lieutenants cheering\n\n\n\"YOU DID I-\" the cheering stopped abruptly as they noticed the three slumped bodies on the ground.\n\n\n\n\n\"What happened? Why aren't we cheering\" a clueless voice called from behind\n\n\n\n\n\" Shut up Kevin!\" Reynard shrieked furiously, more quietly he asked the dictator \" what just happened here?\"\n\n\n\n\n\nThe dictator looked at him wide-eyed\n\n\n\n\n\" I- I'm not sure\"\n\n\n\n\n\" What do you mean? You just executed one of our leaders in cold blood!\" He screamed\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHe ignored Reynard and instead yelled for a maid and motioned a guard to go look for one. This made me get out of my spot and walk out into the corridor with my mop at the same time as the guard, morbidly curious to get a chance to listen to the argument up close.\n\n\n\n\nThe guard took me in front of him and motioned for me took check for pulse. I leaned forward cautiously and put my fingers on their necks individually then rose up\n\n\n\n\n\n\" There is no pulse sir\" I said in the most emotionless voice I could muster.\n\n\n\n\n\nThe dictator turned to Reynard\n\n\n\n\n\n\" You let the head of the rebellion come face me in my most guarded sanctuary, unarmed and without a bulletproof vest?\"\n\n\n\n\nReynard looked even more shocked if that was in any way possible\n\n\n\n\n\n\" They came here UNARMED AND WITHOUT PROTECTION?\" He gasped in disbelief\n\n\n\n\n\nThe dictator nodded\n\n\n\n\nThis made everyone shift around uncomfortably, no one knew what to do next, it seemed even the dictator hadn't planned for his own victory\n\n\n\n\n\" Can't say I'm exactly surprised if I'm honest\" said another lieutenant, Alma\n\n\n\n\nEveryone turned to look at her \n\n\n\n\n\" I mean, she and the guys were always more concerned with showing off cleavage and muscle than with any actual practicality to what they wore\" \n\n\n\n\nEveyone looked at each other uncomfortably and started chattering with each other. Even the dictator began whispering to his advisor, seemingly asking questions, it was pretty awkward to be standing in the middle of all of it so I started mopping up the blood, it was very weird in retrospect, but the atmosphere was so thick I could have sliced it with a knife.\n\n\n\n\nThen, I saw Reynard light up like the most genius idea had just formed in his head then look at me.\n\n\n\n\n\"Ah! But you see Richard, we dont act as hastily as you might think.\" \n\n\n\n\nA complete lie\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\" We plan ahead, especially for moments like this, and it just happens that we hid one of our people to get close to your side!\"\n\n\n\n\nIt seemed like a decent idea was forming in his head\n\n\n\n\n\n\" And we made them wait for the perfect moment to strike, which is now!\"\n\nHe signaled dramatically in my direction, which made me look behind me to where the advisors were sitting, but they just looked as confused as I did\n\n\n\n\n\nThen, in all of his infinite wisdom, he pointed at me and announced\n\n\n\n\n\n\"Go! Marina! Go and let victory be yours.\"\n\n\n\n\n\nWe all stared at him blankly, until Alma raised up the crowd and they all started egging me on towards the dictator in a frenzied cheer, I really had no idea what they were expecting of me, I was only armed with my mop which was literally soaked in blood.\n\n\n\n\nThe dictator stared at me, not knowing who I was, even though I had been cleaning his private quarters since last month, then, he bellowed\n\n\n\n\"Guards! Seize her! And the rest of them!\"\n\n\n\nA swarm of guards burst through the doors and surrounded everyone, people fought, kicked and fired guns, however, the guards who were quicker and more agile, obviously better trained killed or incapacitated most of them. By some miracle I was able to strike one of them on the head and slip out unseen due to the commotion going on in the room.\n\n\n\n\nI climbed into another secret room I had discovered and followed a vent into an alleyway.\n\n\n\n\n\n\" Goodness Reynard, what trouble did you put us in now!\"",
"As the sun rose over a blood-drenched battlefield, they dragged Magadath's body across the river into the lands of Aspeth. Betrayed by their own, surrounded by enemies, Aspeth proved the only safe haven—insofar as Princess Aceqwaithe (\"Ace\") chose not to participate in the Glorious Revolution. Or it's enemy sentiment, the Noble Uprising\n\nFive soldiers with a corpse, and a score of broken dreams stumbled into the first inn they found, begging food and shelter. They got water and the back of the barn. There they shrugged off their armour, laid down their weapons and conferred. \n\n\"Bury her,\" said Little Wraith, his hungry eyes gleaming with unspoken intentions. \n\n\"No,\" said Bounty, and he was a large man with a larger sword so Little Wraith subsided.\n\n\"We can rekindle the revolution,\" muttered Castle from her perch upon the hay heap. \"We always needed a martyr. Now we have one.\" \n\n\"A martyr who is dead.\" Bounty pointed out. \n\n\"That is a prerequisite.\"\n\n\"No,\" Bounty smacked his large hands together, \"a martyr who is dead *to her followers.* The revolution died before she did. This death—her death—means little and less.\"\n\nCastle did not find it in herself to respond.\n\nThe two sentries by the door—twins Rankor and Shalot that Magadath had saved from execution—did not speak. They served the woman who had saved them, not her pitiful servants. \n\n\"We swore an oath—\" Castle began.\n\n\"—the oath is dead.\" Bounty said. \"The woman is dead, the revolution is dead. The oath is *dead.*\"\n\n\"We should bury her,\" said Little Wraith again, the hungry gleam a little more insistent in his eye. \n\n\"We will burn her,\" Bounty said quellingly. \n\nOne of the Twins, Shalot, stirred. \"Those were not her last wishes.\" \n\nBounty rested a hand on the hilt of his large sword. \"Her last wish was to continue the Glorious Revolution. Can we five do that?\"\n\nHis comrades did not answer. \n\n\"If we are failing her,\" Bounty said, \"then we should fail fittingly.\" He forced his comrades to meet his gaze and assent to his plan. Little Wraith shook under the weight of it. The Twins stood firm on ground, but yielded on words. \n\nCastle did not flinch. \"If we burn her, any hope of the revolution dies. Men cannot follow smoke and ashes.\" \n\n\"Men cannot follow when their farms are torched and their families torn asunder,\" Bounty shot back. \"We must give this world peace. There is no shame in defeat.\" \n\nRankor said, \"there is every shame in defeat,\" but without rancour as if he intended to set things right for mere academic discourse. \n\nBountry ignored him, \"tonight at sunset, we send her to her forefathers.\" \n\nThe others said not one word. \n\nBut their eyes said many. \n\nLittle Wraith's the most. \n\n***\n\nThe innkeeper surprised them with a stew that went down so well the others forgot their misgivings. Even Little Wraith's curious hunger was satiated—briefly. Bounty persuaded the innkeeper for some animal fat for \"the cold night soon upon us.\" The innkeeper agreed and then politely asked them to leave at sunrise. \n\nAs the shadows lengthened, the five clasped armour to their bodies, and courage to their minds and hauled Magadath's body into the nearby wood. \n\nBounty had spent the midday trading his large sword for an equally large axe. The others began stacking the wood, trying their best to ignore the their hero dumped so incongruously against a rock. Her black hair was brown with dirt and the scalp under the shaven side caked with blood. Her still open eyes—because the other four did not dare close them, and Bounty would not let Little Wraith too close—watched the last of the Glorious Revolution build her pyre. \n\nThe Twins already had plans. They would not stay the night but travel to the capital of Aspeth and look for work or death, whichever came first. \n\nBounty and Castle said little to each other but shared a common understanding for Little Wraith's future. There would be... little of it. \n\nThe pyre built, fat laden, and Magadath was laid to rest. Bounty stood over her, flint in hand, the dishonour of their decision resting squarely on the man who had known her longest. For a moment he thought he would speak, but how could mere words explain all that had happened from Ryanard to Callum to Everestone and finally the burning field of his failure? Courage was a scarce commodity and Magadath's biggest mistake was hoping hers was enough. It was simply not. Not for him, and not for his slaughtered family back in Ryanard. Who hadn't been given the dignity of death but had been ripped limb from limb until they met the maker.\n\nIn the end he said the rallying cry of the Glorious Revolution. Words that were meant to inspire and terrify in equal measure. \n\n*And so we shall.* \n\nA spark, a flame, and a roaring, rushing, sound. \n\nMagadath the Magnificent died, but her ever-Glorious Revolution had died long before her."
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[WP] When you die you see a light in the darkness. Large blue hands reach in and pull you out. You look around yourself and see a woman with her legs up screaming and a doctor holding you in his arms. The trauma of living life again is why everyone cries & loses their past life's memory. You don't
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" **\\[WP\\] When you die you see a light in the darkness. Large blue hands reach in and pull you out. You look around yourself and see a woman with her legs up screaming and a doctor holding you in his arms. The trauma of living life again is why everyone cries & loses their past life's memory. You don't** \n\n​\n\n\"Mom, I did it again!\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"Mom, I know you can hear me because I can hear you panting. You sound like our old Chevy with the busted window.\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"Mom, are you going to speak to me now?\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"Mom, there is a dark tunnel and I'm bit cold. Can you talk to me like you used to do?\"\n\n\"...\"\n\n\"Mom, I see the light!\"\n\nThe doc holds out his hands while emphasizing to breath again. Even the bald guy on the side was emulating breathing techniques. However, I was the only one who didn't want to breathe out and push at the same time. What the hell was wrong with these guys? Can't they hear what I am hearing? Can't they understand that somethings shouldn't see the light of day? Push? Fuck this! I'm not doing it! \n\n\n\"Mom, God is calling to me!\"\n\n\"I'm not pushing!\"\n\n\"Mom, I can see blue hands calling me!\"\n\n\"No, no, no!\"\n\n\"Mom, I can see Dad again!\"\n\n\"For fuck sakes, lord why me! Why bloody me?\"\n\n\"Mom, this bastard hit me! Mom, tell this guy to be gentle. I have baby soft skin! Mom, tell dad to put on deodorant! Mom, why is this lady staring at me like this? Mom, he flick me. Mom, tell him I'm boy so he can stop playing with me! Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom!\"\n\n\"FOR FUCK SAKES, SHUT THE FUCK UP!\"\n\nThe Doctor and Nurse take a step back. \"Maybe we gave her a bit too much anesthetics?\"\n\nThe nurse look at the chart before shaking her head. \"It is recorded that she got the standard. Maybe she was always crazy. It might be better just to put her in the ward for few days to calm down. Having back to back kids can be stressful after all.\"\n\nThe doctor nodded while the husband rubbed his bald head. Silently thinking that his wife finally lost it. He totally forgot to warn her to put in the ear plugs. He touched his to pushed them deeper before giving his wife encouraging smile.",
"I grew up as a normal person in my first remembered life. My name was Adrian. I had a stable job, a wife, and a little girl, who I treated like my little princess. Then it all fell apart one night. I was murdered by a younger friend of mine. I don't know what he wanted. All I knew is that I was dead. Where would I go? I wasn't sure, but once I saw the gloves and felt new feelings of life I realized it was reincarnation. I simply took it as a sign that I could keep going. My name was once Mark, but now my name is Natalie. I tried to fit in as best as I could, while still realizing that I could learn some new things, like singing or playing an instrument. \n\nI grew up, and I finally started to get some friends. David, Anna, and Grace. They were all very nice people, and I started to really begin living life a little more normally. One day however, I was walking down the street in Ashfield when I saw someone familiar. I practically did a double-take when I saw *him*. My murderer, walking down the street like he owned the place. What happened after I died? I went to the library to do some digging.\n\nI read my case files, and it turns out that my murder was ruled out as being committed by him. Instead, it was put on some random kid who I didn't even know. He's already been terminated. My killer went away scot-free, and is still among us. Something primal began to rage inside me. I decided that very night to find him and claim revenge. I confronted him in his house, but he was already prepared. We had a quick fight, and I died again.\n\nThis time, I was a guy by the name of Thomas. I was born to rich parents, and considered a prodigy. I grew up learning every type of fighting style I could know, and I went back to him. Somehow, he escaped getting convicted of my second murder by placing a knife nearby with some other kid's DNA on it. This man had to be stopped at all costs. We fought and fought, but eventually his old age got to him. I shot him in the head twice, for each of his murders of me. I heard the sirens blaring in the distance. I'm toast. With a pull of the trigger, this body's gone too.\n\nI can't keep all stoic like this. This cannot define who I am. If I lose myself to this anger, I can't come back.\n\nMy next life I was born by the name of Ella. I decided I needed a fresh start. Other than some remastering, I didn't want to do too much. I just wanted to live a normal life this time. I got some new friends, the first proper friends I've had in 20 years. Mike, Ashley, and Elyza. I'd known them for years. They needed to know what I am. One night I told them, and they understood. I broke down crying. This was the first time I had told anyone my secret in my nearly 100 years on this planet. We swore right then and there that from that point on, we would meet each other each lifetime, no matter what.\n\nMy next life, I was named Jessica. We set a place we would all meet each lifetime: Times Square, New York, on the top steps of the staircase, every 20 years, give or take. Somehow, it worked. Their names were Erica, Justin, and Lily, but they were still the same people I knew from ages past. We set new places and get-togethers every so often. Usually one of us survives long enough for us to get in contact with them by simpler means, which makes it a lot easier.\n\nThe lives flew by. Weston. Arie. Robert. Percy. Maya. Each time through the centuries we found each other somehow. Some of us gained enormous knowledge, and were using it on new scientific endeavors. I decided a few lives ago that I need to help the average person. Somehow through the ages, companies never changed. The status quo stayed the same. I had the power to change all of that. Over my next lifetimes, I became politicians, revolutionaries, scientists, anything to change this world. Even through the eons, my friends remained as a constant that nothing can change. One can only know how many lives were touched by one of our selves over these tens of lifetimes. Eventually, one lifetime, we decided we had enough of keeping to ourselves about reincarnation, and created a sprawling scientific paper showing how it all works. Everyone knew our secret. Everyone knew the truth about how we worked. There were even memory suppression techniques that were found to be possible to accomplish without breaking the memories. \n\nEventually, after 135 lifetimes, I needed a clean slate. I remembered all my lives as they disappeared before my memory. The politicians. The singers. The scientists. The normal people who didn't want to live a life of luxury. The celebrities who were forced to. I saw my earliest lives flash too. Natalie, Thomas, and eventually Adrian. This all started because of a chase for someone who will never know what they once were.\n\nI kept one life secure: Ella. My friends will never leave my mind. I will never leave them.\n\nMy next life, I was born Rachel. They were named Harris, Jenny, and Hailey. We were proud of what we had done, and we can't wait to see where we go from here, on this never-ending trek through our lives.",
"I still don't actually understand why, but I was reincarnated, and I remember everything. I used to be a 28 year old man named Ashton Jay; but ever since I was re birthed I went by the name Chloe, and growing up again, is absolutely awful. I wasn't able to speak as a baby, and even if I could there is no way I would have. My parents would've freaked out and I would have been experimented on like a lab rat. Thus, I kept my mouth shut for a long time. I always had to tone down my intelligence; because, believe it or not, a second grader shouldn't know math past your times tables. However, things did calm down as I entered high school. Which was nice. It was only around 16 and onward I felt like I was able to make friends without feeling like I'm just talking down to people.\n\n Their was Sam, she was a quieter girl; she enjoys reading, drawing, creative stuff like that. Also Connor, he's the more energetic one in the group, always somehow sparking up hour long conversations about the weirdest stuff. Hunter, while also quiet, loved a good trouble making every now and again. I finally felt normal again and it was really nice; but, having to keep my actual past life a secret felt like I was lying to them. I wasn't Chloe, the intelligent girl with a love for dancing and electronics that always looked pissed off. I was Ashton, just some guy who died in a car accident because his friend was drunk driving. So I decided to tell them. It was after graduation, we were hanging out at Hunters place just playing some video games, that's when I decided to do it. \n\n\"Hey guys, I need to talk to you about something. Like, something really important.\" I said, laying across hunters bed.\n\n\"Yeah Chloe, whatcha need?\" responded Connor, who was reasonably concerned by my sudden seriousness. \n\nI could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, the eighteen year secret was finally being told. \"If I told you, from the beginning of my birth, I remembered being somebody else. What would you say?\" \n\nThe room was silent aside from the music of the game. They were looking at me, I couldn't read their expressions, probably because of the water in my eyes. I was expecting someone to make some sort of joke to ease the tension but instead I received an answer. \"I would ask who that person was.\" Hunter told me. \n\n\"My name was Ashton, Ashton Jay. I died in a car crash from cracking my skull after the car I was passenger in tumbled into a ditch.\" The idea was ridiculous, I know, I wouldn't be surprised if they thought I was having some psychotic breakdown right in front of them.\n\n\"I believe you.\" Sam said to me, \"I know when you're acting and this isn't it.\" \n\nThat's when I started to cry, just that, just that little bit of affirmation was enough for me. Hunter and Connor, they believed me too. We later visited where I died. The car was gone, in it's place was a picture of the old me with flowers under it. We went to my old parents house, it was long abandoned, and most of the stuff was stolen, but I didn't care. This was worth remembering my past life.",
"In many traditions, there is a belief of an eternal cycle. Birth, life, death. And then it repeats. Reincarnation into something else. Personally I never put much stock into it. The idea of an eternal wheel of suffering and reincarnation, Saṃsāra, they call it in India, seemed odd and wrong to me. When I died I didn't really expect anything. I'd been a decent enough person, but I wasn't a big believer in anything specific. So there in the darkness, as I was ruminating over my memories, wondering about what was going to happen next, I didn't expect a great, big, light. And through it, large blue hands reaching in.\n\nTo my shock when I open my eyes, things are rather blurry, but I can make out legs, a person looking vaguely like a doctor holding me. I realise that I have been born. Reborn. For a moment, the horror of having to go through existence again, puberty, violence, modern politics, school, threatens to tear my mind apart. But I rally. I do not cry out. I breathe calmly. I look around, taking in the blurry surroundings. I am a newborn baby, and I remember what came before.\n\nThe indignities of being a baby are best not described. But in those formative moments, where I pretend to be a clever baby, not a fully formed person with their own ideas and beliefs, I plan. I refuse to be reborn again. If the eastern philosophies are correct, and we are on a wheel of birth, death, and rebirth until we can find a way to escape it, I must find a way to do that. Preferably without what they believe it results in. Ego-death is not acceptable. I will not end my consciousness. Nor will I go several lifetimes until I can get out from the cycle.\n\nSo from the moment my legs allows me to walk, the moment that it is normally acceptable for a child to start talking, I engage in studying. I bury deeply into the works of philosophers, and eventually, sorcerers. Magic users. By five I am reading the works of Aleister Crowley, and anything related to death, magic, escaping. For there has to be a way to escape the wheel of reincarnation. A way to escape from Saṃsāra.\n\nI am lucky that the people who have birthed me, the parents of this physical shell, are wealthy idiots, who are ultimately extremely uncaring about what their child actually does. I travel to obscure libraries, I find ancient tomes. I read and study. In the company of a bodyguard I search dark places for those who have secrets. A child prodigy, some people say. I know what I need. In hidden alleyways of New Orleans, I speak with the Voodoo queens of the new world, and in gutterbars I find bokors to tell me more. Deep in the mountains of Honduras and Guatamala, I learn from those who remember the words of the ancient Maya. In hidden lodges in Europe, I speak with the OTO, and their rivals. I bribe high ranking members of the Masonic Lodges, and learn.\n\nEventually, as my knowledge grows, I become able to affect the world around me. But as I know what comes next, as perhaps one of the only people on the planet truly does, my search is relentless, and it bears fruit. Some seek immortality, an eternity in this world. But I find, through much arcane searching, ancient rites. Unspeakably ancient in fact. Hidden deep within caves where once the Indus River Valley civilisation stood.\n\nTranslating the lost language takes years, even with the aid of magic. The language itself is steeped in metaphor, in riddles, and in what can best be described as concepts for which there are no modern words for. The most important of them, could perhaps best be named in modern language as metarealistic arcanological dimensional apotheosis. A removal of the self from the narrative, to escape this world without taking the long route, and retaining your mind. Ascending from Saṃsāra, to a better way.\n\nExplains why the Indus River Valley civilisation just seems to have disappeared one day. They found a way to escape, and took their entire civilisation with them. Gathering the necessary reagents take forever, and even then, I am not working with a perfect translation. A lot of it must be improvised from the philosophies and magickal traditions I have learned elsewhere. True escape is possible, but I also fear if the process goes awry. Yet, being forced to live in a cycle of torment until I shed my ego, the essential part of me, is not acceptable.\n\nThe ritual is, to put it mildly, surreal. And dangerous indeed. Tearing open reality to escape from it into a new mode of existence, using only partial knowledge, is bound to cause some problems. As the people who were responsible for my rebirth's house is torn apart around me, I feel it. I feel an escape from Saṃsāra. As the spell causes things to shift and meld around me, I crawl into a new opening.\n\nIt is dark. It is not cold, for there to be cold, there must be something. But there is nothing. Only darkness. Only me in the darkness. Until I speak. And with a single word, I explode, and around me I see a universe form. It is beautiful. And comforting. I am both myself in the mind, but I am also this entire reality. A new universe formed from my mind, my ideas. A universe where I will make life not be an unending cycle, a wheel of torment. A universe without Saṃsāra.",
"\"That's so unfair, I hate how much they all cheat at baseball. Stealing home plate? Are you kidding me?\" George, my brother who was a year younger than me said.\n\nThe two of us were moping back home after my pickup team faced a brutal loss at the city baseball diamonds. We were zig-zagging through the suburbs on a summer day where the sun was blistering your skin if you didn't have any lotion on it. Just walking outside you were immediately coated in a thin layer of sweat. \n\nThe neighborhood was a symphony at 6pm. Dogs were barking, people were mowing their lawns, working in their garages, and some kids were even selling lemonade still. If I had any money I would consider buying some, but instead, we trudged on. \n\n\"They mercied us Clyde, you believe that? We got beat by 20 freakin' points! God I can't wait until we hit puberty and we can beat some of those other kids, we're just late bloomers is all.\"\n\n\"Wait, wait, shush,\" I said throwing my arm out to stop George from walking.\n\n\"What is it?\"\n\nWe were standing in front of a park and there was only one kid tip towing around the flowers. No one else was on the playscape at all, strange for an early summer evening. Usually the park was packed to the gills until sunset.\n\n\"Clyde, isn't that the kid from your class? Anthony? That really weird kid?\"\n\n\"Cut it out, George. He's just a little different. He's a very happy guy, nothing wrong with that,\" I said.\n\n\"Yeah, he looks a little too happy to me....\" George grumbled, as we witnessed Anthony in the middle of burying his nose in flowers that were towards the fence behind the swing set. \n\n\"Let's go to say hi to him, everyone is always so mean to him, but he's a nice kid. I didn't know he lived around here,\" I said.\n\n\"Ugh! Could we not? I'm really hungry and I know Dad probably has dinner ready by now.\"\n\n\"It will just be a quick second,\" I jogged over to Anthony as he was laying on his stomach on the ground sniffing the bed of begonias. \"Hey, Anthony, what's up? I didn't know you lived around here?\"\n\n\"Hey! Clyde! It's great to see you,\" he stood up and dusted himself off from the dirt and strands of grass. He shook my hand and then George's. \"My name is Anthony, I don't think we've met before.\"\n\n\"This is my brother, George,\" I said as George gave a low effort smile.\n\n\"So what are you up to, Anthony? Sniffing some flowers?\" I chuckled.\n\n\"You know how they say scent is one of the most powerful senses that brings back flashbacks? You can relive vivid memories? Well, the few people I've told always think I'm crazy and weird, but Clyde, you've always been super nice to me, so I'm just going to flat out tell you. I was given another chance on this earth. Y'know, believe it or not, I had a previous life. You ever wonder why babies cry when they're born? It's because the pain and turmoil of life starts over again, and it's a hard truth to accept. But you know something? I was one of the few people that didn't cry when I was born.\"\n\n\"Well we should really get going it's--\"\n\nI elbowed George in the ribs and he pressed his hands over where I hit him and shot me a disgusted leer.\n\n\"You see, in my previous life I died at the age of 19. It sucked. It sucked because my whole previous life I was sick with cancer. There was nothing I wanted more than to be healthy and happy. Of course, I had some happy memories. People really cared about me and would do all of these special things for me, like getting to make a wish and seeing my favorite wrestler come visit me in the hospital, and going to Disney world once. But I was in pain.\n\n\"You know what my mom used to do? She used to plant these exact flowers in our backyard. These exact begonias. Some of my happiest memories were playing with her, my dad, and my siblings in the backyard. The aroma takes me back to when I was young, healthy, and happy in my previous life. It's nice to think about every now and then.\"\n\n\"I understand why some people might think you're crazy, talking about a previous second life isn't the most normal thing, but hey, as long as you're happy and you say it's true, I'll believe you,\" I said, patting Anthony on the shoulder.\n\n\"Oh yes, I'm so happy. You have no idea the troubles and pain that comes with sickness. I'm just so glad that I get to live life now, happy and healthy, and I just hope I get to keep enjoying it for many years to come. You boys have a good night, it was a pleasure to meet you George. Don't take your health for granted, it's the best life advice I can give, from a previous one,\" Anthony winked, patted both of us on the shoulder and strolled out of the park swinging his arms like a fool in love.\n\n\"Told you, Clyde. That guy is a total loon.\"\n\nI shrugged. \"Maybe. But he's a really happy guy and he gave us some pretty wise advice. I think he has it all figured out.\"\n\nr/randallcooper"
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[WP] You wake up, it's a normal day. Except it's not. There seems to be no one around but you. Everyone has disappeared and you are the only one left on Earth. You wander endlessly for years hoping to find someone. Collecting supplies one day, you hear a soft "Hello?"
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" \n\n\\*Hello?\\*\n\nMy heart skipped a beat. I shot my head in a full 360 degree spin, making out every little detail of the landscape painted around me. It was barren, devoid of even the slightest notion of life. I croaked, under my breath, fighting to muster some sort of words. It’d been 20 years since I had done so much as uttered a simple “Ouch”. I felt my vocal cords wouldn’t let me produce the smallest “hello”. Nonetheless, I knew what I heard, and 20 years of lonesomeness can make one quite stubborn.\n\nThe drive home was a rather harrowing one. I didn’t want to leave, but after hours of searching and sobbing in hopes of finding the smallest semblance of life, I gave up. It didn’t feel right, but letting it plague my thoughts would do me no good. That was, of course, until I stepped out of my large beat-up honda, and into my home. It was then that I heard a rustling. A rustling that could not be written off as anything other than that of a \\*human\\*.\n\nI didn’t even think to turn the lights off before I chased after the sound. It was stupid, but then again, what wasn’t. I barreled through the halls, sweet whispers flying through my ears. Whispers of safety, whispers of another living thing.\n\nAs I ran, and ran, and ran, my house stretched and stretched and stretched. It kept it’s pace with me, never letting me go. But I didn’t care, because I could hear the rustling becoming louder and louder, until I was positive my ears were bleeding. But I had no time for my ears, I only had time for my goal. I ran for weeks, and those weeks turned into years, and those years turned into millenia. But I would never stop running. I \\*could\\* never stop running. Lives flashed through my mind. Billions of lives. All the lives lost. Every life lost, because of me. Because of what I did. I could never outrun that, but I could try.\n\nAnd, as I still run to this day, I know this is my punishment. This is what I deserve. I know that at the end of this hall, there will be nothing. But I must try. I deserve this, because at the end of the day, no matter what I do…\n\n\\*I’ll still be alone.\\*",
"I slept in my bedroom – the mahogany dresser, the hardwood floors, the brown lamp. It was only place in the world, where I could pretend that everything was still normal. You see, about a year ago, everybody disappeared. And I do mean everybody.\n\nI supposed looting isn’t looting when nothing belongs to anyone, and the only person is you. Every day, I would wake up, hoping to find someone. Anyone. At this point, I’d be willing to see my ex-fiance who cheated on me with her best friend.\n\nI missed talking to people. I missed seeing people. People are meant for some sort of interaction. So I searched, store by store, building by building. The places I frequented most were the grocery stores, because if there was someone, they’d need food above all else just like I do.\n\nThis Tuesday morning, I made my trek to Weiss, and I passed an alley.\n\n“Hello,” A low voice murmured.\n\nI froze where I stood, turning into the alley. The voice was like a jolt to my situation. I searched around, but I didn’t see anyone.\n\n“Hello?” I called out, searching for the source of the voice. “Had I finally lost it?”\n\nA woman’s voice laughed.\n\n“Who is there?” I asked.\n\nAnd in front of me, she appeared. A woman about a head shorter than me with long, flowing black hair and deep brown eyes and skin the color of cream, wearing a fashion forward jumpsuit. The Z-Nator. I had forgotten that we used to have superheroes. What did she do again?\n\nI stepped back in fear. “Are there any others of you left?”\n\n“I don’t know, but don’t run,” She whispered, moving toward me. “I do miss company. Is there anyone else with you? I do like that there’s nobody in danger, but I do miss helping people. Do you think they all died?”\n\nI blinked and remained silent.\n\n“Sir?” She said in a quiet voice, waving her hand in front of my face.\n\n“Huh?” I asked, staring at her in awe.\n\n“Do you think they all died?” She repeated.\n\nI nodded my head slowly. “I think so or the Revelation thing happened, but I don’t buy that. There wouldn’t only be two people left not with all the murders and crimes that used to be reported on the news. What do you think?”\n\n“I think one day we’re going to wake up and see that they all came back. It’s going to be like a dream or something,” She whispered with a voice tinged with expectation. “You and me and whoever else is out here—we’re going to be okay. We just got to stick it out. This isn’t the end.”\n\n“I do hope you’re right,” I breathed, closing my eyes tight. “A day like that is just what I need.”",
"Roan leaned over and wiped the dust off another tin can as he peered down to read its inscription. It's not that he expected it would say anything different than the last handful but a little part of him kept that hope alive. Rust had ruined any semblance of words which also meant it likely wouldn't be useful. Damn. Finding anything nowadays, let alone food, was like hitting the lottery. Ha, the lottery, what an abstract thought compared to what his day to day life consisted of now. Endlessly wandering deserted city after deserted city searching high and low for a sign that he wasn't alone.\n\nThat was the harsh reality he had learned to not dwell on years ago. He was utterly alone. Aside, from inanimate objects and the occasional voices he heard in his head. His mother used to say that the voices in your head are just a reflection of your heart's true intent. Unfortunately, it didn't resonate with him until it was too late to make a difference.\n\nHe tossed the once-promising tin can back into the pile of warehouse rubble where it came from. A plume of dust burst into the air and danced with the sun for a brief moment as gravity did it's best to bring everything back to how it was. The dark arching walls around him looked like they had been abandoned even before the falling out. He oddly felt bad for the building. That it had been given up on even before there was ever a real reason to.\n\nRoan rocked on his heels and gave an exasperated sigh as he headed for the door. His hand reached for the doorknob and a soft murmur snuck into his ears from across the room. He didn't move a muscle as his mind raced to convince himself it was just another animal. His younger self might have hoped otherwise but his now hardened interior was the result of years of countless fantastical expectations and demoralizing outcomes.\n\nThe sound came again but this time barely recognizable. Hello. The word teased him from the darkness of the warehouse. Each passing second helped reinvigorate Roan's conviction that this time was different. This time he wasn't alone, he was sure of. His dry lips parted and he stood for a moment with his mouth open unsure what to even say. All his mind and body could come up with was a low grunt that poised a threat and question at the same time.\n\nNothing came back in return. His eyes jetted around the corners of the room trying to make out what, if anything, was responsible for the word he hadn't heard in years. His curiosity was starting to mask his fear as he timidly inched across to the dark depths. Eyes adjusting, he slowly started to see a face appearing up against the far wall. A blur of a man that clearly had seen better days. His face covered in dirt and beard long forgotten. It was the first face he had seen in close to a decade and all Roan could feel was a pity for the man. The man's eyes seemed to yearn for something he knew he could never have. It wasn't until he got closer that he realized the man was not a man at all. It was something far worse.",
"\"Hello?\"\n\nI jumped out of my skin, dropping all of my firewood, and stood up quickly looking around. Four feet in front of me is a girl. A real girl. She is a beautiful, tall blond in casual clothes looking at me shyly.\n\n\"Hey what's your name?\" she asks. \"Do you know where everybody went? I haven't been able to find anyone for the last few hours.\"\n\nI just stared at her dumbfounded. She is the first person I have seen in years. I have been walking around the world for 3 years without finding anyone, but then there she is. \n\n\"Can you hear me?\" She asks kindly. \"Oh! do you not speak english? Tu parles francais?\" She asked hopefully.\n\n\"No. I... I can speak english.\"\n\n\"Oh good.\" She smiles the most beautiful smile. \"So do you know what is going on? I just woke up and everyone was gone. My name is Bella by the way.\"\n\n\"I'm... I'm James\" I said taking a second to remember my name. \"I don't know where anybody is. They all disappeared 3 years ago. You are the first person i have seen since then. How are you here? Are you a dream?\" I ask still confused at seeing another human being.\n\n\"I ... I don't know\" she said now frowning. \"I'm not a dream, i don't think. I just woke up this morning and everyone was gone.\"\n\nWe stared at each other for a few minutes searching each other's eyes for the truth. She looked scared, but confident. I could see intelligence behind her blue eyes. I wonder what she saw in mine. Confusions and admiration maybe, along with some excitement and a bit of relief at no longer being alone.\n\n\"I guess you can come back to my camp is you want, and we can try to figure it out together.\"\n\n\"Ok\" she said calmly \"Let's go.\"\n\nI gathered my firewood and we headed to the house I had claimed as my home for the week. We didn't speak, still confused, but I felt true happiness for the first time in years. The thought crossed my mind that i might be dead, but i didn't really care. All that matters is that I am not alone anymore. I know their is a lot to figure out but joy flooded through my body. I held the door open for Bella as we reached the house, and I began to make a fire in the chimney.\n\n\"Nice place you got here\" Bella said awkwardly looking around the dusty room. \n\n\"Thanks. I just found it the other day and thought it was a nice place to stay for the week.\" I said equally as awkward. \"So... what was the last thing you remember before everyone was gone?\" I asked to get down to business.\n\n\"Well..\" Bella responded sitting down on the couch, \"I was up late at the library researching for my term paper when i began packing up to head home. I was one of the last to leave and I remember their was some professor leaving at the same time. I got in my car, drove home, and went to bed.\"\n\n\"That all seems pretty normal.\" I said thinking.\n\n\"Wait! No, that's not what happened. Is it? No i left the library but i don't actually remember driving home. No of course I drove home, I woke up in my bed this morning. But i didn't drive.\" she said starting to get upset.\n\n\"Ok breath.\" I said \"You're ok. Maybe ... maybe that is when whatever happened, happened\" \n\nShe looked up at me confused and in despair \"But what actually happened? Where are we actually if we are not with everyone else?\"\n\n\"I... I don't know\"\n\n\"Well what were your last memories before everything happened?\"\n\nI thought back for the first time in years. \"I was a college student, I think, and I was studying for an exam late... at the library.\" Bella's eyes widened \"And i drov... wait. No. I didn't drive home either. I... why can't i remember?!\"\n\n\"That's the connection\" she whispered almost to herself. \"Something happened...\" she said getting louder \"after we both left the library, but what?\"\n\nWe looked at each other. Her eyes were full of fear and confusion and so were mine.\n\n\"What did they do to us?\" I said. \n\n\"Wait. who are they?\" Bella countered \n\nI was confused. I didn't know why I has just said that. Who was this mysterious 'they' my mind just invented. Oh. Oh no! They. Them. I remember now. They were experimenting, but I am not supposed to know that. They will be very angry. If they know I remember I will be ....\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n*Subject 78392 has remembered.* \n\n*Experiment failed.* \n\n*Introduction of a companion after day 1155 proved unsuccessful*\n\n*Brain reset in progress for trial #56728*",
"*Day 1,* you scrawled at the top of a blank page in your black, leather-bound notepad. The sun drew long shadows across the whitewashed wall of your rental apartment as it drooped behind the horizon. You were never the sentimental type, and couldn’t bring yourself to write a long, drawn-out passage about the day’s occurrences, so instead you followed up with a simple statement: *People Encountered - 0.*\n\nFor an introvert like yourself, spending a whole day seeing no one other than your overweight cat, Mittens, was not unusual. In fact, it was surprisingly easy for hours to slip away from you as you spent your days off slouched in front of your stupidly large TV screen, gaming and watching movies. Today, however, was not one of those days. \n\nYou’d risen early to the torturous sound of your alarm blaring from your phone. It was bound to be another expectedly mundane day in the office, so you’d dragged yourself into, and quickly out of, the pathetic dribble that your landlord marketed as a shower, then shoved on your work uniform and were out the door.\n\nAs you trudged down the bland hallway towards the building’s lift, you’d barely even noticed that old Ms. Pinder wasn’t on her way out to collect the daily newspaper. It didn’t strike you as odd that the obnoxiously peppy guy who lived on the floor above wasn’t waiting in the lift on his way to the gym, nor did you question when the car park below your building was completely still. \n\nIt was only as you pulled your hatchback, which was in desperate need of a wash, onto the main road, that you realised everything was eerily calm. There were no other vehicles, cyclists or even pedestrians on the streets surrounding your block of flats. You can still recall the way your breath caught in your throat in a moment of sheer panic and confusion. \n\nThe rest of your day had been spent desperately searching for signs of life: knocking on doors, visiting shops, even a little breaking and entering towards the end, when you were feeling most frantic. \n\nEveryone was gone. Not dead. Gone. \n\nYou’d completed your diary entry with a quick summary of your findings. *All human life seems to have vanished. Can’t seem to find many animals either – no pets around, not even Mittens.* \n\nThe entries to days 2 through 642 were all echoes of the first, but with varying summaries. Some days were exciting, like when you broke into the grocery store for the first time and had free run of the place. You’d left with a trolley full of goods, ranging from your favourite crisps – the red Doritos – to a set of collapsible garden furniture for the garden you didn’t actually have. You hadn’t paid a penny and that had only added to your glee. Other days, you’d realised how lonely you were. The gravity of your situation had debilitated you, and you’d been unable to leave your bed. \n\nToday was day 643 and you were ready to face yet another day of isolation, occupying yourself and avoiding the gentle caress of impending insanity. \n\nYou rolled out of bed, the sun already beaming from high in the sky. \n *Must be at least 11*, you’d thought to yourself, *but who cares about time when you’re the only person on the planet.* \n Following the same sound logic and reasoning, you’d decided to skip a shower – again. You thought, uncertainly, that this might be your fifth day without one. *It’s fine – a person can’t smell themself!*\n\nYou did, however, decide that you would treat yourself to clean underwear. You’d picked a slightly greying pair from the ever-growing heap in the corner of your bedroom and sniffed them… well, clean enough. \n\nWithin a few short minutes, you were making your way along the desolate street that led to the nearby shop. You were almost certain they would still have some instant coffee left. \n\nAs usual, upon arriving, you pried open the heavy, metal shutter at the back – stupid delivery driver had never shut it properly in the first place – and snuck inside. The frigid air emanating from the empty chilled aisles was a welcome change from the humid air that hung around you outside, dampening your body and making your clothes cling. You strode confidently along the empty central portion of the supermarket, on your way to retrieve the coffee you so desperately wanted.\n\nPackets rustled a few metres away. You froze. \n\nThe air was too still outside to be blowing this far into the supermarket. The air conditioning units had given out a long time ago. There was only one explanation. Something was there.\n\nYou contemplated turning, running, escaping whatever was lurking in the barren building. In fact, you managed to get at least two steps away before you heard footsteps. Not the thunderous footsteps of an enemy twice your size. Not even the delicate footsteps of a foe with the speed and agility of an assassin. These footsteps were… normal? \n\n*Oh for god’s sake! Why am I doing this?*\n\nYour body moved toward the sound readily, as if deliberately disobeying your frenzied mind. With your heart in your throat, you turned the corner. \n\nThere, completely oblivious, sat a small child surrounded by wrappers and packets. \n\nYou couldn’t help but gape as the young boy chomped away on the chocolate bar quickly melting in his hand. His huge brown eyes fell upon you and he smiled a wide, brown grin. \n\nYour diary entry that day was a little different than usual. \n\n*Day 643. People Encountered – 1.* \n *I found a young boy today, he told me his name is Nate. He’s currently asleep in my bed. I think I’m going to have to keep him.*",
"\"Hey.\" I stood up straight and assessed my new companion.\n\nShe was cute and petite with long, flowing hair and bright, clear eyes. She was wearing a black wife beater under an oversized button-up checkered sweater and blue jeans with brown cowboy boots. \n\n\"I haven't seen anyone else in days,\" she said, looking like she was in one as she looked down at the supplies in my hand.\n\nI could feel my brow tighten up slightly as I considered vague options and possibilites. \"When was the last time you ate?\" I asked her.\n\nThe corner of her mouth turned up in amusement. And that's really all I need to know. I can almost imagine hearing her thoughts. *Food? What is that?*\n\n\"Come on,\" I told her. \"I've got enough supplies for the day. Let's go back to my-\" I stopped as she started to unbutton her sweater. \"Uh, what are you doing?\"\n\nHer hands pause over the next button, wavering, uncertain. She's still looking down, away from me, so fragile, vulnerable. The expectation she has of me, that I would *do* something like that, simultaneously shames me and makes me pity her and want to prove her wrong.\n\nBut at the same time, if we *were* the only two people left in the world, and I gave her food, and then we...wouldn't it be sorta like the same thing?\n\n\"Look,\" I told her, \"you don't have to do anything you want to do. I'm not like that.\"\n\nHer hands tremble and because her hair is covering her face it takes me awhile to see that she's crying.\n\nI step towards her before I know what I intend to do, and since I'm this close already, I might as well try to comfort her with a hug.\n\nAs my arms encircle her, she turns and buries her face into my neck. \n\nShe starts to giggle. \n\nI glance down and see her head rear back. She has fangs. And she's about to strike. \"Sssssucker,\" she hisses. \n\nAnd then her head explodes. I hear the gunshot right after.\n\nHer body falls.\n\nA man is walking towards me, gun trained on me. \"She bite you?\" he shouts.\n\nI shake my head. \n\nHe comes at me from an angle and checks my neck. \"Alright.\" He lowers the gun. \"And you're welcome.\" He grins. \"I'm Range.\" \n\nWe shake hands, then look at the body.\n\n\"Morphs,\" he says. \"Bunch of creatures walking around impersonating humans. Can't really tell them apart from the real thing.\"\n\n\"How'd you know she was one?\"\n\n\"I saw the look on your face and made an executive decision.\" He looked apprehensive. \"I wasn't wrong, was I?\"\n\n\"A little,\" I said.\n\nHe looked at me in confusion.\n\n\"You should have shot me too,\" I said, as I lunged forward and sunk my fangs into his neck."
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[WP] You have a very unique ability. Whenever you make skin-to-skin contact with someone, they feel the exact amount of pain they’ve caused to others, emotionally and physically. One day, you tap your arm by mistake. It breaks instantly.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I try to wear gloves and long sleeve shirts at school. It’s a little tricky to explain to the teachers and administration, and i’ve been pulled aside many times, accused of self harm. When they say that, I have to try not to laugh. Harming myself. It’s ironic, seeing as I’ve spent my whole life harming others. \n\nI have fuzzy memories of when I was smaller, maybe in elementary school. Kids then didn’t cause much pain to many people, maybe they’d double over in pain and start stress crying. Those were easy to place: parents’ pain perhaps, since babies are hard to care for, and whatever other little things they’d done. \n\nNow, in middle school, people got hurt more. I was stupid, I didn’t want to wear gloves. I didn’t have many friends. I tried to limit contact, but there was always little mistakes. My least favorite teacher pat me on the arm when she was telling me that if I wasn’t more “social”, no one was gonna want to be friends with me at all. I didn’t try to stop her, and the guilt pains me daily. She screamed, and to say the least, I wasn’t surprised. She was a strict teacher and she caused a lot of students to talk crap about her behind her back about her stressful workloads. And, she was old. People who have lived longer have caused more pain. Anyway, they said it was a heart attack of some sort. They didn’t blame me, what could I have done? There were no marks on her. I don’t even know if she’s still alive, and I don’t know if I want to.\n\nFrom that day on, I wore gloves. Living like this is hard, and I still refuse to make close friends. I can’t risk anybody. \n\n“Hey,” says a guy I don’t really know well. Ethan, I think. He slides into the bench across from me, and smiles brightly. Oh. He pities me. If only he knew. “Take those gloves off, man.” \n\n“No,” I say simply. “But, um, thank you, I guess.” \n\nHe chuckles, then reaches his hand out to grab the tip of my glove. “Dude, it’ll help you make friends, I swear. I just want to help-”\n\nI pull back, but he already has his grip on the tip of one of my gloved fingers. He pulls back his arm, and the silky glove slides off easily. He smiles. “Your first step at opening up!” \n\n“Hey, please,” I beg. I reach out and try to grab for it back, but I feel my hand glide across his hand. His *hand*. No. I wince, and almost fall over as I jerk back. I promised myself never again. \n\nEthan’s eyes widen, and he grips his head in pain. He starts to slowly cry, and then he puts his head down in the double. I hear muffled screaming and groaning, but for the most part, he doesn’t pass out. I raise my eyebrows, appalled by what i’ve done, but surprised. Ethan really does have good intentions, then. He hasn’t hurt many. \n\nI grip my arms in fear, and I wonder if there’s a way I can relieve his pain. My pain, even, my guilt. I tap into myself, deep into my thoughts, feeling my own breathing. I feel my power deeply, for the first time. I’ve hurt so many people, do I even deserve to live? To continue? And then my arm erupts into blazing pain, the rest of my body following. I begin to tear up. What’s wrong? I’ve touched myself a lot, but I’ve never hurt myself. \n\nBut this time, I realize something’s different. Maybe this time, I want to use my power against myself. And I let my power overrun my mind, remembering all the people I’ve hurt, the screams, the cries out in pain, before my world turns to nothingness."
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[WP] everyone but you has dissapeared, but oneday you hear a knock on the door.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*"
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[WP] The monster that lives in your closet is actually really friendly.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Each night I would lay in my bed, I got scared. I heard what sounded like growling from the closet. At times I swore I even saw the eyes of a beast, glaring right at me. But after months past, I finally worked up the courage to enter my closet, ready face whatever horrendous thing that lay within. \n\nBut I didn’t expect to see the monster in there to cower back when I entered.\n\nThe monster was smaller than I thought he was back then, about four feet tall and really skinny. In fact, I’m sure he was malnourished at the time. He kinda resembled a humanoid cat, but was more beast or wild cat than human. I felt bad for him, so I grabbed him, dragged him, and threw him on the table to feed him. \n\nAnd that’s also when I found out he could -although was very difficult to understand at the time- speak English, or rather, English to an extent. It was more a mixture of purrs and oddly sounding vowels mixed into each word of his sentences. He told me his name. “Tinker.” He purred to me. I remember it like it was yesterday. \n\nAfter that day, I became great friends with Tinker. I fed him, took care of him -well, more like took care of each other- all while my parents were busy working I had someone to be with. And it remained that way from young late elementary me to full on high school graduate.\n\nHe’s not around anymore though. He left a long time ago. I don’t remember the farewell that well, but the pieces I do remember I remember fondly. \n\n\n-Hey so this is my first story on WP so I would love some honest criticism, whether it be good or bad, to help me improve my writing. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!"
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[WP] As entropy begins to unravel and tear away at the Cosmos, the Grim Reaper arrives in the Kingdom of Heaven to take his final soul : God.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The caretaker for the facility walks the empty halls. This old and dilapidated building has seen some amazing things, but slowly the lights are burning out and it's getting time to just call it quits. \n\nHis boots echo off the empty walls that were once busy with those that lived here before turning and opening the door to the courtyard where the Old Man played chess. \n\nThe caretaker took his seat across from the Old Man and made his first move. The Old Man Smiles. \"I was wondering if you were still too busy to play a game with me again.\" He says as he makes his move. \n\n\"You know how busy I've been. Look at this place, it's almost about time for us both to go.\" He says as he moves his piece in response. \"Not all of us can take a vacation, you know?\"\n\nThe Old Man says nothing as he continues to move his pieces. \"I did good work in my younger days. I invented things, created things, changed the very laws of the universe on it's head but in the end even I can't escape the end can I?\" he says philosophically. \n\nThe Caretaker thinks on that for a moment. When the lights are all gone, the walls crumble and the Old Man is absent what use will there be for the Caretaker anymore? \"What do you think is beyond this place?\" He asks as he takes a piece from the old Man. \n\nThe engagement is quick and several pieces are lost on both sides as both opponents continue the game. \"You would know better than me. I haven't been away from here in some time. When I stopped creating new things I couldn't bring myself to be bothered to know what came of it all. It's hard to see everything you create destroyed in the end.\" He says as he Makes a move. \"Check.\" \n\nThe Caretaker evaluates his choices before making a move to save his king. \"All things must end. Everything we create either outlasts us or ends before us. It must just be unlucky for you to outlive almost everything. The pieces move. \"Check.\"\n\nThe old man looks at the board puzzled. \"Been a long time since that's happened.\" Pieces move and the pattern repeats. Check. Move. Check. move.\n\n\"Checkmate.\" The caretaker says as he sighs and looks up at the darkness that is the universe except for this one building in the vastness of what used to be the universe. \"Of all the places you chose to save you had to save this little bit of the humans didn't you?\"\n\nThe old man smiles. \"They loved me the longest out of all of them.\" He reaches out to the Caretaker. He hesitates before grabbing the hand and sending the Old Man to the other side. \n\nSitting alone the Caretaker looks at the chess set and shakes his head. \"He let me win.\" Resetting the board as the walls and building collapse into nothing around him he whispers to himself, \"Let there be light.\" And then it was so."
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[WP] Your family is a long line of sentient objects. They range from something as simple as a spoon, to something as complicated as a F22 Bomber. You are the black sheep of the family.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I miss home,\" Esmerelda sputtered as her feathered assailant squawked and flew away, propelled skyward by flecks of FDA-approved scavengings, gobs of which were now seeping and solidifying in bas-relief on her dark iron coils. The bird hadn't even taken the time to say hello, or had it? She had to wonder. Perhaps a shot of liquefied lunchables was considered cordial or even conversational by this bird, this interloper, this pin-cushioned meat sack; an inverted iron maiden whose wings were spiked with ciliated dendrites inanely conducive to flight? Who could say. But, Esmee couldn't help herself. She was a tireless inquisitor by nature, always leaving room for doubt by virtue of her station in the world. \n\nAs the oldest adornment on the fourthmost park bench along the Salisbury River Walk in Trudabega, FO, smelted and affixed in place long before she could remember anything, Esmee had experienced enough to know that things weren't always what they seemed. Though she was firmly rooted at the very center of the universe, where humans from a nearby industrial park gathered to make noise, litter and pollute, dogs jammed their snouts into anything and everything, and the occasional alligator surfaced for a snack, Esmee enjoyed limited yet formative communication with the outside world. Her world was mostly inside, and vibrated with the rhythms of the park. So, she understood things that even she wasn't meant to understand, and sometimes, if her friends allowed it, she would get the chance to try and explain those things to others. The enigmas. The fun stuff. But only if they allowed it. \n\nThe spray-tan stench of the winged marauder's contribution to Esmee's facade hadn't escaped the attention of Salvador, who noted that the smell closely matched the odor of human cuisine, with the notable addition of bird-gut rinse and chitin puree. \n\n\"Ugh.. birds are the worst, am I right?\" he shouted from the gallows. \n\n\"Hey Sal!\" Esmee cheerfully relayed. \"Do you think it was saying 'Hello' or something? Man, I hope the rain comes soon and washes this off!\" \n\n\"Doll, you look simply radiant. Don't let that vermin spoil your cavalcade,\" Sal offered. \"But no, I regret to inform you that the bird was not saying 'Hello' or even saying anything at all.\" \n\n\"Oh? Well, I guess you would know. You are our resident bird expert!\" she thrummed. \n\n\"No, no, no, no,\" came the voice from the nearby manhole cover. Esmee was never sure which manhole cover it was, as there were more than a few of them dotting the pedestrian walkway along the river. Wherever it was, the thing seemed to always be listening and, as Esmee had recently learned, it called itself Lorelei. Esmee was also beginning to learn that Lorelei was not a fan of Salvador. \n\n\"What the heck would a bird box know about birds?\" Lorelei began, \"when all he does is hang up there all day, doing nothing, feeder always empty, mouth always running. I am sick and tired of your bird brain friend over there.\"\n\nFortunately, Sal didn't seem to hear what Lorelei had said, as he remained quiet or, at least, unbothered. She noted that he had begun whistling the tune to \"Trampled Under Foot,\" and the the leaves of his Honeylocust tree had begun to crackle in sync with the wind. \n\n\"Do you know a lot about birds?\" Esmee ventured, unsure in which direction to aim her question. \n\n\"Eh? Me? Yeah, I know all about birds\" replied Lorelei, her waffled, toxic accent so thick it was hard to make out certain words. That, on top of the seemingly omnipresent nature of her cadence, made listening to Lorelei a distinctly unsettling experience. Esmee felt her bolts loosen a little bit. Lorelei went on: \"My cousin is a bird, in fact. And he's a big one, too. He regularly fits 200 humans inside his cabin, and he can fly a million times faster than any of these wannabe drifters out here. Say, I think you might know him.\" \n\n\"Really?\" Esmee choked out, unsure if she had even understood the question.\n\n\"Yes. You said your brother is a fighter jet, right? An F16 or something?\" \n\nEsmee's constitution skipped a beat. How did the manhole cover know about her brother? She hadn't even thought about Langdon in ages. He wasn't an F16, but still, this was too close for comfort. \n\nEsmee knew for a fact that Sal didn't even know she had a brother, because Sal always joked that she was made of stardust and that her parents were the moon and the sun. She really liked Sal, sometimes. And there's no way Maxwell would know either. Sal and Max were her two best friends. If they didn't know about Langdon, then how could this creepy manhole cover even have the slightest idea? \n\n\"Wait, no… your bro is an F22 Bomber!\" Lorelei exclaimed. \"The most fearsome bird in the sky!\" \n\nRight as Esmee was about to respond, hordes of humans started emerging along the River Walk, making noise and dropping garbage here and there. Soon, the dogs began to emerge as well, stuffing their snouts in everything, everywhere. \n\nEsmee was about to begin the deep retreat into her quietest, most sheltered inner thoughts when she saw the long-dormant fountain on the other side of the river trickle to life, much to the excitement of the humans."
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[WP] You suddenly realize you're sitting in a dimly lit bar, seated next to someone vaguely familiar. As they notice you turn towards them, they smile and say, "It's nice to finally meet you. Shame you had to die in such a manner."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I burst out of my barstool. My hands are sweaty and shaking. I point towards the man sat at the bar “Y-you…” he smiles “you’ll feel okay soon, honey, you should be able to speak soon.” The way he called me honey made me sick to my stomach. I sink to the floor. I feel so sick that I can’t help but clutch my stomach. \r\n\r\nWhen I feel stable, I attempt to speak again. “You’ve drugged me, YOU DRUGGED ME! HELP! HES DRUGGED ME” the bartender doesn’t even turn around. A lie down on my side, tears build up in my eyes but I find myself unable to cry. He crouches down next to me and strokes my arm, in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable. “You may not understand now. But you will. You’ll understand just fine.” As soon as he walks away I sit, quickly. Too quickly. My head aches. I continue to sit until my head stops throbbing. \r\n\r\nFinally, I choose to accept that maybe I am dead. It doesn’t make sense, I want answers but I’m going to have to accept it. \r\n\r\nI join him at the bar. Without looking at me he confidently says “You want to know why you are here.” I nod, and he’s silent for a while. The bartender brings over drinks. A gin and tonic for me, and a small vodka for him. He picks it up, and drinks it in one shot. “Let’s just say, you had some enemies out there” he smiles as he says it. I feel so sick again. He stands up and walks out of the bar. I don’t understand. And I probably never will.",
"“Is this a joke she wondered, could he have found her already??” Her mind impulsed quickly while latching her eyes on the ice clanking in her glass. Diverting her fear, she studied the facets of ice submerged in the whiskey. This kept her face steady, a solid poker face, if only for a moment.\n\nThe dregs of a door, withered by the weather, housed the door knob barely hanging in the latch. She glanced at this exit thinking of running......Sunlight trickling through it, with a crack large enough you could throw a cat under. A dingy bar, in this one horse town was the last place....she thought he would look. \n\n“Well played,” she chided herself after such a long battle....After all, she had the key to the pandemonium, she knew he would eventually find her...\n\n\n(How far do I write?). Never did this...",
"\"Excuse me?\" I said. There was a cold Scotch in my hand. I didn't remember having a cold Scotch in my hand. I put it down in front of me.\n\nThe man rolled his eyes. They kept rolling. His whole face was, actually. Like someone had dunked a watercolor painting of a normal face underwater. I wondered if I was already drunk.\n\n*Wait, I don't drink*.\n\n\"You. Dead,\" the man said slowly, enunciating in that patronizing sort of way that suggests that the person being talked to is a few neurons sort of a complete set.\n\n\"I got that part,\" I said. \"It was more a clarification 'excuse me' than a repeat what you just said 'excuse me'. Also, why are your eyes still rolling?\"\n\n\"Are they?\" the man said. \"Apologies. Reception here is terrible.\" He slapped the side of his head, and suddenly his face was normal. Well, it wasn't normal. He had too many eyes and no nose. But at least his face wasn't rolling anymore.\n\nThe man downed his drink in a single gulp, smacked his lips, then said, \"Well, to answer the second question first, it typically takes the recently departed a few seconds to acclimate their vision to things back here. And as for clarification... well...\"\n\nHe gestured at the bartender, who was cleaning a glass with an old dishrag and had an elephant's trunk instead of a nose. The bartender said, \"You're in the Background.\"\n\nI processed this for a few seconds. \"The Background,\" I repeated.\n\n\"Quite so,\" said the bartender. He pointed at my glass. \"Don't like your drink?\"\n\n\"I've been sober twenty years,\" I said, trying to infuse enough coldness into the sentence to cover up the sheer bewilderment bursting in my brain.\n\n\"Technically,\" said the man next to me, \"you've only been sober for about...\" He looked at his watch. It was on his third arm. \"Two minutes. That's about when you died. Did I get that right Benji?\"\n\n\"Quite so,\" said Benji. \"Excuse me, I have other customers to attend to.\" He walked away and began talking to the woman with green skin and the man with a ceiling fan for a head.\n\n\"So I died,\" I said. \"How?\"\n\n\"Lord help me,\" said the man, and he rolled his eyes again. This time, they stopped on their own. \"Thought you'd have pieced it together. You *were* sober twenty years. Now you've been sober two minutes. Put two and two together and you get...\"\n\nI swallowed. \"I drank myself to death.\"\n\n\"Right on the money.\"\n\nI looked around. To my right, behind the man, the bar went on as far as the eye could see. What I had first taken to be a framed M. C. Escher seemed to actually be a series of impossible staircases, upon which frollicked and thumped a menagerie of interesting creatures, few of which I felt could be described in words. One of them I was fairly sure was called a *gallumpiate*, although I wasn't quite sure how the word had entered my brain. I suspected there was more than just alcohol involved.\n\nTo my left the bar abruptly turned a corner, and beyond was an open door beyond which sat a reddish neon-lit street, and a path of rain-slickened cobbles.\n\n\"So this is the Background,\" I said. \"It's Hell, right? I'm in Hell. You're the Devil and I'm in Hell. Fucking Hell.\"\n\n\"Not quite,\" said the man. \"And no, it's not Heaven either. Though I could put on a halo if it would make you feel better.\"\n\n\"It wouldn't,\" I said, my stomach folding in on itself with nausea. \"How? I was so careful.\"\n\n\"Julie left you,\" the man said. \"You were a wreck. Then you were *in* a wreck. Happens to the best of us.\"\n\nI stared. \"She wouldn't.\"\n\nThe man picked up a remote beside his drink and pointed it upward, above the place where the bar cornered into the wall. The TV flickered to life. And there I was, on the screen, crumpled up on the bedroom floor, empty bottles and the torn up pieces of paper surrounding my quivering form.\n\nThe memories came pouring in. The note. *I'm tired of it. Tired of the bullshit. It's not what I wanted, it's what you wanted.* The booze. The aching pleasantness of the whiskey sliding down my throat with the desperation of a soldier coming home from the war.\n\n\"No, no, no,\" said my companion. \"This isn't the good part.\" He clicked a button and fast-forwarded the tape. And there I was, driving 80 miles per hour down the highway and weeping drunkenly, beard crusted with fresh vomit. \"*This* is the good part.\"\n\n*CRASH*. A scream of rending metal, of jagged pieces twisting into raw flesh, then silence. The tape flipped to static.\n\n\"Boo!\" said a man sitting in the back of the room. He was wearing an upside-down overcoat and his feet were where his hands should have been. \"Mine was better.\"\n\n\"Fuck off, Dave,\" said my companion. \"You died of an ulcer. No one wants to see that shit.\"\n\nI didn't say anything. It was too much. I didn't have any tears left to cry. I'd lost Julie. I'd lost my sobriety, and I'd lost my life. What did I have left? I eyed the Scotch sitting in front of me.\n\nThe man beside me sighed. \"Alright, friend, here's the deal. This is the behind-the-scenes of reality. The shits and giggles behind the facade of your everyday existence. This is where the magic happens. And *this* is where you go when you die. Not up, not down, not even fucking sideways, but behind.\"\n\n\"Are you kidding?\" I choked. \"I died for this?\"\n\nThe man gave me a look, which given the number of eyes involved was quite unsettling. \"No, you died for nothing. Just like Dave. Just like me. Just like all us sorry souls. There's nothing to die for. There's just death. Bam, pow, you're dead. Everyone does it, so get used to it. Because hey.\" He elbowed me. \"Now you can *really* live.\"\n\nI stared at him, and my heart was full of menace. \"This doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense. You're telling me nothing mattered?\"\n\n\"And life made sense? Going paycheck to paycheck just to kiss the ass of some bigwig who wiped his ass with the cash you brought in? Spending so much time looking for a meaning of life that you forgot to do anything that mattered. Believe me, this is all practically rational.\"\n\n\"Practically,\" I replied.\n\nHe shrugged. \"Can't give us too much credit.\" The man sat back a moment, then reached into his pocket and handed me a card. \"Look, here's the deal. Nothing makes sense here. But that doesn't mean you can't find the answers you need.\"\n\n\"To what?\"\n\n\"Depends on the questions, doesn't it? And boy howdy, with a sob story like yours,\"--he gestured at the TV, which was now showing a playback of a man leaping off a bridge, reverse-flying back onto the bridge, and leaping off again, set to a laughtrack. \"--You must got a shitload of questions.\"\n\nI took the card. \"What's this?\"\n\n\"See? You got the question thing down already.\" He smiled. \"I know a guy. I know a lot of guys, but this guy might send you down the path you need to be sent down right now.\"\n\n\"Thanks,\" I said, getting up to leave. \"Who are you anyway?\"\n\nThe man shrugged. \"Who knows? You gonna drink that?\" He gestured at my Scotch.\n\n\"Be my guest,\" I said, and started walking toward the door.\n\n\"Hey, wait!\"\n\nI turned. The man was looking at me, a friendly grin spreading beneath his too many eyes. \"It's a mad world out there. Try to have some fun.\"\n\nI nodded and stepped out into the universe."
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[WP] Every culture manifests itself into gems of power. Hellenic, Arabic, and Persian gems were first found. However, the Chinese gems were predicted to be found, in Japan?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"As Asia's culture flame first was lit in China, it traveled to many places. Oh, it stayed in the Yellow River Valley for some time, but it traveled, and traveled.\n\nFrom the work of Dr. Millanio Ceravantes, He predicted that the Gems were found in the last major places of the culture. His explanation proved to be right in the findings of the Hellenic Gems in Wales, the Arabic Gems in Somalia, and the Judaic Gems in Eastern Siberia.\n\nHowever, one by one, each gem was found, until the Chinese Gems were the last ones left.\n\nWith that much culture, Ceravantes argued, the Chinese Gems might be the most powerful. This prompted the CCP to search far and wide, desperate to make China powerful again.\n\nAnd so it was, on April 25th, a Japanese schoolgirl noticed something shiny next to an old Buddhist shrine."
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