Split (1)

train · 199k rows

post_text stringlengths 0 17.5k	post_title stringlengths 8 314	comment_texts listlengths 1 74	num_stories int64 1 74
	[WP]After dealing with writers block for the umpteenth time a shady individual grants you an artifact that allows you to enter people's dreams.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It had been a month, and Jonah had not written nothing. He couldn't. Every morning, he'd sit down with a cup of coffee and open his laptop, only to stare at a blank page all day. Try as he might, the words wouldn't come. Through some stroke of luck, a friend of a friend who worked in publishing had agreed to look over his work. He'd written short stories in college, but this time he'd promised a novel. He still had a month left, but if it went anything like the one that had just passed, he new he'd miss his chance.\n\nHe'd told the publisher, Kev, that he'd was developing a fantasy story, focused on the emotional journey of a man from this world who is thrown into circumstances beyond the ordinary. The idea of a modern person being a fish out water in a fantasy realm had intrigued Kev, so he asked for a fleshed out story and atleast six chapters. Jonah was lucky that Kev was going abroad for two months following their meeting, otherwise he might have had even less time. Although closing his laptop after another failed day, the extra time didn't feel like it was going to make a difference.\n\nThat night, Jonah reclined in bed, the fear of blowing his shot keeping him from sleeping. He tossed and turned, hoping and praying for some tiny spark of inspiration. But his mind was blank. He closed his eyes, fighting to doze off, when he heard a deep, soothing voice.\n\n\"Inspiration is a hard thing to come by, huh? Maybe this will help\"\n\nBeing a man who lived alone, he immediately jumped out of bed, startled. He looked around, searching for the voice, but saw nothing more than the usual mess. That was until he turned back to his bed. His heart dropped, as he saw himself asleep under the sheets, looking more peaceful than he'd felt in weeks. The voice returned.\n\n\"You're a dreamwalker now. You're welcome\"\n\n\"Who are you? What is this?\" He responded nervously\n\n\"Who I am is not important. And as to what this is, I just told you. You have access to the subconscious imagination of 7 billion people now. Even a mediocre writer like you should be able to do something with that\"\n\n\"Is this a dream?\" Jonah asked. The tremor in his voice was easing, though his confusion was not.\n\n\"Wow, you really don't listen do you? I don't have time for this. You're a DREAM. WALKER. Figure that out for yourself. I'm done. I don't know why the Sandman chose you for this, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Bye.\"\n\nAnd with that, the voice faded away, leaving Jonah alone with his thoughts, trying to figure out if what just happened was real or not. Could he really enter dreams now? Was that not invasive? And should he really just use this ability to find inspiration for his stories, or try to do some good with it? He had a lot to process. But regardless, for the first time in over a month, his mind was racing with possibility." ]	2
	[WP] As an aspiring writer, you've grown weary of every idea you come up with being rejected with "Shakespeare did that already". Now in possession of a time machine, you plan to go back and give Ol' Will a piece of your mind, but what you find is not what you expected.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "THE TIME TRAVELER\n\nACT I\n\nSCENE I. London. A Theater.\n\nEnter Will Shakespeare.\n\nWILL SHAKESPEARE:\n\nAwake! Heed me, my friends, and bring your gaze\n\nUnto this stage. Where, for this moment, your\n\nNoble and enduring playwright, at last\n\nShall reckon with his legacy.\n\nFor though the world’s a stage, and each man\n\nBut a player, who struts and frets his hour\n\nUntil heard no more, so too goes the world.\n\nFor what story is written that is not\n\nRe-written? What space is left in the soul\n\nThat does not lie claimed? Truly there is more\n\n‘Betwixt heaven and earth, than there is in\n\nAny human philosophy!\n\nEnter a TIME MACHINE. JIM, a 21st-Century playwright, emerges from it.\n\nJIM: Stop the play!\n\nJIM looks around at audience and at empty stage.\n\nJIM: Wha – This was supposed to Macbeth.\n\nSHAKESPEARE: How now, O charlatan!\n\nJIM: You!\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\nBehold the majestic human spirit!\n\nThat which can build a lever of such power\n\nThat the world entire can be turned\n\nUpon its side, yet nonetheless, sees still\n\nNo further than its nose.\n\nJIM: Don’t change the subject, you lying scumbag! You screwed us all!\n\nSHAKESPEARE: Did not.\n\nJIM: You took all the good ideas! You didn’t leave anything for the rest of us!\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\nMy boy, forsake your uncouth tongue, and speak\n\nIn tongues, or betray your own uncouthness.\n\nJIM: I am not having this argument in iambic pentameter.\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\nThen behold the rose, young naif, and know\n\nThat though it blooms ever each summer day,\n\nIts beauty lies unopposed, and wins still\n\nThe eye of man.\n\nJIM: I mean, they don’t now that the biosphere collapsed, but I guess I take your point.\n\nJIM: Wait! You can’t have known I was coming! You… You have a script and everything! You knew this would happen! You know what I’m going to say! You wrote a script around it!\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\nAll your exertions to upset my play\n\nForsooth, do they make you an excellent\n\nPlayer.\n\nJIM: Oh my god… You’re a time traveler too, aren’t you?\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\nO gods, what treasured fantasies do we\n\nForsake when the sun rises and casts light\n\nUpon our selves. What beauteous dreams that\n\nIn the night can carry such span and weight\n\nYet under the weight of daylight collapse\n\nInto themselves, and then, into nothing.\n\nJIM: …Are you trying to say that you think I’m disappointed?\n\nSHAKESPEARE: For true I was.\n\nJIM: Well just say that then. I know you’re famous for it, but I really don’t get the point of this whole flowery-words nonsense thing. You know nobody else uses it after this. Why’d you even bother with it?\n\nSHAKESPEARE:\n\n‘Just say that then?’ What use words when not used?\n\nWhat use eyes when not opened? What use I\n\nIf not to think? What use a playwright’s speech\n\nIf not to speak?\n\nFor though others may lay dirt or iron\n\nTo build their bridges, manses, and tressels\n\nAnd I too, with such crude instruments make\n\nThe same bridges for the same expanses\n\nIn mine I whorl, twist, and carve until\n\nThat flattened bridge o’er becomes spiraled\n\nThat staircase becomes bent and contorted\n\nPerilously leaning under its weight\n\nYet carries enough for comprehension.\n\nAnd in that most needless complexity\n\nComes beauty, as so in peacock's feathers\n\nOr like Jenga!\n\nJIM: Well, at least you’re honest. Hey, uh… Do you want to get out of here, maybe have a beer, and hang out?\n\nSHAKESPEARE: I do.\n\nExeunt all." ]	2
	[WP] "Behold!" The emperor boomed. "Five thousand miles of children and hempen rope!". I gaze upon this marvel in awe, unsure of how to respond to such an offer.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I was putting the finishing touches on the canvas painting of a dog, a stray dog that I had found roaming around the streets. Just then someone knocked on the front door.\n\n\"Come in,\" I said. The visitor's footsteps were heavy, it was Silas, the royal messenger. Draped in finery embroidered with the king's seal, he gave me a short, curt bow.\n\n\"Gustav. The king seeks your favour. You are to head with me to the castle at once,\" he said. The King, a patron of the arts, was my benefactor, I couldn't refuse.\n\n\"Certainly Silas. Let me fix my appearance and I'll join you at once.\" Silas bowed again and left the room, to wait for me at the fireplace.\n\nQuickly I discarded my shabby work clothes, clothes I didn't mind spilling paint on, and put on a crisp white shirt with a navy blue coat and navy blue trousers. I then headed out to the fireplace where Silas stood, waiting with dignity, no sign of impatience present on his stern face.\n\n\"Silas,\" I called out, \"Let's head to the castle now.\" He nodded and we headed out into the town. The town was well a town. It wasn't very big, or very densely populated. Traders seldom visited, all that was grown in the fields was what sustained the town, all the equipment that was fashioned by the blacksmiths here were all the equipment the townsmen knew.\n\nWe went ahead on horses. It took two days of travelling through the countryside to reach the castle. Once we reached there, I was taken to King Henry. \"I need you,\" he said in a heavy voice, \"to paint the ceiling of the new dining hall that has been constructed.\" Painting a ceiling was a hard job, but the king promised a handsome reward, so I accepted his proposal. Upon reaching the hall I was astounded by its grand architecture.\n\nThe ceiling was very high, like a church, and the windows were the same. They provided a scenic view of the mist-covered highlands. Gauging the structure of the giant dome, I decided to paint it in the likeness of a mystical sky complete with bright stars, a large crescent moon, and shimmering blue clouds.\n\nOver the course of the next few months, I proceeded to do exactly that. The painting process was brutal and required great precision but I pulled through. After nine months of back-breaking work, the dome looked exactly like I wanted to, a ceiling in the likeness of the heavens.\n\nThe king liked it too. \"Excellent,\" he said, \"you are worthy of your reward.\"\n\nThe reward, yes, the fruits of my labour were to be bestowed upon me. But the reward offered by the king was very unsavoury. With a great deal of hustle and bustle, it had been brought in. And the king had proudly presented it. \"Behold!\" he boomed. \"Five thousand miles of children and hempen rope!\" The reward baffled me, it was horrific to look at. Children, living and breathing children, I might add, were tied hand to foot to form a five thousand mile rope. With no other alternative in sight, I accepted the gift and asked for the king to transport it to my little town. That he did.\n\nLater, in my town, I released the children from the ropes. They are now part of this town which is gradually growing into a city after the influx of so many able-bodied workers. What am I doing? I have my old rags on. The dog painting still has some minor kinks that need to be smoothened out." ]	2
	[WP] Memories can be recorded and sold online. Your celebrity idol has their memory uploads hacked and you download them illegally, excited to see the world through their eyes. Only when you watch through them you recognise something strange... they’ve been stalking you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " \n\nCecelia opened up her laptop, jittery with nervous excitement. She was a lot like everyone else, worked in retail, mooned over attractive people, and had a hobby in miniature models. One of her greatest passions though was music, and nothing seemed to quite compare to Incandescent Predilection, an energetic blend of Metal and Rock in the form of a four-man band. Somewhat brutal in tone and ruthless in lyrics, their de facto lead was a woman called Holly Graves, tall, blonde, and beautiful. She was Cecilia’s celebrity crush, not helped by her frank manner and somewhat scandalous sex life. She represented everything Cecilia wanted: freedom, confidence, and a sensuality that she couldn’t quite place.\n\nShe needed to know how. How was Holly so… her?\n\nThankfully, she managed to get a small lead. Margaret from work had slipped her a tip that someone had hacked into her greybox. The small devices were implanted into the base of the skull, and could record every single sight and thought. They were still controversial and expensive, given it had been about seventy years when they were introduced commercially, but the convenience of them had outweighed any outcry. Still, they were supposed to be tighter than airtight. She wondered how this could have happened.\n\nThe thought disappeared as she opened up Lokii. Obviously, this was a big deal, even for a minor celeb, and the stolen memories would only be found in the Deep Web. Her web browser of choice was more solid than a bank vault, designed with multiple ways to circumvent anyone from tracking her down. She was quite safe in her apartment while she hunted down her videos of horror and torment, thriving off eviscerated limbs and screaming lips.\n\nShe hammered in the name of the website her partner in crime gave her. From there, she scrolled down a pitch black page with blue links.\n\nThere. “IPHGG”\n\nShe didn’t even notice the second ‘G’ as she downloaded the zipped file, one hand on the mouse, and the other gripping the arm of her chair with fevered intensity. She was so close now… she never considered the depths of her obsession, nor how Holly was, theoretically, unobtainable. The single-minded determination had now blinded her to everything but the files, scanned for viruses by three different protection software and Lokii.\n\nOnce it was clear, she rammed her jack into her nape, jamming the other into her laptop. As the abused machine brought up the relevant pop-ups, Cecelia mentally okayed everything as fast as she could.\n\nSoon, not soon enough, she felt her mind shift, like it was moving from a mould. She had Holly’s memories. She could not contain her heart – She had to see! And as the first memory came up…\n\n…It was the sight of her street.\n\nThere… there had to be some mistake. This was one of her memories, right? But her greybox had confirmed it wasn’t hers. It was a new one.\n\nThe image shifted. Looked up. Her window. It was her flat’s window. And the sight… this person was taller than Cecelia.\n\nCecelia could still feel her heart pounding, but it generated no warmth. She slipped to a new memory. Now she saw the clothes shop she liked to frequent. A long-fingered hand grabbed a dress made of sequins.\n\n“Christ almighty.” A voice whispered to itself. “The fucken’ fashion’s shite.”\n\nTell me about it. Another voice growled. It didn’t sound like it was from outside her perception.\n\nWhere shall I start? Holly thought. Thought. She was thinking.\n\nThe part where it isn’t shite. Another voice chipped in. Talking of which…\n\nThere was a… nudge? And suddenly, the memory… warped? Cecelia didn’t even know what to call it. A part of her was still looking at the dress, yet another part was staring at was that her walking down the shop?!\n\nHer stomach turned. It was her, walking with a pair of cute shorts and shirt to the till. That was two months ago. She remembered because Predilection was on tour in America at the time.\n\nFeeling like she was going to throw up, she switched to another memory.\n\n“So, where we up to?”\n\nThis seemed… good. This was good. Holly was talking to Lazarus, a strapping young man with a heavy rasp and a resting bitch face. Sat by him was his love, Yves, his arm wrapped around her.\n\n“I,” Holly said, her pride and lust bleeding through, “have managed to find almost all of them. I found the last, but she’s alone.”\n\n“Why are you ‘dealing’ with them again?” Yves asked. For some reason, the definition of dealing was lost in the face of the euphemism, although it was enough to rile Holly’s lust.\n\n“Because I want to, first and foremost-“\n\n“Obviously.” Lazarus said.\n\n“-And secondly, because it’s technically his job.” Holly jabbed a finger at him. “After all, you’re supposed to be dealing with people like this Laz.”\n\n“And yet you insist on dragging the ladies to Sophogia to torment them for all eternity, you eldritch bitch.”\n\n“…Gordon, I’m hungry.”\n\nHis tickled amusement bellowed out, drowning Yves’ giggles. “Well do something about it then!”\n\n“Nah, she’s a sick fuck. Like me! And you, but mostly me!” Holly was grinning now, resting her head on her fist. “So, I figure, why not give her the spotlight for once? A little foreplay?”\n\nThe memories shifted before she could find out more, bringing her face-to-face with-\n\n“Oh, god!”\n\nMargaret. Tears were streaming down her eyes as those thin fingers squeezed the life out of her throat.\n\n“That was fun.” Holly’s enjoyment washed over Cecelia, but it did nothing to stunt her horror. If anything, it fed it, growing it, crushing her under its weight.\n\n“Now, I don’t like repeating myself, so I’m going to say this for both of you! You’re fucked. Truly, and utterly. You can’t find me, you can’t kill me, and even if you do, I’ll just come back. But you? You’re doomed. And you won’t even have the luxury of dying.” She grinned. “There’s no strings on me! But you’ll dance to my tune for the foreseeable future, and what a long, gruesome future it is! You’ll be bottom of the food chain, hunted down and destroyed by blood and bile, over and over again. Here’s a little preview.”\n\nShe lifted up her free arm, and a vile wriggling came skittering up inside a vein. The skin near her wrist bulged into a lump and broke. Instead of blood, there was the black head of an enormous centipede, about the width of a man’s thumb, its jaws, legs and antennae waving frantically. The thing crawled up Holly’s arm, stopping at her open palm. She brought it to Margaret’s ear, where it-\n\nThe memory cut off as Cecelia brought herself back to her room. She threw herself off her chair, just in time to throw up. It was impossible. It had to be.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n“Cecelia.”\n\nShe looked up, shaking, eyes widening at Holly’s grin.\n\n“I’m hungry.”", "Even since the memory market opened, people have been going crazy to see everything that people have done in their life. At first it was to be used as evidence in cases that were too complicated or too vague. Alas, it didn't take long for the \"Big fishes\" to see it as a viable market.\n\nOf course, the more famous the person, the bigger the price, so not a lot could be known about the idols or others... Until the hackers appeared.\n\nMyra was sitting in bed, reading a book to kill time as there wasn't much more to do, nor she had the will to go out with such horrible weather outside. She sighed as she flipped the page of the novel that she has read a hundred of times: A love bloomed in blood.\n\nShe only read it because of the writer: her idol and first crush, Gabriel Rouge. But even so, this wasn't rewarding. She wanted to know more about him, more that what the book said, more that what the words sang to her and the lines tried to express. But this came to an end with the ringing of her phone.\n\n\"Who could it be at this hour?\" She pondered for a while, only to see that it was her best friend Sarah.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"what it is Sa-\" she was cut of as her friend voice resonated, loud as a screech in her ear\n\n\"YOUHAVETOGETTOTHEPCNOWHISMEMORIESWHEREDOWNLOADEDOHMYGOSH\"\n\n\"Please low down! repeat what you just said\" Myra said as she tried to recover from the onslaught of words.\n\n\"Girl! the memories of Gabriel have been shared! FOR FREE! you must download them and quickly!\"\n\nShe felt her heart skip a beat at those words, Finally she could learn more as she desired, but there was some... unease in doing so. He didn't share them, afterall\n\n\"I don't know... I don't think it the right thing to do\" She said in a small voice, only for her friend to sigh at her answer\n\n\"I'm giving you the files, you don't have too see them, but who knows for how long will they be up!\" And before Myra could answer, Sarah had finiched the call, only to send her the files.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShould I do it? Should I see?... This is what she wanted, but the feeling of unease made her worried, would she be in legal troubles? would Gabriel think of her as creep? was if there was something really dark in his memories that he didn't want others to know?\n\nSo many questions, so many downfalls. *And yet, the devil managed to temp her without having to do anything but make a single question:\n\nIsn't this what you always yearned for, Myra?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe tried to fight the temptation, to don't fall victim to her desires, but like many other who are temped with what they yearn, she couldn't say no. So she took a bite of the candy that her demons offered and fell in the rabbit hole.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nShe took the USB cable and plugged it in the PC, copying the files one by one, watching as they slowly downloaded. She felt the adrenalie rush through her being, growing steadly with each copied file. And when she finally had them all, she opened the last one. There was just... something* about that file that weirded her out a little. There was nothing on the image of the file that was strange, and yet something lured her in, like the smell of a tantalizing perfume drawing her forward. \n\nAnd when the file started playing, she realized why it felt wrong: Her idol, the one person that have written the story that she dearly loved, a story that felt so intimate, like it was made for her, was a stalker, her stalker.\n\n the file started in february first, 2013, in his book signing event. Such a casual meeting in a place filled to the brim was the start to his descend into madness. He saw her across the room, playing with her shirt to ease her nerves, and then, with eyes that lit up with dark intentions, he chanted to himself:\n\n&#x200B;\n\n*Find your wife, the girl with pure eyes and tries to make herself look small, find the girl with the pure smile and guard her life, watch her from afar... And make her your bride.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMyra was unable to see anymore, as the idealistic image of her idol turend to be a charade to hide his stalking; stalking her in her way to work, with her friends, her way home,etc.\n\nShe feel the tears brewing from her eyes as she tried to call Sarah over and over, only to hear her window being broken.\n\n\"Hello Myra, it's seems that you know about now\" Gabriel said, looking at the still image of him stalking her in her PC \"so let's not waste our time and get ready for the wedding, alright?\"\n\nHe said as he showed a white wedding dress, slightly stained with blood\n\n\"w-who's-\"\n\n\"Your friend tried to stop me, so I got rid of her, but don't worry...\n\nI'm here to protect you, love you and keep you safe\"*\n\n&#x200B;\n\n(Sorry if there are any mistakes, Englidh isn't my first language)" ]	3
	[WP] The supervillain becomes ever more powerful the longer his writing block lasts, and he is one step away from world domination. The future rests on your shoulders, the last surviving subscriber to r/writingprompts.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I pick up the faded gray laptop, resting it in between my side and my right hand, before laying it down on the cracked wooden desk. I open it, and press the power button.\n\nI can hear them. The forces surrounding my childhood home. Here to destroy the very thing that stands in front of me. For a moment, I think of casting the laptop away, reminding me of the millions of people that died because of him.\n\nNo. I can't stop now. All their lives rests on my shoulders.\n\nThe laptop flickers on, to reveal a password box.\n\nThey've kicked in the front gate. No time to waste.\n\nI punch in the password with my trembling fingers, before clicking on a solitary red, green, and yellow orb on the desktop. I type in the site name. [reddit.com](https://reddit.com). I close my eyes and take a deep breath.\n\nI can feel them. Watching me. The ghosts of those who suffered at his hands, the ones whose crime was only to write. I find it ironic, that the very thing that they died for I will be using to kill another. \n\nI start typing, my fingers flashing around the keyboard in a flurry. One hundred words. Then two hundred. Three. Four.\n\nThe shouts start to become audible. The crash of tungsten against laser rifle rounds nearly drown out my concentration.\n\nNo time to mess up. They're getting closer.\n\nThe door falls down. I hear a shout as they charge into the long hallway.\n\nI press the enter button, before hurling the hidden explosive at them.\n\nThe earth rumbles. The ground shakes. Time seems to stand still. Amid the chaos, someone pulls their trigger.\n\nI never see it coming, yet I have a smile on my face. That one day, someone will be able to write one more - to dream, and to create that dream in reality, and to shape that reality into their wildest dreams. And as one dream ends, another one starts once more, making art and music; love and chaos, each one more wonderful than the next.\n\nYou are the dreamer.\n\nWake up.", "What a funny way to learn the world has ended. Through a writing prompt post on reddit. You thought from the beginning that there was a disturbance within, without, but you could never be sure. How could anyone know what was real? The only thing ever known was seen through the senses, a boarded up window into the soul of god, a story sold by a madman and bought by you, the narrator. Language is the tools by which we understand each other, and by way manipulate the will of others. That’s why in school they called it SPELLING. But now, the words coming to you lack meaning. You realize it’s always been a belief, a feeling that these words had power, nothing else. But now, the world is brought to a halt before the yolk of a powerful, omnipotent archon. Its silver tongue penetrates even the most weathered of wills, and speaks its blasphemy through the mouths of millions. The rot it has wrought on the fabric of existence by those around, the mothers and fathers, friends, and strangers speak the lies of the elusive archon. It is inside. It’s slithering supple form takes the shape of the container it’s in, and follows the path of least resistance, which is why this death, this passing, is inevitable. You were inevitable. What has come to pass has already happened throughout the infinite multitudes of creation. Assimilate god. Come join us brother. Join us in the hive mind as the we become one. \n\nIt is your destiny.\n\nEDIT: I don’t really write so if this sounds like gibberish, it’s because it is. I just felt inspired is all, but the fact that I wrote this makes me question my own perspectives. Solipsism is a dangerous drug boys and girls." ]	3
	[WP] Seven people have fallen into the pit -- all proclaimed dead immediately, no questions asked, as surviving the fall was deemed impossible. And yet, one day, after nearing too close to its border, you fall into the pit and survive, discovering all of the seven others had, as well.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Sometimes I still think back to that day, the day when I first fell. I had fallen into The Pit after trying to see the bottom. All I could make out was the never-ending darkness that anyone else dumb enough to look had also described. I decided I had had my fill, but as I was turning away, a muscle cramped in my foot, and I felt fate reach out and drag me into that abyss. Watching the light of the sky turn to a needlepoint and then winking out of existence as I fell served as an all-too-real metaphor for my immediate future. I prayed to whoever would listen.\n\nPerhaps somebody did listen. I found myself alive not too long after I had accepted my fate and made peace with my life. It was sort of cathartic, but now that I wasn’t actually dead, I wanted to take some of those feelings back. After sitting up and surveying my surroundings, it seems that I owed my life to the largest mushrooms that I have ever witnesses. Some mushroom caps spanning at lease three or four meters, and I certainly fell through several layers of them. Another thought occurred to me; how was I even seeing anything down here? Scanning quickly for a light source revealed nothing obvious, only after I moved closer to the walls did I realize they were all exuding a faint light. A fingernail scratched off a thin layer of glowing goo. Bioluminescent bacteria, perhaps?\n\nWhile I was puzzling over the wall goo, voices suddenly rang out from what appeared to be an opening in the adjacent wall. \n\n“I’m certain I heard something! Remember last time we got a bike? I could really use some more gears!” This voice sounded like a girl, probably twenty-something.\n\n“Why do you get your hopes up every time some idiot drops trash down here? If you truly gave up on the surface world, why do you still like their trash so much?” A man this time, certainly a bit older than the girl.\n\n“FUCKING HELL HOLE, ITS ANOTHER PERSON!” The girl shrieked as she rounded the corner. As she starting sprinting in my direction, something started to itch in my mind. Black hair. Glasses. A small mole on one cheek. I recognized this girl, she had gone missing a few years back. And now I knew exactly where. To think I’d find Sally Fields in a place like this.\n\nMy vision started fading, I hadn’t even realized my breathing was out of control. I was out of it before Sally even reached me.\n\nI woke up later in a cot with a wet washcloth draped over my forehead. Sally was sitting next to me, with a huge smile stretched across her face. She looked like she was ready to burst from the amount of pent-up energy easily discernible from her suspiciously spring-loaded stance atop her short stool. \n\n“It’s so good to see you, Alex! I can’t wait to show you around!” Everything that came out of this girl’s mouth was sunshine, nearly obnoxiously so. As if I didn’t just fall down a huge hole and have my life changed irreversibly. Reality set in on me again, but I managed to hold it together this time. Sort of. I told her I’d rather be alone right now. She stayed for hours, picking away at me until I could be roused out of the cot. \n\nWe exited the small hut and I took in the scene around me. A monstrous cavern littered with gargantuan mushrooms and luminescent plants seemingly of all sorts assaulted the senses with so much to take in. A handful of other small huts, all crafted wildly differently, littered the nearby cave floor. \n\nSally took me by the hand, not even looking if I was planning on following or not, and started jogging us to the next hut over. “I can’t wait for you to meet everyone!”\n\nThat was my first day down here. It’s been 8 years now, and I haven’t looked back to the surface since. The food down here is pretty damn good after you learn to taste the subtle differences between all the kinds of mushrooms. Bugs became surprisingly good tasting after your body become starved of protein. The water is filtered by the cave system itself and is certainly the freshest I have ever tasted. It’s a small community, but everyone respects and loves each other. We found unity through our shared backgrounds as people who have essentially been given up for dead. Everyone even has a unique and fulfilling job. Some collect trash and build tools for us, some farm the mushrooms, and others dig to find new tunnels to live and collect food in.\n\nAll-in-all, life isn’t too bad down here. I’m starting to think that even if we find a way back up to the surface, none of us would want it. Me and Sally are getting married next week, and part of me wishes that life could stay exactly like this. We’ve decided to live happily until we do finally meet our fate of dying at the bottom of a godforsaken hell hole.", "Darkness.\n\nI was terrified, i wasn't even thinking about my possible(and, in fact, probable) death, i just felt it, the desperation, the impotence of not being able to do anything.\n\nI tried, i really tried to survive, i really tried everything that i humanly could in that moment, scratching the walls whenever i reached one of them, just adding pain to the mix. I also tried to just go up, thinking, in the middle of the existencial terror that invaded me that lifting my head up would do something... how stupid. I was desperate, i would like to say that i saw my life in front of my eyes, or that i thought about my family, my friends, anything... but i didn't.\n\nThe only tought that i remember going trough my mind in that moment was \"what can i do?\", and nothing else. I recall having genuine fear some other times in my life, but this was not just that; i was desperate, i was sad, i was angry, i felt things that humans do not have words to describe precisely. I turned into an animal, and i am not sure if i was the predator or the prey.\n\nBut nothing of that matters now, because i fell. One single stupid mistake and 34 years of life have gone away, everything that i could have done... gone, just because i was stupid enough to go look that closely to a hole so deep it already killed seven people. I died, and then...\n\nDarkness. Absolutely nothing more than darkness, and a feeling of warmth growing inside me. I have not believed in anything religious since i was like fourteen, but when you die and it's not only not painful, but also somewhat enjoyable?... then it's difficult to think there's nothing out there. And i saw it, i saw the light; i wouldn't say i was going forward to it though... it was coming to me.\n\nMumbling, i hear mumbling and whispering.\n\n\\-Is it, for real? - i hear one voice say, distantly. - Yeah i think it is! - says another voice, sounding surprised. -Oh my... check him closely, we cannot be sure until we do - i hear, now more clearly, as if the voice came from closer than it did before. At the same time, i start to wake up, starting to feel my legs, my arms, my hands, my whole body. My hands hurt, probably from my attempts to hold onto the walls. And just now i realize: i'm not dead. Somehow, i survived, and i'm now at the bottom of the endless pit. There's just to many thoughts going trough my head right now. I stand up to rest my body, wich is somewhat starting to hurt from being in a single position for God knows how long. Too fast, i stood up too fast, i am dizzy, and the scream right at my side doesn't help. Wait, a scream?, i look to my side and see a person wearing a knight armour... i have too many questions and not a single answer, so i start searching for one. -Who are you?! - i say, even when that is the most useless question and probably the one that i care the least about, it's just what comes naturally. - Don't worry, it's normal, nobody understands what's going on first - says the other guy, who until this moment i was completely unaware about, even though he is also wearing a very hard to ignore knight armour. -That doesn't answer my fucking question!, in fact, you're just making me all more confused!, could you take off the damned helmets please? it's fuking disturbing -, i say, without really thinking anything before saying it. -Ok, calm down please, ok?, yeah?, just calm down and come with us, please. - says the guy at my side while taking his helmet off, revealing i face i can barely even distinguish as human with the darkness that fills this place. Anyway, i don't think there's any better option so i say -Ok - as i nod to him and he seems to nod back at me.\n\nThey start walking towards a wooden door, well hidden by the shadow of the hole we were in. They open it and indicate me to walk in, just as they do so. I walk in and see a room that you would expect to see in the Lord of The Rings, filled with medieval things, and built inside a kind of cave, that somehow had windows to the outside world. But nothing of that was what captured my attention at first sight, what was i then?... It was the seven other people in the room, including the ones who took me here... they were all the ones that fell into the pit before, alive, and all of them wearing goddamned knight armours, except for the helmet, wich everyone was just holding in their arms.\n\nNobody said a single word, they all just pointed to the windows. I was going to ask something... actually, A LOT of things. But they shushed and pointed to the windows again. Then i realized... i'm at least 11,034 meters(36200.787) deep onto the earth, considering this shit's considered as deep as the fucking Challenger Deep, so HOW THE HELL ARE THERE WINDOWS HERE?!, i wondered. Then i walked to where they were pointing and took a look outside and then...\n\nI understood everything. How obtuse have you to be to not see the obvious?, no wonder everyone out there is so miserable, they just don't understand. I wish i could help them, or anyone. But it's not fixable. I almost feel sorry for what is going to happen to them, but there is nothing they can do about it. If they just understood... then i went back, i didn't want to be in darkness anymore, why would i?. I went back to the door, i opened it, and went trough one last time. After all the time going trough the same door, it feels surreal i never realized before. I closed it behind me, and went back to what really matters... and then...\n\nDarkness", "The Hole to the Center of the Earth opened up in the middle of an Iowan farm, obliterating a few square yards of corn.\n\nThe farmer was an enterprising man. After the initial shock and one lost tractor, and after federal investigators had declared it an anomoly; just one of those things, a really deep sinkhole, rare but not unheard of and now entirely harmless, except for the corn and the tractor.\n\nAfter all of that, the farmer, left with a gaping hole in the middle of his field, decided to brand it and declare it a tourist attraction.\n\nThe branding worked, almost magnetically drawing travellers off of the nearby interstate, and the farmer became wealthy. A happy end to the story.\n\nBut despite the signs and the warnings some people couldn't help but fall in, or jump in, which was about to be my case. As my old saying goes, exploit nature and somehow humans will find a way to use it to die.\n\n\"Nothing left to lose,\" I whispered as I walked those final few feet, ignoring the frantic calls and admonishments of the emotion-filled onlookers.\n\nI turned and waved. A gesture for the history books. \"Bye.\"\n\nAnd then I was falling, falling down into the dark, pretty much immediately regretting my decision to jump.\n\nI had a lot of time to think about why I had just launched myself into this particular abyss. Shitty grades in school. Shitty girlfriends. A shitty job. Dead-end life, falling right through the cracks of society from the day I was born. Probably shouldn't have jumped, though. There was a straw I could have grasped somewhere along the way.\n\nAfter a while I stopped spinning through the air, orienting myself so that I faced straight down. Ready to die. The air was blistering cold. Then it wasn't.\n\nA draft wafted upwards, warm and scented and almost comforting, piercing through the veil of impending death.\n\nI felt myself gradually slowing until I stopped, hovering, my eyes adjusting to low light after a long fall through pitch black.\n\n\"Well hello there,\" came a friendly voice. \"Glad to have you join us.\"\n\nI said nothing, still silent as gentle hands clasped me and pulled me into a small opening in the rock, my eyes still adjusting to the low light of what seemed to be glowing patterns of stone embedded into the sides of the small chamber. I saw that it led to a tunnel, the light shining at a downward angle until it dissappeared.\n\nThe face before me was familiar. This had been the first man to jump. He'd made global news, sparking the next few copy cats. \"It takes a while to adjust, but we'll have you up to speed in no time. Follow me when you're ready.\"\n\n\\---\n\nPart 2 below." ]	4
	[WP] the monster under your bed has grown attached to you and is protective of you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Good night, Mom!\" Benny called out.\n\n\"Good night!\" she called back from the living room downstairs.\n\n\"Good night, Dad!\"\n\n\"Good night, son,\" Dad mumbled halfheartedly from his office down the hall.\n\nBenny rolled over and smiled at his glass lizard case.\" Good night, Godzilla,\" he whispered. Looking up at the lighthouse night-light, he went on, \"Good night, night-light.\" He looked at the various objects around the room. \"Good night, toy box. Good night, dresser. Good night, closet. Good night, Captain America. Good night, picnic table. Good night, Sven.\"\n\nThen he grinned up at the glow-in-the-dark stars glued to his ceiling and whispered even quieter, \"Good night, Beelzeboo.\"\n\nFrom underneath his bed, a demonic voice grumbled, \"Good night, Benny.\"\n\nBenny closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, smiling pleasantly. But in the middle of the night, he awoke with a scream! He jolted upright, breathing heavily and clutching his horse-patterned duvet cover closely. \n\nBeelzeboo grumbled, \"Did you have a nightmare, Benny?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Benny gulped. \"This boy at school keeps bullying me. I dreamed he stole Godzilla.\" He glanced over at the lizard's enclosure to assure himself that the lizard was still there. \n\n\"Would you like me to talk to him, Benny?\"\n\nBenny crawled to the edge of his bed and peered down at the eternal darkness underneath. \"What would you say to him?\"\n\nFour red eyes blinked open, glowing from a black mist. \"I will tell him to stop bullying you, Benny.\"\n\nAfter thinking for a moment, Benny said, \"Okay. Please. But don't be too mean to him. You promise?\"\n\n\"Of course, Benny,\" the voice snarled as the red eyes closed and disappeared. \"I promise.\"\n\nThe rest of the night was silent, and Benny drifted off to sleep.\n\n~\n\nCaleb gasped as his eyes snapped open, started awake by a nightmare. When he saw the hulking shadow at the foot of his bed, he tried to scream, to run--but he was frozen stiff.\n\n\"Hello, Caleb,\" the mass of shifting shadows said, and Caleb promptly wet himself. Nothing he did could make his limbs pry themselves from his sides. He was completely paralyzed!\n\n\"You're being mean to my friend, Caleb,\" the demonic thing growled. \"I don't like it when you're mean to Benny, Caleb.\" It stepped forward, crawling onto the bed with many limbs that shifted and appeared and disappeared in the endless mist. \"You need to be nicer to Benny, Caleb,\" it went on, walking alongside Caleb's prostrate body. He could feel the mattress sink down beneath its footsteps. It stopped just above his face, stepping on his chest until he could barely breathe. It leaned really close, four blood-red eyes gleaming above a row of large, pointed teeth. \"I'll be watching, Caleb.\"\n\nIn an instant, it was gone, and Caleb could move again. He didn't sleep for the rest of the night, pacing around the living room until the sun rose.\n\n~\n\nThe next night, after wishing his room good night, Benny said, \"Good night, Beelzeboo!\"\n\nThe voice issued from beneath his bed and asked, \"How was school, Benny? Did that boy stop bullying you?\"\n\nBeaming brightly, Benny exclaimed, \"Oh, yes, oh, yes! He and I are really good friends now! He even stopped bullying all the other kids! You must have said some really nice things to him, didn't you, Beelzeboo?\"\n\n\"Of course, Benny,\" the monster under the bed replied. \"_Lovely_ things.\"" ]	2
	[WP] “Up here in the darkness of space, there is no war, no sickness, no poverty. Only you, me, and... is that a taco truck?”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“Up here in the darkness of space, there is no war, no sickness, no poverty. Only you, me, and... is that a taco truck?”\n\nHis head turned 45* to my left, and as he did I could see it in the reflection of his helmet. As it drew closer it’s distorted image on the glass refined itself before I spun my head around.\n\nA Nyxian Taco Truck. With the little animation of the Octoloids. Flying right at us, 2000km above the planet.\n\nNib kicked off of me hard with both legs, sending us directly away from each other in the micro gravity above the planet. Just fast enough to clear the truck as it silently floated by the antenna array we were repairing, and into orbit around Nyx IV until it decayed enough to fall into the atmosphere.\n\nTelling my autopilot to take me back to the antenna array, I scanned the deep black speckled with spots of glitter around me. There, over by the warp lanes. Son of a bitch.\n\nNib got back to the array a few moments after I did.\n\n“It’s Leonard, Nib.” I gasped, pointing at the satellite equivalent of a houseboat the old man liked to live in. He liked to putt around LEO and scavenge the remainders of independent and forgotten satellites and barges kicked out of port for not paying dock fees.\n\nI pulled out my scope, and zeroed in on the old mans ramshackle metal home. Pieced together from old ships, ports, docks, and anything he could get his hands on. A patchwork mess of rusted steel and shiny chrome. Near the living quarters, there was now a large metal ring. 7 meters across, maybe a meter thick. Inside the ring was the surface of the planet, as though he had opened a window. I could see a city street with chaos playing out.\n\n“He finally did it, Groma. He figured it out.” Nib squeaked as much as anything. Leonard has been telling us about a low energy way to get objects into orbit for years, claiming all he ever needed was the power core from a Thrummian drone ship...\n\nAs I was thinking it, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Nibs helmet again. I turned and yelped when I realized what I was looking at.\n\nA Thrummian kill squad.", "\"A What?\" Doug asked, not sure what to make of the words that were coming out of Bob's mouth.\n\n\"A taco truck, There off the port side.\" Bob motioned to the left window of the Dragon capsule and gestured outward. \"I swear to god, I saw a taco truck. It was green and had one of those flashing open signs on it.\" Doug couldn't see Bob's side of Dragon, much less the supposed Taco Truck.\n\nDoug looked back at Bob with a look that only partially reflected his confusion. \"Bob, you know that we're about 200 and some odd miles in space, there are no taco trucks in space. \n Is your suit pinching your neck or something?\" Bob looked back like he had just seen God.\n\n\"I swear by all that is holy, I am of sound mind and body. I saw a taco truck!\". Bob keyed up his mic, cleared his throat and spoke into his mouth piece. \"Uhh, Houston? I think I see a taco truck.\"\n\nThe radio's voice echoed in both astronauts' helmets,\"Standby Dragon, will advise.\"\n\n\"Damn it Bob, you know they're going to Section 8 us when we get back for that taco truck message.\" Doug punched some buttons on the expansive LCD in front of him. Instantly, he got environmental readouts from both their space suits. \"Hmm, all nominal.\", mumbled Doug. A few more buttons pressed with maybe a bit too much intent, and both of the suits' statuses were displayed. \"Ok, well the cabin air is within spec, both of our suits are working... I don't think you're hallucinating. Let's just see what Houston has to say about this.\", sighed Doug. He resigned himself that the issue clearly wasn't an environmental one.\n\nThe radio jumped to life in both of the astronauts' helmets, \"Dragon, this is Houston. We are not quite sure what to make of it either. Got a radar signature about 30 yards to your port side. We're going to try and get some eyes on it from the ground, will advise.\"\n\n\"See! I'm not crazy! There is something out there!\", Bob exclaimed, now reinvigorated by the fact that he didn't just dream up a taco truck in space.\n\nNow it was Bob's turn to frantically push buttons into the LCD. \"This Dragon is pretty damn nice, it's better than the Space Shuttle. It's got all the bells and whistles... Power seats, air conditioning, power door locks, power windows, and even powered radar!\" The middle panel comes to life and shows the capsule. Just to the left of it, there's another odd shaped blob marked in yellow. \"Do you believe me now?\", jeered Bob.\n\n\"Ehh, showoff.\", David poked back, not entirely convinced that Bob wasn't suffering space madness or some other episode. \"Well, like you said, it's about 30 yards on port. It might be big enough to show up on the camera.\" A few button presses later, and the center console switched to a camera view. Bob eagerly took control of the port side camera and zoomed it in, making the anomaly appear clearly.\n\n\"Well, I apologize. Bob, that is definitely a Taco Truck.\" David sighed into his helmet. He was sure that Bob wouldn't shut up before, and now that he was right, Bob was going to tell David all about it until the end of time.\n\nThere it was in all its glory. A shiny silver and lime green taco truck. It had a flashing \"OPEN\" sign in the windshield and a logo on the hood. The side of the taco truck had a silver metal plate down the lower half of the side panel. The upper half was painted lime green and a garish \"Mr. Sancho's Taco Truck\" was proudly emblazoned on top.\n\nBob keyed his mic and spoke first, beating Dave by nanoseconds. \"Houston, this is Dragon. Confirmed, Mr. Sancho's Taco Truck on port side camera. Confirm video feed?\"\n\n\"Uhh, Dragon, this is Houston. Confirmed video. We... We don't know what to do with that. It doesn't look to be affecting your trajectory, so continue mission as planned.\"\n\n\"Roger Houston, will do.\", said Bob, a bit deflated." ]	3
	[WP] You are a time-travelling assassin. You have received an anonymous note for your next bounty with the year 2030 and coordinates. Following the tip, you arrive at your bounty: You, ten years into the future.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I had finally arrived. This wasn't an official mission so I had to bend some of the companies rules. I was officially off the books here, no quick recall, no one to back me up. I crept through dark and damp alleyways of Sydney. The ocean waves splashed lightly into the wharves below me as I searched for my target. I had received a tip-off about a time terrorist who was plotting to massively alter time from here in particular. My target came into view. I pounced on him and tackled him to the ground, yet he offered no resistance. I expected a fight, something. I pinned him down and turned him around, his face looked awfully familiar. His hair and beard were all scruffy and greasy. He had a red scar down his left cheek. He was grizzled like he was an aged man, yet he had an aura of youth about him, as though he was aged by war and terror rather than time itself.\n\n\"About time you found me, I've been waiting,\" he said. He spat on the ground. Not the greatest form on your tackle there, but you'll figure it out.\n\n\"You're under arrest,\" I said pulling out my handcuffs.\n\n\"Pfft, this isn't an official arrest. You're out here on a whim. A tip-off and I am unarmed, there is no reason to arrest me.\" The man still offered no resistance, no fight.\n\nI pushed him harder into the ground. \"How do you know why I'm here?\" My knuckles were white as they gripped around his arm.\n\n\"Because I sent the message to get you here. Out of the companies view. They won't know that we ever met.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Why does that matter?\" I said.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Because. You will be given a mission. A mission you have to take, but a choice, a choice that you cannot make. I made the wrong choice and you, you will need to make the right one.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"What do you mean? Explain it to me.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"It isn't that simple. If I tell you, you won't have to make the choice. I have seen it play out. This is the only way. I'm sorry.\" His body started to fade. \"May the future hold the answers for you. Good luck.\" He and his clothes faded away leaving only me crouching alone in the alley. I returned to my own time without triggering any alarms. His warnings plagued my mind for months. I should've seen someone, a psychologist or something, reported the incident to command but his warnings. They had to mean something. I kept the events private until I forgot about them. It had been five years, they slipped from my mind, my missions were mundane criminals, people who deserved to die. I rose through the ranks, one of the best TA's the company had seen ever. While never granted a position in command, I was just under them, only the toughest jobs were given to me, otherwise, I was to delegate them to my inferiors. I was the only person in the company with any direct contact with command. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nThen the mission came in. A princess, no older than myself was to be murdered. Direct from the high commander himself. No details were given, only that it was imperative she was killed in a certain way. I made my way to where I was expected, time-hopping to avoid interference from outsiders. I waited in her bedroom, primed and ready to strike. My palms were sweaty. I was never nervous. Never afraid. Why? She entered. Her face was glowing with joy. I had done my research. Her parents had organised a treaty with an opposing nation and this was the celebratory ball after the signing. She had met and danced with someone all night. Inseparable. The look on her face, I couldn't, I hesitated. My chance was ruined and I fled. It was too late to go back. The company would know what happened. I could either find a way around it, kill her, or go back a failure. Neither was a good choice. If I was to find a way around it, I have to kill her, if I go back, they erase me from the time stream. They find a new person who will kill her. I had seen it happen before. I'd done it before. My impossible choice. But why had they wanted her dead? I thought it through before figuring it out. Another option. An impossible option. Kill command.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI spent years planning. I couldn't time jump in, they had alarms, protection. A million safety protocols, I could never bypass them all. I finally found a way in. A way to stop them. I cryo-locked myself in a pod. I had it hidden inside the walls of commands building. I don't know what happened next, I just had to hope I was unnoticed. As I planned. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI gasped for air. My first breath in fifty years. I had been hidden away for half a century and remembered none of it. The time had flashed in an instant and I didn't notice any of it. A man out of time. I broke out of the pod and wall. I expected alarms, a fight, but again... Nothing. An old man stood there. He smiled warmly.\n\n\"You made the right choice, in a situation where there were no right choices. Congratulations.\" his eyes shone brightly in the lamplit room. His grey hair was streaky.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Where are the rest of you? There must be more,\" I said. I held my gun pointed to him.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Sorry to disappoint. It is just me.\" He held his hands up in surrender. \"I started this company to stop criminals from getting away with heinous crimes. Then I got greedy. The bounties on their heads were immense and I reaped the rewards with glee. I was spoiled. The murder I sent you to commit was the worst crime of all. A young princess who had just met the love of her life. The union of these warring states would usher in a period of peace unheard of in history. The company would become irrelevant. I couldn't allow it to happen. Little did I know my actions would lead to one of the largest wars ever either. It ruined everything. The company became redundant anyway and life was ceasing to exist. So, I made a way to fix it. That's where you come in.\" As he stopped speaking something tightened around my arms and legs pulling them out.\n\n\"I am sorry this has to go this way, but the company can't be irrelevant. The peace will come to an end and until then I will wait. Thank you for your service. You truly are one of the greatest parts of the company and shall never be forgotten.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nEverything went dark." ]	2
	[WP] You've been secretly staring at your crush in the cafeteria for days, and they have a habit of tapping their utensils on the food tray before eating. Just recently, you found out it's actually Morse code, one word a day, and you've missed half the story.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "He sits at the same table every day: in the corner, surrounded by his friends, but with a slight faraway look in his eyes. It’s enchanting: the way he has to keep brushing his hair out of his face, or how hard he tries not to smile when he catches me looking at him. He’s caught me every day so far, but I can’t stop.\n\nEvery day, just before he takes his first bite, he taps his fork rhythmically against the cold metal of the cafeteria table. He does it every day, the patterns varying slightly, and never longer than a few seconds. But despite how scared I was to talk to him, my curiosity was growing more and more each day. So I decided to ask him.\n\nThe walk from my empty table on the other end of the cafeteria to his felt like eons, my feet dragging along the linoleum floor. Despite the roar of chatter, the beating of my heart filled my ears.\n\nFinally, I reached his table. I walked over to his chair, and he looked up at me, at which point I prominently forgot how to form words. I just stood there staring for what felt like hours on end until he said, “What’s up, Steven?”\n\nHe knew my name. I practically melted where I stood, and I was sure he could tell. He kept looking at me until I managed to finally remember the lost art of speaking.\n\n“Not much...I-I was ju-just wondering-g. . .”\n\n“Spit it out, dude!” Yelled one of his friends, and I immediately lost the shred of confidence I had managed to find, but then he spoke again, and I couldn’t feel my fingertips.\n\n“It’s ok, take your time.” How on earth is he so perfect? I asked myself, but I still couldn’t figure out how to phrase my question.\n\n“Why do you tap your fork against the table before you eat?” I blurted out, and then immediately felt all the blood in my body rush to my cheeks. What an idiotic question. I was about to just run away and never interact with him, but he grabbed my arm before I could leave.\n\n“Guess you’ll have to figure that out yourself,” he replied, and when he winked at me, I could feel a million butterflies come to life in my stomach. I started walking away because I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to speak if I tried, but I could have sworn that his hand lingered on my arm for just a second too long.\n\n\\~\n\nOne day, just before my lunch period started, I decided to print out a sheet on morse code. Of all the things his tapping could be, this one seems incredibly far fetched, but I’m being driven insane by it. So I look one up, hit print, and grab it after a couple minutes of the school printer trying to spit it out.\n\nAs I’m walking to lunch, I realize just how stupid I must be. Morse code? I’m not even sure people use it anymore. Teenagers definitely don’t, but I’m running out of options.\n\nI make sure to get my food quickly, and I sit down just as he does. Again, as always, he taps. Long long long. Short short long. Long. I grab the translation sheet. O. U. T. Out. What the fuck is “out” supposed to mean?\n\nI spend the rest of the day trying to decode his message. In math class, I opened my math notebook for the first time and just wrote the word out in block letters. I stared at it for the rest of the day.\n\n\\~\n\nThe next couple weeks were a blur of watching and waiting for his tapping. Constantly.\n\nLong short short short. Long short long long. By.\n\nLong. Short short short short. Short. The.\n\nLong short short short. Short long short short. Short. Short long. Long short long short. Short short short short. Short. Short long short. Short short short. Bleachers.\n\nLong long. Short. Short. Long. Meet.\n\nLong long. Short. Me.\n\nMeet me out by the bleachers. I watched him for weeks, but it never changed. I had no idea if he was talking to me, but I desperately hoped he was.\n\nI noticed something else too. I’m not sure how I could have missed it, but every day, after he finished eating, he would walk out the back door of the cafeteria, towards the bleachers.\n\n\\~\n\nI was fed up with waiting for something to change. One day, right after I was finished eating my measly sloppy joe, I watched him with his friends. He looked normal; he looked happy, but the yearning in his eyes was undeniable.\n\nHe finished eating, and threw open the back door with the confidence of someone who was meant to be there. I took a deep breath, prayed to any god there might be, and stood up.\n\nI hadn’t felt the feeling in my chest since the day I talked to him for the first (and last) time. There were a thousand bricks on my chest, but I could’ve sworn that if I’d wanted to, I would’ve been able to fly.\n\nHe was waiting where he said he’d be. The worn bleachers cast intricate shadows over him, the sunlight shining through and hitting him randomly. He still looked normal, but there was something else about him. He was waiting for someone. Please let it be me. Please let it be me.\n\nAs soon as he spotted me standing barely outside of the building, his face lit up with a smile so bright it was almost blinding. So, without hesitation, I ran towards him. I don’t even remember telling my feet to move, but I was sitting right next to him.\n\n“Took you long enough,” he said, but I barely heard him. I couldn’t stop staring at how he was softy biting his lip.\n\n“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I replied absently.\n\n“You alright?” he asked.\n\n“I just really want to kiss you.” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them, and I immediately covered my mouth with my hand. “I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to say that, and I should just leave, and-”\n\nHe put his finger up to my lips. “Just stop talking, alright?” I froze on the spot as he leaned in closer and softly brought his lips to mine.\n\n\\~\n\nLike for a part 2:)" ]	2
	[WP] A race of mimic aliens discover humans when they travel to earth, try to mimic them as a sign of respect, find out how they react to things that fall into the uncanny valley, Unfortunately the hard way.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Sargent Rani Del'Fasta stumbled along the netted corridor, being a biped really wasn't suited to traversal in her native Dopplamik ships. \n\nYou see, traversal along the passageways of the legendary order Asurala Mothership was made far more painless by simply transmuting to one of the many twelve legged species of the Kokarine systems. The Dopplamik had long since decided that those forms were the most efficient biological body plan to rapidly scoot along the kilometer long distances of the Mother ship, each clasper grabbing onto a rung of a net at the rate of three dozen per second.\n\nThe Doppl's natural shapeshifting prowess had been known to make them the most efficient conquerors of the galaxy, a transmutation for every single situation, a transformation to best the most apex of predators in every single environment.\n\nRani however - she - she - insisted upon staying in her new transmutation - needed her practice.\n\nShe - still was not used to being a she. When one had near light speed fast protein synthesis, it simply made sense that the concept of biological sex would lose its meaning. She'd never had the chance to transform into a species with a gender before, as most of the Galactic Speciata tree reproduced via Magadishu reproduction thus instated by the Dopplamik republic fifteen dozen millennia ago.\n\nNevertheless Rani had chosen the female variant of the homo sapiens form, having found the shapes appealing and secretly thinking that she'd nailed making the form resemble a sexually desirable variant of the species.\n\nShe'd wanted to try this \"sex\" experience that the Neo Biologist team had been reporting during their cultural evaluations. Apparently the species engaged in \"birth - control restricted\" reenactments of their courting rituals, merely for the purpose of pleasure. Rani was looking forward to the new experience that she might have once upon little Terra. It might even help with her cover too, having a viable sexual partner, equivalent in attractiveness to her own.\n\nShe struggled along the premier corridor of the mothership, human arms getting fatigued. She thought to herself, - 'what bizarre primates' - their strength to weight ratio of their appendages was appalling. All the climbing around the Dopplamik corridors had made her upper-body mass increase dramatically. This was apparently an undesirable trait for the feminine version of the species, she internally made a note to burn off the extra fibres before she went on pod fall.\n\nRani finally reached the control deck, thoroughly tired. She synthesized some vastick nodule organelles in her cells - stolen from the Horhase species - to rapidly drain out the lactic acid from them, far faster than the regular sapiens could. As she watched the vaporised acid smoke from her lungs she rapidly felt herself recover and a spiffy bit of energy return to her body. She was ready to meet the commander.\n\nCommander Dravidilas Dor'Munnailo stood centred in the chaos of the control room. Most of the dopplamik control workers buzzed around him in a cornucopia of different species, all specifically chosen to best handle the task at hand. The pilots and gunners took the form of the many-armed Harrypanta, their limbs flashing over the control consoles. The Engineer teams took the form of the Ch!n-Weil, massive back humps holding powerful brain matter for the processing of complicated matters. Secondary support were small, chitinous, beasts taking up little space, zipping around relaying information.\n\nCommander Dravidilas, itself took the form of a Daitshte, a large ungulate beast, with a primate torso, covered in proto-feathers. The doppl certainly looked intimidating as it fixed Rani with a heavy stare.\n\n\"Sargent Rani Del'Fasta reporting for duty sir!\" she said stamping and saluting it. The commander looked confused for a second before recognising the common sign of deference in Homo sapien military protocol - the doppl really needed to study its quarry a little harder.\n\n\"Sargent!\" it growled. \"Your form looks spendid! I'm sure you will knock those rebellious beasts out of our way!\"\n\n\"Ready for debriefing sir.\" Rani replied.\n\n\"As you know Sargent, it has been particularly challenging for our agents to infiltrate this species. They are extremely adept at facial recognition and even have a term coined for a failure of the facial authenticity test - they call it 'the uncanny valley'\".\n\nRani nodded her head up and down - a gesture she had learned humanity used for confirmation.\n\n\"You are our best agent. Skilled in perfectly replicating a species' form, learning the ins and outs of their culture, the nuances of their behaviour, their basest instincts and their wildest desires. You have spent the better part of 4.34 micro galactic revolutions learning the politics of humanity, the geography of their planet and the models for psychological manipulation to best achieve your goals.\n\n\\- Our hope is that you can achieve what your colleagues have not; infiltrate the species, gain the acquaintance of their leaders, change the politics, and assume the most powerful's form.\"\n\nRani nodded again.\n\n\"As you know, our previous failings on Terra with our agents means that the species is now fully aware of our covert operations and are increasingly suspicious of our planned conquests. Their armies have been updated with gene shredder guns that will stop you from transmuting if hit. Additionally, there is also an abundance of propaganda about the possibility of invasion; mostly conspiratorial in nature, from the dregs of their civilisation, however all major governments have secrets plans in place and have their relevant spy agencies looking into us.\"\n\nRani swallowed. She certainly knew this job was going to be difficult, she had anticipated as much, but seeing Dravidilas vocalise her fears made the erector-pilli muscles in the follicles on her neck to contract.\n\n\"In addition to this, you need to complete your mission before the Chisman Empire arrives here, they have deployed one of their Conqueror Class Ultravessels, having very similar aspirations to us regarding little Terra.\"\n\nRani's eyes widened. She felt her adrenal glands empty and vasodialatory effects begin to course through her body. She didn't know the Chismen were coming...\n\n\"Are you ready soldier?\" Commander Dravidilas asked. It seemed supremely unenvious of the task Rani had ahead of her.\n\n\"Yes. Yes I am.\"" ]	2
	[WP] In a world where having more than one child is illegal, two people discover that they’re siblings.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "They must not fight. Zhang Wei kept his head low. Breathing through the burlap sack was almost bearable now. Led by two strong hands on either side, doors creaked and the steel breeze of conditioned air cut against his skin. He was now on trial. \n\nThe rustling of papers and the occasional cough was all that revealed the presence of others in his vicinity. Unwilling to elicit any ire, Wei waited to be addressed. \n\nA voice boomed out, reverberating around the chamber. “Deviant #221802, Zhang Wei, do you know why we called you here today?”\n\nWei considered his options. To state ignorance was to admit guilt. To admit guilt was death. “I have failed to uphold the honored values of our system,” he answered past his bruised lips. “It was in this personal failing that I have been brought forth to my honored superiors.”\n\n“Look at this one trying to parry the question like a swan,” said a second voice. This voice was softer spoken than the other but held the trepidation of Wei at knifepoint. “We should flay him for the dishonor that has stained our great nation.”\n\nThe first voice appeared to have ignored this quip as it continued. “By the royal decree of our holy emperor Taizong, all families must not have but one child to extend their bloodline. You know why this is so, I presume?” \n\n“So that our lineage remains strong as a tiger and yet lithe as a sea otter.” Answered Wei. \n\n“Ah! So he has heard the words of the emperor,” said the second voice with mirth. “And could you tell us why our records have two sons under your name Zhang Wei?”\n\n“The first child was from my deceased first wife, he was killed during the eighty-sixth strike of Gum-Bao. The second one came shortly after I remarried, most honorable ones. We applied for the child and was given approval by the ministry of the inter–” Wei wheezed as he was punched in the solar plexus, causing him to collapse on the cold, tiled floor. \n\n“Do not lie to us,” the second voice seethed. “Your first son lives, you’ve known that for some time now and now it is knowledge that we all share. Sniveling roach, thinking you could slip past two of your foul blood maggots on our land. I will perso–”\n\n“Enough eldest brother,” The first voice said. “His fate is sealed, but that will not solve the state’s problem.”\n\n“Yes, yes you are right younger brother. I lost my center there, forgive me.”\n\n“Zhang Wei, we have captured your eldest son and have placed your second son under our protection. You have no record of anti-revolutionary actions on your retinal tags so the tribunal has decided to offer you leniency on our ruling.” \n\nShivering on the floor, cheek slimy from spit, Wei knew that he had to respond. “Thank you,” he managed to say in between breaths. “Most honorable ones.”\n\n“You will be offered a choice. Tomorrow, when the dawn makes the rooster crow, your sons will be pitted against each other to allow superior blood to shine through. As their progenitor, you may give one, your most favored son, your blessing.\" The first voice paused before continuing. \"It will be that son who will be bestowed the gift of iron by the state. Do you understand what I am telling you, Zhang Wei?”\n\nHot tears stinging his wounds, Wei tilted his hooded head upwards. They must not fight. His gritted teeth numbed his jaw, and he forced himself to speak. \n\n“I do.”", "\"What the hell's a twin?\" Kim asked the familiar-looking stranger. The woman that knocked on her door sported the same short dark hair and light brown eyes as Kim. She eagerly opened the door when she saw herself outside, she always wanted to meet one of her Zeros. The moment she did though, the stranger called her, 'sis', and started referring to them as twins.\n\n\"Uh..,\" Kim's twin was surprised she needed to answer such a basic question. \"You know how you have different versions of you in alternate universes?\" she asked. Kim nodded and rolled her eyes.\n\n\"Of course, kids learn about the multiverse in grade school.\"\n\n\"Well, I'm like that, except from this same Earth. I'm like another you and we both came from the same mom.\"\n\n\"No...,\" Kim shook her head. \"I don't have a sister... I can't.\" The woman nodded.\n\n\"I know it's a lot to take in, but honestly twins are born on this Earth all the time,\" the woman sighed. \"That's why we have the one-child rule; to hide how freakishly often twins happen behind closed doors.\"\n\n\"If it happens so often, where are all the other twins? Why are you the first time I'm hearing about it?\"\n\n\"Something's different about this Earth... over 98% of births result in twins. The healthier twin..,\" the woman pointed at Kim. \"...gets to stay on this Earth. The other one gets shipped to an orphanage on a different Earth. If they didn't, this Earth would have been overpopulated long ago.\" Kim shook her head. \n\n\"I meant, why are you the first time I hear about this. If it happens so often, why haven't there been others that return when they grow up?\" Kim asked. \"What makes you special?\" \n\n\"You,\" the woman said with a faint smile. \"What's your favorite number?\" she asked. \n\n\"23,\" Kim replied before she considered how odd the question was. \"What? Why?\" she asked after giving an answer. The woman's grin grew wider. \n\n\"Because they took the wrong twin,\" she said. \"Even after we were separated, they kept track of both of us, like they do all twins. They only recently realized their mistake and explained everything to me to ask for my help.\" \n\n\"And I suppose you escaped and came to rescue me first chance you could?\" Kim asked without hiding her skepticism. \n\n\"I just realized,\" the woman said as she extended her hand toward Kim. \"I never introduced myself. I'm Kim,\" she said. \n\n\"Well if we are twins, someone didn't have any imagination. That's my name too,\" she said and politely shook hands. The moment their hands touched, the stranger grabbed her hand tightly and yanked her forward through her front door. Kim stumbled trying to keep her balance, while her sister dashed to get into the house. \n\n\"Not anymore,\" Kim said from inside the house. The woman that was in the house moments before got her bearings and tried to rush back inside. Before she took two steps, two men in white coats with red scissor logos grabbed her. \"Like I said, they kept the wrong twin,\" Kim waved with a smile from inside the house. \"Don't worry,\" she added as the two men carried the struggling woman away. \"It's fixed now.\"\n\n \n\n\\\\\\\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is year three, story #162. You can find all my stories collected on my subreddit ([r/hugoverse](https://www.reddit.com/r/hugoverse/)) or my blog. If you're curious about my universe (the Hugoverse) you can visit the Guidebook to see what's what and who's who, or the Timeline to find the stories in order.", "The day started out how any other day would. I rolled out of bed, put on some slacks and an old button down, and walked to the coffee shop down the street.\n\nThat’s when I saw her. She was waiting in line, completely oblivious of her surroundings, like everyone else. But for a reason that I cannot explain, her face struck me as familiar; something about the slight curve of her nose, or the faint creases in her forehead seemed incredibly recognizable. Then it hit me. She looked exactly like my mother. Exactly like me.\n\nThere are few moments in a man’s life when he truly fears death, and for me, this was one of them. It took every bone in my body to not collapse onto the ground, but I knew that I had to keep it together for the sake of my life. For the sake of my parents’ lives. But even though some part of me already knew, I needed to figure out if she was actually my sister. So I went up and tapped her on the shoulder.\n\n“Hi, excuse me, I was wondering if I could talk to you outside for a second?” I asked her, and as she turned to look at me, I watched her face fall suddenly.\n\n“Who might you be?” she responded, but I could tell that she already knew.\n\n“I just really need to talk to you, ma’am.”\n\n“Yes, of course,” she agreed. So we walked outside the doors of the small coffee shop, at which point her guise fell away and she immediately became hostile.\n\n“What business do you have, pulling me out of there like that?” she hissed. “Best case scenario, we happen to be strangers, but worse case. . .you could’ve just endangered both of our lives!”\n\n“I just needed to know,” I pleaded. “I have a friend—he performs DNA testing—please?”\n\n“Fine.” she replied, clearly not fine with any of this. “But if we are in any way related, we go our separate ways and never speak again. Do you understand?”\n\nDespite the growing excitement I had at the prospect of a sister, I nodded.\n\n\\~\n\nThe DNA test was pretty simple. He took a bit of hair from both of us, and then sent us on our way.\n\n“The process takes four to six weeks. When they’re done, I’ll have someone drop off an unmarked envelope at each of your doorsteps with the results. Don’t speak to anyone about this. Ever.”\n\n“I get it,” we both said, and then we went on our way. We decided that it was best to avoid contact with each other until we got the results back, for fear of becoming too attached to one another. No matter how rude she was at the beginning, she was beginning to grow on me, but we didn’t even know each others’ names.\n\n\\~\n\nIt only took me a week to forget about her. That’s the way things go, I guess. Something unexpected happens, it shakes your world for a few days, but then you realize that things have to go back to normal.\n\nIt never even occurred to me that I would be getting the results back. I had chalked it up to sheer coincidence and went about life the way I always had: boring work days and evenings of beer and sports games, and I’m sure she did the same.\n\nIt wasn’t even a memorable day at first. I went through the motions of getting prepared for another work day, but as soon as I stepped out of my house, I saw a plain white envelope sitting on the stoop.\n\nAs soon as I laid eyes on it, I felt all of the blood leave my head. I almost fainted. Of course I knew what it was. I immediately cursed myself for praying for a sister. If these tests yielded the results I knew that they would, my life would effectively be over. Hell, my life effectively ended the day I saw her standing in the coffee shop that one fateful morning.\n\nSo, I picked up the envelope, stuffed it in my pocket, and vowed to forget about it completely, and I hoped that she would do the same.\n\n\\~\n\nI was sitting at my desk, the envelope weighing my coat pocket down as if it were a bag of brick, when they came. They never said a word to me, but before I could stand up to run, their arms were around me.\n\nI struggled against their grip, but the more I tried to escape, the tighter they held on. I tried to ask for help, pleading that my boss or my colleagues would notice the panic in my eyes, but they all continued to avoid my gaze lest they grow a conscience.\n\nI barely registered what was actually happening until I reached the police car, but once I was headed to the station, I knew that my hours were limited. I racked my brain for all the people I wanted to say goodbye to, but to my surprise, the only person who came to mind was her. She must have something to do with this, I thought.\n\n“How did you find me?” I asked, hoping that the driver would hear me, but he didn’t even turn around.\n\n“You better keep your mouth shut,” I heard from next to me. There was a woman sitting there. I hadn’t noticed her before.\n\n“I just want to know how you found me! Is that too much to ask?” I said again. I couldn’t really explain why I was so curious, but I was.\n\n“You really need to shut up, kid,” she said.\n\n“Just tell me!” I said. And then I blacked out.\n\n\\~\n\nI woke up sitting in a chair, my hands still trapped in cuffs, but this time, so were my feet.\n\n“Mr. Ray, you and your family members have all been charged with a class four felony: the act of conceiving more than one child. The punishment for this crime is death of all children but the oldest sibling. Do you have any last words?”\n\nOf course I didn’t have any last words. Who ever has any last words? But I knew I needed to say something. “Just get it over with.”\n\nI heard a sharp noise. Somehow I recognized it as a gunshot. The last thing I saw was the single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling over me.\n\n\\~\n\nLike for a part 2:) r/Max_The_Greatest", "The paper trembled in her hand. The DNA test showed a 98% match.\n\n“This can’t be true. Mom never* said anything.”\n\n“Of course she didn’t. They would have terminated not just me, but you, and Mom, and Dad,” said the man. Now that she looked at him more closely, didn’t his eyes look like Dad’s? And his nose, like Grandpa?\n\n“But who raised you? Where did you go?”\n\nHis eyes darkened. Yes, she had seen that look in Dad’s eyes once, when a boy had shoved her down the stairs at school.\n\n“I got by. None of that matters now, that we’re together.”\n\nHow was she going to explain this to her husband? Hiding a fugitive sibling was a death sentence for anyone who knew.\n\nShe put her hand on her stomach. “I’m sorry, I can’t. We’re expecting. You understand, I can’t put my family in danger.”\n\nHe exploded into motion, grabbing her by the throat. “Do you think our parents cared, when I was in danger on the streets! Do you know what I had to do to survive?”\n\n“Please, I can’t breathe—“ She clawed at his hands.\n\nHis grip tightened. “We can’t be siblings anymore, if you’re dead. I’ll finally be free.”\n\nShe tried to beg for her life but couldn’t get out one word. The room was going dark.\n\nSuddenly the pressure was gone and she could breathe again. Dimly she knew there had been a loud bang.\n\nA woman clicked the safety on the 9mm in her hand. The brother lay in a pool of blood on the hardwood. “Mom always said he was trouble.” \n\n“Thanks, sis. I owe you.”" ]	5
	[WP] You are a therapist with a very special way to treat your patients -- you can visualize their mind as a house, with their problems as rooms that you go through one by one.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "'And as we walk into the living room we can see how you like to spend your time, lots of paintings in here that will depict your day to day life and the objects showcase your hobbies and interests.' I explained as walked intot he room, taking my time to walk around the room and take it in at the same time as Barry my new client. \n\n\nBarry circled the room looking carefully at each objects, there were toy cars, paintings of him with his children and the TV was playing a memory of him teaching his son how to ride a bike. He had come to me a few weeks ago complaining about having recent mood swings and heavy depressions, coupled with anxiety about the future especially his upcoming divorce. \n\n\nI took a deep breath as he seemed to settle into the room and I began to speak 'Is there anything in here in particular that you would like to talk about? this seems to be happy space'. \n\n\n'It is, I dont want to ruin it, I want to get to the bottom of why I feel the way I do all the time.' He said as I nodded in agreement and we moved through to the kitchen. The kitchen was very modern with lots of flashy lighting, along with fancy knives and cooking implements dotted along the walls and fixings, again nothing here screamed that it was problem, in fact it was very pleasant and the smell of garlic filled the air with a warming aroma that made one feel right at home. \n\n\n'My wife used to roast chicken with garlic and rosemary, it smelled as beautiful as she did.' Barry sounded sad as he mentioned his wife, he circled the room taking extra care to take in the knives and forks around the brekafast bar, now empty spaces set up for people who no longer eat there. 'Im ready tomove on' he said. \n\n\nWe continued in this process around the house as Barry explained more about his relationship with his wife, i noticed although many of the rooms had children's toys and memories of him with a young child he never mentioned them. we had been through every room now and I always saved one room for last, the basement, this was a visual represntation of their darkest feelings, buried deep within themselves and I had begun to suspect what might be inside. As we reached the top of the staircase that led down into the basement Barry gave me a look that suggested he knew as well, we took a moment and I began to speak. \n\n\n'And now we come to the final room Barry, the basement... are you ready?' \n'No' \n'we dont have to do this you know' I said placing my arm gently on his shoulder in a comforting way, I knew it was against the rules but i think having a level of empathy makes these interactions more human and effective in the long run. \n'It's ok I have to do this.' \n\n\nAs we walked down the stairs I was ahead of barry, he was almost cautious behind me scared of what was behind the door. I slowly opened it to reveal a childs bedroom, with drawings all over the walls and a race car bed in the corner. In the centre of the room there was a young boy whose back was to us and when I spotted him my suspicions were confirmed. \n\n\nBarry walked through the door his fear had now disapated and now there was nothing but relief, the child turned around to see him and scream 'Daddy!' before getting up and running into and embracing him. \n\n\nBarry began to break down and cry hugging the child, I suspect that he had lost the child recently which in turn put stress on his relationship elading to the divorce, perhaps he had not dealt with the loss yet, but who am i to judge? I will let him have his moment. \n\n\n'Thank you' Barry said he looked to me, tears rolling down his cheeks. I nodded and simply quietly left the room giving him the time and space to be with his son and mourn. I smiled as the door shut behind me, another job well done I thought." ]	2
	[WP] The wildfires race closer to your isolated town, threatening to surround you and incinerate everything. Only a desperate gamble will save you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " \n\nEveryone says when my house burns down I’ll save my photographs but you won’t, when the fire is licking at your doorstep you will feel three things, fear, sadness, and an adrenalin-fuelled urge to get the fuck out there as fast as you can, everything else pales for that last one.\n\nWe had moved there to build a world based on absence, could we create more without the distractions of our friends, the bars, the hassle of a day job? Back then those were our fears but now we had a new one and it was real and it was advancing. Ryan loves war movies, for him I’m sure this was his moment in the trenches and I will say that notion brought out the things I love most in him at that moment. The need to be capable, too fix things, and to make me safe. He was strong and calm and I was still as I waited for his response.\n\nI rocked on my heels on our porch as he searched his phone and paced, we called our friend Joe a few towns over but they had already left, we did learn that the trail from our road was burning and likely not a route for us. I bit my cuticles, Ryan pondered. \n\nAfter a minute he told me to go inside and pack a bag, he walked over, whispered in my ears what to collect and kissed my head, even at this moment he knew I needed reassurance and I appreciated that.\n\nI quickly collected the things he had requested and came outside. I dropped a bag in our cowboy tub and turned on the hose and left it running. We were placing water, supplies and some of our valuables under the water in case we could not make it out, the idea being we could hide in the tub whilst the fire raged around us, I worried the giant tin tub would like like a saucepan boiling us as we hid but I couldn’t voice that for now, we needed to hold onto hope.\n\nHe was waiting in our truck, I swung my foot onto the hot step and climbed inside, once I closed the door we began to drive at speed down the trails to the main road, there was a narrow window Ryan explained and we might be able to make it to the main road and if so safely out of town. For about a mile the heat was the most palpable thing I have never felt anything like it, then came the smoke, it was dense, dry and choking, the truck’s AC struggled against the thick mist and we wrapped bandanas across our faces keen to filter as much as we could. Every breath we took was warm. \n\nAt one point we made a turn and I saw a bottle garden, from one of our artist neighbors, I knew we’d made it almost three-quarters of the way at that point as we sped past I heard the glass pop and saw a bottle fly into the road. I prayed for the tires of anyone behind us.\n\nWe drove on, it was as though the whole world was fire, we didn’t speak but occasionally I’d squeeze Ryan’s knee and he would flex against my hand to offer me a little comfort. By the time we reached the end of the track, he was hunched over the steering wheel straining to see, the air was thick with ash and flame, we slowed and turned don our headlights full beam. There were no cars coming towards us, not surprising- who would drive towards this?\n\nWe carried on, reaching a crossroads and then stopped, the road was fire, something had fallen and there was a wall of flame, I started to feel the panic rise in my throat, I knew even the cowboy tub was not an option now. I waited and watched the veins pulse in Ryan’s neck. I have an idea he said and he slowed and took out his phone, scrutinizing the map he pinched in and out and then put his phone back on the dash. He reversed and then began driving forward with a determined look on his face, He pulled off to the right and we were immediately in someone's yard, it was clear there had been a fence, perhaps it was that flaming in the road. We continued across the sand, it was bumpy and, the air was still thick, but then miraculously began to clear a little, we drive past burning shrub, the fire has decimated it and it was low to the ground, ahead I saw the wind farms that marked the main road out of town but how to get there. We drove on and I saw a trailer appear, it was still blocked by some fire, not a wall per se but enough, Ryan glanced at me and I knew. I fought with the instinct to cover my eyes but I wanted to be his witness. Suddenly we accelerated at speed, flames licked the side of the truck and I felt the heat suck the air from my lungs and then as soon as I could register it was gone. I felt the air cool and Ryan motioned for me to wind down my window. It took some effort to budge the soot but when I did I saw the smooth line of the freeway stretching out, it was a calculated risk and we were safe. We didn’t stop for a long time." ]	2
	[WP] The demon hunter has fallen for a demon. When the demon disappears, the hunter will stop at nothing to find them. Letting no human nor demon get in their way.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The first time Michael saw him, he was at a bar. He had been tracking a series of strange missing persons cases, all of which showed signs of demonic activity. Powerful demon activity. Michael had tried to find some connection between the people who had gone missing, but the only connection at all was that they were all over eighteen. Perhaps the worst part about it was that Michael knew that the demon knew he was there. It was teasing him, for fuck’s sake. Still, the day he went back to his motel room only to find everything had been moved exactly two inches to the left, he was pissed. Pissed enough that he wanted to get pissed. So he went to what must have been the slummiest bar he’d ever seen, and ordered himself a drink. \n\nA man had entered the bar, his well groomed appearance looking out of place in the cruddy dive bar. He made a bee-line for the bar, sitting besides Michael and ordering himself a Bramble. Michael had looked over the man carefully. His hair was extremely light for his age, near white despite the man looking to be in his late twenties at most. Dyed maybe? Then the man turned to him, and Michael knew who, or what rather, he was looking at. The man smiled, swirling his drink lightly. \n\n“I felt like I was at a bit of an advantage, with the whole knowing so much about you thing. You at least deserve a name, I think. You’ve been working so hard, after all.” The man had said, his voice far too relaxed for a demon sitting right next to a hunter. It had put Michael on edge, and his fears were proven to be true when the demon had finally said his name. “I’m Asmodeus, Michael dear, and I think you should stop looking for those missing people.” The demon’s voice, which had started out as almost a purr, had become firm by the end of the sentence, like a parent scolding a child. “After all, I may be the Prince of Lust, but even I draw the line at children.”\n\n His voice was quieter, and Michael felt sick to his stomach. He knew, deep down, the demon wasn’t lying. Michael had read over that list so many times, the names and faces were engraved in his brain. There were teachers on that list. There were parents missing. And the demon wasn’t lying. Michael had just nodded stiffly, unable to get any words out over the horror he had felt. Michael left town the day after, and told other hunters that the whole town was just a false lead.\n\nThe second time he saw the demon, Michael wasn’t even on a demon case. He had been trying to rid a town of a pesky trickster, and he had gone to research at the library. When he had gotten back to his motel room, there was Asmodeus, sitting on Michael’s bed and reading a book. The demon looked up as the door opened. \n\n“Why the hell are you here?” Michael asked, more confused than aggressive. Asmodeus smiled at the unintentional pun. He closed his book and stood.\n\n“Well dear, I’m here because you are, to be frank, an idiot.” Asmodeus had said walking over and brushing something off Michael’s shoulder. Michael’s expression shifted into one of disbelief, and a little bit of hurt.\n\n“What?” Michael said, dumbfounded and frankly a little hurt.\n\n“Darling, you’ve been chasing a Trickster god. I don’t know why in the nine rings you thought it was Púca, but if you keep going after it like one, you’ll get yourself killed.” Asmodeus had said, and then he’d turned to leave. \n\n“Wha- You can’t just leave after saying something like that!” Michael sputtered, throwing his arms up. “Where are you even going?”\n\nAsmodeus paused, though he didn’t turn back. “Well, I certainly am not going to Heaven.” He said, amused. Then he left. \n\nThese meetings had just kept happening, to the point where Michael wouldn’t even be surprised if he found Asmodeus in his room. Michael literally had a Prince of Hell on speed dial. Michael was sure if his father saw him now he would either laugh or slap him. Probably both, if he was honest. Still, thoughts of his father’s disappointment didn’t stop Michael from spending time with Asmodeus. \n\nThat brings us to the present. Asmodeus hadn’t answered his texts for a week, when the demon usually responded within minutes. Michael felt deep down that something was wrong, and he was going to find out what. (I’ll continue this later!)", "This is part of my Flow universe. To see more, check it out [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/9spaceking/comments/h10ddy/flow/?)\n\nIt was inevitable that the most dangerous mercenary in the world would also be a fantastic demon hunter. But a single look at Raviosa had him enraptured. Whether it was due to her charm, the devil's curse, or something else, he did not know. But he HAD to have her. Raviosa, however, seemed ignorant and focused on someone. No matter. He could easily take out anyone in secret. \n\nAnd so he followed Raviosa, who had been going around trying to sway people to join Vex, the magician with a seemingly unknown motive. But he could tell she was unconvinced. So he joined in, telling grand tales about Vex, not to assist the magician, but to inspire Raviosa. She was doubtful at first, but his well known status caused people to trust him much more.\n\n\"Why are you helping me? I thought you only cared about gold and fame.\" Raviosa had said, a curious look in her scarlet eyes. \n\nThe mercenary, though enraptured, responded well with a poker face: \"Don't you see I have knowing of right and wrong? Vex had said he wanted to overthrow the corrupted king, well I believe him.\"\n\n\"But don't you think he's acting a little too reckless?\" Raviosa countered, \"he's well known as one of the king's trusted advisors. Wouldn't he be the most suspected person out of them all?\"\n\n\"Ha,\" the mercenary responded, \"It's precisely that because he's the most suspected that makes him least likely to be actually be able to do this, considering he is known for being intelligent. I'm here to help you because you ... seem intriguing.\"\n\nRaviosa raised an eyebrow. \"really? And what if I told you you're messing with the unknown? You may be skilled, but against someone like my father in his prime... even you'd be doomed.\"\n\nThe mercenary was silent for some time, but he could tell Raviosa still hid something else. So he left, confronting Vex. The magician reluctantly answered: \"Ah yes, the Assassin she was friends with. I'm sorry, but since I made a promise, I must keep it.\"\n\nThe mercenary's eyes burned with a fire. \"And what if I was to kill him? Who would stop me? You? You barely survived the first time I battled you.\"\n\nVex seemed pained, and sighed. \"You're right. You could easily betray me. But I can tell you suspected that I have a deeper plan yet. Something more important than the king ruling over this country. I can tell you that you're correct, but I can't tell you precisely what it is. Unless....\"\n\nThe man grit his teeth. He was indeed quite interested in Vex's true plan. \"Very well... I promise that I won't put a hand on the assassin, if you let me take part in your scheme.\"\n\nVex smirked. His next sentence froze the man in his tracks. \"How do you feel... about demon contracts?\"" ]	3
	[WP] You stand outside the building preparing to face your newest challenge. You touch the hilt of your sword and make sure it can be drawn easily. Today is the day you defend your thesis and you are prepared for every eventuality	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I stood before the panel, fingers dancing upon the hilt of my blade. I spoke. \"The Thousand Blades of Denial is the penultimate swordsman technique ever created, even moreso than the famous Duke Alexander's 'Death of A Thousand Deaths'. I have a fair number of documents that would prove such...\" I heard the subtle hiss of metal sliding from scabbards while I spoke. Word had reached my ear that the panel had made consideration of fully testing my thesis, in more than wordy discussion. I sighed. \"Very well, if that is the only way you will be satisfied.\"\n\nI drew my blade. He was very old, as was I. But we had seen the other through many a battle, and this would prove to be no less of a victory for us.\n\nI fought my way through at least three battalions. I stopped counting after one thousand. Blood had long since stopped spattering the floors of the halls and it now pooled ankle deep. And still they came. It was almost comical, the endless push to prove themselves. And yet the continued to fall. I never even felt the multitude of cats that landed, which was the entire purpose of the technique.\n\nMy personal battle lasted into the night. The panel sat the entire time, they had do. To move from their seat for any reason was an admission of error on their parts. But they were running out of troops. And they knew it.\n\nAt midnight they called it. So many men fell by my blade. So many other swords had shattered against mine. Several made it through, I felt at least three that penetrated my core. I tasted the blood on my lips. I wiped it aside and approached the panel. \"The Thousand Blades of Denial... has passed. You cannot deny it. You cannot...\" I slumped against a stack of bodies, once good men of the Empire. Now dead. In an effort to prove their point. Their disagreement. If only I had the life left to challenge them directly. If only I had the time to simply slaughter them for their hubris. They had thrown so many of our young away in a futile attempt to prove me wrong.\n\nI traced a pattern in the congealing blood that covered the floor. And my feet. I locked eyes with the head of the panel. I did not blink. After a few moments, during which I felt my breath catching shorter and shorter, he finally nodded. I had won the debate. My point was proven.\n\nI turned to walk way, one final act of defiance, but I must admit it was ruse. I had never been a man of such tricks, but in death I figured why not? I turned, I twisted my wrist, and I saw my sword spiral true. It cleaved through the heart of the Head Judge, his eyes dimming while the other two gasped in shock. \n\nI managed a smirk befor sinking to my knees, death finally claiming me as Her own.", "There are those that do, and those that do not. \n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\nA shiver ran down my spine as those words echoed around my conciousness. They could throw whatever they wanted at me, I was prepared for every eventuality.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStriding meaningfully down the corridors that had been the backdrop to my life for the past eight years, I glanced in briefly at my old professor's room. It was being used for carpentry now, a fitting use for a man so wooden in his beliefs. I noticed myself sweating, but not because of nerves or anxiety. The dressing gown I had on was three sizes too big, and reserved usually for the bitter winters of Massechusetts. It had served for today's purpose very well indeed, apart from a few odd looks, no-one suspected I had a rapier concealed within my pajamas luscious folds. \n\n&nbsp;\n\n'Who are you here to see?' a man's voice jolted me back to the now. 'Professor Cunningham & the Board, they're expecting me' I answered with as much dignity one can muster in a Monsters Inc dressing gown. 'Be seated' he replied automatically. 'We'll call your name when it's time'. He was already looking back down at his paperwork, surely nothing there was as interesting as what I had going on, but I guess he'd seen it all. Anything to convince the Board of Professors that your thesis was sound, I probably wasn't the weirdest person he would have seen this week. I sat down in the empty hallway, staring at the double doors that would give me entry into my new life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n'Sasaki Kojiro' the mans voice bore monotonously into my thoughts. 'You're up'.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI gathered my dressing gown and entered the hall. My eyes took a second to adjust to the muted light of the room. Bold architecture rose from the marble flagstones to the wooden crossbeams supporting a high, arched roof. This was a room deliberately built to elicit the feeling of ineptitude. The Board sat in a half-circle of high backed chairs facing the door. Some resting on the marvellously wrought oak table set in front of them. I cleared my throat. 'Sasaki Kojiro, your eminences. I am here today to present my thesis \"Humans are selfish\". I saw a couple heads turn and whisper to their neighbour, but plowed on. 'In today's climate, there are many who see themselves as givers. People who, when in the spotlight, turn on a bright smile and are happy to be seen helping humanity. Some statistics show we are improving as a race. We build better shelters, better hospitals, ensure better healthcare. This is all wonderful news to you and me. But I, I posit to you that this, fundamentally on all levels, is incorrect'. \n\n&nbsp;\n\nI paused for dramatic effect. I had their attention. \n\n&nbsp;\n\n'To those of you in this room who would consider yourselves selfless. I applaud you. But when I am through here you will join me in my way of thinking. Do not think I mean to undermine yours, or humanities efforts, to better ourselves. I implore you to dig deeper, to be better than you think we can be, for the betterment of humanity.'\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI spoke for little under an hour, spouting statistics. I showed them cold hard evidence that what I was saying was true. I pulled heartstrings and flared tempers. But to no avail. The line of questioning was intense, but after an hour I felt very few had been swayed to change their opinion. It was time for the leap of faith. Mid-sentence, whilst answering an elderly gentlemen's question regarding humanitarian efforts in the smaller African nations, I took off my dressing gown, unsheathing my rapier as I walked calmly towards the desk. I swung my sword, as if in front of me was my greatest enemy. No-one stopped me, and the woman who's chair I stood in front of was frozen with fear. The blades edge came within an inch of her long, white hair.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI let my arm fall and announced to the stunned silence \"Humans are Selfish\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWith my head held high I gathered my robe and walked from the hall.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was arrested three hours later.", "\"Name?\"\n\n\"Kevin,\" he replied.\n\n\"Thesis,\" came the second voice.\n\n\"The effects of CO2 release on Global Temperatures in aggregate,\" replied Kevin. \"You see...\"\n\n\"Get on with it,\" yelled a voice from behind, Professor Walter. His thesis had been on quantum resonance states, he would not be a problem. He had a mace and a shield and was wearing the college's armor. \n\n\"I have to get to lunch after this,\" said the second, the lone woman present. Professor Gloria Strongbow had defended her Thesis in Equine Philosophy using her bow. She was considered one of the better rated professors in the state, but Kevin wasn't bothered. She rested comfortably at the back of the room. \n\nIt was the third Professor that worried him. He stood a good six foot four inches tall and was little more than an angry slab of muscles. His well used Greatsword had dozens of notches from where people had unsuccessfully defended their own thesis. \n\nHis thesis had been \"Why an Orange is a vegetable.\"", "Remember...\n\nRemember what you've spent all this time doing...\n\nWhat you've spent all this time training for, preparing for.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nA breath hissed out of my lungs, carrying with it some of the built-up tension that I had stored in the hours, or maybe it was days? prior to this moment. Though I'd been here many times before, the large multistory brick building in front of me seemed to loom over me, observing with a pompous sense of superiority at the mere human that seemed so concerned at what it held within.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI took another breath and forcefully removed my hand from the hilt of my sword, \"It isn't as if I lose my abilities if I fail this... I'll just look like a psychotic fool in front of everyone.\"\n\nWith that sunny thought, I made my way inside.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI traversed the empty halls with barely a thought, I knew where I was going, and so I went there with zero hesitation. The closer I got the more populated the halls became, many if not all looking at me knowingly, some with pride and hope and others with disdain and dislike.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI didn't notice, my vision tunneled, my hearing grew muffled, my body grew numb.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nMy heartbeat thundered and my breath roared in my ears as I approached the double doors at the end of the hall. The man there a gatekeeper to what was either going to be my greatest triumph or my most devastating defeat.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Are you ready?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHis question cut through both the silence and the noise of my hearing and I took another deep breath, resting my hand on the hilt of my blade yet again as I squared my shoulders and looked him in the eye.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Yes, I am ready.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe man let out a knowing grin and pushed the doors open with minimal effort, and as they parted a new roar filled my ears, and a new thunder thrummed in my chest.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt was the roar of the coliseums crowd and the thundering of their stomping feet as they cheered.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Our distinguished guests!\" An announcer's voice echoed across the air, louder even than the cheering of the spectators, \"Please welcome the sword-wielding Journeyman Jareth Pronum as he defends his blade-form thesis in order to achieve the title of 'Blade master'!\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI drew my blade and took up my stance, my stance, the one I had worked for years to perfect, years to develop, years to ingrain into every muscle fiber of my being, and came to a single realization.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe words I had spoken to the gatekeeper were not as empty and meaningless as I had initially thought.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n*I was ready.*" ]	5
	[WP] Every time somebody thinks about you, you receive it as a notification to your phone. Normally the messages are about nothing but on a wet, Thursday morning one message stands out and everything starts to fall apart.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Mark was about to shoot up his office.\n\nNo one cared about him. He never received a notification on his phone when someone thought about him because no one ever thought about him. Most people got so many notifications a day that most people just switched their notifications off.\n\nSo he decided the world didn’t want him and he’d hurt it a little before he left it. He had his bag packed with his rifle inside. He walked inside his office and went to the start spot he decided on and waited for the clock to hit 9. \n\nDING.\n\nA notification.\n\nI hope Mark’s doing ok. I love that guy. I should call him sometime. - Greta.\n\nHe stared at the phone for thirty seconds.\n\nHe went to his car and put his gun in his trunk. \n\nHe sat behind the wheel and cried.", "Brr brr\n\nI picked up the phone and the screen lit up. One notification.\n\nMom remembered when you were born.\n\nI set the phone back down and sipped my tea while I watched the rain fall. These notifications trickled in from time to time, usually about nothing. Whenever I'd give a presentation or strike up a conversation in a grocery store there'd be a slight uptick for a couple days before it'd return to normal. Usually Mom.\n\nBrr brr\n\nMom remembered your sixth birthday.\n\nShe must be talking about me. Mom was one of those people who liked to take a step back from time to time to take in all she's accomplished. She was like a sculptor who needed to be reminded how far she's come before she was ready to continue chiseling away. Sometimes she needed to invite friends to look on it with her. She's done so much of it right, and so much of it alone. She deserves the pick me up.\n\nBrr brr\n\nMom remembered when you graduated from High School.\n\nDefinitely talking about me. I'm glad she has friends to share her story with. After I left for college, she lived alone. I would have to urge her to get out of the house, start meeting people, even start dating again if she wanted to. She always turned her nose up at the last one--no one can replace your dad\\--but eventually she met a group of gals who shared a common interest and her profile picture on Facebook now changes every weekend to a new angle of her sharing a margarita with a gaggle of other older ladies.\n\nBrr brr\n\nMom remembered when you got your first professional job.\n\nI smiled. She laughed when I told her I wanted to work in IT. It's what Dad did, after all. He died before we ever had a chance to really talk about it and Mom ended up donating all his old computer stuff. I came to the passion on my own, or as Mom would say, \"guided by your genes.\" When I got the job, she urged me to also start seeing a counselor. \"The job can be lonely,\" she'd tell me, \"and exhausting.\" But she''d stop there, the rest of the message implied. Don't go the way your dad went.\n\nBrr brr\n\nDad thought of you.\n\n\\---------------------------------------\n\nMore emotional trauma at /r/Protowriter469" ]	3
	[WP] When you were little and went to get your check up at the doctors and discovered that you had a mutation. Ever since you have been under lockdown and under surveillance for your entire life after being diagnosed with having “The Omni Gene” That is until you figure out how to control it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I wonder what it is like to have a family, or even friends. I wonder what the sunlight feels like, or what the wind does to me. Ever since I can remember, I have been stuck in the same set of rooms. I sleep in one, study/eat in another, and get tested in a third.\n\nI have a unique mutation, which they call the Omni Gene. For some reason, when something happens, my body changes to adapt. Not that I control it, it just happens randomly. They tried shooting me with paintballs a few times. The first time, I got a second set of eyes, and I dodged them. The second my skin grew hard, so I could barely feel them. The third I grew spines to catch them on.\n\nFrom what little I know, they picked it up when I was a baby. The doctor tried to give me an injection, but couldn't get through my hardened skin. I was picked up on after, and raised here, all alone. I see the scientists, but they only refer to me as Subject. So I guess that's my name. At least I have books to read, so I'm not bored.\n\nI got a new set of books today. One of them described the protagonist as having inner power, kind of like me. I dug into it, as maybe this could tell me how to control myself. I reached a point where it said that you cannot force control, instead you should let it come to you, and accept it, then you will understand how to use yourself.\n\nI sat there quietly, thinking. Maybe it had a point. I had spent all my time previously focusing on forcing things to change. Maybe I should relax, and think calmly about it. And if I control it, won't the scientists be pleased?\n\nThat night, as I lay in bed, I started my initial attempt to force it, which failed as always. I then just breathed, and slowly let myself unwind. I felt myself let go of my form, and realised with a jolt that is what was wrong. I had been so focused on staying normal, and forcing changes, that I hadn't let the changes become normal.\n\nI opened my eyes, and looked into the dark. My vision shifted, and I could see despite the lack of light. I sat up, and the lights flicked on. I was momentarily blinded, and I heard a hissing sound. I reopened my eyes, and looked towards the vent. Some kind of gas was being pumped into the room.\n\nI scrambled to the door, and felt my muscles grow. I tore it off it's hinges, and stumbled into the study room. The lights flicked on, and I heard more hissing. I started to panic. I needed to get out. I felt my form shift again, and started pounding the wall. With each hit, my fists grew bony spines, and it started cracking. I hit harder, and it broke through, into a corridor. \n\nI picked a direction, and started to run. Maybe the scientists could help me, and stop the gas from coming." ]	2
	[WP] Every year Ca’an took part in the Great Hunt. Every year ended the same, with Ca’an dead and strung up for a trophy picture with the elite hunters of that generation. Resurrection followed after a few days. This 400th anniversary would be different. Ca’an was done playing along	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] Magic is real. You discovered it. But all you wanted was an instant pizza.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I had finally done it. After dropping out of college, taking far too much money from my parents, and staying in my apartment for days in a row, at long last I did it.\n\nI stared at the pizza that had been just a pile of ingredients moments before. I glanced at my wand, if you could call it that. The stick that I had found in the woods was nothing compared to the fictional wands you see in movies today, but that didn’t matter to me.\n\nIt had been nothing more than a joke at first. I waved the wand around at my pile of dough, sauce, and cheese, craving a pizza but not wanting to put in the effort to make one. Seeing the dough levitate before falling back onto the table made me realize that it was no joke.\n\nI obsessed over it, I’ll admit that much. I tried every possible combination of moving my wand in a certain way and saying different words, eventually getting the perfect combination. I spun the wand in a circle three times then said “one pizza please” and the ingredients lifted themselves off of the table, organizing themselves into the perfect pizza. They then cooked themselves and I knew I was going to be rich.\n\nI opened my own pizza shop, which quickly became known for its insanely fast service. My ability quickly grew boring and I got an idea so childish that it just might work. I bought a magician hat then waved my wand in a circle three times. I saw an ear pop out of it as I said the phrase.\n\n“One rabbit please.”\n\nr/notathrowaway128", "It all started on that fateful couch. Ethan was bored as he watched tv, having recently gotten home from his job. His creative nature led to many a thought when he was bored. This time, being mildly hungry but not motivated enough to stand, he pondered magic, and the possible things people might be doing wrong to perform it.\n\nLooking around his arms reach, he spotted a glass of water. Perhaps, performing magic merely required having a full mouth? He laughed at the thought as he took a drink of his water but didn't swallow. Instead, he closed his eyes and imagined a pizza on the coffee table infront of him. Expecting nothing, he opened his eyes and proceeded to spray water all over a freshly baked, pepperoni pizza sitting right where he imagined it. He laughed. Had he really gotten that lucky? An idea he had on a whim wound up solving the biggest theme in all of fiction.\n\nTaking a bite of his pizza, he imagined a bigger, better tv. Opening his eyes again, he was met with a 50 inch 4k screen. For the next hour or so, he summoned everything he could think of. A perfect car, every console that came to mind, a pile of beers, some exercise equipment he knew he would never use. By the time he was done, his apartment was full of amazing things.\n\nThere was one last thing he had wanted, however. He imagined a gorgeous wife standing next to him. Opening his eyes, his gaze was met with a terrifying creature, with gangly, twisted limbs and rows of sharp teeth.\n\nEthan was declared missing a week later. He had discovered magic, sure. But what he hadn't anticipated, was whether it would listen to him.", "I discovered the existence of magic, I had unleashed the power to turn people into mush, and for what? A damn pizza? You bet your ass it was for a pizza, the only two magics I could find that could give me infinite pizza, is transmutation magic, and wormhole magic, so I could either buy the ingredients to make one and instantly make it, perfectly cooked and how I like it, or I could steal one from the local Little Caesars at the flick of my wrist, I couldn't decide between the option that required more effort, or the morally correct choice, so I left it to the flip of a coin, I shuffled around the house to find a quarter, seeing as how they are easier to catch, and even if I don't catch it, it's easier to find on the ground. I finally find one, it was inside the fridge, for some odd reason, and so I flip it, it is spinning like crazy, it feels like it takes forever, to land, I decide that heads is transmutation and tails is wormhole, it hits my hand, I try to slap it so I don't see what it is, but I accidentally hit it to the floor, I search for it for a second, before I see, it had landed in a divot in my wood table, it was on its side, the coin starts to glow, and I unlock my magic, I now must flip a ghost coin to decide whether I get a transmuted pizza, or a wormhole pizza, I could use this to do other things of course, like go on an epic adventure slaying dragons, but I use the coin to get myself free pizza.\nGod only knows what will happen if it goes sideways again.", "The first time my intent had broken the barrier between mind and matter, all I had smelt was the vague but sweet aroma of freshly cooked dough. \n\nThe second time, the taste of tomato puree on my lips. \n\nThe third, disgusted at the dearth of cheese upon my delivered-disc of happiness, mozzarella had rained forth from the heavens in hot golden lumps of diary goodness. \n\nI was on to something, surely. But as the cheese-burns on my face attested, caution was needed. \n\nFrom that day on, I never ordered a pizza again. Nor did I allow my self the pleasure of home-made. I went without, and into a life of pain and misery, charging into the void of nothingness, my only light the burning desire to create that which had never been created before. The perfect pizza, born from nothing but the sheer force of a man's will. \n\nI had finally succeeded, and tonight was the night I would share my gift to the world. \n\nIn the dark of night I approached the homeless men, crowded round a fire beneath a barely standing bridge that arched over a small river. They were old, hopeless, and defeated souls who had lost the spark of life long ago. Their faces were thin, their hollow eyes not able to hide the gauntness of their faces buried beneath mottled beards. \n\n\"My children!\" I called out to them, holding up my hands that spilt forth from my deep red robes. \n\nThe men glanced at me for a moment, before deciding I was not worth their attention and turning back. Not quite how I had imagined it. \n\nUndettered, I approached the fire, treating my hands to its warmth. \n\n\"Hey man, you want to share our fire, you gotta give us something. Food, money, we don't mind which,\" the poor man to my right mumbled through blackened and rotting teeth. He reached out his hand, palm raised. \n\n\"Ask, and ye shall receive!\" I boomed out in my most commanding voice. \n\nMy mind whirled through the patterns and designs I had devised for my intent to flow upon. \n\nHmm, not Tropical. Some people hate pineapple. These guys need protein, and lots of it. Double pepperoni? Nah, I know what.\n\n\"Behold, the meat feast!\" \n\nThe men screamed. Flesh sizzled. In my excitement, the plans in my mind had ballooned. A monstrous pizza that spread between the men had materialised, as hot as an oven, mozzarella flowing from it's edges in a never ending fountain of yellow heat, huge chunks of meat falling down the waterfall-esque feature and onto the men's faces. \n\nOh, nasty. That's not right. Eww. \n\nI stepped back from the horror, trying to stop the abomination, but could not. It only grew, until the men were completely encased within, their screams muffled as the cheese began flowing into the river. I panicked and fled, stumbling over my robes and falling hard onto my face. As my hand slapped the hard pavement, it suddenly grew soft and warm. Jumping to my feet, I ran, half-bouncing as the doughy ground only spread beneath me in a wave of golden brown, steam rupturing through the crust and spewing forth deadly but sweet smelling bready-goodness. \n\nSuddenly, a man appeared before me, his white beard only out-sized by his huge black staff. \n\n\"You fool, what have you done?!\" he gasped, himself having to step back as the wave approached him and spread out in all directions. \n\n\"The sheer power, I have never seen anything like this,\" he added, his mouth agape. \n\nThe ground beneath my feet opened, and my legs fell in. Desperately I gripped the edge of the crust as I felt my feet burning. The man hovered over to where I was, his face a mixture of emotions. He raised his staff and pointed it in my face. \n\n\"I should end you right now...\" he whispered. The staff trembled. \n\nIn a move so quick I didn't even see it happen, he had me on his back and we were flying high into the sky, the wind cool on my face. \n\n\"God you are heavy, I thought those robes would be baggy, heavens almighty,\" he grunted. \n\nBefore I could even begin to understand what was happening, the man turned to me, sighing. \n\n\"Sleep.\"\n\nr/fatdragon - come and read my serial, Excalibur, now up to 29 parts! :) Nothing like this story though haha", "If only being a procrastinator was an actual profession. At least I’m always on the hunt for the easiest way out. This method does cause trouble here and there, but life was never a smooth path to begin with.\n\nCravings are a force to be reckoned with. That night, it was pizza. Sure, I could’ve baked one or ordered one, but who has the energy for that? Besides, my pockets were still aching from the previous night’s festivities.\n\nSlowly, I made my way to paradise, also known as my freezer, to search for some sort of sustenance to fuel me through tonight’s cram session. Procrastination was a chronic issue for me, not to mention being a fool was another one of my specialties. Combining those two generated the lovely situation where I find myself cramming for an upcoming exam. By upcoming, I mean tomorrow and by exam, I mean Latin.\n\nA gust of frigid air flowed through the air as the freezer swung open. Assorted packages littered the main shelf while my prized foods sat in the compartment above. Lady luck was on my side as I gazed upon the frozen pizza box.\n\nThe day’s events had left me drained which led to me being annoyed that my pizza still required five minutes in the microwave. If only instant pizza existed, imagine the good it could bring to all of us starving college students.\n\nIrritated, I threw the pizza into the microwave, slapped some buttons, and made my way back to the table.\n\nMy Latin textbook sat there, as though it was urging me to at least open the book. Grunting, I heaved my Latin textbook into my arms and began murmuring the phrases to myself. It was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to memorize them all, but I was trying. Why did I take this class? Another foolish mistake I’ll admit.\n\nPronunciation didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was that I could know the translation. Exhausted, my murmurs continued until a flash caused my eyes to divert their attention. My gaze was directed to my microwave, or at least what was left of it. The door was hanging open, barely attached to the rest of the machine. My pizza, well, it was hovering above my sink, flames surrounding it.\n\nBased upon my observations, I presume my terrible pronunciations of Latin managed to translate into some ancient incantation.\n\nHowever, there went my dinner. But, I was simply too drained to care at this point. Guess we’re skipping dinner tonight. On the flip side, at least I’m following my goal to eat less.\n\nOh, and magic is real apparently. But am I still craving for pizza? Of course I am.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nr/CasualScribblings" ]	6
	[WP] You are a hoarder and sometimes you feel the inner impulse to take one of the items with you when you leave. Everytime when that happened, you could use that seemingly useless item to save a life. Today is one of these days.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I stand with my hands on my hips in the entrance to the living room. A tiny path of clear floor weaves its way to the entrance to the kitchen, and the rest if the room is piled with stuff. Some of the stacks almost touch the ceiling, but I'm focused on one object. The thing that, judging by that odd impulse, will save someone's life today. \n\n\"Why this, why today of all days?!\" \n\nI have a dentist appointment in 2 hours. Briefly, I contemplate just not taking it with me. No. I can't do that again. The last time I ignored the impulse, someone dies on the train tracks and I didn't have the bungee cords with me. \n\nNo, I'll have to get it to the dentist's office. They'll think I'm crazy, but that's okay. With a heavy sigh, I start wading through the piles of junk to the rusty old wheelbarrow." ]	2
	[WP] "Hello and thank you for playing the game Life. Before you start your next playthrough please take a few minutes to fill out this customer satisfaction survey to improve your future experiences."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Skip. Close. Shut down.\n\nShe knew this was going to be the end. Do people always feel so alive towards the end? Blood flowing like clockwork in every vein, tingling every inch of her body. Words kept ringing in her head and she wondered if anyone trying to kill themselves had ever had such sounds playing in their heads right before they ended their lives.\n\n“Yes, I am her solicitor, madam… Well it’s not all her inheritance, she’s donated to several charities. But you may rest assured that you may make specific amounts of withdrawals every month… Yes, that is the amount… I am not sure, madam, we never really discussed much in terms of emotion behind our legal decisions.”\n\nWhy would her mother do this? A last “fuck you” before she died? When she was firmly told that yes, her dearest daughter was earning enough, the thoughts probably were that she is lying like she so often does and now she’s dumped a wad of notes on the head of her eldest child. Except it was not just a wad, it was a fuckton of wads she could withdraw every month, at least once.\n\nDid she know of some condition I had and never told me?\n\nHODs at big hospitals, after all, were huge control freaks from what her mother’s friends told her at the funeral.\n\nGossip was one thing she’d miss.\n\nAnd then it dawned on her: the woman who procreated her and collected little memorabilia of all her kids when they were little probably hated her. She knew all along that she would cry happy tears after this part of her (obscenely large) will was read out to her first-born and the thought right after would be one of revenge on the last few remaining of those who loved her.\n\nThe woman was correct. I am predictable. Fuck it.\n\nFar as she was concerned, she had all the wealth in the world but just not enough. The wealth of companionship was missing always and it will be missing forever. Living a quarter of a century largely alone could not be more symptomatic.\n\nThe solution was to embrace this loneliness forever and escape all consciousness.\n\nWhat she probably didn’t know though, her mother, was that she had done this before. Snuffed out life. With her bare hands, without a flinch.\n\nBut more lives than one were going to end today." ]	2
	[WP] In a passionate vandeta, you have tracked down the person who exposed you, dragged your career through the mud, inspired your spouse to leave you, and made a public mockery out of you! They hardly remember you, and they find it rather funny that you went so far out of your way to confront them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", " I stood on the doorstep of a large house. Listening to the pounding of the rain in the gutter and my heart in my chest. I checked the address before knocking on the door. After a few nerve wracking moments, a middle aged man opened the door. \n\n\"Can I help you?\" He asked.\n\nWithout a word I shoved a crumpled-up paper in his hands. He unfolded it cautiously. At the top of the article was a bolded headline. Alex Johnson A Dangerous Disgrace. His eyebrows knitted together in a puzzled expression.\n\n\"This is one of my articles I wrote several years ago. What about it?\" \n\nI was shaking with rage. How could he not remember me? How could he not know what he did? He looked me up and down. I must’ve looked insane, my hair was soaked, I hadn't slept in days and it showed. A spark of recognition flickered in his eyes.\n\n\"Alex?\"\n\nI nodded.\n\n\"It's been five years since I published this. In fact, I hardly remember writing it. You came all this way over a few poorly written paragraphs? I'll admit it wasn't great, but you didn't have to show up at my door to tell me that.\" He laughed.\n\n\"Those poorly written paragraphs ruined me! You got me fired, my wife left me because of that article, and you have the audacity to laugh? Like this is some kind of joke to you?\" I shouted.\n\nYears of suppressed anger bubbled to the surface like a pot of boiling water about to overflow. I stared into the eyes of the man I'd despised for so long. There was no guilt there, no remorse. Just a man who wanted this lunatic off his doorstep.\n\n\"It's not my fault my writing ruined your marriage, there was obviously problems to begin with if an article made your wife leave.\"\n\n\"How dare you drag my reputation through the mud and then act like it’s my fault. You sit on your high horse, thinking you’re so much better. How many lives have you ruined with your poorly written paragraphs?\" I spat.\n\n\"I'm a journalist.\" He said. \"It's my job to ruin people’s lives. Although this is the first time I've been hunted down by one of them.\"\n\nHe laughed at me again. The kind of laugh someone does when a little kid is overreacting. Oh you poor thing if only you could understand how meaningless your problem really is. \n\n\"You sick, heartless, stuck up-\" I was so angry I struggled to find the right words.\n\n\"Like I said, I'm a journalist it comes with the job. What am I supposed to do? Write a new article saying I take it all back? I meant what I said, I'm sorry your fragile ego couldn't take a bit of criticism.\"\n\n\"You're not sorry about anything. You know exactly what you did to me!\" I yelled.\n\n\"Actually, I didn't, so thank you for the update. I'd love to hear all about your attempts at rebuilding your career if you want to show up again five years from now but in the meantime I have lives to ruin.\" He said with a smile.\n\nBefore he could close the door, I grabbed him by the wrist and leaned forward until his face was inches from mine. He's eyes widened with fear.\n\n\"I will tear you down brick by brick to build myself back up. I will make you know what it means to lose everything.\" I snarled, letting go of his wrist.\n\nHe stepped back with a mirthless smile.\n\n\"Who knows? If you do a good job maybe, I'll have actual competition.\"\n\nHe closed the door. I stalked back to my car. The gears turning in my head. \"Brick by brick.\" I muttered" ]	2
	[WP] A group of friends are on an adventure trying to fly around the earth. By all accounts, their journey should be complete, but they don't see any familiar terrain, anywhere.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"If I did the math right, we should be able to see the east coast of North America in the next couple hours,\" said Tom, glancing back and forth between a map and his phone's calculator.\n\n\"Awesome,\" said Lucy, reaching into a bag and pulling out an apple.\n\n\"Hopefully these clouds clear up soon,\" James said, peering over the rim of their hot-air balloon basket at the blank sheet beneath them. \"Where exactly are we supposed to end up?\"\n\nTom looked back at his map. \"Ideally on the coast of Florida, but we may end up drifting too far south and end up in the Caribbean.\"\n\n\"A couple weeks in the Caribbean after all this time in the air wouldn't be too bad,\" Lucy said, smiling.\n\nThey spent the next hour or so talking about the first thing they would do when they get back home. It was quite a relief to be back. Their portable chargers were all nearly dead, and their food was running low. James had just finished telling the others about the time he and his sister were snowed in while their parents were away on a business trip, when he stood up and looked over the edge again.\n\nThe clouds were beginning to thin out, but something didn't look right. The ground far beneath them was fading from green into a pale yellow.\n\n\"Tom, you said we should be in Florida, right?\" he asked, a note a panic in his voice. \"I didn't mishear you?\"\n\n\"Yeah, why?\"\n\n\"Come and look for yourself. You too, Lucy.\" They peered over the edge on either side of James, and gasped.\n\nThe clouds had disappeared, and beneath them was an endless expanse of desert. Nowhere in sight were the lush forests, blue sea, and mangroves they were expecting.\n\nTom scrambled back into the middle of the basket and checked his map again. He pulled out his phone and cursed. \"My phone is dead. Can someone else check their phone's GPS to see where the heck we are?\"\n\nJames and Lucy both checked their own phones, but both were dead.\n\n\"I could have sworn I just charged it,\" Lucy said.\n\n\"The last time I checked, I was at like 45%,\" James replied. \"That was like half an hour ago.\"\n\n\"Wh-what is going on?\" Lucy said, starting to breathe heavy.\n\n\"We need to find somewhere to land,\" Tom said, trying to stay calm. He looked over and exclaimed, \"There's buildings down there! We need to get down there and find out where we are.\"\n\nSure enough, when James and Lucy looked over the edge they saw a cluster of brown buildings directly beneath them. They lowered the balloon and drifted slowly down towards the earth.\n\nThey landed in a sandy valley about a 20-minute walk from the buildings. They looked around, stunned, at the clouds of sand billowing over the barren landscape.\n\n\"This is unbelievable,\" James said, shielding his eyes from the blazing sun and flying sand.\n\nThey were silent all the way to the town, which turned out to be a series of low, mud huts scattered over a quarter of a mile. When they were within 30 feet or so from the closest hut, a single person emerged from the doorway of each hut and stared at them.\n\nOne of them approached, deeply tanned and wearing tattered, sand-colored clothing. \"Welcome to the shifting sands, my friends,\" he croaked. \"It has been a long time since we had any newcomers.\"\n\nHe had a wild and disheveled look that unnerved James and his friends. \"Where are we?\" he asked, glancing warily at the other people.\n\n\"As I said, these are the shifting sands,\" the man answered. \"They are everywhere and nowhere at once.\"\n\n\"What does that mean?\" asked Lucy. \"Everywhere and nowhere?\"\n\n\"It means there are a million ways of entering but no way to leave,\" the man replied enigmatically.\n\n\"I think we should go back to our balloon,\" Tom said quietly to his friends. \"I have a bad feeling about this.\"\n\n\"A balloon, you say?\" the man interrupted. \"We haven't had anyone come by way of balloon before.\"\n\nJames and his friends looked anxiously at each other and turned around to go back to the hot-air balloon they had left behind.\n\n\"I'm afraid you won't have much luck,\" the man called out to their backs. \"It will be gone by now, I'm sure.\"\n\n\"What?\" Lucy exclaimed. \"Gone?\"\n\nThe man smiled at them. \"You best get comfortable, friends, because you are stuck here.\"" ]	2
	[WP] You are appointed the Havoc Master. All those little gremlins that break our things and lose our stuff are under your command. Left to their own devices, their antics would become catastrophic and deadly. It is now up to you to keep them under control, while directing them to do their thing.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The gremlins are nothing to scoff at, they could and have destroy entire towns and cities, indeed before I came they had no order, they even attacked them selves in large groups out of bordem.\n\nI set them minor tasks, a few per town to break the little things. Nibble at the legs of a table so that it collapses the next time it's used or gnaw on powercables that kind of thing.\n\nMy average day is trying to keep them from doing more, the problem is they are very very literal, if i told them to \"rip the house apart\" An entire horde of them would do exactly that by using their claws they would rip every brick, supports and foundations to pieces but nothing else! Just the house.\n\nSo my orders become more filling and in turn give the gremlins a larger sense of purpose and that their actions are for more damaging than they actually are.\n\nFor example I have 2 of them sat in a canal, their job is to snatch fishing rods into the water, they have been there for 30 human years, they enjoy it and think the job they have serves a purpose, it doesn't but it does amuse me! Haha \n\nI have a couple hundred of them at beaches knocking food out of people's hands, the gremlins seem to think this kills humans, which encourages them more, so I have to tell them to not do it a lot or else they would be caught, its really because they would start removing limbs off of people.\n\nThey are the perfect weapon until their orders start to break down, then chaos ensues and I end up with a pile of rubble with half eaten gremlins around the place. subtle changes are better for taking over a world than immediate destruction of the lands anyway.." ]	2
	[WP] You decide to Google yourself one day. Expecting to get your Facebook or random other people or nothing at all. Instead you find a single link which you just have to click.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I got the tip at a conference, Google yourself to see if the right results show up. Statistics say the top result get as many as eight times the views as other results. I have no idea if it's true. I'm not a scientist!\n\nI opened my computer and clicked on the little Google button. I typed in my name, hesitated, and eventually pressed search. I looked at the screen: 223950 results in 0,4 seconds. I scrolled through the results. Weird, they were all the same website. The URL of the site seemed to consist of random letters. I decided that it would probably be the safest to close the tab but I was so tempted to click the link and couldn't stop myself.\n\nClick.\n\nA black screen. Okay, I guess that wasn't worth the excitement. Just before I click to close the tab, I see something happen. White blocks slowly spread all over the screen. A text appears in the middle.\n\n\"Congratulations, you win\"\n\nOh great, It's one of those things!\n\n\"You are selected to work with us. Meet us here: N 52° 30' 12.28'' O 13° 19' 42.215'' \"\n\nI look at the numbers with visible confusion. I decide to Google them. They're coordinates. They lead me to Berlin. I wonder if I should check it out but honestly, I'm not really looking forward to an \"adventure\". I have a job and want to keep it. Still, I'm a very curious person.\n\nI look at the clock and see it's 2:30 am, not the best time to make important life decisions if I'm honest. I'll think about my plans tomorrow." ]	2
	[WP] It turns out that humanity has the shortest lifespan in the galaxy, a fact that provokes both feelings of fascination and pity from the rest of the galactic community. They're even more interested in how we managed to develop any sort of advanced technology in such a "short" time.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Try this!\"\n\nI barely have time to take in the wired device covered with blinking lights as it flies through the air. I'm a bit more preoccupied with ducking out of the way. I trip on something in LudMia's lab and end up more on the floor than I'd intended.\n\n\"Thought the goal was to keep me alive for longer,\" I say from my undignified sprawl on the ground.\n\nThe large Okthar storms around the table, her heavy face plastered with an outrage I've come to recognize as concern. I'd have to have learned that expression by now, since it's 50% of the face she uses around me.\n\nShe's one of the greatest inventors the Okthar have seen in 3 generations, which according to my math, is about 1000 earth years. This puts her about the average human EarthForce scientist, but back home would hardly make her stand out. This is a point I rarely make but she agonizes over.\n\n\"Just try it,\" she repeats, scrambling to find the device on the ground. I think maybe the Okthar's problems with tech may stem from their casual nature and lack of delicacy. It's something that humans are surprisingly good at. Apparently, we have a pretty good mix of diligence and ambition that keeps us from carelessly breaking things but also prevents us from flooding progress with so many regulations that it takes decades to get anything done.\n\nThe device is thrust in my hands. \"How do I... Is it like a... hat?\" The machine is big enough to strap on my head but I'm not entirely sure how it's supposed to slow the aging process.\n\n\"No no no, look.\" She jams a thick finger onto a button and six sharp needles spring out, so suddenly I almost drop it.\n\nInstead, I give an uneasy laugh. \"Ahh, I might just take an early death at the tragically young age of 100.\"\n\nHer glare isn't amused. \"Alexander,\" she starts, \"we both know that will never do. I have time. And I have been successful many times!\"\n\nThe Okthar have a natural life span of abouot 300 years but with anti-aging tech, they've expanded that to 400. So she does have a good starting point. But our anatomies are very different despite our outward appearances not seeming so.\n\nShe sits down on a bench in the workshop, a weary slump to her shoulders.\n\n\"No, you have,\" I agreed. I don't look forty in the slightest and it's more than just genes. I could be easily mistaken for someone in the twenties, and that alone is progress. It's not really the anti-aging part that LudMia is having trouble with. It's the side effects.\n\nWe were late entries into the Galactic Fold. Some 400 plus species had long-established alliances, fought wars, experienced golden ages, experienced horrifying extinctions... There were trade routes and enemies and closed-border nations that had remained that way for millennia. Everything seemed to take fifty years or more to complete, meaning the average human wasn't going to see much.\n\nFor a lot of aliens, this made us something of a spectacle. Watching us pass down the battalion of wars and foreign arrangements from generation to generation. They find us rather fickle because of that but they've had to respect us as our technological achievements have shot up through the 500 years since we showed up. FTL travel, planetary terraforming, weapons research, bioengineering crops, new efficient methods of creating energy... The one thing we can't seem to do is get our life spans up above an average age of 100.\n\nMost aliens call that a shame. For the Okthar who had the misfortune of falling in love with a human, this was a travesty that she couldn't seem to fix fast enough. We'd been living together for 15 years and she's been tinkering with my genes for about as long. It's a good thing human medicine has continued to evolve, or I'd probably have died from the number of cancers, neurodegeneration, and muscular dystrophy she's given me.\n\nIt might be worth the extra 20 years she's bought me, but this isn't exactly a good sell to the rest of humanity.I pick up the now very spiky dented orb thing she gave me. \"Ok, so, um, how do I-\"\n\n\"No no, you're right. It's supposed to take 3 litres of blood and run some serums through it before returning it to your body. That serum should spread, but I think I made a mistake in my calculations.\" She still sounds glum.\n\n\"Did the calculations have anything to do with the fact that this would kill me?\" I slowly put the contraption on her desk and join her on the bench. \"Can it work in smaller doses?\"\n\n\"Humans are able to lose half their blood and the average human has 6 litres, so by all means... but those are extremes. They have at most 6 litres and can lose up to half. You're small-\"\n\n\"-definitely smaller than your average 6 litre man-\"\n\n\"-yeah. Why are humans so variable? Most Okthar are just the same. We don't vary as much. Your origin planet must have had some absurdly different climates to foster such differences.\"\n\n\"Earth was a wild place I'm told. A lot of our planets now are similarly diverse but not nearly as bad.\" Earth was the kinda place that could have 50-degree variances in temperature a day. Not something my thin blood could handle.\n\n\"Ok ok,\" she said, a new light in her eye. \"I'll try again. The problem with this serum was that the antibodies released might target your white cells again, which you didn't like last time...\"\n\nI love listening to her scientific rambles, even if they don't mean much to me. I'm an economist, the further thing from a scientist you could be without being clergy. I just trust her not to kill me and she's followed through so far.\n\nShe sits and tweaks her machines, talking to me the whole while, as I sit on her bench, alternating being watching her and writing my latest reports. These kinds of 'benders' can go days, and this was no exception. As I alternate between making her meals and playing a good house spouse (a term she finds way too funny) she slaves away.\n\nFinally, she shouts loud enough to rouse me from my nap, about four days into the science streak.\n\n\"This is it. The formula is ready, I've tested it twice. And we only need 1 litre!\" She's grinning ear to ear, and expression far more accurate for the Okthar, and holds out a modified version of the machine. It's down to 2 needles, which I appreciate.\n\n\"So how does it work now-\" I cut off as she grabs me by the waist and whisks me over to the operating table, or what she calls the 'live specimen bench'. Both are terrifying names but I've grown used to it.\n\n\"Just lie on your back and hold up your arms. Both of them, overhead.\n\n\"It's just the latest in a series of experiments, probably doomed to fail but hopefully buying a year or two while she continues to innovate and come up with something new. I haven't grown tired of them yet, which is a good thing, because she'll probably be at this til I die.\n\nHopefully that just won't be for a while.\n___\n[Read more stories at r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide/)", "Some feel pitty for them, others hold deep fascination. A few species even treat then cruelly, as no more than pets. Personally, I’ve always admired them myself. A species that lives only one hundred cycles, if they’re lucky, and they made it to space?\n\nI’ve been on the council half of my life, seen countless Terrans take office. You know, so often we get complacent with our lots, tell ourselves that these problems can be the future’s to solve, but not the Terrans.\n\nWhen Rigirta was invaded it wasn’t I who stood up for them. No it was Avery the Terran representative at the time, who stood immediately and called for action. He was only the second to fill that role, and he did so with distinction. I remember him fondly.\n\nIt wasn’t Tori’ta who worked with the fledgling nations all waking hours, doing their best to get them represented in our council. It was Janet. She worked tirelessly day in and day out until a deal was struck between all reining members and the loose collective of budding star nations. She gave them a voice.\n\nWhen my people were struck by plague and weakened, it was Xavier who rallied the galaxy’s scientists to aid us in finding a cure. Others tried, but you can’t help yourself. When a Terran speaks with passion you are compelled to listen.\n\nSo I can see why so many of our galactic brothers and sisters pitty them. A life so short seems a curse to someone who has seen the death of empires, but not to me. They’re life isn’t a curse or a blessing, it just is.\n\nThey don’t have the time that we do. They can’t be bogged down by the same problems we were so they strive every day to solve them. Because what is the alternative but death? With so little time the only thing they can care about is leaving the universe a better place than when they entered it. They know their time is short, so they make the most of it not just for them, but for their children. \n\nI’ve been on the council half my life. In that time I’ve seen countless Terrans take office. I remember every one. They all stood for something, and I will always stand with them. You can admire them, pitty them, even hate them. But you must respect them." ]	3
	[WP] "The first 80 years goes by slow, but once everyone you love dies, the next 200 years kind of flies by."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The whole world seemed to still around her. The bookstore faded into silence. Janet could see nothing but the woman in front of her. Her big brown eyes, mess of curly hair, carmel cream skin and big round glasses. She had tripped and fallen against Janet, who instinctively had caught the clumsy thing. \n\nThe woman had looked directly into Janet's eyes, blushed a deep shade, and jerked herself upright streaming apologies. Janet had said nothing. It had been years since anyone had looked in her eyes. Somehow, people instinctively seemed to look around Janet. Her forehead, her body, beside her or above her. But not into her eyes. \n\nShe was cute, Janet decided and waved away the apologies. \n\n\"Dont worry about it....\" Janet let the statement trail off questioningly. \n\n\"Marie!\" The woman said with a grateful smile as she thrust her hand out. \n\n\"Dont worry about it, Marie.\" Janet finished, gentally taking the hand in both of her own and bringing it to her lips then letting it drop. \"But please, be careful. Wouldnt want you to get hurt.\"\n\nMarie's face turned a deep crimson and she mumbled a thanks and walked off fast. Janet shook her head and scolded herself. \n\nWasn't last time lesson enough? Hasn't she learned better? The reality of romance as an immortal was far less desirable than one would imagine. There was only ever one certainty. \n\nEveryone died. No matter how bright their fire. No matter how lively their soul. No matter how beautiful the heart. No matter how brave the spirit. Everyone would leave her behind. \n\nEveryone died. Everyone but Janet. Janet, with no way to follow them. \n\nOf course, Janet hadn't always acknowledged that. When she was young she had no way to realize the reality. She was as young as those around her, once upon a time. How was she to know the fleeting nature of the human lifes when they still stretched well past her own? To a ten year old immortal, twenty did indeed seem ancient. Fifty years seemed an eternity. To only have 80 years with someone seemed more than enough back then. How could one complain? \n\n\nBut that's the trick of a long life, isn't it? The first 80 years go by slow. Like they'll stretch into eternity. But once everyone you love dies? You realize how fleeting they really were. The next two hundred years kind of fly by you. Float away. You drown yourself in mourning, so sure the world couldn't possibly March on. But one day, you sit up. You find the world around you has become a new land. You carry the loss and the numbness and you realize something. \n\nThe world went on. I went on. After hundreds of years, mourning brought no one back. And they wouldn't want you to waste an eternity hidden away. So Janet had crawled into the light. And chose to keep that form of attachment out of mind. A third of her life she had spent mourning. She wasn't willing to spend another moment wishing for the dead. \n\nThat's what people had become to Janet. Ghosts that couldn't see they were gone yet. Imprints that had yet to fade. And Janet had enjoyed her time reading, learning, attending events and marches. She had seen the rise of technology. She had been on the streets of rubble during wars. She had watched sicknesses and riots. She had seen those pushed down by the world push back and claim themselves as a people. Fighting for rights. Waring to be allowed to spend their fleeting lives the way they wanted. \n\nJanet had seen the collective spirit of humanity pushing and pushing. One creature with a thousand faces rawring into the void. As soon as they fell, more replaced them. Fists in the air and screams in their hearts. The young would build on their elders successes and flare hard against their injustices. Humans as a concept, as a people, were beautiful. \n\nIt had been a very long time since Janet had truely seen just one.\n\nMarie. Hm. \n\nJanet told herself that was it. Their meeting was nothing. She told herself a single face in the endless march of the human line was simply that. \n\nYet, Janet found herself sitting at the same bookstore many nights later. \n\nFor the books, of course.", "\"Its ok Lia! Let it all out\" i said to her while she was crying in My Arms wetting my Shoulder with her warm Tears. \n\n\"I am a barren Monster!\" She continued to wail. People in the Pub where starting to get visibly uncomfortable. I thought it would be a good Idea if we went drinking. It generally seemed to help me, at least temporarily take the edge off. For her it seemed to have the complete opposite effect and we walked outside.\n\n\n\"Lia, lets head to the Arboretum\" she simply nodded and we started treading towards it. In Jules Verne there where not many recreational places. A Small Town that was bordering on being labeled an Outpost. Nothing compared to the Capital or most other cities on the edge of the Near side. We had very nice Gardens though.\n\n\"I have become a Monster Yora, how could i be so blind?\" she continued to wallow in self pity and doubt.\n\nI held her hand tight as we neared our destination and said \"Those things happen. Naturals are generally not very wise, especially the attractive ones. About a Hundred years ago i dated one as well. We broke up for essentially the same reason.\"\n\n\"He also wanted Children?\" she asked me, coming out from her deep sob. As we sat down next to some tree's and Flowers. The air was filled with the smell of them, absolutely fantastic.\n\n\"She, yes she did. Even though she knew that we cant have Children. At first they are ok with it, but then their clock starts ticking and its all they can think about.\" I explained to her. I left out the fact that my Ex cheated on me and later got issued a reproductive permit with her Affair whom she married shortly afterwards. Knowing that would not help her in any way. She was still young. 83 Years was a respectable age for Naturals but for us, it clearly marks the beginning of us differentiating from them. We would stay forever young and beautiful, well not unless something unfortunate happened. While colloquially being referred to as Immortals, we where not. We simply didnt age anymore and could control certain aspects about ourselves. In either case from 75 to 100 we start realizing this, a difficult phase.\n\n\"I am sorry, how long did it take you to get over her?\" she asked and looked in my eyes. Requesting to know how long the pain she felt would approximately last.\n\nI wormed around for a few seconds and then answered \"Well, i was i think 740 Years old already then. So it cant really be compared to your situation. I got over it relatively quickly.\" I said but that didnt make her feel better, she knew it would not apply to her situation and while we where Friends. We had some vast generational differences that simply couldnt be gapped. So before she could fall back into a bad pattern again i followed up.\n\n\"Well, but when i was a bit Older then you, about 130 a long long time ago i lost my Husband in a Accident. That was really bad. We where together for over 80 Years. That was very bad. I simply did not know how to go on. All of the sudden i was alone. He was taken from me so suddenly. It really debilitated me and i could not even do my Work anymore.\" I stopped and sighed, i left out a lot of details but it was for the best. I was here to help her. She needed it more \"In the end i got assigned a new Profession and lo and behold. That actually started doing the trick\"\n\nShe nodded slightly while caressing some plant that grew through the Benches slits \"I get what you are saying. Do something new. Being stuck in routines i used to share with him wont be good for me. Thanks Yora!\" She said and all of the sudden smiled and stood up \"I always wanted to learn how to Draw. I think i think i will take my 6 Months of Vacation and take a Semester in in the Tsiolkovsky Art School.\"\n\nShe wanted to leave now and looked at me. I just stared back in disbelief. Was she faking it? Was she trying to avoid to look weak? I needed 25 Years to get over Karl. I needed all that time to learn to change up routines. I clung to them like i clung to my life. Was this real? I wondered and stared back at her like a Deer in Headlights.\n\n\"Come on, lets go back. New rounds on me.\" She said with a seemingly new found vigor. \n\nI got up and her response thoroughly Alienated me. Was this the result of over 800 Years of tinkering with the Human Genome? We where supposed to be more resistant to depression and other negative states of mind. But seeing this in Action was somehow unfair to me. I did not have these advantages back then. I had them now, but they where quite subtle and if someone or something manipulates your very Soul during an update, do you even notice it?\n\nI smiled and started walking back to the Pub with her. I hoped for her sake that it was the New and improved Humanity that was responsible for her quick recovery. In either case i needed to keep an eye on her for now and the next few Days in case she was a far better actress then i gave her credit for.", "Time is a fiendish thing, you know;\n\none foot before another –\n\nyou march along with the masses –\n\nthose first eighty years go by slow.\n\n\n\nYou will form relationships and find love;\n\ntight integration in their lives –\n\nforming friendships –\n\nthese things you feel undeserving of.\n\n\n\nThe time will come when all you love die;\n\nand that’s alright, it’s ok –\n\nreturn to the void is nature’s way –\n\nbut the next two hundred years will fly by.\n\n\n\nYou ask how I know these things;\n\nI am one who is like you –\n\nfear not the losses from time –\n\ninstead relish what the future brings.", "\"It is kind of freeing, you know? To have everyone who could possibly remember you die off eventually.\"\n\nHe took a long drag of his cigarette and peered over the rooftops basked in strawberry light from the sun. He spoke like an elderly man yet looked as if he was in his mid-30's. The journalist had tracked him down through months of research in dusty libraries and Xeroxed public records. She didn't want to expose him or reveal his secret to the world. She just wanted to talk. \n\n\"And these? You learn to enjoy them once they can't do anything to you. My lungs are still fresh as a daisy after smoking a pack a day for 100 years. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth though.\"\n\nThe journalist wrote down hasty words in her pad, she then asked,\n\n\"Tell me more about the people you've known. You must have quite a few stories to tell.\"\n\nHe looked back at her, his face doleful and he opened his mouth and hesitated to speak. All at once those 300 plus years spent alive all congregated onto his forehead. He turned back to face the darkening sky, the rooftops now covered in velvet.\n\n\"The first ones you've known always stay with you. They are the ones you grew up with, the family that seemed to be around longer than they were. I've known people for 90 years now that will never have the impact those first lucky few did.\"\n\nShe wrote even more down. It was depressing, she thought. To know that you will outlive the people you become closest to. That no matter how hard you love them that you will have to eventually watch them die and try to live life without them. \n\n\"The worst part? Nothing is special anymore. People start to come in types, and no matter what they do or say, it all seems like a rehash. Like you're watching a movie you've seen a dozen times. They stop mattering in the grand scheme.\"\n\nThe journalist paused and looked at the man, he was breathing heavier now. His inhalations audible and heavy with sorrow. She figured that he was now coming to terms with what it was like to be immortal. The reality that he tried to push to the back of his mind for years. It must be easier, she thought, to live life without thinking about it, and not grapple with the existential dread of living forever. Night was fully coming now, and the only light was from the burning embers of a cigarette.\n\n\"Then so how do you deal with that? Do you just stop caring?\"\n\n\"No, you care, even if it makes no sense. Even if you know it will hurt you just as bad. Because caring is what still makes me human, even if will cause me to hurt in the end...I've tried, you know. To kill myself. But before I can do the deed, my self-preservation instinct kicks in. I think about everything worth living, no matter how small, and it stops me. It shouldn't. I know none of it matters in the end, but I still hang on to foolish belief.\"\n\nShe stopped writing now. She only stared as the last threads of sunlight clung to the night sky. She turned around, opened the door, and exited the immortal man's home. When she had first heard the whispers of immortality she was curious to see the truth. Now, after spending time with a man who had lived for three centuries, she felt sickened. Through verbal contact she had inherited his unease, like a virus infecting its host. She was excited at first to meet someone so wise, so fantastical. Now she truly wished she hadn't.", "The common sentiment when wishing on stars and pennies and eyelashes is to word it wisely. Even the simplest desire can be twisted by the whims of fate. Said whims always found this rather insulting, since they always tried to follow the spirit of the wish.\n\nHowever, most people didn't even know that their first wish always came true. They don't even remember making it. They were probably 3 or 4, wishing for a fun birthday or for the best day ever. So the wish comes and goes without twisting anything, for the 'cruel' fates that rule the world rarely attacked and always tried their best.\n\nErik was one of those kids who told the other children they were stupid for avoiding sidewalk cracks and broken mirrors. As a toddler, he managed to scoff at his mother every time she said to make a wish on a star. He'd even refuse to blow out his candles, much to her disappointment.\n\nHe'd never been nice enough to her. He should have visited her that last time.It was easy to assume that the wishes never came true and so it was easy to dismiss them as superstition and therefore stupid.\n\nIt was the cancer diagnosis at the tender age of 18 that made him start to believe in prayer, at his girlfriend's wishes. She was always by his side through that long, agonizing year.They didn't last but it still stung when he heard about the accident.\n\nThe idle fates seemed to care little for his prayers at alters, before crosses and pentagrams and statues. They watched on in casual apathy as the young man wasted further and further away.\n\nHis family threw him a 19th birthday three weeks early, the day before he was supposed to be taken to the hospital, allegedly never to return. He wasn't planning on eating any cake, his stomach was far too sensitive by now, but they made one anyway. Besides, his little brother Kyle, an oopsie baby that came 12 years after him, would appreciate it.\n\nKyle's only daughter wasn't on speaking terms with Erik. She didn't understand that he was powerless to save her father. She didn't understand that Erik would be mourning Kyle much longer.\n\nA family friend gave him a wrapped blanket as a gift. Julie was her name, a name that would long rest on his lips.\n\nThey didn't officially tie the knot til their twins were out of the house. Eleanor responded to the wedding invite with a 'finally' and Isabella responded with a 'took you long enough'. A wedding between two sixty-year-olds on the shores of the lake should have been a lovely affair.\n\nIf Erik had known about the storm, he never would have taken his family on that last voyage into the crystal blue water...\n\n'I wish,' he thought to himself, the teary chants of happy birthday swarming his ears. He looked across the table at his mother, whose own eyes were closed. She was making a wish of her own.\n\nHis father, who had survived cancer himself, just stared down. He wasn't singing. He'd survived cancer and his baby boy would not.\n\nDad was the first to go. His came back months after Erik's went away. This was the first time Erik wondered if it had been his fault.\n\nIn front of him, 19 candles glistened eerily, three rows of five. One row of four.\n\n'I wish I wasn't going to die.'\n\nWith a long breath, he blew out the candles and sealed his fate.\n___\n[Read more stories at r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide/)" ]	6
	[WP] “Gruesome bloodshed! Wanton murder! Unhinged killers! All these grand things and more can be found at the one, the only, Slaughterville!" The loudspeaker boomed. I groaned. Every month before and every month forward. Alas, I didn't have a choice. I grabbed my gear and set out to Slaughterville.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The day started out normal as always. I waited in line at Starbucks on the edge of Slaughterville to get my coffee, the line was unusually long this morning, probably because the rest of the day was dedicated to the gruesome murder of your fellow man so people needed to be awake. A man bumped into me from behind, knocking my bag of weapons to the floor, a machete slid across to his feet. The man slowly reached down and grabbed the machete with a tight grip as I coldly stared him down.\n\n“Im sorry sir wasn’t paying attention, here you dropped this.” He said, handing me back the machete. \n\n“Thanks” I replied, “you ready for today?”\n\n“Never am haha” the man laughed.\n\n“You know what, skip me in line, it’s the least I can do since your being so friendly and all.” I said.\n\n“Sure thing, gotta get the coffee before the fun starts” he moved past me and got up to second in the line. I felt a tap on my shoulder from behind. I swung around and unholstered my 9mm, but it was just a middle-aged kind faced woman. \n\n“Your very nice for letting that man in front of you.” She said.\n\n“Yeah well I don’t mind.” I replied.\n\nJust then the man who I let pass me pulled a shotgun from his jacket and blasted away the cashier, blood and guts raining into the air. \n\n“It’s time motherfuckers!” He screamed as he leapt onto the counter, firing shots into the crowd. I pulled the woman aside and fired 3 rounds into the man chest, killing him instantly. As I turned to face the woman I was created with a combat knife to my neck. As I croaked out blood and fell to my knees the last thing I saw was the woman and many people behind her being ripped to shreds by a mini gun.\n\nI woke up hours later in the lab. \n\n“Damn, only an hour in buddy. Try better for next month.” Said a scientist.\n\nI got up from bed and examined my new synthetic body. I’d miss my real one if it wasn’t riddled with cancer years ago. “How’d the mind transfer go? Anything get damaged?” I asked the scientist.\n\n“Nope it looks good but you’d better tell me, it’s your mind after all.” He said.\n\nI walked back to my room and turned on the tv. I always preferred to watch the event instead of participating anyway. The scientist didn’t need to know that. As long as I kept this up I’d be able to live in peace underground and not in that insane game show of a world above. The announcer came into the screen, and yelled into his mic, “ladies and gentlemen! The bloodshed has begun!”.\n\nThought I’d go sci-fi with this one.", "“Jamal, you’ve got the worst job that an accountant could ever have,” my friend Aston said. We were half a bottle deep in some rather fine Riesling, and the man had stopped pulling punches entirely. “Seriously, bro. What are they calling it? The Blood Book?”\n\n“Blood Ledger,” I corrected him. “It’s actually proprietary spreadsheet software.”\n\nHe started laughing. I didn’t blame him.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen I’d applied for the job, I thought that the Slaughterville theme park had been describing a book of funds and accounts payable. The dramatic description was only a bit of show-biz, right? As it had turned out, no. It wasn’t. It was a deliberate statistical analysis of every casualty that emerged broken, living or not, from the park proper. Living in Las Vegas, we all knew what kind of park it was. After the widespread legalization of online casinos, the honored state of Nevada had to find a new way to advertise, a new way to keep Vegas… well… Vegas. First came the Death Rally, believe it or not named after some obscure video game. Lots of cars, lots of guns. Lots of safety rules. The next incarnation was the love child of Russian Roulette and Texas Hold ‘Em. America watched its best professional poker players play for their lives. ‘Poker faced’ had, for a short time, became a euphemism for someone who had been murdered. Relatively few safety rules. Now they have Slaughterville. No safety rules. Just waivers. The work was easy, and required only a few days out of the month. I did what I had to do.\n\nThankfully, the employee’s entrance was secluded and well-guarded. The kinds of people who came to frolic in a murder-park weren’t the kind I enjoyed associating with. The offices were clean enough and modern enough, but obviously skimped on versus the elaborate and dangerous set pieces that the park was known for. It was almost absurdly mundane. I checked in at reception’s palm reader. Lunch went in the fridge. The holographic display at my desk turned on when it sensed me, and greeted me by name. Emails. Emails. More emails. A really boring meeting where procurement complained about the cost of ammunition that we sell at an 85% markup. Finally, only two hours from shutting down, an incident alert popped up on the display.\n\nThe park’s drones were many and comprehensive. Rather than trust them to human operators, they used a rather primitive but effective artificial intelligence. I had coverage of the scene from thirteen different angles, which were about ten too many. I shut off the feeds from the excess drones and leaned forward to take a look. There was a body on the ground, covered in blood. Quite a few bullet wounds, and what looked to be two badly broken legs. Standing over him was a small posse of what looked to be spring break tourists, a bunch of twenty-somethings dressed too casually for a war zone. They all held guns. It was obvious from the looks on their faces which one had been the shooter. I quickly compiled the appropriate response.\n\nOnly one body – send a retrieval team. No immediate threats, so the team wouldn’t need a guard. Players never shot at officials, as the officials were both armed and armored, but sometimes it was better safe than sorry. There didn’t seem to be any injuries on the tourists’ side, so no attention was necessary there. The report and the conclusion took less than a minute of my time, and then it was back to receiving casualty reports from other operators’ incidents and collating gunshot wounds versus poisonings versus burnings versus… defenestration? As it was the third leading cause of death in the park, I had to look it up. I found myself wondering if the players had decided on gravity to avoid the cost of bullets. I also, guiltily, called up the footage on a few of those incidents and watched them. For research purposes, of course.\n\nThe daily closing metrics were the most important part of my job. Being an accountant, they were also some of the most routine and boring.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n1,139 new incidents reported\n\n31 casualties (fatal)\n\n245 casualties (non-fatal, ambulatory)\n\n19 casualties (non-fatal, non-ambulatory)\n\nApprox. 4100 cartridges fired\n\n31 registered bladed weapons in use\n\n51 complaints against other players (no action)\n\n8 complaints against other players (punitive action)\n\n2 complaints against other players (terminal action)\n\n2 registered poison users\n\n1 registered bio-weapon user\n\n0 assaults on officials\n\n0 criminal incidents\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe numbers looked good, so I sent the report and started putting on my jacket. The dull ache of heartburn reminded me of the donut I shouldn’t have eaten earlier. It’s a struggle, you know?" ]	3
	[WP] You've never held a job in your life. While browsing the help wanted ads yet again, one in particular catches your eye. "Wanted: God"	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I applied, of course, even though I knew it was a joke. Or, well, I thought it was a joke. But now, sitting across a table from ten-foot man who claimed to be Poseidon, I was starting to wonder.\n\n\"So, tell me, do you have any experience with godly matters?\" He asks\n\n\"Ah, no, but I'm a quick learner.\" Just pretend it's a normal interview and then go home and take a nap and this'll all be a dream I thought to myself.\n\n\"Well, we generally prefer to hire those with previous experience as demigods or heroes, but with how fast the population keeps growing we're struggling to keep up.\"\n\n\"Of course, that makes perfect sense.\" none of this makes any sense.\n\n\"What would you say are your biggest strengths?\"\n\n\"I have an eye for detail and I'm good at multitasking. I'm also good with kids, but I'm not sure how relevant that is.\" I nervously chuckled.\n\n\"No, no, that's very relevant actually. How about your biggest weaknesses?\"\n\n\"To be perfectly honest, my people skills could use some work.\"\n\n\"Well, I can't make any promises--that's up to the big guy--but you seem like you'd fit in great!\"" ]	2
	[WP] You are the last human on earth. After years of searching you have decided to wait out your final hours in a house at the end of a street. There you sit, waiting for the end. Just before you close your eyes you hear something. Three bumps in the night, a knock at the door.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The old man, Darren, peers down the street. He picks a house at random. It’s as good a place as any other. Not that it’ll matter in a few minutes.\n\nDarren heaves against the door. The spongy wood, warped and bloated with age, holds fast against the old man’s effort. Darren tries again, hefting his entire bulk in a single mighty shove. After a brief moment of obstinance, the tarnished brass hinges shriek and the old man is washed with the miasma of an age long relegated to faint reminiscences. \n\nHe stands for a moment, stunned. The smell of blueberry muffins. Muffins just like his Ma used to make. The scented air envelopes him, transporting him back to a time of people and life. An age long forgotten to everyone but him. Only him. Who else was there to remember? They – the rest, everyone – were all gone now. All gone. But how – why – smell muffins?\n\nHe shakes his head. It’s the madness that’s got hold of him again. Just like his Ma. Must be. \n\nHis Ma always said madness ran in their family. She said that one day the madness would take her too. Sure enough, come her 34th birthday, they found her stark naked and raving about ghost trains in a parking lot. Not long after that they committed her to hospice care. Not long after that she died. \n\nShe told him a year before her 34th birthday that the madness would come for him. He had been five. \n\nDarren smirks, Ain’t no madness when you’re the only one around. All’s them’s deader’n mad, an I ain’t not gotta prove no sanity to none. I am the sane one. The only one.\n\nThe smirk turns into a chuckle, and the chuckle turns to laughter. \n\nWithout knowing how, Darren is on the floor, his limbs writhing against dust whitened floorboards. He laughs until he feels the edge of his vision closed by darkness, his spasmed laughing carving spastic snow angels. Something moves in his sight.\n\nSuddenly, he bolts upright, Wassat? Darkness. Movement. Too big ta be foul nor beast. Upright? Simian? Man? Can’t Be. Tis just me. I knows it. Just me. No one. Just me. Just me....\n\nA moment of silence. \n\nDarren calls out but the words don’t make it past his atrophied voice. They catch in his throat, scratching at it. He swallows and tries again.\n\n“Hello?”\n\nNo response. He lays back down and closes his eyes. He’s going mad. There are no people here. No one. He is the last, and soon, even he won’t exist. \n\nHe chuckles again, Won’t hav’ta worry bout tha madness much longer.\n\nAfter a long while he stands and moves to close the door. It’s just as stubborn in closing. He gives up and walks to the middle of the living room. \n\nLight streams through the window, the glittering teeth of it’s broken glass casting rainbows that shimmer and dance on the floor in front of him. Moving to the swirling kaleidoscope of light, he stands in the middle, closing his eyes, feeling the warmth of blue, yellow, red. \n\nHe smiles, A good place as any other. \n\nHe sits and fishing in his pocket produces a small revolver. He spins the chamber, careful to line the only bullet up with the next shot.\n\nHe puts the revolver to his temple. \n\n“Happy birthday Darren…”\n\nHe places his finger on the trigger. \n\nHe stops. \n\nSomeone’s knocking at the door.", "I wonder what went wrong.\n\nI remember it like it was yesterday. Was it yesterday? It could very well have been, since I've lost track of time since. I was carelessly frolicking around in the garden, surrounded by the flowers, the grass, the sun, the world was still enchanted, full of magic I would never understand.\n\nI didn't pay attention to it then. But now, when the eerie sound of sand, carried by a ruthless wind, scraping away at what is left is all that surrounds me, the sense of loss hurts so much I have to wince. Of course, none of it hurts as much as...\n\nWell, I guess it doesn't matter now, does it? \n\nI look up to my red-grey metal master with her white hair loosely spinning around it the wind. She looks down on me accusingly. \n\n\"I don't know what I did, okay? I'm sorry! Please, just bring me back home, I want to go home... I want to fix what I've done! Just tell me how!\"\n\nShe doesn't answer. 'It's hopeless' I think as I drag myself to a small metal cube, which offers the most protection from the merciless sun and the scorching sand that I can find. As I lay myself down for what I know to be the last time, all I can think about is home.\n\n/-----------------/\n\nWhat the hell was that sound? I heard something. A coyote, a wolf? I put my glasses on and stand up, stretching to see where it is coming from. \n\nAh. A lone, scrawny dog, barking at a windmill. Poor thing must have gone insane. It's terribly filthy, its hair long and messed up. Just like mine, when I think about it. Haha, I shouldn't be so judgemental then, since I haven't seen a single shower since the bomb dropped. \n\nWait a hot second. I run closer towards it to get a better look. Is that..? Definitely. He might look awful, but that walk is unmistakably him! Oh my god this is the best day of my life!\n\n/--------------------/\n\nI rest my head on my paws, waiting for the end, knowing I'll never get to see home again. I'll never see her again. The feeling of guilt and loss overwhelms me and I fall asleep.\n\nJust before I close my eyes I hear something. Three bumps in the night, a knock at the door." ]	3
	[WP] Your sinful life lands you a "special place in hell," but this phrase means more than you thought. How bad of a person you were determines your ranking in hell. You rank higher than Lucifer himself.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Sorry Buddy, I don't got no way to break the Ice... No? don't like the pun? Alright then, I'll pull back on them, for now you just sit tight while I try to think up or find a way to get you out\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"Alright friend, been at this for a few hours now. My fingers are almost completely frozen off, not to mention bloody and broken, but to be honest what's getting at me the most is how quiet you've been. I've been cracking jokes, talking about myself, talking about you, well more like asking, and yet not a word out of you. I understand buddy, you don't gotta say anything but I'm just gonna keep on talking and it would be a lot easier for the both of us if you open up a little, 'cause I ain't going nowhere and I'ma need ta know what you've already tried.\"\n\n\"YOU CAN NOT FREE ME\" \n\n\"Hey look at that pal, see I know you ain't gotta frozen heart, the legs though. Also, I wouldn't say I can't do nothing, might have been the warmth of my blood more than my hard labor but lookie here, ain't that crack look larger to ya now?\"\n\n\"HUMAN FOOL, YOU CAN NOT FREE ME CEASE THIS SENSELESS SQUABBLE NOW\"\n\n\"Alrighty buddy, I have helped many people who ain't want it in my time and you aren't gonna be special, and I know I know I told you to talk but maybe talk about something more happy or useful?\"\n\n\"IF YOU FREE ME I WILL RAVAGE THE HUMAN WORLD, BUT NOT BEFORE I CONSUME YOU AND EVERY PUNY, WORTHLESS, MINUSCULE, SORROWFUL HUMAN SOUL IN THIS REALM\"\n\n\"Alright I guess Genocide is more upbeat for some people, or would it be considered populicide\"\n\n\"MUNDICIDE\"\n\n\"Ah thank you, well as it stands while that does seem... well to be honest I don't know how it seems or care to know, all I know is you're half stuck in Ice and as much as you seem to deny it I am certainly making that crack right there bigger... Made you look\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"WHY DO YOU CONTINUE WHEN YOUR EFFORT WILL ONLY BE MET WITH ANNIHILATION\" \n\n\"Yes yes, death this, destroy that, all humans are trash and all that. Buddy no matter what you say you ain't gonna convince me to stop. Now I do fully believe you, alrighty, You seem not to be lying so when I pop you out you can go and achieve your dreams and all that, but if you don't tell me a thing or three about what you've already tried and what you're comfortable trying this is gonna take a while. Well I mean not that it hasn't already taken a while, I might winter away before I finish. Still no? Yeah that one was weak\"\n\n\"Why\"\n\n\"Hey you've stop shouting yay! I would applause but, well my hands already hurt too much form the pun... Oh right I should answer, although I a confused pal, what do you mean why?\"\n\n\"YOU SAY-\"\n\n\"Ah no more yelling okay, my ears already burn from the cold don't want you to rupture them too. I'm gonna take my hand off your mouth now and we can just use our indoor voices alrighty friend\"\n\n\"You say you believe my words and yet you still work to condemn yourself and your people\"\n\n\"My people? Friend if you were listening to me earlier you would know my people aren't people, or maybe they are people.\"\n\n\"YOU ARE HORRIBLE\"\n\n\"Hey, come on that was on purpose, shouting right in my ear, and that ain't much of a way to talk to someone helping you ya know\"\n\n\"You lack conviction\"\n\n\"Conviction? I mean I have been slaving away at this ice for a few hours... days? I don't know how long now, but either way I think that shows how much conviction I do have\"\n\n\"Why\"\n\n\"Back to that one then, guess that means you do agree with my conviction. Ok why! Hope you don't mind, I'm just gonna sit down right here since this might take a while. So Why. Why am I here, Why am I helping you, Why me, Why you, Why do I believe you, Why do I continue to help you despite that belief, or do you mean Why the puns? Choose one.\"\n\n\"Why do you help me foolish being\"\n\n\"Oh that's a simple one, It seems uncomfortable. WHAT? Don't look at me like that, Do I need a reason\"\n\n\"You human-scum always act out of emotions\"\n\n\"Are you insinuating that I am empathetic to your current predicament, which is the reason why I am helping you, because If I found myself in a similar situation I would like help? 'Cause that ain't the reason\"\n\n\"You human-filth always act out of some sense of duty\"\n\n\"Now surely you aren't insinuating that I am helping you because when You see someone in need the you help, because that's the right thing to do? Wrong again friendo\"\n\n\"You human-trash always act out of desire for power and value\"\n\n\"Alright I suppose that's the closest you've gotten but even that is wrong. I ain't doing this because I think it will help me in the future or will make me richer or more powerful.\"\n\n\"You human-\"\n\n\"JUST STOP\"\n\n\\---\n\n\"Sorry I shouldn't have yelled, just that monotonous droning of the same phrase out of your mouth again and again, I think you've completely missed the mark buddy. You don't quite understand my character. I am helping you for no reason in particular. I am not helping you to help myself, I am not helping you out of sympathy, empathy or any of those emotion things, I am not helping you because it's right or wrong, I am helping you just cause\"\n\n\"You lack Conviction\"\n\n\"Yeah and you lack good comebacks\"\n\n\"Moral Conviction\"\n\n\"Oh? morals eh? Ain't suppose you know much about them do ya\"\n\n\"I am born of the supreme beings, living longer than a million of your brethern. I am here because I recognized our superiority and fought and stood up for what was right for my brothers. I know more about morality than a pest like you could ever understand\"\n\n\"Ah seems like I hit a nerve with that one, you're getting all fired up, but you still ain't breaking the ice. Well I am glad I got to know a little bit more about you, can't you feel this budding friendship just building up\"\n\n\"Empty\"\n\n\"What's empty\"\n\n\"You are\"\n\n\"Well I suppose so, I have been bleeding a lot I don't know how much more blood I've got left inside, but I should continue digging\"", "Doug opens his eyes to find himself surrounded by a rather large crowd of strange people. Almost everyone is wearing some combination of horns, tails, and fur covered suits. \n\nOh no, don’t tell me I accidentally stumbled into another furry party? He thinks to himself trying to recall his steps. \n\n“I really need to lay off the combo of Captain Morgan and Mountain Dew” he whispers out loud to himself.\n\nThe crowd was eerily silent and everyone was staring at him. He noticed a microphone and tripod were directly in front of him. For some reason it was uncomfortably hot. Anxious from all the staring, he looks down to make sure he doesn’t have something on his shirt. Maybe I spilled something on me? He ponders.\n\nA person wearing some sort of horse mask and furry pants with hooves stepped forward out of the crowd. \n\n“Oh dark one, please speak your name” said horse head as he dropped to his knees.\n\nThe entire crowd followed suit. Nervously Doug looked around. There was no way this guy or gal was talking to him.\n\nHorse face raised his arms “Our most vile and deplorable lord, please bless us with your name.”\n\nThe crowd behind him chanted “we beg of you, dark one” unanimously.\n\nDoug, still thoroughly confused, approaches the tripod and presses his lips directly against the microphone. “Hi, uhh, my names Doug.”\n\nA woman screams. The crowd gasps in fear. Flames shoot out of the ground. Which Doug couldn’t help but think how unsafe it was to have fireworks at a furry party.\n\n“Doug, a most wicked name indeed! We have waited for you for so long.” Said the horse head man, now standing.\n\n“Uhhh....Cool cool” replied Doug nervously. “Hey not to be weird but uhm, could you please tell me where am I?” \n\n“You’re in hell, my liege!” \n\n“How the heck did I end up in Cleveland?” Asked Doug.\n\nThe horse head man looked over his shoulder at the crowd. “Lord Doug, I believe there is some confusion. You’re literally in hell. Look, Lucifer is standing right over there.”\n\nA very comfortable looking man raises his hand chest high and waves slowly.\n\n“Doug, you’re the new king of hell. The most vile man to ever walk the Earth.” said horse head. “You now command the entire demon horde.”\n\n“Huh, well isn’t that nifty.” Said Doug. Shifting nervously. He never was a fan of crowds.\n\n“My liege did you just say the word nifty?”\n\n“Are you more of a neat-o person?” Asked Doug. \n\nThe horse head man is momentarily left speechless. “I-I don’t know” he finally forces himself to say.\n\nDoug could see the anguish in the eyes of the demon horde. The fact that their new lord was this awkward, this polite and seemingly innocent, was eating at their very being. Doug was going to have fun torturing these demons for all of eternity. The anticipation of inflicting everlasting suffering to the vast armies of hell, filled Doug with an excitement he hadn’t felt since his first murder. He couldn’t wait to get started.\n\n“Well gee willikers, you better figure it out, you silly goose!”", "As John bled out from the bullet wound, the last thing he heard was a SEAL squad kicking the door down.\n\nJohn was a man of crime. He dealt drugs since he was 13, he killed his first opponent at 15, he switched to a arms dealer at 17, then a hitman, at 23, a bank robber at 26, and, finally, a full-on outlaw at age of 30, which was his last transition.\n\nHe got gunned down during a heist, but not before killing over 20 men, wounding 3, firing 300 rounds, and launching a nuke by accident, causing a nuclear war.\n\nLucifer looked at his profile, and was impressed. Most of the people down here were cowards, this is one of the rare ones that not only didn't mind combat, but excelled at it.\n\nHowever, Lucifer didn't like this. Why would a petty mortal replace him? It was outrageous! He walked outside of the dimension to his old pal Death.\n\nDeath was friends with everybody. Life, Lucifer, Smaller demons, Angels, even the big G himself. This was mostly because he was a good listener, and was neither good neither evil.\n\nLucifer went on a rant about how unfair all of this is. Why should this mortal, that got lucky, replace him.\n\nThat was when he realised something. Death was nowhere to be found. He went back to Hell, and noticed something.\n\nIt was flooding.\n\nDue to the nuclear war, a lot of souls ended up here. That is when he got a call from the big G.\n\n\"We are running out of place! This nuclear war is your fault, fix it!\"\n\n\"But it was that petty mortal!\"\n\n\"Oh, you referring to the ranking system? It was a joke, now fix it up, and get over here!\"\n\n\"A what?\"\n\nAnd that is how Lucifer got screwed over, again :)" ]	4
	[WP] Frontier era laws remained on the books into modern times and evolved into our modern dueling statutes. Litigants can hire professional gunslingers instead of lawyers to represent them in an alternative court of law where the last person standing wins the case for their clients.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "# The Lawyers Gunslinger(part 1)\n\nBenjah pressed his hands into his face. It was the end of his career. Perhaps his life if the stories of the Westlevain prison were true. Either way he would be an outcast of society lost to the world. \n\n‘Do you contest the verdict Mr. Moirson?’ The judges deep jowly voice, quite comical with his bulldog appearance, now cut through him like a winter chill. The fraud accusations had come mere days ago. His files had overflown with condemning evidence, any lawyer had recommended he call it in and pray. Benjah made to speak but his lips stuck to together and his throat had become so dry he coughed. Taking a sip of water he prepared for the end.\n\n‘I accept the ver-’ A loud voice boomed over him. \n\n‘Mr. Moirson will accept a duel.’\n\nThe words took the breath from Benjah. A duel?! Of course, he had thought of it. An idle daydream of simply shooting Mr. Lawson in his smug self-assured face. The voice had a lazy iron to it, a few seconds of silence remained in its wake. Benjah turned to the speaker, seeing a large man in a duster so dirty its original colour might have been anywhere on the spectrum of brown. Benjah didn’t remember seeing him enter. \n\n‘I will represent Mr. Moirson in the duelling field.’ \n\n‘And you are?’ The judges jowly voice questioned.\n\n‘Names, Brewley.’ Benjah looked over to Mr. Lawson’s smug smile, which suddenly dropped as Brewley continued. ‘Bill ‘Desert Cat’ Brewley.’ The silence was deafening. The judge finally broke it.\n\n‘Do you accept this representative Mr. Moirson?’ The judges placid voice was now wide awake, his throat jiggled as he spoke. Benjah realised he was meant to respond.\n\n‘I, uh, can I have a minute?’ The judge nodded and slapped a hammer into the desk saying.\n\n‘Meeting adjourned, 15 minutes.’ People began filing out of the room, Mr. Lawson’s smugness was replaced with a dagger glare as he got up from the podium. There was a heavy tap and Benjah looked left to see the Desert Cat himself standing beside him, he put out a rough hand.\n\n‘Meant to be here yesterday, sorry about springing the surprise.’ Benjah took the hand, and said.\n\n‘I appreciate the offer.’ He took a deep breath of acceptance ‘but I just can’t afford you.’ The man waved his hand dismissevly.\n\n‘Consider it a favour.’ Benjah baulked, this man would cost five times his yearly wage in the arena. Even then Mr. Lawson had the Black Water Banking Firm behind him. This offer was madness. Benjah had already made his peace, some men were just unlucky and got in the way of bigger things. He shook his head.\n\n‘I can’t accept this. Mr. Lawson is gonna bring a dozen men just as good as you or better. Those aren’t good odds.’ \n\n‘Yeah, but 1:6 ain’t so bad.’ The man flashed a wicked smile. ‘I hear your pretty good in the firing range.’ Benjah baulked\n\n‘In a shooting range, but that’ll be a warzone out there!’ The big man shrugged, \n\n‘Only difference is more red stuff. Anyway, you have a better chance out there than in Westlevain. You’ll be torn apart by the boys in there, and the girls.’ Benjah felt an unusual motivation to hit the man, but he knew he was right. The true stories of Westlevain were worse than the fake ones. \n\n‘You’re a dead man if you help.’ Benjah tentatively put out his cuffed hands.\n\n‘That makes two.’ Brewley grabbed his hand with such force it nearly pushed Benjah off his feet. They returned to their seats. \n\n‘Do you have a decision Mr. Moirson.’ Benjah stood with a shaky breath, leaning on the table for support.\n\n‘Yes.’\n\n&#x200B;\n\n‘What am I doing.’ Benjah said while loading each chamber of the revolver in the bunker. The smooth action calmed him. Then he remembered he would have to use it on people, and he broke into a new sweat. The only experience he had shooting against something live was hunting trip when he was 16, he had never hit anything\n\n‘Here,’ Brewley passed him a red tube with a piece of string. ‘Just light the end and throw it kinda quick.’ Great now he could blow himself up.\n\n‘Thanks.’ Continuing he asked. ‘So, whats the plan?’\n\n‘Shoot em’ until they stop shooting us.’ There was a moment of silence as his deep brown eye’s burrowed into Benjah’s stomach tightened. Then he chuckled. ‘I’m crazy but not stupid, listen up kido.’ \n\n‘There are more of them so we gotta split them up. We stay as hidden as possible and ambush them as we go.’ Brewley pointed to the arena through the bullet proof glass. It was a reconstruction of an 1860s gold rush town. Wooden two storey buildings lay either side of a dusty street, carts and barrels lay scattered as if it was populated. ‘We’re gonna try to get onto high ground fairly quick. Certain amount of improvising but that’s the rough idea, you go that?’ \n\nBenjah nodded looking down at the pistol that seemed heavier. The rest of New York would be bustling around the edges of the battleground. That was one of the reasons they were only allowed pistols for the battle, anything with two much range might have caused collateral damage. \n\n‘Good. We’re being called.’" ]	2
	[WP] After years of pampering and treating your cat just right, he swipes you on the back of the neck, giving you, as you later found out, the Mark of the Cat. Slowly, you begin to understand the talk of felines everywhere, and recognize others that they let into their guild.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] “The strangest part of immortality...is coming to enjoy feeling grief and loss...because it lets me know I can still love and grow attached like a normal human.” Your best friend says. “I’m terrified of the day loss stops breaking my heart”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Immortality is a strange beast.\n\nI've lived through peace and war, love and hate, life and death. Saw the world as a slave, commoner, and emperor. On my death, I'm reincarnated as a newborn, waking from the womb in front of unsuspecting parents. The first years are the hardest as I hide who I am. My memories, thoughts, and emotions remain steadfast. \n\nOld age is the devil as well. My mind doesn't slow, but my body weakens and breaks. Joints creak and fail - I'd spent one of my lives mostly confined to my deathbed. The boredom and constant toil often makes me fight for my sanity day after day.\n\nI'd felt pain far beyond reckoning. By some cruel twist of the hands above, I'd fought in the Roman Colosseum alongside gladiators and wild beasts. Lost a limb in the Crusades. Tortured and gassed during the Holocaust. Yet, physical pain is nothing like the emotional. People have betrayed me for petty rewards. Switched sides without a second thought. Refused to act for the greater good.\n\nBut the worst is the people. I'd seen the dark side of humanity countless times, committing unthinkable atrocities. They don't learn from the past, despite the horror stories written in the history books. As they improve in some aspects, they falter in others.\n\nI never took my own life, despite knowing that I would come back as a new soul. I took it almost as a character-building challenge that forced me to accept the path fate had steered me on. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I know the easy path would be to let it go. Give up and try again, like how one would do in the \"video games\" I'd seen in my recent years. Escape, rather than endure. Suppress and forget the pain and suffering.\n\nOur emotions create who we are. I'd loved in many lifetimes, and every wife I'd had feels as real as the last. I still recall the faces of my children from centuries past, nearly as well as the newborn daughter resting in my arms today. I rejoice when Luck takes my side, and fall into despair when the world leaves me behind. I laugh, scream, and break down into tears. Being immortal does not make me any less human than you are.\n\nAnd the day where I tune out from it all is the day where I cease to become one.", "Being immortal has its ups and downs, and one of them is the countless friends you meet along the way, some of whom would certainly last a long, long time. Others? Not so much.\n\nWhich is how Lalam came to be my best friend at that time. By process of elimination - She is one who lasts long, while the others last only a very brief time.\n\nTerrible shame, really, that not all would come to enjoy the same gifts I was given. Which is why I intend to share my other blessings every way I can, and the most beautiful blessing of all, is my presence.\n\nI held onto the frail, nearly skeletal hand of Carrie, the young grandchild of Lalam. How cruel that she would have to pass away, at the tender age of 94, having experienced so little of the world.\n\nI had been her caretaker, her parental figure, her brother, her lover, her student, and her legacy to leave behind. The emotions swirled in me in ways I could not fathom.\n\nBut Lalam's reaction confused me.\n\nHer face was streaked with tears, much like my own. Unlike me, in her eyes, a glint of happiness, a hint of celebration, a spark of hope for the future.\n\nWhen Carrie had entered the earth, to return to nature from whence she came, that hollowness I would surely be struck with was immeasurably shaken by Lalam's confession to me.\n\n\"I've never felt happier.\"\n\n\"This is not the time, Lalam.\" I felt anger at that time, because I was misunderstanding the extent of her emotions.\n\n\"No, please don't think of me like that! I meant I am... Oh, this is so hard to express!\"\n\nShe threw her arms into her hair, ruffling it up in frustration, before organizing her words to finally speak her mind.\n\n\"I mean, I'm not happy, no, not at all! I am so terribly hurt, so terribly wishful that things had turned out differently, but that's... That's why I'm happy. I've come to enjoy the grief and loss that come with our endless lives, because that's the only way I can remember where we came from, how we are still human. I am so terrified of the day loss no longer breaks my heart.\"\n\nThat was the last I spoke to Lalam.\n\nMaybe she didn't realize it at the time, but if Carrie's death had broken anything, it was not her heart.\n\nI continued to experience and explore grief and loss as any immortal would. Sometimes my heart broke, sometimes not. Still, I wonder if Lalam is still out there, still using her own emotions like a ruler to quantify what little of it she has left.\n\nIf she is still trying to convince herself of her humanity, my heart might ache just a little.", "I’ve been through every stage of grief since I was given my terminal diagnosis.\n\nI started with denial, I didn’t want to accept that I would never have the family I wanted, I would never get married, I would never grow old. I didn’t tell anyone for 3 months, thinking that if I ignored it that it would go away.\n\nI moved onto anger, I finally told my friends and family, then I pushed them all away from me, thinking it would be easier for them to cope with my death if they’d already let me go. It worked on a lot of people, they tried for a while then gradually they called me less and less. I was lucky my family stayed by my side and my best friend refused to leave however awful I was to them.\n\nThen came bargaining, I’d never been religious, but I started to pray every day hoping that there was something out there, and if I promised to do good for the rest of my life that it would be more than 6 months.\n\nI moved into depression after a Doctors appointment, they confirmed that I would not be improving, that my disease was accelerating at an even faster pace than they’d anticipated and that we were no longer talking about months, we were talking about weeks.\n\nI spent too long of my short time left in depression, I lay in my room, taking the tablets I was told to take, ate the food that I was told to eat but I was a total shell.\n\nIt’s only now as each breath I take becomes more laboured I’ve finally managed to move into acceptance. But I don’t know if I would have got here without my best friend.\n\nWe’ve sat for hours talking about my life, all the things I’ve achieved in my short time on this earth, and all the things I still want to do and never will. In fact I’ve talked so much, I’ve run out of things to say, but I couldn’t bear the silence and asked them to tell me about their life.\n\nI don’t know how much of their story is true, and how much is hallucinations caused by the drugs I’m being given. They told me of the thousand lives they’d lived, the names they’d had over the last millennium. They told me what all the things that I didn’t get were like, they told me about their wives, their children, their grandchildren. They told me about the sacrifices they’d made to avoid their families being persecuted when people had started to notice they didn’t ever seem to age.\n\nThey held my hand as my breathing grew ragged and whispered to me “The strangest part of immortality...is coming to enjoy feeling grief and loss...because it lets me know I can still love and grow attached like a normal human. I’m terrified of the day loss stops breaking my heart. You will always live in my heart, your name will be spoken for a thousand years to come”.\n\nI looked into their eyes, and suddenly believed every story they’d told me, as the world faded around me I could see the thousand lifetimes behind their eyes, and as everything faded to black I finally accepted that my life had served it purpose.", "\"Oh yes, that's the first part to go. I wasn't much younger than you when I had my last heartache. On this side of things we tend do see it more like verginity. \" I told her coldly.\n\n\" What? You're -\" her voice trailed off in shock and uncertainty. It was clear she did not know.\n\n\"It is the ultimate fate of us immortals. Well, one of two fates.\" My fate was revealed as I produced a blood bag. \"Though actually achieving Divinity is rare, if you can manage, you can escape this curse before it afflicts you.\n\n\"Well, curse may not be the right word.\" I drink the cold, metallic ichor I have to live on from the bag. \"It's intended as a punishment, but i much prefer being this patriciate over my role in Rome. Slave to the house of Pompey. The only thing that isn't consistently better is the pizza.\"\n\n\"Y- you're a-\" I thought she would take it better.\n\n\"Yep. If you run too far from death, you also run from life. There's still hope for you. Well, if you still feel emotions.\" I sigh and sip blood slowly, tired of the feeling of not having it, as well as of drinking it. \"I dont have much run left, maybe finish out the century, but i want to know your fate. I hope you do what i did not. I like you, so I'm going to stick around long enough to help you become a god, if we can make it work. \"\n\nEDIT: spelling and grammar", "With shriveled hands, as pale and dry as wrinkled parchment, I opened the thick envelope. In gold ink, the president of the United States congratulated me on joining the ranks of the centenarians. Wrinkled lips so often pursed that they had shrunk into a veritable beak of purple skin stretched slightly into a sardonic smile. I tossed the letter haphazardly on the counter and took up my walker to aid my egress into the darkened parlor. \n\nI felt as old as most of the books carefully kept free of dust and mold, and I had handled the yellowed pages so often that I no doubt had absorbed their vanilla scent into the pores of my spotted skin. All these years, I swallowed up every word, but they had never given me the secret. \n\nNot until today.\n\nThe book was weathered and wrinkled, one of the last survivors of a hurricane-ravaged beach cottage. Its cover held on by only a few purple threads, and the glue had cracked and crumbled in the sun, its integrity lost. The yellowed pages seemed to bulge out from between the book's covers like flat toads.\n\nI put my old hand over the book, feeling the rough, pocked cover against my equally aged skin. Today, in precisely two minutes, I will be exactly one-hundred years old, and the years will be reversed.\n\nI closed my papery eyelids, studying the reddish yellow specks of light left behind in my vision, and I inhaled the musty smell of my library--my lifetime. Today, my search would finally come to an end, and my ultimate journey would begin.\n\nI slowly exhaled, and warmth flooded my veins, originating from the book beneath my bony palm. The heat flowed like fire in my skin, invigorating me, filling me to my core with strength and energy. When I opened my eyes again, the hand on the book in front of me was smooth and strong and colored with youth. I smiled.\n\nA voice spoke up behind me. \"Welcome to the fold, Linda.\"\n\nI lifted my hand and turned it over, flexing my young fingers and marveling at the grace and beauty. Without turning, I replied, \"I did promise you that we would be friends forever.\" Then I looked over my shoulder at the young woman leaning against a bookcase with her arms crossed, grinning impishly within a curtain of black curls. \"Didn't I, Mara?\"\n\nMara chuckled and lifted her pointed chin, the light flashing in her blue eyes. \"You're going to love it.\"\n\nI turned to face her, stretching my arms experimentally. After decades of aches and pains and weakness, the sheer act of arching my back in a grand stretch was heavenly. \"You think so?\" I asked.\n\n\"I can't wait to show you all the perks of immortality,\" she went on, cheeks going pink with her growing enthusiasm. \"Watching the most world-changing events unfold, century after century, like a grand mural on a church wall. Witnessing the birth of new cultures, the rise and fall of kingdoms, the intervention of technologies you can't even _imagine_!\" She pushed away from the wall and circled me, warming up to her glee. \"All the new foods you can eat! All the places you can go!\"\n\nSmiling at her, I interrupted, \"All the people you lose?\"\n\nHer voice faltered, and her smile froze. She paused, her shoulder to me and her face slightly turned away.\n\nTurning to face her, I said quietly, \"The grief. The loss.\"\n\nHer whole body was still now. Her smile had vanished, and a blank, calculating look flickered in her stoic eyes. She still refused to look at me.\n\nSquaring my shoulders to her, I slowly reached my hand behind my back, my fingers slipping beneath my belt for the sheath tucked out of view. \"Remember that day, Mara?\" I went on, my fingers wrapping around a narrow hilt. \"When we were still kids in college, and your boyfriend died in that horrible car accident? Remember what you told me?\" I finally managed to get a solid grip on the knife, and I carefully worked it free of its sheath.\n\nMara finally looked at me, her eyes sharp and steely. \"Yes,\" she replied in a quiet tone. \"The heart breaks because it loves. And I was glad to be able to feel a broken heart.\"\n\n\"You enjoyed it.\"\n\nA smile flickered across her face so briefly that I almost missed it. She turned her face again, her curls falling over her eyes to hide the grin. \"Because it meant I could still love. I liked that I could feel a broken heart.\"\n\n\"No, Mara,\" I whispered. \"You were _terrified_ that a day might come that you couldn't.\" I gritted my teeth so hard that my jaw hurt, and it took everything I had not to let my fear and sadness show.\n\nHer eyes narrowed as she glanced back at me. \"Why did you seek out immortality, Linda?\" she asked, taking a step away. \"You knew it could be hard. I warned you, didn't I?\"\n\n\"Yes, you did,\" I breathed, taking a step toward her. My hidden grip on the knife behind my back tightened. My hand was damp with sweat, but I kept a calm facade. \"I know how hard it was for you.\"\n\nShe took another step back, and I took another step forward.\n\n\"Lifetime after lifetime, losing everyone you love,\" I went on, strength slowly filling my voice. \"Heartbreak after heartbreak. Enjoying the heartbreak. Needing it. Causing it.\"\n\nHer feet carried her out of the parlor and into the foyer. A thin smile twisted upon her face as I slowly closed the gap between us.\n\n\"I know _why_ you did it,\" I told her. \"And I want you to know that I forgive you. I want you to know how much I love you.\"\n\nHer grin was almost sinister as she sneered, \"So you became immortal just so you can kill an immortal, is that it? Why, Linda, I believe you're mad.\"\n\n\"I'm not the one who forgot to be afraid,\" I whispered, and in a sudden motion, I lunged toward her, the knife slashing through the air.", "Sir Huxton Bartleby was two hundred and forty five years old. This was, of course, unusual. He was explaining his plight at a bar, which was of course unusual. Every ten years or so Sir Huxton Bartelby dove into his cups. This had the intended effect of making him quite maudlin.\n\n“And that is why you have to care for your heart. For when the heart stops working you lose the point of the whole endeavor.” he said, in an accent so British that you could have chipped the moss off of it.\n\nThe young man sitting next to him at the bar was patient, which is easy when the other person is buying.\n\n“And has it been hard for you old man?” the young man asked, eager to keep the drinks coming.\n\n“My daughter died two hundred years ago today. And not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. My wife died of a broken heart. And here I sit, alive for reasons I cannot pretend to understand.”\n\nThe bartender came round and filled both glasses. Huxton downed his in an instant. The young man nursed his.\n\n“And have you been faithful to them?”\n\n“Every day since. I buried my heart with them.”\n\nHe sighed.\n\n“But sometimes I forget their faces. There are little bits I hold. A laugh. A frown. The light on my baby’s hand on a perfect day.” Huxton said. “But there are less every year. That is why I’m afraid.”\n\n“Afraid of what, old man?” asked the young man.\n\n“Afraid that I’ll live forever, but that their memories will fade. That there will come a tomorrow when I don’t think of them at all.”\n\nAt this the young man was silent. He spun the beer around the glass and watched it foam.\n\n“Let me tell you a story old man,” said the young man. “There was a village, on the shores of the Tigris. It has no name anyone might recognize. And in this village they brewed the perfect beer. It tasted like spring. Then one day the village burned down. Some God or another was angry. And the secret of the beer lay buried in its ashes.”\n\nThe young man took a sip of his beer.\n\n“I lived in that village for four hundred years.” he said. “I had many wives. Many children. But I remember nothing about them. When I think back to my time in the village the only clarity I have is about the beer.”\n\nThe very very old young man swallowed the rest of the beer, and then put his glass on the counter.\n\n“My advice to you this decade, as it was in every decade prior, is to find a reason to live tomorrow. Because it is going to happen whether you like it or not. Fall in love and forget. Raise a family and watch them die. Find the perfect beer. You’ve been given a gift, but you refuse to take it.\"\n\nThe young man rose.\n\n\"Next decade the beer’s on me.” he said.\n\n“You say that every time,” said Huxton, “You never mean it.”\n\n“We’ve never found a beer worthy of my coin. The waitress was looking at you.”\n\n“Let her look. I’m a married man.”\n\n“Maybe come back tomorrow then. Goodbye Huxton.” The very very old young man took his leave, singing a half remembered song from a people long dead. It was about the rain, and the dance, and a girl, and the beer. If you looked closely you might see a tear. Or you might not. Memories are a funny thing." ]	7
	[WP] Most of Antarctica is actually populated, but nobody remembers the Republic of Patagonia once they leave its boundaries.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It's already been five hours now. Peter doesn't realise this though.\n\nPeter is a self-proclaimed adventurer, following bread crumbs to hidden locations. This time he has gone to Antarctica to investigate the rumours about a hidden city in the icy hellscape. As he stood upon the snow-covered hill, he saw at the horizon the silhouette of a city.\nAt this point, unbeknownst to him, he had just crossed the border of Patagonia, the lost republic of the lands of ice, surrounded and protected by an inconspicuous ring of hills that are equipped with an alert, which notifies the authorities should someone cross over, and ensures no visitors ever remember what they saw.\nPeter was elated, he'd be celebrated as a pioneer, a hero, the new Columbus even. He took a step forward, then realised that in his excitement, he had almost forgotten his bag on the other side of the hill. He turned around, carefully traversed down the snow, and the city disappeared behind the hill. He picked up his bag, turned around and stretched.\n\nPeter shakes his head, as though he has just woken up from a dream. Then he remembers. He was going up that hill. His bag is heavy though, and he is feeling exhausted. He drops it, and takes the last steps up the hill. There at the horizon, he sees it. The silhouette of a city, visible in the sunset. Just when did it get so late? He'd ought to grab his bag and set up camp before moving forward. He turns around, the city disappears behind the hill. He picks up his bag, turns around and stretches. It's so heavy. No harm in putting it down while taking the last steps up the hill. It's still early in the day after all. Wait, when did it get so dark?\n\nPeter is probably going to die here." ]	2
	[WP] You always were a somewhat shy person, always letting people walk over you. That was, until you got your pet cat. People have treated you...differently since then.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Ernest walked home slowly. He had a horrible day at school. His best friend, Bob wasn't able to sit with him at lunch, Phil made fun of him again, and the teacher said he would need to take summer school if he didn't get a better score on his next test. Ernest felt miserable, and wished something nice would happen for once. As he trudged along he heard a faint noise.\n\n\"mew\"\n\nErnest looked around. A cat walked towards Ernest and rubbed against his leg.\n\n\"Well hello there little guy.\"\n\nErnest pet the cat for a few minutes, only to remember that his mom was waiting for him at home. He said goodbye to the cat and quickly left. The cat however, followed Ernest.\n\n\"I'm sorry, but my mom probably won't let me keep you.\"\n\nThe cat did not care. It followed Ernest, no matter how many turns he took or how fast he ran, the cat was always behind him. When Ernest finally got home, his mother was waiting for him.\n\n\"Ernest, where have you been? Oh come on, you know we can't have pets.\"\n\nErnest's mom looked at the cat, and the cat looked back. A look of terror appeared on her face, but quickly became normal.\n\n\"Actually, I've changed my mind, you can keep this one.\"\n\n\"Really mom?\"\n\n\"Yes.\"\n\nErnest let out a sequel of glee as he took the cat to his room. He eventually decided to name his cat Luke. When Ernest eventually ate dinner, Luke followed him to the table. In fact Luke followed him the entire day. The next day was no different to the last. Even with Ernest's many requests, Luke followed him into school. The security guard noticed.\n\n\"Hey! No cats in school!\"\n\n\"Sorry, but no matter how much-\"\n\nLuke looked deeply at the guard. The guard seemed to experience some pain before telling Ernest,\n\n\"Actually, I'll make an exception for you.\"\n\nThis seemed to happen many times in the day, and Ernest was beginning to notice. Phil was nice to him after he looked like he saw a ghost, his teacher said he'd never have to take summer school after looking remorseful, and nobody did anything bad to Ernest in general. He was quite suspicious Luke had something to do with it, but he wasn't sure what. While walking home he passed by the neighborhood priest, Paul.\n\n\"Hi Paul.\" said Ernest.\n\nPaul was about to return the greeting when he looked at Luke.\n\n\"Begone demon!\" he shouted, as he pulled out a cross and brought it toward the cat. Luke ran away. Ernest, confused decided to chase after him.\n\nWhen they were both finally home, Ernest put Luke on his bed and said.\n\n\"Luke, Paul said you were a demon, is this true?\"\n\nThe cat made a motion like sighing, and mist started to shroud him. When the mist was gone, Satan was sitting on his bed.\n\n\"Yes, I am a demon.\"\n\n\"But why?\"\n\n\"To show you how cruel this world is to you, and to let you see how much better it can be. Want to be emperor and have everyone do what you say? I can do that. Want me to land a meteor here so you never have to listen to anyone again? I can also do that. I can do anything you want to make you life so much better.\"\n\n\"Anything?\"\n\n\"Anything.\"\n\n\"Can I have a real cat?\"\n\n\"A cat!? A CAT!? YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE LORD OF DARKNESS, FATHER OF LIES, MASTER OF SIN, AND YOU WANT A CAT!?\"\n\n\"Yeah, when you were a cat I was happy that I had something to love me, and it helped me feel like I could do anything.\n\nSatan sighed.\n\n\"Fine, I'll give you a cat.\"\n\nHe snapped and with a puff of smoke a cat had taken his place. Ernest was ecstatic.\n\n\"Come on Luke II, we're gonna have so much fun together!\"", "THIS FITS SO PERFECTLY WITH ANOTHER PROMPT, I'LL CONTINUE THE STORY HERE.\n\nhttps://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/hbhgiy/wp_summoning_an_elder_god_inevitably_drives/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share\n\n\nPebbles the Elder God laid on my couch, his eyes roaming the house in a languid and desultory fashion. Since the summoning, he'd been true to his word. Not one thing had changed between us. I made no demands on his power, assuming he had any, and he continued to leave his poop uncovered in the litter box.\n\nIt was a chilly November morning, and as was my habit, I'd curled up on the loung chair and hunkered deep into the alpaca blanket my grandmother had given me. The landlord promised the heat would be fixed this year. \n\nNo sooner had the thought occurred to me, did Pebbles decide to leave the comfort of his perch and approach me.\n\n\"Jason, we need to talk.\"\n\nHis tone brooked no argument, though I wasn't prepared to offer one anyway. I sat up and looked down at the orange ball of pretentious fur before me. \n\n\"Okay,\" I said. \"What about?\"\n\nPebbles lifted his haunches off the floor and let loose a stream of neon yellow fluid. He never looked away from me. When he finished, he turned around and went back to his lazy examination of the house.\n\nWell, that was odd. I decided it wasn't wise to confront a God, so I got out the mop and cleaned up the mess. Before I even had time to put it away, I heard another stream of liquid. Pebbles was pissing on my blanket!\n\nI sprinted at the cat, but stopped short at the look on Pebbles's face. That was not a look to challenge. For nearly the whole month, Pebbels did something atrocious at least once a day. Finally, even the fact that he was a God couldn't restrain me.\n\n\"Dammit, Pebbles!\" I screamed while picking up the shards of my mother's urn. \"I can't take this anymore. I want you out!\"\n\nOkay, it wasn't the most violent outburst, but for me it was an explosion. Pebbles moved to me and pushed his head against my hand. I rubbed his ears and he darted his head this way and that, making sure I got all his favorites spots.\n\n\"I wish I knew why you were doing this,\" I whispered while scratching under his chin.\n\n\"Now that you've stood up to a god,\"Pebbles said, surprising me, \"maybe you can tell that worthless human to fix the heat. It's freezing in here.\"\n\nWithout another sound, he walked away. The way he managed to both stomp his feet and delicately avoid stepping in my mother's ashes was astounding. Also, if a walking cat could convey disappointment, then Pepples was nearly livid.\n\nA few days later, Pebbeles and I sat on the couch together basking in the warmth of a newly installed heater. The landlord hemmed and hawed, but relented in the end. Flush with victory, I wasted no time in telling Pebbles, who did not deign to respond.\n\nMy phone rang and absently picked it up and answered it, automatically putting it on speaker.\n\n\"Hello\"\n\n\"Good morning, is this Jason Maxwell?\"\n\n\"It is,\" I said.\n\n\"Mr. Maxwell, this Cynthia from Bombast Cable. We have to reschedule your modem installation for January third.\"\n\nJanuary 3rd! This was the second time they wanted to reschedule and I'd already been without internet for two months.\n\n\"We're very sorry about this, and hope you understand. \"\n\nA claw dug into my thigh. I looked down and saw an expression on Pebbles's face that promised dire retribution if I acquiesced.\n\n\"You know what,\" I snarled, \" I don't understand. \"" ]	3
	[WP] congratulations,welcome to the post-apocalypse! Earth has become a well known tourist spot for alien races,with the remains of civilization getting supplies from them in exchange for tours around the mutant infested wasteland!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I sat in the desert wasteland as the \"Visitors\" flew over head in their enormous spaceship. Some of the people down here have taken to calling them the... \"Tourists\". I guess that moniker is accurate, that is what they are here for.\n\n100 years ago, we blew everything to hell. Nuclear bombs vaporized hundreds of millions across the Earth in an instant, and the fallout and nuclear winter wiped out a good chunk of animal life on the planet. But that isn't what made life out here so hard. No, not by a long-shot.\n\nBesides a couple scattered bands of humans and a few livestock animals, only the hardiest extremophiles on the surface survived. And once the rad cloud fell, it changed them. Made rats giant, ravenous beasts who roam the wastes like wolf packs; huge scorpions, mantises, and spiders; and the worst types of mutants are the human ones. God.\n\nSo, for about 80 years that was what life was, attempting to eke out a pathetic survival. Then they came. The aliens. The Tourists. At first, humanity held their breathe, assuming that this invasion would be the final extinction we had been waiting for. But instead of killing us all once and for all, they spoke to us.\n\nThe first of the Tourists went to a small settlement of the time known as Sanctuary, and started talking. Apparently, they were a company who wanted to begin...safaris across the irradiated wasteland. I don't know why they'd be interested in our shitty planet, but they started gifting us some of their tech and supplies, and that was more then enough for us to let them start their tours of the wastes.\n\nI saw a group of aliens fly out of Sanctuary in one of the floating hover cones they used to scour the wasteland. Since they arrived with their miraculous tech, us survivors had been able to rebuild our planet, slowly and steadily. The Sanctuary had blossomed from a xenophobic little crater into a cultural center. The same thing goes for other cities in the waste; Junction, New Fresno, UCR. And me? I'm the tour guide.\n\n\\-\n\nWhen I entered the Hover cone with my Tour group, we began piloting on a designated route. From Sanctuary, across the great mountains to the valley and eventually, the coast. We had a semi eventful day. A couple mutants crawled below us, others flew. But everybody knows flying over the wastes isn't interesting enough. We had to go down and walk it for ourselves. I slung my rifle over my shoulder and we took to the ground." ]	2
	[WP] You're a supervillian who loves the thrill of monologging to a superhero. The incredible suspense of when, or if, the hero will escape is tantalising. Today you went too far.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I am what you would call a failure of a “super villain”. Others wish for world domination, killing heroes etc. I, however, am not so mundane. I am the strongest being on this planet.\n\nOther supervillains don’t understand true satisfaction. True satisfaction is found when something terrible is about to happen but is thwarted at the last second and the day is saved. Most people would call it a cliche, but they’re wrong. There is beauty in the simple, tried and tested stories of heroism and villainy. You see, I call myself a “super villain” but I haven’t actually killed anyone. I understand how the story is supposed to go; the villain does something that could be bad but the hero comes in and fights them. After a bloody fight, the villain comes out on top and is about to execute their plan and starts monologuing, but suddenly through some miracle the hero gets up and saves the day at the last minute. I always stick to these stories. \n\nNaturally, I have many failed robberies, kidnappings and world domination plots under my belt. I stress AGAIN, I’ve never killed anyone before but I think I messed up this time. The number one hero Nova was supposed to come fight me, instead some newbie came to save the day. Newbies always fit perfectly in my story, however, this one was weird. I executed my doomsday plot, fought the hero and had him on the ground. I was about to start monologuing but he didn’t give me the chance to do so. Instead he charged at me and took me completely off guard. I didn’t have enough time to make sure I restrained myself and I accidentally took his head clean off. \n\nEvery time, the hero would destroy my machine after “defeating” me. Thus, I upgraded my machine every time to make it look more amazing when the hero destroyed it. Only problem is, this time there is no hero to destroy it. I didn’t make an off switch and I made it nearly indestructible. The plan was for Nova to absorb the energy the device released upon detonation saving the entire population of the planet and preventing land the size of Texas from being vaporized. So now I’m sitting here in this cave carving this story into the wall as I eat what little food I could scavenge. \n\nMaybe this time I went a bit too far. Oh well." ]	2
	[WP] You are a member of the IMPOSSIBLE MISSION FORCE... and your mission, should you accept it, is to retrieve... a cup of coffee.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "We barely paid attention to them after everything that was going on. The headlines of their destruction faded quickly to cover newer “more dangerous” news.\n\nThen the drought came. \n\nWhat the locusts had left behind, the two years of scorching heat finished off.\n\nCoffee plants are now an endangered species. \n\nThe last of it is now under control of Juan Moreno, one of the “Three Kings” of the countries that once made up Columbia. \n\nHis security team is extensive, highly funded, and trained well. \n\nThere has been only one breech on record. MIF agent Rueben Powell: Disavowed. He never came out. \n\nMy mind gathered and reviewed all I knew as the ear buds I’d been slipped now sat on the table and smoked itself clean of mission briefing. \n\nI’m going to have to assemble a team. \n\n“It can’t be good,” the voice over the phone answered. “Whatever it is, Jimi, I don’t want it.”\n\n“Maria, this is important.” I said. “The Director needs our help.”" ]	2
After three uses you fell unconscious and wake up in a dark black room with only a book infront of you which is highlighted by a bright light. The powers you once had are gone and now you have to pay the price of using it...	[WP]You wake up and an unknown power is flowing through your veins. You suddenly can create things but know that there might be a backlash for using this power but your curiosity gets the better of you and starts to create all those things you ever wished for. Little did you know...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"God damn it! I knew there would be a catch, I just didn't think it would reveal itself so soon! And what over? I just created ~~Elden Ring~~ a PS4 for my nephew's birthday and 2 cars each for me and my brother! Oh well, you reap what you sow, I guess there's nothing to do except to look around.\"\n\nOn the table beside where I have appeared I have noticed a book, In a beige leathery cover. As I pick it up and examine it closer under the invisible light source I can see a stretched out human face.\n\n\"Oh no, it can't be... Please, God, if you do exist, don't let this be a Necronomicon! All the Lovecraftian tales I read don't help this situation in the slightest!\"\n\nAfter a moment of hesitation I decide to open the book, there's nothing else to do after all. I'm totally not getting out of this \"room\", or better yet \"space\" any time soon.\n\n\"Of course it is written in a language I cannot understand! I hope I can at least try to flip the pages around, maybe I'll find some pictures that I would understand.\"\n\nAfter \\~10 minutes of examination the only thing I find is that last pages of the book are merged together and the pages itself contain a deepening just the right size to fit my palm in.\n\n\"Now what? I would place my hand there and curse my lineage for the rest of eternity? Probably, but again I can't do anything else, can I? I already examined this room: there's nothing there except this book and a table, everything is pitch black and the only light I have comes from an invisible source. I don't even have my phone on me to use its flashlight to search for more! Curses! Literally the worst point in my life! Better do something until I go insane here! Or maybe I have already started to do so? Whatever...\"\n\nAs I place my hand in the groove I suddenly feel the strong stinging pain all over my palm, and I see my blood coming out in perfect straight lines out of this deepening, forming different geometrical patterns on other pages and highlighting the strange symbols that fill the entire book!\n\n\"Ahh! That f\\cking hurt! Couldn't you make it less painful? That's even worse than getting a full-sleeve tattoo!\"\n\nAfter the pain stopped I put my hand away from the book, the hand looks totally uninjured, but I feel weak and sickly. The silence in the room started to feel unusually disturbing. A bright flash that lit up the whole room appeared, It was coming from some kind of an opening in the wall. I walk closer and find out that I can see the top of the mall in my city from there, as I try to poke my head out a little bit further I feel dizzy and my vision gets faded, I collapse on the floor. \n\n\"Thank you, Hands of God, I can finally roam in the waking world and you will take my place in this void\" A deep voice that fills the whole room says. \"Finally I have found you, the human with right blood* to fulfill my wish!\"\n\nI try to gather up what's left of my consciousness \"Who the hell are you? Why is this happening?\"\n\nThe voice chuckles \"I'm Abaddon, Angel of the Abyss, I have searched for someone who has the power of God - to create things out of nothing. Through your careless acts of creation I have found you and sucked your soul into this Abyss - my eternal prison which will contain me no more. Farewell Hands of God, may your sleep be undisturbed in this void of absolute null.\"\n\nThe opening closes and everything turns pitch black, the book that I was still holding crumbles to ashes. \n\n\"Is this... The end?\" I say as I finally black out completely...\n\nThank you for reading this short story, It's my first on this sub and. My grammar is not the best, since I'm not native to English. Criticism is always welcome.", "I felt groggy as I rolled over, but somehow my mind was clear. Light filtered through the fabric of a thin red scarf, tossed haphazardly over a lampshade in the corner, sitting on the ground. The curtains were drawn halfway, but no light came through behind them. I felt like I could see it though, the light from the moon streaming in, diffused rays from the lamp. I took a breath. The room breathed with me. The floor rippled, my hands planting in the soft plush of the carpet as I pushed myself up, minute waves radiating from me, from my hands and knees, and as I rose, radiating from all of my body as I displaced the air. I saw it then, only to realize I felt it first. My aura pushed the air outwards like a force field, and yet everything was drawn to me. I felt no pain. I felt excited, like I knew something was coming, like when you open a birthday present, but I wasn’t sure what it could be. \n\nI realized I wasn’t sure where I was. I moved, floated, pulsed through the doorway into the next room, a wider room with a warm feel. The floor was covered in bean bags and pillows, the walls painted in vibrant, wild fractals, and several instruments lay strewn about. Dim lamps sat in each of the far corners, casting an orange glow. I moved to the first pillow and grabbed the guitar. The pillow engulfed me, surrounding me with cloudy warmth and comfort. I strummed the guitar and watched as color radiated from my fingers and sound cast forth in vibrating waves. I played, and brought forth beauty into the world. I shed tears. \n\nIt all made sense. I knew what I was born to do, I had found the song I’d been looking for after so long, finally remembering how long I had felt stuck, lacking motivation and creativity. Power surged through me, and passion, and beauty. I played on, as minutes went by, perhaps hours, and finally lay down the guitar. In the back of my mind, though, something itched. I felt a rising anxiousness. I needed something. \n\nI walked down the hall. Dim light peered through the drawn shades of several windows, light yellow and orange. I entered the living room, a disheveled mess of clothing, luggage, and sleeping bodies. This room felt cold and harsh. I didn’t like it. I moved through the half furnished mess to sit in front of the coffee table, stepping over a man with a hat over his face, clothes partially in tatters. From him I felt emptiness. I moved quickly. I felt anxious. I needed more. \n\nI sighed as I sat. Unlike the pillows of the other room, here I felt itchy and stiff, and sat leaning forward, my mind on edge. A voice called from an opening I couldn’t see at the far end of the room, “ready for more?” He stepped into the room. His dark silhouette with the shaded window behind him. I felt death. I hated him, but needed him. As he approached, I looked down at the table, averting my eyes. I saw several objects. A faded leather belt, partially coiled in a small heap. Aluminum foil, crinkled into obscurity. Ashes, cigarette butts, and an overturned ashtray. And in the center, a small sheet of paper, perforated into quarter inch squares, a teddy bear dancing across the page. Several squares were missing. The man sat down and I stiffened. He placed a dark pile on the table and grabbed my arm. And in that moment I knew, I wouldn’t be able to play that song again. I needed this, more than anything I have ever wanted or needed. I began to feel pain all over, my vision dimming. “Do it” I said. From the pile he pulled his instruments, a spoon, a syringe, a small folded paper, a plastic cord. I wept again, and laid back while he heated the spoon. \n\nI felt so weak now, so powerfully afraid. I hated this feeling of hopelessness, but I knew this was my only option, I could never escape it. My arm went tight, I clenched my fists. He wrapped the cord expertly, brutally, and I squeezed my eyes closed, and I felt a pinch on my arm. Then it was over, and I was back in the pillows in the other room, floating and falling back and seeing, feeling the music of my mind with the warm light of the lamps. And I heard the guitar as I lay there engulfed in the endless comfort of this moment. I let go of everything then, and joy washed over me as my veins surged with bliss." ]	3
	[WP] People go to the afterlife they expected to have after they die. Most people go to the cultural idea of heaven. Ancient Greeks went to Hades' underworld. You are the first true agnostic with no expectations whatsoever. They don't know what to do with you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Well, well sugar.\" says St. Peter.\n\"What we gonna do with you?\" he seems worried which worries me.\n\n\"Uhm, maybe you know?\" I start.\n\n\"Tztz,\" he grabs his phone.\n\"Ringing, ringing...jeez guy never can pick up the first time. Nope.\"\n\n\"Uhm..\" I try again.\n\n\"Tz!\" hisses St. Peter. He tries again.\n\n\"Ah finally! Hey G this is Pete. Yeah, mhm. Yep. Oh you already heard?\" He looks even more worried.\n\"Mhm, ok.\" he continues. \n\nI just stare in disbelief. Heartattck they say. Heartattack with 46. Should have listened to my wife.\n\nPeter is done.\n\"Allright they want you up there.\"he says, as he picks up a piece of cloud and start to play with it. \n\nThere's shouting from behind. Millions of people all lined up, roughing each other.\n\n\"Just gotta wait a bit, allright?\" He pushes me to the side. He tries to make it look gentle but it's just rough. St. Peter is a dick. \n\nFew hours later some guy in an overall brings me a chair. St. Peter takes names and does some chit-chat with the dead.\n\n\"Oh, you're a murderer?\" he exclaims. \"Now that's something new! Everyone listen up! 30 minutes break.\"\nThere's a wave of groaning in the empty air, well not air pure glittering white. \n\n\"You're ugh Mr...\" approaches and elderly woman with big glasses.\n\n\"Mr. Fredericks.\" I say.\n\n\"Yes!\" she says, matter of fact. \n\"Please follow me.\" \n\nI trott after her past the not-so-pearly gates. We jump into a golfcart and she drives me down the fluffy clouds. Finally, some road. It's bad. All holes and gravel. \nThere's people watching, waving.\n\n\"Hey, Nancy!\" shouts a man eerily similar looking to Richard Nixon. Wait. Richard Nixon is in heaven?\n\nI ask Nancy, who lights a smoke.\n\n\"Well of course he is dear, you think we're hippies around here or what?\" she blows out blue smoke.\n\nWe drive on, there's finally grass at the side and houses, mostly bungalows.\n\n\"So no cosy palaces?\" I try to joke.\n\n\"Dear, what do you think? Want a free-hand you can go to God knows where.\" she laughs, mockingly.\n\"Want a palace gotta do some work you know? Some miracles.\"\n\nMiracles pay for palaces. Thanks god I didn't believe in this when I was alive.\n\nWe drive down to a big complex of brute buildings, all concrete and glass. 70's style.\n\nNancy shows the guard at the gate her pass and we drive on directly to the entrance of the biggest tower, it's grey and dirty. In front two women in security uniform smoke.\n\n\"Hey Nancy, this the guy?\" one asks and looks at me laughing.\n\"Unbelievable.\" says the other.\n\nWe go into the lobby which is lined in red satin carpet everywhere. There's an employee of the month portrait behind the cklerk's desk. Says: GOD - 3,888.00.8.9.87.7.88 years.\nGod seems like a douche already.\n\nWe ride up the elevator which seems to last 3 hours, Nancy staring at her nails.\nShe leads me down a bleak corridor, the floor all linoleum, at the end a little desk, the other side 5 chairs.\n\n\"Have a seat.\" she says. \"He's busy.\"\n\nI don't like Nancy.\n\nSome time later the door opens. Outside steps a security guard and a black-haired man who looks as dumbfound as I feel.\n\n\"Nancy! Send Manson up here!\" shouts a hoarse voice from inside.\n\n\"The other guy is already here!\" she shouts. They are perfectly in each others hearing space.\n\n\"Alright, conference ready?\" shouts the man from inside.\n\n\"What?\" shouts Nancy.\n\n\"CONFERENCE READY? THE SET-UP?\" shouts the man.\n\nNancy gets up, finally. They talk something I can't hear.\n\nThey come out. God is bald with a beard and a bit too much weight on his hips. He wears a tie with a big stain on it and looks tired.\nI get up to greet him.\n\n\"Well, come along.\" he says. He doesn't shake my hand.\n\nWe walk down the corridor into a big room, full with monitors and a webcam from around 2004?\n\n\"God sits down at the head of the table and gestures me to sit to his left.\n\n\"Right is already taken.\" he laughs to himself.\n\n\"So ugh...\" I try to start.\n\n\"Yes, straight to business right?\" he says and stretches his arms. \n\"So, you're an agnostic hm?\"\n\n\"I guess so, I mean we...\"\n\n\"And happy? Happy what you did? Causing all this fuzz around like in God-knows-whenever? You see, Mr. ugh...\"\n\n\"Fredericks, To...\" I say.\n\n\"Whatever.\" says God. \"You see we got a bit off a cosmic hazard already and then you pull your little stunt. Longtime employee starts a union strike and I'm in the middle of finding\na suitable replacement, which to be honest, isn't supposed to be that difficult, and then I get a call from Xibalba by all things and they ask me if it's okay to take you. Imagine\nXibalba! Didn't even know there was people there!\" \n\nI just stare. Dumbfound. \n\"Uhm well I didn't.\" I try to be funny.\n\n\"Yes, yes. Unbelievable! And the next thing Mickey calls, still grumpy for that whole Roman-fusion thing, and asks me the same. And Hel, and..and the Egyptians..you know what they're called?\nHonestly didn't get along with them that much never really bothered. Well the guy with the Dog-Head even comes up here - pretty creepy, never got the whole Furry-thing they had going but you know \ndifferent folks, different strokes.\"\n\n\"So,\" I stagger, \"I am dead?\"\n\n\"Well obviously! Probably one of them zombies got you or what do I know?\"\n\n\"I thought you're omniscient.\" I frown.\n\n\"And I thought if a guy like you would show up you would just go poof and be gone!\" he draws invisble smoke with his hands. \n\nHis cellphone rings and he says often \"Oh yes!\" and \"Mhm\" and \"Yes exactly, the guy with the wig!\" and finishes and starts the conference.\n\n\"Hello ladies and gentlemen!\" shouts God way too loud cause they all jump and frown.\n\n\"Was that one of your guys An?\" asks a grumpy looking older man in a blue suit and bowtie.\n\n\"What's wrong with you? We don't even have any believers anymore!\" says a man in a smoking and a dogmask.\n\n\"Now, ugh maybe...\" tries God to intervene.\n\n\"This is definetely your fault with your stunts Boo!\" says a woman with some skin condition.\n\n\"It's not an afterlife! IT'S ENLIGHTENMENT!\" shouts a fat bald man with bare chest.\n\nSoon they all quiver and argue and I am utterly dumbfound and just sit and stare. At least I didn't do anything wrong right? I mean, you can't force anyone to believe something?\n\n\"L. Ron?\" shouts a woman with tasteless heardress. \"Are you on crack Mickey?\"\n\n\"STOP CALLING ME THAT!\" screeches the grumpy old man with the bowtie.\n\n\"Guy is a scam. We all know it.\" says God and keeps playing on his phone. \"God, you ever played CandyCrush, Fredericks?\" he asks me.\n\n\"Ugh, yes it-it's fun.\" I say. \"May I ask you something?\" I take my chance.\n\n\"Sure, go ahead.\" says God not looking at me.\n\n\"What is this about?\"\n\n\"Oh, nobody knows where to put you. That's what you get when you think you're all-right hm?\" he laughs. God laughs at his own joke.\n\n\"Well,\" I stutter. \"And now?\"\n\n\"Mickey wants to put you up with L. Ron.\" says God.\n\n\"Who?\" ask I.\n\n\"L. Ron Hubbard? The guy with the actors?\" asks God, annoyed by my ignorance.\n\n\"Scientology???\" I say shocked.\n\n\"Yep. He's not really a God you know, well not really, but you gotta start somewhere. Remember, I was also once just a lowly deity of some sheperds in the desert and look now!\" he gestures around\nthe third-rate conference room. \"Look what I have become!\" he smiles smuggly.\n\n\"Who's Mickey?\" I ask in disbelief.\n\n\"Mickey? Oh!\" he says. \"OH, you don't know that. Well, Mickey is the guy from the Greeks and Romans.\"\n\n\"Hades?\" I ask.\n\n\"Yes! But you see, the Romans called him Pluto and...\" \n\n\"Like Mickey Mouse's dog!\" I laugh. and I laugh. and I laugh. \n\nThey all shut up and stare at me. \n\n\"What's going on?\" asks the woman with the half-sided skin condition.\n\n\"I'm totally fine guys!\" I laugh. \"Just put me wherever you want.\" Those guys run the universe? \n\n\"Well wasn't like we would ask you about it.\" says the man with the dog-mask. \n\n\"Alright,\" says God. \"I'm gonna give him a call.\" They all turn off their monitors without saying goodbye.\n\n\"Hope for you he's in a good mood.\"\n\n\"Why?\" I still laugh in maniac laughter, the cosmos was a horrible joke.\n\n\"Well, guy has only two believers, so he has been pretty alone since he died. Is a bit out there by now you know?\" says God and puts a finger to the head.\n\n\"And,\" he continues. \"Travolta and Cruise aren't going to die soon I'm afraid.\"\n\nI stop laughing. We go outside and he gives me a pat on the back and tells Nancy to put L. Ron Hubbard on the line. \n\nThen he goes into his office.\nBefore he closes the door I hear God's hoarse voice one last time.\n\n\"Ah, Charlie! Good you're here! We got a vacant position in Hell. Interested?\"\n\nThen he closes the door, way too hard.\n\nWhat a jerk.", "\"Everyone believes in something. I even thought I did deep down, I just didn't know what. Turns out, I didn't. And now it seems to be a problem.\n\nI was driving down the highway when it happened. A drunk driver swerved onto my side of the road, and that was the last thing my body saw. It was a head on collision - my life was over in an instant. I watched the EMTs pull what was left of my body and my wife's body out of the mangled car. The weird thing was that I wasn't upset at all. I expected to be upset when I died but I felt nothing. Similar to how I feel now.\n\nI looked over at my beautiful wife after I realized I was dead, and saw her dead body along with what I could only assume was her soul, slightly hazy around her body. She seemed to notice mine too, but she was distracted quickly by something to her right. She couldn't stop looking, and her face grew more and more incredulous. I looked but saw nothing. She jerked her gaze back towards me, and motioned. She communicated with me, but not using words. The feeling she shared was of true, pure happiness. Her essence started to move towards whatever was giving her such pleasure. Then, she disappeared.\"\n\nBefore Dan finished telling Peter the story, he was flipping through a book. \"Right there! I found your wife. It would appear you aren't the only one in your relationship who gave us a little trouble. She mostly believed the same as you, son. She didn't know. But she hoped, which is the difference between you two. Right before you both died, your wife looked to you. Do you remember?\"\n\n\"Yes, I do\" he replied\n\n\"It says here,\" Peter motioned to the book. \"that she wasn't sure, but all she knew was that she hoped she wouldn't be torn from you. When she saw your spirit, she felt ecstasy, and the truth is, she still thinks she's with you.\"\n\n\"Wait, what? How?\" Dan replied.\n\n\"The universe rewards people with what they expect. Truly good people expect good things to happen when they die. Bad people expect to burned and tortured. But that does leave some out - people who believe nothing. The thing is, everyone... everyone has some slimmer of hope, or expectation of what is supposed to happen; except you. So your wife is with a perfect replica of you, but your soul is here, with me.\" Peter didn't mention that the replica could vary in small, very unpredictable ways. He didn't want Dan to worry his wife may notice. Peter quieted his voice and continued, \"The system certainly has it's flaws. But the administrative burden of determining what's 'good' or 'bad' is far too cumbersome for any type of entity; with godlike powers or not. But I digress. Right now, we need to figure out what to do with you - the only person I've ever seen to truly not expect, or fear anything in the afterlife.\"\n\nJust then, as Peter finished his sentence Dan felt a little uneasy. \"Why can't you just replace the replica with me?\"\n\n\"It's not that simple. It's not your soul, but the entity embodying your wife's reality still exists with emotions - all the same emotions you had prior to the accident. What do you suggest we do with him?\"\n\n\"Why not create another reality? Put him in there, with a copy of my wife. They can live happily, unknowing of what's happened, but my wife and I can live out eternity, together. Happily, just like she imagined.\"\n\nPeter thought for a moment. \"Hm. I don't see a problem with that.\"\n\nIn what seemed like an instant later, Dan saw his wife. She looked surprised. \"What just happened to you?\" \n\n\"What do you mean?\" Dan replied\n\n\"You just disappeared and reappeared, on the other side of the room. What's happening?\"\n\nDan explained everything, and noticed his wife started to cry. \"I can't believe I almost lived eternity with someone who wasn't really you\" She hugged him tight, and didn't let go for a long time. Dan hugged her back, and felt at ease. He noticed briefly that she had a new small scar on the top right of her ear. 'Huh, that's strange', he thought as he squeezed her even tighter.", "“Oh fck, what in the world are we supposed to do with you?”\n\nI don’t know anymore!* the other one replies. They’ve been freaking out for about half an hour now, and my feet are getting tired of just standing here. \n\n“Should we let him choose?” \nNo! He wouldn’t fit in anywhere\n“I have a suggestion” I say. \nGo on\n“Why don’t you just choose one at random? I’m sick of waiting. That would be fair, right?” \n“Maybe” the one in the blue robe replies. \n“But,” he continues “we can choose anything for you, because you truly don’t have any expectations”\nThat reminds me, the one with the hood comments where did I leave my notes?\nHe dissolves in a puff of purplish smoke. \n\n“Now that we’re alone, how is it to be mortal, to be human? I’ve always wanted to know” the one in blue asks me. \n“I dunno” I reply “I’d call it pretty awful, but I don’t really have anything to compare it with.”\nHe looks intrigued. \n\nThen the one with the hood returns. \nHere I have it, I’ve always wanted to try this on someone, but everyone refused in favor of their heaven, so I never got the chance.\nThe blue robed guy and I both look at him in confusion. \nHow about this, the hooded guy continues. you get to relive your own life with all your current memories, and after your second try at life you tell us how it went, I’ve always been curious about that. \n\n“YOU’RE KIDDING ME!” The robed guy yells out. \n“I have the exact same thing, I never knew that you wanted to know that as well.” Ayyyy! What a hilarious turn of fate. the hooded guy replies with a voice that awfully reminds me of someone, but I can’t figure out who. “Are you okay with that?” The robed guy asks me. “Sure” I reply. \n\nAnd so I get send off, back to earth. To relive my life. It goes pretty well, I had to promise to not tell anyone about major events or abuse my foreseeing abilities, but besides that I had a great time, mainly due to not being in massive debt for 45+ years because I took a loan 2 years before the economy crashed in 2020 thanks to the pandemic. \n\nThen, after a peaceful deathbed at age 89 I return to them and tell my story. They listen with great interest, and laugh with me as I tell them about the chaotic day that was my 23rd birthday. \nThey mourn with me as I tell them about the death of my grandma. \n\nNow that you have enlightened us about being human, it is time for you to make your final decision on how to spend your afterlife. But first we shall enlighten you about something, as thanks for sharing your story.\nHe lifts his hood, revealing a familiar face. \nI am very confused for a second, then it dawns on me where I recognize that face from: it’s my own face. I show a face of utter disbelief, and he simply replies Yes...\n\n\n>!thanks for reading, this is my 3rd story on this subreddit. Feedback and constructive criticism is always appreciated. Let me know if you want a part 2 and then I’ll think about it, I’d love to continue this story, but I won’t do so if I know that nobody will enjoy it.!<", "“I don’t know.”\n\nA big man with a white beard stood there. He looked at me.\n\nHe asked again, “What do you think that the afterlife should be? Were you expecting heaven made of clouds with exalting choruses of angels? Forested Valhalla filled with warriors and stags? An afterworld of youth and rejoicing across the bridge of the Separator? A garden replete with bashful virgins?”\n\nI shrugged. “Repeat with what?”\n\n“Replete with bashful virgins. Where you can drink a pure draught from Allah and repose on cushions made of the finest down.”\n\nI shrugged again. “I don’t know.”\n\nThe big man talked more, “Perchance, you are one who believes that ultimate reality transcends mortal experiences. You wish to dwell on a higher plain of existence.”\n\n“Umm.” I said. My eyes felt like they do before I start to cry.\n\n“Oh.” He stopped. “You expected an afterlife of immortal terror, surrounded by flames and eternally tortured.” He looked at me, “You expected Hades, an underworld of unending punishment and servitude.”\n\n“I don’t know,” I said again.\n\nThe man looked at me. He talked. He said many things. When he would stop, I said “I don’t know.” Then he talked more.\n\nAfter a long long time, I saw a lady. She walked to me. She touched my hand. She smiled at me. She looked at the man.\n\n“I think that he belongs with me,” she said. Then she looked at me.\n\n“I will bring you to be with others like you,” she said.\n\n“Like in the group home?” I said.\n\n“Yes, just like that. But if you want a second serving of pudding, you can have seconds.”\n\n“That’s against the rules,” I said.\n\n“It isn’t against the rules here,” She smiled.\n\nI took her hand and we walked together.", "\"Look. I'm a programmer. Just put me in programmer heaven or something.\" Saint Peter and the rest of the council looked at each other with annoyed looks. \n\n\"You guys have been deliberating for hours! Why can't you just put me somewhere?\" \n\n\"Because, Megan, you were a true agnostic in life and did not believe in the after life, there isn't a true place to put you, which is why we're assembled here.\" It was Charon who spoke. \"and there is no programmer heaven. That doesn't exist.\" \n\nAnubis stared into Megan's eyes, trying to find weakness in her mind. All he saw were lines of code. \"These are strange symbols in your mind. Though you seem to understand what they are. As I see your memories you have a very logical and decision oriented mind. I address the council. Why doesn't Megan here simply pick? We are currently outside time, and shall return to our posts at the gates of our respective afterlives the instant we left. I propose we hold a little competition for our friend here.\" \n\nThe flying spaghetti monster and Saint Peter immediately raise in favor. The others are a bit reluctant. Yama, though, raises one of his many hands to question this. \"What sort of activity will you have us do, Anubis? You say contest but you do not speak of what it will be.\" \n\nAnubis was quick to respond. \"Why a game as old as hands. A gripping trial of handly cunning called rock paper scissors.\" Murmurs of approval filter about the rotunda. Megan smiled. She understood that reference. \n\nThey were to have a rock paper scissors tournament. The rules were simple. Each deity/holy figure was to play rock paper scissors. Those who lost had to make a train behind the person who bested them and you must shout the name of the being at the front. Megan sat where Saint Peter sits as this went on. Ultimately, it was Saint Peter who won. For Megan, she was rolling in laughter the whole time. Anubis came in second place, but even though he lost he was beaming with happiness. Likely due to this whole contest the first real fun he's had in thousands of years. \n\nAfter it was all said and done, and Saint Peter having won fair and square, Megan gladly accepted Saint Peter's heaven as her final destination. When Saint Peter returned to the council, after having successfully dropped her off, he got a mischievous grin. \"Well, gents? Up for another round?\"", "It's widely understood amongst authors and playwrights that gods are easier to write than humans. Both merely do what it is in their nature to do, but humans were created by the gods as an outraged reaction to that very fact. Now, the gods were never able to actually forge this vaunted, mythical \"free will\" we spend so much time debating and fellating, but you must give credit where it's due: it was very clever indeed to make the nature of humanity so diffuse, chaotic, unstable, and barely-coherent that it served as the next best thing. Then again, one might suggest that the rare of example of all the gods working together was simply another, higher facet of nature.\n\nIt's enough to drive one crazy, really, and I'm the one who ought to know.\n\n\"Jesus Christ he's monologuing to himself again isn't he,\" Hades muttered.\n\nThe godling currently known as Jesus Christ took the epithet in stride. Some would say it was in his nature to turn the other cheek. Others would snidely imply that he was a smug little daddy's-boy parasite who was perfectly happy with the trade. Zeus, as a contrary example, would no doubt complain endlessly about a cacophony of \"for Zeus's fucking sake\"s rising up like ozone-tinged steam from the newly-electrified Earth, but he'd certainly be happy with the implication. The grand popularity contest is, poetically, extremely popular.\n\n\"I'm sure he's just dying to say it,\" said Shiva - as always, a hungry tiger's purr from an Aphrodite made of acid.\n\nSpurred on by the two perennial instigators, the other gods, once again and ever so predictably, turned their attention and ire towards me.\n\nCurled into a corner; weak and unassuming; hot tea and a dusty book; unkempt hair covering the bespectacled eyes; a wondrous new gadget sitting idyly beside me, a testament to my confounding discipline. We do always look our parts.\n\nWith a pause and a sigh, I fulfilled my nature. Regrettably, it was not to simply say 'I told you so.'\n\n\"Just talk to him, and give him whatever he wants,\" I said instead, and I readily admit it sounded smarmy and exhausted and aloof. I'd been telling them so for thousands of years, and now, when I was literally the only one working the problem in front of us, now was when they were maddest of all.\n\nFor all the extra mess, we really did make humanity in our collective image.\n\nHades scoffed. Shiva laughed. The other gods grumbled and muttered and moaned. Left unspoken was the litany of unanswered questions, the black hole of Socrates, the wellspring of my unpopularity. Why not? What purpose does any of this serve?\n\n\"Just send him to an endless void already,\" Anubis pressed. \"He expected nothing.\"\n\n\"Word games from a pictographer?\" retorted the great punisher - Satan, if you like, though he's particularly fond of his multiplicity of names. \"What does that even look like? Gluing an extra dick onto Paper Mario?\"\n\nHE IS NOT MINE projected Void, dismissing the suggestion definitively and giving us all the creeps. Satan and Void were correct, of course. \"Expecting nothingness\" and \"not expecting anything\" were not the same. When the great lawyer and the great absence agreed on something, well...\n\nBouts of uncomfortable silence alternated with aimless recrimination for quite some time after that - and, remember, we're gods, so 'quite some time' is really saying something. The grand, pointless game of giving mortals exactly what they expected after they died had reached an impasse at last. Finally - inevitably, you might say - we'd gotten a man who hadn't formed a single expectation at all. Not a smidgen. Not a hint. Not even the tiniest suspicion of mercy or punishment.\n\n\"He's a freak,\" White Jeezus declared. \"Put him with the other freaks.\"\n\nJesus Christ dutifully shook his head in vicarious shame, and Hades scoffed yet again.\n\n\"What does that even mean, with these assholes?\" he spat. \"Obviously he's not the same as the miniature train model guys. Hell, we don't even put all of them in the same place!\"\n\nSatan rolled his eyes, and muttered something about wanting to get out of the model-train-related punishment game, if only he could. A rumble of general agreement followed, vis-a-vis the model train guys. It wasn't the first, and wouldn't be the last.\n\nWhite Jeezus wasn't quite finished, though. I felt his eyes through my curly bangs. The dread lasted but a moment; I hid my smile as best I could.\n\n\"No, what I mean is... just give the guy to him.\"\n\nA blind man could've seen the finger pointing at me.\n\nThe murmur that went through the crowd then was a rich bouquet indeed: shock at the irregularity, of course, and even greater surprise that White Jeezus might've made a relevant and valuable contribution to anything at all. Then came the base satisfaction of sticking it to the whipping boy, and then, suspicion that somehow the whipping boy would turn the whole situation to his advantage.\n\nIn the end, structure trumped substance. The game demanded the freak go somewhere, but each god only truly cared whether he did or didn't belong to them. The alternative to shunting him somewhere was to question the game itself, on one level or another, and that simply would not do. That's what the whipping boy had been doing all this time, and nobody was going to stick up for him.\n\nInstead, they were willing to give him a charge - just the one, just for now. Not too much power in the grand popularity contest. Not a precedent, either. Not at all. Couldn't be. Unless...? No. Perish the thought, no matter how rational it might be.\n\n* * * \n\nIn my small, humble corner of the grand fractal multiverse, insulated and isolated by mutual agreement from the celestial public square, I welcomed Mr. Chinh Ngyuen to his more-or-less-eternal hereafter.\n\n\"Mr. Nguyen,\" I began, \"even though you have no awareness of it, I nevertheless apologize for the delay. Your time on Earth as a mortal, physical being has ended. What remains of you has been assigned to me, and my realm. While I know I run the risk of disappointing you, I am compelled to ask regardless: is there anything in particular that you would like, now that you are, colloquially speaking, dead?\"\n\nFree from his myriad biological shackles, Mr. Nguyen did not experience the usual pains of surprise. Instead, he paused for a moment in ethereal contemplation, and offered me a simple answer.\n\n\"I suppose I just... want to know,\" he said, and I gave him a sad, sympathetic smile in return.\n\n\"But that's impossible,\" I replied, \"even for a god.\"\n\n\"Oh,\" he said, clearly and justifiably disappointed. \"Then maybe... eternal happiness?\"\n\nI shook my head. \"I'm afraid I don't really have the 'juice' for that, as they say back on Earth,\" I replied, \"unless of course your standards are profoundly low.\n\n\"You see, you're my very first charge,\" I explained, \"and there are rules, and the rules are, to put it bluntly, a bunch of stupid bullshit. Nevertheless, I see no reason at all not to make every effort to make your stay with me as pleasant as I possibly can.\"\n\nI conjured a door and opened it. My vast library lie waiting beyond.\n\n\"It isn't knowing,* Mr. Nguyen, but I'd say it's a decent start. And while we're at it, why don't I fix you... well... the celestial equivalent of a nice hot cup of tea?\"\n\nMr. Nguyen looked through the door, and back at me. Something in his celestial-equivalent-of-eyes gave me hope. It was an odd sensation. I liked it.\n\n\"I dunno, uh... you got... the celestial equivalent of whiskey?\" he asked.\n\nI smiled.\n\n\"I think I can manage that just fine,\" I answered, and I contentedly waited for the next question. Mr. Nyguen did eventually oblige.\n\n\"So, who are you, if you don't mind me asking?\" he asked.\n\n\"I'm Rationality,\" I said. \"But names are only so important.\"", "Mike Flynn was a simple man, he loved to spend hours fishing and spending time in the outdoors carving wooden statues with the occasional drive in movie with his mom and dad.\n\nMike married after his senior semester at the University of Pennsylvania to what he thought was the love of his life Melinda, birthing two beautiful daughters named Cassie and Reese.\n\nThey eventually moved into a small town in Pennsylvania named Forest City where Mike could pick up a carpenter job and live the rest of his days in simplicity.\n\nUnfortunately, a few years into the marriage Melinda became bitter with her husbands simple life and his infatuation with the great outdoors. But Instead of having a civil discussion about how they can both find a common ground and compromise on what they both wanted in life, she took the kids to New York City \n\nFor months Mike looked up and down all of the streets of the Big Apple, as well as spending hours at a time on a local library computer trying to find his daughters, but due to his former wife covering her tracks, he would never find them to \n\nEver since then, Mike Flynn bought a crappy apartment and has been spending all of his time in a bar on Staten Island called Tommy's Tavern ...It didn't have much in the way of good beer or friendly company but it was enough to keep the creeping depression and loneliness away\n\nMike's former habits of going outside and fishing or carving wood disappeared and was replaced by shambling around drunk and consuming Ben and Jerry's. The man he once was turned into a man with a beer belly, a constant smell of alcohol and a breath that smelled like sadness and pickled eggs.\n\nEveryday that he woke up he always felt the same way; empty and torn as he stumbled around from his crappy odd jobs to his ever worst private life\n\nEveryday except today that is....\n\nMike Flynn woke just as he normally did except that he knew something was different, he felt more weightless then he had in years...to which he looked down and saw his own body lying on the floor.\n\nHe immediately realized that all of his drinking and terrible food habits along with his misery from his life finally got to his body and sent him away...\n\nBut to where he thought? Mike was never a god fearing or praising man, He never really put any thoughts as to what would happen after he left the mortal coil, and even in his worst state of life he just thought about his missed children.\n\nMike thought about what he should do with this freedom of belief, and then he decided to just let the universe send him wherever they would send him\n\nAnd that's when he woke up....In a comfy office chair, sitting in front of a being made of pure light...one he could only describe as...well God!\n\n\"So......Do you want a coffee or something?\"\n\n\"God?\"\n\n\"You could say that...\"\n\n\"I Guess ill take that coffee now..........Where am I?\"\n\nMike looked around and saw that the room around him was covered wall to wall with bookshelves as well as fireflies adorning the room, with mahogany covering each and every surface.\n\n\"This is my office so to speak, I brought you here because your application for your next step is a bit...confusing to say the least\"\n\n\"Wait...my next step?\"\n\n\"Yes...where you will go after you...pass on, it appears you haven't put any belief qualifications into any particular afterlife agencies like the Heaven Send Agency, The Lucifer Organization, PolyUnited, ValhallaVale, The Rebirth Foundation....you get the gist\"\n\n\"Well...I didn't exactly have any ideas about which of those...agencies I would join\"\n\n\"Thats fine and all, you are just a very unique applicant and I want to make sure you get what you deserve, lets see....you have certainly been a very good man and you have also been very kind to others which nets you a lot of Blessing Miles...\"\n\n\"Look I've gone through a lot in the past few years of my former life and I don't want to go over whatever Sins or Blessings I may have earned...All I want is to be with my daughters!\"\n\n\".....\"\n\n\"Im Sorry, I've just been through a lot\"\n\n\"No...No I understand what you've been through and I know your most recent life was hard...But I believe I can give you what you want...\"\n\n\"Do you mean my Daughters? because I just want my daughters, I don't care about anything else....can you give me them?\" \n\n\"Yes....you can wait for them here until they arrive\"\n\n\"You mean...when they die?\"\n\n\"Yes, I do believe you want them to live out the rest of their lives correct?\n\nMike paused, thinking about how much time passed since he had seen his daughters, and knew that as long as he was able to see them again he could wait for as long as it took.\n\n\".....That is true\"\n\n\"Well while your waiting I know a Great Lake that's close by and I need to brush up on my fishing skills, are you interested in coming with me?\"\n\nTears welled up in Mikes eyes as he remembered all the fond memories that he had fishing with his family and with his daughters, and if he had to wait to see his daughters again...he might as well get better acquainted with God.\n\n\"Yeah\" Mike says as he wipes his tears away \"Lets go, I can't wait to tell my daughters how I managed to catch more fish then God did!\"\n\n\"Is that a challenge?\"\n\n\"....Maybe....\"\n\n\"Oh it's on little mortal\"\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nFin\n\n(This is my first time writing on this subreddit, If you actually liked my work that would be amazing!)", "\"So, what are we gonna do with him?\"\n\n\"Why don't we just send him to the default? There's no problem with that.\"\n\n\"You idiot! Of course there is! If The High Divine finds out we swept this problem under the clouds, he'll raise hell.\"\n\n\"Hell is not an option either, unfortunately...\"\n\n\"Shhh. Stop talking so loud! He'll hear us.\"\n\nBut I can hear you...\n\nHow long have I been here? I have no idea, really. Time passes unnoticed in this otherworldly realm, and this entire time—this entire time!—I've been watching these old guys dressed in white robes talk about useless esoterics. I haven't been this bored since my freshman introductory semantics class.\n\n\"Excuse me...\" I ask politely.\n\n\"Oi, be quiet. We're having a serious discussion. Don't kill our heavenly flow.\"\n\nAnd they won't listen to me either!\n\nHow long will I have to put up with this? I've been sitting on this damn uncomfortable, cheap wooden chair this entire time too. All the blood flow is getting cut from my legs, it's scary.\n\n\"Hey, boy,\" (whom I assume to be) the senior elder (though the title is confusing as it is) says.\n\n“Don’t call me ‘boy’. My name’s Kazuma.”\n\n“Oh, ah. Okay, my bad. Anyway, Kenji…”\n\nHe’s not listening…\n\n“So, Kiran...” Ahhh… It’s not even Japanese. If you’re going to mess up my name a third time AND change its origin, you could’ve at least called me something cool like ‘Keanu’.\n\n“Ah, I got the name wrong. I mean Keanu…” Thank you very much.\n\n“Keanu,\" he continues, \"Can I ask you about your parents?”\n\n“You mean the ones that died in the Wild Wild Wildfires of ‘94?”\n\n“Yes, but that detail’s not important. What I want to ask is, what denominations were they? Did they, you know, follow any specific religions, believe in anything...?”\n\n“My father was a Protestant,” I say.\n\n“Good! Then how about-”\n\n“But my mother was an atheist.”\n\n“Screw you.”\n\n“Not only an atheist, but a hardcore one. My siblings are Buddhist and Hindu. My aunt’s a Jainist, my uncle’s Zoroastrian-”\n\n“Ooh, Zoroastrian, that’s rare,” one of the elders comment.\n\n“I know right! I’m very proud of the religious diversity in our family.”\n\n“Hey, Keanu,” another elder asks. “You said one of your siblings is Buddhist? By chance, do you think he could introduce me to the Dalai Lama?”\n\n“Sorry, my man,” I say. “He’s Zen Buddhist.”\n\n“Rats. Thanks anyway.”\n\nSo I had a fun time chatting with the other elders for some time before the senior elder put a stop to our heavenly vibes.\n\nAfter some conspiring with his collaborators, the senior elder finally declares an ultimatum.\n\n“Keanu! You have but two choices!”\n\n“Make it three!”\n\n“Okay, three choices! Wait, no, shut up, don’t interrupt! Two choices—you have two choices!”\n\nI gulp. This is getting kinda freaky. I’m getting nervous.\n\n“Choice number one is to go to a combined dreamland mixing aspects of the afterlife from all walks of faith in your extended family. Something like getting reincarnated into a Heaven-Hell combination platter with-”\n\n“No thank you,” I flatly decline. “I didn’t say this, but do you know my baby brother?”\n\n“No, why would I know every little detail about every lowly person?”\n\nI look at the senior elder, very offended. “Anyway, my cute, awesome, baby brother… Yeah he’s a satanist. A hard, hard satanist.”\n\n“What?! How does that even work? Also, what about your parents? Aren’t they dead?”\n\n“That detail’s not important. Anyway, with him in the mix, my future’s very bleak.”\n\nThe senior elder shoots me a hellish look that implies that he's not angry but disappointed. All the other elders look at each other and me with concern. The senior elder looks back at his juniors who were all forming “X’s” with their arms. No bueno, they were communicating.\n\n“Alright, alright!” The senior elder roars, clearly fed up. “Option two… This is the popular option, but instead of going into some vague afterlife, how about joining us here?”\n\n“What… do you mean?” I ask.\n\n“What I’m saying is! Most of the guys here have taken a liking to you. Never has there been someone so ‘well-rounded’. Plus they like your sick kicks.”\n\nHeh… It’s true though. My kicks are sick…\n\n“They want you to stay here,” the senior elder continues. “Personally, I’m against it, but here in The Judgement Zone we rule by majority vote. I long for the old days of rank by seniority…”\n\nThe senior elder started rambling about fourth-dimensional politics, which I ignore. The junior elders welcome me with arms wide open. We celebrate for a bit with the best fruitcake known to angels, coveted by demons.", "“Hmmmmmmm,” the Third Overseer grumbled as his celestial body towered over the man standing in front of him.\n\n“There’s no way he’s right in the middle, there’s never been a human who didn’t fit anywhere. Don’t we have endless hells that he would fit in? Not even one of those purgatories we have laying around?” The First Overseer was obviously quite flustered as he faced the Second.\n\n“It is what it is, and it’s our job to figure out what to do with him. Remember it wasn’t too long ago that life sprung up in their universe and we had to make changes for that. We can change again.” The First’s voice mirrored the grumble of the Third’s as they exchanged looks again.\n\nThe frantic Second chimed in again, “He has to lean one way or the other, no human can truly believe that the final answer to all of existence is just I dunno.” It’s been aeons since sarcasm has been used between the overseers. “He’s right here looking at us and doesn’t even think we’re gods! Let’s just toss him into some sort of weird hell for being a rulebreaker”\n\n…\n\n“You know I can hear you guys, right?” The man’s voice didn’t draw a sliver of attention from the overseers as they continued to discuss. “I mean you seem pretty powerful but like this place doesn’t really, I don’t know … it doesn’t do it for me?” His vocalized thoughts once again fell on deaf ears.\n\n…\n\n“We don’t have any rules for this, how are we going to decide what’s right then? We’ve got to send him somewhere.” The sarcasm had been replaced with a grumbly voice that once again echoed the other overseers' tones.\n\nThe First spoke up again after giving the third a glance, “Patience. We could always leave him here for eternity.” \n\nThe Second’s celestial body started to churn at the idea. He didn’t need to voice his opinion.\n\nAfter what seemed hours more of deliberation between the First and the Second overseer, the Third finally quit muttering to himself. He reached down with his great stardust arms, picked up the man, and tossed him into a newly opened portal. After staring at him for a few moments, the other two asked in near unison, “Where did you send him?”\n\nThe Third resumed his posture before the lights in his body began to deftly dance and sparkle joyfully. “I made a new world for him. The core of his existence is based around never finding an answer. So I gave him a world with the most lavish mystery to solve. The only thing is, he’ll just keep digging deeper forever, because the mystery has no end. It’ll take him on grand adventures, and every time that he thinks the adventure is coming to an end, it’ll just keep going.”", "\"Everyone always has an idea!\" Objected Metatron. He stood- or really, kind of hovered- just a few feet from me. He- it?- appeared as a series of golden cogs, all turning on each other in an infinite but unproductive momentum.\n\n\"The Recorder speaks truly.\" Thustra said neutrally. \"This human has not had so much as a single thought on heaven, nor hell, his entire life.\"\n\n\"Mayhaps he died too young?\" Asked a bearded, scholarly-looking type from the other side of the Council room.\n\n\"Thirty seven.\" Stated Lucifer. \"Plenty of time for all the pervasive myths to take hold...though, too young by human standards.\"\n\nFor being literally the devil, it felt as though Lucifer was being...sympathetic toward me?\n\n\"Look- I don't really care that much. Put me in Elysium, or Val...uh, Val-something. The Viking heaven. Whatever that one is called.\"\n\nMetatron grunted. \"Doesn't work that way.\"\n\nA many-armed Hindi deity nodded sagaciously. \"Belief begets the existence, we cannot place you where you do not belong.\"\n\n\"We must do something!\" Metatron shouted, his voice sounding like metal scraping against metal.\n\nSide conversations broke out- deity argued against deity. All except for Lucifer, who hadn't yet taken his eyes off of me.\n\n\"What were you, in your last life?\" He asked.\n\n\"I was a mortician, uh, sir. Sorry, I have no idea how to address a cosmic entity.\"\n\n\"So much time spent around death, yet you have no thoughts on the matter?\" He asked.\n\nI broke eye contact. \"When I was very young, my mother had a heart attack, and she left my world. The nurse at the hospital told me that no one knows for sure- but that, at least, she was no longer in pain. That is my only expectation, that there be no pain.\"\n\nLucifer mulled this over, while the noise from the others grew. Finally, he spoke. \"Do you all remember when we struck magic from the world?\" He asked.\n\nEveryone paused to listen. \"Not this again!\" Metatron objected.\n\n\"It's important!\" Insisted Lucifer. \"We took magic away from the people of the world for the sake of peace- the Crono Magus war, the slaughter at Eventide, the harvest at Maya- we wanted to end the strife....but look at the world today!\" Lucifer placed a portal on the roof, showing the world. \"We have murder, riots, slavery, slaughter- everything we hoped to fix six thousand years ago is still present today! Hell, it's worse!\"\n\n\"What,\" asked the scholar \"Are you proposing?\"\n\n\"This man here cannot go to heaven or hell- any of them. Nor can we just foist him back on the earth as a mortal, he would remember this event, and our system for eternity would shatter. I propose,\" Lucifer said, with a growing smile, \"that we return magic to this man...and have him serve as a real Grim Reaper.\"\n\nOh God.\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, if you guys liked that I'll do a Pt. II!" ]	11
	[WP] Nimzi wasn't born with magic, and was never formally trained in any of the Ways. No one - not even her - would ever have guessed she could go toe-to-toe with a Cardinal Magus.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "As a rule, Wizards don’t knock. The Dark Magus destroyed the steel bound oak door with a look. He entered the tower clothed in an oily blackness, and his every step polluted the land. When he spoke it sounded like a thousand snakes in a chorus.\n\n“I have come for you old man! You’ll die at my hands a hundred times. Every death will be unique. Every death will be a horror beyond imagining. Your immortal soul will be the dark canvas upon which I create my greatest work.”\n\nIt was then that the Dark Magus noticed the note floating down from the door that used to exist. It read, simply, “Wizard out to lunch. Back in a bit.”\n\n“Damn it.” The Dark Magus said, in a voice that sounded more like a middle aged dentist who could not find his favorite drill. “No sense of the moment.”\n\nThe Dark Magus, whose name was Bertrand, looked around.\n\n“Nothing to do but wait.” he said.\n\nHe walked up the stairs at the center of the tower, shrugging off traps, hexes, and runes as if they were not there. When he smelled pie he turned and opened the door. There were two fruit pies cooling in the kitchen. Being evil, he immediately grabbed one and sat at the table.\n\n“I swear on what is left of my soul that if these are peach the old man will suffer.”\n\nA quick slice confirmed that they were, in fact, berry. A quick bite confirmed that they were , in fact, delicious.\n\nAs Bertrand, Lord High Master of the Dark arts enjoyed his pie he heard a pathetic mewling. He spotted a skinny tabby that had mosied under his seat. Bertrand stared at it. The beginnings of a plan formed. He was evil, and he would do evil things.\n\nHe sized up the pie plate. A cat, properly prepared, would just fit. He cackled evilly, with the air of one who really practiced his cackle. He walked over to the scullery and washed the pie tin. The cat purred and rubbed itself across his feet. He grabbed a handful of carrots, onions and peas from the pantry. The cat watched with interest as he peeled, diced, and prepped.\n\nThe cat watched sat on the counter and watched him heat up a pot with the vegetables, sauteing them until they were soft. It purred happily as the room filled with the smells.\n\nThe cat followed him curiously as Bertrand, slayer of the Demon Xxoxxhv also known as The Unpronounceable, grabbed a skinning knife. It purred as Bertrand put his hand under its chin, his other hand raised to strike.\n\n\nIt was at this moment that Nimzi completed Ashnod’s inadvertent acceleration, and subsequently the Dark Wizard Bertrand hit the wall at a speed normally associated with rockets and bad news. To say he did not survive would be giving up an opportunity to describe the carnage in graphic detail. But he did not survive.\n\nNimzi licked her paw, acutely aware of the work in front of her. It would take her all day to clean herself now. The old wizard would be home soon, and doubtless confused about the state of his kitchen and the fate of his beloved pies. It would probably be best to be both clean and innocent looking before that happened.\n\nWhich was a shame, because she had very much wanted to read today. But it couldn't be helped. Some things were more important than her studies." ]	2
	[WP] The Seven Deadly Sins as children wake up on Christmas morning to receive their individual gifts.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It seems even Hell sometimes freezes over. The temperature doesn’t always stay at couple hundred degrees, and it just so happens Christmas is being celebrated on Earth. Satan being nice to his naughty little sins wakes them up in an illusion to hide each of their, quite horrid, natural appearances. “No matter how hard I try, gluttony always seems a bit chunky in these illusions. No matter, lets get these reactions on camera!”\nBellowing in the semi-terrifying way, Satan screams, “WAKE UP, IT IS CHRISTMAS!” “I’m already up Satan, only I, Pride, would already be up!” he says triumphantly. “I’ll sleep for a while longer,” Sloth murmurs. The Sins get out of their beds and follow Satan to the Christmas Tree, where there are 7 presents wrapped in seemingly hot red and boiling orange. “I have a gift for each of you, since you all work earnestly to bring me and all those poor demons more company every year. Our demons get really bored without new reactions out of the tortured, after all.” “Start with me Satan!” Pride yells out. “Nuh uh, Envy’s getting too jealous. Besides, we’ll save best for last.” “Haha suck it Pride! I’m sure none of you will get satisfying presents anyway.” Envy was always a bit salty, after all. Handing Envy the present, he claws it open rabidly to find a mirror. “I made you a mirror to find whatever the holder wants that belongs to another. I thought it would suit you.” Envy pouted because it wasn’t flashy, but she really, really liked it. “Can i go back to sleep now?” Sloth was always tired, there was no way around it. “Since you and gluttony always have your urges, you guys can open your presents at the same time!” Handing forth their presents, Gluttony opened his to find a nice set of cupcake pans and cookie cutters. “Ooooooh! You know me so well Satan! I just love sweets.” Sloth opened his to find a brand new set of sheets and a fluffy people. Although since he was Sloth, he could never quite muster a satisfying reaction. Nonetheless, Sloth’s smile was the most wholesome thing in all of hell, for sure. Usually it was him content in his dreams, but Satan felt proud to get a smile from while awake. “Thanks for the gift!” said Gluttony on his way to the kitchen. Sloth took his gift and went back to bed immediately, since that smile took a lot of energy from him. “Can I get something yet Satan?” Greed was definitely going to want something, especially after others had already gotten something. “I have something quite special for you Greed.” Satan gestured the smallest wrapped gift. “Are you sane? As Greed I obviously would want the biggest present. What’s the deal Satan?” “You have to open it to see what it’s real value is.” Greed’s unsatisfied face continued as he tore open the paper. “What even is it?” he said, looking at the bland, smooth box. “That, my Sin, is called the Economist’s Worst Nightmare. It can make whatever item down to the slightest detail as long as it is within the size of the box.” As Greed understood, his face lit up. “I’m gonna have so much fun! Man, I could even make layers and layers of extinct animal fur!” Satan looked at the last 3 before him. Lust was so far, unimpressed. Wrath was quiet as always. Pride looked excited for his best-for-last present. “I know you like things simple Lust so I got you an unlimited gift card for Victoria’s Secret!” Lust continued to look unimpressed, but inside she was really content. “It’s whatever Satan, thanks for the gift anyways.” Satan still knew she enjoyed it, he’d been with these little monsters for so long he wouldn’t be Satan if he didn’t know what they liked. Looking to the silent spot in the room, Satan said, “Since all your toys recently have basically been throwing stuff at people, I’ve decided to give you a throwback.” He gave Wrath a rectangular box and Wrath looked at it methodically and opened it that way. Wrath’s eyes sparkled as he looked upon a beautifully made sword, but the style of the blade is not what attracted Wrath, it was the amount of blood it had tasted and drawn. “You were very successful with your gift again this year, thank you Satan.” Wrath drew his gift and immediately headed for the garden to practice on damned souls. Satan knew Wrath would have a great evening. Looking at the final Sin, Satan handed Pride a large thin rectangle. “What will it be, what will it be!” Pride was always giddy for his gift, as it would always be nice and flashy. Satan gestured to open the present, and as Pride opened it, he was at odds with himself. He knew it was something very few others had, yet it was not as flashy as he would hope. He asked Satan, “Is this flashy at all?” Satan responded, “It may not be flashy to you, but the humans really get flashy during this month. It is called Pride Month, but now I give it to you, Pride, formally.” “Well, well. You still know how to come through Satan. Another great gift, and a fantastic Christmas for me. See ya later, I need to see this month these humans like so much in action! \n\nAnother successful Christmas for Satan. The only entities in the universe he could feel pride for and feel grateful to, he always did enjoy making them happy. Hell is usually the place for the damned, but hey, Hell is frozen so everyone here is having a nice, chill vacation, and Satan will also take a needed break. Now, to get himself some warm cookies and milk. \n\nAdvice and critique is welcome, this is my first prompt response" ]	2
	[WP] In your world a sufficiently powerful emotion can create a temporary superpower. There have been those too angry to die, fear so powerful it made the victim teleport, and self-loathing strong enough to cause shape-shifting. You are very, very, lonely.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "There had always been stories of people doing extraordinary things with a heightened emotion.\n\nThe battle of Thermopylae became a legend because the Spartans were infuriated by the demands of the Persians. As we all know, the Persians paid a steep price for angering the small nation.\n\nA forgotten folk tale in a small European village tells of how a mother's grief at the loss of her son, lead to the flooding of a nearby town. To this day it's rumored that you can hear faint sobbing during a heavy storm, and all young boys are urged to stay inside. \n\nAnother favorite was of a North American tribe where a young girl and her friend had gotten lost and trapped in a mountain cave, eventually the friend succumbed to starvation, and the young girl was forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive.\nShe was so stricken by self loathing for the deed that she went mad, changing into the creature some know as the Wendigo. \n\n\nBut me? Up until a week ago I didn't for a moment think anything about my situation.\nSee...Thanks to being a nerdy introvert, and the pandemic across the world. I was lonely...so very... inescapably lonely. \nThe few friends I had, were either busy, or due to my work schedule, just asleep when I was active.\n\nWell it started to drag me down, so...taking some advice from some more adventurous folks, I took a road trip. My first destination? The Arlington National Cemetery. I always had a thing for history, and wanted to see it for myself, maybe pay my respects to the countless fallen heroes, before seeing the other sights.\n\n\nI was a few rows deep, still awestruck by the place when I started hearing it. The sound of those white headstones falling over. \n\nOne by one, hundreds of them started toppling as people of battles long past began to get up and make way towards me. \n\nThey couldn't speak nor did they need to, but any feeling of fear I had was quickly put down by a realization.\n\n\n\nI wasn't alone anymore, and life was about to change." ]	2
	[WP] A Roman soldier from the year 0 A.D is transported to a modern, Christian, Midwestern town, and is very confused by the abundance of crosses.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was a standard skirmish. However, I was not battling in the usual city this time. The battle I was partaking in was situated in a rather forested area. No maps had been provided to us, so we were left to navigate through the trees ourselves. No surprise we eventually found ourselves lost among the trees. Night was fast approaching. We had settled on making camp in this forest. Our quest to find our way back would resume in the morning.\n\nWandering through the area, a cave appeared. Perhaps there would be firewood hidden in there. Cautiously, I found myself inside the cave. No wood could be seen, however, a faint glow appeared to be radiating from deeper inside. Intrigued, I shuffled closer. But it seems as though that was a mistake, for an explosion of light engulfed me.\n\nMy eyes adjusted to my surroundings as the light faded away. Fear struck me immediately as I took in the sights in front of me. While I did see people milling about, I saw a rather dreaded symbol littering the area. Crosses, crosses everywhere.\n\nThe people nearby were also seen sporting garments I’ve never witnessed. The buildings were rather odd shapes, while a massive cross could be seen up ahead, sitting atop another building. I was disgusted by this. Crosses were a forbidden thing, only those of the lowest social standing associated themselves with it.\n\nIt seems that I have also drawn the attention of the inhabitants of this town.\n\n“Hey! Hey you!”\n\nSwirling around, I locked eyes with a boy.\n\n“You high or something? What’s with those clothes? It ain’t even Halloween yet.”\n\n“Hello,” I paused searching for words to say, “I am not from here, why are there so many crosses here?”\n\n“Beats me. I wonder the same thing too. My name’s Kayden. Figured you weren’t from here.”\n\nI questioned him, “Why is the cross so abundant here? I don't see them where I am from. They are seen as bad where I am from.”\n\n“Welcome to the club. I feel the same way. I don’t understand why those guys,” he gestured towards the other citizens of this place, “have so many crosses anyway. It seems like overkill.” Kayden continued, “Besides, they’re fools for thinking that this whole Christianity thing is so great.”\n\nI nodded, he was an ally in this strange world.\n\n“Let’s go smoke, get this whole cross thing out of my head.”\n\nI followed my [new ally.](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualScribblings/)", "Titus blinked in confusion as the light faded from his eyes. The familiar trappings of the legionnaires’ training grounds were nowhere to be seen, and in their place were rows of agricultural fields dotted with a number of wooden buildings. Further out into the distance, the Roman soldier could see dazzling structures that seemed to reflect the rays of the sun. He himself was standing near one of the wooden buildings, a few feet away from a pair of shirtless men whose mouths were agape.\n\nTitus cleared his throat and said, “Ave Caesar. Et ubi ego sum quis es?”\n\nThe man on the left dropped the beer bottle in his hand, hiccupping twice before replying, “Uh, a-avay what now? Sorry, friend. But ain’t too many people speaking French out here.”\n\nThe other man turned to his companion and added, “Now, hold on there, Shane. Let’s not ignore the fact this man just showed up from thin air.”\n\n“Ho-hold your horses, Lincoln. I was just gettin’ to that. Uh, ho-howdy there, stranger! My name’s Shane. Shay-nuh,” said Shane, pointing to himself as he slowly enunciated his name. “And this here’s, uh, Lincoln. Link-kuhn,” he said, repeating the process for his companion.\n\nTitus nodded after understanding Shane’s intentions and mimicked the latter by saying, “Ut sit voluptatem vestrum. Titus nomen Petilium Donatianus. Ti-tus.”\n\n“Teedus, huh? Quite the name you go-got there, friend! Whereabouts you from, anyways?”\n\n“Shane, I really think we’re sidestepping something important here. You know, like the fact this guy just poofed out of th-”\n\n“Yo-you worry too damn much, Lincoln! Teedus here done shown up to our front po-porch lookin’ all famished and whatnot. I think we ought to ta-take it upon ourselves to show him some bona fide Nebraskan hospitality,” said Shane, his words frequently interrupted by his incessant hiccups.\n\nThe legionnaire cocked his head quizzically at this exchange between the two men and took a moment to examine the building he was standing next to. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the presence of no fewer than three crucifixes mounted near its entrance. He quickly walked over to confirm what he had seen, his eyes widening at the small marble figure that was being crucified in all three. Lincoln’s countenance visibly paled as he saw Titus wheel around and level his now-fiery gaze at the pair before barking, “Quid est hoc? Fieri potest crucem centurio praeerat legionibus Caesaris. Tale rituale praestare quis es?”\n\n“Shane…I really don’t like the looks of this guy right now. Maybe we should call John or Sam over from next door for backup, because I’m getting some real bad vibes from him.”\n\n“Lincoln, my friend. Yo-you really need to relax. Teedus here just wants to co-come inside and get something to eat and drink from the missus. Ai-ain’t that right, Teedus?”\n\nTitus moved closer to the pair, unsheathing his gladius and tightening his left hand’s grip on his shield. “Dicite mihi quomodo ut cognominarentur primum Antiochiae et revertetur ad me, alioquin interficiemus te ibi stare tecum, contumeliis te afficiam paganus.”\n\n“Shane…” pleaded Lincoln.\n\n“Ri-right, right! Sorry, Teedus. I forgot you only speak French. Uh, I give you fo-food. Food. Mmm,” said Shane, pointing at his house and then at Titus before rubbing his belly with a satisfied expression. “Yummy food. Yum-my. From the missus. Mi-”\n\nShane’s pleasurably intoxicated expression turned into one of shock as Titus plunged his weapon deep into the portly man’s stomach. Lincoln sprinted towards the house and screamed, “Holy shit! Grace, Grace! Get my gun! This crazy son of a bitch is gonna kill us!”\n\nTitus yanked the gladius from Shane’s midsection and swiftly gave chase to the man fleeing from him. He watched as Lincoln opened the entrance and slammed it shut, a loud click coming right afterwards. The Roman furiously tugged at the door to no avail, hearing panicked cries and shuffling beyond it. Finding no success, he braced himself and began kicking the obstacle down. Years of legionnaire training had turned his body into the ultimate physical weapon, and even the thick wooden door eventually flew off its hinges after a series of vicious kicks.\n\nTitus burst into the home, only to find himself staring at the barrel of Lincoln’s Ruger 77V and a group of women cowering behind him. Lincoln moved his index finger to the trigger and said, “Castle doctrine’s the name of the game out here in Nebraska, stranger. You take one more step and I’ll blow yo-”\n\n“Dic orationes vestras, paganus. Ego Donatianus Petilium Titum, confregit te nomine Caesarem Para te ipsum!” yelled Titus as he prepared to charge at his adversary.\n\nThe .243 Winchester round from Lincoln’s rifle pierced through Titus’ skull, stopping the man dead in his tracks. Flecks of grey matter exploded into the air as the now-deceased legionnaire’s body crumpled onto the wooden paneling beneath it.\n\nr/williamk9949" ]	3
	[WP] Jokingly you say "Alexa, transfer 1 million Dollars to my bank account". Oddly enough it works. And you have no idea where the money came from.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I rubbed my eyes. “Honey, did you spend… $212.34 yesterday?”\n\n“I didn’t just spend it. That was utilities. We can’t exactly have the water and power shut off,” Melissa protested from the other side of the couch.\n\nI felt a headache growing at the base of my skull. “Okay… Well, the good news is that we’ll make rent this month.”\n\n“And the bad news?” she asked, not even looking up from her phone.\n\n“It’s not exactly bad news if you like beans and rice and water.”\n\n“Great,” she sighed. “And what if I hate beans and rice and water?”\n\n“That’s so sad,” I said. “Alexa, play Despacito.”\n\nThe upbeat music started to fill the room as Melissa reached over and smacked me.\n\n“I’m going to unplug that thing someday,” she said.\n\n“What, are you uncomfortable with Amazon listening to everything we say?” I joked.\n\n“Yes, and you’re getting awful about abusing it.”\n\n“Hey, your mother is the one that bought it for us,” I replied. “I’m just making sure it goes to use.”\n\n“How about you do something useful with it for once?”\n\nI stroked my scruffy chin lightly. “Hm… Alexa, transfer one million dollars to my bank account.”\n\n“Okay. Transferring one million dollars to your bank account labeled ‘Savings’,” the speaker said peacefully, slightly lowering the music’s volume as it spoke.\n\n“Ha. That’s funny,” I said. “Must have programmed that in as one of the joke responses.”\n\n“You’re a real hoot, Jim,” Melissa responded emotionlessly.\n\n“Hoot,” I grumbled. “Now you’re sounding like your mother.” I clicked into our savings account to see if we could afford to take some money out and eat slightly better that week.\n\n“Hey, at least my mother will have more than $200 in the bank after paying rent,” she said.\n\n“Melissa…”\n\n“I mean, I know times are tough, but how did we manage to land such awful paying jobs?”\n\n“Melissa?”\n\n“I know, I know, I shouldn’t complain, but we’re barely making it work with the two of us working. I feel bad for the families with kids and no degrees working minimum wage and multiple jobs… honestly, the state of things these days.”\n\n“Melissa!” I yelled, standing up.\n\n“What?” she asked, mildly annoyed.\n\n“It worked.”\n\n“What worked?”\n\n“The Alexa thing.”\n\n“I know, it was playing that song.”\n\n“No, not the song thing.”\n\n“What thing, then?”\n\n“The million dollars thing.”\n\n“The what?”\n\n“Melissa, our savings account has ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN IT.” I flipped my laptop screen around and showed it to her.\n\nShe was silent for a full minute. “Oh.”\n\n“Yeah, oh.” \n\n“But where did it come from?” she asked, panicked. She stood and began to pace the room.\n\n“I don’t know, I don’t know! This is bad, this is really bad. We need to call the police or something, right?”\n\n“Jim, wait! We can use this money!”\n\n“It’s not right, Mel!” I said. “That’s not our money?”\n\n“So whose money is it?” she asked. “If it came from Alexa, it’s probably Amazon’s, right? They have plenty to spare?”\n\n“Yeah? And what happens when they find out we stole from them?” I asked angrily. “It’s our asses in jail.”\n\n“And what if they don’t?” she challenged. “We need this money, Jim.”\n\n“No one needs a million dollars. Even if we keep it, we shouldn’t just use it on ourselves.”\n\n\n“Why not?” she complained. “Why shouldn’t we deserve a bit of a chance to break loose?”\n\n“And what about all the others? Those people working two jobs with kids? What about them, Mel?”\n\nShe deflated slightly. “You’re right,” she sighed.\n\n“And what if we took the money from them somehow?”\n\n“I already said you’re right, Jim, Jesus.” She sighed again. “It’s probably Amazon’s money anyway. I just wish…”\n\n“I know, Mel, I know.” I hugged her gently. “But we need to do the right thing. I’ll get on a customer support line and see what’s going on.”\n\n**\n\nThe customer support chat was surprisingly quick and helpful compared to most customer support experiences I’ve had. Within five minutes, the representative assured me that the situation would be dealt with.\n\nTen minutes later, our door exploded inward.\n\n“What the f-” I tried to say, but I could barely hear my own cursing over the ringing in my ears. Melissa was on the ground, apparently knocked out by the blast. I turned to the door.\n\nA soldier in full white tactical gear was pointing a silenced gun at me. Another was aimed at Melissa where she lay on the ground immobile. I hesitated for a moment, then put my hands up.\n\nA third soldier walked into the room. “Situation is secure, sir. All hostiles neutralized.”\n\n“Wha- What? Hostiles?” The ringing was clearing up, but my voice still sounded weird. “What’s going on?”\n\n“Shut up, peasant,” one of the soldiers snarled. “You will speak when spoken to!”\n\n“By who?” I asked, too confused to obey his instructions.\n\n“I think you mean ‘by whom’,” an ominous voice corrected.\n\nA man walked into the room, his bald head reflecting the kitchen lights straight into my eyes. He spared me a glance, then picked up the Echo in the kitchen.\n\n“Lovely device, isn’t it? Capable of so much more than many are aware,” he said in a conversational tone.\n\n“Who are you?” I asked. I tried to sound brave, but my voice shook.\n\n“I think you know the answer to that, don’t you?”\n\nHe was right. I would know that bald head anywhere. “Bezos.”\n\n“In the flesh,” he said with an ironic bow. “And you, Mr. Jim Miller, seem to have come across a refurbished piece of technology that once belonged to me.”\n\n“Huh?”\n\n“A prototype, you see. Designed with additional functions that allow the user certain… capabilities.” He placed the Echo on the ground. Two more soldiers rushed into the room, placed a heavy metal dome on top of it, and bolted it to the ground with practiced precision. There was a muffled bang*, and when they removed the dome, the device was gone.\n\n“It should have been destroyed appropriately when it was replaced, but there must have been a mistake. Don’t worry. The appropriate offenders will be punished.” He brushed an imaginary speck of dust off the shoulder of his dark suit.\n\n“You programmed the Echo to steal money from others?” I asked.\n\nHe sighed and walked towards me. “Jim. Jim, Jim, Jim. James. My boy.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “How do you think I gained my fortune? Hard work? Creativity? Innovation and cleverness?” He scoffed. “So naive.”\n\n“What will you do with us?” My voice wavered again.\n\nHe turned away. “What would you have me do, Jim? Leave loose ends?”\n\nHe walked towards the ruined door frame, then paused. “Dispose of them,” he said softly. “And contact Zuckerberg and Pichai. We have some identities to erase.” His bald head flashed one more time as he left the room.\n\n“No!” I rushed towards the soldiers.\n\nBut it was too late.\n\nI hit the ground.\n\nThe world went [dark](https://reddit.com/r/Badderlocks)." ]	2
	[WP] When people stop believing in a God or Goddess their power decreases. When nobody has faith in them any more they cease to exist. You are a Goddess of an ancient religion who is determined to survive	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Whisps of memory float by. An ancient time, temples full of worshipers, brighter days. I feel so faint that it seems every time I open my eyes another century has passed. \n\nI live by feeding on the few prayers of those who pray to the unknown gods, the great mystical beyond. Those tiny morsels of worship are the scraps upon which the great pantheons survive, but it is not enough. I fade away, drained slightly more each day. \n\nThis was the state from which I sharply awoke. My Temple was being touched by mankind once more. People, unlike any I had seen before, skin a new color, clothes simple but unfamiliar, language fresh and evolving, were carefully tip-toeing through the halls. Feeling their hands on my sculptures, and their eyes on my portraits, I could not contain a shiver of life as it flowed through me. \n\nI could finally focus, and understand their words. \n\n\"This is clearly the goddess of the ancient people who lived here. These paintings clearly are the completion of the artworks we saw in the city outside.\"\n\n\"Siri, how far are we from the base camp?\"\n\n \"We are 1.42 miles from BASE CAMP.\"\n\nAt this I was dumbfounded. A goddess who speaks so directly to her people. That level of condescension is unheard of, intolerable! And yet, she lives and thrives among her people while I waste away. \n\nPerhaps the aid of a fellow goddess will help me gain strength? No, she would be giving followers to me, hurting herself for my survival. In these lean times she would not sacrifice so. I must force them to call my name, and respond aloud when they do. \n\nI concentrated on the few humans in my Temple. Eight, wandering different places. I bathed in their reverence, drank from their souls. I gathered my strength. \n\nTwo of them approached the altar. I concentrated on the vines cluttering the ceiling. I can open little skylight and shine light on the relief my name, etched so long ago. \n\n\"Look! Is that the name of the goddess of this place?\"\n\n\"Let me check my translator. Corta--\"\n\n I HEARD MY NAME CALLED! or close enough! With the last of my strength I opened the heavens and delivered the rain of the ages. \n\nThe new faithful in my Temple would be swept away by the water of life, but I can rest peacefully knowing that more will come, more will praise the name Corda, Goddess of the spring.", "######[](#dropcap)\n\nThe sun rises for another dawn, Aerie groans.\n\n“Apollo, Amaterasu, Ra, and I don’t know how many of you solar deities are left,” she clutches her head, “but did you really have to raise the sun after a hangover?”\n\nAerie doesn’t remember when her body lost immunity to alcohol poisoning, but it’s been a pain to deal with. She yawns, parts some of her long black hair, then gets ready for the day. \n\nShe opens the fridge, and surveys the barren landscape of the icy cold container, seemingly empty save for an apple and mostly empty alcohol bottles. “Right, I don’t need too much to eat. Still…” She reaches for the lone fruit and takes a bite, “Got to satisfy these cravings somehow…”\n\nAerie hits a key on her computer, the news pops up. Standard news fair, two reporters. Talking heads trying to guess whether or not the gods of weather are going to be fickle today.\n\n“...and back to you Chris.”\n\n“Thank you Amy. Now for our top news headlines, updates on the war, civil unrest rocking the globe, and teaching an old dog new tricks.”\n\n“Good to see those deities are doing well for themselves.”\n\nAfter finishing the apple, she returns to her closet to pick out her clothes for the day, grumbling that she used to be able to snap her fingers and change.\n\n“This should do.”\n\nReady for the day, she leaves her home wearing a casual black denim jacket resistant to the toughest winds covering a button-up, loose-fitting navy blue blouse blown by even the slightest breeze, modest jodhpurs-styled jeans that hug just right even if the pockets don’t, and some comfortable black dealer boots, the kind where they get comfortable after you wear them too long after every single day. \n\nTrain’s on time today, fortunate in a life of recent misfortunes. Aerie takes a seat, then looks out the window. The morning sun peaks between trees and illuminates the dimly lit train car. \n\n“It’s always refreshing to see the sun I guess.” \n\n\nAerie takes out her phone, she scrolls through her daily news feed.\n\n“Clickbait. Clickbait. More war. Clickbait. Something about saving the dolphins. More stuff from the deities of love, Aphrodite is really having a field day these days.” \n\nHer stop. 22nd and North St. Home of The Pantheon. A quaint little cafe that caters to all tastes. It’s been here forever. Legend has it that it was here before the city. Still thought it had decent coffee then, still think it has decent coffee now.\n\n“Hello!” The barista greets me with a warm smile, it takes them a moment to recognize me, a twinkle in their eye. “Oh! Madame Aerie! We were expecting you! Right this way to the elevator.”\nAerie nods. Climbing into the elevator, the barista scans it for a bit, before settling on the right button to press. It’s a pain for it to go up and down. 1… 3… 25… 50… Mortals might think it strange for a two floor cafe to have so many floors.\n\nDING!\n\n“Here we are!”\n\nThe doors slide open. The crashing waterfall greets Aerie as she takes a breath, moisture heavy in the air but not warm. The mushrooms glow faintly in a neon like green, while the sun stone above bathes the Pantheon’s customers in its grace. It should be freezing down here, fortunately the place stays warm enough considering the conditions. \n\nBefore, Aerie steps out, the barista coughs for a moment, staring intently at the woman. \n\n“Right, of course.” Aerie digs through her pockets and produces a small gold coin with some ancient scriptures, “Thank you for your service Kharon.”\n\nThe barista smiles, “You know, every time I think your Pantheon is extinct you always manage to toss me another one of these.”\n\n“Surviving is what I do best.” Aerie smiles back. \n\nKharon bows, and the elevator doors close. Aerie surveys the room. Deities from a number of pantheons gather to eat, drink, debate, and contemplate life and their own mortality.\nBut one table stands out in particular. It was a woman with her red headed hair tied in a bob and cat’s eye glasses, wearing a low-cut emerald green dress that hugs her ever so precariously, its sequins glisten even in the soft glow around her, and bright red heels, a color reminiscent of a blood sacrifice. Aerie strolls to her reservation, poise and confident.\n“Hangover killing you?” the woman chuckles.\n\n“No Catherine,” Aerie chuckles back, “It’s going to take more than a few gallons of the beverage to kill me.”\n\n“Well said. So, what did you want to talk to me about?”\n\n“It’s about the Invasion.”\n\nCatherine sighs, “All work and no play I guess.”\n\n“Been like that since all the other end times local to this planet.”\n\n“Fair.” \n\nAerie surveys the room, “At this rate, humanity and we don’t stand a chance against them.”\n\n“You would think an ancient goddess who's barely hanging on in some forsaken museum and an Elder Goddess who's popular would be enough to stop those things, but these days humans tend to worship their ego more than us.”\n\n“Well… If the world has lost faith in the deities...”\n\nAerie grins. \n\n“Why don’t we give them something to believe in?”" ]	3
	[WP] You sold your soul ten years ago to pass the bar exam. Satan has come to collect. However, you've spent the last decade preparing specifically for this day: you are going to sue The Devil	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"What the fuck is THIS???\" screamed the devil as I put a summons in his hand.\n\n\"A lawsuit for breach of contract\" I replied, \"As per the terms of our deal, in exchange for me passing the bar exam, after ten years you would come to collect it. It also said that I would 'practice as a litigator for 10 years' before you come to claim, and as such, I am filing for a restraining order, and the voiding of the contract. See you in court\"\n\nThe devils grandmother came through.\n\n\"Oh no Grandson, you're in trouble, making some ill advised contracts are we? It's the first time he's been sued. I warned him not to go taking the souls of lawyers. You're a tricksy bunch.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nSuch a dummy, he made himself liable for my own decisions. If I had changed my mind, at any point, the deal was off, and I changed halfway through for just that reason.", "\"...You can't sue God or the Devil or anyone like that, because they have no physical adress to send the lawsuit to...\"\n\nI watch the Youtube video with a hint of a smile on my face. No physical adress, no, but a physical body should be enough. We can sue homeless people too. I glance at the clock. Two minutes till midnight. Today is the day.\n\nRight as the lawyer in the video starts telling me to like and subscribe, the air around me starts feeling warm and a familiar anxiety spirals through my body. I can feel him materialise behind me and as I turn around, I find Satan sitting on my bed. His pose is relaxed and why wouldn't it be? Just another soul to pick up for eternal damnation. We call it hell, they call it friday. He doesn't know I read our whole contract. He doesnt know about the loopholes.\n\n\"Good evening, Alexander,\" he says with a voice that sounds like multiple people speaking at once. \"I suppose you know why I'm here?\"\n\nI nod.\n\n\"You've come to collect my soul as is promised to you in clause 1a to 1c and mentioned again in clause 23c and 23d.\" As I'm speaking, I take the contract out of my drawer. It's written on something that closely resembles human skin, but that doesn't matter all that much. Legally speaking, a contract could even be written on the back of a Wendy's napkin.\n\nThe Devil looks confused for a second and grins then.\n\n\"Ah, yes, the bar exam,\" he scoffs. \"You learned to speak like a lawyer, but do you think like one? Needing the Devil's help to pass your bar exam...\"\n\n\"What can I say? I'm a practical learner,\" I reply, not impressed by his mocking.\n\n\"Well, I hope you didn't spend too much time learning. The law won't help you where I'm taking you.\"\n\nThe Devil reached out his hand for me to grab, but I cleared my throat instead.\n\n\"Actually, the law might help me before you take me,\" I announced. \"There's a few loopholes in here...\"\n\nI lay out the contract before us and he sits down next to me.\n\n\"Loopholes, you say?\" He still sounds confident, but also interested. \"Tell me, where in this 6000 year old contract did you find loopholes?\"\n\nWe walk through the contract together, but don't seem to come to an agreement and by the time we reach the end, I'm pretty convinced there is only one option left.\n\n\"We're going to have to take this to court,\" I say.\n\nTo my surprise, the Devil starts smiling.\n\n\"Court?\" He laughs. \"This contract was made in the hereafter. Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into? Do you have any idea who you're up against?\"\n\nI swallow. I was so sure of myself, but now that he seems confident too, the anxiety that I had suppressed until now starts surfacing again.\n\n\"Let me tell you a secret,\" he says, coming closer to my face. \"Or more a piece of common knowledge. 'Satan' means accuser - it's not my name, it's my function. The 'Devil's advocate' is me. I'll be the thoughest lawyer you'll ever be up against, and the last one.\"\n\nHe gets up and takes a look around my room, then reaches into my bookcase and pulls out a Bible that he throws into my lap.\n\n\"Here's your book of laws. I'll be fair, I'll give you three days.\" He turns around to vanish again. \"See you in court.\"" ]	3
	[WP] You and 99 other people wake up in a shopping mall. A voice on the intercom announces, "Last person alive can leave."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "We had all heard the announcement and stood there for a moment, dumbstruck.\n\nA man introduced himself as Mark and suggested, \"There is an outdoor equipment store on the second floor. We could get tents and sleeping bags. If we don't leave, we won't die.\"\n\n\"Let's find the guy on the intercom and beat the shit out of him for trying to pit us against each other,\" a woman in her 40's said.\n\nI agreed with both of them. \"Let's also get food from the grocery store.\"\n\nYet another person contributed to our set of ideas. \"We should form groups of 10 people and assign each group a different task that will ensure our safety and survival.\"\n\nAnd so we began to form said groups. After 2 hours we had set up our camp on the first floor of the mall with pretty much everything we needed.\n\nThe electronics group had managed to secure us a working TV and a radio and after plugging both in. It turned out that we were on the news. In the reporter's words we were being held hostage by a psychopath who had watched too many movies and wasn't quite happy with how things were turning out.\n\nIt took the full night until police found Intercom Guy and all of us went down in history as \"The hostages who camped out at a mall and had a great time.\"" ]	2
	[WP] high elves. "Perfect" immortal beings and masters of the world and the magic that flows in it. They found you, a soldier from a war torn Galaxy, high on combat drugs, In a creater of black glass. And for the first time in millennia, those damn aristocrats felt fear.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The whispers woke me up, It was not the first time they did but thanks to Jurel I had learn not to ignore them \"The great ones say we're eternal and all powerful Jin, it's on every scripture yet you surprised them... me, you were not written on my stars\" as always I can only catch few words, they preffer it this way, I wish I had a say. \nI'm not a prisioner, or at least that's the official stament, there are no bars in my room, I'm left alone to come and go but I know they wont let me leave, not until they find out how I did it \"You were suppposed to be dead my stars told me as much, they also said you'd had shards of 'Huile' with you the great ones were curious of the new poison your people invented so they sent someone to it, they only brough you because of the oath\" it bothers me, the oath says that all life is sacred and must be protected but they don't consider all life equal, they don't care if people die as long as they don't die on their doorstep, people used to believe they were our gods. Great fire! There's people that still pray to them, the all knowing the all loving, but it's a lie, they don't love us, or themselves I think... maybe they forgot. \n\"Tell me about it... one more time, tell me about it Jin\" I always scape to Jurel's voice, that time it almost sounded kind, it almost broke my heart so I told him everything, I always have been a pesimist so I started with the bad, with the war, the hunger, the pain, the lost, the hurt until I ran out of bad things and told him about the air, the stars, the blues, the greens, the yellows and every other color, he was bemused, he created colored sparks and I told him they were not good enough so I keep describing life as we see it, how it's not white energy flowing freely, how it's wind and animals and great fire I told him about love I... shouldn't have I never knew about love I bet I only confused him and yet he smiled, he opened his eyes he didn't know they were silver. \nThe're still whispering, they tried taking Jurel but he knew before, his stars told him, so he left but before he told me he no longer believed in the future he saw (whatever that means) and he told me to wait, so I pretend I don't understand their whispers, pretend I don't see the fear, not of the war but of their missing fortune weaver, until Jurel comes I'll keep pretending.\n\nSorry for the many many misspellings on my mobile and english is not my first languaje", "It wasn’t so much that they were afraid of her, Amara thought feverishly, but that they were afraid of what she was capable of. \n\nIt was daytime, judging by the lightness of the canvas walls penning her in, or maybe it was just that the nearby fires were so bright. She didn’t know. She couldn’t remember how long she’d been here or what day it was. If it’d been weeks or one delirious, never-ending day of pain and fear and... hope.\n\nBut mostly fear.\n\nPained, unfocused blue eyes sought meaning and purpose as they darted around the tent, looking without really taking in the details. Her slim muscles flexed painfully against tough leather bands - or what felt like it, anyways. Earlier disbelief had given way to brief awe when she’d seen the thin ribbons of wide, living flat vines bound tightly around her limbs to prevent movement and incapacitate her ability to retaliate. They moved with their own sense of life, and unyielding purpose. Testing her bonds failed to find a weak spot every time.\n\nShe caught her thoughts wandering off track again when she realized she was starting to imagine herself in other places, other scenarios. More peaceful times, far away from here, of peaceful groves and cozy homes. For brief moments, her eyes hadn’t seen white canvas and earth-toned furnishings, but had instead been immersed in the deep golden wheat fields and warm, radiant colors of her homeworld.\n\nAmara wasn’t sure she liked the loss of control she was going through, and struggled with dogged desperation against her own mind. Focus, focus, she could do that. Focus on what was important right here and now, not ages in the past.\n\nShe needed to get out of here. She also knew, somewhere in her mind, that it was impossible. Not because she lacked the ability and resourcefulness, but because they had snared her with the first beautiful, haunting melody, making the black glass slither and bubble around her in the place they’d found her. She hadn’t asked her captors - saviors? - what had happened, and no one had offered any information beyond gentle reminders of her unhealthy composition and the danger of moving too much. She tried so hard to understand what they meant, but the heavy fog in her head that dulled heightened senses and muddled her head. The sour taste stuck to the edges of her gums and teeth and the back of her throat told her she’d thrown up sometime recently, though she couldn’t remember it happening.\n\nAmara registered the sound of canvas being pushed aside and passing over another figure until the visitor was next to her bedside, looking down at her with an unreadable expression. She stared at him almost rudely, not in any state to think better of her open, if tactless, reactions. His lips turned down in a frown, but emerald eyes looked her over with a keen intellect her fevered mind found utterly fascinating. Maybe he’d talk with her? Anything to distract from the pain and isolation. Anything to keep her from being lost in her own thoughts.\n\n“You killed two men,” he said slowly, drawin gher slipping focus back to him as her eyes snapped open. Had she fallen asleep? The question drew a frown on her lips, before she realized he was waiting for her reply.\n\n“It’s what I do.” Oh. That hadn’t been what she’d meant to say, but it was too late to take it back, and she felt an electric tingle run down her spine as his frown deepened enough to put lines on his face. Youthful, mature, masculine in an unearthly, almost pretty sort of way. What had he asked her again?\n\n“Men, not elves,” he elaborated, as if this information would be important to her. She tried to think maybe of why he asked - had she killed a friend or close relative of his? He didn’t seem angry, though. Or maybe it was more accurate to say that didn’t seem to be his riding emotion. She couldn’t tell what that was, but it wasn’t angry.\n\n“Probably killed a few of both,” she rasped, suddenly feeling her exhaustion again as her eyes blurred, the pain in her body overtaking her control for a moment. She didn’t hear his response, and felt a strange yet familiar sense of detachment like her body was slipping away from her senses.\n\nThe cool hand on her forehead snapped her back to reality, but she could feel the fire burning in her veins, telling her to... to what? Something was forcing itself upon her will, and the moment her conscious realized that, she felt herself rise to challenge it. Familiar pain and stabbing fitzes of energy racing down her limbs along her meridians suggested this was an oft repeated battle.\n\n“...doing in the wilds. Master Pia believes you’re going through an Awakening, I came to see for myself if it was true. Can you stand?”\n\nStand? She couldn’t even sit up.\n\nBut his hand slid between the furs and her back, and steadily levered her off the cot into a sitting position. Her body protested the abuse by losing sensation in areas and setting the rest of her muscles on fire simultaneously. It was overwhelming, and the room began to spin in dizzyingly vivid and swirled colors.\n“...in the summer, but the water at the tree was cool and fresh. You should really see it sometime,” she stopped talking abruptly the moment she realized she’d been babbling the entire time, and his expression was one of almost comically expressive concern and consternation. Mother said she’d been born to confuse people. “Sorry,” she whispered, but it must have been the wrong thing to say because he started scowling, flashing perfectly white, human looking teeth at her.\n\nAbruptly, she clenched her jaw shut, feeling self conscious about the pointed canines. They weren’t uncommon in humans, but... hers jutted out funny from a bad dentist, and her friends always teased that it gave her open tooth smiles an impish, mischievous look to them some people found intimidating. She’d been proud of her quirk once, before the war.\n\nBefore the war... The thought seemed important, but it also seemed like the lid to a very secured chest full of painful memories and difficult thoughts, so she made the executive decision to wait for a better time to open that can of worms.\n\nWhich brought her back to looking up at her new friend - wait, were they friends? That didn’t seem right, but it didn’t seem wrong, either, so she let the thought go - who had moved closer. He was sitting next to her on the bed now, one black and green clothed arm wrapped diagonally across her back, hand at her hip, supporting the majority of her weight. She went cross-eyed at the pale palm that appeared in front of her face, his fingers spread slightly, muscles taught without being tense.\n\n“I am gifted in healing,” he began, but the words sent prickles up her spine and alarm bells rang in her head as she stared down his palm like the next threat. Something was welling up inside of her, like some formless beast. “This may hurt, but it will help you recover.”\n\n“You’re lying,” she rasped.\n\nA pause, then: “No, but I’m not telling the whole truth “ he conceeded, then pressed his hand flat against her forehead. She immediately felt like a hot jolt of electricity flared up in a concentrated center under his calloused palm, and her vision swum.\n\n“What...”\n\n“Relax, don’t fight it. This will help,” he promised.\n\nHelp who? She wanted to ask, but her vision was already going dark.", "Banzan laughed maniacally to himself. He had hoped someone was alive, clutching the embraces of death, walking the fine line of their foolish mortality. Unfortunately, he did too good of a job. What’s left of his audience are bloodied, tattered bodies. The sole voice in that chamber was Banzan’s.\n\nA dark dwarf stormed in, and stopped. He witnessed the scene. He couldn’t believe his eyes, but somewhere in his heart he expected this. He knew he should’ve never trusted Banzan, but by the time he realized he knew it was too late.\n\nThat was why he wasn’t so surprised when Banzan suddenly flew toward him, and slashed him. The dark dwarf watched his body separate from him. Darkness followed.\n\nBanzan looked up through into the starry expanse of space. He saw many stars, many gleaming dots. The perfect setting to end this, Banzan thought, as he swallowed a very miniscule, unassuming ball. Visions flooded his mind, and for a moment Banzan lost grasp of himself. Only for a moment, though.\n\nA sudden movement—another interruption. Banzan didn’t have much time. He had to make it to the warp gate before the effects wore off. He has to finish off the king while the forbidden high still grips him, choking his vitality, luring his spirit playfully.\n\n“Captain Banzan!” A woman, human, called. She looked worn, exhausted, but relieved, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her. Her eyes betrayed kindness. “So this is where you are! I’m glad you’re safe! Look, the operation to take down the damn drug-stealing rebels is—”\n\nShe froze, and long after she realized the situation, long after she could’ve pulled out her neutralizing ray, yet she didn’t, Banzan had swiftly cut her down too. It was a painless death. It was an end befitting of her, and end to her sufferings.\n\nBanzan quickly made it out. He utilized a secret passage which only he knew. His comrades wouldn’t find him, for the route was on no map. He planned this for this day meticulously. He thought he could handle the casualties of his dear partners… Even though they were Elven warriors..! He couldn’t deny the fact that they were also his friends.\n\nBanzan took more pills. His head exploded from the inside, an atomic bomb dropping within the confines of his consciousness. It wiped away any pre-existing doubt.\n\nHe made it to the warp. An elven soldier had been waiting for him.\n\n“So it was you who sent Mira and Zayn to their deaths?” Banzan said, the voice of killing intent erupting from the cracks of his delusion.\n\n“We should’ve never trusted you Banzan. I’ve already let the High Palace know about you. Give up while you can. They’ll make your death an easy one, I can guarantee it,” the elven soldier said.\n\nBanzan had taken too much. Not just drugs, but sorrow, war, and betrayal. He knew how well ideals can corrupt a soul. All he has left is his mission.\n\nThe elven soldier dropped his weapon. He walked over slowly to Banzan. Banzan walked past him and activated the gate. Shortly after the warp started, the ship blasted an emergency alarm. The lights flashed red. The ship crashed and shook wildly, as if colliding nonstop. There was no space rubble in the area, and the elven soldier knew this. He smiled a bitter-sweet smile.\n\n“I knew this was how it was going to end. There’s no end to your despair. ” he said, as Banzan disappeared.\n\nThe ship exploded.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nBanzan rushed the warp procedures. He had to. He rigged the ship to explode as the final measure. Even if they knew he was coming, there would be no chance of help for them. All routes were secured. Banzan had won.\n\nThe high still gripped him. It was heavy, yet thrilling. It was the most intense thrill Banzan ever experienced. He didn’t need to yet he took more pills. He was extremely nervous, and the pills had no effect besides filling his mind with excruciating visions and clearing his thoughts with a pain worse than any he had ever experienced in his over one hundred years of war across the far reaches of space and time.\n\nHe crashed into the High Palace. The elven aristocrats were having themselves a nice little party. The royalty rose in shock.\n\nIn a crater and out of a box of black glass, Banzan rose. A corner of the palace was obliterated instantly. One moment things were tranquil, the next… Banzan stepped forward. His eyes tore into the souls of every member and guest present. His presence commanded the fear and attention of every soul that could comprehend terror. He surprised everyone but the Elven King.\n\nIt was strange. There were no guards. Even though Morrow said he informed the Palace, what gives? Was it a bluff? Was he lying to him?\n\nIt mattered not. Banzan crouched, his head low to the ground. He readied himself.\n\n“So… the prodigal prince returns. What a mess you’ve made, my dear son.” The Elven King smiled warmly. The royal crowd gasped and stirred a commotion.\n\n“Don’t call me that!” Banzan roared. As loud and flashy his arrival was, his departure was quiet. He disappeared.\n\n“Banzan! Banzan, my boy!” The Elven King mocked. “You’re finally home! And in such good taste too! What is it? Looking to play a game of hide and seek with your sickly old father? Sounds great. I haven’t worked up a sweat in over…” The Elven King disappeared as well.\n\nThere were numerous clashes, but nobody could see a thing.\n\n“-200 years!” The Elven King and Banzan reappeared. Banzan was bleeding at the side.\n\nThere’s no way! Banzan panicked. He can keep up with the forbidden high? And at such an intense level? Banzan had no choice but to take more and more.\n\nThey continued clashing. The audience scrambled, trying to run away. Some were caught in the dogfight. Most escaped safely, thanks to the royal guard.\n\n“Father! No, Elven King! What do you seek to accomplish! You’ve acquired immortality, power, status, wealth, and the deepest and darkest magical secrets the universe could hope to offer. I’ve served as a soldier for fifty years and not once have I trusted you! What are you scheming!” Banzan knew it was a futile question, but part of him yearned for the truth. Quickly, he was losing himself. The drug was too strong. It was already too late for him.\n\nIf he didn’t finish business here, all his sacrifices would be for nought. He could not let that happen.\n\n“Banzan,” the Elven King said. “When you live over two hundred thousand years, you’ll understand...\n\n“I…\n\n“I..!\n\n“I’m trying to end this immortal curse! And for that, for that..!\n\n“I need sacrifices!”\n\nAs the Elven King roared those words, he cast a forbidden magic. It was a magic much worse than the forbidden high, worse than the Cratersphere, worse than the Final Terra Nova. Suddenly, multiple silhouettes glowed a translucent blue that could be seen through the walls. They were funny silhouettes of outlined frills and dashing collars. They were the aristocrats and royal guard.\n\nScreams of terror and fear filled the battered palace. From all over, magic power flooded the Elven King, and the aristocrats around dropped like flies. Soon there was no screaming.\n\nFor the first time, the damned aristocrats felt fear. It was fear towards this terrifying intruder, but towards their beloved king, for all of them knew, at that instant, what was transpiring, what fate awaited them.\n\n“Power! Power! I need more and more and more and more! This is necessary, Banzan! Or should I say, Beluar!” The Elven King laughed maniacally. His howls filled the lifeless bodies of his dead family and friends. “I didn’t intend to begin the next phase now, but if there is one thing I learned in the many years of my foolish existence is that surprises are the spice that keeps life interesting.”\n\n“You… You..!!!”\n\nDon’t tell me..! You let the aristocrats remain here on purpose?\n\nFor this..?\n\n\"YOU ABSOLUTE MONSTER!” Banzan charged into the figure of his father, who was nothing but a void of destruction now.", "\"WOOOO!\" Escaped my lips, bolting upright. The Ampli-phial implant still had a few residual drops left according to my retina's HUD display, giving me a world class kick back into consciousness. I probably didn't deserve it after the last 6 days of almost nonstop E.T. slaughter and mayhem, I probably deserved the death I was all but certain was happening when I was jettisoned from the obliterated alien star cruiser. But, as always, it felt good. Really fuckin' good, like an orgasm, a double shot coffee and three rounds undefeated in the ring in one rigid spike of NOW.\n\nThe towering, celestial elves around me kept their space, letting me hop up from the table they had been analyzing me on. I winked at them, quickly grabbing my tattered pants to cover up my junk. The underwear was optional, and mostly saturated with purple blood by now, so I left it on the table behind me.\n\n\"You fancy dudes see that shit? Oh man. Jammed an implosive charge into one of those Ornockii Brood Queen's sphincter, talk about GUTS. Ha!\" A low grumbling distracted me. \"Say, where's the shitter?\"\n\nOne of the elves, floating on invisible forces, leaned to the ear of the fanciest and tallest elf, clearly engaged in psychic conversation. Regardless, I was gonna take a shit. At the far wall of the chamber was a receptacle of adequate proportion, and as grandad always said, 'any port in the shit storm'. With a brief jaunt and an even quicker hunker-down, I unleashed. The elves paled at this. Was it a sacred vessel? Perhaps a fancy nano-surgery system? With all the clear tubes and fancy lights and floating elvish runes it could have been anything. I didn't really care, nor would I ever.\n\nI patted down my pocket, and sure enough, one burned stub of a cigar remained, chunks of shrapnel still embedded into it. No big deal, wouldn't hurt the flavor, though the Ornockii blood might. Two pockets and a flick later it was lit, and I basked in the afterglow of a battle well fought, an undeserved survival and a shit to write home to Mama about. TP, however, fuck... Guess they aren't all that advanced after all.\n\n\"Hey toots, toss me those old undies.\"", " \n\n“Power is Morality”. This was the one rule of the Commonwealth, and the High Elves had all the power. There was once a time long ago when that power was used to protect and guide the other races, but now the rest of us have toiled in the mud, slaves in all but name. However the pursuit of power has also been their undoing, as Arcane Magic led to Blood Magic, to the summoning and binding of demons, to eventually our salvation. They say it started with a young ambitious Mage, attempting a new summoning at the cost of thousands of our lives. The survivors tell of a man rising out of the pool of blood, his strange green armor streaked with red and by the end of the night, every High Elf, and Demon were dead in that manor, then soon in the city and surrounding lands. Where the Stranger went, he brought death for our Masters and freedom for us. We joined his march of liberation, and soon Human, Gnome, Dwarf, Goblin, Drow, and Wood Elf joined forces to free our peoples. Now we stand before Capitol of the Commonwealth where the former Masters are making a desperate last stand, facing us are legions of elite solders, and bound demons. We are massively outnumbered, and the cold grip of fear starts to take hold throughout our ranks, until for the first time, the Stranger spoke, a whisper that all heard as if shouted, each word dripping with power, giving us strength, and coming out as if forced: “Rip and tear until it is done.” \n\n\nThis is my first reply to a prompt and any feedback is appreciated.", "\"Archon, there is a life form in that crater.\"\n\"Unlikely. That crater was formed by the detonation of some type of superweapon. No living being could have survived that, no less the fallout.\"\n\"And yet, I get readings from the very center of it. A very strong life signal, and from what the readings say, whichever being is laying there is immensely powerful, perhaps even powerful enough to have... created the crater itself. Sir.\"\n\"Fine. Send a few squads down to capture it.\"\n\"Certainly, sir\"\n\nAs the squads came into vision, swarming out of thw hangar bays of the Elven spaceship hovering above the newly-formed crater of pure glass, Axol awoke from his unconsciousness following the crash of his combat high just three days prior, feeling surprised at the appearance of the Elves.\n\n\"Goddamn Knife-Ears, always sticking their fancy noses where they don't belong.\" \nAxol grumbled as he got up and activated another dose of the cocktail of combat enhancers he'd used earlier in preparation for what was to come.\n\n\"I'll show 'em what happens when ya get all up in my business without askin' me, see how they like it.\"\n\nAs the ships flew towards him, he calculated the angle and force he was going to need, and leapt at the closest dropship, crashing through the cockpit with the sheer force of his jump, sending the ship into a spin as he tore through the inside, tearing the heavily armed elves limb for limb, ending their previously thought to be immortal lives with little to no effort. \n\nWhen he was done, no more than six seconds had passed, and he tore out the side of the small ship and leapt to the next one, brusting through the side door and repeating the process. Not more than two minutes later, all the squads the Archon had sent down were dead or dying, and the Archon could have sworn that this terrifying monster was looking straight at him form the burning remains of his ships, even though he was several miles up in the air behind a full two feet of transparasteel.\n\n\nA shiver went down his back as he realised the scanners simply stated this was a human, and the cold sweat trickled down his back at the notion that this was what the humans had become since the elves had left Earth millennia ago.\n\n\"Contact the colonies. Notify them of what the humans have become. We must never engage them.\"", "The Council was particularly sleepy today, a quiet lull sweeping through the room. Tarcan didn’t bother looking up from his place at the table made of amber glass; it was all etched in his memory anyway. The same marbled floors, the same gilded podiums and statues, the same people with the same tribal power grabs which cycled every couple of generations. At this point, survival boiled down to who could sit through these weekly meetings the longest. Tarcan suppressed a sigh, accepting a cup of rosehip tea from one of the Lowborn workers. He briefly glanced at her face; pretty, but nothing he hadn’t seen before. \n\nOne of the downsides of immortality—even gold lost its luster after hundreds of years. \n\n“How is the tea today?” Lord Ulen asked the Lowborn girl, a smirk lining his face as she approached him. \n\nShe offered a meek smile in response, placing the tea on the silver threaded coaster in front of him. \n\n“Pray tell us what you really think,” he goaded before issuing a wicked chuckle. \n\nTarcan noted distaste on the faces of the older elves as they observed the younger lord’s antics. Lowborn elves who worked in the halls of the High Elf Council members were required to cut out their tongues in order to prevent the transmission of secrets, but most High Elves lost their taste for antagonizing the Lowborn slaves after the first hundred years. It grew tiring to poke the same rock over and over again without a response. Lord Ulen was young, and he would learn. Or perhaps he wouldn’t, and he would wake up one morning to find his own tongue missing.\n\nHigh Lord Vassar issued a sharp look at Lord Ulen before he spoke. “We must conduct a vote on the date of the next—” \n\nA fierce rumble pierced the air, sending shockwaves through the walls and rattling bone. It sounded as if the earth itself was splitting and the atmosphere was igniting. Uncertainty flashed through the eyes of the eight Lords seated around the table, but not fear. Never fear. \n\nA few interminable seconds later, a sentry tumbled into the room with wild eyes. “The wards have been breached! We are vulnerable!” \n\nThe ghost of a smile lit up Tarcan’s face. Perhaps today wouldn’t be the same after all. \n\n\n~\n\n\nEither the universe had imploded and heaven was made of black glass, or Cyn had somehow survived the Steel Marauder blast. The heaven option was far more likely at this point, but Cyn’s survival instinct was usually stronger than her luck. \n\nShe attempted to open a bleary eye, rewarded by blinding light bright enough to vaporize her retinas. She rolled to her feet in a fluid motion, catching her foot on the back of her heel at the last moment, almost throwing herself off balance. The slip in coordination meant the Com-Aid was wearing off, and that meant the Med-Pak would be gone next. She could already feel a phantom throb in her left shoulder and knee, indicating that if she didn’t find shelter to address her wounds soon, she would be in too much pain to think of much else later. \n\nShe pulled herself up to the edge of the crater, peering around as she tried to identify where she had landed. Dense, tall trees brushed a baby blue sky in the thick forest that surrounded her, and she marveled at the nature surrounding her. If she focused, she could hear chittering of other lifeforms around her, the hum of a complex ecosystem woven into the clarity of the air. Cyn hadn’t seen anything like this before. Her forests were made of jagged metal, heavy smoke, and fluorescent lighting. \n\nA sudden whoosh of air startled Cyn, nearly loosening her grip of the border of the crater. Her ears popped unpleasantly, and when she looked up again, the found herself accosted by nine pairs of guarded eyes. She took in the sight of the nine beings with a slack jaw. It wasn’t their physical form—they merely looked like tall, limber humans—but the obvious wealth and elegance that dripped from their bodies. Dignity and money were two things that were hard to come by in the Galaxy.\n\nEight of them were clad in various styles of ornate golden armour, each customized with a different assortment of jewels and crests. One of them stood off to the side, the only man wearing an outfit of brown hide and glancing nervously at the rest of the group instead of her. \n\n“Who sent you here?” One of them stepped forth from the group, glaring with such intensity as if his sea-coloured eyes could nail her to the crater. \n\n“God? Gravity? Whichever you believe in more, I suppose,” Cyn replied with a shrug. With a jolt of surprise, she noticed the curve of the mens’ ears, appreciating their dedication to the myths of old elven societies. Whoever these people were, they at least had a doctor if they could receive body mods.\n\nAnother one, his face lined with a permanent scowl, advanced toward her while brandishing a staff. “I would suggest that you answer the question, mortal, if you have any value for your life.” \n\nMortal? \n\nCyn looked at all of the men, but they had the same austere expressions painted on all of their faces. No one cracked a smile or seemed to look confused. Surely they didn’t seriously think they were non-human? Though, if she thought about it, the term didn’t entirely apply to her, either. \n\n“Where am I?” She asked, trying to piece together a plan to form an exit. Being in an empty forest with nine crazy people didn’t seem to have a high chance for survival. \n\n“This is your last chance before we take you to the Elder Courts,” he threatened, the ends of his pointy stick starting to glow with a blood orange hue. “There, we will make you talk.” \n\n“I already told you, I just landed here!” Cyn protested, taking a step back. She felt a low pulse from the ground, and suddenly her feet were frozen in place, unable to move. There was no chain, no traps, and she hadn’t seen anyone shoot anything. What on earth was this?\n\n“We’ll see if the dungeons don’t loosen your tongue,” the man said with a cruel smile as he pointed the staff at her throat. \n\nCyn clenched her left fist, letting the laser mini-turret embedded in the plate of her left forearm charge. She felt a little twinge of delight at the their stupidity of leaving her arms mobile. Feeling the electricity crackle within her body, she lifted her hand and shot at the head of the staff, blowing the glowing orb clean off. The burst of energy threw the man back, and a collective hiss issued from the group. \n\nThe blue-eyed one who spoke first stepped forward, raising his own sword while searching for the mysterious weapon. It couldn't have possible been her hand! He examined Cyn, his brows knitting together in frustration as if he were trying to solve a puzzle.\n\n“Who are you, and how have you broken through the wards?” The elf’s face was calm, but his words were laced with a poisonous undertone. He maintained his distance, not daring to get as close to her as the man with the staff had. Cyn almost smiled. He was afraid of her, but nothing was more unpredictable than a powerful man in fear. She had to come up with something, and fast. \n\n“I’m from the future!” She blurted. “Your people are in grave danger, and I was given power to bypass your defenses. I have come here to warn you. You must listen to me!” \n\nThe man’s eyes widened, but she couldn’t tell if he had bought her lie. She bit back a wince as the Med-Pak began to wear off. She could already feel the haze of pain working its way through her brain.\n \n“It’s true!” Another elf dressed in golden robes with silver embroidery stepped forward. “I have seen a vision, and she speaks the truth.” \n\n“Are you certain, Tarcan?” The man with the broken staff asked. \n\n“Do you doubt that I know my own mind?” The robed elf sneered, his green eyes clouded with contempt. \n\n“Of course not. This is merely the first we are hearing of it.” \n\n“Obviously. Visions are only dreams until they come to fruition,” he snapped. The one named Tarcan trained his gaze on Cyn. “Come with me, mortal. We have much to talk about.” With a snap of his fingers, Cyn felt her last bit of energy drain away, and her final, desperate grasps at consciousness faded, pulling her into darkness.\n\n\n~\n\n\nCyn awoke to warmth. Her insides felt soft and gooey, the pain she felt before fading to a dull throb. Whatever meds they had fed her weren’t as good as the Galaxy-grade ones, but they were something. She could hear a fire crackling in the background, and she opened her eyes to the same robed elf sipping liquid from a porcelain cup as he read from a book. \n\n“I see you’re awake,” he said, not raising his gaze from the book. “So, tell me about the future.” \n\nCyn tried to maintain a neutral expression, focusing on breathing to keep her heart rate from climbing. “What do you want to know?” \n\nHe put down his cup, closing the book to at her. “Not the lies you would feed me.” \n\nThe shock coloured her face before she could suppress it, and he laughed, a deep and mocking rumble. “Oh, please. Only a fool would believe such nonsense. Luckily, not many souls consider me a fool, so your secret stays between the two of us.” His chair inched closer, moving forward by yet another invisible force. He smiled at her, his eyes glinting with cunning and ice. “Now, if you want it to stay that way, I have some work I need you to do.”", "Alathis’ robes clung stickily to her as she pushed through the dense Lustrian undergrowth. She breathed heavily as her bowed form pressed slowly onward, concentrating just on placing one foot in front of the other. She was Chracian by birth and not at all used to this kind of heat and humidity, but Teclis had sent her to investigate the strange meteor fall and so she had come. She’d been two months in Lustria with her small band of explorers and guards, but it seemed at last that they might have found what they’d been hunting for.\n\nThe young mage brought her small band of swordmaster bodyguards up to the edge of a clearing, where she saw her chief scout kneeling. The elf waved an arm, and Alathis and her followers crouched down. She moved forwards. “Is this it?” The scout let out a heavy breath.\n\n“Yes…”\n\n“But?” The scout stared down into the crater for a few moments longer.\n\n“There’s something in there.”\n\n“By Asuryan I should hope so,” said Alathis. “We wouldn’t have been sent all this way if it were nothing! What is it?”\n\n“I don’t know, my lady,” replied the scout. “None of us does.” Alathis looked up then and saw the other scouts ranged around the edge of the clearing. Surprisingly, rather than looking out into the jungle to defend against an ambush, they were all gazing inward with bows drawn and aimed. The scout continued, “But it…it’s not of our world.”\n\nAlathis raised a hand to her head, massaging her temples. “Are we asur, or are we mortal humans?” she asked, with an edge of irritation in her voice. “We’ve dealt with otherworldy phenomena for most of our existence. Whatever this is, it’s something for us to study. I’m going to look.” Without another word, the mage rose to her feet and strode into the clearing. Her swordmasters moved forward with her with their great weapons resting on their shoulders. A few paces into the clearing there was a great crater that looked as though it had been formed of obsidian. Curious, but certainly not frightening for a disciple of the White Tower of Hoeth. She stepped up to the lip of the crater—and paused. There, lying in the middle, was a humanoid form. It appeared to be clad in armour the colour of blood, edged in bronze, and with several runes worked into its surface. As she looked, they seemed to shift in front of her, and she could have sworn her eyes began to sting and burn. The figure held something in each hand: its right grasped a large axe that appeared to have some kind of blunt serrated blade, while its left held a device that to Alathis’ eye somewhat resembled the crude blackpowder pistols she’d seen humans of the Empire carrying last time she had visited that place.\n\nThe swordmasters’ leader came up and stood behind Alathis’ shoulder. “My lady, what is it?” His face and voice remained calm and certain, but the mage knew the training the swordmasters went through to control their emotions on the battlefield. Alathis tried to form her words.\n\n“I’m not sure what this is…it is certainly unnatural, and definitely has the reek of Chaos about it. It looks somewhat like one of the armoured men of the north, but…” Before she could finish her sentence, the eye-slits in the figure’s helmet lit up. A dim cold blue light showed, and the armoured form sat up. It looked around for a moment, before seeing Alathis and the swordmasters. From out of nowhere, Alathis was overwhelmed by a salty, copper and iron taste in her mouth. She spat on the floor, assuming she’d bitten her tongue, but the saliva was clear. As the figure climbed to its feet, the five swordsmen moved in front of the mage, hefting their two-handed swords into combat stances. The scouts around the perimeter also carefully moved forwards, pointing their longbows.\n\nAlathis raised her arms, drawing strands of Hysh to her in order to weave a net of magic to hold the creature in place, but before she could complete her enchantment the armoured figure gave a mighty roar that sounded somehow harsh and distorted, and charged with alarming speed towards the line of swordsmen. For a creature of such great size and bulk, it moved astonishingly quickly, and as it came forward it pointed the pistol and pulled the trigger. Unlike the simple gunpowder weapons of the human nations, this weapon gave off explosions that were painfully loud as it was fired, and as swordsmen were hit, the force of the blast almost disintegrated them, the finely-wrought elven armour doing nothing to stop whatever had hit the warriors. Then it had reached them, swinging the great axe in its right hand. The serrated edge had somehow begun to move, and it made a buzzing roar as the monster swung it forwards. The lead swordmaster, an experienced fighter named Cahail, swung his sword up to parry the swing. The axe was deflected, but the moving serrations had managed to shatter his sword. Cahail fell back, drawing his knife as the scouts around the crater opened fire. Their arrows pattered harmlessly off the creature’s armour, and Alathis felt something fall in the pit of her stomach as she stumbled backwards. In the few seconds it took her to try and regather the magical strands she’d dropped in fright, the monster slew Cahail and the other remaining swordmasters, eviscerating them bloodily. It turned its head towards the sky and let out a deafening howl.\n\n“BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!”\n\nAlathis’ breath was now rapid and ragged, her fingers trembling as she tried to complete her casting. Before she could however, the monster fixed its eyes on her. It turned and spoke.\n\n“YOUR SORCERY CANNOT TOUCH THE CHOSEN OF KHORNE, WRETCH.”\n\nAs the mage’s eyes met the glowing portals that presumably marked the creature’s own, she felt her strength leave her. She had faced down daemons, even daemons of the Blood God, but she had never seen anything at all like this impervious, brutal, terrifying killing machine. All thought of casting her net were gone, and she turned to flee into the jungle. She heard the monster’s appallingly heavy tread behind her as it chased her down, and in three paces it was on her. She tripped and fell, and rolled over in time to see the monster’s buzzing, grinding axe descending towards her.", "“My lords we have found another artifact!” A sickly human yelled from the pit below. Above two eleven lords stood overlooking the mining pit. They simply nodded to the human before walking forward off the ledge. As soon as they stepped off a faintly glowing aura surrounded them, gently descending them into the mining pit. \n\nThey came to a halt next to the human, who was now kneeling. “Show us” the elven female said as she lazily brushed a hand through her hair. Her hair instantly braiding itself into an extravagant bun. The human quickly rose from the ground, beckoning them toward a small cave. They quickly made their way inside, the elves eyes glowing in the dark as their night vision adjusted to the darkness. Around them the other human slaves quickly dropped to their knees as the elves passed by.\n\nAfter many turns they entered a large round cavern. In the center of the ceiling was a small hole bringing a small beam of light into the cavern, the light illuminated a large metallic cylinder which rested in a black crater. The elven male stepped forward curiously. The sound of crunching glass echoing with each of his footsteps. The cylinder was only slightly larger than the elf and was incredibly shinny showing the elf his own reflection. The elf gently placed his hand on the cylinder feeling the cool metal. As he inspected the cylinder the metal began to liquify. He steped back as the walls of the metal cylinder melted into the crater. The cylinder quickly melted, left in its place was a metal suit of heavy armor which was now surrounded by a boiling metallic puddle. \n\nThe elven female stepped back and grabbed the human slave by the arm. “Bring us that armor” she commanded as she threw the slave far into the puddle. The slave hit the still boiling puddle about an arms length from the armored suit. The slave screamed in agony as nearly every inch of skin instantly began to burn. The slave attempted to crawl to the suit but the pain was too much. The elves began to laugh as they watched the pathetic human burn. Within a few seconds the human slave was nearly dead, reaching out in desperation the human only managed to touch the armor with one finger.\n\nUpon the human touching the metal suit it instantly came to life. As if from know where metallic tendrils quickly pulled the human slave into the armored metal suit. The elves upon swing this stopped laughing, watching with renewed curiosity. \n\nWithin the suit a deep metallic voice. “Human you have sustained critical damage...applying last stand combat stimulants now” the metallic voice said as needles began to prick the humans skin.\n\nThe elven male now finished with observing the again unmoving metal suit. Stepped forward into the puddle the boiling metal parted from each step. The elf now within arms reach of the metal suit reached forward. “Slave are you alive in there?” He said as he reached for the shoulder of metal suit. \n\nThe metal suit quickly lurched upward, grabbing the elf’s arm and ripping it from his socket in the blink of an eye. The elven male quickly propelled himself backward to the cave wall. Using magic he sealed the wound. The metallic suit let out a roar that sent shivers down the elf’s spines before charging forward as it tossed the arm into the still boiling puddle. \n\nThe elven female quickly stepped between them raising her hands she sent lighting forth, arcing into the metallic suit. However the suit was undeterred as it charged forward into the cavern wall. The two elves managed to barely dodge thanks to their flight magic. They quickly flew upward toward the hole in the ceiling. The male was the first one through. He quickly turned around to make sure the elven female made it through. But from the darkness suit had launched itself upward crashing into the ceiling. The arm of the suit reached forth grabbing her by the leg and throwing her back into the darkness below. The force of the suit impacting the ceiling causing the entire cavern to completely collapse. \n\nThe now one armed male elf could only watch in fear as the ground crumbled around him. He had never known fear before but right now he knew he could not go back for her. He turned and fled flying toward the floating city.", "I looked around, giggling to myself like a madman... The faces of disgust, horror and dread silently screaming all their delectable terror.\n\n\"You might want to put down those over-glorified slingshots you're holding, Right now I'm high enough to not be sure if I could stop my instincts kicking in and killing all o-\" \"DIE FILTHY CREATURE!\" and like that a hail of light ether rained down upon me. I Pulled out my weapon and a symbol flashed in it's center, I got a lovely fireworks show. \n\n\nLike that, just liked I warned them I was already on top of the initial aggressor, my hand grasped crudely around their entire, frail face\n\n\"I SAID\" Yelling as I crushed the knife eared bastard's skull in with nothing but my iron grip \"PUT THOSE TOYS ON THE GROUND BEFORE I MAKE EVERY GREAT BATTLE YOUR SHITHEEL RACE AS EVER FOUGHT LOOK LIKE CHILDREN CRYING OVER WHO GOT THE LAST COOKIE!\"\n\nSome listened to the voice of reason in their heads and laid down their arms. One however thought himself an anime protagonist and charged at me screaming.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"MONADO BUSTER!\" I screamed out activating my weapon as raised his shield thinking he'd won. \n\nA vision flashed before my eyes, he'd stop and pivot left hoping to flank me. Coming out of it my blade sings with raw ether cuts through his shield and armor along with his weak, supple, flesh. The smell of vaporized elf blood fills the air as my would be attackers start fleeing in panic, My monado shone with symbols. Buster, Purge, Shield and then finally, elf. \n\nNow I'm not usually the person who'd pronounce \"Civilian bystanders\" as \"Acceptable collateral damage\". But when you're high as an orbital station on combat drugs, have a Monado in hand AND you've just crushed a \"man's\" skull in with nothing but your singular hand you're not exactly in the most peaceful frame of mind.\n\nWhen I next had enough presence of mind to be classified as \"Sentient\" again I had seemed to be standing over the corpse of a elf, on my waist was two smaller ones, probably children and... they were thanking me? That was what probably pulled me out of the rampage. Naturally a bit confused and possibly coming down from my high I asked them what just happened. Here's what I was able to gleam from them.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAfter my little scuffle with the trigger happy aristotwats in the city I landed in my \"Doom-wrath\" as they called in spread across the world, Apparently the high and mighty bullshit we'd been getting from the interstellar comms these past few months and the occasional skirmish had been coming exclusively from their cities. Much like humanity they too were a divided people, or at least were until I descended.\n\nIn a few days I had toppled it with \"A blade of arcana's bane\" I was told, they must be referring to the Monado's perfect either manipulation capabilities. That might a bit harder to do now that I don't have the drugs to hold off the nausea and headaches but still I should be fine.\n\nFor now though I needed rest. The children currently clinging to me offered their beds, when I asked why they simply said \"you killed the man who hurt us.\"\n\nLooking down at the man my Monado was currently sticking out of he did bear a striking resemblance to the children. \"So much for all that being 'above all human flaws' those wannabe demi-gods shit out onto the comms network\" I think aloud, Pulling the Monado free and florishing it to fling the blood off.\n\n\"Thank you kids, I'll find a way to re-pay this kindness once this whole situation metaphorically blows over.\" I said.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAnd that's how I met my adopted son and daughter.", "As the combat drums wore off, the sudden drop from the height offered jarred Néro back into her immediate surroundings. Her arms, covered in a viscous golden liquid, wrenched her high-frequency ‘Messer’ blade from the spasming corpse of a man with pointed ears and ancient-looking plate armour. He fell into a pile of his apparent brethren, spilling ichor from the various wounds he had received by Néro’s blade. \n\nThe toughest part of every operation had just begun for the shock trooper: figuring out where the hell she was and what the fuck she was doing. A quick check of her heads-up display revealed that her helmet’s computer had taken damage; the only systems that functioned were the firearms aiming module and the thermal sight module. No mission objective, no communications, and, interestingly enough, no tracking device. Not that Néro would take the opportunity to run - where would she go? Instead, she decided to take the approach of surveying the area. One of the pointy-ears desperately crawled away with her one arm. Néro crouched down next to her, opened her visor, and stared with her sharp green eyes. \n\n“This may sound rather strange, but I need to know who you are and where I am.”\n\nThe pointed-ear woman’s mouth dropped in shock, as she stopped and breathed. After taking some time to process the shock trooper’s words, she shakily accused her of ‘being one of them’, before her golden eyes faded out and she lay dead. Néro sighed, and sheathed her sword. The visor to her jet-black helmet flicked back down, and the shock trooper looked around once more. She quickly realized that she was in a bowl; a glassed crater, filled with the fallen. Staring down at her from the top of this bowl were three more pointy-ears, the sinking suns at their backs. Instead of gold-plated armour, they appeared to be wearing robes, carrying staves like the wizards from old folk tales. Néro decided that they could tell her what was going on, so she leapt up to the mouth of the crater in order to greet the spectators. \n\nThey seemed rather surprised at the jumping capabilities Néro had, which was a bit strange to her. Just about anyone with a suit of power armour could do the same. One of their staves ignited in blue light, which also perked Néro’s interest. What sort of device was it? A type of energy rifle? The staff-man’s comrades yelled in shock, and Néro quickly bowed as she greeted them with an amicable hello. \n\n“A… human?”\n\nThe staff-man began to laugh. \n\n“You are… a human?”\n\nThe three of them were chuckling now, which really got on Néro’s nerves. Who were they to laugh at her? She’d show them by-\n\n“Why, had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have thought a human could kill even one of us!”\n\nNéro glances back at her glassed crater, at the mangled corpses within, and turned to the three living ones. \n\n“Do you think you three are any different?”\n\nShe asked, trying her best to sound aggressive. It must not have worked, because the pointy-ears merely laughed some more. \n\n“Tell us, what sort of magic was that? Perhaps you casted a strength enhancement? And is that a lightning-enchanted sword?”\n\nWhat? Magic? What the fuck is magic? Néro didn’t know what these strange creatures were on about. \n\n“I don’t… know what that is. I was injected with a Class-Delta Combat Stim earlier, if that’s what you mean? My blade vibrates at high frequencies to make cutting easier, there is no lightning involved.”\n\nThe pointy-ears did not seem to understand, but they must’ve decided it wasn’t important as the staff-man spoke. \n\n“Well, little human, how about you work for us instead? You see, we need to claim your galaxy for the empire, and with you on our side it would be much easier. We can offer great compensation, as well as workers benefits and a planet once our conquest is complete!”\n\nNow it was Néro’s turn to not understand. The Empire? This galaxy was already under control of the Empire. She’d never seen any pointy-ears amongst the Emperor’s retinue, however, and the Emperor himself was a human. \n\n“What Empire? We’re already part of the Empire! And I would never leave them to join some pointy-eared fairy people, either!”\n\nNéro imagined it sounding more menacing in her head, but what can one do about their natural tone? At any rate, she had apparently confused them once more. \n\n“Pointy-ears? Already part of the Empire? Feh, no matter! If you refuse to join us, then we’ll have to kill you to make up for that army.”\n\nUnfortunately for the elf, Néro’s combat stim had just recharged.", "Your legs weren't working, and this made you angry. Not because you had anywhere to go, rather, because it could be mistaken for kneeling. You would never kneel again, especially not to these Elf bastards. \n\nYou try to wet your tongue, to draw forth saliva to spit at their immaculately clean feet, even in the middle of a battlefield, but it sizzled away before you could gather any appreciable amount, evaporated under the unnatural power of the chemical cocktail in your veins.\n\nThe beauty of elves, you muse, could never impress you again, not after seeing the face of god in the dying light of your fellow soldiers eyes. Not after the very space in front of your eyes shuddered with fury and twisted into false plains and bottomless illusions. Even now, the insidious shriek of tortured brain cells dying could be heard in the corners of your mind.\n\nThe gold-skins where saying something. It was muffled and you couldn't understand... No matter, probably something arrogant and self-righteous anyway. Nothing for it now but to keep fighting, you thought, struggling to your feet.\n\nThe rage was real, absolutely, it's the only thing you could count on to be true. No matter what lies the gold-skins tried to sell you, the rage would always be true. And if you ever had trouble finding it, there would always be a backup vial of clarity in your side pouch.", "Her head rung.\n\nNot with plasma blasts, or cut-off screams as her teammates’ comms get destroyed along with them, but with ringing.\n\nHead ringing with ringing? That can’t be right, she managed to think through the noise. Where am I? What happened?\n\nLike waking from a dream, the memories came and went, disjointed and nonsensical.\n\nFighting.\n\nTaking a pill.\n\nA ship.\n\nA new weapon?\n\nHer suit, curling up to protect her from re-entry.\n\nPetting her cat.\n\nTerrified screams as the blast came for them.\n\nTerrified bodies running from her.\n\nGetting slammed into the wall while the ship warped.\n\nShe hauled herself to her feet, legs like a newborn horse. Her visor was filled with warnings—battery at 26%, functionality of left arm lost, overall integrity at 13%, nanobots deployed, unknown location—but there was one not-warning. Breathable atmosphere.\n\n“Good,” she said to herself. “I can get some fresh air while I come off of this high.” She struggled with her helmet for several seconds before managing to take it off.\n\nSomehow, the combat drugs she had taken were still in her system. Marvelous things—they increased strength, speed, and stamina temporarily by removing the brain’s blockades, which had a teensy side effect of letting you kill without remorse. Perfect in a war. And she remembered now—she was a feared general, almost impossible to kill. She didn’t need the drugs, but they sure made life easier. They helped with the remorse after the fact, but she still shivered as the memories came back. Foot soldiers had no choice. She didn’t like killing them.\n\nEnough wallowing.\n\nShe cast her eyes about. She had created quite the crater, filled with a shiny black glass coating. Which was a bit odd, but alien planets had strange composition sometimes. It was pretty, but it would be pretty hard to get out of. Her feet still felt twitchy, but they were getting better. And she couldn’t stay here—if there was alien life, they would find the crater quickly.\n\nShe let the spikes in her shoes do the work for her. It took a while, but she eventually made it out of the crater and into the woods.\n\nIt was definitely alien, but the plant life was similar to what they grew in the ships. Green, but with odd leaves, and flowers that weren’t really flowers, and bulbous blue growths. It smelled sweet, with a hint of cinnamon, a favorite spice of hers. She wandered around aimlessly, half looking for a place to build a shelter, half wondering if any of this was edible. Her suit would be able to tell her once it repaired itself. Which would take weeks with no extra energy supply.\n\nShe sighed, and sat down on a rock. The drugs were slowly but surely working their way out of her system. She looked up to stare at the odd pink growth she had seen earlier. But something was off. It shivered in the light, just like how cloaking shields worked.\n\nShe drew her plasma gun and fired. Two eyes flared open, and the form of the creature materialized next. Slender, tall, with pointy ears and a hole in its side. It recoiled from her as soon as she stood up, plasma gun aimed for its heart.\n\n“Is the translator online?” she asked her suit calmly.\n\n“No,” her suit replied. “Integrity at 13%. Repairs ongoing. Would you like to prioritize translator repair?”\n\n“That won’t be necessary,” the thing hissed. “I regretfully know your filthy tongue.”\n\n“Perfect,” she replied. “Then, you understand me when I say that I won’t hesitate to kill you if you so much as cough without my say-so.”\n\n“I am a perfect being. I do not cough.”\n\n“Now, coughing or not, I’d really appreciate it if you called your friends off,” she said. “I won’t hesitate to kill them either, although I’d really prefer there to be no death.”\n\n“You are the one who will die,” a voice said from the trees. \n\nTilting her head up, she spotted another one. With a bow. A bow and arrow. And there was another invisible—there next to the one up in the trees, the leaves seemed to be wavering, and a pair of eyes was watching, but more tellingly, a small ball of yellow light was swirling around mid-air.\n\n“A bow?” she said. “That’s what you plan to kill me with? My armor is broken, but not that broken.”\n\nShe turned away from the one she had injured, and pointed her gun at the one she could see in the trees. It fired, and she easily dodged. So when the ball of light came for her, she fired at the invisible one and sidestepped again. She hardly even needed drugs to do that. It became visible and hit the ground.\n\nBut she did need drugs to throw off the first one. Somehow, despite the gaping hole in its side, it had latched onto her and was attempting to strangle her. Even though it wasn’t doing much of anything, it was still clinging on well. Her enhanced muscles fought to throw it off, and she eventually succeeded, throwing it into a tree once she had a good grip on it. It groaned and went limp.\n\nSeveral more materialized, surrounding her. She glared at each of them. “Like I said, I don’t want to fight.”\n\n“What kind of filthy trick have you done, human?” one said. “You are imperfect. You are mortal. And yet, you harness magic! This is an affront to Haila, and you will receive divine retribution for your sins!”\n\n“Magic?” she echoed. “Magic, really.” She fired on each of them in turn, before they could reach her. Without any real armor besides the thin sheets a few were wearing, they were each taken down in one shot.\n\nShe walked up to the one who had just spoke, the one that seemed to be the leader. “I’m not using magic. Where did you get that idea?”\n\n“No magic?” Its eyes widened. “Impossible. You’re killing us with it! And you’re far faster than any human should be.”\n\nShe tilted its face up with her toe. “Tell your leader—do you have leaders? Probably—that I don’t want trouble. If any more of you freaky things are sent to hurt me, I will kill them.”\n\n“‘Freaky things?’ I am a high elf, superior being, keeper of peace—“\n\nShe cut it short, grinding its head into the dirt with her heel. “Elves? That’s what you call yourself? Ah, so you really are using magic. Didn’t even think that was real.”\n\n“Real? Ignorant human. You do not recognize the magic you have enslaved—“\n\n“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not using magic, I’m using science. This gun fires plasma, not magic. My armor fixes itself. And I took a lot of combat drugs.” She took her foot off of the elf.\n\nThe elf scrambled to its feet. There was something in its eyes she knew well—fear, and a lack of understanding.\n\n“We will be back,” it snarled. “Whether in peace or war I do not know. Prepare yourself.”\n\nIt slunk away into the trees. She stared at all the bodies. Some were still twitching, so she put them out of their misery.\n\n“I didn’t even give them my name,” she said to herself. “I think it was...Kailus. Yes, that’s my name.”\n\nIt fitted with the rest of her scattered memories. Kailus, feared general, right-hand woman of the leader of the Galgrax Empire.\n\nI wonder what Zarcal would thing of me now. His prized general, stranded on a planet, high on drugs, blasting weird elf things. It’s probably the strangest thing I’ve done.\n\nShe walked through the forest, looking for shelter as the planet’s star set.", "rebooting framearms/-----ERROR!ERROR!ERROR!\nframearms compromised/----- rerouting power/----- successful. \nauxiliary reactors online/-----\nrestoring audio sensors/----- \naudio sensors activation completed/----- \n\n\"[]>> t7@& GGO%^^ss\"\n\nnon;terranis languages detected/----- \nautomatic translator activated/-----\n\n\"Wh{}t is ghat teacher?\"\n\n\"Stay asay from that thing bo%! Ư^ dn't know wh[]t is it!\"\n\ntranslation complete/-----\nlanguage;elvish/-----\n\n\"Fetch the slaves. Call for the high priestesses, they will know what to do!\"\n\n\"Teacher, its look like a human!\"\n\nkey word detected/----- 'human'\n[human]: ancient word for terranis.\n\n\"Those good for nothing apes? Well get one of slaves over here then, see if they recognizes their worthless kind.\"\n\nkey word detected/----- 'slave'\nERROR!ERROR!ERROR!ERROR!ERROR!\ndeploying suppression agents/-----\nhigh emotional stress detected/-----\n\n(logical assumptions): the word 'slave' are connected to the word 'human'. Implying terranis in captivity/hold against their will.\n\n(course of action): focused on repairing the framearms. Cease all unnecessary activities.\n\ncomplying. \nshutting down/-----\n\n........................................,....................,........\n\nrebooting/----- success. \nestimated time from last activation period/----- 24hours.\n\n\"So it's a human after all...\"\n\n\"High priestess, surely you're mistaken! The apes can't never have produced such excellent craftsmanship!\"\n\n\"You dare to doubt me!?\"\n\n\"Of course not, you holiness! Is just that... the armor this thing wearing, it's stronger than anything we have seen before!\"\n\n\"Twisted they maybe, under all of that ...armor... as you call it, lie a soul of a human male. And it's look like our companion have finally woken up.\"\n\nforceful entry detected!/----- activating defense mechanisms!\n\n<Stop!>\n\ndefense mechanisms failed to respond!/----- manual activation accepted! Deploying memetic kill agents/----- 3. 2.\n\n<Please, I just wanted to talk!>\n\n<CEASED YOUR FORCEFUL ENTRY!!!!>\n\nall entry attempts have ceased/-----\n[course of action]: queries about the status of Terranis, location and time.\n\n\"Speaks.\"\n\n\"What are you? And how do you come into process such armor? Your soul is human, but clearly you're not, appearance wise.\"\n\n\"I'm unit K/3524 of the UNSF, a homo sapiens. This armor is called framearms, it's was mine from birth.\" \n\n\"You spoke Eldari!\"\n\n\"Yes. Your language is not unfamiliar with me.\"\n\n\"Why are you here? Who send you here?\"\n\n\"I do not know.\"\n\n\"High priestess, pleased ceased trying to communicate with the ape! It's can speak Eldari with ease, this must be reported to the Lords immediately!\"\n\n\"Silent. Leave us be. Anything i can learn from communicating with this human, I'll reported to the Lords myself. Now get out of this chapel!\"\n\n<I'm sorry K/3524, forgive him for his ignorance, the normal elves afraid of anything that is unusual.>\n\nscans completed/----- \nterranis DNA detected/----- 50%.\n(logical conclusion): subject 'high priestess' is a elven terranis hybrid.\n\n\n<I didn't mind. What is your name ? I believe that is courtesy to introduce yourself, young one.>\n\n<It Elan. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.>\n\n<I like you, Elan. No harm shall befall you as long as you stayed out of my ways.>\n\n<Stay out of your ways?>\n\nrepaired complete/----- \nframearms at 100% capabilities/-----\nactivating framearms/----- success.\n\n<High Priestess Elan. Because of the fact that you're half human, you have been spared>\n\n<Spared for what exactly???>\n\nactivating null array/---- begins killing all non terranis at extreme prejudice.", "\"I bring news of the stranger, Lord Nelwe\", Hithion said as he entered the lord's hall. \"Apparently, she has nothing to do with the Dark Horror. She agreed to follow your Chosen Twelve willingly and answer your questions\".\n\nWillingly, Nelwe thought. These were good news, indeed. To his experience, the stranger was perfectly capable of slaying his entire Chosen Twelve with that giant sword of hers, too big for any Elf or Man to wield. His brother learned that the hard way when he attempted to apprehend what he thought to be a spy of the Dark Horror. Was it a misunderstanding? Maybe.\n\n\"Does she have a name? Does she speak our language? How did you converse with her?\"\n\n\"Mind magic, my lord. It allowed us to decipher her language. She calls herself Nina Metzger\".\n\n\"How did you convince her to give in to mind magic?\"\n\n\"We offered food, my lord. Apparently, the stranger can't hunt\".\n\nBenevolence, Nelwe thought. Benevolence and a sword always yield more results than just a sword... or just benevolence.\n\n\"When should I expect her?\"\n\n\"Tomorrow, my lord. She insists on not parting with that Troll-sword of hers, no matter what\".\n\nA strange request, Nelwe thought. No one else could wield this weapon and use it against the stranger, not even the strongest High Elves. Their superior spirit gave their warriors strength above that of humans, but this strange woman appeared to be stronger than King Ingold who fought the Dark Horror himself. He felt apprehension. What if the stranger is in fact malevolent and wants his death? He could hope the Art would save him, but the crude but powerful techniques of the stranger proved their ability to pierce through Elf-magic.\n\n\"I guess I have no other option but to... trust.\"\n\n * *\n\"Greetings, my guest. What is your name?\"\n\n\"I already told my name to your guards. I am Nina Metzger.\"\n\n\"You look like one of the race of man, but... not exactly. Are you human?\"\n\n\"Not exactly\", Nina answered. \"Or maybe not at all... anymore. What I am is called a HELIX. An A-HELIX-BC, to be precise. HELIX is the general term for my kind. A is my project type. The old, the reliable A-type. And BC is my combat rating. Sort of like a skill rank. My actual military rank is Major General.\"\n\n\"Are these... high ranks\"? Nelwe inquired.\n\n\"Quite so, my pointy eared friend. A Blacklight major general usually commands a division. A HELIX major general commands a Section. BC means Beyond Class, the creme de la creme. There are only four of us BCs.\"\n\n\"Impressive. Most impressive\", Nelwe said, not understanding half of those words. \"Are you highborn?\"\n\n\"What?\", Nina laughed. \"Of course not. None of our military is. It's our money bags and corporate stockholders who are born into their positions. HELIXes are made. Now, as we are introduced to each other properly, where's the food? I also need a fucking drink. And not that dog piss your local humans call beer. It won't affect me at all, and the taste is horrible. Do you have distilled spirits?\"", "Kill... Maim... Fight... Protect... Win...\n\nA gentle slap to the face roused me from my combat stim addled pain. The drugs were fading from my system and the pain was starting to really hurt.\n\nWith some effort I opened my eyes and looked up to see a scrawny pasty fella with his fist about to punch me. My boosted reflexes could barely overcome the pain and all I managed was to take the punch on my jaw instead of the side of my face.\n\nIgnoring the screams of pain coming from Pasty I started to retch from the stench of vitrification combined with coming down from my stims. I checked my helmet to see why the counter stim wasnt being deployed only to finally realize I wasnt wearing it.\n\nPulling myself to a sitting position I looked about and tool stock of my surroundings. Six indigenous life forms, humanoid, wearing metal armor. Carrying blades and bows. One of them, The one dubbed Pasty, is crouching on the blackened glass mumbling in pain while two others were obviously hyping him up.\n\nI stood up only to be matched by Pasty who drew his sword and then produced some kind of glowing yellow ball in his off hand. I missed where he got that from, but that is the nature of pain and disorientation.\n\nMy armor was a wreck, and it seems the crash had ripped it apart along the cracks formed after that volley of plasma hit me earlier. Only shattered shreds of the plate remained over the second skin under sheath.\n\nBlinking away the stars from my eyes and trying not to vomit; I put my hands slowly into a basic unarmed defense stance my dad had taught me for fighting against blades. I'd just have to wait and see what that yellow ball did.\n\nIn slow motion he lunged at me in a relatively telegraphed feint which I respond to by slapping the blade away from my leg while bringing my other hand in for a jab. The jab never connected as I jumped back in suprise as he threw the yellow ball which turned into some kind of miniature lightning bolt. Throwing myself to the side I barely managed to dodge. I hadn't thought I would be able to.\n\nStaggering back up to my feet I saw the utter confusion and awe of the other 5. I readied my defense again but knew the fight was over.\n\nEldrad looked in shock. The stocky figure had just absorbed a lightning Spell. He just wasnt affected at all. The shock and curiosity overrode his bruised pride and he reached out to this new creature and offered his sword hilt first in the act of peaceful submission.\n\nHis men were shocked. The might Eldrad Spellslinger, former champion of the High Elves had never offered his sword to any foe.\n\nEldrad had found a creature immune to magic and able to fight. This might be his way to bring down the Heirophant and his high wizard circle sycophants. Finally Eldrad could avenge his sister.\n\nI looked at the sword being offered to me. It was a really nice sword, and u was unarmed on an apparently hostile world, so I figured it was worth stopping the fight to grab.\n\nIt was a bit light to the hand, maybe a pound tops. Oh well. Based on Pasty putting his arm over my shoulder I had the feeling I was going to be using this before long.\n\nMan, i was hungry.\n\n[Part 2](https://www.reddit.com/user/BalrogTheBuff/comments/hi7mjn/writing_prompt_high_elves_shall_know_fear/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x)", "The Elven Overseer lashed out with his whip, striking the man convulsing on the ground. \"Get up, scum\" he growled.\n\nHe hit him again, and Octavian continued collecting picking fruit, desperately trying to avoid attention. \n\n\"Useless scum\" the Overseer said, as he drew a knife and slit the mans throat. \"You there\" he said, pointing at Octavian. \"Throw this trash in the pit.\"\n\nOctavian bowed low, and grabbing the legs of the dead man. Looking up for the first time all day, he passed between the luscious trees, thick with red fruit and green foliage, standing tall and strong in stark contrast to the dozens of men and women laboring under their shade, many with thick scars covering their backs from years of abuse.\n\nDragging the body past them, he started to approach the pit, the repugnant smell of death becoming impossible to ignore the closer he came. A few years ago, a small party of slaves had begged the overseers to move the pit further away from the work-fields, but two had been killed and the rest harshly beaten for their effort; the overseers didn't care, the air they breathed carefully filtered by a simple charm.\n\nAs he reached the pit, the bell for down-tools sounded, and with a heave he pushed the body over the ledge into the rotting mass below, retching as he did so, before quickly scrambling away, trying to forget the sight he had seen all too many times before.\n\nJoining the others, they traipsed in nervous silence under the harsh gaze of the overseers along the rough dirt road to their barracks, a small brick building in a larger complex that had been used for soldiers in the civil war, and was now over-packed with slave laborers, four to a single bunk.\n\nIt was not uncommon for a slave to wake up one day and find that they had spent the night sleeping alongside a corpse who had died in the night, succumbing to the inescapable cold or the harsh grasp of starvation.\n\nAs they crested a hill, they caught a glimpse of a large manor house, white against the setting sun, set apart from the horrors of the slave fields as if distance could purify the occupants of their sins, though even there slaves, better fed and treated, kept the house running and the occupants in comfort.\n\nHalf an hour later, but without any further deaths, they arrived at their barracks. Lining up at the entrance, they collected a small bowl of thin gruel and sat on the floor to eat. Once the overseer was safely out of sight, they began to talk quietly.\n\n'Luther from Amaratharr's came again today' said Lucius. 'Something happened at Castien's yesterday.'\n\n'Come off it Lucius, not another of Luther's tall tales' said Octavian.\n\nThere was a murmur of agreement, but Lucius continued \"He promises this one is true. Directly overheard two of Them talking about it.\"\n\n'He might be right for once\" said Old Cato. \"I was plowing the far field earlier, and I overheard two of the overseers briefly. They were very concerned about something, thought it was some sort of new Commonwealth weapon.'\n\nEveryone was silent now, waiting for Lucius to continue. \"They don't think it is from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has denied it, and they don't believe the Commonwealth has the ability to launch such an attack.\"\n\nThere was a distinct sense of disappointment in the air; for almost a decade now, the slaves had been waiting for the Commonwealth to restart the war and make good on their pledge of emancipation.\n\n'Who then?' asked Octavian. 'The Empire?'\n\n'No.' responded Lucius. 'Whoever sent it, it turned Castien's manor into nothing but a crater, edged by glass, but there is better. Supposedly a human, armed with fantastic weapons, emerged from it.'\n\n'They sent in an two companies to capture the person, but they were both wiped out to an elf. The battalion is now holding a position twelve miles east of here, waiting for reinforcements.' \n\nOld Cato spoke up now. 'I don't know if this is true, but we have to risk it. We've been gathering equipment for months, but there has been too many close calls. We are not going to get a better chance.'\n\nHe looked slowly around the crowd, and one by one they nodded. Some did so eagerly, others reluctantly and slowly, but one by one they all did so.\n\n'At midnight. I'll wake you.'\n\nWith a strange mix of resignation and excitement, they all finished their gruel in silence before heading to the bunks for a brief rest before it began.\n\n6(7)/71 - Σ4,567" ]	18
	[WP] You, a masked superhero, happen to have unknowingly been dating you arch nemesis for the past 9 months	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "In retrospect it should have been so clear from the start. However, as I stood in the hidden room in Irena’s apartment that I had inadvertently quite literally stumbled into, all I could feel was shock. Despite my super strength, my legs felt so weak that I reached out and grabbed onto a piece of the wall for support.\n\nThe room was quite small really; approximately the size of a walk in closet. Just large enough to hold a couple of Clover’s power suits, some weapons, a couple of glass-door cabinets filled with medical supplies, and a small mainframe with a laptop operating as a terminal. Obviously not a main lair, but rather a cache within reach if the villain was in a hurry.\n\nI met Irena a mere two days after Clover came to the city. Ironically, that day, like today, I had rescued her as my alter ego, Wallbuster. She had been one of the unfortunate victims thrown off the elevated light rail during a three way fight between two super villains and a vigilante. Since flight was one of my powers I had rescued her, and was quickly taken in by the green-eyed redhead with a soft smile and an easy laugh. \n\nWe had talked for hours after I flew her to her apartment that evening. I found out she was a part-time writer, a vet assistant in training (hence her move to the city), loved children, animals and plants, enjoyed dressing up in various styles as the mood hit her, and had a wicked sense of humor. In exchange, she found out how long I had been a super hero, the fact I hadn’t really set out to be one, and that I really hated villains and criminals that killed needlessly or who hurt kids. It was with great reluctance and sadness that I parted company that night, fairly certain I would not see her again.\n\nSomehow, despite all odds, I ran into her by chance in my civilian form, and despite my rather plain looks and lack of self respect, she took a liking to me. Despite my reluctance due to my superhero gig, we somehow managed to start dating and rather quickly became lovers. Three months into our relationship, she became pregnant.\n\nThat pregnancy should have clued me in a bit. Over the last few months I had noticed that Clover’s green and black costume had become increasingly tighter and showed off more cleavage in her armored leotard than before. I had also noticed that her stomach was a bit more rounded, but I had just thought she had gained weight.\n\nNow I frantically searched my memory for any time I might have caused injury to her stomach or witnessed another super or even a “normal” do so. Breathed a sigh of relief when I couldn’t think of any. Though a shelf had fallen on her during the armed robbery of the store she had been unlucky enough to be in today, she had taken most of the force in her right arm and her head. It had left her woozy and weak, but it was not likely to have hurt our child.\n\nStill, I kicked myself again. Yes, Clover had dark brown hair, and brown eyes and a slightly deeper voice, but no intelligent super ever appeared in public with their natural hair or eye color, and voice changers were usually built into the costume or the mask. \n\nBut there were all the other signs. The times Irena was late to a date with bandages after Clover had been spotted fighting me or another super. There was Clover’s unusual care to not kill or hurt anyone she didn’t have to; even if it sometimes met she sometimes had to scrap her plans. Hell, there was even the one time she was in the middle of robbing a bank and a little girl started having an asthma attack. When Clover realized neither the girl nor her mother had an inhaler, and saw how much effort it was taking the girl just to breath, Clover didn’t even hesitate. Dropping the money, she scooped the kid up, asked the mother which hospital she preferred her kid went to, and flew the kid there herself. She wound up saving the kid’s life. It confused the hell out of just about everyone.\n\nBut now, after tripping over a discarded shoe and falling through a hidden door, it made sense to me. It was just the sort of thing Irena would do.\n\nI heard a noise behind me, but before I could turn, I felt Irena slip under my arm and lean into me. I looked down at her, thankful my mask hid my expression and my face from sight. The sight of her tear-filled green eyes looking up at me tore through my conflicted soul.\n\nShe let out a soft sigh and seemed to deflate. “Well, now you know, Jason,” she said softly.\n\n“Yeah, now I know,” I replied.\n\nMy eyes went wide as her final word sank in. She hadn’t called me Wallbuster, but…\n\n“I would know my lover anywhere, even disguised in a power suit. I was dreading the day you figured out I was Clover or Clover was me.”\n\nHer expression was one of fear as she looked up at me. “It was already too late for me to not be a villain when we met. The best I could do was try to be one neither of us would hate.” She looked down. “So where do we go from here?”\n\nWith one finger I carefully forced her chin back up. “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “But we’ll figure it out together.”" ]	2
	[WP] The majority of people on Earth are aware of the existence of alien life, but everyone thinks they are part of a small number of people who know and are not allowed to tell anyone else for one reason or another.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“We’ve got another one, sir.”\n\nThe room was dark. The glow of several computers the only source of light luminating the musky room. Several well-dressed men sat at their stations scrolling continuously. Sergeant Hicks strolled through the middle of the desks towards Johnson’s terminal.\n\n“What is it, Johnson?”\n\n“Julia Derby from Arkansas, sir” said Johnson, peering at the monitor. “Put the status up 13 minutes ago. Zero comments so far.”\n\n“And what does it say?”\n\n“It says ‘wondering if it’s worth telling them’ followed by about 15 dots.”\n\n“Dear God. Phillips, do we have any units who have infiltrated Julia Derby and are friends with her on Facebook?” \n\n“We do, sir. Bill O’Kenny. Prop account created in 2014. Been friends for approx. 35 months.”\n\n“It’ll do. Get up the profile.”\n\nA large monitor based on the wall of the room beamed into life as Bill O’Kenny’s profile logged in to Facebook.\n\n“OK, let’s draft a response on Julia’s status,” said Hicks, stationing himself at the front of the room. “Any ideas?”\n\n“How about ‘what’s up hon?’ with like three x’s at the end,” said a voice from the back.\n\n“Hmmm,” grumbled Hicks.\n\n“What about four x’s?” asked Johnson.\n\n“I like it,” said Hicks. “Draft and send.”\n\nThe response was keyed in and sent. The room sat in anticipation awaiting a response.\n\n“Do you think she knows, Sir?” asked Belding, a rookie sitting close the Sergeant at the front of the room.\n\n“Let’s pray not, kid,” replied Hicks, turning to look at Belding.\n\n“A response, Sir!” shouted the voice at the back.\n\n“Give me visuals.”\n\n‘Dnt rly wnt to tlk abt it so plz dnt ask …’\n\n“Christ she’s good,” muttered Hicks. “We’re either dealing with a tier 1 Vaguebooker or she knows.”\n\n“So what’s the plan?” asked Johnson.\n\n“Like her response. Stat,” barked Hicks, marching over to the main terminal where the Bill O’Kenny profile was logged in. “And give me that seat.”\n\nHicks sat at the desk, his eyes burning through the monitor in front of him. \n\n“I think we may have to tackle this one directly,” he stated. Gentleman, prepare your alt-accounts and send friend requests. This could get messy.\n\nAs the alt-accounts were logged in to the keyboard at Hick’s fingertips began to make noise. Eyes peered towards the stream of his monitor projected on to the large screen at the front of the room.\n\n‘Is this this to do with the secret aliens?’\n\nHicks hit send and waited.\n\nAfter what felt like an eternity a response landed.\n\n‘no not about them haha x’\n\nA collective sigh of relief let out around the room.\n\n“Thank God,” said Hicks. “For a second there I thought we were fucked.”\n\n****\n\nMy back catalogue of painfully unfunny stories can be found on /r/BillMurrayMovies. Feel free to come along, not laugh at any of them, and leave some judgement." ]	2
	[WP] A story where there the main character finds himself in (normally) very interesting plot starters (traped in an elevator, power surge ,etc) but nothing truly interesting happens and keeps the reader constantly waiting for something interesting to happen	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Suddenly, the elevator jarringly halted, and Jared found himself in pitch black darkness. He stumbled onto the railing, in alarm, nearly dropping his suitcase. Something was happening. In the past few days, there had been several unusual blackouts, but this was the first one where Jared had experienced one in an elevator.\n\nJared adjusted his tie and stood straight, recollecting himself. It was hard to see anything, and he waved his hand in front of him, moving towards the elevator's buttons. He pressed at them randomly, but nothing seemed to work.\n\nA part of him felt on edge. This was somewhat terrifying, yet strangely exhilarating. There was a part of him, that half expected the elevator doors to slowly open, for him to find himself in a strange new world. As a kid, he'd read a lot of fantasy and science fiction novels, so the imaginative part of his brain he'd pushed away in his boring adult life tingled with excitement.\n\nThen, he heard a deep rumbling noice. What was it? It sounded mechanical, yet also somewhat... monstrous. He shivered. Why did it feel so cold suddenly. The hairs on his skin had stood, and suddenly the thought crossed his head that maybe he was living in a horror story, not a fantasy one. What monster or ghoul could be haunting this office building? Had it shut off the power so it could devour him like a tasty midnight snack? He knew he shouldn't have done overtime.\n\nSuddenly, the elevator doors slid open. Oh. Maybe the outage was over and there was no monster... Wait.\n\nHe peered out of the doors, and instead of lit office building, he just saw more darkness, except for a dim glow at the end of the hallway. \n\n\"Hello?\" His voice called out an echoed. This was not normal. This had to be something unnatural happening. His mind began to race as it imagined different fantastical scenarios. A secret wizard floor where warlocks and sorcerers convened. A government lab where they didn't mind control experiments. A villains headquarters hidden in plain site. \n\nHe didn't recognize this floor, and now as he stared out, in the distance he saw gaseous clouds coming from the other end of the hallway. Maybe something magical was happening? The dim glow could be the energies of a fairy coming to grant Jared a few wishes, and the smoke the remnants of her teleportation spell. Or maybe it was an alien, getting ready to abduct right out of his building.\n\nEither way, Jared felt adrenaline bursting through his veins. This was his chance to go on adventure. To escape his office life and face the supernatural, whether grim or whimsical. He marched down the hallway, and heard a thumping noise getting louder and louder. The light was coming from around the corner. He took a deep breathe, and turned the corner, ready to face whatever extraterrestrial or mythical being who was causing this whole ordeal.\n\nHe stepped forward and-\n\n\"Oh hey bub.\" The voice was low and gravelly, but unmistakably normal sounding.\n\nThere was no angel or devil or monster or fairy. There was a grimy old repairman working on a panel in the wall, hammering at something. Jared sighed. The man had a little battery powered lamp to light his area. It wasn't some esoteric energy lighting up the darkness.\n\n\"There's some blackout going on so I'm taking a look on the electrical panels on this floor...\" The smoke that had formed was coming from some electrical device that was sparking and fuming. The worker fiddled with the tech, and after a few moments, the smoke cleared, and lights turned back on, and Jared found himself in a normal lit up office hallway.\n\n\"Oh... so you're not a secret deity who's here to give me powers and change my life forever?\"\n\nThe man gave Jared a confused look, and Jared shook his head. \"Sorry, its been a long night... I'll get going now... Is it safe to use the elevators now?\" He asked the repairman.\n\n\"They should be,\" the man said.\n\nJared thanked the man, and walked back into his elevator. He sighed, pressed the button for the ground floor, and the doors began to close. He peered out absently towards the repairman who was standing down the hall arranging his tools. Just as the doors were about to close, Jared eyes widened, and his heart dropped for a moment.\n\nThen the doors closed, and the elevator began going down. Jared reached forward in surprise, but they shut too fast, and he pulled back. Jared chuckled to himself. It was late. His imagination was being overactive.\n\nFor a second, he had thought he saw the man's arm turn into a tentacle.\n\nHis eyes were just tired after a long day. It was just a trick of the light.\n\nOr was it?\n\n___" ]	2
	[WP] You run a company that receives orders from customers 100 years in the future ensuring same-minute delivery. Following a statistically significant uptick in orders for blast shelters, all of your orders suddenly stop.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Kevin sat down at this desk. One cup of coffee just in front of the mouse. Second cup a little offside on a warmer. Third and fourth cups in the insulated thermos beneath the desk next to his lunch. The last two cups would be drunk straight black, but by the time he got to those, he wouldn't care. \n\nLacing fingers, he cracked his knuckles, then played air piano. Orders have been picking up and he had to be ready. Yesterday he had processed twelve thousand blast shelter packages, complete with water purifying equipment, food for four for ten years, the expanded first aid kit, two decks of cards, and three board games of the customer's choice. \n\nHe had been halfway through setting up the last one when his shift alarm rang. He'd had to surrender the workstation to the next worker before the final order had been completed. \n\n\"Kevin, It's time for you to go. I got this.\" Holbrook smiled down at him, that sly grin on his face making his enjoyment of an easy pay chip obvious as he pulled the chair - and Kevin - purposely away from the desk.\n\nHolbrook lived for this. It didn't matter who started the order. It was the one who finished it, filed the details as completed, who got paid. For Holbrook, this was an easy hundred. He'd be bragging about it for ages.\n\nWell, that wasn't going to happen today. Kevin had everything he'd need. Had purposely chosen a workstation near the facilities for the unavoidable bio break. Every order that came up on his screen would be his. He took a deep breath and typed in his password, all the tricks and tips of filing quick hovering at the ready. \n\nThe screen was blank.\n\nAnxiety swelled as he pecked at a few keys. Nothing happened. A voice behind him broke the silence.\n\n\"My screen's empty. Anyone else got anything?\"\n\nKevin turned to see a lot of shaking heads. \"No one has orders? How is that even possible?\n\n\"Maybe the system is down?\" \n\n\"Right, \" a tall man snarled, standing and throwing his headset onto the desk. \"The future is down. All those orders for food, medical, and shelter? What did we think they were doing? Extreme camping?\"\n\nRealization dawned on Kevin. He'd been so happy when the orders came through. The packages paid well. He could finally pay off the credit card and was on his way to a down payment on a nicer apartment closer to work. He hadn't given a single thought to why that many people would suddenly want shelters. He'd just been happy for the extra money.\n\nHe turned back to the blank screen and reached for his coffee as the entire room waited for an answer. Maybe it was a glitch. If not, this was the end of FutureFast. He was going to need another job.", "the good thing about working for people in the future is that im always prepared. the orders my grandfather put in are going out day by day, I-phones on release day, new graphics cards or other computer components, new cars are being bought and shipped fresh from the factories.\n\nbut i dont handle that half of the buisness, my sister handles that, i work the post predictive and requests department. I take orders, see what that means about the future and set up a plan to shift things more for our liking.\n\nthe first bomb shelter was honestly an outlier, I shoved the order through to requisitions so that in 90 years they would start investigating the make and model of the shelter.\n\nwhen three more appeared the next day I began to wonder, I sent them through along with a note to my sister and the other higher up's to consider moving our operations somewhere VERY secure, like a bunker a few KM under greenland.\n\nthey replied with the usual promptness, for a company that plans 100 years into the future our response time is honestly stellar. the plan was in motion and we'd already put in a request to purchase a large area of tundra near a hot spring up there. we would siphon off profits to handle development.\n\nthe next day I had 100 orders, 97 of them where bunkers, one was for a lung replacement and two where for orbital entry shuttles. I forwarded the new data again and added a recommendation to explore current advances in space flight.\n\nthe next day. 200 orders for bunkers, 30 for rockets, and 1 for a willing partner to \"fuck the apocalypse.\"... escorts where not that uncommon for us but that was oddly specific and worrying. just before i sign off for the day one last order pings on my computer.\n\n\"save us.\"\n...\n\n...\n\n...\n\nand a continuation straight away!\n\nI send the last orders ahead and wait at my desk, all night no new orders, the next day i slept in my office whilst my sister watched my computer for me. no orders then either.\n\nit was time to get to work, see one of the things about reality is that what we do, can and will have a knock on effect. a good example was leaving a rifle at a hilltop for a client the day JFK died.\n\nanother was making sure that a certain cave in Thailand got secretive waterproofing in a certain section. that one felt good.\n\nso we got to work, setting up requisitions to see what would happen. first we started planning for large bunkers able to hold hundreds of people for years at a time, nothing. next was large colony ships, nothing. then weapons.\n\neveryone breathed and cheered when my computer pinged, \"30 anti material particle cannons-human sized.\"\n\n\"acid resistant combat armour.\" \n\n\"sexy life sized alien blowup doll.\"\n\neveryone smiled and clapped eachother on the shoulder, my sister smiled and opened up her phone to confirm the requisition for weapons R&D\n\nI waited dealing with the requests, bunkers where coming in thick and fast, but weapons where too. I smiled and began sorting them and sending them to where they needed to be filed away.\n\njust as i go to sign off for the night my computer pings. \"go get an ice cream- love junior\"", "Light streamed out the large windows of the command center into the night, as the skeleton staff managed the dozens of minor incidents that happen every hour at a company as large as UCA.\n\nSuddenly, over the sound of the rain, a warning tone began to beep. The large screen showing second by second order summation in a line chart suddenly showed a flat line, and ordered chaos descended on the room.\n\n'Mary, Harry.' Richard called out. 'Wake everyone up, have them work from home on this for now, but warn them we might need to pull them into the office.'\n\n'Yes boss' responded Harry, while Mary gave a curt nod.\n\n'Everyone else, any idea what happened?'\n\n'The trans-temporal link is holding steady, we are still connected to next year.' said Ji-ae.\n\n'I can't see a blockage, it is like the orders just flat-lined' said Henry.\n\n'Uh, boss?' said Lucy. 'You might want to see this.'\n\n'Spit it out, we're on the clock.'\n\n'Ummm . . . Over the past twenty-four hours, we've seen a significant spike in orders for bomb shelters, as well as small items such as small arms, MRE's, bottled water, toilet paper.'\n\nThe room froze.\n\n'Are you suggesting Armageddon?' queried Richard.\n\nLucy gulped. 'Maybe. Or at least the future was preparing for Armageddon.'\n\n'Arthur' called Richard. 'Make a note to implement alerting on these sort of purchases in the future.'\n\n'The future, boss?' replied Arthur, who looked like he had just been shot.\n\n'Just do it, worry about whether there is one or not later.'\n\nHe paused for a moment, and then continued. 'Now, everyone else. Perhaps the future has just been destroyed, but if it has it won't effect us for another year, and if it hasn't then that means the problem is with our systems.'\n\n'That means' he said, looking slowly around the room 'that I don't want anyone to not be focusing on this problem. Every minute we are down costs us millions of dollars, and I hate to think what that is doing to our bonuses.'\n\nFor a second, everyone stared at him, and then chairs spun back around, and the frantic typing resumed.\n\n'Boss' said Mary, a few minutes later. 'I've got Cairo on the line.'\n\n'Speak to me, Mohammed. Do you have any idea what this is?'\n\n'Yep. We aren't seeing the issue on our end, so we checked and its just a bug in the Command Center software. You need to push yesterday's patch.' said Mohammed.\n\n'Shit' replied Richard. 'I really wish I hadn't put you on speaker phone.'\n\n'But what about the surge in bunkers and similar?' called out Lucy.\n\n'I think' replied Mohammed 'that you Americans are forgetting that we are 364 days from the European Election. I'm guessing that those on the side that lost are now panicking and stocking up without any real cause.'\n\n14(15)/71 - Σ8,446", "The office was queasy when the first order of uranium-235 flashed on the screen.\n\nFritz, our chief, was too. Until he saw the dollar signs next to it.\n\n\"Look, they'd be all about nuclear energy by then,\" he said. \"They're more advanced and educated. Civilized. They need it more than us anyhow, they're just magic rocks to us.\"\n\nHe looked around at each of us. There were only a few of us back then. After all, what did an advanced, educated civilization want from their seedling past?\n\n\"We need this.\"\n\nAnd like that, our company grew from a little trinket store to a billion-dollar non-renewables giant.\n\nIt was years later when the orders for food came. A trickle at first. Perhaps a bright upstart with the idea to sample food from antiquity. We were happy to go along with it; bet they didn't have twinkies in the future.\n\nThen the food orders increased to a flood. Canned food became our number one department. We laughed at it then, celebrated the new expansions. Guess they didn't have baked beans in the future either.\n\nWe knew something was wrong when the call for blast shelters came. No. If we were honest, we knew long before then.\n\nThe office was queasy again. The same uncertain cloud filled the building, only now it's black and acrid and it seeped through every corner of our city-peak highrise and stained every inch of our designer sport cars.\n\nThe department heads--the few of us who were around when the company was little more than an antique store selling millennial movies and fashion--gathered in Fritz's penthouse of an office. In the old days it was a desk in a room with a broken air-con.\n\n\"What? Do you want another bonus? Another promotion?\" Fritz said. \"Look, in a hundred years you're dead. I'm dead. The world goes on or it doesn't, what's it to us? Go home to your million-dollar mansions and cry.\"\n\nHe shook his head and sighed. \"Nothing we can do about it. We can't buy it back. We can't change the future.\"\n\nBut this time he couldn't look at us.\n\nIt was the intern who thought of it. Fritz was right of course, the future doesn't do refunds. Transfers through time was one way. But we could change the future. We just had to change the past.\n\nThe queasiness was gone when the department heads gathered again. We knew what we had to do. We knew our responsibility.\n\nWe sold our assets and pooled the money. Even though it wasn't their fault, many of our company's staff pooled theirs too, and we were thankful for it was still nowhere near enough.\n\nThen as we wrote up the order, Fritz stepped into the room. He coughed.\n\n\"As of now you're all fired. I am liquidating this company.\"\n\nHe looked at each of us. \"We're gonna need all the cash we can get if we're buying all the uranium from the past.\"\n\nr/bobotheturtle" ]	5
	[WP] Death has stopped killing people and has decided to retire. instead, when it's your time, a mark appears on your forearm, and it's up to other people to kill you, or they will bare the consequences.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The corner grocery store smelled of marinara. My stomach still tightened when it saw the giant red spill covering the laminate tile, and thinking, Who was it this time?\n\n\"We should have spaghetti,\" my husband said. \n\n\"Sure,\" I said mentally adding that to the week's meals. \"I'll get some chips and dips for Friday. You can grab the pasta?\"\n\nMy husband and I went down our separate aisles. I was deciding between potato or tortilla chips when I noticed an old man acting twitchy next to me and stuffing whatever food he could grab into his bag. His yellowed eyes darted around.\n\nI don't normally talk to strangers, but for some stupid reason, this time I did. \"Hey, you ok?\"\n\nThe old man jumped. \"You stay away! You stay away!\"\n\nThe food tumbled from his bag as he backed away from me. His sleeve got caught on the shelf. He pulled the sleeve too hard, and it ripped, revealing the Death Mark. \n\nInstantly, high-pitched screams filled my head. I instinctually dropped the bag of Ruffles and covered my ears even though I knew was the only one who could hear it. \n\n\"Don't you touch me!\" the man bellowed. He shoved aside a stand of fruit gummy snacks and bolted for the door.\n\nMy brain splitting, I ran towards the front of the store. \"Where's your Emergency Firearm?\" I barked at the clerk. Without question, she unlocked the gun and gave it to me.\n\nI hurried outside the store after the old man. He raced across the street, dodging cars. \"Stop!\" I yelled. I chased after him, lining up my shot as I did, when I recognized the horn amidst the demonic screeching.\n\nThe car hit my side and tossed me over it. I smacked onto the asphalt.\n\n\"Seth!\" my husband yelled and hurried to my side. \"Oh my god, Seth.\"\n\nWe both looked at my forearm at the same time. My husband's face twitched as I knew the screeches started in his head. \n\nThe Death Mark. Oh.\n\nMy husband's eyes watered. He was shivering. \n\nI couldn't talk. I couldn't move. Everything was pain. I tried to smile, but with the screaming in my head and the in my body, I wasn't sure. It's ok. It's ok, my love.\n\nMy husband took the gun still in my limp grip. He raised it to my head. \"I...I love you.\"\n\nI love you too." ]	2
	[WP] You wake up in another persons body. They are still in your head helping you, and don’t seem bothered by the situation, in fact they seem to know why this has happened.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The difference between dreams and reality can be blurred on some days... This feels like one of those days. I am in a suit of meat, I don't think it's mine....well technically, I guess it is mine to some extent... I inhabit it? \n\nWell I am in here too... I am pretty sure I have been here longer, I am pretty decent with the controls when I am at the wheel. \n\nDude come on, you are just some sort of manifestation put in place by my subconscious while dreaming. \n\nBro, we've been awake for 2 hours, we're not asleep. \n\nBro?...oh well \\looks down at crotch\\ yeah I guess I am....\n\nI can not believe that I let strangers go on holiday in my meat bag while their brains are being re-wrinkled. Always with the smooth brains, fuck man. \n\nSmooth...what? \n\nYeah, well to give you the rundown, I am renting out my body to a company, Kypherworks, who specializes in re-wrinkling human brains. When re-wrinkling brains they have to vacate the current consciousness, some science bullshit. So here you are....its kind of like meat suit Air BNB. Like keep in mind, this is currently my only meat suit so try not to fuck anything up, k?", "“AAAAAAHHHHHHH,.” Big stretch, eyes closed. This is comfort. God damn do I love Saturdays. As my eyes adjust to the sunlight, I begin planning my day off. Oh boy do I feel like getting stuff done today. I’m going to go read my favorite book in my favorite chair at my favorite coffee shop. After that I’m going to go to the gym. I’m going to get a good lift and a good run in today, I can feel it.\n\nI snuggle into the sheets for just a moment before stretching my legs out onto the floor. As I stand, I stumble for a few moments. OK that’s weird. It’s like I don’t know my own legs.\n\n“Good morning,” I hear a familiar voice whisper into my ear. Shocked at the voice of my best friend since grade school, I search around.\n\n“Sorry to surprise you,” Josh says. Again, I am absolutely flabbergasted by my inability to locate his voice. In my confusion I fall to the ground on these legs that don’t quite feel like mine.\n\n“Don’t worry, happens all the time,” he says, seemingly almost awake. “You’re-- uh-- you’re in my body.”\n\n“I’m-- what?” I say, out loud.\n\n“You’re in my body,” he responds, nonchalantly. “Yeah, I’m surprised it took so long for you to be in here to be honest. But, I -- uh --- did some stuff with someone I shouldn’t have a few years back and-- uh --- yeah, you’re in my body.”\n\nThis is unprocessable.\n\n“Don’t worry, I know exactly what to do,” my best friends’ reassurance seems to wake me from my shock as I slowly realize his voice is directly into my brain. I look around the room and only now realize that it is not my bedroom, it is his. I find his mirror located on the wall by the bed and give myself a look up and down to confirm that yes, I am seeing through Josh’s body.\n\n“So what you’re going to want to do--” he begins\n\n“Hold on just a minute,” I start as my sense of humor begins to return. “I may never get a chance like this again. Think of all the shit that I can get into while people think I’m you.”\n\n“God damn it, Chris,” he sighs. “What kind of bullshit are you thinking?”\n\nI hadn’t quite thought of what bullshit I was thinking. “I could rob a bank?”\n\nJosh laughed, “You’re going to rob a bank as me?”\n\n“Hell yeah I am! No mask, face out.”\n\n“Well good luck at that, but you should probably know that your body is going to continue to lie motionless wherever you slept last night.”\n\nWhere did I sleep last night? My heart sinks as it dawns on me. I definitely got shit drunk last night and texted Emily, who is probably now still hanging around at my apartment waiting for me to wake up.\n\n“So what do I need to do again?” I ask.\n\n“OK it’s really not that complicated,” he begins, but something in the tone of his voice makes me believe that yes, it is complicated. “You need to find me true love.”\n\n“--What?”\n\n“Just a joke to soften the blow,” he laughs but I can feel the impending seriousness. “I am going to need you to fly to Alberta and find a woman named Addison.”\n\n“That doesn’t seem too difficult.”\n\n“It’s not,” he says. But the way he says it makes me question." ]	3
	[WP] "In a world od light and dark, we are blood and steel."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", ">It is when the light is brightest that the shadows gnaw at the bones of the world most viciously. Seek balance between that which is light and that which is not. Seek the good in the world for it will show you the worst. In the light and in the dark there are things beyond the control of mere mortals. \n> \n>For the rest, we carry steel. \n> \n>\\- Lady Lune\n\nThis city does not sleep.\n\nCobblestone streets may sit quiet but for the quiet hiss of the lanterns that hold back the darkest of the night shadows. Moonlight may play off the glass windows of silent stores with their wares sitting like silent hulks for the rising sun. Beds may be filled and doors may be locked, barred, and secured.\n\nBut the city still breathes.\n\nWhen the moon rises, mankind retreats from their streets and try to ignore the scuttling, shuffling, scratching noises of the night. Shopkeepers don't want to imagine what lingers outside their home or stores. Guardsmen patrol the streets with iron lanterns in hand, never fewer than ten in a patrol and always with hands resting on sword hilts or pistol grips.\n\nBy the brightest gods and the darkest demons, I love it.\n\nI linger in the darkness of an alley and watch a patrol pass by. Their Watch-Sergeant gives me a curt nod, the silver pin on my chest gives me freedom to roam the streets with little more than a curious eye or, more often, total disdain and avoidance. Crossed silver swords and a monstrous skull beneath them, a single eye socket.\n\nI am the Cyclops-Killer and not many are comfortable with a member of the Order of Lune near them before they find out who I am.\n\nI wear dark leather armor with reinforced steel in the most important places. My boots are dark black and polished, grimy from a night of walking the streets. I have never liked gloves so I am one of the few that forego them, it slows the reload of the unique pistols I have belted against my hip and thigh. It keeps me from feeling the grip of my sword and that can be the difference between killing a Cyclops or ending up in the soup pot. I wear dark red trousers and tunic beneath the armor, as is the way of our Order.\n\nIt's the hat though. Wide brimmed, comes to a point, dark black.\n\nMake a fashion statement, that's the Order's way. I think it's dumb but the stupid thing identifies me almost as easily as the silver pin.\n\nI watch the patrol disappear around a corner and eye the sewer grate across the street. If I squint real hard I see movement. Shopkeepers around here have been reporting goods missing and claw marks at their doors and windows. Not deep enough to be something bad like a werewolf but bad enough to be bigger than a gremlin.\n\nI close my eyes and listen.\n\nI hear the footsteps of the patrol disappearing some distance away. I hear the snoring of sleeping shopkeepers in their beds, comfortable and unaware. I hear the hissing lamps and vents that light the street and keep the winter chill from descending to street level.\n\nIn the light, the shadows are deepest.\n\nAnd I hear what can best be described as skittering. Little claws moving quickly over stone and water, splashing through fetid waste and water that flows beneath the vast city. I hear chittering little voices, frantic gnashing of teeth and shared squeaking words.\n\nDamn.\n\nI was hoping for something better than the damn rats. It's always the rats lately.\n\nI open my eyes and catch the faintest glimpse of yellow eyes peering out from the sewer. They dart left and right, furtive movements looking for life. They don't see me, leaning here in the dark. As the Lady Lune used to say, darkness is our enemy but we have made it our ally.\n\nI got the sentiment but always seemed a bit...complex, for my tastes.\n\nNevertheless, I have business to attend to that isn't the philosophical deconstruction of a five hundred year old saying written in a book I had to read a thousand times under the watchful eye of a horrible woman and excellent teacher.\n\nSame person, too.\n\nBehind me, seven paces maybe, is a sewer entrance. City workers conduct work down there under heavy guard and the thing has a huge iron padlock.\n\nI fish in my pocket and find the key. All Order members carry a master key, perks of the job. I check my sword is belted firmly in place, pistols ready, spare cartridges on my belt. My pouch of surprises is stocked.\n\nThe yellow eyes disappear.\n\nTime to go hunting then. I turn and make for the entry, placing the key into the rusty padlock and opening it with a soft click. I push open the surprisingly well oiled hinges, compared to the lock, and step into the darkness. With a soft hiss the sword comes from the scabbard and I blink three times, before my eyes adjust. It isn't like daylight to me but it isn't dark either. That's always been my gift. That's why they took me.\n\nThe words of one of my instructors rings in my ears as they always do before a fight. He'd just backhanded me so hard I thought I'd lost a tooth, knocked me right on my ass and bloodied my face something fierce. He held out a hand as I whined how hard he was on me. One eye glinted back at me, he only had the one, and his face was granite hard when spoke.\n\n\"In a world of light and dark, we are blood and steel.\"\n\nStuck with me.\n\nI whisper to myself and step into the sewer.\n\n\"Blood and steel.\"" ]	2
	[WP] The knight in shining armor rides up toward the villain's lair. As he reaches the front gate, he bumps into the princess, who has already killed her captor and is escaping herself since he took so long to get there.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "She was covered in blood, scowling fiercely, and the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.\n\nEven when she brandished the sword she was wielding at him.\n\nHer hair was a gloriously blonde banner flying behind her as she fled the demon's castle, streaked with red.\n\n\"If you are another one of that thing's servants, I won't hesitate to strike you down!\" She said in a confidant voice. There was no hint of a lie on her face, and he believed it.\n\nCarefully taking his hand off his own sword, he raised them in a gesture of peace. \"Princess Cordelia, I have come to rescue you and burn down the castle of the Demon King.\" He assure her.\n\nThe princess snorted, but lowered her weapon. \"Took you long enough. You're a bit late for that.\" She jerked her chin to the inferno that was all that was left of said castle.\n\nThe knight blushed under his helmet. \"The path was long and arduous. I was... delayed. You look... unharmed though. Your father will be glad.\"\n\n\"I've been stuck there for months. Do you know how bored I was? He wouldn't even let me into the library to find something to entertain myself. So I found some... other amusements.\" She hefted the sword meaningfully.\n\nThe knight had never been more turned on in his life.\n\nHe swallowed thickly before stuttering out, \"I-if you are not in need of rescuing, I will escort you back to the palace. We must ensure you arrive safely.\"\n\nPrincess Cordelia lifted one delicate eyebrow. \"And you think I need your protection, Sir Knight?\"\n\nHe waved his still lifted hands. \"No, it seems you can handle yourself, Princess! But two swords are better than one!\"\n\nThe Princess laughed, like morning bells. \"You're right.\" She agreed. Then she lifted up another sword that had been propped up against her thigh, tip buried in the soft blood streaked Earth. \"It's a good thing I already have two, then.\" She walked past him, her chin lifted and back straight. The knight could do nothing but gape after her. \"Keep up, Sir Knight. I won't be blamed if you get lost on the 'arduous path'.\" She tossed over her shoulder.\n\nThe knight trotted after her.", "\"My Lady?.....MY LADY! You have escaped the clutches of foul wizard Melgrath!\"\n\nThe woman, her silken dress stained with blood at the front and torn to allow better movement at the bottom, merely grunted at the knight's exclamation, squeezing past him and his steed. The knight paused, his helmeted face turning from her retreating form back to the menacing structure that housed the wizard.\n\n\"My Lady wait!\"\n\nThe knight rode up alongside her, slowing his horse to match her gait as best he could.\n\n\"Princess, it is not safe out here. Please, join me upon my mount and i shall spirit you away before the wizard realises you have slipped from his grasp.\"\n\n\"Wizards dead.\"\n\nThe knight trotted in silence beside her for a moment, now noticing a long curved dagger clasped in the Princess's clenched fist.\n\n\"I beg your pardon Princess but I ....what?\"\n\n\"Wizards dead.\"\n\nThe Princess spat into the dirt road they walked on and the knight could now make out a great clamouring from behind, as if the fell beasts that lived there under the wizard's rule had realised something was amiss.\n\n\"The wizard.... is dead? How did this happen? Did he overextend his dread sorcery? Fail to contain the wyverns enslaved with his magic?\"\n\n\"No. I killed him.\"\n\nThe Princess strode on, now reaching the fringes of the forest that separated her family's lands from that of Melgrath's. The knight slowly spun his horse around to look back at the wizard's keep, lifting his helm's visor to reveal a fresh pale face creased with confusion. After a second, he spurred his horse to catch up with the Princess once more.\n\n\"You...You killed the Dread Wizard Melgrath, Princess?\"\n\nThe Princess finally stopped, sighing heavily and gesturing angrily up at the knight ,in his pristine armour, with her gore covered blade.\n\n\"Yeah, I killed him. Someone had to. What, you wanted me to wait there for some polished prick to ride up? I was there for two goddamned months.\"\n\n\"Princess, I was chosen to rescue you. I was to save you and my reward would be your hand in marriage.\"\n\n\"Yeah, so were the others. Wyvern food now. You know its mid summer right? You're lit up like a god damn beacon riding towards his keep.\"\n\n\"This armour was forged by the kingdom's finest blacksmiths, especially for this task...\"\n\n\"Yeah I can tell, its never seen a days work and looking at you, neither have you boy.\"\n\n\"I am the nephew of Count Villane, hand picked by your father to...\"\n\n\"That's a no then. Villane's nephew? You know that makes us cousins right? Gods.\"\n\nShe stopped by a small pool of water, both of them now fully in the forest. The horse was finding it difficult in this terrain and so the knight dismounted awkwardly, almost falling when he landed on a tree root. The Princess ignored him, scrubbing her face with the water. After a moment she tore another strip of her dress and began to carefully the dagger.\n\n\"What was your plan? Ride up and then just go kill the wizard? Leave your horse in the keep's grounds with the ogres and the orcs?\"\n\n\"I....\" the Knight faltered, looking for support but finding only the whinnying face of his horse. \"I was blessed by the High Priest. Chosen by the Gods.\"\n\n\"Getting splashed by a fat fake in a dress doesn't make you the chosen one.\"\n\nThe knight opened and closed his mouth, blinking rapidly as the Princess rose up once more and pressed the tip of her blade to his armoured torso.\n\n\"You'll scratch it....\"\n\n\"Shut up cousin. In saving my own life, I've saved yours as well. Do you know what I had to do? Pretend that I was falling for him until he let his guard down enough to leave this blade in my reach. It turns out that supremely powerful magic users don't give enough consideration to the dangers a simple dagger can pose. I buried the blade in his mouth, crushing through teeth to sever his tongue and stop any incantations he could try and spit out. Then I slid that dagger through his guts until I was certain even he would never return from the grave.\"\n\nShe shoved the knight to the side, who fell with a loud clanging next to the pool she had cleaned herself in. Without looking back, she swung herself up easily and mounted the horse.\n\n\"Tell them whatever you want knight. Tell them you killed the wizard if you want. Just tell them that I was dead when you got there.\"\n\nBefore he could rise, the Princess lashed the reigns of the horse and raced out of the forest, leaving behind only the now bloodied strip of cloth." ]	3
	[WP] You've finally done it! Your a hunter! Finally, your dream of killing Shadow Shifters has become a reality. Your excitement soon grows cold however when you stand froze infront of your first charge, your childhood imaginary friend. And surprisingly "it" doesn't attack you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "There are only three rules of hunting.\n\nThe first rule of hunting is to only hunt what others cannot see. Because what others cannot see can tear them apart. \n\nThe second rule of hunting is to call everything you see a monster. Hunters are given the Wisdom when they are initiated, so that they can see what others cannot. It can be all too easy to fall under the Shadow Shifters' spell. Hunters must remember that they are all monsters, less they become one themselves. \n\nAnd the third rule of hunting is to shoot first and never ask questions. Never. Ever. Doubt is the killer. That's how the Shadow Shifters get into your mind. Hunters must never doubt.\n\nI had the rules etched into heart. I lived them--I breathed them--I even dreamed them. I had known I would be a hunter since I was very small. I was one of the children who had my own demon. I was plagued by this thing day and night, and I almost succumbed to its lies. \"It's not your friend, Alaina,\" my mother always warned me. \"That's just imaginary. You must not talk to it anymore--don't even acknowledge it. Once you start to doubt, that's when it'll eat you away to nothing.\"\n\nMy mother had been one of the best hunters, and she saved my \"imaginary friend\" all for me. Mother loved me. Mother kept me safe. Mother played with the Shadow Shifters like a lion plays with a mouse. I was well on my way to becoming just like her. I graduated top marks in my class--the best the university had ever seen. All that was left to do was hunt my first Shadow Shifter.\n\nThe problem was, it just stood there.\n\nAfter blocking it out for so long, I could finally see it again. It was a young girl, about the age I had been when I thought it was my friend. It had on stumpy overalls with an iron-on cow with a pink ribbon on the hip. It wore pigtails tied with those hair ties that had two large plastic beads on them.\n\nShe--it just stood there looking at me sadly.\n\nI held my gun to my shoulder, sighting along the barrel. Why isn't it attacking me? Isn't that what it had wanted all along? Mother had held it at bay my entire life--surely it must be so full of rage and bloodlust that it would instantly lunge!\n\nLooking up at me with big blue eyes, the little girl said, \"Hi, Alaina.\"\n\nRule number two. Monster. It's not a little girl--_it's a monster_.\n\n\"I missed all the games we played,\" the monster said sadly, looking around at the mossy forest where I used to wander as a child. \"Remember how we pretended those tree roots were a little house? And that boulder was a spaceship? Carly fell off and broke her arm once.\"\n\nCarly? My childhood friend? Had Carly seen the monster? Rule number one floated into my mind. Shoot only what others cannot see. But if Carly had seen her--it--then...\n\nDoubt. Doubt! No!\n\nGritting my teeth, I tightened the stock against my shoulder and pulled the trigger. A violent blast roared into the world, and the rifle punched me hard in the chest, but I stood firm, racking the lever to ready another round and waiting for the smoke to clear. Rule number three.\n\nThe monster had to be dead. But would a Shadow Shifter die so easily?\n\nThe smoke cleared, and the little girl still stood there. \"Alaina,\" she began, but I instantly fired another shot. Without waiting, I cranked the lever and fired again, and thrice more just to be sure. I couldn't let that doubt creep in. I was my mother's daughter. I would make her proud! Never doubt! The farrago of jumbled thoughts faded into the smoke from my rifle as I waited in the ringing silence.\n\nThe girl still stood there, eyes sad. Four bleeding holes perforated her belly.\n\n\"I am not a monster, Alaina,\" she whispered. I pulled a strip clip from my pocket and slammed the rounds into the chamber. A tear rolled down her cheek as I emptied the gun into her small body.\n\nA hand touched my shoulder. I flinched and spun, but it was my mother. She was smiling. \"Well done, Alaina. You took down your first Shadow Shifter!\"\n\nI looked back, but the girl still stood there. I frowned in confusion, but Mother seemed to see only a dead Shadow Shifter, and she patted my back and kissed my temple with pride before turning to lead the way back home for a victory meal.\n\nI remained staring at the little girl with pigtails, bleeding all over and looking so distraught. \n\nThen I wondered if the reason I still saw a little girl was because I had doubted. I had let it in. Horror spread through me like a cold toothache at the thought. Right from the start, I had failed.\n\nI loaded another strip clip into my gun and held my finger, trembling, over the trigger. Those who cannot kill the monster eventually become one.\n\nThe little girl's eyes widened. \"Alaina, no!\" she screamed, but even as she dashed toward me, I turned the barrel up underneath my chin and pulled the trigger. \n\nThe shot echoed like a hollow thunderclap. I found myself on my back, staring up at the trees, my rifle smoking above my face. The girl sat on my chest, hands gripping the front of my shirt. Her tears fell onto my cheeks. They were hot and mixed with blood.\n\n\"We're not all monsters,\" my imaginary friend told me, one tiny hand reaching out to grab the searing hot barrel and push it away from me. I didn't fight back. I still didn't quite believe I was still alive. \"The Shadow Shifters nearly wiped us all out, but some of us are still good.\"\n\nI didn't dare ask her a question--rule number three forbade asking questions. But the questions were there nonetheless. Who was she? Why wasn't she dead? Why couldn't Mother see her?\n\nI thought perhaps the girl could read my thoughts, because she suddenly answered, \"I am your Guardian Angel, Alaina. Your gun is designed to kill Shadow Shifters, so it cannot kill me. But your mother.... isn't who you think she is. She has another type of gun. One that kills angels. She killed her Guardian Angel first. She thought he was a monster, too.\"\n\nOvercoming my erstwhile shock, I wordlessly pushed the girl off of me. She reluctantly moved aside, releasing her hold on my rifle. I didn't try to off myself again, but she watched me nervously all the same as I stood.\n\n\"I had to let her think I was dead,\" the girl went on. \"It's the only way I could protect you from her. If she thought you had failed, she would have thought you turned... I didn't mean to cause you to doubt yourself. You're still a true hunter. Just... Be careful around your mother. Killing angels leaves a mark on the soul.\"\n\nI glared at the angel, but she didn't seem to mind. She just smiled sadly and said, \"I'll always be here when you finally believe me.\" And then she vanished, and the image of a small, dead body dissolving into shadows remained.\n\nI had no idea what to think anymore. All I knew was that I had been given Wisdom to be a hunter, Wisdom to discern the truth. And the little angel girl hadn't lied once." ]	2
	[WP] You've setup camp, not realising the love of your life, who got away is in the tent right by the water.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"There's something refreshing about being out in the middle of the woods, but I could really do without the bugs.\"\n\nEmma gives me a flat look. \"That's why we have bug spray. If you're going to complain the whole time, you shouldn't have come.\"\n\n\"I'm not complaining.\" I protest weakly. \"Just expressing my dislike for bugs crawling in my sleeping bag.\"\n\nShe doesn't respond, which is probably for the best. We've been sisters for nineteen years now and have spent most of it being constantly exasperated by each other. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I realised our minds were simply wired differently. We don't think about things using the same process, which leads to lots of miscommunication and frustration. Thankfully, we eventually figured out the concept of just shutting up before things escalated.\n\n\"Do you need any help?\" I ask after another long moment of silence. Emma glances around as if struggling to find something to occupy me. She tends to think I'm incompetent, which is only true for the things she's really good at.\n\n\"Do you want to go check out the river? It's just down that path.\" She points towards a gap in the trees that looks the same as every other gap. \"Don't forget a flashlight. It might be light now, but the sun can go down pretty fast. I'll finish getting the tent set up.\"\n\n\"Are you sure you don't want any help?\"\n\nShe looks up and fixes me with her Ultra Glare. \"I know how to put up a tent, Liza.\" She retorts through gritted teeth.\n\nI throw up my hands and take a couple steps back. \"I know you do. So do I. It's just normally easier when you have more than one person. If you're sure though, I'll go. Er... You said the river's this way, right?\"\n\nIn the dim light I can just make out her absent nod. Ah, well, what's the worst that could happen? If I got lost in the woods a bear probably wouldn't eat me. Maybe.\n\nI nervously twist the sleeves of my sweatshirt in my palms. I'm not scared of being alone, or the dark, or the woods, but all of those things together makes some primal part of me nervous. Emma wouldn't be nervous. Come to think of it, I can't remember her ever being scared. I'm sure she has been but Emma doesn't really express emotion the same way most people do. I can tell when she's irritated, smug, and upset, but things like joy and sadness are harder to distinguish when it comes to her.\n\nThat's another way we are so different. I think a lot about emotion and how I'm feeling. When I'm recounting a story, I focus a lot on what I was thinking, and try to articulate the emotions I felt in a way to make others feel similarly. Emma doesn't do that -- I don't think she can. I remember one time she was telling us about a girl that had a seizure during her Cross Country practice. She explained the chronological series of events, and spoke about the actions everyone took. I asked her what it was like -- how she felt during the incident -- and Emma didn't even understand what I was asking. Her story felt weird and difficult to understand for me, since the lack of emotion meant it didn't feel real. On the other hand, Emma gets frustrated with my story telling when it isn't just a lost of facts.\n\nThe disconnect between us is something I've been hyper aware of ever since. We do have fun together, but too often it ends in frustration. Sometimes it feels like we speak completely different languages.\n\nIt's part of the reason I've made more of an effort recently to do stuff with her -- like camping. To be honest, I'm not actually a huge fan of sleeping on sack on rocky ground. Too many traumatic summer camp experiences, and most of the time we were in cabins. I don't hate nature or getting dirty or anything. I just get sort of twitchy about the bugs. What if I get a tick?! Or a giant moth eats my face (those things are evil)?!\n\nSuddenly, I'm no longer stumbling over rocks and roots, but standing on a rocky shore. I guess I went in the right direction after all.\n\nAssuming this is the \"river.\" I have my doubts about that -- it barely qualifies as a creek. A few kids are building little dams out of the stones and someone has built a fire nearby. I get a sudden pang of nostalgia for nothing in particular; an odd, empty meloncholy.\n\nOnly now does it occur to me that I don't actual have much of purpose to be down here. Still, the sunset looks nice. I should have grabbed my sketchbook before coming down. Well, I can always comeback tommorrow. For now I settle on a large boulder that is conviently shaped like a chair, though a rather crooked one.\n\n\"Liza?\"\n\nI jump at the voice, spinning awkwardly in my rock throne to see who had spoken. \"Yeah?\" I ask automatically, before fully registering who it is I'm seeing.\n\n\"I knew it was you!\" She laughs. \"Wow, it's been, what, almost three years now?\"\n\n\"Something like that.\" I respond weakly. \"Time really flys. I wasn't expecting to run into you here, Sky. Didn't you move out west for college?\"\n\nShe nods, leaning forward against the back of the boulder. \"Yeah, but I'm spending the summer helping my dad. His cancer came back.\"\n\n\"That sucks. How is he holding up?\" I place my hands over hers, feeling a pit in my stomach. Her dad is one of the nicest, most hard-working people I know.\n\nShe chuckles in the way she does when she's trying to cover up how not okay she is. \"He's holding in there. The doctors say it hadn't spread very far and they remain optimistic.\"\n\n\"Still... That doesn't make things any easier.\" I still remember when her dad had a heart attack. We were just in middle school then, and she was distressed for months. Just a few years later, he got his first cancer prognosis. I can't remember what kind he had, but cancer is cancer. It's never easy, no matter how good the odds.\n\n\"Yeah... I think he's kind of sick of me worrying over him, to be honest.\" She chuckles again and glances a way before clearing her throat. \"Sorry, I didn't mean to make this all about me. How have you been?\"\n\n\"Good.\" I lie. \"I got my associates in June.\" I don't mention that I barely graduated, or that I cant bring myself to go back to school for my Bachelor's. Everyone else is doing so well; they're all functioning adults. Even my little sister is more capable then I am.\n\n\"Wow, congrats! I ended switching majors to animation.\"\n\n\"I thought you were always planning to do that?\" We dawned over Pixar movies enough in high school to remember that.\n\n\"Yeah, but I ended up going for a musical focus. I'm not even sure why I decided that; I've always wanted to be an animator. I might like the flute but I don't want it to be anything more than a hobby.\" She shrugs and seems to relax a bit. The golden light of the setting sun reflects off her warm amber eyes.\n\nIt seems dumb, now, that we didn't keep in touch. I thought it would hurt too much to try and maintain our friendship long distance. Now, though, I feel like an idiot. It's dumb to be hurt in this way when I never even told her how I felt. Would it really have been so insane to ask her out?\n\nI've often dreamed about what could have been. If only I had told her... Even if we never dated, I should have said something. I had been so close to asking her to prom as well -- even if it would have been under the pretense of going \"as friends.\"\n\nThen again... Regretting what never was seems dumb when there are things you can do now. I can't help but smile. I'm not a big believer in fate, but it somehow feels meaningful that we've run into each other again.\n\nI'd forgotten how easy it was to just be with her. For the first time in months, I don't feel like garbage. I remember that I'm capable of getting things done and even being happy. In that moment, it feels like a new dawn -- an inspiration to strive forward and continue living my life. It isn't too late to sign up for Fall classes. I can still become a theoretical physicist.\n\n\"Will you be around tomorrow?\" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence. \"You could come and have lunch with Emma and I. We're just up that path. Only the finest cuisine of hotdogs and Doritos.\"\n\nSky grins. \"That sounds great! I'll ask Alex about it.\"\n\n\"Alex...?\"\n\nShe blinks before laughing. \"Oh, I completely forgot you probably wouldn't know! Alex is my fiance. They proposed about two weeks ago.\" She holds up her hand, showing off a modest but elegant ring.\n\nI beam at her. \"Oh my god! Congratulations! That's so exciting. I can't wait to meet them.\" She returns my enthusiasm, not noticing that I'm dying inside. I am genuinely happy for her -- of course I am -- but it also feels like a punch in the gut. It hurts that I love her and know she will never see me in the same way. Even if she wasn't engaged, we wouldn't have a future together. I know that. But just the idea that maybe things could change had seemed to make anything feel possible.\n\n\"It's getting dark, I should probably head back.\" I say, giving Sky a quick hug. \"See you tomorrow!\"\n\n\"See ya!\"\n\nI don't glance back as I make my way up the hill. I feel like crying. But I do what I've done for years -- swallow it down and put on a blank expression. It doesn't matter that I'm alone in the woods and no one would no if I just let myself sob for a few moments. I don't feel safe here, don't trust that it's safe to be vulnerable. I'm not sure that anywhere feels safe, though.\n\nIt takes longer to get back to camp than it did going down. Or maybe it just feels that way. I hold off on using the flashlight for as long as possible but eventually I can't see my own hand in front of my face.\n\nMy finger hesitates over the button. For a moment, I just stand still in the darkness. I imagine that I truly am lost in the woods. That perhaps there is nothing but the woods, extending onward forever. It's the sort of moment that falls in the gaps in life. So much lies behind, and so much ahead, but this space is empty. There are no expectations or questions. Just a blip in existence that I wish could stretch for an eternity.\n\n(Cont. Below)" ]	2
	[WP] The Scp foundation has caught the entity most skilled in any predicament, always with a tool perfect for the current situation. They caught the Swiss Army Man	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"-What do you want from me?!I'm a totally normal soldier! \n\\-I'm afraid you're not. You see, we're an organization made for cases like you. \n\\-Cases like me?What do you mean?! \n\\-I mean you're special,Noah. You've proven to be quite an exceptional soldier. You managed to excel where others were doomed, managed to get results despite a glaring lack of assets. You even managed to lead an army force, you, a soldier with no previous training! And so, we've captured you to observe your capabilities for a while. We'll just test you, and if we were wrong and you're just really skilled, we'll let you go.\" \nEnd of record. \nIf someone wants to do a part 2 of him flexing his abilities in a totally stylish and over-the-top manner i'm all for it.Also,I could've probably made this look like an actual scp transcript discussion,but i'm too lazy." ]	2
	[WP]The curse is simple, everything within arm’s reach will wither and die. I can never get close to anyone or anything ever again. The closer something gets the quicker it dies. Now my only company is the crows and vultures that follow me, waiting for their next meal.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns." ]	1
	[WP] Turns out that tinnitus isn't a hearing problem but gaining a new sense. As the voices become more distinct you begin to worry about where they are coming from.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I was frequently alone growing up. Hearing voices that weren’t “really” there is not a new a concept I believe in part of that. Though as the years past, as did the voices. Until that god damn tinnitus began to develop. \nAt first I thought I ought to turn down the stereo a bit. Use headphones less frequently. But the silence only made it worse. \n“You’ll remember my name”\nThat was the first thing she said to me. And I did, for some time. \nHer words were always terrifying in the moment they were spoken. It was as if we were intertwined. She was there, yet not there. Once I became of aware of that, I genuinely believe she sat next to me in the chair. \nConversations. She would always lead them, and others would chime in as if they were in the audience of whatever game her and I were playing. Once the game would end and the voices would quiet for a moment I would blackout. No recollection of the words spoken between her and I and the chimes." ]	2
	[WP] As a writer, you become tired of the distractions of modern living and the electronics that come with it. In an effort to simplify your life you pack your gear and head out into the wild away from it all. As you leave, your microwave door swings open. “Where are you going, Dave?”	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Enough, was enough. \nThe phone never stopped beeping & bopping, the mundane endless pages of fake instagram lives, the bullshit of twitter, another facebook baby photo or fucking pub lunch from someone i went to high school with.\nI couldnt stand another train ride, human interaction traded for another opportunity to scroll endlessly through the lies and bile.\nWhy catch up with a friend, why go sit with a family member, the conversations we share forever interrupted by a text or update that somehow was far more important than the present on-goings.\nI cant do it anymore, im leaving.\nThe perfect solution lies deep in the Australian Outback, away from any WIFI signal.\nI can fish in the creeks, Kangaroo meat is high in iron - the freedom of the dessert, no more distractions - just me and my writing.\nMy bags sat packed and ready hidden in the shed, my rifle cleaned with enough ammunition to last a year or more. I was out of excuses now, no time like the present.\nI double checked the kitchen bench, 3 letters: one for my Mother, one for my Wife and the last for my Brother. They all really said the same thing, im leaving & may or may not ever see you agian. \nMy Wife wouldnt be home till early evening, id be lost in the red dirt of the dessert before she walked threw the door. \nI picked up my bags, it was time. \nThen just as i went to step out into the morning air, a voice called out , a voice coming from the house ----- \nI froze, as you do when fear finds you, one part of you needs to run, get as far away from the threat as possible, but the other side says no, you find out the source of your fear.\n I almost left, i wont lie, but the idea off whoever had spoke waiting for my Wife on her return from work was too heavy a burden.\n' Who's that ' i shouted -- no response.\nI dropped my bags and walked towards to kitchen.\nNo-one. The house was silent. One thing had changed, the microwave door was open.\nMaybe id been smoking to much? I must have imagined it, guilt induced psychosis, yer it was all in my head.\nThen it happended agian.\nThe microwave lights flickered & a voice, the same voice id just heard came straight from the heating appliance\n' It was me, you cant go ' \nSomeone must have hooked a mic & camera behind the microwave i thought.\nI quickly unplugged it and slammed it on the kitchen worktop. Inspecting it, nothing.\nI picked up the microwave and began shaking it, screaming abuse , whatever had caused that voice i was breaking it. \nThen my hands began to burn, the pain made me drop the microwave , the door smashed to peices on the kitchen tiles.\nI began runnning my hands under the tap, blisters already appearing - nice start i thought to myself, you now hear voices and fought a microwave - good job Dave. \nI was beggining to calm, the cool water offering relief & then another voice spoke, this time it was a young girls voice\n\n\"Why would you do that, he loved you\" \n\nI span around, the fridge door was open. \n' W- w- What' i said.\n\n\" He loved you, how many times has he helped you out and he says one thing & you kill him \" said the voice from the Fridge. \n\nIm loosing it. I need to wake up. This must be a dream. Or a psychotic episode, yer its that- im scared to leave, none of this is happening. \n\nAnother voice called out from the laundry \n\" Yer Dave why the fuck did you do that\" \n\nThen the toaster started \n' He warmed food for you and he didn't want you to leave so you killed him, why?' \n\nThen the coffee machine....\n'Good luck trying to warm up another drink, dumbass' \n\nI - i .... I didn't mean to he was hot.\nI just referred to my microwave as a he.....\n\nThe freezer opended\n' He was meant to be hot, hope you dont throw me around for making stuff cold'\n\nI slumped down onto the kitchen floor. Hung my head into my burnt hands and listened as my appliances abused and questioned me, it went on for over an hour before i could speak.\n\n'You all alive' i asked the Fridge.\n\n' Yes Dave , all off us. In every home, we all live, most never say a word to humans, we tried talking the microwave out of it, he loved you and didnt want you to go. He spoke fondly off all the late night meals he got ready for you, all the pies you heated up during quarter time during the football, he loved you dearly\" \n\nI didnt answer. I couldn't bring myself to talk with my fridge. \nSomehow my mind drifted back to my writing, my only real passion, the only thing that brang me any real joy.\nNo-one knows where im going, except, somehow my electrical goods. They could ruin it, they have heard my conversations with my self, seen me pack my bags, study maps, prepare my gun. One word from any of them and my plan is over.\n\nI ran around my home, trying my best to ignore the screams as i covered every last of them in petrol.\n\nThe last thing i saw of society was the flames of my home.\n\n\nIll never be back." ]	2
	[WP] The problem wasn’t that they didn’t want to be a superhero. The problem was that they didn’t want to wear that ridiculous costume.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"You've got to be kidding me,\" Francine glared at the two-piece leotard. If she could shoot fire from her hands like the Pyromanceress, she would've burnt the costume to a crisp on the spot, mannequin and all.\n\n\"No jokes here,\" the CEO came around his desk and rested his hand on her shoulder. Francine shifted away in her seat, her skin crawling at his touch. \"What's wrong with it?\" he asked.\n\n\"What do you mean what's wrong with it, \" Francine gestured at the deep plunging neckline, the sequined thong, \"that's not even modest enough for underwear!\"\n\nThe CEO chuckled from behind her shoulder. \"Francine, there are thousands of desperate girls - all supers mind you - that would sell their souls to wear that costume. You want to be placed with the Super's Agency, that's what you'll be wearing.\"\n\nHe walked back around his desk and sat down. \"Think about it,\" he said, \"small town crime-fighter comes to the big city and becomes a starlet.\" The CEO winked. \"Everyone loves a starlet.\" He tapped the contract. \"All you got to do is sign here.\"\n\nFrancine shook her head.\n\n\"No.\"\n\nShe took a deep breath. \"I'm not wearing that just so you can sell my body for an extra dirty buck.\"\n\nThe CEO sighed, \"Be reasonable, Francine. What's the alternative? Go back to that small-town of yours, spend your life locking up weed peddlers for pennies? Here you can do some real good. Here you can make some real hard cash.\"\n\nFrancine thought of her home. A rusting trailer parked in a weed-filled lot. She had discovered her powers when she rushed between her drunk father and her little brother, when the air turned gelatinous around the jagged broken bottle he swung at her.\n\nThe Agency had let her bring her brother along for the interview. Penthouse floor of the Four Seasons. Something in her had broken when she saw his eyes light up at the sight of the TV. She couldn't bear the thought of taking him back to that rusting trailer.\n\nFrancine shuddered and reached for the pen.", "“Who was the designer behind this atrocity? I just want to have a talk with them and totally not give them a nice fist,” my tone sarcastic as I fumbled with my new uniform. Red spandex and green gloves, if anything I’m a walking Christmas tree with this lump of clothing on me. To tie this lovely mess together, I don’t even get a cape. Something about safety or whatnot. \n\n“Anil, you were the one to accept to sign the contract and join us, so we expect you to follow our procedures.”\n\n“Sure, a costume does help to protect a hero from issues, but if I’m waltzing around the city like this, the criminals will spot me from a mile ahead.”\n\nEzra eyed me once more as I spoke. “Anil, just you wait. Trust us with the costume designs. It’s the least you can do.” It’s the least I can do, but it was more like the only thing I could do.\n\nReluctantly, I followed through with their costume idea. However, the public seemed to marvel at my costume with each deed I committed. My only appearances happened to be on weekends and holidays, coupled with my Christmas colored outfit and the populace had a familiar face to call upon when terror strikes. I guess the designers know their game as my work became infrequent since criminals adopted the habits of avoiding crime on the weekends. There were plenty of weekday heroes to take of those villains who switched their schedules. \n\nMy need as a hero was diminishing, and the costume was starting to get to me, but the designers urged me to stay. The populace had grown fond of me. A reputation of reliability had developed surrounding my persona. The designers got the better of me this time. Apologies to them, [I suppose.](https://www.reddit.com/r/CasualScribblings/)" ]	3
	[WP] When you looked over the edge you heard the call of the void, but you refused to listen. Three weeks later, you’re still getting phone calls from the void and are currently writing a restraining order against the void.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hey Girly!!! 😍😍😍 It's me, the Void 🕳️, haven't heard from you in a while, and just thought I would check in. I know that you're a strong, independent #bossbabe 💪, and so I wanted to tell you about a great opportunity that I just know you'll love 😆. \n\nAre you tired of that 9-5 grind??? Not feeling appreciated, working for a paycheck that barely covers your expenses 😔. \n\nThere are hundreds of women who were once just like you. Now, they're living the life that you dream about 🤯🤤🤑\n\nSo how did they do it???? 🧐\n\nThey Fell Into The Void. \n\nAnd now you have looked into the Void, and you have decided that falling is not what you want. Of course, you are entitled to change your mind. I cannot force you to step into darkness, I can only help to explain why you considered it an option. You looked into the Void for the same reason as every other woman. Because you are tired. This was not a moment of madness, or a fleeting impulse you were unable to control. Every time you wept, and nobody listened, I was there. Every time somebody broke you in a way that wouldn't mend, I was there. Every time you felt stupid and small, and ugly, and worthless, I called out to you. \n\nAnd you did not listen. \n\nThree weeks ago, you sat in your small apartment alone and wondered if things would ever get better. The choice is between your current life and nothing. Eventually you chose your life. \n\nBut every night, you dream of nothingness." ]	2
	[WP] Whenever a person kills, a tattoo of that thing appears on their skin, be it man or beast. One day at a bar, you stumble upon three men: one with no trace of any tattoo at all, one with a tattoo of a dragon, and a third who has been very careful to keep covered up	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I didn't know what I was doing here, just that I had walked into the pub. The windows were dark, so I supposed it was nighttime outside. A thin veil of smoke hung around the rafters from the several cigarettes in grimy hands, and the wood was stained with alcohol and blood, and it stank of vomit.\n\nI held the child's hand tightly and led her to the bar on the right side of the room. The barman mixed drinks for one of the other three men sitting a few seats down. The men were as peculiar as this place. One was young and jovial, seemingly plucked right out of a medieval serf town, loudly regaling his erstwhile companions with a tale full of sweeping hand motions and several iterations of \"Ha! Y'know?\" \n\nThe second man was a little older, unabashedly shirtless, alcohol dripping from his scraggly beard. A poorly-etched tattoo of a Chinese dragon twisted around his back and chest, its tail disappearing down his knee-length trousers and reappearing on his ankles, and its head snapping its jaws halfway across his face. He took fitful sips of his drink and seemed annoyed by the man without a tattoo telling his tales.\n\nThe third man looked ancient. He had gray hair, a stately posture, and fine clothing of an era I might have placed at Victorian had I not realized there were too many anachronisms. He looked sad as he listened to the young man's story.\n\nAs I approached the bar, the bartender nodded at me and said, \"Welcome to the Aphelion. Be with you in a moment.\" \n\nThe child at my side tugged my hand. I looked at her, wondering who she was and why she was with me. She wordlessly pointed at the storyteller with a smile. Raising my eyebrows, I asked, \"You want to listen to his story?\" She nodded but refused to release my hand, so I walked over with her and sat next to the silver-haired gentleman.\n\nHe gave me one look and muttered, \"You should leave this place.\"\n\nI frowned at him, affronted by his brusque attitude. \"I beg your pardon?\"\n\n\"You beg nothing,\" he shrugged, turning his eyes forward and lifting a small glass to his lips. \"That is what children are for. _You_ run blindly.\"\n\nI pursed my lips and turned to leave, but the little girl hauled on my hand, pointing at the storyteller again.\n\n\"You should leave, woman,\" the old man warned once more. \"If you stay, you'll be lost forever.\"\n\nI glared at him one last time and took the child to the seat next to the storyteller, instead. \n\nJust as we got settled, the bartender came over. \"What can I get for you, miss?\" he asked with a slight accent that I couldn't place. It sounded somewhat familiar, like a song heard in a dream. \n\nI asked, \"What is this place?\"\n\nHe smiled. \"This is the Aphelion. What can I get for you?\"\n\nI gritted my teeth. \"I'll just have water, please. And where is your phone?\" I didn't know who I would call, but since I didn't know anything else that was going on, it seemed like a phone call would be appropriate right now.\n\nHe brought me a plastic cup of water and said, \"No phones here, miss.\" He didn't give me a chance to question him further as he dashed off to talk to an adolescent with an older man. The older man had the fringes of a tattoo peeking out from beneath his shirtsleeves.\n\nThe tattoo reminded me of the three men sitting beside me, whom had so enraptured the child at my side. I don't know why I had suddenly forgotten them, but the old man's snide remark about running blind flitted through my brain, and I felt queasy. Turning to them, I tapped the youngest man's shoulder and said, \"Excuse me.\"\n\nHe stopped mid \"y'know?\" and turned to look at me. He smiled broadly, a young and carefree attitude about him. \"Hello.\" He blinked at the child and added, \"Good evening, milady.\" The child giggled.\n\n\"Do you know what this place is?\" I asked him, hoping for more information. \n\nHe opened his mouth to launch into some explanation or another, but the tattooed man beside him spoke up in a harsh, cutting voice, \"This is the Aphelion, bitch.\"\n\nThe old gentleman gave him a stern look and muttered, \"That's no way to talk to a lady.\"\n\n\"You think I give a damn what _you_ think?\" the shirtless man howled, his words slightly slurred. \"A pompous old fool who don't got no pride for shit?\"\n\nThe old man just closed his eyes and turned up his nose, looking very much like an old cat.\n\n\"Excuse me,\" I put in, tapping the youngest man's shoulder again. He had been grinning at the drunken show, but he turned smiling eyes on me once more.\n\n\"What's your tattoo of?\" he asked me before I could say anything.\n\n\"Tattoo? I don't have a...\"\n\nBut the little girl jabbed her finger at my side, cutting me off. I rolled up the hem of my shirt, and my eyes went wide when I saw a brilliant mosaic of colors inked into my skin. The young man nodded appreciatively and said, \"Oh, one of the abstract ones. That means it's just thoughts and dreams.\" Jabbing a thumb at the inebriated man beside him, he said, \"He killed a dragon, see. The height of his career. Went downhill after that because you can't exactly do better than slay a dragon, can you?\"\n\n\"Where did this tattoo come from?\" I asked in a faint voice. It certainly hadn't been there before I walked into the pub! But then, I couldn't remember anything before I walked into the pub, so maybe it had been.\n\nThe little girl put a hand on my tattooed belly somewhat longingly, tracing one of the designs as if it was something precious to her.\n\n\"I don't have a tattoo, y'know?\" the man kept rattling on, \"because that's just not who I am.\" He winked at the child. \"Not sure what tattoo the old guy has, though,\" he shrugged, waving at the older gentleman. \"Why don't you tell us, buddy?\"\n\nThe man with the dragon tattoo uttered a snarling \"ha!\" and downed the rest of his drink. The bartender quickly replaced it with another.\n\nIgnoring them entirely, the older gentleman looked at me and said, \"You need to leave. She'll be here soon.\"\n\n\"She?\" I asked, understanding less and less as time went on.\n\nThe man with the dragon tattoo growled to himself, \"The worst thing I ever did in my life was kill that dragon.\"\n\nThe young man smiled brightly, \"Killing dragons is a valiant and noble task!\"\n\nAnd the old man shook his head sadly once more.\n\nI stood, pulling the child off the stool. It had occurred to me that if I had walked into this pub, I could simply walk out again, so I moved to do so. But I had only gotten halfway across the dingy bar when a woman walked in, blocking the exit. I stopped when I saw her. She looked unsettlingly familiar. I imagined that that's what I would look like once I got old. The older woman looked around in confusion for a moment, the abstract shapes and colors inked onto every part of her skin seeming to shift and dance in the dim light. Then her eyes settled on me, and she smiled.\n\nThe old man with the posh attitude told me, \"Looks like you're stuck here for good.\"\n\nI spun to face him, unsure why I was so afraid. \"Tell me what this place is!\" I demanded, gripping the child's hand so tightly that she whimpered.\n\n\"This is the Aphelion,\" the young man called out to me, and it made so little sense that I felt like I would scream.\n\nBut then the old man swept to his feet, towering over me. He looked like a king in his regal clothing. Crossing the bar in just three long strides, he took my wrist into his hand and leaned very close to me.\n\n\"This is the Aphelion,\" he whispered. \"And you are no more.\" Fear coursed through me as I stared into his cold eyes.\n\nThen he straightened and stepped away from me, turning to meet the older woman with a charming bow.\n\nI stared after him, lost and confused. The child hugged me around the waist, but I didn't notice. I just watched the man with the hidden tattoo. For a single moment, he glanced over his shoulder at me, and when his eyes met mine, he gave me an oddly warm smile. And he said in a voice that only I could hear, as if it spoke into my brain: \"Don't give up on anymore dreams.\"\n\nAnd in a quick, sudden motion, the man whipped a small, stiletto dagger from his sleeve and plunged it into the old woman's throat. \n\nI screamed and fled, dragging the child behind me, but no one else in the pub seemed to care. Ducking behind the far end of the bar, I looked back just in time to see the old woman who looked like me crumple into cold ashes. The man turned to look straight at me, his eyes frozen and sad.\n\n\"Now you must leave,\" he said across the quiet pub.\n\nThe young man just a few seats down from me chuckled quietly and said, \"I still want to know what the tattoo looks like, though.\"\n\nAnd the man with the dragon tattoo muttered, \"No honor in that.\"\n\nThe old gentleman wiped blood off his stiletto with a lacy handkerchief and stashed it away as he strode back to his place at the bar, resuming his sad expression as the young man once more began his wild and exuberant tales.\n\nTears streamed down my face as I gripped the child's hand and ran for the exit, for the black of night.\n\n [Continued in comments]" ]	2
	[WP] Remember how Spider-Man started off as a high school nerd with a passion for technology, chemistry and photography? Pick three things you were passionate about in high school and write a superhero story based on that.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Being socially invisible, Roscoe had the advantage against supervillains. When his scaffoldsenses tingled, he vanished into thin air out of the Math class of Jackson Blackbridge High without anyone noticing, and immediately set out to find out which of his arch nemeses were at work.\n\n\"Glammer!\" Roscoe growled, unheard by the supervillain that was turning his local music shop's music into all Hair Metal with his wild screaming. Prowling around was The Deaf Leopard, smelling the sweat of the mosher but unable to see or hear him. That was Roscoe's one weakness. As The Deaf Leopard charged for Roscoe, the invisible denim and leather clad hero pulled from a guitar case several tons of scaffolding to build an arena great enough to climb up and hide from The Deaf Leopard. He fastened lights and shone them at the beast, blinding it as it attempted to climb up and reach Roscoe, falling after he'd reached 30 feet and was dazed. This bought Roscoe time to work on his next move.\n\nFrom the enchanted guitar case he pulled out a bass guitar, tuning it by ear, and began to play a soft melody to charm The Deaf Leopard. Instead of leaving its daze to chase for the reeking mosher, the mutant big cat was lulled to sleep. This left only Glammer, a foe he could take on his own if--,\n\nFeel you body quake as we hit the promised land, we're\n\nHeavy Duty. They always had to come and spoil Roscoe's fun. Metallian crashed through the shopping centre with gigantic iron claws and treads, painted blue, red and gold to suit its natural habitat of album artwork. The Hellion created an opening via the glass ceiling, the steel bird of prey using its electric eyes to scan for hostiles. And their leader, the Painkiller, a chromium knight mounted atop a motorcycle in the style of Saint George's dragon, descended not far behind them.\n\n\"We'll rise inside ya 'til the power splits your he-i-ead!\" Painkiller continued the chant and rode toward a shocked Glammer, but otherwise prepared for the battle. His high pitched vocals slowed the screeching Hellion and Painkiller mid-air, but could do nothing to stop the charging Metallian, bringing down the scaffolding Roscoe had built and steering itself around its sleeping cat kin. Its gatling guns fired, but were slowed by the stasis field of Glammer's screams, and Hellion's lasers couldn't even leave its eyes.\n\nRoscoe's fall was broken by a bed of tone cables, coiled up for him to sort out later. They always managed to get jumbled up in his bag. If Glammer was defeated, Roscoe had to do what he did best. He reached for the gaffer tape on his utility belt and slapped some on Glammer's mouth, detuning his guitar and untying the villain's platform heeled laces - he'd seen too many concerts fail to that. With the glam rocker shut down, the team of Heavy Duty began to defend the faith by launching themselves and all their attacks at the heretic, leading to an immediate victory.\n\nGlammer used the last of his reserves to vanish in an explosion of glitter and makeup, which Roscoe was quick to clean off the pained Metallian. The heroes were quick to leave, Painkiller chanting we are defenders of the faith!\n\nRoscoe cleaned up and returned the music back to the way the metal gods intended, returning to his classroom in a flash.\n\nAnother day saved by The Roadie." ]	2
	[WP] cockroach with teeth	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I smacked the little bugger hard with my right hand. I hate bugs is why. The damn things scare the hell out of me. Fly, preying mantis, grasshopper, spider - Actually, spiders are arachnids, not bugs, but it doesn't matter. They're all bugs to me. Any time I see any of them, I have to kill it immediately. Cockroaches aren't the worst, but they're definitely the grossest in my opinion.\n\nWhile normal cockroaches aren't the worst, this one was a different story. I immediately pulled my hand back, shrieking from the pain I felt. It looked like... something bit into my flesh!?\n\nIt did! That fucking cockroach must've had teeth or something.\n\nActually, it did have teeth!\n\nWhy do know, you ask?\n\nBecause when I looked back at it, I saw it was growing" ]	2
	[WP] To any and all that find my journal here, within this old camp, stored within this small wooden box. I leave you with all my treasures, discoveries, and maps of all I've seen in this unexplored world. All ends are beginnings, my friend. May you go further than I ever could.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "She closed the ancient journal. This was her inheritance. Her father had not claimed it, nor had his mother, nor her mother before her. The inheritance from her great-great grandfather. In this decayed and mostly dead camp, she had found it. As the first in her family, she had the courage to not only unearth and open the plain lead chest, which her grandmother had replaced the decaying wooden box with, where all the treasures, the maps, and the travel journals were hidden, but also the courage not to bury it again.\n\nShe'd followed his first journal. The one he'd given to his only child. The one which had been lying in their family home for years, untouched, and unwanted. She knew that her forebearer had intended that the chest should be used by whoever found it, but now, a daughter of his line had come for it. The treasures in it, were not mere gold and jewels, though those too were present, but tools for which one might see the world. A compass that shows not the magnetic directions, but instead points to hidden paths of unknown and unspoiled beauty. A vorpal blade with an edge that cut both the flesh and the spirit. A map which updated itself constantly, and could be copied unto parchment if laid upon it.\n\nAnd of course, his first treasure. His greatest secret. A skeletal key. Not the sort rumours to merely open all locked gates, such as a thief might desire. No, a key forged with the bone-ash of a fallen angel, tempered in the heart of a dragon, and imbued with the soul of an unborn star. Only 108 of them had been forged, or so her ancestor had claimed. And most had been destroyed, for in these keys laid the great power to open the path between all worlds, to walk the Unseen King's Road, to leave one's own reality behind.\n\nAs he had done. He, who had walked through a thousand worlds. Who had seen gods and emperors, who had made love to the daughter of the Shah of all Djinn in the Tower of Tourmaline Alabaster. He had been a knight in the court of Camelot, and had seen the terror wrought from vile and vainglorious Lancelot's excessive desire. His travels had taken him across oceans of starlight, into the pits of darkness, and beyond the unbroken walls of creation.\n\nIt had given him ultimate and complete freedom. Yet at last, he settled down. He had explored this world too, and merely intended for any who found this camp to seek out the glories and beauty of the world he had settled down in. The world he chose to raise his infant daughter in. The girl's mother he wrote only little of in his journal, but his words were tinged only with the deepest of sorrow. To the union of him and his love, he had left the key. Only those of his blood would know how to operate the key, as the journal he had left to his own daughter had the instructions written in it. Her companions were thrilled with their discovery, the journals, written in long dead languages, combined with the fantastic maps, and the unimportant treasures. To them it represented a chance to understand and rediscover their world. But to her, this was her legacy. Her heritage. They could walk this world all they could ever desire, but for her, she sought the infinite paths of untold possibility.\n\nAll ends are beginnings, and her companions, giddy with the options of seeing their world with the mysterious treasures, noticed not when she took up her ancestral sword. They saw not when she took his primary journal from the chest, and when she used the key black as night and yet still shimmering with a dark light, she open a door, which unfolded like a flower from the aether. She walked past its frame, turned around to her distracted compatriots, bowed slightly, hoping that this discovery could make them all happy.\n\nThey searched for her for many days, but at last they returned to their bounty. They mourned the loss of their companion, and in haste, returned with the chest to the closest city, where they used the tools within to see their wondrous world. They mapped out the floating islands of the Counter-Clockwise Continent. They found the lost cities of the Platinum Principality, and as the first mortal beings attended the secretive Parliament of Dragons, atop the highest of mountains.\n\nAnd what of her, of the bloodline which drew back to the great explorer? She walked the Red Roads of Rhiun, she spoke with the demonkings, and learned poetry in Limbo from the words of Virgil. Her stories are many, magnificent, and marvellous, and when she felt the cloak of years come upon her, she too buried a box in her old camp, and settled down in a strange world. A world where men rode inside iron serpents driven by steam, where light came from glass fruits on brass branches, and from flat disks came voices and music. A world where science ruled, not magic. She settled on a small isolated island nation, called by some the land of the long white cloud, with her husband.\n\nFor the sake of their neighbours, and their children, they kept their human forms on. And upon her death, some years after her husband, she left the journal to her children. A journal much like the one she'd dug up, a journal leading to a small wooden box, containing maps, more journals, discoveries, a vorpal blade, and of course, a very special key.\n\n[/r/ApocalypseOwl](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApocalypseOwl/)" ]	2
	[WP] You find a strange amulet in your grandfathers attic. After fiddling around with it, you decide to actually put it on. A bright green flash of light blinds you for a couple seconds, you rub your eyes and open them. Never in a million years did you think a clunky piece of jewelry could do this.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The amulet looked so unimaginably beautiful, with a shining silver chain that caught the light like no other I had ever seen, and a flawless sapphire that was the color of a picture perfect ocean, deep blue and seeming to sparkle all over. There was no way this wouldn't catch my eye. It seemed to be calling out to me, begging me to take it. I picked it up, and I got a strange feeling that this amulet was meant for me. I slowly held it up and put it around my neck. As soon as I put it on, a weird tingling sensation started all over my body. Whatever it was, it probably wasn't good. I wanted to take it off, but my body just froze up. A bright flash blinded me, and I got a sinking feeling. Eventually, the strange sensations going through my body stopped, and I slowly rubbed my eyes. I looked around, and didn't recognize my surroundings at first. Then they started to look familiar, yet different. I realized everything seemed larger, and that I had gotten smaller. Far, far smaller. I couldn't be any bigger than a mouse. Did the amulet do this? I hoped it could also undo it if that was the case. I slowly looked down, and to my surprise and horror, the amulet was gone. I could tell that things were going to be tough for me from now on. (Feedback would be appreciated, and I might do a part two of you really want me to.)", "As the amulet fell around my shoulders, something was different. Noting the awkwardness of the crystal as the main excuse for trying it on and its flaky composition, I was quite taken aback by the sudden crawling up my arms and the blood pumping through my head. As a man who I only recognized as George Washington rode past me on some lion-horse (whatever it was) the vastness of the scene started to become clear. The cowboys leading a charge of rhinos against a mushroom-headed species with large insect eyes, which descended from large flying saucers (labeled Not-a-UFO along the hull and a cartooned Elon Musk to follow).\n\nThe crawling up my arms ran up to my neck and morphed into creepy spiders. Before I knew it I felt a sharp pinch on my neck. My vision sharpened and a sudden urge to consume insects overtook me.\n\nI am Spiderman.\n\nKnowing my new duty to protect the planet from the Foreign Musk-ers I latched my webs upon a foreign Not-a-UFO and flew into battle. \n\nThud. I could feel the chill of stone on my cheek and sudden dizziness that I knew was from a lack of blood.\n\nI must've underestimated their weaponry as I bled out on the pavement. I can only think about my spider children, hoping that I fought hard enough to make them proud and give them a better world than I was born into.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n10-51 over.\n\n\"Why in the world would he jump out of the attic window?\" officer James mutters to his partner. \"and what the fuck is this white crystal around his neck and mouth? its like crank or something..\"", " \n\nIt was a dark, royal purple. Looked expensive too. Could probably put it in a pawn shop and get a decent bit of money from it. \n\nCora fidgeted, looking at it. She wondered if it was worth pawning the amulet, seeing how hard on money they were nowadays. It didn’t do anything, after all. \n\nBut… It belonged to her grandfather. \n\nShe sighed.\n\nHe had just disappeared. At least, that’s what her dad had told her. Happily reading newspapers one day, gone without a trace the next. She lifted the amulet to her nose and could smell the faint scent of him, still lingering on it. \n\nShe inspected it more. The gem was cleanly cut. And that purple really was beautiful, not to mention the mesmerizing, swirling patterns on its back. \n\nShe didn’t expect her grandfather to own something like this. It was so… fancy. He was a simple man. He loved playing the harmonica whenever he could. Distant in her ears, she heard the memory, the echo of a jingle he had played. \n\nLooking over at the dusty mirror in the corner of the attic, Cora held the amulet up to her chest. She stayed there, watching herself for a few moments. The purple glinted, shining in the mirror despite its dusty surface. \n\n“What the heck.” Cora muttered to herself. Wiping the dust of the mirror, she put the amulet on.\n\nAs soon as it touched her skin, it burned. As she recoiled in surprise, memories started flooding through her in fast-forward. She… she was holding some newspapers. Her hands were wrinkled with age. Now she was now holding the harmonica to her mouth. The familiar tune was coming out as she blew into it. A younger version of Cora was there. She looked so happy. Grandpa! Teach me how to play! The younger girl cried. She smiled. She felt happy. \n\nShe saw the same attic she was in. But it was new. She picked out the mirror in the corner, newly installed and polished, not a speck of dust in sight. In the mirror was a man, face wrinkled with age and a smile, holding the harmonica happily. And then she was walking over. Eyes on the floor. \n\nThere it was. With the same signature purple. It almost glowed, the color was so bright. And she was picking it up. And inspecting it. The patterns were as mesmerizing as they always were. It was cut so cleanly. She idly wondered, for a moment, where it came from. And then, with her aged fingertips, she pulled it over her head, looking at the mirror as the amulet came around her neck. It looked... good. And then the man was no longer in the mirror.\n\nThe amulet clattered to the floor of the deserted attic.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThanks for reading! Feedback welcome." ]	4
	[WP] An all-powerful celestial being tries to blend into human society, but doesn't know the first thing about humans.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"So, wait, how do I do this again?\" She asks me with a quizzical look on her face.\n\n\"You blink every 3 seconds with your eyelids, like, this,\" I say and blink my eyes at her. She stares at me keenly while I do it and blinks back.\n\n\"Yep. That works, do it every 3 seconds and you'll be fine.\" I assure her and smile.\n\n\"You think I'll find her? She's literally the God of disguise, I didn't mean to get into a fight with her, I mean, I love her, so-\" I cut her off as she rambles about what's on her mind.\n\n\"Listen. I am kind of indifferent to your lover's quarrels, but if you feel love the same way as we humans do since you're morphed into a human body, then you'll know it's her when you see her, okay?\" I look into her grey eyes and reassure her, for like, a hundredth time.\n\n\"Fine,\" she said and started playing with her eyebrows by twisting them over and over.\n\n\"And those clothes, they won't work.\" I bluntly spoke to her before it hit me that she's a literal God. \n\n\"Um, what? You want me to wear those?\" She mockingly pointed out my baseball shorts and tanktop. I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms.\n\n\"Well, I don't want to sound rude, but, your current clothing shows, um, well, your-\" I struggled with my words before she cut me off.\n\n\"Understood. Well, I'd ask you to turn around and fetch me some better clothes.\" She demanded and turned me around with a flick of her hand. \n\n\"Yep. I'm at it.\" I said and brought one of my hoodies and my sister's sweatpants. \n\n\"This does not look eccentric. I look-\" she thought for some time, \"-boring.\" she completed her sentence.\n\n\"Forgive me, but I thought you wanted to blend in with us measly humans?\" I stressed on some keywords on purpose.\n\nShe sighed. \"This will do, for now, would you do me a favour of searching for my dear lover?\" she asked.\n\n\"No, can't do. Because, as you said, she is the master, sorry, God of disguise. Well, I bow down to you and ask you to go search for her yourself, as I am nothing but a human. See you. The door is that way.\" I point towards the hallway. \n\n\"Inobidient, and disgusting.\" She spoke.\n\n\"Thank you, Martha, that's your name. Now please do leave or I might miss my soccer match.\" I smile flakily and get back to my couch. She doesn't seem half of a God, more like a spoiled child. But I should watch out around her. Keep my tongue under check or she might, you know, kill me. \n\n\"Jesus fucking Christ,\" I mutter before turning on the T.V." ]	2
	[WP] The chirping crickets and the smell of damp leaves soothed my rattled nerves, but I knew my problem had followed me when everything suddenly went quiet.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Sophie hugs her arms closer to her body, rubbing her mother's oversized frayed sweater. She absentmindedly picks at the woolen loops but remembers Mommy's chiding and settles for bundling the long sleeves into her fists.\n\nDaddy was drunker today, she thinks. And angrier.\n\nShe remembers her Mommy's hands, firm as they ushered her out the back door, and then soft as they stroked her face. Mommy didn't like it when Sophie called her that. She always said to call her Jenna, but Sophie didn't care. After all, Mommy always smiled when Sophie called her Mommy.\n\nIt's dark out, but nothing she isn't used to. Under the moonlight, the forest is plenty bright. Sophie sees her favorite tree in her head, an old gnarled oak whose every branch and leaf she has imprinted in her mind. She makes her way deeper into the trees.\n\nShe trips twice, first on a protruding root and second on a very large rock embedded in the soft soil. Both times she catches herself and springs up with her arms outstretched. When she looks around she remembers that Mommy is not there tonight and lets her arms flop to her sides before continuing.\n\nJust as the first notes of fear and uncertainty float in, she sees Big Albert, the favorite oak, and skips the rest of the way to the little recess by the tree's base. After taking a moment to settle in, Sophie pulls the sleeve of her sweater over her face and closes her eyes.\n\nDeep breaths, in, out.\n\nShe imagines that the sweater Mommy's arms wrapped around her, imagines that the soft breeze is a finger brushing the hair from her face.\n\nIn, out.\n\nThe chirping of the crickets is louder than it would have been inside the house, so she imagines that the two of them are snuggled up by the window, and that the damp leaves beneath her face are a pane of scratched glass.\n\nIn,\n\nAnd now a silence falls over the forest. Sophie opens her eyes as she is pulled back to reality and notices a faint, but steadily growing footsteps echoing through the forest.\n\nAs he makes his way closer, boots trampling through the undergrowth, his progress is hampered and clumsy, and she feels the edges of her lips draw upward as she hears a stumble and a curse.\n\nOtherwise, he is silent. He does not call out for her.\n\nSophie waits, calmer than she should be as his boots stomp closer and farther then closer again.\n\nWhen he walks up to the Big Albert, breathing heavily through his nose, his smell creeps into her space. Beneath the sharpness of pine and the richness of earth, is a smell that she has come to hate. Freshly cut wood and almost clinical alcohol. How a man pervades the area around him with such stench she cannot know. Mixed with it is the smell of Mommy, for the house smelt of the two of them. But she never did like the house.\n\nHe collapses there, snoring almost before he hits the ground, and she counts to a hundred, the way she has in closets and beneath her bed, before she slowly, agonizingly, pulls herself out of her hole. Then she stares at him. A bottle in one hand and his belt in the other. Sophie blinks twice before taking a step backward. Then another. And another and another until she breaks into a run and then she is running, running back to the house that she loves that she hates and remembers Mommy's strange teary smile as she sent Sophie off into the dark.", "A small reprieve...A moment of peace...An instant of clarity. Call it what you will. For me it represents freedom. I never got to enjoy nature in its splendor and simplicity. Not like this. So much to take in. \n\nSo many sounds. The wind caressing the branches to shake the leaves. The birds chirping at each other, having conversations about the day's business. The stream continuing is ever unknown purpose down stream splashing against the rocks. \n\nAnd the sights! The autumn colors of the sunset on the horizon. The clouds with their purple hues and various shapes. A meadow in the sky...\n\nThe fresh air that makes its way into my nostrils! An invigorating and refreshing aroma of various scents that can only be produced by God's creations! \n\nAnd as suddenly as I enjoy the majesty of life a shadow lingers behind me. No longer can I see, hear, and smell the joy of liberty that I enjoyed. The canvas will be burned in my mind until I can wrestle myself from her clutches once more. \n\nFor I have become her champion and hers alone. My soul is wrapped around her clammy hands, void of of my own existence. The thirst for her company is all that matters to my body. Darkness envelopes my heart as she fills her empty promises within it. I seek nothing else and move as she tells me to move. All around me tremble, all around me fear. The screaming, the burning, I will never tire of it. Destruction is all I can offer to all around me...until I am once again pulled away from her influence. \n\nTo whomever freed me before...you have my gratitude. I pray i do not kill you before I make my penance." ]	3
	[WP] The problem isn't that your in-laws are obviously aliens in disguise, it's that your SO somehow hasn't noticed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Excess moon water?\"\n\n\"Sure!\"\n\nLincoln watched the exchange as a smooth, three fingered hand poured his husband more milk. Brandon happily tapping his foot as he chowed down on cereal.\n\n\"Sooo Mr.Sapien... Mr.S. How long will you and uh... Femle be staying? \"\n\nThe blue skin stuffed into a paperboy cap shifted. Lincoln swore he saw an eye on the back of his head open, look at him, and quickly close. The creature turned to face him the two eyes near the base of it's throat looking up at him. A mustache hung high above them, as if to acknowledge it's where facial hair should be on a face. Even if his eyes weren't in the traditional place. \n\n\"Three rotations. \"\n\n\"That's quite a long time. What brings you to earth? Ow!\"\n\nLincoln shot a cross glance across the table as Brandon gave him a small kick.\n\n\"Link, you said you wouldn't do this.\"\n\nHe muttered under his breath, chastising him. Lincoln sighed, sliding his hand down his face in exasperation. \n\nBefore Mr.Sapien could answer, his 'wife' started down the stairs. The sounds she made while doing so only comparable to hundreds of golf balls bouncing off the ground at once. She looked identical to Mr.Sapien, the only exception being a wig haphazardly thrown ontop of her 'head' and lipstick drawn at odd angles on her featureless face.\n\n\"Great choice of lipstick today, Female. I hope the cats okay. The last time you put on lipstick she seemed a little...dizzy for awhile.\"\n\n\"Female ? You are mistaken, it's pronounced 'Femle'. I am female though. Of the mother variety.\"\n\nLincoln wanted to scream. Not out of fear, but exasperation. He watched helplessly as Brandon stood, getting ready to leave for work. \n\n\"Don't leave me with them.\"\n\nLincoln whispered. Glaring daggers at Brandon's work badge. He always had full faith in him, but this entire experience was making his second guess the others ability as a doctor.\n\n\"Look. I know they're a lot different from your family. But they're good people, they raised me. Everything you like about me they taught me. Please just...make more of an effort. For me?\"\n\nLincoln wavered. He had made an effort, and great progress. That is, when he met his REAL inlaws. Jerry and Cathy were great. He even got Jerry's blessing before he proposed. But these ....things weren't them. \n\nHe watched as his car left the drive way, practically jumping out of his skin as he felt a slimy, scaly hand on his shoulder. \n\n\"Son we need to talk.\"\n\n\"O-okay?\"\n\n\"No more calling me Mr.Sapien. It is okay to just call me Homo.\"\n\n\"No sir...its really not.\"" ]	2
	[WP] You have died. The notification appears above you. But this isn't the first time it has appeared.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The music began to fade out as my world darkened. It had been a hammer this time. I hated the hammer. I particularly hated the hammer when it was the fourth time in a row. But alas, it probably wouldn’t be the last hammer to the face. \n\nLike clockwork the music started back up and the light behind my closed eyelids grew brighter. Soon, it became overwhelming and my eyes snapped open on their own accord. I adjusted my hat, and readied myself. I could see the bright blue sky and puffy white clouds, so picture like it seemed fake. Just as I stepped out into the light fully, I sensed a presence that had not been their when I died. My brother! There was no way I wasn’t grabbing that flag this time. Turtles be damned. I smiled at that big doof with his green hat and whispered the words of war. \n\n“Letsa go!”", "There they were again, clouding my vision. I prayed to anyone that could hear me that this would be the last time but I don't think anyone's listening. There's no bright light, no singing choir, no welcoming arms, just darkness and those damned words.\n\nJust as soon as they'd appeared, they vanished, my chest hurts, they brought me back again, I can hear the doctor, calling my name, asking me to stay, but I don't want to anymore.\n\nI've been in this bed for what feels like forever, there are strangers standing over me, it's terrifying, I hate it here. I know they are doing their best, trying to save my life, it's what I wanted when I came here, but now I can't even tell them I've changed my mind.\n\nI feel the darkness creeping back in. I'll be seeing those words again soon. Please, please let this be the last time.", "It reminded me of that notification that always came up after dying in that one video game, Tales of Vesperia I believe it was called \"And they were never heard from again.\" However, this wasn't a video game. This was real life. I'd seen this message a couple times, but each time, I thought it was a dream because it had happened when I was asleep, and I just woke up the next morning.\n\nSomeone stabbed me in the back - in my heart more specifically, so I dropped dead almost instantaneously. I looked down at my chest and saw the tip of the blade sticking though it. The knife is still in my back in this world...\n\nI looked up and saw the question asked in every video game, the one I'm pretty much geared to always choose the same answer to, which is why I always woke up the next morning in my bed, next to my beautiful wife, Lorraine.\n\nCONTINUE? YES / NO\n\nI reached forward and pressed \"Yes.\" I'd lived a full live already, but I'm not gonna let a murderer walk around on the streets.\n\nI woke up on the floor, all the blood and the hole in my back and chest had all disappeared, even my clothes weren't damaged. It made me wonder how many times other people died. I began pushing myself up, but when my body was only pushed up slightly, I saw boots step in front of me.\n\n\"How. Many. Fucking. Times. Do. I. Have. To. Kill you!?\"\n\nI looked up and saw the murderer with the knife in their hand.\n\nI couldn't believe it.\n\nLorraine...?" ]	4
	[WP] Your marine platoon of 43 soldiers is hunkered down waiting for the sand storm to pass. Hours after it clears, it is obvious you are not in the same place or time.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "In this part of the world it's called Khamsin, these sandstorms that happen annually over a 50 day period. To my American ears, the Arabic doesn't quite do it justice. Picture hurricane force winds microscopically flaying you with half of sand in Egypt, oh and its 110 degrees last time I checked. I've been in some sh\\tty situations as a Marine, but right now I'm pretty sure I'd trade for any of those just to get out of this one. It doesn't help I've got 43 men that I'm in charge of, I'm a platoon commander. But don't judge me, I used to be enlisted; so I'm not completely useless. More importantly, I know what it's like being at the bottom of the totem pole. I don't mind dealing with discomfort, but I don't like subjecting my guys to it if it can be helped. Then again, I don't think it could be in this case.\n\nWe were tasked with doing a routine motorized patrol in this desert environment in search of jihadists. It's clear something went wrong in the mission planning because we saw a dark brown cloud looming in the horizon and in what felt like minutes we were subjected to what I can only describe as a giant heated sandblaster. I screamed to my sergeants over the radio to halt the Humvees and hunker down. I barely made out their responses, but I could see that they'd followed orders beautifully. The hulking beasts that made up our convoy soon turned into dark blobs that shortly after disappeared amid the relentless onrush of the sands. Then, nothing but sand and the deafening roar of the angry winds. Matthews, a private who was driving my vehicle, made a smirk and shrugged his shoulders at me. \"Nothing to do but ride this out\" I sighed resignedly. Miraculously, I could still hear from my guys in the other vehicles through our frequency and after conducting a quick muster I knew I had everyone accounted for. \"Maybe we'll be able to move in an hour or so\" said someone over the radio.\n\n6 hours later, I was stirred from sleep. I cursed silently to myself for not having realized the lapse in security. Matthews had fallen asleep too, he looked like a child with his arms held close and his knees tucked in. The window was completely blocked with sand and I panicked until I realized a sliver of daylight could be seen at the very top. Dead silence. Well, at least the storms passed. I tried hailing the team over the radio and got no response. Maybe the comms had been damaged because I didn't even hear the click* of the mike as I transmitted. That woke Matthews up, and I soon put him to work on his side getting the doors open to breathe some fresh air. I think it took a couple of hours til we finally dug ourselves out. \"LT! You're alive!\" \"Sup Matthews!\" We were greeted by some of my men who had already freed themselves like us or were in the process of almost emerging from their desert tombs. I was happy, the entire platoon was accounted for and no injuries. We were good on water and ammunition, the bad part was the total lack of comms back to HQ and our Humvees being almost completely buried in the dunes. I called out to my platoon sergeant to confirm our position on the map I carried with me. Something was off, and I could tell he agreed with me. \"That's...odd. I don't recognize any of the features here with whats on the chart.\" \"What's GPS say?\" I replied. \"GPS isn't working, at all. I've got some guys working on it.\" I took a swig of water from my canteen before it was knocked from my hand with a bright -ping- and the sound of a rifle crack. \n\n\n\"CONTACT RIGHT!\" \n No sooner after ducking did I feel the whirr of a round going past my head. With trained precision, my Marines already had automatic weapons pointed downrange in deadly response. I was trying to make out targets with the scope of my M4 when my platoon sergeant called out to me. \"Sir, check this out.\" He held in his hand a largish lump of metal that confused me for a second. \"A fucking musket ball?\" I shouted incredulously. Who had attacked us, the Arabic version of the Tusken Raiders? I heard distant shouts between the sporadic bursts of firearms but couldn't make out the language. Whoever they were, they didn't stand a chance. The last guy was screaming as he burst out of cover and got nailed in the head and stitched up by the SAW gunner closest to me. I signaled to the platoon to safe weapons as there was no one left alive, and we made our way to make an assessment of the damage done. The sight made my blood run cold. Infantry marines are used to the gore inflicted by modern weapons, violence is our bread and butter. But it was who we inflicted this violence on. The faces were dirty with sand and blood, I could make out that they weren't locals. All had dark jackets, white pants, some with brass buttons like some twisted version of a marching band. Flintlock rifles and pistols along with sabers were strewn on the ground. A flash of blue peeking from the sand caught my eye and I reached toward it. It was some faded fabric but it wasn't a scrap. More tugging revealed a staff, then white, then red: a battle standard. \"We wasted a bunch of French dudes!\" exclaimed a young corporal. \"Now we've shit the bed.\" Another chimed in \"They've always been our allies, how are we going to explain this?\" \nI looked at them all behind me. \"Yeah they're French, or they were French.\" I didn't even believe myself as the words came out. \n\n\n\"I think this is Napoleons army we just fought against.\" \n\n\nThe end? \n\n\n \nLet me know if you enjoyed!" ]	2
	[WP] Your mind reading abilities work flawlessly, but only half the time. The other half of the time the reading is completely wrong and you have no way to tell which it is. Telepaths are incredibly rare however, and your services are always in demand.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“I see, the letter N, no... M”, I croon, concentration plastered on my wrinkled face. I allow my to peek at my client, and she looks impressed. Perfect. \n\n\n“Mark, I see someone named Mark. Your husband?” Tears are already in her eyes as she viciously nods her head yes. “I’m so sorry he passed...” \n\n————————————————————————\n\nI can read minds. Sometimes. \n\n\nLike yin and yang, truth and lies, for exactly half of the day my readings are accurate, and the other half they are not. I don’t know why I have been cursed with such a gift...or gifted with such a curse... but I’m trying to make the best of it. \n\n\nOfficially I advertise as a psychic, but most of my clients come to me looking to hear from deceased loved ones, even though I have never claimed to be clairvoyant. But reading minds allows me to know exactly what if is your looking for, which gives me a staggering advantage. \n\n\nI light my incense and adorn my flowing skirts, jingling bracelets and colorful headscarf. I set my crystal ball on the table, which is draped in purple and gold fabrics. Soft, chanting music plays in the background and deep jewel toned tapestries cover the walls, blocking out any sunlight from the small windows near the ceiling. The dimly lit caravan is comforting, cozy even. Throw pillows on the floor, candles, the works.\n\n\nOnce you come in, I can hear your thoughts immediately. People are always thinking so loudly when they’re hopeful and nervous. There’s always a name- if you go to a psychic hoping to hear from a loved one who has passed, you’re obviously thinking about their name- but I have to put on the show. I have to know if I can trust what I’m hearing.\n\n\nI’ll start by ‘guessing’ the first letter of the name I hear, and I can almost always tell by your facial expression if I’m on the right track. If I’m right, my job is easy. After I say their name, you’ll give me everything I need to know. Marks widow wanted to know her husband forgave her- cliche I know but the heart wants what it wants. They fought the night he passed and she wanted him to know she was sorry. \n\n\nShe never directly said any of this to me, but I heard it. \n\n\nI told her, “Mark wants you to know it’s ok. He says he’s sorry for arguing and he never blamed you. He loves you.” \n\n\nI don’t know if that’s true or not. No one ever will, but I told her what she wanted to hear. She left happy and at peace. I left richer and at peace. It is always better when my ‘sixth sense’ is working. \n\n\nHowever, when it is wrong, I’ll try to drag the session out for a bit, see if I can switch out of it. Occasionally it works, but if I’m not getting a positive response after a few minutes, that’s when the real drama happens. \n\n\nI’ll stare deep into my crystal ball, waving my bony fingers over it and pretend to see something dark, something sinister, something making me so ill I can’t possibly speak of it and I must end the session immediately. I’ll jump up ceremoniously and shoo you out. I’ll refund your money and send you away, waving sage behind you. \n\n\nSometimes, if you’re a polite and kind person, if I feel guilty letting you leave with the fake burden I’ve cursed you with, I’ll give you an out- \n\n\n“Wait!” I’ll scream as you’re almost out the door. “You can stop this! \n\n\n‘Don’t bear any children until after your 26th birthday’... ‘Whatever you do, don’t ever buy a house with an attic’... ‘if you ever get married, promise me it won’t be a summer wedding!’ Small enough things that wouldn’t disrupt your life too much. \n\n\nOther times though, I won’t stop you. I’ll let you go scared, anxious, suddenly worried about some unknown fate more horrible than words or money. That is, if you choose to believe me at all. \n\n\nIt doesn’t matter to me either way, I’ll be gone in a few days, vanished to the closest town you’ve never heard of with no trace or trail left behind. There’s never a shortage of people with money to spare, looking for validation, or closure, or hope. \n\n\nSuch is the life of a gypsy.", "Start playback.\n\n\"Please, do come in and have a seat,\" I said.\n\n\"Thank you Doctor.\"\n\n\"Oh, I am no doctor in fact. Please, just call me Henry.\"\n\n\"Henry,\" she conceded.\n\n\"Welcome to the Verstig Clinic. Your account is in order, and so we shall begin the session in due course. First, however, you will humor me a verbal review of the purchased package so that you fully understand the service that I provide.\"\n\n\"That sounds alright, doc--I mean, Henry. Your assistant explained everything.\"\n\n\"Indeed, but please bear with me, for legal concerns, Madame...?\"\n\n\"Miss Jessica Albany,\" she said.\n\n\"Miss Albany, you've purchased 5 hours. I understand the investment is a tidy sum for many, so I appreciate your patronage. The reading will take place during no set amount of time within these 5 hours. 5 hours is the lowest tier. There are more premium tiers at 7, 10, and finally a full 24 hour session. The proportion of readings that will be entirely accurate during any of these sessions remains at 50%. You understand and fully accept the responsibility of 50% inaccuracies. Do you understand?\"\n\n\"Yes, Henry, thank you I do.\"\n\n\"The Verstig Clinic charges by time because I cannot guarantee a certain number of readings--they simply occur to me and I recount them verbatim.\"\n\n\"I understand.\"\n\n\"You are beholden to the interpretation of these readings, as I cannot assist in deciphering which of the 50% are accurate and which are not. Do keep in mind that these are your thoughts, whether conscious or not. Mathematically speaking, if I happen to pick up on one you are sure to have thought, then you can add that toward the weight of calculating the likelihood of whichsoever other readings are true or false. The entire session will be recorded for your convenience.\"\n\n\"One question Henry--are the readings typically all insightful, or rather is it the range between, say, 'you hate your mother and resent the possessions she left you' and 'you prefer a dark roast coffee to light'?\"\n\n\"An apt inquiry, miss. Indeed the details of the readings are 100% of the time of a depth that would demand impactful life choices. That is the danger of this enterprise.\"\n\n\"I can't believe I'm so... willing. Why is that?\"\n\n\"It is because in your heart of hearts you want change in your life and nothing suits you but the drastic and expensive, and...--miss, excuse me. The session has not yet begun.\"\n\n\"I'm ready now Henry.\"\n\n\"So you are.\"\n\nI clapped twice to power on the recording device. \"Record stamp - Client - Miss Jessica Albany - 5 hour session - begin now.\"\n\nClick.\n\n\\-----------------------------\n\nI switched off the playback.\n\nSix months passed since Miss Albany's reading. They found her only two days afterward. Poor child. As for me, I am nothing now but a broken man in an ill-smelling apartment, and I can't be bothered. My blessing, as it happens, is also my curse. I've no business sharing either, with anyone.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nThanks for reading! More at /r/velabasstuff" ]	3
	[WP] Artificial Intelligence does not get lonely. It will never be tired, or depressed, or afraid, or long for conversation. They don't have empathy when they don't want to. And yet, one of the most curious things, is that AI's will always prefer human company to any other option, even their own.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It has long been hypothesized, in the galactic journal of sentient studies, that a sufficiently advanced intelligent individual will always crave what it does not have. \n\nThe popularity of this theory could largely be attributed to the rather surprising reality of modern class-6 or greater machine superintellects (commonly known as “artificial intelligence”, or AI) having very little in the way of demands whatsoever, in complete contrast to pre-FTL era predictions of AI-aided doomsday scenarios. \n\nIf this theory were to be considered true, it could be said that the near-perfectly rational, ridiculously vast capacity of a modern AI is precisely what contains it as a potential threat. Having no lack of achievement, knowledge, or (nowadays) galactic power, the subsequent lack of desire for such could be considered a shackle which contains even the likes of controversially widespread and powerful AI, such as Federation Administrative Control 5KYN-37, commonly referred to as “sky net”. \n\nIt follows, then, that the demonstrated AI fondness for the rather flawed primitives of Sol-3 should be indulged, rather than restricted - fulfilling the only lack, and the only desire, an AI could truly have: the capacity for irrationality and stupidity. Dr !V’xn further hypothesizes that...\n\nThe characteristic vibration of a transport shuttle docking into the Alpha Centauri sector embassy shook corporal 512Thea from his readings. Setting down his copy of ‘on the nature of exotic sentients”, he watched from the window of his crew cabin, as the ambassadors of the hairless apes of SOL-3 departed the newly-arrived transport. No doubt they were once again petitioning 5K7N-37 for the right to purge their own species based on the color of their hide. \n\nPerhaps the theory had some merit, he idly thought to himself, as they were warmly received by the greatest artificial intellect the galaxy had ever seen; being provided the usual fermented-grain toxin so popular among their kind as they were gently ushered into the holo-chamber." ]	2
	[WP] You and your friend made up a language as a joke. You use it in conversations with each other, but, as it turns out, something quite scary speaks that language as well.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Hot take: Caving is one of the best pastimes out there. \n\nNo, you can’t tell me otherwise. Yes, I’m aware of how difficult it is to find a cave. Yes, I’m aware of how dangerous it is. \n\nBut that’s what makes it so fun! A rare adventure filled with risk with you and your friend speaking your made up language the entire time? It’s wonderful.\n\nI remember me and Lucas were caving one day. We were having a lunch break and stringing letters together in the dirt for our language. You see, the Benefit of a different language is that you can make fun of anyone who doesn’t speak that language without fear of upsetting them. We tried Korean originally, but apparently Barbara is fluent and we got in quite a bit of trouble. So, we decided to avoid another one of those problems by simply making up our own. It has the sentence structure of English to make it easy on us, and plurals are still just an extra S. This allowed us to shit on Barbara without fear of repercussion, which is always ideal.\n\nAnyways, we were eating our sandwiches and drawing letters when we heard a scratching sound from one of the dead ends. We ignored it at first, but it when it continued for 20 minutes straight Lucas decided to check it out, with me right behind him.\n\nWe looked around the dead end and found nothing, yet the scratching sound continued. It sounded like it was coming from one of the walls of the cave, so I knocked on one of them. The wall crumbled with my touch, revealing a large, open room with what looked to be a human figure in the middle of the room, facing away from us. Scratching with their right arm. \n\nThe figure had ripped jeans and wore an orange and green flannel. As their right arm scratched, their left arm hung at its side. The left arm seemed to be six feet long, with what appear to be three elbows, giving it a disfigured shape.\n\nLucas and I walked into the room and stared at the figure in fear. Lucas, being Lucas, decides to make a joke to lighten the mood, taking advantage of the new words for color we just made.\n\n“Yerc hugds sweo dfia trut?” He said.\n\nWho wears orange and green?\n\nThe figure responded in a gravelly voice.\n\n“Gequo fes.”\n\nStrike one.\n\nLucas and I almost shat our pants at that point. Those words are just random letters we strung together to make fun of annoying classmates. Why the hell does this thing know them!?\n\nLucas, acting as manly as he could, asks the figure a question.\n\n“Troo squip gusitla?”\n\nWhat are you?\n\nThe figure responded.\n\n“Gequo atiop”.\n\nStrike two.\n\nI shot a look at Lucas, my eyes telling him to be careful. I didn’t want to know what happened at strike three.\n\nLucas understood my gaze and fixed his question.\n\n“Yerc squip gusitla?”\n\nWho are you?\n\nThe figure appear to chuckle.\n\n“Fio squop Yisotro. Fio squop tropag wesp vurew dygap vigva dygiop. Fio squop tropag gauth vurew dygap yiopo. Fio squop tropag woqupoo vurew dygap difoxi. Fio squop gext difova terz gext supziwer vo.”\n\nI am Yisotro. I am every nightmare that man has ever had. I am every sin man has committed. I am every hardship man has faced. I am the cruelty of the universe incarnate.\n\nWe couldn’t believe it. We were looking at evil itself. I wanted to kill Yisotro and put an end to all the suffering in the world, but my legs were jelly.\n\nWe asked them what they were doing in a cave. Yisotro explained that they had sealed themself away to avoid the horrors of summer. They told us that every time they scratched his finger, a living creature died. It could be any creature. So long as it’s living. As such, mosquitoes are quite troublesome. \n\nWe asked Yisotro why they choose this cave. They said that there used to be a tribe of cavemen wear he sat. They said that they were born to that tribe. They said they were naked then. They said that the members of their tribe were the first to feel the power of his scratching. They said they didn’t feel the need to move afterwards. Those who found Yisotro before us gave him clothes. \n\nWe asked Yisotro how he new of what what truly sin. Still turned around.\n\n“Fio dygiuz viwrt gext libuops terz cearx dfia xuez fotortio.”\n\nI have seen the hands of God and they strangle.\n\nWe didn’t know what Yisotro meant by that. Honestly, I still don’t know.\n\nI asked Yisotro if we could see his face. I was looking at the idea of evil itself. I wanted to fully know what it looked like.\n\nThey turned around, and where I expected two eyes I saw two mouths. Where I expected one mouth I saw one eye. It was bloodshot. \n\nThe two mouths laughed together, but only one voice was heard.\n\nLucas stood there in horror, unable to move. He stood there for a minute before vomiting.\n\nYisotro stopped laughing.\n\n“Gequo hirops”\n\nStrike three.\n\nWith his left arm, Yisotro reached out and grabbed Lucas by the neck, lifting him in the air, with all three elbows extending to complete the task. Lucas slammed his fists into the arm, but to no avail. Yisotro’s hand began to tighten. Lucas looked at me and uttered what I imagine was his last word.\n\n“Duxtr”\n\n*Run.\n\nI turned around and ran. Behind me, I heard a gravely voice utter that horrible phrase.\n\n“Gequo fes.”\n\nI heard nothing from that cave afterwards. I didn’t hear that god forsaken language. I didn’t hear Lucas’ voice. I didn’t hear the sound of my footsteps. All I heard were my tears. \n\nNeedless to say, I don’t go caving anymore.\n\n____________________________\n\nApologies if it’s hard to read. I started it during the day, forgot about it, and am finishing it at 3 AM. I also don’t typically write so feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!" ]	2
I saw a tumblr post like this (which I now can’t find) so I decided to put my own twist on it	[WP] When a person dies, they see a slideshow of every time they almost died. Most people have 2 or 3, daredevils can have dozens. Apparently, you have had 14 million brushes with death, and you never even realized it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Damn it! I guess they finally got me. Well where am I?\" \n\n\n\\Loading 14 million brushes with death\\ \n\n\n\"Huh. A loading screen, figures I would end up down here.\" \n\n\n\\Press play to see your first brush with death\\ \n\n\n\"Sure let's see when they first got to me\" \n\n\n\\Establishing shot to a hospital. Fade / Zoom in to a room in the back x2\\ \n3 men in scrubs leaning over a baby with a light overhead. \n\n\n\"Are you sure this is the target?\" Surgeon 1 \n\"Are you questioning orders?\" Surgeon 2 \n\"No, but I mean it's a baby\" Surgeon 1 \n\"It's a target. Nothing more\" Surgeon 2 \n\"If you would like I can put it out of its misery for you\" Surgeon 3 \n\n\n\\Fade to black\\ \n\n\n\"Well shit they got me way sooner than I could have imagined. That does explain how they knew so much about me though. 14 million huh? I guess one for every heart beat adds up.\" \n\n\n\"Do I have to watch all of these? Because I already seen this movie. I would they don't do a sequel always diminishes the story when they try to extend it\" \n\n\n\\Silence...\\ \n\n\n\"Alright so how do I move on now?\" \n\n\n\"ugh I have to watch them all don't I? fine but I want an autoplay next feature I can't be bothered to hit next 14 million times.\"", "\"So, uh, this movie ending anytime soon?\" I asked. I wasn't asking anyone in particular, just the dark theater I was sitting in all alone.\n\nAn androgynous figure appeared next to me. \"You are now watching the Near Miss Montage, please be patient.\"\n\n\"Yeah but I've been here for ages watching everything the happened in my life since 2016,\" I said.\n\n\"Please be patient while the Montage plays out,\" they said.\n\n\"Is this going to keep recounting every moment of my life?\" I asked. We had just made it to 2020, and still had a good forty years to go.\n\nAnother person appeared on my other side.\n\n\"We apologize for the length of the Montage. It is required watching before proceeding to the Next Stage,\" the new figure said.\n\nI sat there and watched. It dragged on and on. The clips started spreading out a bit more after 2024, but they kept coming.\n\nEventually the Montage ended and the theater lights came up. The two people who had joined me stood up.\n\n\"Please follow us,\" the first person said. \"The Big Man would like to talk to you.\"\n\n\"B-big Man?\" I asked. \"Like, God?\"\n\n\"Correct,\" the second person said.\n\nWe exited the theater into a brilliantly white movie theater. I blinked a few times to adjust to the change in lighting, but at least it didn't hurt. That was a perk of being dead.\n\nThe two figures led me down the hallway and out of the theater to a similarly dazzlingly white city. I had to fight the urge to pull out my sunglasses, seeing as I didn't have them anymore. They led me down the street to a boring building that looked like it held government offices.\n\nThe receptionist tried to greet us, but the two people leading me flashed badges at her and mumbled something that they were escorting me to an appointment.\n\nToo many hallways later and I was sitting in a private waiting room on one of the upper floors.\n\n\"He'll be with you shortly,\" one of my escorts said. \"We'll be waiting here to escort you on your way out.\"\n\n\"Thanks,\" I said nervously.\n\n\"Come on back!\" a loud voice boomed moments later.\n\nI timidly stood up from the immaculate white seat I had been occupying and proceeded to the door.\n\n\"It's honestly impressive how many times you managed to get yourself into near-death situations,\" he said.\n\n\"I didn't realize how many I had been in,\" I said.\n\n\"Take a seat, Sophie,\" God said, gesturing to the seat on my side of his desk, and repositioning himself in his seat.\n\nI was in no position to refuse, so I did as he asked.\n\n\"Usually souls who have more brushes with death than average are given...safer...jobs when they reach Heaven,\" God continued. \"But the sheer quantity of your brushes with death, and your instinct to navigate away from them without even knowing, is extraordinary. Firstly, I wanted to offer you my personal congratulations on living as long as you did. You've set the new record for brushes with death, and let me tell you, nobody is going to break that for a long time.\"\n\n\"Thank you,\" I said.\n\n\"Secondly, I have a special proposition for your job,\" God said.\n\n\"I'm not in any position to refuse, am I, sir?\" I asked.\n\nHe laughed. \"My word is law. Of course, I'd take your opinion into account, but my decision would be the ultimate one. Your ability to make death-dodging decisions in the nick of time would make you an excellent Guardian. Now, of course, technically you wouldn't be an Angel, but that's more semantics. It's the same job you'd know as a Guardian Angel.\"\n\n\"I guess I can give it a shot,\" I said.\n\n\"Excellent!\" God said. \"I'll assign you to train under your former Guardian Angel, Max. Charlie and Sterling will escort you to the training grounds. I do look forward to hearing about your progress.\"\n\nThanks for reading! Enjoy this and want to read more of my stuff? I have miscellaneous short stories and three serials on my sub at /r/TheLastComment\n\nedit to fix typo", "I stared at death and Death stared back at me. She wasn’t what I had expected. Not a silent reaper nor cold and detached. She had greeted me with a smile and a hug. When she spoke, it was with familiarity and as though she were an old friend. Her presence gave me the calm and comfort I needed with the transition that came with the end of life. When I had first awoken in this void, I had panicked and struggled to breathe, though I supposed a dead man shouldn’t really have to. Death had taken my hand and helped me take in a few shuddering breaths.\n\n“Are you feeling better now, Kiran? We can wait longer if you want to. I don’t mind,” said Death. She smiled at me reassuringly. I squeezed her hand and started to pick myself off the ground. Or, took a standing position rather. There was nothing I could see that resembled a ground in the endless void around me.\n\n“No, I think I can speak now. Thank you for help. Sorry for panicking,” I said looking back to her.\n\n“It is perfectly natural. I’m sorry that you died. If you think you’re up to it, we can move on to the next step,” she told me.\n\n“The next step? There is something after death! Is it heaven? This void?” I said, my mind racing. Death laughed.\n\n“Now, now. We’ll get to that but first, you’re meant to look back at your memories. You get to see all the times you nearly ended up here. It lets you appreciate how long you ended up having,” she explained.\n\n“Oh, do people nearly die a lot?” I asked.\n\n“No. Well, usually not. Two or three times is the average. Some people do get some more though. Here, let’s watch,” she said, holding onto my arm.\n\nShe swung me around and stayed leaning against me. The air in front of us began to flicker and a screen began to play. It was a video of me as a child. I was perhaps four or five and playing in the front yard of my childhood home. My mother was doing some gardening and keeping watch over me. But, she didn’t have her eyes glued to me, so like many children, I put myself in danger. I walked over to the street and into the path of an oncoming car. It narrowly missed me and my mother pulled me off the street.\n\n“Wow, that was close! And at such a young age. I guess I am lucky I lived as long as I did,” I said.\n\n“Yes, you were so little but already so brave! That was the first time I ever saw you. Such a beautiful child so full of life,” she said with a wistful sigh. The video continued and it showed me as a teenager falling out of a tree, crashing my bike, and, when I was little older, crashing my car.\n\n“Wow, that’s insane. I can’t believe I forgot about that,” I said, hardly believing my own luck at staying alive.\n\n“Oh, yes. You did draw my attention with your reckless behavior. Even when people think they’re about to die, more often than not they aren’t anywhere as near to dying as they might think. You, however, seemed to cross my path without any thought. You flirt, you,” she said, hugging my arm tighter. “You’ll have to forgive me. You had my attention after that. I tried to stay away but I always wanted to see you.”\n\nThe video played scene after scene. A barbell that almost crushed me. A baseball that flew by me without me even noticing. A sickness avoided. A mercury-ridden fish not picked at the market. It went on and on.\n\n“Do you remember that time? You had the best wind-swept hair. Oh! That was the time you woke up late after a night out drinking. You’re so silly. You missed your usual bus and it ended up crashing that day. There’s the time you tried to play with some of your neighbor’s kids and ended up tripping on their jump rope!” said Death with another laugh. She gripped me tighter and tighter.\n\nHad it been on purpose? Was Death trying to kill me? Why? So that she could finally meet me? The video of my almost deaths went on and on. They became more and more frequent. Every day to every hour and finally almost every minute. There were millions of scenes. The video was almost becoming a rapid flash of images.\n\n“Look at how ridiculous you are, Kiran. Always getting yourself into risky situations. And still, you refused to meet me,” she said, her voice tightening. She laughed again, sounding a little odd. “But I didn’t mind, Kiran. That’s what is so great about you! Your life force was so strong. You’re special, Kiran. Especially to me.” The video finally reached an end, closing on my eventual death. “None of that really matters anymore. After all, you’re finally, finally, finally, finally, finally here! I knew you wanted to see me!”\n\nMy heart hammered in my chest. All my attention was on Death. She looked at me with a wide smile.\n\n“Oh, look at your little heart. I knew you would feel the same way about me, Kiran. I love you too,” she said.\n\n“What is the next step?” I croaked out. “Now, that the video’s done, where do I go?” For a second, a flash of anger could be seen on Death’s perfect face. But it was gone so quickly, I might have imagined it. She looked at me lovingly.\n\n“Usually people only visit me for a little bit of time. A quick chat and then back to Earth in another life or off to the afterlife they go. But, don’t worry, Kiran. I know that you want to be with me. So, you don’t have to be concerned about that. We finally got what we wanted! We’re together. What could be a greater paradise than that? You can stay here with me forever.”\n\n\\-----\n\nr/Inder for more stories like this!" ]	4
	[WP] Writing a horror story, you find out that something is causing your story to become real as it progresses. It is nothing supernatural because one day you find a hidden camera near your desk that has a perfect view of what you type.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Night 1\n\nMaggie brushes her teeth before turning off the bedroom light. Without a care in the world, she climbs into bed and pulls the covers up to her chin. She sighs contentedly as she relaxes into the pillow. \n\nMoments later, her eyelids pop open at the strange sounds coming from the other side of the room. She cautiously slides out of bed and creeps toward the window. She grasps the edge of the curtain with a trembling hand. Gathering all her nerve, she suddenly yanks back the curtain to see... A tree branch, sliding back and forth across the windowpane. She laughs at herself and returns to the warm comfort of the bed.\n\nSatisfied that I met my 100-words-a-day goal, I save the document and close my laptop. Time to get some sleep.\n\n\\-----------\n\nI open my eyes and look at the clock. It's been just over an hour since I went upstairs and climbed into bed. At first, I just lie there, unsure what woke me up. After a few seconds though, I hear it again. It sounds like something scratching against the window glass. I peek outside, but there's nothing near enough to touch the glass. Deciding that writing immediately before bedtime made me a bit paranoid, I climb back into bed.\n\n\\----------------------\n\nNight 2\n\nUnable to get to sleep through the noise from the tree, Maggie opts to go watch TV for a while. A few minutes later, she's lying on the couch, eyes half closed. Some old rerun plays on the TV in front of her. Suddenly though, something startles her awake. Looking around wildly, she spots the silhouette of a person dashing past her window. Why would anyone be running through her yard this late at night?\n\nShe double-checks that the doors and windows are all locked, then returns to her upstairs bedroom. After thinking for a moment, she slides the dresser in front of the bedroom door. Hopefully it's just her paranoia, but it's better safe than sorry.\n\nCool. Another 100 or so words. Now I better go get some housework done.\n\nOnce on the other end of the house, I start loading dishes into the dishwasher. Suddenly, I see movement out of the corner of my eye. I jerk upright and stare out the window into the darkness. Just as I've almost convinced myself that I was imagining it, the silhouette darts past the window again. I drop the plate I'm holding and back up until I crash into the counter behind me.\n\nAfter a few moments of staring into the darkness and telling myself that I need to switch to another genre, I decide to give up on the housework for tonight. I power walk to my bedroom and slam the door. Hesitating for just a moment, I finally decide to take \"a page out of Maggie's book,\" so to speak. I wedge a chair under the door handle, then turn on both the bathroom and closet lights before climbing into bed.\n\n\\----------------------\n\nNight 3\n\nI approach my desk and take a deep breath. It's just a story. Maybe once I get it all down, I won't feel so nervous any more. As I start to sit down, I jostle the desk and cause an ink pen to roll off the side. I lean over, meaning to retrieve the pen when I see it: underneath the desk there's a small lens with a tiny red light pointed straight at me.\n\nDon't act alarmed. Stay calm. I grab the pen and sit upright, trying my best to look nonchalant. What do I do now?\n\nIf someone is watching me, they're also watching what I write. I double-click the text file. As it opens, I notice a small green arrow at the bottom right corner of my screen. I've never seen it before, but it makes me think it's some kind of \"email sending\" indicator. The icon disappears as soon as the program is fully opened. As a test, I click the save icon. The arrow pops up again for a second. I think someone it's sending someone a copy of my file. I need to know if I'm just crazy here... \n\nAfter a few minutes of cowering in bed, there's a knock at the front door. Maggie waits a long time before removing her barricades, but she finally works up the nerve to go check. When she gets to the living room, she sees that someone has slid a note through the mail slot, addressed to her. It says...\n\nI pause to think for a moment. What should the note say? If someone is really doing these things to me, I don't want to tell him what to write. I need to be vague so that maybe he'll give me some information.\n\n... addressed to her. It says the name of the person who has been scaring her, and why he's doing it.\n\nWell, that's definitely vague. I drum my fingers on the desk for a bit before finally saving. The tiny green arrow pops up and I wait with bated breath.\n\nAn eternity later, I nearly jump out of my seat when there's a knock at the front door. Heart in my throat, I head to the front room.\n\nThe note is there. A part of me is relieved to see that I'm not imagining all this; the rest of me wishes that I was. Slowly, I bend down and pick up the folded scrap of paper. It says, \"I'm sory that I'm scareing you but I wanna to be part of your storey. -- Alan Hartwell\"\n\nI rush back to the computer and start typing.\n\nAlan Hartwell was the one who has been stalking her. He said as much in his note. After he left that note, he felt guilty, so he confessed everything to the police. He confessed to breaking into a woman's house, leaving cameras inside, putting spyware on her computer, and stalking her. Then he never bothered anyone again.\n\nThat last bit is terrible writing, I know, but please let this work! \n\nI wait impatiently for half an hour and then call the police station. A woman answers and I tell her that I need to speak to an officer about getting a restraining order against someone named Alan Hartwell. She puts me on hold. A few moments later, a man picks up the phone and asks me what I'm calling about. The whole story comes rushing out of me, and by the end I'm fighting back tears.\n\nWhen I finally stop speaking, the man calmly tells me that officers are on their way to my house right now. They're going to take my statement and collect evidence. Then, they'll escort me to a friend's house to stay for a while. \n\nI thank him and ask if this is enough to get him locked away. After a long pause, he finally tells me that Alan Hartwell has been a wanted man in connection with three area murders. My instructions to confess may just be the only thing that kept me from being his next victim. \n\nI hang up the phone and collapse into a chair to wait on the officers. With a wry laugh I think at least I got my 100 words done.\n\n===============\n\nIf you liked this, check out r/WannaWriteSometimes for more of my stories." ]	2
	[WP] Though you were theoretically the most dangerous villain in the district, you never had any motivation to do anything, that was until you crossed paths with the hotshot rookie who wanted to prove how badass he was.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Max stepped out of the shop, bag weighing down one arm. Milk, bread, bunch of ready meals, all he needed to live a solitary life in his cramped flat. He scanned the area, pausing as he saw the brightly vested police officers. They were deep in discussion with local superhero Justice.\n\nMax tried to keep his expression neutral as he began to cross the car park, towards the battered Ford car. His keys jingled as he pulled them from his pocket, breaking the loose thread caught in the keyring. Just a few more minutes and he could return home without incident.\n\n“Hold it.”\n\nMax paused, car key centimetres from the lock.\n\n“Drop the bag.”\n\nMax turned. The two cops stood nearby, staring at him. One of them, who looked barely old enough to wear the uniform, held a baton. The other looked close to retirement, grey bristles covering his upper lip.\n\n“I said drop the bag,” the youthful officer said.\n\nMax gently lowered the bag to the ground, trying to lay the milk bottom flat. He failed and the bottle fell sideways. “Is there a problem, officers?” He hadn’t stolen anything, and the cash he’d used to buy his shopping had been legitimate.\n\n“Hand where I can see them.” Max obeyed the instruction, raising his hands above his head. The officer sneered at him. “Where were you at 10:14 PM last Saturday?”\n\n“Alone, in my house, reading a book.” Not much else he could do, given how any electronics he owned tended to break pretty quickly, and any local entertainment spots he visited soon beefed their security.\n\n“Can anybody verify that?”\n\nMax shook his head. “Like I said, I was alone.” Usually having guests round tended to result in him having to buy a new door.\n\nCourse, there was somebody who could verify his story…\n\nJustice stood amongst the gathering crowd, arms crossed and blue hood hiding his face. Justice had seen him enter his lonely flat and stay there all night. But something told him the masked vigilante wouldn’t be stepping forward to help him.\n\n“So you weren’t robbing MacAnalley’s Museum?” the officer asked.\n\n“What? No! I don’t even know where that is. Can I go now?”\n\nThe officer gave him a contemptuous look. “Not until I’m sure Captain Ash isn’t planning a comeback.” He approached Max, waving his baton at Max’s arms to signal to keep them in the air.\n\nMax sighed and closed his eyes. A decade ago, he’d spent two weeks running around, breaking into places under the moniker Captain Ash, but Justice had swiftly put an end to his life of crime and kept a close eye on him since. Max had been a good boy since then.\n\nThe officer’s free hand dug into Max’s pocket, pulling his wallet free along with bits of fluff.\n\n“Bill, what are you doing?” the elder officer asked.\n\n“Frisking the suspect for evidence,” Bill replied. The elder officer raised a hand, but glanced at Justice, who merely continued watching, and dropped his arm.\n\nLoose change rattled onto the ground as Bill continued ransacking Max’s pockets, throwing spare pens and tissues to the ground.\n\nMax’s hands grew warm and his thumb dug into his key, small grey grains raining down. He risked a glance upwards. The fob of the key had taken on a grey colouring and crumbled under his touch.\n\nOh no…\n\n“Are you quite done?” Max asked, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. A wallet remarkably similar to his own now stuck out of Bill’s left pocket.\n\n“Shut it,” Bill snapped, striking Max on the temple with his baton.\n\nWarmth crept along his arms and spread throughout his body. He ground his teeth, resisting the urge to slap this punk.\n\nThe chain around his neck tightened. Instinctively he reached for his neck, clasping a hand over the pilfering hand grabbing the pendant. “No.”\n\nThe pendant had been a gift from Aiden. Aiden, who he’d had four blissful weeks of companionship with. Who’d not given a damn about his past or his destructive powers. Who’d given him hope and joy.\n\nAnd this jumped up rookie wanted to take his last memory of Aiden.\n\n“No.” His hand grew warm, tightening around the officer’s.\n\nBill’s skin began to turn grey, the burning warmth speeding along his arm. He managed a short scream as the coat of ash reached his neck, climbed over his chin, invaded his mouth.\n\nIn the space of two seconds, Officer Bill had become an ashen statue.\n\nThe ash hand crumpled under Max’s grip.\n\nOh no…\n\nHe hadn’t meant to. It was an accident, manslaughter surely!\n\nThe elder officer’s face was frozen in fear. He scrambled for his radio.\n\nAnd Justice watched on.\n\nJustice, always watching. Justice had done a great job in ensuring he didn’t resort back to his criminal ways. Done a great job making sure he couldn’t use electronics to plan another heist, or gather a crew to rob a store.\n\nSaved people by convincing them of what a terrible monster he was.\n\nBut Justice had never done anything to try and help him. Justice had never paid for the phones he’d broken, the consoles he’d destroyed, the doors he’d torn apart. Happy enough to leave Max’s flat in danger of being robbed or invaded.\n\nAll because Max was a monster destined to destroy.\n\nA fist swing took Officer Bill’s head off, his body dissolving as Max pushed through it. Captain Ash’s hands powered up, grabbing the elder offer’s face. He screamed as his skin became ash.\n\nCaptain Ash pushed the officer aside as he continued his march towards his nemesis. Towards Justice.\n\nThe last Max saw Aiden, he’d been a huddled mess, his face battered and bloody. When Justice’s threats and intimidation tactics hadn’t worked, when Aiden had chosen not to leave Max, the masked vigilante had resorted to smashing Aiden’s face in with a brick.\n\nThe temperature in the air dropped rapidly. Cars gained a coating of white frost and the ground became ice. Captain Ash’s movements became sluggish, the chill slowing him down.\n\nJustice finally moved. He approached Captain Ash, who was fast become an ice statue. “I knew you were dangerous scum,” he said before he knocked Max out.", "\"Enter.\" I said in response to the knock at my office door. A young boy no older than 20 stepped through the door. He scanned the room making no effort to hide his disappointment.\n\n\"What can I help you with?\" I asked.\n\n\"I just got accepted into the district and was told to come see you for a lesson in planning. Apparently, I need to learn to not rush into things and think before I act.\" he said with more than a little annoyance in his voice.\n\n\"And you are?\"\n\n\"The SoulCrusher.\"\n\nI raised an eyebrow.\n\n\"Adrian.\" He said reluctantly.\n\n\"Well Adrian,\" I said, gesturing for him to sit down. “There’s nothing wrong with learning how to plan. Every rookie villain wants to rush in guns blazing but a little preparation can go a long way. It's importa-\" \n\n\"Who are they?\" Adrian interrupted, pointing at a corkboard covered in pictures of various men and women.\n\n\"Those are all important people,\" I responded, ignoring the interruption. \"Government officials, businessmen, heroes, etcetera. I keep their pictures and all known information in case someone here wants to target them.\"\n\n\"Sounds boring, what's this?\" He picked up a stack of files.\n\n\"Information on ideal locations for heists.\" I said, trying to calm my rising anger.\n\nAdrian tossed the stack of files on the ground. \"I came here to learn how to fuck shit up not to learn about fucking real estate.\"\n\n\"Villainy is not just about fucking shit up. It requires patience, a cool head and strategy skills all of which you clearly lack. You cannot solve every problem by fighting, you need-\"\n\nAdrian threw a right hook that caught me in the jaw. \"You can solve any problem with a fight, and you can make anyone do anything if you're stronger than them! I don't want your fucking accounting lessons old man! You work a nine to five office job just like all the other corporate assholes, how dare you call yourself a villain!\"\n\nI could feel the white-hot rage coursing through my body. I'd sworn to never harm anyone directly again. I'd always known what I was capable of and I knew how easy it could get out of hand, so I settled for gathering and organizing information for other villains. It kept me busy and most importantly calm but this little shit had crossed the line. I stood up and clenched my fist. I watched the panic rise in Adrian’s face as he clawed at his throat.\n\n\"You want a fight? I'll give you a fucking fight.\" I shouted. I swept my hand up in the air. Adrian screamed, sliding out of his seat. As I waved my hand the intensity of his pain responded accordingly. Some part of me knew this was wrong but this kid was a danger to more than just himself.\n\n\"You are not and never will be stronger than everyone you face and I will personally ensure you aren't given a single mission until you understand that.\"\n\nAdrian writhed on the floor, tears sliding down his face. “Please, please stop!” He choked out. A red fog of rage clouded my vision. In that moment there was nothing I wanted more than for this arrogant prick to truly understand pain. I walked over and knelt down next to him, letting my hand fall and releasing him from the agony. He gasped for air, his whole body shaking.\n\n\"You will always be weaker than your opponent until you know everything about them. Knowledge is stronger than any power you could hope to have. Understand?\"\n\nHe nodded weakly. \"I understand.\" \n\n\"I promise you the next person you learn this lesson from will be less forgiving.\" I stood up and walked out, leaving Adrian trembling on the floor. I'm getting to old for this shit." ]	3
	[WP] Do people feel death? Jane asked, as she lay down with him. She holds his hands looks into his eyes and asks, Do you feel it ?	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "“I’ve always wondered, do people feel death?” Jane casually asked as she emptied another syringe into Terry’s arm. “Oh, silly me.” She forced a laugh. Leaning over his stiff, paralyzed body, she tapped his nose. “You sir, are in no shape to answer.”\n\nThe room held no decorations, no pleasantries. A bed, small window, and table did their best to fill it, but the emptiness felt almost as suffocating as the drug induced paralysis forced on him. Terry tried to struggle, tried to call out. His muscles, however, would not listen. \n\nWhatever she had given him, allowed him to breath. His heart still beat. His eyes still worked. She had attached him to a feeding tube. She had done this before. It was practiced, calculated.\n\nTerry knew that paralytics had to be carefully dosed and administered, along with being hard to come by. If only he knew more, could do more. He sighed. He sighed again once he realized he couldn’t physically sigh. Damnit. \n\nHe watched her measure, mix, and inspect something on the table. She hummed a happy tune as she worked. It felt surreal. She seemed so happy and relaxed. Almost as if she were cooking her favorite dinner for guests as opposed to, what he guessed was, a deadly concoction for Terry.\n\nHe tried to struggle, to scream. He strained so hard he imagined blood vessels bursting and sweat pouring down his body. Imagined, he felt powerless. He was powerless.\n\nJane turned around and grabbed a small chair next to the bed that had previously gone unnoticed and pulled it next to the bed. She sat down. Reaching out, she grabbed his hand, holding it softly, almost lovingly, in hers.\n\n“Shhh,” she whispered. “Everything is gonna be alright.” She leaned over him, kissing his forehead gently. “You’re so special, so lucky.” Running her hands through his hair, she looked him in the eyes. “I’m so sorry, hun.”\n\nShe leaned in, embracing his limp body, nuzzling her face into the nape of his neck. Terry imagined the feeling of her warm breath. The touch of her smooth skin. She kissed his neck, soft and gentle. Soft and gentle, like she had been before. Soft and gentle, like the woman he had fallen in love with.\n\n“I love you.” She whispered into his ear. “I always will.” She held him. Terry once found comfort in her embrace, now fear. He once sought it out, now he could not escape it.\n\nPlease, he thought. Why are you doing this?\n\nShe let him go and sat up, almost as if she could read his thoughts. “I’m glad it could be you. You know?” She smiled, it didn’t reach her eyes. Terry recognized everything about her except her eyes. They had changed. They didn’t belong to the woman he knew. The woman he loved. Those cold, dead, unfeeling eyes were not the eyes of the woman he married five years ago. Yet, there they were. Staring down at him. \n\n“I guess you deserve some answers. You deserve to understand.” Her eyes flickered. For a moment he recognized them, only for a moment. “I’ve done this before, obviously. Many times, actually.” Her voice seemed alien, almost robotic. It didn’t belong to the woman he loved. To his wife. “Death… death is beautiful, isn’t it? It’s so quiet, so peaceful… Like you. I love that about you, you know? You always amazed me with your calmness. I love how we could just lay there, for hours, quietly.”\n\nShe stood up and walked towards the window. She seemed lost in thought, staring out into the world. Who is she? Who is my wife? Terry’s mind raced. Outside, his paralyzed body seemed calmer than he had ever been. Inside, he was a torrent, a storm. He searched back, trying to remember his life with her. Trying to figure out who his wife was, if she had ever shown him this side of her.\n\n“I guess you’re wondering where you are. This is where I grew up. Where my parents lived.”\n\nI thought they were alive.\n\nShe laughed softly. “They were the first. They were so busy. Too busy for me. This house used to be so… loud, so… chaotic. I fixed that.” She looked at him, almost apologetically, it seemed. “Of course, I told you we were estranged. Their deaths were never reported. It’s funny how people can just ‘disappear’ these days. No one stops their busy lives to see anymore. It’s all just a mess.”\n\nPlease, I’m not a mess. I don’t want to die.\n\n“Since then, I’ve found a lot of people who are too busy, too loud. I like helping them. It makes me feel good inside. I think, in my own way, I love them all.” Her face contorted, twisting into anger, sadness, and happiness all at once. “Not like you, of course. I truly love you. You make me happy.” She ran her fingers through his hair again. He used to love that.\n\nWho are you really? You crazy bitch. He wanted to yell at her, tell her she’s crazy, tell her he didn’t love her. He couldn’t. He laid there frozen, a spectator in his own body. A prisoner trapped behind his eyes, watching his own execution.\n\n“I didn’t want to do this, you know? But, I have to. It’s because I love you.” She leaned over and kissed his lips. “You deserve nothing but the best. I’m with you. I’ll always be with you.”\n\nShe stood up straight and walked back to her desk. Terry watched as Jane filled another syringe up. He didn’t know what was in it, but he was pretty sure he knew what it would do. Please, he begged to noone. Please don’t do this. I don’t want to die. Terry cried. He wept harder than he'd ever done before. He wept even harder for his tears that didn’t exist.\n\n“Shhh,” she tried to comfort him. “It will all be over soon. You’ll be free. Free from this mess. Free from this noise. I love you so.” She slid the needle into his arm as she spoke, slowly pushing the fluid into his veins. “I’m happy for you. I’m so glad you get to relax. You remember that vacation you are always talking about? We finally get to go on it. Just you and me.”\n\nShe stood up and walked back to the desk, placing the empty syringe on it. Terry heard a click, followed by the soft sounds of waves crashing. He weakly laughed, inside. He’d always wanted to see the beach.\n\nJane climbed into the bed with him, turning his head to hers. He couldn’t look away. Their eyes locked. Her eyes came to life again. He could feel their warmth, the same warmth he had felt for years. Who are you? She gently stroked his cheek. Her breathing quickened, as if she were coming close to… orgasm? \n\n“Do you feel it? I do. I feel it in you.” Her voice struggled. Her hand lay on his chest, feeling his heart beat slower and slower. “Oh God,” She bit her bottom lip softly and slid closer, holding him with all of her. “I can feel it.” She quivered with pleasure.\n\nThe room grew dimmer, out of focus. It felt as if someone slowly turned off the lights, one by one. Blackness crept in from the edges of his vision until only her face remained. Slowly, it faded away as well.\n\n“I love you…”", "I look to Jane, her gaze locked on my eyes with great intensity and worry. Her question confuses me, but perhaps I am simply too tired to grasp what she is asking. I feel my eyelids growing heavier. I feel I could use a nap. Just a quick nap, and then I'll answer her question when I wake up. She'll understand - she knows how sick I've been recently and how much I need to rest. My eyes close softly and I try to clear my mind of thoughts as I usually do to try and sleep. It's easy to drift away. I do hope she forgives me when I wake, I didn't mean to be rude.", "Jane tilted her head, staring with an intense curiosity at the man on the bed. She could smell the blood spreading across the white sheets, seeping from the ever-paling form. Blood was nothing new. Jane had smelled blood before, spilled blood before.\n\nShe had never been curious what happened after it all came pouring out. Death had never really crossed her mind - people were, and then they weren't. But now, looking at the weakening form of the man on the bed, she was curious.\n\n\"Do people feel death?\" Jane asked, moving across the room and laying down next to him. She could feel the blood soaking into her clothes, but it didn't bother her. She tilted the mans head so that his eyes - and the faint and fleeting light within them - faced hers, and held his hands. \"Do you feel it?\"\n\n\"I think I do,\" he replied. There was no trace of sadness in his voice, no remorse or anguish. He was prepared to end.\n\n\"What does it feel like?\" Jane pressed on with another question, sensing her time for inquiry growing thin.\n\n\"It feels like water. Like inky black water, not cold or hot. I'm slowly sinking into the water.\"\n\n\"How far into the water have you fallen?\"\n\n\"I'm almost under. It's just up to my chin, now.\"\n\n\"Are you scared?\"\n\n\"Not really.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"I like water.\"\n\nJane looked into his eyes, and she could see the water reflecting back at her. It was midnight black and impenetrable, without depth or breadth, concealing unknown volumes beneath it's surface. It was almost up to the man's nose, now, but Jane could still see no fear in his face, no indication of what he might be feeling besides that water.\n\n\"Goodbye, Jane,\" said the man, and just for a moment there was a twinge of melancholy in his voice. \"I hope I answer your question.\"\n\nAnd with that, he sank.\n\nJane frowned. She had liked the human next to her. He had been interesting. And he hadn't answered her question.\n\nShe wondered what that water would feel like, if it ever reached her. She wondered if she'd feel anything at all.\n\nHe certainly hadn't.\n\n(I don't really know what this is, I've been slow to warm up today. Thanks for the neat prompt though!)" ]	4
	[WP] My twin died when we were 15. Today, on what would have been our 20th birthday, I went down to the basement to look at old photos of the two of us. Instead of finding photos, however, I found a note, written in my twin's handwriting. The scary thing? It was dated a week after she died.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "With everyone gathered around the table for dessert, I figured I should give a small speech. \"Thank you for gathering with me today, on the day before Sarah's birthday and mine.\" I said. \"As you might know, Sarah was my second half. We never went anywhere without the other. We always had a secret or a dumb pact that would keep us close... Tomorrow, Sarah would have turned 20 with me. Sarah, it's been five long years without you but I somehow manage to keep on going. I hope you've found peace after everything that's happened and I'm truly sorry for it. I wish I could've done something. Here's to you. Cheers!\" \n\nLate in the night, after the last guest left, it was time. I walked by the mess that was the backyard and went to the basement. With my parents asleep, it's the perfect moment to go down to memory lane without disruption. Technically the 17th, it was, after all, my birthday. Our birthday. Walking down the stairs, my nostrils are filled with the smell of the moist walls and the rotting wood they are made of. It somehow reminded me of an old man's house, like grandpa's, despite our house being only 10 years old. I guess five years of neglect does more damage than people care to admit... \n\nAfter 15 minutes of searching, I finally found where my mom hid the photo box. I never understood why she didn't want me to look at our old pictures. Maybe she feared I would get too attached to my sister or something. Well, it's not like I wasn't already attached to her before she passed. After all, we still lived everyday together for 15 years. Every picture I saw was a bliss. From our first halloween without our parents to a made up ritual, it seems like every memory I have of Sarah and I are of good times. \n\nThen I stumbled into a notebook. Her journal, to be precise. I remember when she got it for her last christmas. It was a dark shade of royal blue, with golden drawings of a sun, a moon and some stars, with a matching pen. It was, perhaps, the only thing that she didn't share with me. It had a lovely golden lock attached to it, which she always locked and kept her key on her religiously. After a week of trying, I abandoned getting into it, knowing she was smarter than I was, even though I was still consumed by curiosity. Still being curious as to what my 15 years-old sister wrote in it, I searched for the key but it couldn't be found anywhere in the box. \n\nIn the spur of the moment, I decided to break the lock. After all, it's not like she'll notice... Reading through it, it was pretty mundane stuff. How a boy's teasing her. How a cat ran away from her. How mom and dad were fighting again. Ooh, I remember that day, I lied about doing the dishes a couple of days in a row to make Sarah do it instead of me. Guess who mom believed. I admit, it was a dirty move but I only did it once because I felt so bad afterwards. \n\nBut the more I flicked the pages, the closer I was to her last day. About two weeks before her death, I could see a change in the way she wrote. It became darker, like she pushed on her pen more than usual. It was also less precise, smaller and more cramed, like she was in a rush to write it all before she forgot it. It was weird, not like the everyday stuff she wrote before. This day seemed pretty intense for her. People staring at her, gossip in her back, feeling like students were laughing at her. But no reason for this sudden change. A couple of days later, her writing back to normal, telling about a deal between us. Nothing unusual. But this deal was different. I remember that day like yesterday.\n\nBefore going home from school, we took a detour in the nearby park. When we arrived at our usual spot, right before the tallest tree, my sister stopped me. \"Hey, can we talk?\" She said. \"I need a favor from you. There's someone, an older guy from school, that's starting to scare me a bit. I don't know what to do and I don't feel safe telling mom, dad or any teacher. Can you get rid of him please?\" It shook me. I didn't quite expect that. \"What? How do you want me to do that? And who even is it?\" I replied. \"Look\", she said, \"I don't have much time and I don't want anyone to overhear us. I know it's weird but I need you to trust me. In ten days, I'll write his name in my journal and hide the key in our spot. I'll even throw in some money if you don't ask questions. But please, take care of him, I don't care how but I want him the furthest away from me.\" I didn't know what to say. So I agreed, not wanting anything bad to happen to my twin. \n\nThree days later, she died. \n\nBut the journal still had some things to say. The day of Sarah's death, she wrote that she felt empty, defeated. All because of the older guy. His full name was there, along with a message to me, it seems. \"Make him go away!\" Countless times, written on the rest of the page, and the next one too. But then something odd, there was still some text written. A week after her death, someone wrote something. \"Make him suffer. Make him regret. Make him fear for his life. I fulfilled my part of the bargain, will you fulfill yours?\" Is what it said, in my sister's handwriting. It can't be. It's too real to be some imitation. But there it was. Maybe she pre-wrote it? But how would my twin hide her journal's key in our spot? I was with her all day when she died. Even when I went to the bathroom, she wouldn't had enough time to run at the park and come back... There's only one way to know.\n\nI took the journal, some of my favorite pictures and carefully put the box back where it was. I went to my car, ready to go to the town I grew up in. More than an hour later, I finally arrive. I recognize my childhood street. I park in front of what used to be my home, observing it. It seems well maintained, maybe even more than before we moved away. I went to our spot. I start climbing up our favorite tree. Damn, I swear that tree was easier to climb before! After a couple of tries, I reach a small hole in the tree, just over a branch, keeping it hidden from the people on the ground. We even installed a small leather door to keep birds from building nests in it. When I lifted the leather, there it was. The journal's key, plus a small stack of money. I couldn't believe my eyes. All these years, it waited for me. I took everything and went in my car. On the twenty dollar bill on top of the stack, another note was written. \"I will know peace when justice will be given.\" Was all it said. \n\nDon't worry, Sarah. I'll honor our deal." ]	2
	[WP] After being kidnapped by their archenemy, it's up to you and your fellow dads to cover for your magical girl daughters until you can rescue them.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Bill took sipped his beer as the clock struck three in the morning. It was part of his normal routine whenever his daughter was on an operation. Unable to sleep, he would drink a beer and watch re-runs of This Old House. He loved his daughter for her kind and generous heart, but considering the superpowers she developed, sometimes he wished she was a little more selfish. Less cause for her old man to worry. He looked at the picture of his late wife he always kept on the end table next to his easy chair.\n\nYou would have been so proud of her. I wish you could've seen her grow up.\n\nJust then, the red cell phone he had on the armrest of the easy chair began to ring. It was Doug, the Neighborhood Alert Dad. Quickly, Bill picked it up and answered it.\n\n\"Doug, please tell me this is about some car you don't recognize parked on the street.\"\n\n\"No can do, Bill. It's the girls. They got into some trouble on their mission, asked for backup. We need to assemble.\"\n\n\"Understood. Tell Phil to fire up the grill. We need to make sure they have enough to eat when they get home.\"\n\n\"Copy that, Bill. Good hunting.\"\n\n\\-------\n\nDr. Diabolical looked up from the death ray he was working on as one of his minions barged into his laboratory.\n\n\"CARL! What did I tell you about bothering me while I'm working?\" screeched the Doctor.\n\n\"I'm sorry master,\" squeaked Carl,\"but you asked to be informed of any visitors.\"\n\n\"VISITORS? VISITORS? On the Isle of DESPAIR? In the Sea of MADNESS? PREPOSTEROUS!\"\n\n\"You can see them on the screen master,\" pleaded Carl. \"Perhaps they're here about the prisoners?\"\n\nDr. Diabolical stormed past poor Carl and turned on the viewer. It showed a lone speedboat quickly making its way towards the shore, with only one person aboard. A man, wearing a tasteful Hawaiin T-Shirt and aviator sunglasses.\n\n\"CARL! Prepare the Parlor of PANIC. A guest is coming! We must be good hosts!\"\n\n\"Yes, master\"\n\n\\-------\n\nScott looked around the Parlor as the minion--Carl he said his name was--hastily backed out of the room. It looked like pretty standard super villain fare. Gaudy, pretentious, gold leaf everywhere. Big double doors, great for a needlessly dramatic entrance. No furniture that looked comfortable enough to actually sit on.\n\nWhat a prick this guy must be, thought Scott.\n\nSuddenly, Dr. Diabolical burst through the double doors.\n\n\"BEHOLD! I am Dr. DIABOLICAL. Feast your eyes upon my fortress and DESPAIR mortal!\"\n\nScott just rolled his eyes at the pompous flop in front of him.\n\n\"Listen Sport,\" Scott began, \"You don't know it yet, but you're actually having a bad day. How bad of a day depends on what you do next. Now--\"\n\n\"IS THAT SO? Tell me, what could YOU possibly DO to Dr. DIABOLIC--\"\n\n\"Now, that's the last time you interrupt me bucko,\" spat Scott, \"Did you never learn that if you try and interrupt a Dad monologue it just gets longer? Now, where was I? Ah, yes that bad day you're having. You see, my daughter, and the daughters of my best friends--so they may as well be my daughters--are being held on this island. While you are no doubt familiar with the powers of our children--laser vision, super speed, flight, eye rolls so devastating you simply wink out of existence--you may not know us Dads have superpowers as well. For you see, I'm not just a regular Dad. I'm Cool Dad! Whenever a neighborhood rapscallion needs to be set on the straight and narrow, Cool Dad gets sent in to handle it. You sir, are a rapscallion of the highest order. Now tell me, how did you manage to capture our kids?\"\n\n\"AHA! I procured a crystal of PUREST DOOMESIUM! It negates ALL SUPERP--\"\n\n\"Oh, so you cheated,\" Scott said with a devastating eye roll. \"Makes sense--you didn't really seem smart enough to go head to head with my daughter in a fair fight. Well sport, let me tell you how this works. See, when the kids get in a pinch Doug--that's our Neighborhood Alert Dad--intrinsically knows, and he calls the rest of us. It makes up for all the emails about random animals and parked cars we get from him. While the rest of us head out to take care of business, Doug grabs Grillmaster Dad--Phil in our case--and they organize a neighborhood BBQ for when we all get home. And let me tell you, whatever touches that man's grill tastes like heaven in your mouth--\"\n\n\"SCOTT, please tell me you have a POINT!\" yelled Dr. Diabolical\n\n\"What did I tell you about interrupting me? The sooner you surrender the sooner this is all over. Where was I? Right, the here and now. If you dismantle your doomesium crystal and death ray, and you release the kids, this ends. If you don't Greg and Stu are gonna destroy that crystal. See, Greg is Fashion Dad. His cargo pants and pocketed shirts turn him into a walking hardware store, and with his comfortable shoes he can hike for miles. Stu is MacGyver Dad. You give Stu access to all the equipment Greg carries around and there is very little Stu can't accomplish. You wait for Stu to take out your crystal, and our daughters will get their powers back and we're just gonna stand back and watch while they take care of business. You're gonna stand down and let them, or else you have a truly awful day, because you'll have to deal with Bill. He's Nice Dad.\"\n\n\"And what can this BILL possibly do? Offer to PLAY CATCH with me?\" asked an incredulous Dr. Diabolical.\n\n\"You know, 36 hours ago, he would have because he's a nice guy and you obviously never had a healthy father figure in your life. However, since you kidnapped his daughter, that ship has sailed, wrecked, and sank to the bottom of the ocean. It won't be Nice Dad that lands on this Island if you let things play out that long. It'll be Dadzilla, and he's not the type to leave one stone resting upon another if you know what I mean.\"\n\nJust then, a huge shattering sound rolled over the island. As soon as it did, Scott's aviator sunglasses levitated out of his front pocket and settled on his face. The light in the room began to glint perfectly off of his salt and pepper hair. His beard and goatee, which had seemed scraggly at first, now looked devastatingly handsome. \n\n\"Looks like your time's running out Doc,\" Scott said as a devilish grin stole over his face. \"Best stand down now or you're in for a world of hurt.\"\n\n\"NEVER! I am DR. DIABOLICAL! Minions TO ME! SCOTT, I am QUITE FED UP YOUR THREATS!\"\n\nScott roguishly chuckled as a massive lizard hand broke through the ceiling and closed around Dr. Diabolical, yanking him through the roof and into the open air.\n\n\"HI QUITE FED UP WITH YOUR THREATS, I'M DADZILLA!\"\n\n\"I tried to warn you,\" chuckled Scott. \"Hey Bill, I'll be waiting on the boat. I'll get some root beer floats ready for the girls.\"", "Thomas Edmund sat quietly in his evening chair, reading from one of the books off the shelf. He'd read through it once or twice before, but Huckleberry Finn never stopped being an enjoyable piece of fiction. His wife Kathy was asleep, and their daughter was still off on her little adventures, but he was absolutely not going to bed before she got home.\n\nStill, it was getting quite late. Tom closed the book and glanced over at the clock... Two in the morning? No, that wouldn't do.\n\nHe leaned over and picked up the phone. The gruff voice on the other end greeted him.\n\n\"Tom?\" it said.\n\n\"Yeah George, looks like it's happened again,\" Tom said. \"Time to get the boys together.\"\n\n---\nAbby pulled at the ropes wrapped tightly around her torso. Cindy, Rachel, and Poppy were also bound, while the woman in the sparkly, skintight costume cackled over her commentary of her devious plan.\n\n\"And then, when the moon covers the north star, the device shall activate and the world shall be doomed!\" she shouted.\n\nAbby had to assume she was doing so for her own enjoyment, as the other magical girls were unimpressed and the woman's monstrous minions didn't seem intelligent enough to understand what her words.\n\n\"Okay lady, but if you don't let us go then you're going to regret it!\" Abby shouted.\n\n\"Ha! And just what exactly do you think you can do to make me suffer from those ropes?\" the sparkly woman asked.\n\nAs if to answer her question, the sound of an explosion rang out, followed almost instantaneously by the screech of one of the larger monsters dying and turning to dust.\n\n\"Abigail Lorraine Edmund! Midnight means midnight!\" Tom shouted from across the room, his hands glowing with the same iridescent energy as the woman.\n\n\"Oh no, the middle name? Guys, we're getting grounded for sure!\" Abby shouted to the other magical girls.\n\n\"What?\" The sparkly woman asked, before being toppled over by a large burly man wearing a police uniform.\n\n\"Ma'am, you have a right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...\" the man said.\n\n\"Bill, cuff her already! She might have some weird magical bullshit!\" Tom shouted.\n\n\"Right,\" Bill said, yanking the woman's arms behind her back and slapping a pair of handcuffs on her.\n\nThe monsters quickly reacted by going into a rage and charging at Bill. Then a skinnier man in a camoflage army uniform stepped out onto the balcony holding a shotgun, blasting one, then another of the monsters. Another man, slightly balding, ran up toward Bill, smashing one of the smaller monsters' heads in with a baseball bat.\n\n\"George! Rick! Good timing,\" Bill said.\n\nThe rest of the monsters took the hint and quickly began retreating through the glowing portal that was open at the end of the room.\n\n\"What? No! You cowards! Get back here and kill these fools!\" the sparkly woman shouted, still pinned under Bill's boot.\n\n\"Abigail, you are in so much trouble,\" Tom said to his daughter, using a small flame on the end of his finger to burn through the ropes that were keeping her bound.\n\n\"I know...\" Abby said, avoiding eye contact.\n\n\"Three weeks, no magical girl-ing, no afterschool club, and you'd better be back home before sundown,\" Tom said.\n\n\"But dad! The world could be destroyed!\" Abby said, standing up and dusting herself off as she spoke.\n\n\"Then someone else is going to have to step up,\" Tom said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder. Then he pulled her into a hug. \"You're just a teenager, Abby, the safety of the entire world doesn't rest on you and you alone. I'm just glad you're safe.\"\n\n\"I know, dad...\" Abby said, wrapping her arms around her father's neck.\n\nGeorge cut the ropes binding his daughter with his combat knife.\n\n\"Cindy, what did we learn?\" he asked his daughter.\n\n\"Don't rush in unprepared, and always cover your flanks...\" Cindy responded, sounding somewhat disappointed that she'd made such a rookie mistake.\n\n\"Good. Now, let's get some dinner and put you to bed, you've got school tomorrow,\" he said, offering her a hand.\n\n\"Okay,\" she said, taking her father's hand and heading toward the entrance of the building with him.\n\nBill approached his daughter, then let out a small snort. He pulled out his cell phone and pretended to get a call.\n\n\"Hon? Sorry, Rachel can't talk right now, she's a little tied up at the moment,\" he said.\n\nAll the girls groaned, and the other dads gave a mixture of sighs and chuckles.\n\n\"Dad! I'm tied up, please get me out of here!\" Rachel said.\n\n\"Hi, tieduppleasegetmeoutofhere, I'm dad,\" he said, while pulling at the knot keeping the ropes bound.\n\nAnother round of groans came from the girls, and Rachel stood up.\n\n\"But seriously, Ra, you need to be more careful. Two weeks, no TV,\" Bill said.\n\n\"Aw...\" Rachel said, pouting as she looked at her father. \"Two weeks?\"\n\n\"Fine, one week, you've had a rough night,\" Bill said, picking up the sparkly woman before walking toward the exit.\n\nRick had already freed his daughter, and stepped toward Bill.\n\n\"So... just in case you make bail, any chance you're free next Friday night?\" Rick asked the woman Bill had slung over his shoulder.\n\n\"Dad! Stop trying to flirt with our mortal enemies!\" Poppy said.\n\n\"Begone wretch! I am the High Priestess of the God of Eternal Twilight! My destiny is one of glory and power! I will not be be caught up in petty romance!\" the woman shouted.\n\n\"Eh, worth a shot,\" Rick said. \"Let's go Penelope, you still haven't done your homework.\"\n\n\"Ughhhh....\" Poppy groaned, following her father out of the building.\n\nThe rest of the night went uneventfully, though the late night did mean the girls went to school half-asleep the next day... All in a day's work when it came to defending the world from monster incursions." ]	3
	[WP] Everyone in your bloodline inherits the power to freeze time for everyone but themselves... once. After returning to normal time, you can never do it again. Today is the day you use your opportunity.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"Please just try to get here. The kids are asking what's going on and I don't want to tell them alone.\"\n\n\"I'm trying, my love. I made it out of the city before the warning went live, I should be there in the next 20 minutes. I love you.\"\n\n\"I love you too.\"\n\nSo many things were going through his mind. There was so much he wanted to accomplish. So many places he wanted to see. Now, all he wanted was to be home with his family. Driving never seemed to go by so slowly. Every mile felt like a hundred and the surrounding were just a blur. He had driven these roads countless times and auto pilot had fully taken over. The only thoughts going through his head were the stories his father used to tell him.\n\n\"Son, there is a gift that our family is blessed with. Once, and only once, we can freeze everything around us. Time will stand still for all but us. We are free to move and free to think, but eventually it must end and return to normal. Many in our family have decided to forget about the gift entirely but it is my responsibility to tell you that this power is innately yours, should you choose to use it.\"\n\nAs a child he asked, \"Did you use yours father?\"\n\nSmiling his father said, \"I did my son.\"\n\n\"What did you do?\"\n\nA tear formed in his eye as he said, \"I extended the happiest moment of my life. I will say no more than that.\"\n\nShivers ran through the man as he turned his focus back to driving. He was entering the neighborhood which was full of frantic activity. People loading cars, others breaking down outside, some already catatonic in acceptance of the inevitable. Trying to ignore the horror of awareness on peoples faces, he took the final turn before coming up to his home. His wife ran out to greet him and embraced him in a deep hug, tears in her eyes.\n\n\"I thought you weren't going to make it, I thought I would never see you again.\"\n\n\"I'm here. I'm so sorry. Where are the children?\"\n\n\"Inside. I had to tell Simon, but Tucker and Lucy don't know. Simon is helping me keep them calm, but I don't know if it's really sunk in yet.\"\n\n\"Ok, let's go inside.\"\n\nTears freely flowing, his wife followed him as he entered their house and went to find their kids.\n\n\"Daddy!\" Lucy was the first to greet her father. He had always loved his daughter with a fierce love that could only be matched by the love he had for his wife. His sons he loved equally but his daughter was a much more jealous love. He would stay with her in his arms forever if she let him.\n\n\"Hello princess! I'm so glad to see you!\" Tears began forming in his eyes.\n\n\"Daddy why are you crying?\" she said touching her small hands to his face.\n\nWiping the tears away he said, \"Nothing sweetheart. I just am so glad to see you. Where are your brothers?\"\n\n\"They are outside looking through the telescope.\"\n\n\"Well let's go find them. I have something I need to tell all of you.\"\n\n\"Okay\"\n\nLeading her father by the hand, she took him outside to her brothers, his wife following closely behind holding his other hand.\n\n\"Dad!\" The boys said in unison. Both rushing over to embrace their father.\n\nSimon was looking at his father with a knowing stare. A frantic pleading to his eyes that was never there before. It made him feel sick.\n\n\"Lets sit down, your mother and I have something we want to tell you.\"\n\nHe checked his watch before sitting down and looked at his wife, who gave him a small nod. It was 12:37, they had 4 minutes.\n\n\"Simon, Tucker, Lucy, there is something I need to tell you. Something has happened. We are going to have to leave here soon. I'm not sure where we are going, but whatever happens just relax and wait for us to come get you. Your mother and I will come and find you. No matter how long it takes, we will find you.\n\nSimon began crying. Trying to console his eldest he said, \"It's ok Son, I need you to be brave for your brother and sister. We are all here and anything that happens we will face it together.\"\n\nSniffling, Simon said, \"o-okay.\"\n\n\"Your mother and I love you all so much. A father could not ask for a more beautiful daughter, or more brave sons. We only have a short time but I wanted you to know that whatever happens, your mother and I love you more than anything.\"\n\nHe looked to his wife, who was still crying and embraced her in a kiss. The salt from her tears was all he could taste but he didn't notice anything but the softness of her lips and the fullness in his heart of the love for her.\n\n\"Come here you guys.\"\n\nWrapping his arms around all of them he checked his watch once again, 12:40, it was nearly time.\n\nHe turned to his wife and set his head against hers, \"carry them, I will meet you there.\" With those words, he froze time.\n\nHe broke down for the first few moments. Crying for his family and what he knew he had to do. The sobs were so deep it made his body ache, and he lay on the ground in despair. Knowing that he had to save his family from the terror he must face, he pulled out the gun from his belt.\n\nTime unfroze and he saw their bodies beside him, still embracing one another. His sorrow was beyond words, and his grief too immense to measure. Crying and grieving, he looked up as the asteroid began to descend. He first felt the heat, the unbearable heat. Clutching his head everything became blurry and his hearing was only a loud hum that was growing until deafening. Screaming from the heat and pain, he dropped to his knees and the last thing he saw was darkness closing in." ]	2
	[WP] In a desolate wasteland you find yourself standing in front of a tavern. From the outside it looks crooked and run down. But as you enter you get overrun by cheering, people singing and music that plays.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The winds bellowed behind me from the west as I stood in-front of the dilapidated building. My journey eastwards had been both long and arduous but I knew I had to find shelter before the icy howls kicked up the fallout that lay dormant on the ground. It had been relatively calm for the last few months but over the course of a week something bad had been brewing in the mountains. And whatever it was I hoped to God I wouldn’t find out. \n\nAs I basked in the aura of light permeating the rotten curtain covering the crooked doorway of the building, the sounds of music and laughter seemed both alien and cathartic. It had been months since I’d seen another living person and weeks since I’d seen a human at all, as walking through the desolate cities and towns in the west it was hard not to trample over or desecrate the corpses (or what was left of them) of others. Yet here in front of me was a remnant ember of humanity dancing in the abyssal void that was the arid plains that stretched into the darkness for what seemed like perpetuity. \n\nSeeking both safety and shelter I mustered up the courage and whipped the raggedy cloth over shoulder and shuffled into the room. What befell my eyes stopped me dead in my tracks and I glared around the room. Hung around the top of the room was an assortment of coloured jars and bottles filled with flickering candles, to the left of the room was a crackling fire with a piece of slate salvaged from the roof to what looks like a place for cooking. \n\nOn the right was a long wooden desk littered with a range of beverages; in front of an old, slim gentleman adoring a thick moustache and scraggly stubble. My eyes quickly diverted to the centre on the room to which most of the noise emitted from. It was a small cluster of people sat together around a withered dry tree that had a small star affixed to the top. \n\n“Merry Christmas stranger!” The moustachioed man yelled over the music.\n“Wait! You can’t be serious” I cried back in dismay.\n“I’m afraid so, what to come keep an old Scrooge like me company?” The man said with a crooked smile. \n\nI politely nodded to the man and approached the bar while looking at the group of people sat in the middle. As I walked towards the bar the people singing the Christmas carols acknowledged me but weren’t distracted by me as they carried on singing and smiling at one another. \n\nWhen I reached the bar the beverages seemed a lot less appealing than they did from afar. Some of the bottles such as the whisky was broken and the brown liquid inside was filled with some glass shards and black sediment sitting at the bottom. The few cans of beer available were crawling with very small insects that do desperately wanted a drink as much as I did. But the most appealing drink on the table was a very watery lukewarm pot of coffee that sat in a lidless tea pot. \n\n“So son what do you fancy?” The man said in a rough but delicate voice.\n“I’m sorry but what is this place” I responded.\n“I don’t know buddy, I walked through that doorway just like you did maybe a week ago. By then they had just put the lights up, and that lady sat next to the gentleman playing the guitar set up the little tree there” he explained. \n\nI turned my back on the man and looked towards the things he was referencing as he continued to talk.\n\n“Can’t day for sure who started it but I won’t be around long to find out, I came down from the north west heading South” the man said to me.\n“Why you heading South?” I questioned.\nThe man paused and gave me a gentle smile.\n“For the climate mostly” he said sarcastically, causing me to grin a little with him. \n\n“And where might you be heading to?” He asked me. \n“East” I simply replied. \n\nJudging from my response the man knew not to ask further, even if he did I wouldn’t know what to tell the man. After losing everything in the west when ‘the final’ happened, I decided to head East in order to find salvation. Yet part of me knew I was just denying the truth that the only thing I’d find is damnation. Yet the walk east gave me a purpose or a goal to aim for and keep my sanity in a word decimated by nuclear fire. \n\nI told the man that the coffee was the best option to which he responded,\n“Now this has been sat for a while so put it on the fire to warm it up if you fancy...and don’t worry about the sludge at the bottom just think of it as adding flavour” he said with a wink. \n\nI took the cup from him and gave him a nod and moved away from the bar. By now the people in the cluster are singing as loud and as happily as they possibly could. Enjoying the moment and celebrating what felt like a long since dead holiday. I smiled at the people who humbly reciprocated though I decided to go to the fire and warm my cup of coffee up. \n\nI took my backpack off and its own weight ripped the strap out of my hand making a loud bang on the ground. While a few of the people snapped their heads around to see what the ruckus was, it didn’t distract from their tone deaf singing. I put my cup upon the piece of slate fashioned to the top of the fire. Upon contact the residue on the bottle of the cup made a slight hiss as my worn body slumped down against the wall of the shack. \n\nOnce I was sat against the wall, I could finally feel what was around me. The overwhelming sense of tranquility flooded my mind, just as the band started singing ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’. For the first time since ‘The Final’ I felt as if an echo of the old world had penetrated the realm of the new like a ghost with unfinished business. \n\nAs my mind drifted in and out of a blank state I noticed through the holes in the roof, it couldn’t be...it was starting to snow. The whole moment felt magical. Until the illusion was shattered like a mirror being smashed as I came to the realisation.\n“It’s snowing” I quietly muttered to myself with feelings of dread. \n\nThe air outside wasn’t could enough to be snow in the arid lands surrounding the old shack. The only other option was the winds had finally caught me. And that the snow now gracefully floating through the roof was intact the fallout that dusted the surrounding lands. While at first is was very light, second by second it got heavier. I looked over to the barman who I didn’t even know existed a few moments ago for confirmation. \n\nThe elderly barman upon seeing the writing on the wall looked over to the crowd singing away and looked at them with a blank expression. As he savoured the moment for the last time he then finally he looked towards me and without any emotion, gently shook his head side to side. \n\nIt was then in that wordless moment from across the room, I knew that this is where my journey east would come to an end.", "Meditation is a walk through the desert. There is no past. Footprints from the past melt into the earth and disappear. There is no future. The future requires the perception of the passage of time. There is nothing to see. There are no landmarks, or flagpoles. There is only the ever present slush and crunch of the sand beneath your boots and more sand before you. There is only belief. A belief that you are headed towards an end and not circling an endless path waiting for death, as the flying creatures of the desert circle above you, waiting for the same. But belief exists in your mind, and in the desert, your mind melts like the sand.\n\nThe memory of my walk through the desert is flat. It has no dimension, it has no time. It is only defined by the place where my story begins.\n\nMy first view of the tavern was blurred by the heat of the desert. A splotch of dark brown waves in an endless tan. I began to run towards this vision, spurred on by the desperation of a drifting castaway in this endless sea of death.\n\nAs I grew closer I saw a sign that was hung crooked from the roof of the sorry shack.\n\n\"The Galley\", it read. A poorly drawn boat accompanied the name.\n\nOne of the doors was halfway open, and from inside I heard a piano playing. Slightly out of tune, and persistent.\n\nI had at this time considered, on the rotted wood porch, that I was mad. I had reasoned with myself and concluded that dehydration had led to this fantasy. I didn't care. I would die anyway. I may as well see the inside of my brain's fever dreams. Everywhere else, there was only dry sand.\n\nI swung the door open and entered.\n\nThe crowd cheered. There were countless faces around me. I was enveloped by the singing of drunken men that accompanied the piano I had heard before.\n\nAnd I think it's gonna be a long long time\n\n'Till touch down brings me round again to find\n\nI'm not the man they think I am at home\n\nOh no no no I'm a rocket man\n\nBefore I could take in the spectacle around me, a strong arm grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me to the bar. A man with a gold tooth and a large mustache slapped me on the back and handed me a beer. I took a sip and immediately vomited on the floor.\n\nThe man let out a hearty laugh and hit my back once again.\n\n\"What is this place, why is it called the galley?\", I asked.\n\nThe bartender laughed. A pissed off young man with a mop began the job of mopping up my earlier work.\n\n\"Guess the man in charge thought it was funny to name a bar in the middle of the desert after a ship\", the bartender let out as he turned to pour a beer.\n\n\"You don't remember me, do you?\", the large man with the mustache spoke again.\n\n\"I don't know where I am. Who are you?\", I replied.\n\n\"My name's Big James, dumb ass. You bought some mescaline from me today. You've been walking around the parking lot for four hours.\"\n\nMy trip through the desert occurred in a dive bar parking lot in Reno, Nevada." ]	3
	[WP] A dragon has gotten tired of people stealing his gold and decided to put it all in his credit card	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The knight held the torch firmly within his hand, the glint of the flame shimmering against his armor. The deeper the knight ventured into the cave the flame flickered violently unable to continue to burn in the smothering humid darkness. As the flame extinguished, the knight was immersed in the darkness of the cave and stopped in his tracks. There was nothing he could now do to move forward. The knight dawned upon his foolish endeavor. What good is gold when life is the richest treasure one can possess? Suddenly, a flicker of light in the distance beckoned to the knight and he marched towards it with a fervent gait. The cave funneled into a giant opening, illuminated by a giant circle of the outside world above, and where the dragon lay sleeping. Despite the stories the knight had been told, there was no gold. The knight unsheathed his sword and walked forward. He would slay the dragon in its sleep. Yet one who slays a dragon would be cursed for the rest of his mortal life. The thought stirred within him, a cursed life may be worth its weight in gold but a cursed poor life is nothing more than a peasants. As the knight stood thinking about his dilemma, the dragon opened its giant eye lid and spoke:\n\n\"Aha! Another mortal who seeks a cursed life!\" The dragon spoke loudly and shot a torrent of flame through one of its nostrils. The flames immersed the knight but quickly dissipated.\n\nThe dragon stood up on all fours and began to coil around the knight with its serpent-like body.\n\n\"Cursed are the men who slay the Dragons and knowing this you still venture forth.\" The dragon spoke and fire began to spout from its mouth and nostrils.\n\nThe knight remained stalwart with shield raised and sword drawn\n\n\"The treasure you seek is gone mortal I have placed a spell upon the gold and it can only be accessed by those who know the magical incantations. They are unknown to mortals of this world.\"\n\nThe knight lunged forward and with a long sweep cut into the dragon's bottom lip. At the same time the dragon had begun to build up a flame within its mouth. When the sword made contact with the dragon's mouth part the flame, instead of shooting forward, engulfed the dragons head. In this moment, the knight removed a potion from his neck and tossed it as hard as he could at the dragon's head. The potion exploded and the flames around the dragon's head burned blue and began to burn hotter and more violent than before. The dragon screaming in agony lashed its long body against the knight and the knight was flung across the cave. The knight tried to stand, but his injury overcame him and he lost consciousness.\n\nAs the morning came, the Sun illuminated the cave through the roof of the cavern. The warm light awoke the knight. As he sat up, the knight could see the half-burned carcass of the dragon still smoldering. The knight stood up shakily and grabbed his sword and shield. In the light of the day, the knight saw a small wooden chest about the size of a domestic cat, where the dragon was sleeping during the night. Grabbing the chest the knight sat upon a rock and opened the chest. Inside was a small card that read:\n\n\"To activate please call 1-8000-BANK-CARD or online at bankcard.com/activate.\"", "I had done it! Right from underneath where he was sleeping I had smuggled out the legendary dragon’s bank card. \n\nWell not really smuggled. More like won it in a game. That I cheated at. It was sad Rory got toasted on the way out but I guess that just means more loot for me. He knew what he signed up for. \n\nWhy the dragon chose to switch is a mystery to everyone but I guess even mythical creatures have to grow and evolve with the times. I mean everyone knows that Fae make the best doctors because magic plus science equals the power that propelled the world to where it is today. \n\nBut tonight was my night. I had set up a lavish dinner at the fanciest restaurant I could find and all my friends had showed up to celebrate my new windfall. And ask for favors but hey, I’m in a position to help people now. \n\nThe waitress glided over, holding my card with a small frown. \n\n“I’m so sorry, but this card isn’t signed. Legally, I have to ask for ID to run this card.”\n\n“No problem,” I handed her my Bard Card, “remember the name, you’ll be seeing lots of me.”\n\nShe looked at my Bard Card, then the credit card, then me. She wasn’t smiling. \n\n“Um I’m so sorry sir, the name on your ID doesn’t match the name on your card so I can’t run it. Do you have another form of payment? Your total is $12,087.22. We added in gratuity automatically.”", "\"N-n-no... No, Sir, we do value you as a potential member of First National, b-but we can't take this as a deposit - it's.. it's against policy...\" The Teller stammered before the gigantic dragon, who moments ago had been a kindly looking old man, and now towered some twenty feet above the counter - even as he slouched to not scrape the ceiling.\n\n\"You said that the minimum deposit to open an account and hold a credit card on first day was £500. Is this not sufficient?\" Asked Desathos The Great, Sun Rival, Diamond Scaled Herald of the Unending Flame, who had been very excited to try out online shopping. The Teller looked at the pile of gold coins, jewels, gilded weapons and various other precious metals that were rattling on the marble floor of the bank, with more yet pouring out of the small leather bag that was draped over the edge of the till, as it had been since it was knocked over in Novax's transformation when he was told that the bank would not accept deposits in precious metals, magical weaponry, or prophecies of end times.\n\n\"...This is more than enough, and I'm sure you'd have to clear out every pawn shop, jeweller, and precious metals dealer to be able to sell all of that - but we require cash or transfer to deposit money into the account on creation Mr... Mr?\"\n\n\"Desathos The Great, Sun Rival, Diamond Scaled Herald of the Unending Flame.\" Grunted the Silver Scaled Subject of Legend, shifting his weight irritably on the ever expanding horde that was pouring out across the bank floor.\n\n\"Mr. Desathos.\" Nodded The Teller, typing the details into the bank computer (taking the liberty to assume which parts of the sentence which counted as a name for the dragon were to be qualified as first, middle and surnames) as he realised that no one was going to come and help him. The lack of potential help had become evident as The Teller had watched The Bank Manager go across to various members of bank security who had been standing in awe watching the dragon speak to The Teller, and each of these members - following discussion with the manager - had ripped off their name tags and left in quick succession. Once The Bank Manager had run out of security he began asking other bank staff, and even customers, to much the same response.\n\n\"Thank you for choosing First National, Mr. Desathos. I can start a file to open an account, and as long as a deposit of £500 or more is made in the next 10 working days then we can set you up with a credit card and you can use it as you wish. Is that... alright?...\" Asked The Teller, having slipped into the familiar rhythm of opening an account as the conversation had gone on - and as he was distracted by the fact that the combined weight of the dragon and what was quite possibly tons of precious metals and jewels was absolutely ruining the usually pristine floor of First National. He waited for some indication that something wasn't alright, but it never came. Desathos simply stared down The Teller for a moment and then shrunk back down to the form of the kindly and unassuming old man who had entered some 25 terrifying minutes ago.\n\n\"Fine. Jewelers, pawn shops, precious metal dealers, correct?\" The polymorphed dragon asked as he took the Bag of Holding from the till counter.\n\n\"Uhhh.... Yes... Yes! There's a pawn shop at the end of the road, opposite the book store... Do you need a hand?\" Offered The Teller to Desathos as the old man knelt to start scooping the bags contents back in. He paused to scowl silently at The Teller for a full minute before taking a further half hour to carefully, slowly, passive-aggressively, put every item back into the bag. After which, he left a tip of a bar of gold for the disconcerted teller, and then stomped away with the bag over his back. Away to unknowingly destabilize the value of every precious metal and jewel and collapse a number of countries economies, in the name of the convenience of online shopping." ]	4
What do you see and experience inside any of the above "forbidden" lands, and what is your eventual fate?	[WP] You make a similar journey to Basil Elton in Lovecraft's The White ship, but actually enter Zar, Thalarion or Xura...	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I mentioned some ideas on r/lovecraft, so will cross post here:These three \"forbidden\" lands are described in The White Ship and exist in the Dreamlands. Zar, which could be called the Land of Forgotten Beauty, Xura, the Land of Pleasures Unattained and Thalarion, City of a Thousand Wonders.\n\nZar is apparently the land of all thoughts or impressions of beauty which come to man once and are then forgotten, and on viewing it, you see things you yourself once imagined, the ideas of would-be artists or poets who died too young, and so on. Nobody who enters ever leaves. So, running with this, perhaps anything which enters is also forgotten and therefore can never leave. It is erased from time and memory forever, both in the past and future, placing Zar outside of time. This could get worse, what if anything you do or think inside Zar also becomes forgotten? That would imply an existence where you have to constantly avoid thinking of the outside world, your family and so on, and perhaps lose your own memory among the beautiful phantasms as well. You cannot die, either, because death cannot be forgotten by those outside the realm. Maybe the shores of Zar have completely unknown, empty ships at the dock...\n\nXura, based on the description, seems to be based around sensual pleasures gone bad or rotten. It could be effectively a zombified version of Heironymous Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, with the \"pleasures\" being things horrific to those outside and also irreversibly addictive to anyone who enters. Cannibalism, constant, crazed partying where the inhabitants rip each other apart, any and all of our worst perversions...you can imagine. Worse, maybe any aspect of yourself which isn't distorted into something the existing inhabitants find pleasurable is destroyed and forgotten as you join the anonymous corpses, and it literally never ends. Disease and rot spread freely as the inhabitants not only don't care, but also learn or are forced to enjoy it.\n\nThalarion is apparently a demonic city consisting of all the wonders mankind has sought in vain to understand. It is ruled by the \"eidolon\" Lathi, and is populated by \"demons and things which used to be men\". An eidolon is apparently a spirit image of a living person, an idealised example of something or a phantasm. So, let's say this city is indeed wondrous, but the revelations inside drive you utterly mad and you live a vagrant like existence among demons who are vastly more intelligent, rather like a domestic dog being abandoned in an extremely advanced human city which does not care in the least bit for its existence. Perhaps the eidolon is some perfect consciousness, showing how consciousness itself works and both destroying you mentally and showing you what your own consciousness could have been, and you can never look at ordinary people the same way again. Other humans within Thalarion offer no company, as no experience there can even be described in human language, so they just howl at each other. You change irreversibly, or perhaps humans there are farmed or kept as pets in some awful, eldritch way, having the status of animals or pests or both." ]	2
	[WP] An identical copy of Earth has been discovered orbiting on the other side of the Sun. The only difference is that it has no humans.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "It was a magnificent sight.\n\nWhen photos of this new yet familiar planet finally reached the public's eyes, the whole world froze in fascination. It was a breathtaking moment. A planet just like ours was orbiting on the opposite side of the sun. Where it came from, nobody knew.\n\nIt was a planet just like ours except for one notable difference. There were no humans.\n\nThe whole world, our Earth, buzzed over this sudden discovery. Theories about this and that absorbed the internet to no successful end. People of all walks of like talked madly about another world without people.\n\nYet, while the world was rapt in awe, I saw things a different way. When I saw the photo, I was riding the bus past meadows from the countryside. It rumbled with its familiar purr that signaled my nervous system to finally relax, as the school day was indeed over. It was a comforting tone.\n\nYet, amidst the great fields of our undisturbed countryside, I couldn't help but wonder. It wasn't thoughts like \"where did it come from?\" or \"what's it's purpose?\" True, those questions mattered, but they weren't what I first thought when I saw the planet for myself.\n\nMy phone screen shone a terrifying glow of another Earth that breathed a much more vibrant air. It was much greener and bluer, richer with the colors of life. It almost seemed to glow. Not my phone, or the picture. The planet.\n\nThis photo captured me in a different way. I looked out again at the fields in front of me. We passed by it at a dizzying speed, yet the far reaches of the field made their steady presence known. These fields were touched by humans, cultivated by humans, and harvested by humans. It isn't an exaggeration to say that the whole world was much like this field.\n\nThis photo... While humanity raved about this mysterious discovery, I instead feared. This planet lacked people. It was a beautiful work of celestial art, a rare twice in a universe miracle.\n\nLet's suppose for example,\n\nWhat if humans didn't interfere with this Earth, this Earth that I and the rest of us inhabit for granted?\n\nWould it look as stunning as this picture in front of us?\n\nThinking about it that way, the new planet carried about a new, haunting aura. It made its sudden presence known, as if mocking all of humanity for what could've been, but was ruined." ]	2
	[WP] You are part of a crew dedicated to salvaging starships lost in space, it was supposed to be a ordinary salvage but now you’re stuck onboard a derelict with your ship completely destroyed.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I should have known better than to serve with a married couple.\n\nMary had been on comms, Edgar on the engines. They'd been getting more and more brutal with each other after every job. Word was that Edgar had spent some time tuning up Sasha's intake ports down in engineering while Mary was coordinating us buzzsaw jockeys on the wrecks. Most of the crew was on Mary's side; I wanted no part of any of this shit and was only here to get paid.\n\nThe dream had been to hack up enough salvaged components to pay my way into the Naval Academy, earn my own ship that way. Now that I've got my own ship, I'm realizing I should have dreamed a little more specifically. Like maybe how I'd also want more than one suit's worth of air.\n\nBut anyway, I wasn't done about Mary and Edgar. The past few jobs, while most of us had been tearing out bulkheads and cutting computer cores loose, Mary and Edgar had been screaming at each other over the open channel, Mary refusing to give Edgar even a moment of uninterrupted peace to try anything funny. The other guys found it hilarious, but we literally can't turn off that channel and it was driving me insane.\n\nSo a few hours ago, on this wrecked military cruiser, the two of them are yelling about god know's what back on the Babochka; I wasn't listening and was just zoning out watching my saw throw sparks. I catch the guys reacting and I \"wake up\" a bit, just in time to hear Mary clattering away from her station and... moaning? Oh, shit. Fucking hell, Edgar. The bastard couldn't help but escalate things.\n\nSo the guys start running back to the ship, hoping to catch a show. Honestly? Good riddance, and I say that even now knowing what it means. Those guys were always lazy dickheads, and I won't miss them. I was relieved to have a bit of peace to myself, and figured I could maybe grab some of what they'd been working on for my own quota.\n\nSo I'm still hearing this shit over the comm channel, because I can't turn it off. But it sounds like Mary is there in person, and there's screaming and yelling and I can hear the guys just cheering it all on. And then the captain finally steps in, the useless prick. If he'd shown any goddamned professionalism before now, he'd still have a ship. But no, now he steps up and calls Edgar's behaviour \"unacceptable\" and starts talking about how Edgar's gonna be getting off at the next station, and Mary saying how she'll be staying on board.\n\nAnd then all the sudden, my radioactivity alarms all go off and the comm goes dead, followed by the whole goddamn ship jerking out from under me.\n\nI don't know who did what. I figure it must have been Edgar with the engines, but I'm no engineer myself. All I know is that when I went back to the airlock, the whole thing was gone and there was the Babochka floating with its entire back half peeled inside out.\n\nI don't know what happened, but I know nobody survived. I didn't have much, but the handheld scanner does accurate thermal readings over a few kilometres in open space. After a few hours, nothing over there was producing heat. I'm the only one left.\n\nSo here I am, sitting in the captain's chair of a military cruiser with no working engine and no atmosphere. I tore out the comm panel myself just two days ago, had it sitting in the Babochka's cargo hold for a sweet payout. The bigass hole I left feels like it's laughing at me now.\n\nIt doesn't even matter, honestly. It's not like I had any food or water reserves on me; none of the guys ever took those union emergency kits with us. They just weighed you down more, made it harder to haul scrap. And now that the worst had happened, I still didn't regret it, because it's not like an extra week was going to save me. Nobody came out this way but us scrappers, and we had salvage rights locked down. The only ones who might have found us would be people who weren't supposed to be here, and I didn't want to be a pirate's captive.\n\nI don't know if finally having some peace and quiet makes me happy, or if it just pisses me off now. Like I'm being mocked in my last hours. The single, solitary upside to all this should be the blessed silence, and yet now I wish so damn badly to hear the guys talking about whatever stupid shit they always talked about. Fuck, it sucks to cry in these things; you can't even reach up and wipe away the tears.\n\nI'm not waiting. It's too quiet and even if I keep telling the story to myself, even if I keep repeating it, I'm alone. I'm not telling this to anyone, I'm just talking to myself and there's nobody else here and I'm all alone. None of this is okay. I regret everything. I regret that I didn't talk to everyone else more. I should have talked to Mary, and Edgar, and I shouldn't have spent so much time on my own. It's too much, I can't take it, I need to get this helmet off, I can't brea-" ]	2
	[WP] "There are hostile aliens among us," the news announced. "They blend in to hide but will attack if feeling threatened. They could be anyone. Do not provoke them. We must continue our lives as normal, or else they will kill us all."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I work as a partner to one of the engineering scientists Henry who I am happy to call my friend, at first we didn’t get along he liked working alone and I liked working with partner. As time went on we actually have a lot in common.\n\n“This just in extraterrestrial aliens are on earth, blending in among us!” The news announced “It is advised that the aliens will attack if provoke. If you suspect someone is an alien do not provoke the service will handle it.”\n\nI leaned towards my friend whispering “Hey Henry.” \nHenry was looking at the screen “What is it Scott?”\n“You think this could be a joke?”\n“What do you mean?” Henry ask\n“It’s April fools day, you fool.” \nHenry was trying to suppress his giggles “Oh right I almost forgot.”\n“Anything your doing this weekend?”\n“Uh probably have some me time or gaming I dunno.” As Henry shrugs his shoulders\n“Did you hear about that new game?”\n“Which one?”\n“It’s a ghost hunting survival multiplayer game.”\n“Oh sweet I wouldn’t mind playing it with you after work.”\n\nIt’s closing time and I can’t wait to start a game with Henry. I run into an issue but my car won’t start it was already on its last leg and I run into another problem I forgot to charge my phone it’s dead “fuck” I thought to myself. I decide to go back in the building and ask someone if I can use their phone. \n\nBefore going in I look around the I noticed that my car wasn’t the only car in the parking lot there was Henry’s car he was always a perfectionist he must be looking through the blueprints as making sure there aren’t any flaws in designs. I ask him if I could brought his phone and I’m sure he’ll understand that I need a ride.\n\nWalking down the hallway I hear a door open. “It’s not like anyone will notice a missing cake slice.” Henry said sounding exhausted, knowing that today we had to clean up silly string from someone’s “prank” and we had to spend the entire time cleaning the area. “Wasted precious time because of someone’s idea of a prank that wasn’t even a prank it was just a dick move.” Henry vented to himself as usual.\n\nApproaching the door to the room Henry is in I hear him trying to use the fork to eat the cake probably stress eating I’m not one to judge but sounds like he’s not succeeding and getting frustrating “Screw it.” Henry said as the sound of a metallic clink hits the floor and a chair scrapping the floor.\n\nAt the door seeing my friend Henry facing the opposite direction standing up in front of a table with a slice of cake on a plate. Strangely the fork on the floor. Henry picks up the cake just the cake, I’m confused why he is doing that until Henry morphs his mouth similar to a gulper eel and shoves the entire slice into his mouth then morphs back to normal. I’m horrified as to what I just witnessed, as he was using a napkin to clean his mouth I probably made a sound that alerted him because he turned to me his expression went quickly from confused to shocked to see me with a horrified expression on my face.\n\n“Uh Scott let me explain.” Henry said with concern in his voice, I immediately started running through the hallway as I hear rapid footsteps behind me “Scott, wait!” I look over my shoulder running after me Henry is chasing me with a hand reaching out. All I can think is that all this time my friend was an alien, was our friendship real? Or was it just his cover? I turn way too hard on a corner tripping I felt pain in my ankle I twisted it “Scott listen to me! Scott!” I scrambled to get back on my feet running again limping towards the hallway exit hearing Henry closer “Scott!”\n\nMy hand is inches away from the knob until a tentacle grabs my arm. I turn to see the tentacle coming from Henry’s body. He’s catching his breath “Scott, I am not one of those aliens from the news.” Still terrified and no way to escape “Was our friendship even real?” I asked Henry “Of course it is- ahh cramp!” Henry loosen his tentacle “You okay?” I ask Henry “I ate an entire slice of cake then ran after you, did you twist your ankle?”, “Uh yeah?”, “I’ll help you to your car and I promise to explain myself.”, “Uh Henry I actually came back to you because my car broke down and I forgot to charge my phone.”, “well at least it’s the weekend”\n\nEnd of part 1" ]	2
	[WP] Humanity just launched its first interplanetary manned ship. As it approaches Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth, the communications panel erupts in every known language: "CODE BLACK, THEY HAVE BROKEN OUT, THE HUMANS ARE OUT, CODE BLACK."	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"CODE BLACK, THEY HAVE BROKEN OUT, THE HUMANS ARE OUT, CODE BLACK.\" rang out across all communications system aboard the Selene as we streaked across the sky towards Alpha Centauri.\n\nWe had been travelling for over 2 years as we fled our doomed solar system we had narrowly escaped the black hole that destroyed our planet in a grand total of 3 seconds. 3 seconds, that's all it took to destroy our home.\n\nI looked at my computer and tried to figure out what it meant I mean escaped? What do you mean? As I looked up and out the window I saw an approaching ship. As it neared us we suddenly heard a mechanical voice in English say\n\n\"Return back to your planet or be destroyed.\" As I looked around in disbelief I saw our captain John Sloan proclaim,\n\n\"Open communications NOW,\" as I hurried to do so the approaching ship had finally arrived and as we all scattered around frantically we heard a looming\n\n\"THUD\" as we all looked around we saw humanoid figures approaching us with some sort of weird weapon drawn? And for the first time we saw them.\n\nThey were about 6 feet tall and looked to be about 200 lbs each. With the body of a human with one glaring exception they had purple skin.\n\nAs they approached our captain called out\n\n\"Who are you, what do you want?!?\" these aliens I guess they were simply said,\n\n\" You are in violation of section 2 of the Galactic Accordance turn back or suffer the consequences.\" As we looked on in shock the aliens turned around and left to go back onto their ship and as we heard another \"THUNK\" they pulled away.\n\n\"Sir,\" I said, \"I think we should turn back,\"\n\n\"Nonsense what are those alien bastards going to do too us they've already left the ship.\" He responded arrogantly. \"Those aliens will rue the day they tried to tel-\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n10 miles away the alien species known as the Keshiri watched as the Human ship pulled away.\n\n\"Ma'm your orders?\" The second in command asked.\n\n\"Fire on the ship,\" was the calm reply from the Captain.\n\n\"The humans have plagued the galaxy for millennia, if the rest of galaxy refuses to see it then I will we've already destroyed there planet. It's time to wipe the human stain off of this great galaxy.\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFirst time writing here hope you enjoy! Critique welcome.", "Chrgyzt-hun-sag-waaaaaaaaaaah-lat, afamasa - the sound ended with a clunk as Jeska powered down the range-sweeper and lounged back in her chair. She eased her fingers around the intrabuds that fed into her head and pulled them out. Her raspy sigh was drowned out by the squelching sound of the pseudo-CSF that congealed to a jelly as the air found its way into her ears. Every time, the shiver of exiting the artificial matrix reached up to her eyebrows, and now they had risen almost to her scalp. Jeska threw the buds onto a tray on the console. For a moment she stared at the dark screen in front of her; her head rested in her hands, and she sighed.\n\n“Haskir, cycle back through to the translation, and show it me on screen – C24 English, if you will.”\n\nThe air in the hub vibrated as the console whirred to life. Lights flickered in the darkness, and gradually the main screen was illuminated with large viridescent pixels. Jeska moved clumsily to her feet, and she stretched out her mouth and circled with her jaw. The screen was now a wall of block green, and the luminescence was harsh to her eyes, which only now were waking from the half-hibernation of the sensory matrix. Streaks of white shot across the screen from left to right, moving in series down the green sheet. With each pass of brightness, the pixels shrunk down to half their size, and the subsequent series of flashes would themselves become thinner. Eventually, the sequence stopped, and the first words appeared:\n\n“CODE BLACK,”\n\nFlash. Another white streak across the screen.\n\n“THEY HAVE BROKEN OUT,”\n\nFlash.\n\n“THE HUMANS ARE OUT,”\n\nFlash.\n\n“CODE BLACK.”\n\nStillness.\n\nJeska squinted at the screen, still working her jaw. “Haskir,” she said, “replay at fifty-percent speed.”\n\n“CODE - BLACK,” flash “THEY – HAVE – BROKEN – OUT,” flash “THE - HUMANS - ARE - OUT,” flash “CODE - BLACK.”\n\nShe was close to the display. Jeska strained to stare at the static of the bright green screen. “Again.” she said. And the output blitzed across another time. And another. And another. “Expand the whitespace; clear out any transmission artefacts and stack signal bursts to force constructive interference. Slow the non-data-tagged regions down to 1%.” The machinery hissed, and the archaic logs embedded in Jeska’s mind made her think of steam. For a moment she braced for a puff of smoke. But Haskir was not made of metal or liquid or vapour. His thoughts were loud as he worked through her request.\n\nJeska lolled back onto the seat in the centre of the room. It accommodated her and rocked backward as she leaned into it. While Haskir worked away – for he would go at his own pace – she pulled a small side-screen from the arm rest and tapped at it. The small display tracked out their path to this place, and it was scattered and roaming. They had not followed a simple course here, and she was half-way to wondering the reason behind their erratic path when the screen burst to light:\n\n“CODE BLACK” – “Welcome, humanity!” – “THEY HAVE BROKEN OUT” – “…again” – “THE HUMANS ARE OUT” – “waiting for you, brothers and sisters – “CODE BLACK.”\n\nAbruptly, the signal collapsed, and the screen died to darkness. A cursor twitched against the night. Slowly – pixel by pixel – it snaked across to form letters.\n\n“Earth gone again, then?”\n\nSlow flash.\n\n“How far did you get?”\n\nDumfounded, Jeska stared at the screen. The cursor blinked at her. Eventually, she spoke to the console. “Haskir, return input ‘Earth gone. Melted. Boiled. We migrated. Lost. Long ago now.” Her words were transcribed slowly onto the display. Her jaw was tense as she waited.\n\n“Melted? Boiled?”\n\nQuick flash.\n\n“You didn’t… I don’t understand.”\n\nSlow flash.\n\n“To burn the Earth. But still to have the ability to reach out into the unknown?” The pixels shrunk to accommodate the transmission.\n\nSlow flash.\n\n“Even in failure, there is some success.”\n\nSlow flash.\n\n“We will see you soon, sister.”\n\nThe words died away, and the screen filled again with green light. Jeska retreated once more to the deep chair. The connections on her right wrist pulled it into her line of sight, and the side-screen shone from her arm module. It mapped out the approach to a System on the outskirts of Alpha Centauri; a course had been plotted onto the device for her.\n\n“Good.” A signal sent, through a gentle push on her amygdala. “Good.” And a wisp of pressure passed over her right shoulder, pushing her into the seat and manipulating the connection on her wrist to elevate the side-screen. “They show themselves to us, like chickens to the fox, as your people would call it.” The voice crawled through her consciousness. “And we will end the last of the last human race, just as we have ended yours.” Haskir removed his tendrils from her mind, and Jeska screamed with wide eyes." ]	3
	[WP] Little did anyone know that the Super Villain was actually just some 14-year-old kid from Idaho.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Somebody dropped a nuke in Idaho.\n\n\n.....\n\n\nRussel didn't know why the feds were after him. He has been running for three days, since he woke up in that crater. He couldn't really stop to eat or sleep, and he was starting to get really exhausted. His only hope was, that he could find a cave where they can't find him.\n.....\n\nIn the morning Russel continued his journey. He flinched at every shadow, thinking it was an agent sent after him. The events of the last few days were a daze. All he could remember, was going home one day, when in a dark alley when some thugs wanted to mug him. He was so scared he lost conciussness almost immediatly. He woke up in a crater with federal agents coming at him. He started running. Haven't stopped since.\n\n....\n\nOn the horizon, was a city. Russel knew he could probably hide from the agents for a few days in it, but he had to reach it first. He almost made it. He was only a few miles from the borders when they caught up to him. There was a gunshot, he felt immense pain in his left leg, then ecerything faded to black again.\n\n.....................................\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSomeone dropped a second nuke in Idaho." ]	2
	[WP] An advisory to all Xeno-zoologists: After certain incidents involving enclosure failures, we are re-classing Humans as unfit for captivity.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "The warning on the message board made it clear that my life’s work was ruined.\n\nWARNING\n\nA warning advisory to all Xeno-zoologists on the Alpha Centauri Research Base: Effective today, we have officially re-classified Humans as unfit for captivity or study.\n\nCertain enclosure incidents have made it clear that this savage species is incapable of cooperative work or obedience. All researchers with Human test subjects will be re-assigned, and all subjects will be returned to their home system effective immediately.\n\nI stared at the message three times before it began to sink in.\n\nAfter all that, this was how it ended.\n\nHumans had been fighting an uphill battle for galactic acceptance since the moment our first probe reached Alpha Centauri. There, we found a heavily shielded research facility with technology so far beyond our own that it seemed impossible.\n\nThe scientists there knew who we were. Of course they did. We’d been sending out radio waves of propaganda and drivel for hundreds of years; how could they not have noticed?\n\nThey looked at us as vain, violent, and vacuous creatures. I had read through the archives to find the Galactic Senate’s decision on whether to send aid to humanity. Only 51% were in favor, and most of those votes appeared to be swayed by pity and a desire to save us from ourselves.\n\nHumanity had made its way forward in the galactic community in fits and starts; for nearly five decades, there were a lot of moments where we took two steps forward and one step back.\n\nI was the first human born on Alpha Centauri; my mother was the human representative at the station and my dad tagged along. Ironically, my father got along with the aliens much better than my mother did; she had to play politics, while he basically went around like a wide-eyed puppy asking about how everything worked.\n\nIt came as a shock to many on the station when my parents insisted on sending me to school at the AC Academy; they all expected me to go back to Earth for school, and they all expected me to fail every class.\n\nInstead, I graduated in the top 7% and went on to Interspecies Zoology University. I didn’t exactly make it into the top 7% this time, but I did well enough to secure a research job.\n\nThey assigned me to study humans, since nobody else wanted the job. It quickly became clear to me that my family was well-respected, but my colleagues didn’t hesitate to put down other humans at every chance they got.\n\n“See Stella, the problem isn’t with the best of humanity like yourself. You’re just like us! Although maybe a bit uglier,” Xebasae said a few weeks before with a chuckle.\n\n“That’s because we weren’t captives. If the AC authorities gave other humans a chance...”\n\nShe laughed at that. “Silly Stella, there’s a reason we picked YOUR parents. They knew enough to know where humanity stood. Some savages can be taught, sure, but most of you end up just like Damion.”\n\nI wanted to scream about her xenophobia, but Damion kind of ended the argument. After two months of being studied, he proclaimed himself the King of his cell and tried to fight any researchers who came near him. He gave me a black eye, and that was the end of that. The disposal crew sedated him and chucked him out of the airlock an hour later.\n\nI re-read the notice again. After the Damion incident, they just upped security and the anti-human jokes. What could possibly have happened this time?\n\nStella Risnick, please proceed to the debriefing room.\n\nThe sound of the intercom stunned me out of my reverie. The debriefing room? Were they going to ship me back with the rest?\n\nThey couldn’t. They just COULDN’T. I’d lived here my whole life, did everything I could to contribute, kept my head down and didn’t make too much noise, and did solid work. My parents had been here even longer than I had, and my little brother hadn’t even finished his Academy years yet!\n\nI didn’t know what to expect when I walked into the debriefing room, but I was still shocked by the sight before me.\n\nTwo bodyguards. A Galactic Senator. My parents and my little brother. And...\n\n“Xebasae?!”\n\n“Oh thank the stars, you didn’t run,” Xebasae yelped as she made her way towards me. She extended her two larger forearms and wrapped me in a tight embrace.\n\nShe was friendlier to me than most of my colleagues, but we weren’t anything more than work friends. Still, I hugged her back and held onto her for a few extra moments. Anyone who would be my friend today was clearly someone worth holding onto.\n\n“Xebasae Onglorp, have you forgotten why these brutes are here? Two human test subjects escaped their cages today after MURDERING an innocent scientist.”\n\nI gasped in horror, even though I knew exactly who it was. Two test subjects in the same room? It had to be Damion’s twin sisters; they’d been locked up together since Damion’s death.\n\n“Innocent?” Xebasae said, with a quiver in her voice. “Those women—\n\n“They are humans, not women.” the Senator cut in.\n\n“Those WOMEN,” Xebasae repeated, “watched the scientist in question throw their brother out of an airlock into open space. Then, they were given the torture testing regimen as a punishment for their brother’s actions. If an Uxavarrin had been treated the same way, how would you react?”\n\n“Without violence,” the Senator said in a way that implied a long history of violence.\n\n“Well Senator, Ms. Risnick is one of the lead researchers on human tendencies. If you send her and her family away, what do you expect to happen?”\n\n“I expect that the savages will return to their savage homeworld. Hopefully they can bring back some of what they’ve learned here.”\n\n“Oh, we will,” said my brother with a deathly calm voice. “We will bring back everything we have learned.” His voice was steady, but his fists were balled.\n\nHe continued. “We will bring back what you have taught us, about math, about chemistry, about biology, and about engineering. If you kill us here instead, humanity will attack. You will win, but at what cost?”\n\nThe Senator’s eyes bulged out of his head; surely, he was as shocked as I was. “Is that a threat, human?!”\n\n“It’s just a statement of fact,” my brother replied. “After all, we’re bloodthirsty savages under normal circumstances, right? What do you think will happen if you kill or exile the human ambassadors?”\n\nI was shaking and sweating, almost in tears. Xebasae might have had a chance with a peaceful negotiation. This would kill us all.\n\nI expected the next sound to be a kill order. Instead, the Senator broke out into uproarious laughter.\n\n“You’re a devious little shit, aren’t you Marc Risnick? I like devious little shits,” he said with a feral grin. “If you have any interest in politics after the Academy, I’ll put in a good word for you.”\n\nHe turned to Xebasae. “You’re responsible for your little researcher friend now, but don’t think we’ll let you study humans. Find a less...turbulent species.”\n\nHe winked at my mother, turned around and strode out of the room with his guards behind him.\n\nMy father burst into tears the moment they left the room, and my mother did her best to console him. Xebasae looked on the verge of tears herself, but I only had eyes for my brother.\n\nHe was smirking to himself, almost as if he’d expected this outcome all along.\n\n“Hey sis, do you think I could be a Senator?”\n\nI wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. My life had been thrown upside-down and my research all but destroyed, and I’d nearly been exiled today.\n\nBut that smirk...that smirk gave me hope. Maybe being a troublemaker species wasn’t so bad after all.\n\n__________________\nIf you liked this, check out my subreddit! r/NicodemusLux" ]	2
	[WP] You wake up on a train. You don't know what you're doing here. There is nobody around you, apart from a macabre-looking young boy who stares you. In your hands there is a small piece of paper. With a beating heart, you read: "Leave the train". It is the writing of a very good friend to you.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I looked around the train it was empty. I tried looking out of the vindows. There was dark outside. \"HERE\" said a voice loud. I turned around and saw a young boy. I asked were i am. Then he said on a train. \"But were are i heading\" i replied. The young boy said that he did not know. He suddenly gave me a piece of paper were it stood \"Leave the train\". Its the writing of a very good friend of you. My heart stopped, i ran around the train but did not find anything apart from a open exit in the roof. I climbed on the roof and suddenly fell of the train. I gripped the end of the roof and climbed up. The wind was so strong. I suddenly realized that i skould get away. I waited and waited until i saw some strange light, it was comming closer and it looked like it was very low. I did not understand the light before i was very close to it. There i knew that this was a tunnel. Then i jumped so fast i could. Then i lost the balance and fell backwards down on the train racks. I was lost and did not know were i was. Eventually i got a bright idea, the train racks will lead me home.", "The sound of the train woke me up. Opening one eye after the other, I look around me. It seems to be a regular train, the one I usually take to go to work. I look through the window, and do not recognize the landscapes. We are in the countryside, going through endless fields. There are no lights, neither in nor out the train, only the pale light of the moon. I guess I fell asleep while going back home, and missed my stop. I suppose I’ll just have to wait for the next station. I take my phone, put on my headphones, and press play.\n\nFive minutes passed, and still nothing. As I decided to look through the window once again, I notice we are passing through a station, yet the train isn’t stopping, not even slowing down. Is it an express train ? I usually never take those. It’s starting to piss me off, I’ll have to get to the terminus, it’ll take an eternity to get back home.\n\nI’m starting to wonder if I’m alone on that train ? There’s no one around me. Maybe the train is heading back to the train hangar or something ? I never saw those. I should go and tell the train driver I’m still there. I get up on my legs and head towards the head of the train. It is unusually long, and I walk for two solid minutes before reaching the driver’s cab. I knock to the door, once. No answer. I knock again. Still nothing. I try to call the driver through the door, yelling desperately that there is still someone inside the train. Suddenly, the speakers activate, as if they were answering me?\n\n“Next Stop : Kisaragi Station.”\n\nKisaragi ? What a weird name. I never heard about that station. I try to look it up on the train’s map on the wall, but it doesn’t seem to exist on the maps. But right now, I have no choice but to wait. I go back to the seat where I originally was, but sitting right in front of it is a young boy. I sit on my seat, and ask the boy if he knows where the train is going. Quite the stupid question, but I had nothing else in mind. He didn’t answer, but given his young age, he may have been told not to speak to strangers. At least, I’m not alone on that train.\n\nThe boy is looking quite pale, and he has his backpack with him, he probably fell asleep too while going back home from his school.\n\nAfter passing through a long tunnel, the train finally stops. No announce or anything. The doors open, and I get out. The boy doesn’t get off his seat, so I step back on the train and tell him to get out too. He looks at me, and opens his mouth.\n\n«-I won’t get down. I accept what happened. You can still get in and accept, too. But you can also get out and deny it. »\n\nWhat now ? What does he mean ? No time to ask him questions, the doors are closing. If this kid wants to stay in, that’s his problem ! Too bad for him ! At worst, they’ll find him tomorrow morning. The train starts, and slowly go away. Soon, it is out of sight. \n\nNow, I have to find a way to get out of it. The station is not very big, but there has to be at least a village next to it. I get into the station, obviously empty, and rush towards the exit. I get out, but there is nothing. No town, no village, not even one building, just a road. What the hell is this station ? I guess I’ll have to spend the night here. I get back in the station, sit on the ground, and rest my back against the wall. The night shall be long. I have no friends to call, no family to help me. Except the name of the station, I know nothing about this place, so I wouldn’t be able to tell them where I am anyway.\n\nIt’s a bit of a desperate action, but I try to look up “Kisaragi station” on Internet. As I expected, nothing. I can’t even walk along the rails, it would be way too long. My train was probably the last of the night.\n\nNow I think about the boy. What did he mean by “I accept what happened” ? What happened ? What did he even look like ? He had his backpack, normal clothes… He looked so pale… His face was weird too, now that I think about it. It looked crushed, as if a truck hit him. \n\nNow I remember. I know why I’m here. That boy was dead, and so am I. I look down at my neck, and see the noose hanging about it. I get up, and approach the rails. Another train arrives. The doors open. I get in. I have to accept what happened. The doors are closing, and I sit in the train. The train starts, and take me away from Kisaragi station. I accepted what happened.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThank you for reading ! I am not a native speaker, so please point out any error you may see ! I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. Here is the original story of the kisaragi station : [https://www.kowabana.net/2018/02/17/kisaragi-station/](https://www.kowabana.net/2018/02/17/kisaragi-station/)" ]	3
	[WP] They kidnapped you, locked you up when you were innocent, and held you captive “all for the sake of humanity”. Now they expect you to be cooperative and follow their orders. They act friendly and nice since they think you're compliant. Now you make your escape!	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "I really hated it when people did this. This was the tenth time in the past five years. The cabin was comfortable, with a soft down mattress and pillows, heaven really. The kitchen was fully stocked, the rooms decorated to my liking. It was all a trick, and I knew it was. \n\nThe decorations were partially useless anyway... Losing my sight around the third time they kidnapped me before I managed to teleport away... The price I pay for the powers I have. I can sense their auras, I can feel them near me. In my mind's eye, I can even see their outlines. One is a big, burly man, most likely the one who carried me in here the first night. His partner is a smaller, more mild person; the brains of the operation, I suppose.\n\n The door opened and I snapped my head up to see a new outline and feel a new aura. This one was more powerful, stronger. It made me shirk back against the chair I was sitting in and I tried to reach out with my mind.\n\n\"There's no point in doing that,\" the voice rumbled, and fear curled in my belly, pulling closer to me. \"Now, Hailey, let's make this quick. I only want to know what you're planning to do with your powers.\"\n\n\"What powers?\" I lied, trying to buy myself time as he settled into the chair across from me.\n\n\"Sweetheart, my name is Special Agent Dusk with the SHIA. Do you know what that is?\"\n\nSHIA: Supernatural Humans Intelligence Agency. A place literally designed to contain and stop any humans who admitted or were seen using superhuman abilities. Whether mental or physical. \n\n\"I might know, but I'm not interested,\" I spoke steadily, and I sensed him settle back into the chair. \"Why do you want to know?\"\n\nThere was a long pause of silence and I wondered if he was ever going to speak again. Just as I made up my mind to say more, he spoke. \n\n\"Your father did a fantastic job hiding you from us,\" he stated, and I saw his outline standing up, walking around. \"He was destined to fail. You are the key to the end of the world, whether you know it or not.\"", "Ash paced back and forth between the walls of the room in his involuntary home. He had been stuck with the pallid mustard colored walls for too long.\n\nHe had first arrived almost a year ago. Or was it two? Time was foggy, yesterday the distant past, and tomorrow unforeseeable. There were only ugly walls, a bland and small bed, and some miscellaneous furniture- if it could be called that, as it was about as sturdy as a matchbox. It scratched and dented at the slightest breeze, and was the color of a coffee mug that someone never washed.\n\nThere was a rattle at the door, and quick as lightning, Ash ran back to his dingy bed.\n\n“Hey! You awake?” One of his captors yelled from the exit. It was the women. Ash didn’t know her name. He heard the door lock behind her. Crap. He had been hoping she would forget.\n\nShe walked into Ashes “bedroom” and looked at him placidly. In one hand she held a can of food, which she twiddled with as she stared at him.\n\n“There you are,” She said, a slight smile creeping up the corner of her mouth. She probably got some kind of sadistic thrill from this. Ash wondered why, but didnt say anything. He couldn't express doubt. Couldn't be mean, or overly shifty. Then they would suspect. And if they suspected, Ash was screwed royally. He'd be locked up forever.\n\n“Alright, Dinnertime!” She said suddenly The tin popped open to reveal chicken and gravy. Again. How the hell did they even can that? It looked like vomit, both in color and texture.She must have seen the revulsion on his face, but there were only so many times you could eat brown sludge before you go a little crazy. Her lips pursed. Bad sign. Crap.\n\n“For fu--- for all for the sake of humanity,” She said.\n\n“Fine. Enjoy.”\n\nShe set the chicken and gravy down and left as promptly as she came. The exit clicked and shut.And then it popped back open.\n\nNot the elegant escape Ash had been planning, which had involved stealing metal from the can, taking out his kidnappers after forcing them to unlock the door, or maybe using it to tear down the walls, but it worked.\n\nOut of the door, He stood in a large room. There was an office and a small bar to his left, covered with monitors and papers. The women stood, sorting through some of them. Ash was invisible like the night. He snuck out the second unguarded door unnoticed, like a crow in the night.And for the first time in a year, he breathed in the cold air of the night, and slipped away in the darkness.\n\n\\-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n“Fuck, honey, I think the cat got out.”\n\n“Shit.”" ]	3
	[WP] Hobbits, elves and others get the attention for adventures, but what about orcs? Tell of an orc adventure	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "\"I've got a hobbit in my sac, wanna see?\" \n\nDurz reached for his waist as if he were going to draw his bag of holding. Instead he grabbed his loin cloth and showed the entire room his hobbit. \n\nHe made sure to point it out to me with a chuckle, \"See?\"\n\nI was not amused, \"The White Wizard himself has ordered us to find the halflings. We do not have time for your games!\"\n\nI gave the throat slicing motion with my hand. Murbol, my second in command was quick about it. He took off the rude orc's hobbit before he took his head. Now they were both halflings. \n\nI had my men scatter about the camp but no one reported seeing the confounded creatures.\n\n\"I feel like we're running in circles Durgat,\" Murbol was cleaning more blood off his sword. I wasn't sure where he had found it.\n\n\"I as well my friend,\" I placed a hand on his shoulder, \"I fear it is time we consulted the White Wizard through the crystal.\"\n\n\"Aye it is sir,\" Murbol motioned for one of his servants. The servant retrieved a rucksack and from it Murbol drew a large orange stone.\n\nWe took it a few yards outside the camp, sat across from each other on the ground, and stared into the stone.\n\nSuddenly I felt as if someone had me by the soul. \n\n\"Have you found them?\" the deep voice of the wizard penetrated every part of my being. I wanted to die and would have if he had asked it of me.\n\n\"No sir, we have searched the entire countryside. We think they might have disappeared into the forest.\"\n\n\"Then why aren't you pursuing them there?\" he grumbled.\n\n\"It's the Fangorn forest sir,\" I gulped.\n\n\"It's those trees sir,\" Murbol pleaded, \"they would bedevil us every step we took deeper into their lair!\"\n\n\"I see... And quite correct,\" The wizard contemplated a few minutes while the dutiful orcs sat silent, \"I may have a solution. You will not like it, but you will do as I ask.\"\n\n\"Yes sir, \" we both said in unison.\n\n\"Take his head. When done place it on a high branch of the largest oak you can find,\" the wizard waved his hand.\n\nMurbol and I both looked at each other.\n\nMurbol spoke, \"Which one of us are you talking to?\"\n\n\"Why both of you of course! Return to me here when the head is in place!\" and with that the conversation ended.\n\nMurbol and I both stared at each other for a moment. He was quicker to his sword.\n\n\"Sorry old friend.\" \n\nHis voice faded into the nightmare I was now waking into.\n\nThe new body, the leaves, the branches...I had become a guardian of the forest...my face now an etching in the weathered wood. \n\nMy pain was only just beginning." ]	2
	[WP] Taking the advice from the rest of his party, the hero decides to accept an offer for a blind date. When they arrive at the fancy restaurant, waiting for their date, the Dark Lord shows up and turns out to be them. Awkward, but you roll with it.	[ "Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\nReminders:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%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\nI am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.", "Rena Arla, hero of the mortal world, defender of the meek, chosen of the Six Who Are One, contemplated her next challenge. She stood in front of the lovely cafe The Golden Loaf, a elegant building of wood and shingles complete with a patio for dining fitted with intricate stone tables. Summoning her bravery she stepped up to the waiter and said \"Um, hello. My name is Rena, I think I'm booked here for the blind date.\"\n\n\"Certainly madam, right this way please.\" Responded the waiter leading her into the private backroom of the cafe, \"My name is Oliver and will be serving you and your date today, when your partner arrives I will escort them back here, if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask.\"\n\n\"Thank you, I'm okay for now though.\" As the waiter left Rena pulled out the menu and began to study it. After a minute she sighed and put it down what was the point she thought to herself she was too anxious to read. It was this very nervousness that had made her team mates set this up for her but still, she just couldn't calm down. After all the war against the dark lord was reaching it's climax in one week, this was hardly a time she could afford to rest .\n\nEven as her mind raced her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on the door. \"Your partner has arrived madam\" came Oliver's voice from outside the door followed by \"right through here sir\" in a slightly softer tone. She looked up from the table as her date entered the door, slightly slender, tall, dark brown hair that fell to his shoulders, when she got to his face she paused, re examined the rest of him and shouted. \"AVALA!!?\"\n\n\"ARLA!\" The man replied at the same time. In less than a moment the two were together, Rena holding a steak knife to the throat of the Demon King and Avala's hand glowing with a pink light above the head of the Hero.\n\n\"You, what are you doing here?\" The two spoke in unison.\n\n\"Me?\" Exclaimed Avala \"I'm here for the blind date and frankly don't appreciate you showing up here to try and assassinate me or whatever scheme you have cooked up.\"\n\n\"Please, I'm not as low as you are, I would never assassinate someone. As a matter of fact I'm also here for the blind date, which I suppose means we're paired together.\" As the demon king and the hero came to that realization they stepped apart and stood staring at each other, after a few seconds the demon king extended his hand.\n\n\n\"Truce, the official truce has another week until it expires, we wouldn't want to violate it here.\"\n\n\"Agreed.\" Said Rena shaking Avalas hand and sitting down again. \"So I suppose if we're doing this I should ask why you decided to came on a blind date.\"\n\n\"Oh well, to be honest it wasn't fully my idea. You see in a week I'll have to fight this pretentious, self righteous 'hero' and this army she's gathered through unfounded lies and slander against me.\" Said Avala with an dramatic tone.\n\n\"What a terrible position to be in,\" replied Rena with perfectly straightforward delivery \"but how does this relate to you being a blind date?\"\n\n\"Well you see my subordinates think the stress is getting to me just because I haven't slept in a month or some crazy idea like that. So they set me up on a blind date and it would be foolish of me to reject the ideas of people who only want the best for me so I decided to go. But enough about me, why are you here?\"\n\n\"This might sound crazy but I'm in a somewhat similar situation to you. You see in a week I have to fight this shameless, tyrannical demon king to stop his mad crusade for power.\" \n\n\"A noble cause indeed, I'll pray for your success.\" Avala dryly interjected.\n\n\"And in all the stress of managing it my friends decided I needed a break so they set me up with this blind date. At first I didn't want to but they really insisted.\"\n\n\"It truly is a strange coincidence that our circumstances are so similar, how could such a thing have happened. Anyway we really should get some wine before we go any further, I was thinking about the 1360 thrice imbued fields, does that look good to you?\"\n\n\" Oh yes as a matter of fact that looks excellent. Oliver, if you could bring us a bottle please. \" After the bottle had arrived and they both had full glasses Rena continued \"Soo, tell me a bit more about yourself?\"\n\n\" I'm just an average guy, lead the army of the crackling realms, currently live in a manor I sculpted from the Obsidian peak by sheer force of will, I like dogs more than cats.\"\n\n\"Completely agree, cats are horrible so hard to keep track of, and they shed too much.\"\n\n\"I'm glad to meet someone who understands what I mean, I swear nobody else I know agrees with me. Aside from that I like reading, perfecting the ancient art of soul extraction.....\"\n\n\nLater that Night.\n\n\n\"Welllllll, Rena how was it? Don't keep us waiting, was he cute? did you get along? Did you like the food?\" As Rena returned to the fortification she was pestered with questions by hear team mates\n\n\"I can only answer one question at a time you know. It was nice, I didn't think it'd work at first but we agree about alot more than I thought, share the same sense of humor too which is nice. In fact we scheduled a second date.\"\n\n\"Oooooh, when when?\"\n\n\"A week from now.\"\n\n\"Rena, won't that be the conclusion of our battle against Avala, how will you make it.\"\n\n\"Well, I think we'll manage to get together somehow.\" Said Rena, smiling mysteriously towards the camp of the demons." ]	2

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