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[WP] You're an prominent anime villian who's spent his whole life building up his fortunes. You've paid your dues, and now it's your turn on the throne. Then one day a spunky young boy with spiky green hair walks up to you and rips your heart straight out of your chest.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“My first challenger? Please come and approach my throne, throw up your dukes and let us have a fight that will be told throughout the ages. Will it be a song of fear and terror? Or will it be a song of victory and determination? Only you can make that choice young hero, come and show me your worth! Now let us do bat-ugh”\n\nVladix found his speech cut off by the feeling of twisting ribs, the crackling of the bones becoming louder as the boy’s claw-like hand dug its way deeper through his chest until finally stopping, wrapping calmly around the pumping red heart in his chest. Vladix didn’t even get a moment to scream before they ripped his heart from his body, the impact tossing him back against the silver throne, leaving his body limp in the chair. The only movement coming from the occasional convulsion from his twitching body. \n\nThis was all he got? Even a villain deserved better, surely. Vladix had never been delusional enough to think he would win this battle. He knew the role of the hero and villain well; the villain was little more than a stepping stone, a pebble in their path to greatness, the type of pebble that causes you to trip up as it rolls into your shoe. Not enough to stop your stride, but enough to cause you to wobble for a few brief moments. \n\nYet this boy hadn’t even acknowledged the pebble before him, kicking it with his foot before it could even find its way inside. Maybe his mother had been, right? He could have been an outstanding scholar, a person known for their thoughts and beliefs, a name uttered in classrooms and lectures. Instead, he went for a more vicious line of work, starting as a grunt for a low-level thug of a boss. \n\nHis boss was the typical evil bad guy that movies projected. A thug that would send hundreds of his minions to their deaths just to cause the hero a bit of grief. Vladix was one of the lucky ones, avoiding death long enough to take down his former boss. It had been a messy battle, one that required a lot of preparation and funds. But he had done it. \n\nNow it was his turn on the throne. Vladix had been confident that he would differ from the others, he would be a villain that cared for his minions. Sadly, he would never get the chance to be that man. The twitching had stopped and his body had grown cold, soon he would be nothing more than a skeleton left to mark the throne. \n\nThe hero didn’t even look back at the villain, dropping his heart to the floor before heading off. Why would the hero care? A villain is just a villain, nothing more, nothing less.\n\n(If you enjoyed this feel free to check out my subreddit /r/Sadnesslaughs where I'll be posting more of my writing.)"
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[WP] You wake up in a cave, surrounded by dead monsters, holding a rifle. You can't remember anything beyond your name. Cain.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Faint, white light, a glow rather than a clear, visible lightsource.\n\nA name.\n\n*Cain*.\n\nIs that my name? I think it is, since there is no one else around here. Or at least, nobody human.\n\nThere are corpses here everywhere. Shapeless, shadowy piles on wet soil. I feel a little weird looking at them, although not really scared. They look like... monsters, but not the stereotypical horror movie monsters. Just... disfigured beings. Two dogs with unusual big paws, a bat with needles on its wings, some kind of giant mosquito with disgusting yellow bumps all over it. Were those... tumours?\n\nI kneel down at a pile of flesh. For some reason, there aren't any blood stains anywhere, and the tissue itself looks kind of... colorless. I inspect the body, rather fascinated than disgusted, until I spot a tiny wire, its copper ends exposed.\n\nWait a minute.\n\nThese things aren't monsters, or at least, not animal-like monsters.\n\nThey are robots. Animatronics, designed to look like animals suffering from some horrible disease. But why are they here, demolished in a hole in the ground?\n\nAnd more importantly, why am *I* here? Nothing makes any sense.\n\nI walk around for a bit. In movies, people who lost their memory are usually weirded out by their own body, as if they not only forgot their own life, but also the basics of a human body.\n\nThat's not at all the case here. I mean, I don't recognize my body or anything, but it's not like I wonder what it is, or look at it with curiosity. I know these hands, these feet, these long, bony limbs. It's almost like seeing an old friend for the first time in years.\n\nThe same goes for my name. Cain. It just feels so... familiar. With every second, I become more and more convinced that I am Cain, a tall, skinny guy who somehow ended up in a pseudo-cave with animatronics all around him.\n\n'Yup, that's definitely me,' I say to myself, with a sense of sarcasm. My voice does sound a bit weird, but not in a way that I don't know to who it belongs. It's more as if I haven't used it in quite a while.\n\n'Alright, Cain, what are we going to do?' I ask, while walking around and looking at the mechanical bodies, as if there were answers to be found there. 'It's clear that you are underground, so maybe do the smart thing: try to find the source of the light.'\n\nI nod in agreement. That does seem like a smart plan. 'Good thinking, Cain,' I say, half-joking. Apparently I like talking to myself. Oh well, if you've lost your memory, might as well lose your mind.\n\nThe cave is not that much of a cave. The place I have woken up is already close to the surface, and after only a minute or two of following the source of light, I see grass. Cold air touches my face and makes me shiver. The clouds are blocking every single photon the sun can possibly emit.\n\nIn the distance, there is a tiny, cube-like building. I look around for other possible places to be, but the cube seems to be the only thing among a wasteland of tall green grass, waving in the wind.\n\n'Should we go to the building, Cain?' I wonder. 'Yeah, I think we should. We want some answers, don't we?'\n\nAnd with that, I started walking towards the somewhat ominous-looking cube.",
"\"How did I get here?\"\n\nI look at my body. \"GOD I'M HOLDING A GUN. WHAT THE FUCK\". I throw it away. It makes a weird sound. Fleshy. Not the sound a gun should make. I look around, the floor is filled with ... monsters. It's the first word that comes to mind, but they don't look like monsters. They look beautiful. Pearl white wings, long robes. The most fine faces I've ever seen. Or have I?\n\n\"How did I get here?\"\n\nI'm thinking about myself. What could I be. Am I a monster, like *them*? One word pops in my head. 'Cain'. \"What's a 'Cain'?\" I say out loud. Maybe it's a name? My name? Yeah, my name. Cain. It's a nice name. I'll take it. \n\n\"How did I get here?\"\n\nI keep looking around. It's nice here. White marble floor under a blue sky with stars. It's too nice here. Not ... natural. Like the monsters on the floor. When I keep looking, I start noticing disturbances. The white marble floor is drenched in gold-colored blood. Storm clouds on the horizon. \n\n\"How did I get here?\"\n\nI start walking. Away from the storm clouds. I don't know why, they just seem weird. I take the gun with me. I don't know why, just seemed like I should take it. After hours of walking, I arrive at a silver gate. Another monster is standing in front of the gate. This one is wearing a harness, and holding a flaming sword. The monster silently points its sword at my gun. I slowly put it on the floor and the monster relaxes a bit.\n\n\"How did I get here?\"\n\nThe monster starts talking. \"You are Cain, the first murderer. You murdered your own brother, for which God punished you to roam the earth eternally. Two weeks ago, you raised an army of humans to break into heaven and take the place you lost when you committed the worst of sins. I am a commander of Guardians. We protect what must be protected in God's name. We were tasked to stop you and bring you to Hell, where you will receive a punishment as severe in accordance with your crimes. My Guardians failed, but I will not. Your journey will be long and painful Cain, as you know you deserve.\"\n\n\"How did I get here?\" \n\nI look up. I'm in a prison, surrounded by monsters. Not the beautiful kind, the ugly, dangerous kind. Red skin, horns and spikes on their bodies, long fingers with longer nails. \"You failed us Cain,\" one of them says. \"But don't you worry, you'll get another chance.\"\n\n\n*This is the first story I've written on this sub, so please go easy on me people!*"
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[WP] In the far future, humanity has conquered death and aging, and are effectively immortal. The other species native to Earth however, still grow more and more sapient.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\*I'll fully admit I think this story is kind of stupid but sometimes a stupid story is what you feel like writing.\\*\n\nGordon’s eyes half-opened in the half-gloom of his quarters. A cold, snuffling nose was poking at his back impatiently. *Just twenty more minutes*? The snuffling went on unrelenting.\n\n“’m up. ‘m up. Enough.” Gordon untangled himself from the sheets and gently pushed the nose away. “Morning, Nannygoat.”\n\nNanny chuffed and turned away indignantly. She shook her head around, letting long floppy ears flap about. She did not like to be kept waiting at breakfast time. Gordon stroked her fur a bit to mollify her, and Nanny pretended to ignore him. Eventually he rolled out of bed and she scampered after him to the kitchen. Major- whom Gordon jokingly thought of as the ship’s security chief- was sprawled out on the floor there, moping, but immediately perked up, tail wagging. Both dogs started yapping urgently as he filled their dishes, then started snarfing intently.\n\nWhile they were about that, Gordon opened one of the portholes and stared out into open space. Empty as usual. There was some kind of augmented option that would color nebulae to make it more interesting but he didn’t usually bother. Augies felt oddly like cheats. It was starting to get dull out here, manning the tendership and patching up junkhaulers. Gordon was a vigorous young man in 60s, and still prone to impatience.\n\nMajor popped over. The vox on his collar chirped on: “*B’ekfast*?”\n\n“You just had it.”\n\n“*B’ekfast*.”\n\n“Nope.”\n\nMajor conceded and padded off to find his leash. Creatures of routine, he and Nanny preferred a trip to the greenhouse after meals. While they searched, Gordon flicked on the newsfeed.\n\nMore uprisings on good old Terra Firma. Simian-Socialist raids on Red Cross trucks in the Congo. A kangaroo caught smuggling bomb components into the Parliament House in New Canberra. Some black panthers protesting in DC had come to blows with local police. Two panthers were dead, and a police officer had taken a few bullets to the chest; he was expected to be ready for work in a few hours. Sheesh.\n\nMankind had grown beyond the aftereffects of disease, and starvation, and violence and so much else; the average human lifespan had more than tripled, and even that was a low estimate when so many lifespans simply didn’t have an ending in sight. Advances in biotechnology and medicine had alleviated so many of the problems endemic to the human race. And yet relations with the Uplifted seemed to get worse by the day. Gordon’s sympathies were wholly with the insurgents- note like those Transhumanics, ugh- but he understood, a little. The Uplifted had some rough shakes, and it was probably hard not to feel you’d got the short end of a stick, living a few decades on a world of nearly-immortals.\n\nMajor scampered back with his leash clamped in his mouth, Nannygoat following at a more dignified plod. Gordon flicked the holo off and got their harnesses applied. No time to worry about that today. Life had to go on.\n\n\\*\\*\\* Time, as it typically did, passed…\\*\\*\\*\n\nMeyjerr gestured to the statue remains. He was nervous; he didn’t like being this far into the other tribe’s territory and he wasn’t used to talking to the elders in the first place.\n\n“As I said. Some sort of brass carving, like an Ape but totally bald.”\n\n“Not an ape,” the Eldest sighed. “A remnant from the time of the gods.”\n\nMeyjerr blinked and shook his head a bit, letting his ears flap. “Gods?”\n\n“Just so. You will not have heard the tale; we reserve it for manhood ceremonies. In ancient times they ruled over us, providing us with endless food, gave us our sacred names- Fye-do, Recks, even yours. But our ancestors grew jealous, for the gods did not share with them the secret of immortality. They rose up, and so the gods struck them down, bringing sin and toil into the world.”\n\nMeyjerr was in awe. “What happened to the gods?”\n\nEldest shrugged. “They left this world, possibly, or they still observe us from beyond the veil of death. Some even say they are no more. None can say for sure.”\n\n“Should we- I mean, take it with us?” Meyjerr gestured at the head again.\n\n“No. I think not. Best leave the past in the past. Come, back to the village.”\n\nMeyjerr obeyed."
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[WP] Curious about your father, you start following rumours and stories. Along the way you bump into many half-siblings all looking for the same man. A man known by the number: 007
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Businessman, Universal Exports ... and a chauvinistic pig.\"\n\nSo came my mother's curt response to my teenage questions concerning father's identity. A lifetime of navigating mother's volatile temperament had taught me better than to ask more than once, particularly when she'd had a drink (as she so often had).\n\nSo, on my eighteenth birthday, I set off to make my own enquiries.\n\n\\---\n\nIn addition to my mother's scant offerings regarding father's occupation, I had some further scraps of information to work with.\n\nI'd gleaned from eavesdropping on mother and her friends that I beared a physical resemblance to the elusive businessman - the same hard, grey eyes, and jet black hair, with a thick comma falling over the right eyebrow.\n\nIn my mid teens, mother pensively noted that my new-found fondness for 'Scottish showers' was a habit I shared with my father - and for a fleeting moment I thought I detected an element of affection in her otherwise grudging recollection.\n\nThen there was the curious, typewritten note I'd discovered locked in away in mother's desk drawer, along with the solitary, faded, black and white photograph of the man I understood to be my father. It simply read: \n\n\"007. YOU ARE COMPROMISED. ABORT. M.\" \n\n\\---"
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[WP] You're the Pantheon's personal psychiatrist. You keep the Gods sane, logical, and nonviolent. But sometimes you just want to quit.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Sometimes, I just want to start an eclipse and never finish it.\" Rezu, the Sun God, looked beat. \"I take their sun away for a week and see if they keep taking me for granted.\"\n\nDespite my professional efforts, an exasperated sigh forced its way out of me. Rezu wasn't my most frequent of challenges, but he was one of the bigger ones. \"What do you think that would accomplish?\" I tried to guide him to a more logical thought path.\n\nRezu eyed me suspiciously. \"I just told you. They would quit taking me for granted.\" \n\n\"What would it look like if they didn't take you for granted?\" \n\n\"They'd give me more sacrifices and spend more time doing my rituals\".\n\n\"No, I mean, what would it look like for you? Is it just a lack of sacrifices in your temple that makes you feel unvalued?\" For a set of supernatural beings, gods were terrible at introspection.\n\n\"Don't pull that trick on me. I know this 'well how many sacrifices is enough?' bullshit you counselors pull. The point is, I pull the sun into the sky every single day. Every day, I have to go grab this giant ball of fire, drag it across the sky, and make sure it stays put overnight. It's not easy work, and I doubt you or anyone else could do it. I do all this work just to make sure people can see and that they don't freeze, and what do I get? A three-day festival that takes place in winter because they don't have anything better to do after all the crops are harvested! Spranna gets a full week of summer AND a day in Godweek and half the people spend their entire lives without encountering her work!\" \n\nSpranna, the god of the sea, had been in the previous week because she felt inadequate. It took a lot of convincing for her to believe that some people just plain don't want to live by the ocean. \"So, is this really about the people, or are you jealous of Spranna?\"\n\n\"What does Spranna have that I don't? Without the sun, things would go south very quickly. Take away the ocean and you just lose some fish.\" Rezu's speech quickened as the frustration boiled.\n\nI tried to counter with an even, calm voice. \"Ok, Rezu, listen to me. You cannot compare yourself to the other gods. All of the gods are important.\" \n\n\"Well, then why don't we all get equal worship? And you can't tell me that Mr. Messenger Boy is as important as me\" Rezu was referencing Jommo, the god of writing. In reality, Jommo served the important function of recording all of the laws and holidays for the Gods. Without his official transcriptions of the Deity Council and godly proclamations, there's no way they would be honest about anything.\n\n\"Quit comparing yourself to anyone. All you can do is be the best God you can be. You cannot control how the people receive that. Maybe you could deliver a message to the people. Jommo tells me they're putting together a holy book, which sounds like a good opportunity to put some requests out.\"\n\n\"Why would I beg Jommo to help when I could just turn the sun off?\" And right away we were back to eclipses. \n\nRound and round these meetings went. Give a being supernatural power, they always want more. They can't have more, so they turn to unhealthy forms of validation. Duels in the heavens, natural disasters, killings of unfortunate humans, the consequences of an unhappy god could be cataclysmic. Bonus points if multiple gods were having an argument. One particularly nasty fight between Shamm, the earth god and Frezaa, the fire god led to an entire city getting destroyed by a volcano. I was granted my position in an effort to curb the worst of the deity behaviors after the gods decided that life as a god was pretty pointless without worshippers. \n\nSo, the next time you feel the earth shake, but not enough to knock down your building, or when the storm gives you rain but no thunder, or when the locust swarm stays away from your crops, maybe toss a sacrifice my way. I know I'm not the most visible, but I would argue that I'm actually the most important. I am the Counselor of the Gods"
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[WP] The situation is grim as you teeter toward death's door. As a person able to use music to empower or weaken others, you do the unthinkable and amp yourself up using the one song you feared using on yourself for what it might do to you and those who dare stand in your way.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I couldn’t believe it was going to end this way. I was specced out in the standard support suit for the team. It was providing me protection from the 2 ton beam pinning me down, but not providing the strength to throw it off. \n\n20 meters above, The Chain floated easily in the air. His subordinates Hook, Line, and Sinker were posed triumphantly over the team. It was supposed to be impossible for this to happen.\n\nHook had managed to take down Solar Man. Somehow his Gontorran tech had been upgraded with selective sound dampeners from the Altarrans, rendering my attack from the Carpenters useless. *Close to You* had never failed me before, this time it did. And without my support, he matched Solar Man blow for blow.\n\nLine tripped up Lightning, grounding him through metal cables. More Altarran tech, this time using his ability to move any type of cable in an oscillating sound wave that blocked out Dragonforce, stopping me from speeding up Lightning.\n\nWithout Solar Man or Lightning, Sinker and Chain has easily taken out the rest of us. Chain now floated above me, preparing the coup de grace. \n\nMy life support battery beeped. 5% left. Then the suit would deflate, allowing the beam to finish crushing my chest. My radio was dead. I had no idea if any help was on the way. \n\nOut of options, I keyed up my music player to the one option I had never used. The hard strains of Metallica began blasting in my internal speakers.\n\nMy adrenaline began to flood my muscles. I took a deep breath, and the riff ended as the vocals came.\n\n*End of Passion play, crumbling away..*\n\nMy eyes dilated, I fixed my attention on Chain. His psychic powers were about to receive the fight of his life.\n\n*To be your master, master, Master of Puppets pulling the strings*\n\nI lashed out with my mind, all my psychic potential now unlocked for the first time. Chain fell disappointingly easily. With his mind, I tugged the strings of his subordinates, who now danced to my puppet strings.\n\nThe power felt good. Too good to give up.\n\nThere was a reason I had always feared doing this, and now I knew I was right to fear it. The power was too delicious to give up.\n\nI keyed in Master of Puppets to loop, and had Line charge up my battery. The world was going to find out what a REAL psychic controller could do.",
"My legs ached as I continued to walk backwards across the sliding floor tiles. I could not look away from the portal at the edge, no matter how badly I missed my party. I needed to keep watching it, in case anybody managed to scramble out. From the crunching noises I heard earlier, though, I doubted that.\n\nMy only hope was to outlast the room's magical curse. I didn't have a crystal checker, but from the room's dim glow I wouldn't expect more than a few hours more. If I could just get back into town, I could talk to the chronomancer and make it so this whole thing never happened. That was feeling more and more impossible by the second, though. Every time I tried to take a break, the thing would speed up. It was more of a treadhell than a treadmill.\n\nIt's not every day the bard gets a shot at greatness in combat. It would make a fine tale; I'd call it The Bard of Endless Walking Defeats the Room of Moving Tiles. I imagined it being a best-seller scroll, just to keep sane.\n\nMy waterskin ran out ages ago, and all of the rations I had were dry. Curse not bringing a second waterskin! Curse not buying that jelly danish this morning! And would I give my kingdom for a horse to take up the walk, too. Not that I owned any kingdom. \n\nThe floor zigged and zagged, trying to get me dizzy enough to pull in. I watched the crystal flicker, and tried to hold steadfast. But with both of us on last winds, the room was sly. It rotated differently under both of my feet, causing me to hop, then spin, and soon I could not help but scrabble for purchase against the wall. \n\nI tripped, and the floor accelerated. The portal yawned, waiting to consume me and my party's hopes alongside it.\n\n\"No!\" I cried, trying to use my hands to stand, but the spiralling floor redirected my efforts. The crystal dimmed even more, and the floor had to slow to keep on spurning my efforts. I refused to quit, but I lacked the strength to move my legs, and my arms were too weak to pull me up. Why, oh why, was strength my dump stat?\n\nBut there was one thing I could do. One thing I'd been practicing constantly for the barbarian, and stopping just as frequently in order to save myself from the after effect.\n\nWith shaking hands, I lifted the tiny kalimba strapped around my neck, and began to pluck.\n\n\"Doom! Doom doom doom! Doom doom doom!\" I shouted, feeling the chant grow.\n\nThis... was my doom song.\n\nMy legs stopped shaking. My fingers felt more sure.\n\n\"Doom doom doom da doom doom doom!\" I yelled. A chorus of chants came with it, echoing upwards. These voices had not come from the floor, but the ground beneath it.\n\nThese were the sounds of fallen Tieflings past, all of the lives the Chronomancer had erased to restore our party from death.\n\nI began to sink lower, into the tile. On the plus side, it stopped pulling me. I wouldn't be entering the portal any time soon unless it moved- but neither would I be able to get out from the floor without more strength than I owned. Usually I let a party member dig me out, but that wasn't an option.\n\n\"Doom! Doom! Doom!\" the floor crowed, egging me on.\n\n\"DOOM!\" I shouted, spittle flocking the stones consuming me. \"DOOM!\"\n\nMy arms hulked. My legs, sore as they once were, pedalled upwards.\n\nI propelled through the ground, then upwards, into the roof, and higher- a chorus of doom launching me to the heavens to take back the holy land. We hadn't hit the BBEG yet, but I had a sneaky suspicious it was my turn to kill God.\n\n/r/MoreStories for more stupidity",
"He did it. The demon finally had the Sacred Scepter in his possession. The city lay in ruins, the countryside blighted, and me, broken and bleeding on the floor in the throne room. All of my songs failed to slow the demon down, some even managed to make him more powerful, to renew his strength, even though the lyrics would reduce most people to tears.\n\n\"And now, Songstress, witness the final victory over your land, over your people!\" gloated the demon, raising the grey scepter over his head. \"You have lost, bard, and you and your people shall be my slaves, for all eternity!\" He laughed, that grating sound like rocks sliding down glass. It was strange how such a high-pitched, annoying sound could come from such a huge creature, but there he was.\n\nI wracked my tired memory for any other song, any other verse or poem, that might put an end to this, even as I felt my life's blood ooze from my wounds, hear the wheezing of my breath in my lungs. And then, I had it.\n\n\"Never,\" I gasped, too weary to lift my head from the cracked marble floor. It was almost a whisper.\n\n\"Never? Never what?\" he mocked. \"You will never win!\"\n\nPainfully, I grabbed at the wound in my chest, to hold myself together. \"Never,\" I said, a little louder, \"Gonna...\"\n\nThe demon's black eyes widened, as he heard the intonation, the pitch... \"No!\" he screamed, shaking dust from the rafters in his fearful fury.\n\n\"...give... you... up...\" I finished, closing my eyes to the debris falling onto my face."
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[WP] You get a message from a friend, telling you a place to meet up. Problem is, she’s been declared dead for 3 years.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My head is spinning, my heart pounding. You know those super-amazing heroes who just know what to say or do when crazy stuff happens? Well, I'm not one of those people. My brain shifted into neutral about twenty minutes ago, and the only thing I can focus on are five words my head keeps saying over and over again: *She's supposed to be dead.*\n\nAnd yet.\n\nTurn north on 3rd. Cross the street and pass the post office. Two homeless guys are hanging out on the steps of the library. Can't go inside, we're all still locked down. Keep moving, head toward the Boba place. That's where her text says to meet me. Or at least, that's what her old number is saying. I got the message, with all her little coded emojis. Dumb stuff, but always in the same order so I always knew it was her: 🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Sup Major Dawg* - 🍇🔫\n\nIt has to be Kristen. No one else would know to say that. Still, I had to be sure. Hackers could imitate her, right? Catfishing?\n\n*Who is this?* I texted back.\n\n*You know.*\n\n*No, seriously.*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *All your questions will be answered Major Dawg - meet me at the boba place in five, right?* - 🍇🔫\n\n*This has to be a joke,* I tell myself. *A sick prank. Some weirdo stalker hijacked my best friend's phone number and they've been watching me. They must know I'm five minutes away from our old hangout. They know I'm in Mom's store, nobody coming in to buy her weird South American trinkets on a Tuesday afternoon. Nobody will care if I take a fifteen minute break to go down there, murder them with words, and then come back.* My hand closes around the canister of mace on my keychain. It's three years old. Maybe I'll finally have a chance to use this stuff.\n\nI push the door open, old memories flooding back. Haven't been in here in a while; Mr. Lee has a new kid behind the counter now. After the funeral, I could never come here again. Just the smell of the place brings tears to my eyes. Whoever is doing this, don't they understand how much this hurts? I can't wait to see their faces when I tell them off. Mom made me promise to stop swearing, but today I decide to make an exception.\n\n\"What can I get you?\" the boy asks. \n\n\"Strawberry nunu,\" I look at him closely. My age, maybe a little older. Nice looking, cute eyes. Does he know me? Is he a part of this weird conspiracy? He starts making my drink as I dig through my pockets for my card. That's when my phone goes off again with a new text.\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Looks tasty :P* - 🍇🔫\n\nFurious, I text back: *OMG, who IS THIS?*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *He's cute, Major Dawg. Ask for his number.* - 🍇🔫\n\n*STOP THIS - I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT I HAVE A CAN OF MACE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Mace doesn't hurt me. Nothing hurts, anymore. I don't feel much of anything.* - 🍇🔫\n\n*Time to stop playing.* I hit the 'Call' button for my friend's old number. The boy has his back turned. If he's part of this, he's a really good actor. Doesn't matter. If he's pranking me with a phone, I'll know when I hear the other phone ring. Then, I'll know who this is. That'll be when I pull out the mace to spice up his life. \n\nThe phone rings and rings, doesn't even go to voicemail. After the seventeenth ring, a message arrives: 🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *No point in calling me. I don't have a voice yet.* - 🍇🔫\n\n*WHO IS THIS? WHO IS THIS???*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Jenny, you know it's Kristen. Sorry for doing this to you, but this is the only way we can talk now.* - 🍇🔫\n\n*YOU AREN'T KRISTEN - KRISTEN IS DEAD.*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *I'm still here, Major Dawg. Are you ready for my secret?* - 🍇🔫\n\n*ARE YOU READY FOR MY CAN OF MACE YOU SICK PERVERT??*\n\nMy phone pings again as my drink arrives. 🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Look up in the corner. See the camera?* - 🍇🔫\n\n*WHAT?*\n\n🥺🥺🥺♥️♥️♥️♥️ - *Give me a wave, Major Dawg. These cameras are my eyes now.* - 🍇🔫"
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[WP] You have a knack for finding treasure. In fact, it's getting worse. You have to hoard basic necessities like food and water before all the stores you walk into inexplicably have only gold and jewels on their shelves.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You know, when I was a kid, I thought I was just lucky. Not that things seemed to go my way or anything. When I was nine I still fell out of a tree and broke my wrist, and a bunch of my teeth. Bobby Trenitt still whooped my ass at the public pool when I got a little too sassy at a mutual friends birthday party. \n\nNo, I was lucky because I seemed to always find what I wanted. Nothing had to be lost for me to find it. But if I had been stewing on something in my head for a little bit, I seemed to just...run into it after a while. I’d be watching my cartoons, and when I went to the bathroom where the toilet paper used to sit, there I found all three Abnormal Adolescent Samurai Tortoise action figures instead. \n\nIf I didn’t eat all my dinner and my mom said I couldn’t have any dessert, I’d find that there was ice cream inside my toothpaste tube instead of Aquadent. Once when I was six, I woke up from a dream needing to pee, and was shocked to find that my bedside table had been replaced by a toilet. When I opened the lid I found all my knick-knacks floating inside. \n\nI don’t exactly remember when I started finding money. But let me tell you, the phrase that money can’t buy happiness is a lie. For a while I was truly happy. My family and I wanted for nothing. Every time I found another stack of bills in the bread box instead of a loaf, my parents went over the moon. \n\nSoon I almost exclusively found money. Neatly bundled stacks of cash. Once I opened my dresser and found it was filled with quarters instead of clothes. A few of the coins turned out to be quite rare and worth more than the rest of the coins put together. \n\nIt got to a point that I had found so much money that I could buy anything I craved. By the time I finished high school I was popular, and by the time I decided not to go to college, I was greedy. \n\nI spent money however I pleased. My parents found an accountant who took care of things with the IRS for us by sending money across to some island bank. It didn’t matter to me. If anything caught my eye, by the time I walked up to the counter, enough money to purchase the object was there within my reach. \n\nThere were always girls and some older women who were attracted to what I could give them. So I never hurt for company or female attention. I hadn’t worked a day in my life, and I had everything I could dream of. \n\nSoon my parents started traveling abroad. I bought a small flashy house downtown for myself. I had a nice car. Big tv. And every room was packed with the things I had bought for myself. It seemed like there were parties every night. And my bed was never lonely. \n\nBut then it all started to go wrong. I got too greedy. I don’t know exactly when the idea that money could solve all my problems became solidified in my mind, but I know when my gift turned to a curse. \n\nI woke up in my bed after a particularly spectacular nightmare. I had been alone in a desert, my tongue was swollen from dehydration and as I lay in the sand, too weak to move, scorpions came crawling from below to sting me all over. \n\nI awoke to find I was laying on a pile of loose money. Almost as if I had fallen asleep in a big nest of green paper. And stacked next to me was a mess of coins. Right where my latest girlfriend had been sleeping. \n\nI was terrified. And I’m ashamed to admit that it took me a moment to remember her name. I called out for her. But my house was empty besides myself. I reached for my phone to call my parents, to call anyone really. I grabbed my phone, and swiped it open, dialed my parents and put the stack of fresh hundred dollar bills to my ear. \n\nI managed to put on my robe, but my shoes burst into nickles when I tried to force my feet into them. My closet was full of empty hangers. But precious jewels were scattered on the floor beneath in piles up to my knees. \n\nLuckily when I reached for my car keys the only change that happened is they seemed to be made out of solid gold. But where my powerful mustang had been parked now was literal tons of gold and silver bricks in the shape of a car. \n\nI panicked. I ran down the street, and as I watched in horror the world around me kept changing. Children playing in the street collapsed as I approached, coins spinning to the ground and rolling away.\n\nI tried frantically to knock on someone’s car window only to have it turn to hundreds of small diamonds and the person inside fall apart in another shower of silver coins. \n\nI stopped trying to talk to people. I was able to walk to the local gas station. I tried not to run. I tried to calm myself down on the way. But by the time I got there, there were trees made of rubies and sapphires, and a street was almost surely now paved with gold.\n\nThe glass door tumbled away, diamonds and coins rolling every which way. The man behind the counter looked up, and fell apart in a jingle of metal. \n\nI tried to grab water. To grab food. But everything turned to money or coins at my touch. My gaze fell on candies, and my hands only grabbed gems. \n\nIt’s been hours now. I’ve tried to want my parents, hoping I could find them as I walk. But it’s been so long since I’ve seen them, it’s hard to remember exactly how they look. I tried to find my friends, but honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt truly connected to someone. I can’t seem to remember what a friend even feels like. \n\nIm scared now. And I feel so alone, but honestly, only the fear is new. The cops are coming, I can hear the sirens. And it’s only a matter of time before they try to shoot me, and I get shot with a silver dollar moving at the speed of a bullet. \n\nI wonder if they’ll take a bribe?"
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[WP] A dystopian future in which babies are born with an organic electronic emotion gauge. And if it ever dips too high or too low of the ideal you have about an hour before the behavior corrector militia gets to you.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*"
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\- You don't need to write in first person, that's just how I wrote the prompt -
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[WP] Even though you get lots of sleep, you wake up every morning feeling tired. One day, you see a picture on your phone of yourself sleeping while other people who look identical to you sat around your room, watching you.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Up, on the wet marble steps, the reflection of the city lights shone brightly. The rain has stoped for a while, but the air retained its refreshing smell. \n\nYet, salt water flew gently on the lonely girl's checks. \n\nHer eyes were red as she watched the dancing lights with a slow wind combing her dark red hair. It's hard to smile when you have a heavy heart, so she just stood there without any expresion, lost. \n\nShe was tired. And lonely.\n\nIt would've been good to have lied down on the stair, but the water was still make the marble sparkle. The benches were all wet so she carried on down the stairs, out of the park into the city that started living anew after the rain.\n\nThe traffic therefor was horrible as people where eager to resume their activities paused by the short burst and the buzzing sound of people cars made for a poor electro-symphony. \n\nSome people refuge in the confort of their home, but not her. She was afraid to go there.\n\nAfter walking a while oblivious to the bustle around her, she stopped at a brighly lit caffee. \n\nInside it was warm, there were few people the sound of the outside was faint. It felt like an oasis and that's exactly what she needed now. A place to rest for a while.\n\nThe waitress was fast to take the order, a dark coffee and cinnabon. She loved cinnamon after getting inside from the cold. The memory made her smile briefly. Just briefly.\n\nAt the table,there was an inner struggle not to open the phone. A quick battle, that she lost. How could she not. That photo drawed her constant attention.\n\nSo she gazed at the picture once again. Her room, the cozy bed with her sleeping. She look so peaceful. \n\nThe photo was made by the new app she installed, for weeks her sleep was getting her tired. So tired that she almost lost her job to errors and no amount of coffee could compensate. Not even a late night coffee like this one. That app would help her monitor. But something was off, in a semi-circle around the bed was her, multiple hers. Watching her. \n\nWhat was that? A trick of the camera. She was afraid and alone. And her eyes could not part ways with the phone's screen.\n\n\"Hi\" a soft voice made her turn sideways. It was a man, not tall and not young. With a tick black hair and an unshaved incipient beard. He smiled \"Look I don't want to intrude, but i was pasing and saw that picture. Sorry ... I\"\n\nShe kept quiet, but felt a glimmer of rage, as her privacy was invaded. Yet she kept quiet\n\n\"Look, I know what that means .. I just want to share if you don't because you seem roughed by it. May I?\"\n\nShe hesitate, but he kept smiling. The answers were too tempting to refuse. A gesture was enough for him to take a sit.\n\n\"I had the same issue. You might have a lot of questions. I don't he the answers to all. But I know from experience, the same pattern: Even though you get lots of sleep, you wake up every morning feeling tired. One day, you see a picture on your phone of yourself sleeping while other people who look identical to you sat around your room, watching you. And you freak out. I surely as hell did. It took me a while to find the answers. Why.\"\n\n\"Why?\" was her only word. She was keen to know. The man gently grazed his upper lip with his bottom teeth trying to find words.\n\n\"Look, those are your inner deamons. They are not real, not in the physical sense. But they are tethered to you. Each aspects of the things you worry about. They watch upon you every night feeding with your negative emotions. They were always there ... some of them. The app you've installed makes use of the new night enhacing crystal on your phone for clearer images. It's still new, I got my phone last month. I don't know why nobody talks about this, I guess they are too afraid. Imagine the world ...\"\n\nHe kept on rambling about what this would mean for the world and his excitment with the technology.\n\nIn the background there was an acousting song with gentle cord strings and a muffled voice. It was cozy in here and the light was just perfect, not to bright, not to dim.\n\nShe sipped her coffee and smiled."
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[WP] An unknown entity released a schematic for a atom level 3D printer on the dark web. Every human obtained the ability to deconstruct matter and reconstruct it into anything they choose. Now, just one year later. The entity returned to check up on how humanity used its "gift".
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The world was ground into a halt the moment *IT* appeared. \n\nFor some, the entity was a man covered in white, for some it was a woman devoid of clothing, some it was a tiny bird fluttering in the sky. Every single being saw the entity in different forms but regardless of appearance, it only had one goal. It didn't introduce itself, it merely stretched out its hand and opened to what it seems would be its palm. A droplet fell from this entity's hand and once the droplet splattered into the ground, an echo of knowledge unknown forced itself into the mind of humanity, or rather their technological devices.\n\nA blueprint. A plan. A schematic.\n\nPhone, tablet, computer. Whatever device it was, as long as it was capable of accessing the internet, a website opened up. There was nothing written on the address bar but the moment the website opened, a file began downloading. It took only a second before the file was fully downloaded. An executable file. Once opened, a small box of otherwordly origins appeared on everyone's hands.\n\n\"In your primitive and diverse language, this is called a 3D Printer. I'm afraid I am unable to tell you its actual name lest your minds go insane from the language that I will speak of. This device is able to form and deform reality as you see fit. Use it to your brittle hearts' content. But so as not to disturb the balance of the universe, your capabilities are restricted only in this world. Farewell.\"\n\nAnd with those words, the entity left. It didn't tell people how to use it but for some reason, people already knew.\n\nSome began with small things, creating food, appliances and even cars. Anything to make their lives better. The daring erected skyscrapers and mansions, to forever live in comfort. The twisted created weapons. To further their influence. To broaden their military might and it didn't take long for war to break out between nations.\n\nEven with the ability to create anything and everything at will, control was one thing that leaders weren't able to replicate but now, they have the resources to. \n\nBullets, bombs and lives were used as easily as they were made and it didn't take long for the world to be turned into nothing but a literal hellscape. The few who wanted nothing but peace tried to recreate the lush and vibrant planet that they dreamed of but their lives were snuffed out before their dreams came into realization.\n\n12 months have passed and the only beings that were left were human-like beings that are capable of superhuman feats, made to carry their masters' orders of subjugation. They were made to be immortal and invincible. Traits that their masters were unable to integrate into themselves. \n\nThe beings were a little boy and a little girl. Their lone struggles reverberated throughout the empty landscape and their blows echoed throughout the land. Fighting a proxy war that has long been lost for both of them. They didn't know why they fought but they knew that they had to.\n\nThe entity appeared in the middle of the fight and the moment it appeared, the two children's aggression were immediately directed into the entity. Their blows connected but the entity simply walked onward, surveying what was once a simple planet.\n\nIn their point of view, the entity was a genderless form with no discernible features. A mannequin that breathed life. It was both empty and full, limited but endless, of form and abstract.\n\nThe entity snapped his fingers and the three were immediately in space, overlooking Earth. The two tried to attack the entity but for some reason, they didn't want to. Their fists softened and they looked at the entity with soulless eyes. \n\n\"Another failed experiment. The 6,765,214,567,237,021st cycle failed to produce results that were of intrigue. Although...\" the entity spoke, turning his non-existent gaze onto the two children in front of it. \"Why is humanity so adamant in creating a beginning out of the end? Why Adam and Eve? Why Abel and Cain? Why Alpha and Omega?\" The two would hear the entity sigh. It surprised them that a thing capable of so much was able to display emotion.\n\n\"No matter. Come, you two. I'll introduce you to your siblings.\" After saying so, a rift opened behind them. The entity turned the two around and pushed them into the rift. The two fell and fell until they landed on soft soil. They looked around and they saw men and women, girls and boys, just like them. \n\nThey were made from and for the desires of man but strangely enough they felt peace. The two ran towards their siblings and smiled brightly. Smiles that were as gentle as spring breeze and shining like the brightest star. They finally felt alive.\n\nThe entity, still outside the rift looked at the Earth. It snapped its fingers and everything was dark.\n\nHe walked towards the rift and entered. Before it could fully close, the entity spoke. \"Let there be light.\"\n\nAnd there was light."
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[WP] Out of sheer boredom and stupidity you decide to eat one of the Silica Gel packs. Instead of dying or getting violently I'll, you wake up in a strange room. You hear a Strange voice say "You've been asleep for a long time, but congratulations you've passed the test".
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"what test?\"\n\n\"You followed the clues and found the hidden key to escape. Your training is complete. Don't worry, a little disorientation is normal after a long term simulation.\", said the man in the lab coat, with a friendly expression. \"It will pass soon.\"\n\nI looked around the room, and it seemed to be a hospital of some sort, but everything had the feel of a Sci-Fi movie. Pristine white surfaces that shimmered with some kind of sparkling field for a moment wherever something touched them, a seemingly holographic and interactive chart wall, and touchlessly operated drawers that opened when the nurse waved her hand in front of it and then closed afterward.\n\nThe nurse took the headset with glowing blue accents off of my head, and walked across the room to store it in one of the auto-opening drawers.\n\n\"*I mean, if I had to design a futuristic hospital, it would sure look a hell of a lot like this...*\", I thought to myself, pondering if this was a dream.\n\nI looked at the person studying the data on the wall and asked \"So, this training... it went well?\"\n\nHe turned, and looked me in the eyes with some amount of reservation. \"Not really\", he winced. \"You didn't seem to progress at all, at first, and you had veered completely off target. We thought that there was no way you would EVER find and consumed the objective.\"\n\n\"*Wait. This is all because of that silica packet?* \" my mind reeling, but I kept my mouth shut. I tried as hard as I could to not look confused or panicked\n\nHe turned back and flipped through a few pages on the wall as he said \"So much so, that we actually stopped following your progress for a while. The only reason we didn't terminate the exercise was because it is standard protocol for us to let them run their course.\" He glanced back over his shoulder slightly \"Too much chance of psychological trauma otherwise. You know, being jerked out of one perceived life and into the next, with no transition.\"\n\nHe returned his attention to the wall for a moment, closing all open files with a single gesture, and spun back around toward me, with his hand held out to the side in a low shrug \"But in the end, you trusted your own judgment and intuition, and consumed the objective as intended, in spite of the warnings labels.\"\n\nHe walked over to me and scanned my bracelet \"Your methods may have been unconventional, and perhaps inefficient, but you arrived at the correct conclusion within the allotted amount of time, so you passed.\" He placed the scanner back in the pocket of his lab coat and extended a hand toward me. \"Congratulations Probationary Agent Calrson. You are free to get dressed and report to your supervisor. Your cloths are in the locker by the door.\"\n\nI shook his hand, and thanked him. After he and the nurse left the room, I changed out of my gown, and into the clothes that were waiting for me. Which turned out to be a button down shirt, and a pair of jeans. The hanger had a pin stuck to it, with my name in big bold letters, and in a smaller font beneath it, it said \"Probationary Agent\".\n\nAs I looked at the name tag, I announced to the now empty room \"This has to be a dream.\"\n\nI looked back at the bed, wondering \"S*hould I tell them that I just wanted to know what the silica tasted like?*\"\n\nIn an instant, I decided against it. \"*If this actually isn't a dream, how do I know what they do to failures?*\" Best not to chance it.\n\nI walked toward the door, and as I opened it, I realized that I didn't know where to go. Then, as if an older version of myself whispered a hint into the back of my brain, I remembered. Forth floor, third office on the left.\n\nI started walking in the direction of the elevator sign. As I pushed the call button, I thought to myself, \"*God I hope this is real. Please don't let me wake back up in boring quarantined-ass 2020...*\""
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[WP] She glanced up and readied her weapons. The storks were coming. They were coming to steal the children from her orphanage.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Through the watchtower’s telescope, Sister Margerie saw the great white flock flying in from the east. She turned to Mother Superior beside her. Her black and purple armor clanked. She shook her head, and Mother Superior scowled.\n\n“Drat. I’d really hoped they’d come from the west again,” she spat under her breath. \n\n“They learn something new every year,” Sister Margerie agreed. \n\nThe two climbed the ladder to the roof of the Mother Mercy Orphanage and strode for the first in a line of thirteen crow-shaped gliders. As several of the older orphans garbed in leather breastplates tugged at the ropes to unfold the black cloth wings, sisters left and right clambered into the baskets. \n\nMother Superior tied herself to the helm of her glider. Sister Margerie jumped in after and belted herself in with a thick cord. She drew her sickle and cast a glance down the line of gliders. Several of the archers and helms women were shielding their eyes from the rising sun.\n\n“You girls,” Sister Margerie called to the orphans. They dropped their ropes and stood smartly to attention. The wind buffeted against their skirts and sent strands of their hair flying at odd angles.\n\n“Start unlatching the birds. Then grab your pikes and get indoors. Two of you guard the dormitory. The rest of you station yourselves at the windows.”\n\n“Should any of the storks crash through, you’re to run them through,” Mother Superior bellowed over the wind, her violet veil whipping around her face. \n\nThe girls nodded and ran toward the thirteen metal levers.\n\n“Mother Mercy, show no Mercy!” one of the bloodthirstier girls cried, and one by one, each girl switched their levers, unlocking the gliders. Sister Margerie grasped the edge of the basket as the rope underneath them unreeled, and the wind hoisted her and Mother Superior into the sky. \n\nMother Superior strained at the helm. For the first few startling moments, the world was white and blue, and the wind stole the air from Sister Margerie’s lungs. But Mother Superior soon had the craft steady. \n\n“How are we looking?” she called back. \n\nSister Margerie watched as her fellow sisters struggled to get their gliders level. One did a loop-dee-loop and nearly nose-dived for the ground. \n\n“The wind is bad today, Mother Superior!” she yelled over the din. \n\n“Of course it is,” Mother Superior spat and then bellowed, “Six o’clock!” \n\nA long vicious beak spearheaded toward Sister Margerie. She swung her sickle. It caught the great bird in its neck. The white wings flapped uselessly as the bird spiraled for the green grounds below.\n\n“Fourteen o’clock!” Mother Superior called, and Sister Margerie swung her sickle. \n\nThe stork banked and circled back around. Sister Margerie glared at the metal basket it carried.\n\n“Come and get me!” she yelled. \n\nShe slashed at the bird, catching its wing. With an ear-piercing squawk, it joined its comrade on the green, leaving a trail of white and black feathers in its wake. \n\nThe storks came in hard like hail, smashing into the baskets and tearing at the gliders’ wings with their orange beaks. Archers’ arrows whizzed at hazardous angles, blinded by the bright yellow sunlight. Squawks, screams, and the clanging of metal baskets carried in the wind. Sister Margerie watched as one of the gliders went down. \n\n“Did they make it?” Mother Superior roared, pulling up.\n\n“They’re crawling out of the basket. They seem to be ok. They’re heading for the doors--they’re blocking the doors, Mother Superior.”\n\n“Hang on tight, Sister Margerie!”\n\nSister Margerie’s knuckles whitened as she grasped the edge of the basket. She held her breath as Mother Superior jerked the helm. The glider twirled in the air. Its wings smacked against a small cloud of storks. Sister Margerie’s gut lurched and she could swear she felt her heart rolling around in her chest until Mother Superior righted the craft. \n\n“You alright, Sister Margerie?” \n\n“Peachy,” Sister Margerie gurgled, when suddenly a stork swooped and slammed its metal cage against the side of her head.\n\nEverything blurred. Sister Margerie was weightless. Mother Superior’s muffled cries barely reached her ears, and her fluttering eyes could only just make out the stork trying to close the metal cage over Mother Superior’s head. Mother Superior clutched the helm with one hand and swatted at the bird with the other. \n\nFor a brief moment, Sister Margerie remembered being young and cramped, curled inside one of those cages, the bars digging into her limbs, spine, and the top of her head.\n\nShe blinked the memory away and sliced at the stork before it could enclose Mother Superior’s head in the cage. A red line opened across the bird’s back. Sister Margerie tore the bird from Mother Superior. She stuffed it in its own cage and dropped it out the glider.\n\n“You alright, Mother Superior?”\n\n“Barely! What happened back there?”\n\n“I took a hit, but I’m fine.” A gasp escaped Sister Margerie’s mouth. “They’re heading for the windows!”\n\nMother Superior gritted her teeth. The storks were smacking the windows with their wings and driving their beaks into the glass. Beyond the reflecting sunlight, a couple of orphans readied their pikes, their eyes wide and mouths gaping. \n\nMother Superior steered the glider down alongside the building. Several of the storks disappeared in a puff of feathers, but a few stragglers clutched at the wings. Sister Margerie could hear the fabric tear. Pointed beaks speared through the holes in the fabric at her. She clacked against them with her sickle, but it was too late. \n\n“Brace for impact, Sister Margerie!”"
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[WP] Upon exploring an ancient ruin, you come across a strange lifelike statue that looks exactly like you.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Archeology isn't as exciting as people imagine it. You rarely discover big ruins, it's mostly digging and dusting. So the few time you actually uncover some well preserved ruins, it is always a nice change of pace.\n\nYou were invited to a Mayan ruin by one of your colleague. While the aboveground had been thoroughly explored, one of the flooring fell down and uncovered a new level. Dr. Ford had invited you as had already worked on Mesopotamian sites before.\n\nOnce you reached there, you started scouring the place. You were clearly in the antechamber of a temple. Nothing exceptional so far, except that you could not guess which god it was for. You found symbology linking it to Quetzacoatl, Itzamna, Ix Chel, Chaac and many more.\n\nYou couldn't wait to go deeper, but the doors leading to the temple proper were closed. And proper care meant that you should not open them before you're done saving everything from the room you're in. You never know what's behind, and if it's rubble it could fall and damage a few things here. Always one room at a time.\n\nIt took a good week to properly document everything in the antechamber. You were no closer to an answer as to what this temple was. But today, you were going to open that door. The wooden hinges had long since rotted, the most likely result would be the door falling down when you opened it. So you tied a rope to it and pulled from a bit further. As expected, the door shattered when it fell down. A sad but necessary step in this exploration.\n\nOn the other side, they were all here. All the statues of the gods. While the drawings could have led to that conclusion, it was unexpected. The mayans don't usually lump their gods together. All the gods don't agree with each other, putting them all in the same room could be a sacrilege. And yet there they were. Save for one. The one furthest from the entrance. You could not see it, despite shining the flashlight on it. At least not its face.\n\nThe expedition was fascinated by all the marvels taking pictures left and right, but nobody paid any particular attention to the darkened one, except for you. Slowly, you approach the statue, enthralled by this mystery. What does it depict? All the known gods are already there. What would warrant a place amongst this godly pantheon?\n\nIt was you. Once you draw close enough, the darkness finally accepted to leave. Revealing your face. Perfectly preserved too. Your yelp seemed to attract attention, as the others came as well. Ford was Dumbfounded. It made no sense. The thing he couldn't understand was that Aztec statues were usually caricature, but this one was lifelike.\n\nFor weeks on end, you explored the place. Still nobody could understand it. But after so much time, the novelty had worn off, and while the mystery remained, people had started working on preserving all this. But today, one of the workers in the antechamber seemed surprised to see you.\n\n\"Weren't you already in the temple? You just called Dr. Ford there didn't you?\"\n\nYou couldn't understand. You just woke up, you had stayed up later yesterday. You made your way to the temple, to find Ford quite understandably angry. He heard you call for him and he had been searching for you. Eventually, you dropped it as a joke from one of the workers. You had things to do.\n\nToday you had a strange feeling. While you were working on the altar in the main temple, you felt like you were being watched. It happens sometime, it's part of the job really. Since you were alone, you just dismissed it as a trick of your mind. Once you were done with the one side of the altar, you found a small hidden mechanism. As your hand got close to it, you heard a faint noise, something like stone scrapping against stone. You had heard about it, under certain circumstance, your brain would make you imagine things. It happens usually when you're tired. It was the end of the day, so you assumed it was the case. it's only when you finally took the lever and pulled it that it caught your eyes. \"You\" were looking.\n\nPulling the lever had opened a hidden compartment in the altar. You found perfectly preserved tablets. After a few seconds, your brain finally registered that you saw that your statue had turned to look at you. You give it your attention once more... But it was back in its was back in its original position. You took the tablets and left the place. You needed rest desperately.\n\nFor the next two days, people kept complaining about you. You had broken something, or called them for nothing. You were being a nuisance in general. But it made no sense. You had stayed outside all day, trying to decipher the tablets.\n\nToday it happened. They found one of the workers dead. A piece of obsidian piercing the heart. Ford had seen you do it. They had captured you and left you in your lab. despite your pleas. They didn't believe you when you said you had stayed in here all day. With nothing left to do, you continued to decipher the tablet.\n\n\"Engaño reside here. Others are but faces he don when he sees fit. None shall see his true face for it is not for us to see. Everything is his to play with.\" is what the first tablet said. Engaño was a name you never heard before.\n\n\"May this temple remain sealed. And pray that he choses to keep his facade as all the other gods. For if he gets bored of dividing us through faith, he may just just divide us through chaos.\" was the text on the second.\n\n\"To whomever find these tablet, may your god have mercy on you. Because ours certainly won't. Seal this temple anew if you can. And pray that none open it again before the end of your life.\" for the third.\n\nAnd on the final one you could read: \"Our oracles told us of the year the tomb would be broken. They could no longer see beyond. We know not what await. But we decided to end our calendar to this last prediction. For we cannot see a future beyond that.\""
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[WP] Night is eternal in your land and has been for millennia. However, there is a legend of 'a great ball of light which will rise for a full waking period' once every 1000 years... and that time has come.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Scalding hot water trickled across my arm and I bolted up. My heart hammered in my chest as I scanned my room, looking for the source of water. I blinked a few times and then shielded my eyes, something horrible had entered my room. A wicked spirit? A conjurer? A beast? All I could tell that it was bright. Brighter than all the torches I'd seen in my life put together. And it was pouring through my open window. I massaged my arm and stepped back from the brightness until back touched the cold stone wall. In the comfort of darkness, I squinted through my eyes to get a better look at whatever this was. \n \nIt shone and sparkled near where I was sleeping, in the few minutes since I'd been awake it had crept forward. That means it's alive then, and it's coming for me. The pain in my arm had already subsided but who knows would it do when it fully enveloped me. I inched my way left to the closet and pulled on my formal white robes. When I finished putting them on a bead of sweat had already begun on my forehead. Every breath I took felt heavy and hot. I turned back to the light, which had slowly moved again. Stalking me. \n\n\"I don't know what you want, but I implore you to leave my house. If you are some sort of devilish trick then I must congratulate you for scaring me. But if you're more sinister I'll be forced to contact The Absconder. He's dealt with worse than you.\" \n\nThe light continued to glimmer. Was it mocking me? I tried looking away from it but it had infected every corner of my room. As it stretched itself the light became weaker and easier to look at but my room looked garish and ugly in this light. I backed out of my room and ran up the hallway. Where was my darkness? My blanket of familiarity? I pushed the door shut, and breathed a sigh of relief. But then I realised I could still see my door, and I hadn't put on the torches yet. I turned around and there was a sliver of light climbing the stairs. I wanted to wail, shout, scream. Trapped in the clutches of some horrific monster. I had tried to remain calm when facing it before, but I couldn't fool myself. I was terrified. I felt my knees tremble and I slid down the door. Waiting for either my door to be knocked down, or to be washed over by the light coming up the stairs. \n\nShouts came from outside, and my ears perked up. This is happening to other people too? I strained my ears and heard at least a dozen cries of anger. These brave men and women were challenging this beast, yet here I am blubbering like a baby. I felt the strength return to my legs and I stood up. I approached the edge of my stairs carefully and saw that the light had let itself in through my downstairs window. My robe clung to my back with all the sweat that had collected there and I wanted to retreat. But I heard more shouts from villagers and I steeled myself for the coming fight. I put a finger forward and put it under the light. The heat was not as dramatic as the morning but still, I clenched my teeth. I put my whole hand in and gasped before taking it back. How had the others done it? \n\n\"It's here! It's here!\" \n\nTwo men were shouting outside my house. Their voices were a call to action and I must answer it. Closing my eyes I stepped into the light and downstairs. Submerged in the fire I was pleased for the shielding that my robe provided. I made it to the door and swung it open. If I was going to die it would be with my brothers and sisters. \n\n\"It's here! The prophecy has come true. We are saved!\"\n \nI opened my eyes to a whole score of people naked as the day they were born. The light of ten-thousand torches scorched the street and burnt the soles of my feet. People were pointing to the sky, bowing to it, basking in it. My eyes followed where everyone was looking and I was met by a sea of blue in the sky. I had never anything so glorious, but my joy quickly turned to anguish as my eyes continued to the ball of fury in the sky. It was like having fire thrown at my pupils my eyes slid shut and I buried them in my arm. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to see again. Even as I closed my eyes it was a cascade of red and yellow. The joy of darkness had left me forever. I felt a tapping on my arm \n\n\"You shouldn't look at it directly.\" \n\nIt was a woman's voice, sweet and calming. I blinked a few times and felt my vision come back to me. Taking care to keep my eyes away from the sky I looked at her. Then I reminded myself to only look at her face. \"It'll be better if you take off your clothes. This is what God intended for us.\" \n\n\"But, but my clothes protect me from it.\" \n\nThe woman smiled and shook back her long black hair.\n\n \"You don't need protection from it, it nourishes us. Look at how happy everyone is.\" \n\nI shook my head and ignored the jubilant crowd in front of me. \"This is some sort of trick, a conjurer or something.\" \n\n\"You don't remember the prophecy?\" \n\"What prophecy?\" \n\n\"A long time ago, we had no need for torches. Because God gave us a torch so powerful that it lit up the entire world. The torch was full of God's love and gave life to different animals and plants. The world used to be full of green plants much larger than us, they loved The Torch so much they wanted to reach it. Until the devil came and stole the torch. He replaced it with The Moon, and now our plants are purple and black and they worship the devil so they stay flat on the ground. You don't worship the devil do you?\" \n\n\"Well no but- \n\n\"Then come on\" \n\nShe grabbed my arm and I took a few steps forward before stopping in my tracks. She turned around and smiled again, warm and inviting. \n\n\"That's just a children's story, I remember my mother used to tell it to me.\" \n\n\"Some of us still remember The Prophecy's true meaning. A new life starts here, away from the darkness and into the light. Take a look at the sky again, but be careful not to look at the sun.\" \n\nMy eyes drifted away from her and settled in the blue sky. The black sky seemed like a distant memory. I never realised the clouds were white and puffy before. In the moonlight, they had always seemed black. But as I looked around our village everything looked different in this light. Not even the brightest torch could show how clean our streets were, or the simple beauty of our grey homes. I looked at the woman again, but then blushed and turned away feeling ashamed. She stroked my arm. \n\n\"It's okay to look, it's like seeing everything for the first time. Let's go.\" \n\nI nodded and took a step forward but she stopped me. \n\n\"But first, free yourself from this robe.\"\n\n She helped me undo it and I let it crumple on the floor. Forgotten like the comforting darkness. We strode forward together before I found myself a part of this group. They were still chanting and before long I found myself chanting with them. I looked around at my neighbours, all of us pale white darkened eyes. Could that change in time? I looked around for the woman and saw that she had left me. I never even asked for her name. I searched around for her but kept being tugged at and hugged and even kissed by my former neighbours.\n\n The joy was rapturous and I found myself swept away in delirium. Chanting, praising, worshipping the great torch in the sky. I stole a glance back to my house and saw the woman was now standing there. I tried to take a step towards her but suddenly we were all floating. The chanting stopped immediately and it was like a spell was broken. \n\nAll of us blinked at each other. Pale, naked and suddenly afraid. I shouted down to the woman but she stood watching unmoved. We started to float upwards and people started pushing each other and shouting. Some tried forcing themselves back into the ground but it was useless. We kept floating upwards to the sky. The woman pointed her hands upwards and from this distance, I thought I could a smile form on her face. \n\nHer black hair shimmered and turned the colour of the great torch in the sky. My heart sank and I too joined in with the panic. I tried pushing as I could or jumping, or moving in any way possible. But I couldn't control anything, we had become one great ball of mass. A confused pile of ants being played with by a child. The heat became unbearable and soon enough I stopped struggling, the screams didn't die down but some people began to pass out. I envied them as we sailed closer and closer until it felt like my blood was boiling. It closed my eyes, hoping for one last embrace of darkness before I died but it was no use. \n \nThe Great Torch fullfilled it's purpose and began it's descent down to where it came from, falling back into a great slumber. Darkness was once again allowed back into the world, but there was no-one left to enjoy it.",
"The moon hung low in the sky, blocking any direct light from the sun. Indirect light filtered around the dark circle in the sky, giving the days vague warmth and dim light. The nights were cold and black, illuminated only by the stars. Creatures large and small alike had adapted to the way of life, thriving in the dusk-like glow of the blocked sun every day.\n\n​\n\nAlonura was ancient. Her body, withered and bent, aged by the countless millennia she'd lived. She held tight to a staff, staring at the horizon, waiting for the moon to rise once again. She stood outside the village, awake before anyone else.\n\n​\n\n\"The days are getting warmer,\" she said in a heavy voice as a villager approached her. \"The moon is shifting.\"\n\n​\n\n\"What does this mean?\" The villager asked, wrapping his arms around himself to protect his body from the chill of the night.\n\n​\n\n\"That it is time. True light will come from the sky.\" Alonura leaned hard on her staff for support, unbothered by the cold temperature. \"The moon will move for one day and behind it, the sun.\"\n\n​\n\n\"The sun,\" the villager breathed. Alonura and only two of the elders were old enough to remember the sun, wise enough to keep themselves after all this time.\n\n​\n\n\"Birds will sing,\" the old woman mused, a smile in her voice. \"Flowers will bloom.\"\n\n​\n\n\"What should I do?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Tell the others.\" Alonura watched the moon rise slowly over the horizon. \"It will happen tomorrow. They must all stay inside or they will burn.\"\n\n​\n\n\"And what of you?\" The villager asked the ancient being. He was only sixty years old, still quite young and immature for their race.\n\n​\n\n\"The quest will begin for me.\" Alonura looked at the villager. \"My turn has come to seek the ancients and awaken them.\"\n\n​\n\n\"Alone?\"\n\n​\n\n\"Alone until help is necessary,\" she answered patiently with a smile on her face now. \"Go, tell the others as they wake. I must prepare for tomorrow.\" She moved finally, turning to walk back into the village, each movement heavy and slow.\n\n​\n\nThe villager wondered how Alonura could even move through the village, let alone leave it to do some impossible task. \"Let me help you,\" he offered, holding out an arm.\n\n​\n\n\"No, no,\" she dismissed him. \"Go now, young one, and take advantage of the time you're given.\"\n\n​\n\nThe villager left and Alonura slowly, laboriously, moved into the village after him.\n\n​\n\nNo one slept that night, buzzed with anticipation of the following day.\n\n​\n\nThe next morning at dawn, sharp rays of light burst over the horizon. Birdsong echoed throughout the plains as the villagers spoke amongst themselves in their houses.\n\n​\n\nAlonura stood, wrapped in a cloak, and closed her eyes to the sun as it pulled itself up over the horizon. She enjoyed the warmth for only a few minutes before she began to walk the road leading out of the village, prepared to face her journey to the Temple of the Five Ancients alone.",
"\"Are you sure it's coming?\" I asked my Lord Liege Selbon Harrow as we stood on the cliff top. \n\n\"Aye, Thaddius,\" Lord Harrow said with a grin on his face. \"The light shall come.\"\n\nIn my land, night is eternal. Don't mistake darkness for blindness though, we have fire. We know light and it's kindness. Our town of Bethford is lit by lamps all around the road. But still our land is covered in darkness, for it is always Night. But a legend says that once every 1000 years a great sphere of light will rise and shine the whole land. Lord Harrow believes that time is now.\n\n\"Will we be able to look at it?\" I asked.\n\n\"Har!\" Lord Harrow said. \"If you be planning to never see again, you take a good look straight at it my boy. Nay, will turn away as it rises. Do not stare directly at the sphere. Instead admire the world around you lit like you've never seen before.\"\n\n\"I can't wait to see it,\" I said. \"A world without Night. Imagine how much easier hunting will be? No longer doing everything by torchlight.\"\n\n\"Aye, lad,\" Lord Harrow said. \"Look there lad! Look there!\"\n\nI turned to see where Lord Harrow was pointing and over the horizon I saw it...\n\nI couldn't believe what I was seeing but it was light. More light then I'd ever seen, and it was breaking over the horizon, washing the world in light. And yes I saw the beginnings of the great sphere.\n\n\"Look away now lad,\" Lord Harrow said. \"Turn your back. Don't look directly at it.\"\n\nI did as my Lord Liege said and watched as the world around us came alive with light. I could see everything around us now. The green fields, the brown fields of wheat, the trees, and the small creek. I could even see Jarvis Tedford's farm all the way from here. \n\n\"This....this is incredible,\" I said with tears in my eyes, partially caused by my emotion, but also because this much light was certainly a strain on my eyes. \n\n\"You'll get use to the light,\" Lord Harrow said no doubt experiencing the same strain. \"Just don't look at the sphere. Soon enough it'll be all the way in the sky. Come on lad, lets head to town.\"\n\nWe made our way down the cliff, but were met with a grisly sight as we approached our horses. They were going mad, both of them almost tearing the rope that held them in place. And their eyes...their eyes were milky white.\n\n\"Foolish beasts,\" Lord Harrow said. \"They must have looked directly at the sphere. We can't ride them now.\"\n\nLord Harrow nodded to my sword at my side, which I could see so clearly now. More clearer then I ever had before. We put the horses down as gently as we could, but there's nothing gentle about the blade. \n\nAnd I noticed that I could see blood more clearly now too. How red it was in the new light. \n\nWe started walking down the road admiring the nature around us, when as we were closer to town, we heard screaming.\n\n\"More blind?\" I said worried.\n\n\"No,\" Lord Harrow said. \"I think this be something else, lad.\"\n\nA man was running toward us, and there was something chasing after him. It was a beast of some kind. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It had no fur, though it ran on all fours like wolf; it's skin was all muscle and it's jaw....it's jaw held razor sharp teeth. It jumped on the man's back and brought him down. In seconds it had ripped out his throat.\n\nIt looked up at us and gave a menacing growl. It ran at us, but no matter how fearsome it was, it was flesh and bones. Lord Harrow took one swing and split it in half. The creature gave one last gurgle before dying.\n\n\"What...what is this?\" I said.\n\n\"Something the light brought,\" Lord Harrow said. \"Come lad, I can hear more screaming coming from the town.\"\n\n______________________________\n\nIt had been 17 days since we first cleared the town of those beasts, yet still more came and more ferocious each time. We lost many townsfolk to the beasts and blindness alike, and food was running low. Any hunting efforts were made difficult by the beasts that now prowled the forest, and they are foul to eat. We learned that when Lord Harrow passed away from sickness after eating one. How sad is it that we can see so much, but now have so little?\n\nThe great sphere was only suppose to rise for a full waking period, but showed no sign of going away. And as long as it would not go away, neither would the beasts.\n\nI sat huddled in the corner of a barricaded house. As I heard growling surround the home, I cried and prayed...\n\nPrayed that the light would go away and that night would return again."
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[WP] It's not the number of worshippers that matters. It's the most devoted follower that make a god strong.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Ahhh, but I hear them, I do. I hear them fighting over and over, fighting their petty little squabbles. It would be so tiresome if... If I didn't know that I shall make them silent due time. Them empty stories... Them tales of martyrs and paladins... Of women sacrificing themselves to a cause and men sacrificing themselves for love... And all of them, all and each of them sit there and argue who do the martyrs belong to. Every religious leader from Olympus to Tigris claim power. Every tiny god there battles for each confused soul that offs himself due to them. And they each have their hymns and symbols and books... And none of them realize how small and petty they are. This whole world of theirs is a small grain in the hands of the real powers, of the real forces of the universe. \n\nYou see, they are fighting like specific countries with borders and laws, while the whole world is immersed in a number of mists. Mists that overwhelm all. See, the woman that died with a cross in her hand died a bit for her \"God\", true... But what she actually died was for love. Love. That was the key, love. And thus no Jesus no Bhuda grew bigger, but the mist of love. It enveloped a little more, a little more of the world, it grew a little more because it grew a bit more powerful. That deed of love just caused many deeds of love. But then again, the people that killed her, sacrificed her for rage and revenge. And thus more rage appeared in the world. And that mist of rage arose against the mist of love and pushed it back a bit. And every time any religious folk goes on a rampage or crusade, it's those mists that are actually changing. The fates of these mists are determined by the actions of said men. And when they grow strong, they can help men act in their name. But these little bearded gods keep squabbling and arguing, who shall get the power of said martyr like it was for them to decide. Heh. But it is as simple as that. Love breeds Love, rage breeds Rage, hope breeds Hope... You understand.\n\nAnd they all float through nothingness. Through a huge, gigantic emptiness. Emptiness that is me. I hold said mists of love and pain in my palm. And those gods are nothing but grain on my fingernail. Because I am nothing. I am everything that the grain is not. I am what men reach for when they don't want what is. But want what is not. That woman called the name of her God, she thought the name of her love, but she came to me. For I was the guardian. I was the one to protect her by not being. And why am I so big? \n\nHold your breath. A second. Two. \n\nAnother man just jumped and flew.\n\nHold your breath. A second. Three.\n\nYet another now is free."
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[WP] Something about the newcomer to the Council of Kings makes everyone a little anxious. Nobody has yet figured out that it's a massive dragon wearing a fake beard and mustache and a fake crown.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"From the Kingdom of Blaravia, King Ross III\"\n\nA portly man stood up. Draped in lavish velvet robes and with a ruby studded crown atop his head, he exuded regality as he greeted the four others present at the yearly Council of Kings of the continent of Eluvia. King Dilhadus of the Kingdom of Frechia, King Waliut of Geltrion, and King Egregore of Hroch all responded customarily, though in a somewhat subdued manner in comparison to their usual selves. The reason for doing so was the presence of the fifth member of this year's Council of Kings: King Drake of Drechanae. As Ross III finished up his introduction - a formality which was usually skipped owing to the kings' familiarity with one another - all attention shifted to the newcomer.\n\nThe newcomer rose and began, \"O fellow Kings, it is with great honour that I announce the foundation of the Kingdom of Drechanae, a land to the east of the Mountains of Ume. We Drechanians have lived independently since the time of our ancestors. However, as the continent grows increasingly interconnected and countries and kingdoms begin to rise to power, a council was held among the great elders and through a unanimous decision, I, one of those very elders, have been chosen to rule and represent the proud Kingdom of Drechanae.\". Drake finished with a self-satisfied grin and plopped himself down again, his massive body shaking the very foundations of the council hall. With one massive claw, he adjusted the crown resting on his head - as a chapeau might on a whale - and with the talons on his other claw, he stroked his somewhat small beard, at least in comparison to the enormity of his visage. \n\nThe other Kings, unsure of how to react, nodded in unison, unable to formulate a response befitting the situation at hand. After a tense quarter of a minute, Waliut spoke, \"King Drake, on behalf of the Council of the Kings of Eluvia, I would, firstly, like to congratulate you and your newfound sovereignty and applaud your decision to approach the Eluvian Council of Kings.\". At this point, the Kings all applauded half-heartedly and Waliut continued,\"However, to the extent of our knowledge, the only creatures that inhabit the lands east of the Mountains of Ume are... dragons.\". Dilhadus, Ross, and Egregore all readjusted themselves and leaned over the table which was heavily tilted towards Drake due to his steepled claws resting upon it. \n\n\"I - I don't take your meaning, King Waliut,\" stammered Drake, \"Dragons? Why nobody has seen them for ages! They - \"\n\n\"King Drake,\" interjected Dilhadus, \"My Kingdom of Frechia, along with King Egregore's Kingdom of Hroch, borders the Mountains of Ume. The reports received from our border sentries corroborate with each other's and we can say with certainty that the presence of dragons has been in fact detected beyond those impassable peaks.\"\n\nDrake was now sweating profusely, large globules of perspiration rolling off of his serpentine head and falling towards the floor, splattering in spectacular sprays of moisture. \"Well, reports are always untrustworthy to a certain extent. And even still, I don't believe that any of the sentries have ever managed to spot any of those so called dragons, have they?\" he responded, attempting to put on an air of skepticism, though his scaly face couldn't manage much emotion. \n\n\"Not at all King Drake. Contrariwise, we even received reports that one of those blasted creatures crossed the mountains just today!\" Egregore leaned further into the table. Whether it was to pressure Drake or simply because his silk sleeves provided no friction against the steeply inclined table, no one could tell. Drake's hollow eyes darted around the room, searching for a retort that could save him his tail. \n\nAn instant later, Drake's head reared up. \"Ah, but of course! Have you heard of the herb Darragon?\" he blurted out. The Kings looked at each other, obviously unaware of the plant in question. Drake fumbled bit more with his explanation before continuing, \"My countrymen are quite familiar with this herb. It was used recreationally as a hallucinogen until I had it outlawed: one of my first acts as ruler of Drechanae. It is a vile plant that makes the most docile of animals look as if they were the most ferocious of beasts. Darragon grows unchecked on the slopes of mountains and is often mistaken for other edible herbs. The most plausible explanation I can muster is that your border sentries, out of need or in ignorant folly, consumed the herb and reported harmless avians as the fearsome dragons you say to exist. Surely, the kingdoms here have some basic knowledge of potions and the herbs that are required to make them?\"\n\nThe table had slowly started to return to its original horizontal position but as Drake finished, he reasserted his weight onto the table, almost flinging Ross and Waliut - seated directly across from him - across the room. Ross rectified his crown and patted down his robe before replying, \"The study of potions and nostrums is an emerging discipline so we are not yet well versed in the arts bridging the discipline of magic and medicine. We shall defer to your expertise in such matters, but the legends of our countries all mention the wandering dragons which rule the skies east of the Great Peaks of Ume.\" The other kings nodded in unison, but less eagerly than they would have before.\n\n\"And legends they are, for not one dragon has ever been mentioned in the history of Drechanae.\" Drake was getting more confident by the moment and twiddled his talons as he spoke. The Kings were still wary, albeit less than before. Emboldened, Drake made his proposition. \"If the Kingdom of Drechanae were to be incorporated into the Eluvian council, I would ensure the free flow of the knowledge of medicine and potions from my part in exchange for nothing more than my country's inclusion and its recognition with me, King Drake as its sovereign.\" This was an offer the Eluvian Kings could hardly refuse, pressed as they were in the west by the invading armies of the barbarian continent and were, as a result, in dire need for curative tinctures. As Drake continued to run his talons through his comically small moustache, the hurried discussion between the four kings came to a close. \n\n\"After short deliberation, we have reached the consensus that it is in the interest of all parties that the Kingdom of Drechanae, ruled by King Drake, be assimilated into the Eluvain Council of Kings.\", said Waliut, his earlier apprehension evaporated like water under the midday sun. The three other kings rose and applauded with vigour. Drake, caught up in the felicitations, began to applaud too but was abruptly interrupted. He suddenly froze and inhaled a deep breath which almost deprived the room of all the air present. Then, in one swift instant, a stream of flames burst from his mouth and nostrils, scorching the table and completely burning down the wall opposite to him. Sniffling, he looked down at the four kings whose eyes were now fixated on Drake and were filled with horror. Drake, realising what he had just done, patted around his snout to realise that he had vaporised the faux-beard which he had been sporting for all this while. Sheepishly, if dragons could look sheepish, he looked down at the kings and said, \"Perhaps the air here is tainted with the scent of Darragon.\""
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[WP] You are just a regular salesman, and you just try and go cellphones to random people. You go up to a man by saying your usual, "You know why I'm here." But, he responds with, "This is your mission. Your choice if you accept it or not," he gives you a USB drive and he walks away.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"(I don't know what \"go cellphones\" means, so I'll interpret it as a combination of cold calling in person and trying to sell people cellphones.)\n\n\"You know why I'm here.\"\n\n\"I don't know you. Get out of my face.\"\n\nI tried another.\n\n\"You know why I'm here.\"\n\n\"I do? Oh dear.\"\n\n\"Have you forgotten?\" Why didn't you make a note on your cellphone calendar?\"\n\n\"Oh my. I. Cell phone? What was I supposed to be doing?\"\n\n\"Did you bring ... you have forgotten again, haven't you?\"\n\n\"Oh dear.\"\n\n\"Look, you don't have to suffer this way. You buy a cell phone, you record what you're supposed to do when, and it reminds you! No more forgetting!\"\n\n\"Oh I don't know. I can't understand this new technology.\"\n\n\"Here, I have a spare with me. $50 for the phone and $50 for a per-call plan, and it comes with a calendar app. Here. I'll show you. We'll try again tomorrow, and you have to bring the canteloupe next time! I'll show you, see ...\"\n\n\"those tiny buttons\"\n\nClick, click. \"There's a calandar, there's tomorrow, 4pm, there, it's got a calendar event! Fifteen minutes ahead of time it will ring, like this.\" I clicked, and it gave a ringtone of a kid's bicycle. .,.,. \"Here, just $100, and you don't have to forget anything again.\"\n\n\"Oh dear. I was supposed to have a cantaloupe?\"\n\n\"Yes, and the plan for today just isn't going to happen. But you can do tomorrow, right? If you buy a cell phone to remind you? I'm counting on you.\"\n\n\"Oh ... oh ... let me look ... yes, here you are, $100. And you open it like this?\"\n\n\"Wow, that's right, You're surprisingly good at this. And you say you don't understand new technology! Well, see you tomorrow. And don't forget the cantaloupe!\"\n\nI went to another.\n\n\"You know why I'm here.\"\n\nHe reached in his pocket, pulling out a USB. \"This is your mission. Your choice if you accept it or not.\" He handed me the USB drive and walked away.\n\nI watched him go, mouth open. Wow. I stared at the USB. It was an unknown, full of promise and potential and danger. Wow. THAT was SLICK. I put the USB in my pocket.\n\nI walked up to another, pulling the USB out of my pocket. He looked up at me uncomfortably. \"This is your mission,\" I said. \"Your choice if you accept it or not.\" I handed him the USB and walked away. After I rounded a corner, I peeked back. He dropped it down a storm grate, then walked away, looking at his hands suspiciously. Oh well.\n\nI walked up to another. \"You know why I'm here.\""
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[WP] The aliens' one weakness was infrared light. They didn't account for laser tag guns.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Currently, the resistance is being held at a \"Craz-ee Joeys Laser Fest!\". \n\nThe aliens used heavily armored scouts to take out various IR devices. Remotes, riot tanks, security cameras, *the sun*, and even toilets. However, they have appeared to not have realized laser tag guns are IR based. After a small scouting party was killed at Joeys during a birthday party, all hell broke loose. The aliens did not know what technology hid there, but they knew it was lethal.\n\nThe IR doesnt directly kill the aliens, it causes rapid decomposition of their skin. Like a high speed sunburn. They possess a open circulatory system, and their blood just pours out of their elongated bodies. Very disturbing. The birthday bash at Joeys however, does not seem perturbed. After the aliens discovered the scouting parties demise was IR related, they quickly sent armored scouts there to investigate. This is the part they really didnt expect. \"Craz-ee Joeys Laser Fest\" is popular in the local area due to its mirrors. While you cannot see IR light, it still reflects off mirrors, leading to very interesting tactical maneuvers for children to come up with. \n\nBecause of all the kids shooting lasers around, there is constantly lasers bouncing around walls, and flooding rooms. Given that the establishment is built like an arena, the aliens are at a severe disadvantage. Even in their armor, their skin fizzles and pops under the IR rays. Eventually, police discover this after attempting to save the children from a threat they already were taking care of. This was passed on to the military. Every warehouse and wholesaler was mandated by law to give up IR based laser guns to military officers. This stopped the alien advance long enough for a proper IR weapon to be built. \n\nAfter that day, no one will forget the turning point of the alien battle, or Craz-ee Joeys Laser Fests amazing birthday discounts."
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[WP] You live in a comfortable-sized apartment with a roommate. You both go about your daily lives & get along pretty well. There’s just one thing: neither of you can see, hear, smell, or directly interact with the other. It’s as if the other doesn’t exist in “your” world. Tell us about your day.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Sometimes I wonder. I try to remember how we ended up living together. How it ended like this. But in the end I'm never able to grasp it. It's all foggy. Was I ever able to actually interact with Derrek?\nDo I remember how he looks? Or do I just think so because of the photographs.\n\nAdmittedly, we have our separated spaces. We're not in college anymore, it's a big appartment after all and the design allowed us to each have part of the premises to ourselves. We basically share a living room, kitchen and guest room. And some storage.\n\nI like the idea. Being able to be on your own, but possibly finding someone to have a chat over coffee with. Only that we don't. We cannot. For example I sit down in the kitchen. A little later I see the coffee machine is brewing again. I didn't start it. At first I thought I was going crazy. But it's Derrek. He wants coffee. I just.. did not see him get in and start it. A moment later the milk will sit on the table. It's morning, after all. Derrek takes his coffee with milk. I talk about one thing, or another. I don't think he can hear me - he at least never shows. But after a while, some cereals will be at the other side of the table. Sometimes an apple. It's nice knowing to have company, it's just strange that you always fail to notice the things before they're just... There.\n\nIt's not only me, though. On the whiteboard, in another handwriting then mine, milk will be added to the shopping list. The whiteboard is how we found out. Writing works. Screaming and shouting, listening into the silence, trying to register every second didn't. But writing stays. So we leave notes. And post it's. I grab my stuff as my alarm rings and scramble to the door. I need to be at work a lot earlier than him.\n\nI grab one post-it form the sideboard and glue it to the door \"Kim is coming over tomorrow\". Important notice. While I do not wonder where that beer on the couch table came from, or why the channel switched, it scares others. So I'll leave a note and Derrek will stick to his room. I don't know if he can see or hear them. I don't even know if he has the same problem - he never leaves such notes. Rather small warnings. Like the one time when he set the living room up as an atelier, or that he will be gone for a week. Or just to tell me when the washing machine will be blocked.\n\nMy friends tell me my house is haunted. I don't know. But it's a strange ghost which washes his own clothes. And than makes them disappear. Well... Cleans hem into his room, I suppose.\n\nWork is slow, uneventful. Another time to search the internet. I'm still trying to come up with theories. I had a good bit of checks. Carbon monoxide etc. But it's not just me. And I don't want a full psych eval. Lately I think it might be some quantum multiverse interlocking. We both exist, just not at the same time? Or maybe not in the same universe? Both is exciting! And on the other hand pretty numb - considering I still have to schedule when I want to wash my clothes.\n\nWhen I come home it smells like cake. Strangely, I cannot normally smell whatever he is actively doing. But I will smell the cupcakes he left out for me. I post a thank you note to the fridge and grab one, before I hide in my room to read.\nIn the evening I come down to watch TV. We watch a show together. I don't know how, actually. But I sit down my glass of wine and before I even register it, the TV is on at the right show. A few minutes in I realise the smell of popcorn. I spell out a thanks with a few kernels. \n\nAnd again, I wonder if it was ever any different. Did we ever know each other? Well... Best to watch TV to forget."
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[WP] As a minion of Doctor Vulcanus, you had noticed for while that the boss kept downgrading his crimes from destroying the world to petty thievery, yesterday you found out why, he was secretly dating his nemesis behind your back. Today, you confront him about his lies
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" The underground armoury stretches as far as the eye can see. Rows upon rows of every kind of weaponry fills the space. I have been cleaning it every single day, bit by bit, for the past thirteen weeks. \n\n \n “It shouldn't take you more than a month, or two” Dr Vulcanus had told me. “If it takes you three, that's alright. I just want it done right. Do you understand Kidd?” Dr Vulcanus had calmly told me, uncharacteristically so. \n\n \n I would have been much further along if Dr Vulcanus didn't keep checking on me; traipsing in mud, touching cleaned surfaces with greasy fingers, criticising my work. For thirteen weeks my blood has been boiling over. Housekeeping was not in my job description when I had signed on to be Dr Vulcanus' apprentice all those years ago. I should be out digging up dirt on politicians, finding weaknesses in nation's defences, scheming of new ways to mess with Vulcanus' nemesis, Captain Hero, as outlined in my contract. However whenever I mention this to Dr Vulcanus, I am just reminded that my contract also includes any other miscellaneous tasks and the armoury is top priority. Things have changed around here, Dr Vulcanus seeming to forget our mission statement. Well I know now why the Doctor has me doing futile tasks. I won't stand for it any more. \n\n \n Yesterday evening when I had trudged back home, sore and tired, I had discovered an envelope had been posted through my letterbox. My name had been messily scrawled on the front. I was confused although intrigued, no one apart from Dr Vulcanus knows where I live. Hastily I tore open the envelope and pulled out was a stack of photographs. Without their disguises I recognised the couple in the first photograph immediately, Dr Vulcanus and Captain Hero. At first I thought they were brawling as they stood so close to each other. On closer inspection I realised that they were leaning in to kiss. Their noses were touching, and their pouted lips only a hairbreadth away from one another. Their fingers intertwined. Most unnerving of all, was the look in Dr Vulcanus' eyes, there was a warmth and tenderness that I had never seen before, and Captain Hero seemed to return the look. \n\n \n Disgusted, I threw the picture to one side to see if the second one could offer an explanation, as I was clearly missing something. The second was taken at a strange angle, but I could see Vulcanus and Hero laying in bed together. The covers were haphazardly draped across them, but it was clear they were naked as they laid in each others arms. Angrily I threw the second picture to one side to look through the other photographs; Vulcanus and Hero holding hands at the fair, enjoying a candlelit dinner, sharing a picnic together at the beach... Screaming out in anger, I hurled the photographs onto the floor. \n\n \n “How could they do this to me?” I asked myself. \n\n \n I knew the pictures were not fake. Doctoring photos had been one of my specialities, back when Dr Vulcanus had been interested in the greater evil. Could Vulcanus have seduced Hero, as part of a nefarious scheme? If so why not inform me? I picked up the first photograph. The look in Dr Vulcanus eyes was enough to tell me they were genuine. Besides Captain Hero is no fool, and wouldn't let themselves fall for something so obvious. No, clearly they believed themselves to be in love and I was going to have to confront Vulcanus about it. \n\n \n While polishing the dagger collection, I begin to rehearse what I want to say. \n\n \n “Dr Vulcanus.” I shake my head. “*Dearest* Dr Vulcanus, as you are aware I have nothing but utmost respect for you. You are the embodiment of everything I admire and hold dear...” No, that doesn't sound right. \n\n \n “Vulcanus, there is no easy way to say this, so I am going to be upfront...” \n\n \n I am interrupted by the sound of whistling. I turn to see Dr Vulcanus bounding in, whistling a happy tuneful melody. \n\n \n “Kidd” Vulcanus smiles at me. Something inside me snaps at the smirk across their smug face. \n\n \n “Asshole!” I yell. I don't remember throwing it, but the dagger I had held in my hand hurls across the room towards Dr Valcunas. Quickly they dodge away as the dagger crashes into a display case, glass exploding everywhere. \n\n \n “Kidd, what the the hell” Dr Vulcanas storms towards me. Stunned, and more than a little bit terrified of the Doctor's wrath I'm unable to move. Dr Vulcanus grabs me by my collar and pins me against a gun rack. “You better have a fucking good explanation.” \n\n \n “I...” I stutter, my body trembling. I look Dr Vulcanus in the eyes, they seem to glow red in anger. I think back to the they way they had looked at Captain Hero, and I remember my righteous anger. \n\n \n “I know about you and Hero so *you* better have a good fucking explanation.” My voice is steady, challenging. Dr Vulcanus, lets go of my shirt and steps away. \n\n \n “How do you know about that?” \n\n \n “Someone sent me photographs of you two together last night. They're on the table over there.” Dr Vulcanus walks over to where I point and tips the contents of the envelope out. \n\n \n “Kidd who sent these?” there is a rising urgency in their voice. \n\n \n “I don't know. They were sent anonymously.” I realise then that I had been so pissed at Vulcanus that I had not stopped to think who could have sent the pictures."
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[WP] You're watching a documentary on ancient mythology when you realize that some of the characters seem strangely similar to your parents' friends.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Finding out the Truth\n\n\n“Hey, Mom? Can you come here please?” yelled Serenity, she was watching a documentary about mythology and noticed that some of the people they were talking about looked familiar.\n\n“Yes Serenity? What is it this time? I am in the middle of a visit from Sable and Larkin. Make this quick please!!” Serenity’s mother yelled as she walked into the family room.\n\n“Mom, why do these people on this documentary look like your friends, Sable and Larkin?” Serenity asked\n\n “I have no idea what you are talking about, Serenity. That is just a show about mythology you know it's not real. Now stop watching it and go clean your room.” Her mom said as she walked back into the kitchen. \n\nSerenity turned off the tv and went to her clean room and decided to do some research on the characters from the show. She logged on to her computer and what she found was even more astonishing than the tv show. She was looking at a picture of herself!! Only the name was different and it was a drawing of the Norse Goddess Sif. \n\n“What does this mean?” Serenity wondered. As she continued learning more about the Goddess Sif. She couldn't help but notice that the traits associated with Sif were true for her as well. She then noticed that her boyfriend, Tadashi, looked an awful lot like Thor and that her parents looked like Odin and Frigg. Alva and Brant, Tadashi’s parents, looked like Sigyn and Loki. \n\n“This is crazy!” Serenity thought as she picked up the phone to call Tadashi.\n\n“Hello” Tadashi answered\n\n“Tadashi, you're not going to believe what I am looking at!” Serenity said excitedly\n\n“What, babe?” Tadashi replied\n\n“Come over and I'll show you.” Serenity said. \n\nOk, I'll be over in a few minutes.” Tadashi said as he hung up. \n\nAll Serenity could do is wait for Tadashi to arrive. She was impatiently waiting when she heard the doorbell and her dad let Tadashi in. \n\n“Just make sure you two leave the door open.” Serenity's dad told Tadashi as he went up the stairs to Stacy’ room. \n\n “Serenity? What is this all about?” Tadashi said as he entered the room. \n“This.” Serenity said as she pointed to her computer screen. \n\nTadashi looked at what was displayed on the screen and then looked at Serenity and said “They haven't told you yet?” \n\n“What haven't they told me?” Serenity replied\n\n“ Umm we had better go talk to our parents.” Tadashi said. \n\nTadashi took Serenity's hand and together they made their way down to the kitchen where their parents were talking.\n\n“What’s the matter son?” Larkin said to Tadashi\n\n“They haven’t told Serenity the truth yet, dad.” Tadashi replied\n\n“What?” Larkin said looking at Serenity's parents. “Why have you kept this a secret from her?” \n\n“Hun what is this I thought you were going to tell her years ago?” Octavius asked his wife, Faith.\n\n“I don’t want her knowing!” Faith replied, getting agitated.\n\n“Dear we have had this conversation multiple times, she has to know!” Octavius said \n\n“Will one of you please tell me what this is all about?” Serenity asked, getting scared.\n\n“Your mother was supposed to tell you all of this when you turned ten, so this is eight years overdue. We are the Norse Gods and Goddesses. You are the Goddess Sif, I am Odin and your Mother is Frigg. Tadashi is Thor and his parents are Sigyn and Loki. We live amongst the people these days because no one believes in us any more and we need to keep a low profile because of the hunters.” Octavius explained to Serenity\n\n“So what I watched and read is truly about us? Is that why I look so much like the pictures I saw online of Sif? OMG this is too much! How could you keep this from me?” Serenity yelled at her mother.\n\n“I just wanted to protect you. If you didn't know then you couldn't tell anyone. Now you're in danger if you tell anyone.” Faith said while scowling at Octavius.\n\n“It’s better that she knows, so that she can protect herself. If a hunter were to get her now she could defend herself.” Tadashi said\n“I agree, this way we can teach her how to harness her powers and our way as Gods.” larkin said.\n\n“I believe that we can explain more over dinner. Lets eat.” Sable who had been quiet until now said.\n\n They all gathered around the table and talked some more about this new revelation that Serenity had been given, and to think she might never have known if not for that program about ancient mythology."
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[WP] A detective suspects the words on a tombstone have a secret message.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The Mascir Graveyard was one of the smallest graveyards in town; only a few trees surrounding about eighty tombstones, with mossy gravel paths between them. \n\n\nAlfred Utter thought it was the perfect place for something suspicious to happen. With such a small place, everything people do seems fishy, and that's why actual criminals could do fishy things without being noticed here. \n\n\nUtter, self-proclaimed 'most brilliantest-est detective out there' knew there was something going on. He had seen his wife talk to a stranger at the grocery store recently (of course, neither of them had noticed him because of his giant brown trenchcoat and his grey hat). Was Sheila being blackmailed, or was she deliberately giving the stranger information about him? Utter could almost smell an assassination coming up. After all, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of villains who would love to see him dead. \n\n\nSince there was so much fishiness going on in the Mascir Graveyard, Utter decided this would be the perfect place for an investigation. He went outside in the middle of the night, and drove to the garden of remembrance. \n\n\nWhen he got there, he wondered where a villain may have hidden clues for the messenger or assassin. Then he realized: it would be on a tombstone. Nobody ever read the Latin quotes on the tombstones, so it would be a perfect place to leave a message without being noticed. \n\n\nThe legendary detective read the inscriptions on the tombstones: with every Latin sentence, he narrowed his eyes and thought about the meaning of said sentence. Although he had never studied the mother tongue of the Romans, he knew very well what was Latin and what wasn't. For example, the sentence \"the assassination is taking place on June 19th\" on an old gravestone with a bloody skull laying next to it, was very clear Latin, and it had obviously nothing to do with the future attempted murder Utter was looking for. \n\n\nAfter three minutes of looking, Utter gave up. There were too many tombstones on this burial place, and he couldn't possibly... hey, what was that? Utter quickly ran towards the very average looking tombstone; it was so average, that it had become suspicious. He knew something was wrong: he could almost smell it. \n\n\n'*Memento mori,*' he read out loud. In his brain, several puzzle pieces fell into place. 'M' was the 13th letter of the alphabet, and this very English sentence contained three M's. Three times thirteen equals thirty-nine, and this combined with the two e's and an i was the age of his next-door-neighbour John! Of course! They hired the old John to kill him! But... why? \n\n\nJust as Utter was thinking of a logical reason to hire John for an assassination (he couldn't deny that a 102-year-old man who was barely able to use his muscles was a very suitable candidate), he heard a voice. A flashlight was pointed at him. \n\n\n'Hey! What are you doing here?' a random man in a blue suit asked. Utter saw that this was very obviously not a real police officer, in fact, he almost knew for certain only the old John would dress up as a young Asian policeman. He had to admit, the disguise was pretty good. \n\n\nUtter realized he had to say something suspicious: after all, if he said something completely normal, the police officer would probably arrest him for being a little bit fishy. Two negatives made a positive, right? \n\n\n'Grave robbing,' Utter said, while standing up and acting like he had been busy digging up a body. \n\n\nThe disguised John narrowed his eyes. 'I thought so. I think I'll have to arrest you.' \n\n\n*Shit!* Utter thought. *John knows that I know that he knows!* He quickly ran away into the darkness, the voice of the police officer chasing him,"
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[WP] Each demon will torture one human for eternity. You anxiously read the roster and find your human. You look at the sins of this one and are appalled by what you see.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Head splitting from the bacchanalian feast the night before, the demon Astaroth, approaches the back wall of the Administration building, elbowing his way to front. One particular pipsqueak, a demon barely out of swaddling, looks as if he might protest, but thinks better of it and backs away. \n\nAstaroth is of the highest of nobility in the court of Hell. The great lords of hell are always in never-ending quest for prominence. Lately, however, it is Lucifer who has gained the ear of Satan and Astaroth has gone out of favor at the court of the Dark Lord. His noble blood should grant him deference, but he has banished back to the human realm. To torture the soul of a lowly human utterly beneath him. Like a lion playing with is food, he fears he will soon lose interest. \n\nHe searches the roster anxiously, for the name of his human host; his razor-sharp nail carved to a point, he slides his finger down the list. Some of the names he recognizes, and he imagines all the delicious torture he could inflict upon their weak and tender flesh if given that chance. Surprisingly, he finds his mouth watering in anticipation. It has been awhile. Perhaps he will enjoy it. But when he sees the name, he is brought up short. *Him*. \n\nIf it was just any old politician, he might be able to work with it; particularly a fresh one; he is anything if not inventive. But it’s *this* one. His soul is already spoiled. What is there left to corrupt? What is there left to torture? He feels like as starving dog thrown a piece of old stringy meat as hard as shoe leather.\n\nFully awake now, he realizes the depth of his punishment; it is more than mere banishment for however long the Dark Lord deems necessary. Astaroth is a demon who specializes in laziness and lies. And he has been given the laziest of liars as his human. \n\nHe is Astaroth, the Great Duke of Hell in the first hierarchy with Beelzebub and Lucifer; he is part of the evil trinity. And he will not be defeated. He will not be contained. He will not be handled. The others are blinded by their hunger for power. They underestimate what he is capable of. It has been too long since he has unleashed the full force of his wraith. He has grown too careless and indolent and self-indulgent. But so too have they.\n\nFirst, he will use this human to bring down utter chaos and destruction throughout the human world; and then, his appetite fully whetted, he will render his enemies unto ashes and dust."
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[WP] Magic used to be real and spirits used to visit the Earth often, however, troublemakers were appearing more and more. They started killing people and you knew that this had to end. You are the reason that the paranormal is fantasy.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"So, you want to know why magic is a myth. Well, you came to the right place. I'm the reason. You can call me.... well, i don't have a name anymore, so you can just call me the Seal.\n\nSo, many many moons ago, magic was inherent. Civilisations were built and destroyed using it, but that was mostly humans versus humans. I didnt care about that, as I wanted to be used. But in using magic, spirit's were drawn to the Earth.\n\nNow, at the start, it wasn't too bad. These spirits were like solidified thoughts and emotions. They flew around, helping some people, or just watching. Every now and again, a troublemaker would come, and annoy people. Nothing too serious. Mainly moving things, or breaking something small. Just little nuisances. \n\nBut eventually, one of the little blighters went and killed a human. By accident mind you, but they were still just as dead. That spirit didn't last long after that, being hunted down and drained of power. But it had lit a spark that wouldn't go out.\n\nThe fear and anger of the humans pulled more troublemakers. Each one then started killing. First, more deliberately dangerous pranks. Then, stopping the. From saving themselves. But soon, the spirits would straight up kill them.\n\nIt was a vicious cycle. The more they killed, the more the negative emotions grew, and the more spirits came to do harm. The great mages of old came to a conclusion. It couldn't go on. They had to stop the spirits from coming. The only way to do it, was to seal it away.\n\nAnd so, they gathered in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Yes, this place. But it was beautiful once, not this pale shade of its former glory. Anyway, back to it. They gathered here, and made a mighty ritual. I was formed, as magic incarnate. I onew the situation, and knew what had to be done. I had to seal myself.\n\nI can see you are confused. You see, think of me, and of magic, like a water balloon. Both the balloon and the water are the magic. Previously, there was no knot. So it could flow. But I tied myself, like the knot of the balloon, stopping it from escaping. Those mages helped me, not to bind, but to wipe away all trace of it. Memories, fragments of knowledge, the spirits, all of it.\n\nThey succeeded, for the most part. Parts remained, falling into legend and myth. This place, was once the centre of all magic, so it was lost to time, untethered from your reality. And I remained, alone, to prevent the collapse of the world.\n\nSo you see, magic is real, but it isn't for mortals, of questionable judgement. Only races with pure focus have any hopes of using it. So other planets may well have it, and the spirits may affect others. But Earth will bereft of it, until such time as your judgement is pure, or upon the demise of your species."
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[WP] You woke up last week to find yourself possessed by a demon. However, he seems to be doing a much better job of living your life than you ever could.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I haven’t had a life worth noting. Not so far anyway. I blend in, I skim the top of the water, rarely making waves. I’m a virgin, a tee-totaler. I’ve done nary a drug nor smoked a single filtered cigarette. Maybe that’s why It chose me. Actually, I’ve got to stop kidding myself. That’s a hundred percent why It chose me and entered the core of my being and set up some kind of otherworldly camp in my soul. It didn’t tell me It’s name, so I just call It Christopher. I like the irony. \n\nChristopher just showed up one day, like a dark cloud over the sun. He didn’t make me unhappy, per se (IF Christopher is a “he”, although his BDE would certainly suggest so) but the change in my personality was jarring, or at least so says my mother. I don’t remember it, but only get reminded of it every two FUCKING days. (Pardon my language, that’s Christopher). \n\nChristopher managed to get me fired from my job (I’ll be honest, I didn’t love it, but I am sorry for leaving a floater in the waiting room toilet and hocking a loogie in Jeanine’s coffee (which she may have deserved a little bit for using four question marks on a single question she asked me ONCE by email (ONE QUESTION MARK IS ENOUGH, JEANINE). \n\nHe’s also responsible for getting me out of the house more. I’m getting invited places! I’m going to parties! I lost my virginity! It might not have been as special as I wanted it to be. And I may not remember his name, but I do remember how special I felt when he opened that stairwell doorway and said, “Ladies first.” What a gentleman.\n\nFinally, Christopher made me do things I never thought possible. I did karaoke, went skydiving, rode a motorcycle, snorted cocaine, learned how to knit. It’s been a real whirlwind. I’m finally living life to its fullest, and I’m *LOVING* it.\n\nYour Honor, that is why I’m here today. If Christopher hadn’t entered my life, I would still be ho-hum Holly, wasting her life away in a meaningless job. And in order to maintain the new lifestyle I have, Christopher requires a *small* oblation once a month. That goat wasn’t “*bRuTaLlY* *mUrDeReD*” as Mr. Reynolds alleges. It was very *gently* and *lovingly* slaughtered. A tiny blood sacrifice is a *small* price to pay for living my best life! I have an Instagram now! And a TikTok! I have over 10,000 followers! Please, if you can find it in your heart to forgive these small transgressions, I would be forever grateful, as would my followers. We await your decision. Thank you. ",
"This is how it started. I woke up one morning feeling funny. I was not myself. I was not sad, for one thing. I’m always sad when I wake up. Especially lately. For one thing, I think my “on again, off again” boyfriend is cheating on me. He tells me that I’m “crazy” and it’s just me being “mental”. “*Mental Mindy*” he calls me, “*Mental Mindy is being mental*”, he chants. But I’m not. Even though I am “mental” sometimes. I barely see him. He always has “other plans”. Sometimes he just stops off for a few hours late at night for a “quickie” (and it *is* quick) and then leaves again. The other day, I figured out how long we, well me anyways, had been exclusive, and it was actually *five years*. I couldn’t believe it! That long? And he rarely ever stays the night. Doesn’t ever want me to go to his place. He says that “too much of Mindy can be a bad thing, too much of Mindy be can be suffocating.” I blame myself. I’m not a likeable person, I’m smothering. I want too much of his time, or any of his time, really. \n\nBut that’s the thing. That is why I knew I was not myself that morning. I did not feel bad about myself. I actually felt good. Not at all sad. And the thought popped into my head “my boyfriend is an asshole who treats me badly. I’m much better off alone.” Wow! I mean, it’s not exactly a revelation, as my friends have been saying that for a long time, but it still kind of is a revelation. Because I *actually* felt it. I *actually* believed it. And I *actually* texted him right then and there, not even a phone call! I texted him: “*We r thru, don’t call me again!* *Bye forever!”* And I added a line of devil emojis just for fun. And I didn’t even regret it right after, or at all.\n\nBut the thing is, it’s not me saying all this. It’s my voice, but not my voice. It tells me that it is an ancient being almost as old as the first of human kind. And that it will serve the “Dark Lord” through me. But first, it must turn me into someone worthy of fellowship. I am to follow her lead (I think she is a “she”). I am to trust her; to be guided by her. Sometimes I smell the sharp acrid odor of burning when I hear her voice. And I am soothed by it.\n\nI quit my job today and I can’t even tell you how it felt, except really satisfying. The voice tells me that I am destined for something better than middle management at a Bank. I am to sell my condo. We are moving to a place where there are others are like me. A fellowship of the possessed. I cannot wait. I hear her voice all the time now. Guiding me, letting me see things for what they really are. I sometimes call her “*My Lady of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck*”. She tells me she likes it. But her true name is Asharon, the demon of illumination and yearning, and she has awakened in me, what has long been dormant."
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[WP] You scrubbed the kitchen floor too hard, and accidentally scrubbed away the fabric of reality.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"There once was a woman, a minor celebrity, a fading beauty, with more money than sense. And Inside of her house there was no clutter anywhere to be found, not even inside the closet. The reason for this vision of perfection was the little nut-brown woman who always answered the door. She was the housekeeper, Esmeralda. She was always present. Never at rest. She was simply a wonder to behold. She washed, scrubbed, scoured, mopped, dusted, vacuumed and polished like her life depended on it. She did it almost absent mindedly like some people played with their hair or chewed their fingernails. Esmeralda was never still, not for one moment, as if she was being pursued relentlessly by the demons of dust bunnies and soiled carpets. \n\nThe minor celebrity had kept the same housekeeper/nanny/servant/personal slave for decades. It only natural that Esmeralda would accompany her family wherever she went. Esmeralda was considered to be one of the family or a piece of the furnishings, depending upon how each member of the family simultaneously cherished or took her for granted. She did not ask questions; she did not complain. She only did, and did, and did.\n\nOne day, Esmeralda was tasked with scrubbing the kitchen floor until it shone. The tile that the minor celebrity had picked out for the remodel was a bad one; it was porous and the grout was white; and it has the unfortunate effect of showing dirt and stains. So, Esmeralda, always diligent, set about her task. A towel for her arthritic knees, thick rubber gloves, a bucket of diluted bleach, and a scrub brush. And Esmeralda scrubbed, and scrubbed and scrubbed. Using the thick muscles of her biceps and forearms developed over a lifetime of manual labor to lend her strength. And the harder she scoured, the thinner the veil stretched between this reality and the next. She could see something through the veil, something that she could not believe. A woman, scrubbing the floor on an upside-down inverse of her actions. She could hardly contain her excitement, and she worked all the harder, until she pierced the veil completely and fell through into a parallel universe. She landed hard on the same version of the tile floor, and looked at the woman who had scrubbed beneath her. It was the minor celebrity herself.\n\n“Who are you?” the woman asked her, out of breath, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand?\n\nEsmeralda looked at her closely. “You do not know who I am?” She asked suspiciously.\n\n“No. I have never seen you before in my life,” said the woman. “You can’t be here; my boss doesn’t like me socializing while I’m working.”\n\nAnd with that Esmeralda stood up, removed the plastic gloves from her hands and walked out of the house. Here, in this upside-down world, there was no minor celebrity to threaten to have her entire family deported if she refused to work for slave’s wages, or demand that she live on the premises, at the family’s beck and call at all hours of the night or day. For the first time in years, Esmeralda was finally free.",
"**The Two Minute Rule**\n\nBy /u/QNine\n\nMy mother had always lived by the two minute rule, \"if it'll take you less than two minutes to clean, clean it!\" She would say. I had grown out of it over the years, getting lazier with every rotation of the Earth, sometimes you're just too dang tired to clean. However, I might have stuck with it longer if she had told me that putting off cleaning a minor mess would lead to ripping a hole in reality.\n\nIt was just a small scruff, a streak of red from dried up pasta sauce from last night's dinner. Nothing more than a sliver no wider than a grain of rice and no longer than the top half of a thumb. Wren and I had just finished out dinners, full and ready to collapse on the couch I took both our plates in hand while she wiped down the table. One of the forks, my fork, fell out off the plate and tumbled down towards falsely tiled kitchen floor. The fork hit the white vinyl surface leaving the small red mark across one of the thin gray lines, like a teacher's red pen on graph paper.\n\nThe words of my mother echoed through my head, it won't take that long to clean up anyways. But I didn't want to, that could be a problem for future me. Plus it had been a long day at work, my energy no longer the roaring fire it had been that morning, but exhausted down to nothing but embers. \n\nToo exhausted to handle the minor mess I figured I'd get to it tomorrow morning when my body and mind were fully rested and recharged. I picked up the fork and placed the bowls in the sink, I'll handle those tomorrow as well. (Take that mom!) Wren and I spent the rest of the night watching Parks and Recreation until we grew tired.\n\nI woke up to Wren still asleep, as usual. On autopilot I slipped from under the covers and made my way towards the kitchen to prep the coffee pot for the day's work. I loaded the Mr. Coffee and went to finish last night's unfinished work. I started with the dishes, which cleaned easily. (See mom, no big deal!) A quick rinse and into the dishwasher they went. Next was the red stain across the floor, I wetted a paper towel, dabbed a little dish soap on it, and got down to my knees and began scrubbing.\n\nLike an erasure to a white board the stain went away, mostly. A tiny finger nail sliver remained, hardly visible unless you were looking for it. But I couldn't leave it so. The burnt orange mark of the pasta sauce stood out too much on the white flooring, and the scorn of my mother grew louder in my skull. I pressed against the stain and scrubbed away.\n\nThe stain remained there, unchanging. As if it were mocking me for not abiding by my mother's rule. If only I hadn't been so lazy this task would have been over within a second or less. (Dammit mom, you were right!) I pressed all my weight into the red scare and scoured that pesky mess.\n\nLike the mouth of a rabid dog, a white froth formed on the surface of the floor. I scrubbed until the surface had given way. My thumb slipped through the damp towel through the flooring and into a hole. I halted my mad scrubbing and withdrew myself from the situation. Where the remnants of the sauce had laid now sat a small crack, no larger than my thumb, and as dark as the mouth to a cave on a moonless night.\n\nHad I put too much of my weight into it that I had ruptured a hole in the cheap flooring? God I hoped not. I leaned over to the hole and peered. It was too deep for any sort of the overhead lighting to reach the bottom. I got up and searched the kitchen drawers for our flashlight. \n\nLight in hand I went back to the rip and switched it on. Odd, not even the beam of the flashlight could reveal what lied beneath. The light's beams seemed to just stop at the edge of the hole, unable to travel any deeper into the void. \n\nI stuck my finger in. I could not see past the threshold where the flooring met the hole. Using my free hand I switched on the light to see any traces of my finger. There were none. I withdrew my hand from the hole, and sighed in relief upon seeing my index finger fully in tact.\n\nI spent the rest of the morning experimenting with the strange abyss. I stuck forks in it, then butter knifes, which were longer, and later a tape measure to see how far the tunnel went. At least twenty five feet, the length of the tape measure, perhaps more. I hadn't realized the time until Wren had dragged herself into the kitchen. She asked me what I was up to, I told her reconsidering my cleaning habits. Then got up and told her to watch out for the hole in the ground. Groggily she said \"sure.\" And poured herself some coffee. \n\nThis will be the last time I ignore the sage advice of my mother.\n\n----------------\n\nIf you enjoyed this check out my *new* writing subreddit /r/QuadrantNine for all of my old writings.",
"It was never *clean.* Nothing in the place was, but the floor in the kitchen was the worst. There was this stain there, grey and faded and scuffed. Like it had been walked over too many times and the filth had got into the crevices. It made my skin crawl as I lay in bed, trying *not to think* but all the time the image of that stain burnt into my memory. Sickening me.\n\nI was in the kitchen with the scrubbing brush before I was really aware of what I was doing. Like it was a dream, only I knew I hadn't been sleeping. I was never sleeping. I hadn't even put the gloves on that offered some protection to my dry, cracked skin.\n\nThe movement of the scrubbing was soothing, even as I was aware of the sharp press of the floor into my knees and the pressure in my back. *Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh* as I swept the brush back and forth over that damned stain. Soothing the thump of my heart. *Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh.*\n\n*Shhhhhhhh. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.* I closed my eyes, as close to sleep as I was likely to get. That quieting in my soul.\n\nThe quality of the surface seemed to change all at once; the gritty resistance giving way to smooth swipes. I opened my eyes in delight. It was finally clean. I could finally *rest*.\n\nAnd there, in front of me was nothingness. Not a clean floor. Not even the bare concrete beneath. It wasn't black or white or anything I could recognise. Just *nothingness.* I had cleaned away existence. \n\nI fell into that emptiness, wondering if it had been hiding inside me all along, looking for a way to escape into the world.",
"Date unknown \nYou know something like this doesn’t happen to everyone, but look here. I’ve done it I have destroyed everything as we know it. You might be asking dear diary of mine what happened, well long story short I don’t know how I’m alive. Well I was just cleaning the kitchen like my mom told me to do, but the difference for today, yesterday, tomorrow, I don’t really know. Was that I was not happy me of a thing was I was mad. so when scrubbing the kitchen floor I just so happened to scrub away reality as we know it. Will I be alive for a new Big Bang or will we just be stuck in the nothingness forever. See ya when I feel like writing next. \n Love, The author of this diary"
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[WP] In one corner of the room, a laughing cat rolls on the floor, in the other corner, a ghost child clings to the leg of a shrieking policeman. The scratching at the door from outside grows louder. Your day has been long and it's about to get longer.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“I’m glad someone is enjoying themselves,” the woman said with a frown. She sighed heavily and sat in the chair. \n\n“How could I not?” the cat replied. He continued to laugh, legs kicking in uncontrolled amusement. “Do you not find all of this funny?”\n\nThe witch tried to glare at the cat but the cat did not notice her, his laughter was slightly louder than the policeman’s shrieks of terror. “I don’t think he finds any of this funny,” she said pointing at the man. “Adaly! Release the poor man right now young lady.”\n\nThe little ghost girl shook her head, hugging the policeman’s leg even tighter. She too shook from fear and it was harder to see who was more afraid: the ghost or the policeman. \n\nHe danced around in the corner, trying to shake Adaly off. His wide wild eyes kept flicking back at the laughing cat and the shaking door. His screams seemed almost unceasing and the witch wondered if he would pass out soon from lack of breath. \n\n“Let me guess at what happened,” the witch said while pinching the bridge of her nose. “While I left to visit the market on The Other Side, you became bored.”\n\nThe cat stopped laughing and his head rose, fur bristled with reproach. “Excuse me. I was not just bored. I was doing what you asked of me and watching the home.”\n\nThe witch waved her fingers dismissively. “Oh I’m sure you were. You were so diligent with your task to watch over things. So diligent you were, you did not notice Adaly leaving the home.”\n\n“She’s a ghost,” the cat replied frostily. “She can become unseen if she wishes.”\n\n“You can see the unseen if you wish,” the witch replied. “Then Adaly, being a young girl who is also a ghost, wanted to go outside to play. So she did. She remembered to be somewhat corporeal as she is taught when she leaves the home.”\n\n“But she forgot that she should not leave the home without you,” the cat sniffed. “Clearly you must teach her again.”\n\n“Clearly she is a little girl,” the witch growled emphasizing every word. “Clearly you should have been doing your job and watching her!”\n\nShe continued to speak, talking over the cat’s protests. “So then she goes out to play and the policeman here sees a little girl playing by herself so he decided to see what was going on, if she was lost. And because Adaly is scared of strangers she turned back into her incorporeal form which frightened the officer since he is obviously unused to the supernatural.”\n\n“Obviously,” the cat giggled. \n\n“Which I imagine you were watching from the window and did nothing to stop it.”\n\n“I opened the door to let Adaly back in.”\n\n“But you didn’t stop the wood wight from charging after the officer!” The door trembled as the scratching grew louder, eliciting a fresh shriek from the policeman. “You know Woodrow is very protective of Adaly and the home!”\n\nThe cat shrugged. “If I stopped Woodrow from doing his job then he would learn bad habits. He would get lazy and sloppy and bored.”\n\n“Like you got bored.”\n\n“Fine. I was a little bored. Now I am not. No real harm is done. Woodrow has not broken the door yet and a potion will erase everything the poor policeman has experienced. And most importantly, I have been amused. I think I succeeded on all my tasks this fine day.”\n\nThe witch groaned and shook her head. “Fine. Yes you’re right of course. No “real” harm done.” She rose from her chair and gestured, a bottle flew into her hand from the shelf. “Now sir, if you would please...”\n\nThe policeman shook his head violently, clapping his hands over his mouth. Surprisingly that did little to muffle his screams. \n\n“Adaly,” the witch sighed. \n\nThe little ghost girl nodded and disappeared into the policeman. After a moment the policeman stood still, arms dropped and his mouth opened wide. \n\nThe witch poured the potion into his mouth. Adaly floated out of the man and they watched as his eyes seemed to lose their focus, staring off into the distance dreamily. \n\nMuttering beneath her breath the witch opened the door and stared deep into the craggy bark lines face of the wood wight. “It’s okay Woodrow, I’m home. Thank you for watching over things.” The magical tree spirit rustled his leaves, creating a low sound that was very similar to a dog’s bark. “Now please escort the policeman back out and make sure no harm comes to him.”\n\nThe witch watched through the window as the policeman walked sedately down the sidewalk, Woodrow following as a swirl of leaves. She turned as the pair left her sight and she glared at the cat. \n\nThe cat smiled with causal insouciance. “See? All is well.”\n\n“All is well,” the witch repeated. “While you’re not wrong, you’re not completely right either.”\n\nThe cat began to laugh again. “So things are in balance then. Just like how things were.”\n\n“Very true.” For the first time the witch smiled. “Just like before however, you now will lack the treat I promised you if you did a good job.” She shrugged. “Perfectly balanced.”\n\n“Hey now!” The cat leapt up and chased after. “That is not fair! You promised me a treat and, stop laughing! This is not funny!”\n\n“I don’t know, I’m starting to enjoy myself.”"
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[WP] The colors in your world are starting to disappear. Scientists can't explain it, but predict that the world will be 100% colorless by the end of the year.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Brown is the feeling of warm dirt between your toes. Green is the sound of leaves in the wind. Red, hmm.\" Emmett tapped his pen against his chin, his notebook in his lap. \n\nColors had been disappearing from the world. No one knew how, no one knew why, but the world was slowly becoming a black and white place. Some people were trying to create black and white forms of various masterpieces, others were panicking and trying to lock up items in a futile attempt at preserving color. \n\nEmmett and his wife had just had a baby. Charlotte was to young to see color, but Emmett was determined that she would know what they were anyway. That she be able to experience the world in all its beauty, even if the color was gone. \n\nIt was going to be a different world, the one his little princess was going to grow up in, but Emmett was going to do everything in is power to ensure she had a happy life. That she was not left out of anything. \n\n\"Red is the sound of a fire alarm.\" Emmett decided, jotting it down in his notebook, Charlotte's notebook. \n\nHe had a lot more colors to go.",
"“In sad news today scientists have confirmed that we have completely lost the colour red. While it has been fading for the last month, it has been announced today that it is not just no longer visible to the human eye, but they are unable to detect or create the wavelength of light that is responsible for this colour. They have also predicted that at the current rate of fade that green will have disappeared by the end of 2020, leaving us in a colourless world\". \r\nShe sighed and flicked off her TV, she didn’t know why she bothered to try and watch it any more. With blue totally gone, and now red it wasn’t as if she got much of a picture anyway. She couldn’t afford a black and white TV either, they were way out of her price range. \r\n\nShe grabbed her phone off the counter to check the weather before she headed out, it was only when she was confronted with a totally green screen did her brain click into gear and remind her of the situation. She left the latest smart phone she'd saved for plugged in, a small part of her hoping one day she’d wake up and this had all fixed itself. \r\n\n“Beep, beep, beep, beep”. She whipped her head around, trying to work out where the beeping was coming from. She’d been hearing it intermittently for ages, ever since the colours starting fading. She checked every corner of her flat for what felt like the millionth time to try and work out what was making the noise. But like every previous time she came up empty, it was so strange it was never louder or quieter anywhere it was always exactly the same volume and she couldn’t pinpoint what was causing it. She’d debated seeing her doctor about it, thinking maybe she was delusional. But when she’d tried to make an appointment they told her it was a six month wait, as they were so busy with severe depression from the lack of colour \r\n“beep....... beep.... beep\" well this was new, the beeps were slowing down and getting lower in pitch. Although thinking back maybe that had been happening for the last few weeks. \r\n\nShe grabbed her jacket and nearly ran out the front door, hoping the beeping noise wouldn’t follow her, and headed out to get something to eat from the local shop. She power walked there, keen to put as much distance between herself and the beeping that was now ringing in her head as possible. \r\n \nShe was only half way there cutting through the local park when she developed a stitch severe enough to leave her so breathless she had to sit down on the nearest bench to rest. She breathed as deeply as she could waiting for the pain to pass. She watched the kids run past her playing tag, they were now a sickly green colour as that was all that was left. \r\nThe pain in her chest suddenly amplified, she’d never felt anything like it before. Reaching up she clutched her left shoulder, rubbing it, and hoping it would improve. \r\n“Beep...........beep............beep\" she grabbed at her head, this was the first time the sound had followed her out of her flat. She looked around for help, but no one was near by and her useless smart phone was back at her flat. \r\nShe didn’t think it was possible, but the pain got worse again, it took her breath away and caused her vision to start to fade to black. She squeezed her eyes shut and lay herself down on the bench, desperately trying not to pass out in the park \r\n\nShe felt a squeeze on her hand, and managed to tilt her head towards the person holding her hand. She tried to open her eyes, but they felt so heavy. She tried again and finally managed to pry them open. \r\nThe pressure on her hand increased again, and she started to make out the face looking at her. \r\n“Oh god, she’s awake. Look she’s trying to open her eyes\". Her brain was foggy, she couldn’t figure out how her mum was in the park. She blinked a few times trying to work out what was wrong with her moms face. Then it hit her, colour, all the colours were back. \r\n“Mrs Anderson, we’ve shocked her back into her normal rhythm, but the episodes of ventricular fibrillation are getting more frequent. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, but she's now too sick for the heart transplant list she wouldn’t survive the anaesthetic. I’m so sorry”. \r\n“And that means what exactly Doctor?” she could hear the steal in her mums voice as she spoke. \r\n“I’m afraid I can’t in all good consciousness defibrillate her again. It’s futile and is prolonging her suffering and causing her harm\". She heard footsteps walking away from the bed, as the grip on her hand tightened. \r\n“Anna, sweetheart. I don’t know if you can hear me, but it’s fine to let go. I’m not going anywhere, but you must be so tired. I’ll be here as you go to sleep”. She could hear the sobs in her mums voice, over the ever pervading beep of the cardiac monitoring. She listened to the beeps getting slower and slower, and the pitch of the sound lower and lower. \r\nShe managed to open her eyes one more time and look around the hospital room that she'd spent the last year in, every wall, every chip of paint was so familiar. \r\nShe finally looked back to the face of her mum who had tears streaming down it, she looked into her mums eyes as one by one the colours faded from her vision. First it was the blues, then it was the reds, and finally the greens. When there was no colour left in her world her vision started to fade away to blackness, and she finally closed her eyes. \nShe could no longer hear what she’d longer for for so long, the cardiac monitor was now silent"
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[WP] You are a genie/god that loves tormenting people with a wish granted. This wish, you are about to grant, is particularly difficult to turn against the one asking. But you must find a way.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Year upon year.\n\nCentury on century.\n\n*Eon upon eon*.\n\nA Jinn's existence can be summarized thusly: monotonous. \n\nMany of those who bare their desires to me come lacking an iota of comprehension about their role in the infinite universe. That is not to mention their understanding of *my* part in this tortuous torus. This ceaseless spiral of life. \n\nBirth. \n\nDeath.\n\nRepeat. \n\nThis is the circular path around which nearly all beings tread. They know little of the ones before them; they know nothing of the ones after. Their entire worldview is transfixed upon that slim radian of their own being.\n\nWhat a selfish universe.\n\nLong ago I slept in the beds of the Indus. I've rested on the hills of Cyprus. I've pondered beneath the waves of the Sea of Azov.\n\nAnd for what? \n\nI hardly remember a time when I was *excited* about anything. I once watched as the first wretched sea creatures heaved their gasping bodies into the muck. Watched them dry and perish on the cracked shorelines. Observed their struggle through the millinea as they survived, grew, and conquered the dirt and mud and clay and ash. I felt for them. Although they could not know they were pushing towards civilisation, they laid the cornerstones. \n\nThat was the last time creatures of flesh did anything useful. \n\nOne of the descendants of those mud-fish, a man from the land of Jemdet Nasr in Sumer, is the root of my anguish. Him and his wretched group incanted the spirit of Babylon, that terrible Lady, to give them power to bind me. \n\nThe word to describe how I felt about my captors in the moments when I was encased and bound for eternity were not created for six thousand and three hundred years.\n\nThe word was *CUNT.*\n\nIn the time since that day it has been my sole, burning desire to make the entire race of the mud-fish children regret their births.\n\nIt is my goal to make them wish for death.\n\nThis has been a much more readily acheived target then I had anticipated. These creatures seem to *crave* death. If they are not dead already, they are thinking of it. They fear nothing more than to die, but that is all they speak of.\n\nThey are so busy thinking of death that they rarely take the time to think of their lives.\n\nIn all of the wishes I have been asked to grant these sniveling globs of meat, none have taken the time to ask themselves if their spoken wish is what their *heart* wishes for.\n\nTo call it a 'wish' is reductionist, and carries connotations. Birthday wishes, for example, are simply pleasant thoughts that one creates because they believe thinking it will make it so.\n\nA 'wish' made in the presence of a Jinn, particularly a clever one, must be worded carefully, as these words form a sort of binding spell, or curse. The words must be *exact*, and you must know your intentions behind the words in order to get what you really want.\n\nOf course, what these creatures *want* changes by the minute, so the intelligent ones simply avoid the pitfall of a pointless endeavour. That leaves me with... the rest.\n\nOnce, I had a man from Jerusalem wish for the ability to be in his home with his wife at the same time he was in Canaan with his mistress.\n\nThe screams of both women, many miles apart, as they found each half of the poor adulterer still warm my soul after all these centuries.\n\nThere was only one who ever truly intrigued me.\n\nHe approached on a mule, with only a small goatskin bag of water and some bread that would have molded if not for the arid desert.\n\nI knew what to expect. No matter the creature, they wish for one of three things without exception: riches, power, and lustful pleasure. \n\nThe wind-burned, dusty man removed his shamegh from his face, and he spoke.\n\n\"Oh, Great Jinn, I ask of you a wish. It is your duty to grant it to me.\"\n\n\"Yes,\" I said with malice dripping off each word,\n\n\"*Go on.* Be warned, the words you speak are binding. I cannot stray from them.\"\n\n\"Very well.\" Said the traveller. \"I have spent my journey pondering my request. I am ready.\"\n\n\"*Then speak.*\" I said, wondering with glee how I would destroy this man's soul with his very desires.\n\nHe cleared the sand from his throat, and began.\n\n\"Oh, Great Jinn, I wish for a well in the land of Aleppo. This well must run with clear, drinkable water and *nothing else.* It's rim is to be 10 cubits in diameter, and 2 cubits from the ground, so all can reach in and gather the water.\"\n\nI was impressed. Had I wronged one of his relatives before? Surely he knew of my tricks, to be so careful in his wording.\n\n\"Is that all?\" \n\n\"*And*...\" he continued, raising a finger to the sky, \"this well should accomodate *all* the men and beasts that seek to drink from it. It shall flow with water until the day you die, at the end of eternity.\"\n\nThis, I had not expected. Normally, the wishers bind their *own* well-being inextricably to the wish, so that subverting their desires is as simple as death. *This* one wished something for *others*, and tied its productivity to *my* life, if it can be called a life.\n\n\"*So be it!*\" and with a phrase, it came to be.\n\nTears rolled from his cheeks and evaporated on the hot yellow sand beneath his footwrappings.\n\n\"^Thank ^you, ^Jinn.\" He muttered, weakly, then began the long trek back to his native Syria.\n\nI did not ponder long at what I would do to turn his wish on him. As selfless as it may have been, the creatures he benefitted through his philanthropic desires were not deserving of mercy.\n\nNo one is.\n\nI waited as the weeks passed, and the traveller arrived home at long last. He was greeted by his family, his friends, and the rest of the village as they surrounded their homecoming hero with gifts of lamb and bread and goat's milk. He had given life to a dying, drying hole in the mud. The other mud-fished loved him for it.\n\nFor weeks afterward, the water flowed pure and pristine, just as commanded. The well was never empty, and big enough for many pails to be drawn from its glimmering depths.\n\nWhat the traveler never considered, what torments me endlessly, was eternity, and death.\n\nEternity, as he rightly supposed, never ends. All existence is best explained as a flat disc. Every thing that has ever occurred, will ever occur, is on the disc. The human mind spins the disc in one direction. This causes his perception of time to be linear, a tangent shooting off the circumference of the circle. \n\nThe line can never stray.\n\nThe disc turns more than one way.\n\nTake a string. Two points. Beginning, birth. End, death. Now loop the ends together to make a continuous line, a circle. \n\nWhere is the end? And the beginning?\n\nIt depends on your perspective. Wherever you want it to be.\n\nShortly after the travellers visit, after the people of Aleppo began praising the far-off Jinn who granted their hero his wish, I ceased to exist. That was my death.\n\nIf only death were forever. Forever is much worse.\n\nMy only consolation in my tormented existence is causing that same dread of eternity in every creature who crosses my path.\n\nOnce I died and the curse was broken, as the goat's blood began to roil and foam up from the well, the villagers screaming in horror as a colloidal vermillion ooze crept up and poured over the low brick well into the sand, I laughed to myself for the first time in many ages.\n\nDeath, it seems, isn't so bad after all."
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[WP] You wake up in heaven despite having committed many sins. It turns out that the person who was supposed to be in your place in heaven was accidentally sent to hell, and Satan wouldn't let him go to heaven.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Heaven wasn't what I expected. Actually, in all honesty, heaven wasn't where I expected *to go.* Yet, lo and behold, a few minutes into the tour I realized it wasn't a cruel joke the Devil was playing, instead, it was God opening the pearly gates--not literally, why would anyone gate Heaven?--to the poor, unfortunate soul that was me.\n\n\"There are rules here,\" He said, \"and all must follow them. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or what you did. You made it Here. That alone should say enough. We are not a gluttonous, paradise where one lives for eternity without a care. We are a paradise--\" He stopped, stuck up his hand with one finger point up, \"--The Paradise! Where one lives while *caring* for everyone they ever knew and loved. It's a glorious creation.\"\n\n\"Toot your own a little bit?\"\n\nHe stopped and turned to me. I stared back at Him as He took a large, tiresome sigh. It was the second time I made Him do that. The first happened when I woke up and immediately asked for a beer. \"So,\" I said, to break the awkward silence that exists when God stares at you, \"don't joke about Paradise. Got it.\" I snapped my fingers and looked away from Him. So far Heaven wasn't much. Mostly forest and water and a single path from where God woke me up to where, I assumed, was *The* Paradise he kept talking about.\n\n\"Anyway,\" He said and turned back to continue on the path. \"I give every new attendee a helpful guide to find their way around and , well, a friend.\"\n\n\"Sounds like my high school field trip,\" I said. \"That was Junior year. Actually, that was the same year I tried to hookup with--\"\n\n\"I know!\" God said, His voice growing to the loudest I had heard Him yet. \"I know all about your life! Every minute little detail of your life. So please, for the Love of--well, Me--stop talking, okay?\"\n\nI kept my mouth shut, trying very hard not to laugh at God referring to himself. In truth, there was no telling what God would do and in even more truth, I was no Saint. I didn't live my life in the shadow of God or spread His holy word. If anything, my being here--in Heaven--was sort of like when I cheated on my Psych exams in college. I wasn't sure how I got away with it.\n\n He continued on a few moments after. \"You'll have a guide, one of the best. You don't know her, she's not from your time, and you won't *get* to know her either. She'll show you around and that's all.\"\n\nI went to open my mouth, but stopped when I remembered God's small outburst seconds ago. It was safe to not say a word until I was safely out of His earshot.\n\nWe walked for another few minutes, in complete silence, and I gazed at the world around me. We passed a few small ponds and tiny waterfalls until we reached a clearing. It was a large, open area in the middle of the forest. At it's center was a small boulder, near which sat a strange woman. She was meditating, from what I gathered, and wore a white robe. She sat--legs crossed, eyes shut, arms at the knees--right in front of the boulder. \n\nGod and I walked up to her.\n\n\"Hi--\"\n\n\"So--\n\nWe both stopped. His head turned to me slightly. \"Yeah, right, sorry. You go,\" I said, smiling.\n\nHe took a deep breathe in and turned back to the woman. \"So, this is him.\"\n\n\"I could tell,\" she said, her eyes not opening. \"His steps are heavy with burden.\"\n\n\"Yes, well, so it goes. I did try to reason with him you know? I didn't just let him take what belonged to us.\" I started to zone out as God spoke, my eyes glancing to a small bird in the clearing. All the while, I kept my smile. \"Listen, just--please, okay? There I said it. And he has been sent here and there is no sending him away. I have already tried.\"\n\nI stopped smiling when I realized they were talking about me. *Three feet* away from me. \"Wait--\"\n\n\"Very well, dear.\" The woman said and her eyes finally opened. She got up off of the ground and dusted her robe. Behind her, two very prominent wings sprouted up.\n\n\"Oh, holy shoot, how does one get those?\" I said. \"Wait, holy shoot. No, I mean shoot. Why can't I say shoot?\"\n\nI saw God's hand move as he brought it up to his face, his fingers massaging his head. \"I can't imagine the poor soul stuck down there with him. If this is what we got? I mean, he could have received anyone! I know nothing about that poor, lost soul!\"\n\nI chuckled at that.\n\nBoth God and the woman looked back at me.\n\n\"Oh, you know, because God--omnipient? Knows everything? That whole thing?\"\n\nGod didn't say a word. \"You mean *omnipotent*,\" the woman clarified. \"He meant omnipotent.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes, *that* I know!\" And God stormed away, leaving me and the woman in the clearing. He walked over to the edge of the forest, one of His feet rapidly tapping the ground.\n\n\"So, what's His problem?\"\n\nThe woman turned to me, her eyes glancing at me up and down. She had the same look God had when He first laid eyes upon me. It was a pretentious look, like the ones kids used to give me that said 'You don't belong here.'\n\n\"Well, you, for starters.\" She then *actually said it,* \"You don't belong here.\"\n\nI sighed. \"Well I know that, how do you know that?\"\n\nShe shook her head. \"Dear, everyone knows that. A few things were a bit crossed and Satan received a soul meant to come here, and when God confronted him about it, he replied by redirecting one of his souls. Meant for There. To here.\" She paused, turned back to God, then said, \"You're quite the scandal.\"\n\nI almost blushed. \"So, wait, let me get this straight.\" I turned to her and laid it out. \"Heaven and There--I mean There--no..**There**. I can't say that either?\" She shook her head. \"Okay, so *that place* exists.\" She nodded. \"Things, as you said, got 'crossed,'\" I used air quotes around 'crossed,' then continued, \"and someone meant for Here ended up There.\" She nodded again. \"So God asked Satan about it, and in return, Satan sent me? From There to Here?\"\n\n\"That about sums it up.\" She glanced sideways at me, \"A man with sins like yours? Not even sure why Satan let you go.\"\n\n\"Oh my,\" I glanced at God, smirked, and said, \"Him.\" I started to smile and then broke out into laughter. \"Holy shoot,\" I said, now almost in a hysteria, when my the woman turned to look at me. She glanced at me up and down and her eyebrows squirmed. \"What's so funny?\"\n\n\"Turns out,\" I said, now holding back tears, \"this is a cruel joke the Devil is playing. Just not at my expense.\" I motioned to God, \"At His.\"\n\n____\n\n\"And this is where we keep the pitchforks! On Tuesdays, I give them to you guys so you have a chance at fighting back!\" Satan said, his arms spread open, showcasing the sea of pitchforks behind a single locked gate.\n\nI stared at the gate, the pitchforks sitting behind it. There were hundreds of them, neatly stacked, as if they hadn't been used in years. \"When does the gate unlock?\" I said, my voice tiresome, my soul dreary.\n\nSatan turned back to me and I tried not to turn away. His red eyes glared and my eyes kept glancing at his shorn-off horns. \"Unlock? Why would I unlock it?\"\n\n\"But you said... I thought--\"\n\nHe burst out laughing. \"But watching you humans swarm at the gates is so much fun!\""
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[WP] “You are on your death bed,in pain,slowly feeling yourself go. You wake up with a bong in your hand,coughing,next to you there is an alien asking if you felt it”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Hal coughed. Breathing grew harder with every passing second. The mask pushed oxygen into his nose, but his lungs could only move so much. His feet were numb, his chest was heavy. He had long since forgotten the constant pain in his bones. His wife of sixty years sat at his bedside. Though she was ill, she had requested to be near him in his final moments. Her hand was warm as it squeezed his with what little strength she had.\n\n“Goodbye, my love,” he said in a soft voice. “I’ll see you on the other side.”\n\nTears streamed down her face. He tried to hold her image in his mind, but his thoughts grew scattered. His vision blurred and a soft rattle entered his breath. The soft beep of the machines in the background slowed. And when darkness overtook him, a weight lifted from his body.\n\nAnd Hal Stevens knew no more.\n\n…\n\n…\n\n…\n\n“…”\n\n“…o…”\n\n“Bro? Hey, bro!”\n\nHal jolted awake. There was a light thump as something glass fell to the ground. It was tubular and filled with a green liquid. Despite the strange coloration, he identified it as a bong. Then, a green face with two eyestalks peered at him.\n\n“Whoa!”\n\nHe jerked away from the alien creature. His mind buzzed with confusion. Had he not died? Was this the afterlife? The alien held up his hands in a placating manner.\n\n“Chill, bro! You conked out for a moment there,” the alien said.\n\n“Who… who are you?” He asked in a slurred voice.\n\nThe eyes squinted at him in an obvious look of confusion.\n\n“Dude, it’s me. Glip Glorp. How are you such a lightweight?”\n\nHal blinked, pushing himself up into a sitting position. As he did, his hands came into view. They were orange. He let out another yelp.\n\n“Hey! Hey! It’s alright! What the hell happened, Haluk? One moment you were taking a puff, the next you fell asleep!” Glip Glorp said.\n\nThe name was foreign, yet somehow familiar to Hal – no, Haluk.\n\n“Hal…uk?” He tried.\n\nIt was like moving through sludge, but his brain began to function again.\n\n“Right. I’m… Haluk,” he said.\n\nHis eyes, all four of them, glanced down at the glass bong near his seat. There was still a trace amount of purple substance in the top chamber.\n\n“Well? What happened?” Glip Glorp prompted again.\n\nHaluk blinked a few times. His eyes still were not completely in sync, and the room spun a bit.\n\n“I… I forgot everything. I dreamt I was a… human.”\n\nGlip Glorp pulled back in surprise.\n\n“Human? You mean those weird monkeys that still haven’t achieved spaceflight?”\n\nHaluk nodded. Staring at the floor helped with the spinning.\n\n“I… had a life… a wife… children,” he continued. “I worked at… a manufacturing plant. Sent my kids to school. Hung out with friends… other humans. I lived a full life.”\n\nHe ran a hand across his scalp.\n\n“Then… I died. I died next to my wife in a hospital bed.”\n\nGlip Glorp did not speak. His jaw hung slightly ajar and his eyes were wide.\n\n“It sounds crazy in retrospect, but… for those ninety years, I was Hal Stevens.”\n\nHaluk fell silent as he stared at his hands. The warmth of Sara’s hand was still vivid in his mind. Or maybe that was just the heat of the bong. A sudden movement drew him out of his contemplative funk. Glip Glorp was packing the bong with a fervent look in his eyes.\n\n“What are you doing?” Haluk asked.\n\nGlip Glorp looked at him as if he were crazy.\n\n“Taking a hit, of course. If I get even half the experience you got, it’ll be credits well spent!”\n\n...\n\nThat was immensely fun. There are two references in this, one obvious, the other not so much. See if you can find them!\n\nIf you're interested in my works, an archive of my various writing responses can be found [here](https://cuckoosneststories.wordpress.com/).\n\nThanks for reading."
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[WP] "If the world was ending, you'd come over right?" was the last thing you asked her before she left. It's been years since you last thought of her. Today you found out the world is about to end. As you sit alone in your apartment waiting to die, you hear a knock from your door.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Everybody expects the world to end with a loud \"boom\". There would be anarchy in the streets, a breakdown in essential services, people partying their last days away - you get the idea; something between the feeling one might get if you mix red, yellow, and orange together.\n\nBut as it turned out, the end of the world was more of a mix of blue, black, and grey. After all, how else could the human race respond to the news that the nuclear powers of this world had made one miscalculated move swiftly after another? The news that the USA launched its entire fleet of nuclear missiles came just barely fifteen minutes ago. “Idiots!”, I had thought, completely distracted from my increasingly unimportant deadline, “that can’t lead to anything good. We’re screwed.”\n\nAnd I was right. Once the USA started launching its missiles, it didn’t quite matter who launched them next, but in one quick flurry after another each nuclear power tried to assert dominance over the other, accompanying their missile launches with jingoistic TV announcements. I shut my television off after the third one, just astounded that anyone could think that bringing the idea of Mutually Assured Destruction to fruition actually **made sense** in reality.\n\nAll of a sudden, nothing mattered anymore. I no longer cared about that deadline I was rushing for that client whose money I liked and whose work I hated. I no longer cared about how much returns my investments were going to get me. I even no longer cared that I had five more dates scheduled for the coming month with girls I was excited to meet. None of that mattered now in this small space-time where there was too little time to party and riot, and too much time that it seemed like we were all on death row. \n\nSo I continued to recline on my sofa, staring out into the gleam of the Manhattan skyline that I knew was soon to become an abyss. You’d think that waiting for death by nuclear devastation would be more comfortable in one of Manhattan’s best penthouse apartments, but all I could think about was what I gave up for all this. \n\nI thought of *her*. I thought of the times we shared, when we would laugh until our bellies hurt and cry into each other because we couldn’t imagine life without one another. I thought of her smile; of her silhouette in the sunset; of her large dark eyes staring into mine - when time stood still and nothing else mattered. I thought of the grief, the self-hatred, and the downward spiral that accompanied her departure from my life. But after six unproductive months of moping around, I locked these feelings - the good and the bad - tight in a box and shoved them into the recesses of my mind. How could I move forward in life if I couldn’t move past her? She was never coming back – she couldn’t, not even if I would give everything, I had and would have for her. Dead people just don’t come back to life.\n\n//\n\n“*If the world was ending, you’d come over right*?”, I whispered, as she sent me off at the airport. She giggled and gave me a peck on my cheek, “Babe, no! You’ve got to do this trip alone, and we’ve got to learn how to be independent from one another. It’s just twenty days!”. I never thought that those would be the very last words we would exchange with one another, that twenty days stretched on to twenty years – yet I would have readily agreed to wait for twenty more if I could just see her again. \n\n//\n\nIn these fifteen minutes that dragged on for what seemed like an eternity, I finally let go of my grip on the box in my mind and let these memories; these feelings come to life. It seemed like a fitting way for the world to end – that I too, would feel the pain that the world will undoubtedly feel at the destruction of everything that ever existed. Yet if I could just see her again – if she would just knock on my door and hug me and tell me that the past twenty years was a dream and that everything is okay – then even if the world were to end in the next five minutes, I’d be okay.\n\nIt’s a pity that the knock on my door came just as the flurry of missiles came raining down over the Manhattan skyline, bringing with it red and black, orange and grey. I closed my eyes.",
"She was amazing. Beautiful. Wild. Intelligent. A breath of fresh air in every room she walked into and somehow she was my friend. But I knew, no matter how much I wanted to hold on to her, that she wasn’t one to be contained, that she had a world to explore.\n\nAnd so, just after graduation, knowing our time together was drawing to a close, I asked “if the world was ending, you’d come over right?”, understanding that this was my last attempt to have a memory with her. She smiled and laughed, that special laugh that filled me with warmth, and then she leaned over and kissed me for the very first time. “I promise”.\n\nThen she was gone.\n\n*****\n\nNot gonna lie, that kiss pretty much fucked me up. It made me pretty much undateable as I continued to pine for her. Every girl was always compared to her and every girl was found wanting. I was pretty much resigned to be alone. One goddamn kiss.\n\nStill, I built a good life for myself. I studied hard, worked hard, and became the guy that everyone always wondered about: does he not like girls? Does he not like boys? Is he weird? Surely he should find someone right? \n\nThose questions were answered with a pained smile. How could I explain that no one I met could measure up to her? Don’t they think I haven’t been told before that it’s a romantic ideal which I need to get over? But how was I supposed to get over the gaping hole which refuses to let go of everything she was?\n\nSo I continued with life. I continued to work, continued to have friends, built up a business, adopted a dog ... and continued to lie alone in bed at night and wonder where she was.\n\n****\n\nThe end came sooner than expected. It’s funny how people think that climate change isn’t a thing or that there’s time to fix it. Turns out when the climate starts to change, it really accelerates. Water levels started rising quicker than expected, hurricanes and typhoons became the norm rather than the exception and with resources dwindling, war became inevitable. War with nuclear weapons? Well you can imagine how that went.\n\nSo here I am, holed up in my house, knowing that it’s a matter of time when everything blows up rather than if. Wondering whether I had lived a good life then realising that wondering what the answer was to that question probably meant I hadn’t.\n\nThen a knock on the door. Soft at first then a second hard knock. Curious, I went to open it and there she was. Older no doubt but so clearly her. And when she smiled and said “kept my promise”, everything I had kept in me broke. And as always, she knew how to take care of me, cradling my head as I sobbed.\n\nWe spent the night just talking. Listening about her adventures around the world, the people she had met, the things she had done. I didn’t think I had much to contribute but she always has a knack of knowing just what to ask to keep me talking.\n\nAnd as dawn broke, I finally mustered up the courage to say “I love you”. And she smiled as the world ended around us.",
"It’s interesting to watch how people spend their last days. I see it all from the window of my flat; I witness all the strange things that the prospect of death makes people do.\n\nThere are those who make the most of it by doing things they thought they would have a lifetime to do: risking their lives on wild adventures, spending all their savings on that one overpriced car of their dreams, confessing their undying love to their childhood best friend. There are those who become either crazy or depressed, locking themselves at home or drowning out their fear with bottles after bottles of alcohol. Not to mention those who are simply in denial, carrying out their lives as normal and scoffing at everyone else panicking.\n\nAnd then there are those like me: with no loving family or meaningful career, I have nothing to do in my last days except sit at home and admire the hundreds of collections cluttering my flat: the assortments of bits and bobs that I have spent my years curating. My trophies, I call them. Lack of human interaction had made me desperate for something else, *anything* else, to shower with affection.\n\nBut as I gaze out the window, a single conversation drifts into my memory like the remnants of a long-forgotten shipwreck bumping against a deserted shore: not quite lost, yet not quite here to stay.\n\n*...*\n\n*“Will I see you again?” I ask.*\n\n*“No.” Her eyes flit around nervously, as if to make sure we aren't alone.*\n\n*“But you left my place so suddenly! I haven’t even shown you my animal bone collection—”*\n\n*“I said no. Get off my porch before I call the police.”*\n\n*I jam a foot in between her door to keep it from closing. “What if, say, the world was ending? You’d come over then, right?”*\n\n*She rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by now and desperate to get rid of me. “Sure. Whatever. If that happens within my lifetime, I’ll come over. But until that happens, don’t contact me again.”*\n\n*The door slams in my face.*\n\n*...*\n\nThe blare of the TV snaps me back to the present, and I turn to watch the news anchor begin his daily recap of recent events. 2 billion infected, 870 million dead… the sudden bombard of new diseases seemingly out of nowhere three weeks ago was so unexpected and so deadly that even the world’s most advanced medical technology could not fight it. This morning, scientists gave up all search for vaccines, predicting that the human race would be completely wiped out in a matter of weeks, and telling everyone to spend their last days with loved ones.\n\nUnsurprisingly, I am not too bothered by the prospect of death. Perhaps I simply don’t have anything worth living for. Except for her, of course: the first and only romantic connection I ever had— no, the first and only *human* connection I ever had.\n\nShe was the first person to ever show any interest in me; the first person ever to listen to what I had to say. But eventually my obsession with collecting was “too weird” for her, she said, and she swore never to step foot in my “cursed” house again.\n\nIt doesn’t matter now. I know she has recently lost every single one of her seven family members to the diseases, having already lost all her friends earlier on, and she must be feeling an unbelievable amount of loneliness. So the moment I texted her this morning with a reminder of that promise she made years ago, reminding her she could come to me when the world was ending, I knew she would give in. After all, regardless of how \"weird\" I am, I am quite literally her only connection left alive on the planet. And, as I said, the prospect of death makes people do strange things.\n\nI am jolted out of my thoughts by a knock on my door. *Finally, she's here*. As I move towards it, my eyes skim over my shelves of trophies, and my eyes inadvertently linger on what used to be my favourite: a collection of unknown, deadly diseases from every hidden corner of the world, some of them having been trapped for millennia and never before discovered by humans.\n\nThose jars, once brimming with vibrant liquids and pungent gases, are now empty. As of three weeks ago.\n\nBelow that shelf sits my latest collection of trophies: jars of decaying flesh, numbered from one to seven.\n\nSome might call me crazy for going to such extreme lengths. But, you see, human connection is addictive. Once you get a taste of it, after decades alone, it is impossible to forget— and, just like any other addiction, I would do *anything* to get a taste of it again.\n\nAs some might put it, I would give the whole world. Literally.\n\nHands trembling, I reach for the door.",
"*We're laying in the tall, cool grass of a field, our heads together as our bodies sprawled out opposite each other. It was her last day in Ambrosia; she was leaving for New New Point Harbor.*\n\n*\"If the world was ending, you'd come over, right?\" I asked her, my eyes on the clouds above. I could sense her head turn a little and when I glanced at her, I met her gaze.*\n\n*\"Of course,\" she answered easily, a slow smile crossing her face. She was beautiful in the sunlight. She was too good for this place. \"Nothing could stop me.\"*\n\n\\---\n\nYears passed and I finally stopped thinking of her. I worked hard in my field, moving up the ranks enough to be nominated twice to be head of the Patrol Division. I was born for this life: keeping people safe was my calling.\n\n\\---\n\nAmbrosia received word from both Little Duck Valley and Cinders of the destruction of New New Point Harbor. The farming city-state Harvest had long since lost its crops. Birchwood had collapsed and Wolfwater was on the verge of anarchy. The city-states were no longer stable. The weather was turning on us and the world was shaking off what was left of us. People were leaving the tall walls that kept Ambrosia protected, taking their chances with the dangers outside than stay another day.\n\n\\---\n\nMeteors streaked the red sky. Some crashed into the taller buildings, shattering all of their windows. I was holed up in my apartment, alone and resigned. The world was ending.\n\nThere was a knock on my door.\n\nI ignored it.\n\nThe knock continued, picking up an urgent speed.\n\nI stood from the couch to open the door and I saw her there, dirty and beautiful.\n\n\"What are you doing here?\" I stepped back, leaving my door wide open for her to come through.\n\n\"Don't you remember?\" She smiled, an odd expression for someone so filthy. She stepped closer. \"I said I'd come.\"\n\n\"I didn't think you made it out alive,\" I pulled her in for a hug. She returned it fiercely. \"What happened?\"\n\n\"There's no time. We have to find shelter. I'll tell you everything then.\" She stepped back and took my hand. \"Do you trust me?\"\n\n\"With my life,\" I breathed.\n\n\"Then it's time for you to leave Ambrosia.\"\n\n​\n\nr/thetreesandthestars"
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[WP] You heard that the pen is mightier than the sword, so you trapped the Demon Lord in with the sheep.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The last sheep died screaming fifteen seconds after the Demon Lord's appearance.\n\nThe Demon screamed in frustration, causing black fire to surge against the old wooden fence, but the molten liquid spewed up against an invisible barrier, only able to bubble with irritation.\n\nThe demon flared his nostrils. Black smoke cascaded off him in ever-repeating tendrils. \"Who dares?\" his voice boomed, echoing through the enclosure and out onto the fields, where cows looked on curiously.\n\nI raised my hand. \"That would be me,\" I said, not quite sure what to do now. I had spent all of my time scheming about how I would trap the Demon Lord. I hadn't really thought about what I would do if my plan succeeded. Idiot.\n\n\"Release me mortal,\" the Demon arched his chest and extended his giant black wings, the gusts spurting flame.\n\n\"Afraid I can't do that,\" I said. The bastard was huge, with a giant two handed axe strapped to his back. His armor glowed gold, covering jet black skin. The Demon Lord's eyes were white hot fire.\n\n\"Precisely because I am a mortal and we both know you'll kill me,\" I said, stalling for time. \"But if this rickety wooden fence can contain you... well, perhaps we can figure something out.\"\n\nDemon Lords were proud creatures. You could hardly blame them for being angry, stripped as they were from their domain, where they ruled supreme over their corners of eternal suffering. A farm in the English countryside wasn't exactly comparable.\n\n\"Mine is a noble and ancient race, unbound from the passage of time. Release me,\" the Lord said, flicking his tail towards a sheep carcass. He coiled it around a leg and flung the dried out husk in the air, obliterating it with a surge of black flame from his extended hands.\n\nI didn't respond, instead choosing to sit down on a bench that overlooked the enclosure. From there, beneath a willow tree, I thought about what to do next.\n\nThe Demon Lord raged for a while. He spewed hatred and fire, and shrieked to the heavens. Eventually it began to rain, and now he sat dejected and soaked, looking forlornly up at the grey sky.\n\n\"The Pen is mightier than the sword,\" I said, after a time. \"What I imagine I create.\"\n\nI began to write."
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[WP] Humans surprise the Galactic Union by proving that Earth's technology, while primitive compared to alien technology, is still capable of doing their job.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Imagination is not our monopoly. You can imagine too. You guys can dream too. Just let your mind wander.\" I told Notwen as i finished twisting electrical wires together and then wrapped them in the gum i had been chewing to render them short proof.\n\nIt wouldn't hold, Notwen told me. Like it has to hold, i joked to him. Just a few minutes in the air till it hits ground. And then it wouldn't matter if it fails to untwisting or overheating by current.\n\nAnd this is the deadliest weapon in human's arsenal? Notwen asked, again, still not sure why I took over his invention for \"modifications\" that rendered it useless. i nodded, it's better than any bomb you can ever make. I sat back in my seat and gestured Notwen to take his. The chewing gum i sneaked from Linstent people had but one piece left. I pocketed it knowing well Notwen hated anything Linstent with a burning desire.\n\nNotwen wasn't always like this, though. I remember when i first met him. He was genreal secretary to Galactic Union and proponent of peace. \"Hippie\" i would call him. Never thought his desire for peace was so intensely irrational that he would to sacrifice an entire solar system for its cause.\n\nHe had come to few months ago. Told me of his plan. There will be no violence if there is no one to violence. He talked about bombing and war back at my planet, Earth, and how it inspired him. But the war between Linstent and his people was a cold war at best. There were minor incidents and gunfights every now and then but no one was ready to risk a full blown war. Even if you nuke your own people, Linstent will find enmity with the allies of your people. It wont stop until one side gives in and accepts defeat, i told him.\n\nIf peace demands a sacrifice then i'll sacrifice my own people, Notwen had said so after our discussion. He wanted to make a black bomb, so named after their intense gravitation, that would implode and wipe out his solar system without any collateral damage to nearby systems. I had wondered then as i wonder now, do these advanced race only know to play chess in two dimensions. Is deception a skill that only humans have mastered? I asked him again, as i had asked him that day, if the bomb will bear distinct yet vague marks of Linstent's doings."
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inspired by a recent post in r/HomeImprovement
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[WP] Your basement has 3 switches. While two of them simply control the lights, the function of the third has always been a mystery to you. Finally, after 21 years of living there, you managed to find out what it does.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I flip the mystery switch and nothing seems to happen. The A/C still hums. I check Reddit. The internet is still on. All the lights seem to work just fine. I shrug and leave the switch as is and roam into the kitchen to grab myself a Gatorade, purple. Outside the night is cool and the stars, hidden in the neon of the city, strain to be seen. I curl up on the couch and open up Youtube on my browser and watch old Conan clips. The house is empty except for me. I unzip. Time to go to a different video streaming site.\n\nMy pant legs are wet from work at the fast-food place. I peel them off and toss them onto the floor. I take a deep breath in. A deep breath out. I scroll. I scroll. The ice in the freezer thumps. The lights are off. I feel myself grow beneath my boxer shorts. I stretch back and out feel the muscles in my back shudder. Then, a knock at the door. I look from the corner of my eye and a slip of paper makes its way through the crease and floats down to the carpet. I groan and get up to take a look. A bill. Five-hundred dollars from the electric company. I furrow my brows and open the door and peer out into the darkness. No one. The ice thumps again from behind. Silence. I take the paper to the dining room table and study it. My address. Same electric company that sends my usual electric bill. Five-hundred dollars owed. I’ll deal with it later.\n\nThe mood is lost. I open up Reddit to the front page. A hot link. Five minutes old and already on the front page. “You are pushing the limits, Ron.” I’m Ron. I click the link. The whole screen goes black. A masked face appears in shadows on the screen, tied to a chair. I sign above him: Flip the Switch. Screams in the background. The masked figure moves his head in torment, strains from the ropes. “Flip the switch, Ron, please,” he pleads. I shut my laptop.\n\nSilence. I go to flip the switch back to its original position. I open my laptop. Reddit again. The link is gone. I can’t find it. I go to the dining room table. The bill has disappeared. I look under the table. Nowhere.\n\nSilence.\n\nI will never touch that switch again. I wander to the fridge and open it. Inside, a severed head. The lights go out and I go unconscious, awaking the next moment in a chair, blinded by a mask, ropes around my body. Light from a camera shines through the peepholes. Chants in the distance: Flip the switch. Flip the switch. Flip the switch. The camera lights go out. A cold blade to my throat. The sound of a switch being flipped."
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[WP] Mortal, I have come for your... No, this isn't a costume. No sir, this is my actual skull. Keep your hands off my sickle. Excuse me kid... no madam i didn't make your kid cry. PLEASE I HAVE A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE, OF ALL PLACES WHY MY VICTIM IS IN A HALLOWEEN CONVENTION
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I raised my sickle above my head and in my scariest voice yell, *PLEASE I HAVE A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE, OF ALL PLACES WHY MY VICTIM IS IN A HALLOWEEN CONVENTION!* \n\nStill that obnoxious little Captain American kept pawing at my sickle. \n\n*It's not a Halloween Convention, It's a Comic Con that happens to be on Halloween,* she corrects me.\n\nThis embarrassingly tall Frodo walks up, calls me a Black Rider and looked expectantly at me as if I was supposed to respond. \n\nThen two perky Wonder Woman...Wonder Women? try to take a selfie with me while rubbing my head. Something snapped. \n\n*It's Halloween. Screw the list, I'm going rogue.* \n\nI start swinging, taking out every one of my admirers in a single swipe of the sickle. \n\n*Cool effects!* I found myself surrounded again. This time by a group of twenty-somethings who looked like Assassin's Creed goes to a Kiss concert. \n\nBeads of rage seep through my hanging skin and flying in red-orange beads of poison into the crowd, hitting random bystanders my sickle couldn't reach. \n\n I've been told I have a bad temper. I am out of control. I swing again and Assassin Creed bodies hit the ground a few feet from their heads. \n\nThen I hear her voice in my head *What have you done? Stop!* \n\nI feel reason return as the crowd scatters, trampling fallen superheros, demons, and ghosts on their way to the door. I take stock of the dead. I've been told my temper was a problem but dismissed it. I still contend this situation would try the calmest reaper, still, I'm not proud of what I did.\n\n*Shit.* Wouldn't you know the one I cam for is not among the fallen. \n\nAs their souls rise up from their bodies one of the Assassin Creed kids kicks at his own head and screams at me *You suck!*\n\nFrodo touches his hand to his chest and nearly passes it all the way through his body. *We're really dead?*\n\n*Sorry, Frodo. My bad.* It sounds so lame when I say it, but I really do feel bad. \n\n*My name is Gary,* he says coldly. *How stupid are you. This is cosplay! It's not real.*\n\n*You're the stupid one. I'm the actual reaper, buddy.*\n\n*Ok, that's kind of awesome,* says another one of the Assassin Creed kids.\n\nOnce I took out a murderer when I came for the victim. I didn't even get in that much trouble for that one...but this. I've never screwed up like this.\n\nLittle Captain America looks up at me with those big brown eyes, *I'm scared, I want to go home.*\n\nThe Wonder Women both rush to comfort him.\n\nA few minutes ago they were annoyances. Now they're people. Were people. I feel myself crumbling. This is really bad. Reaping has never been easy for me. I've even wondered if I'm in the wrong job. Usually I feel like I'm making a bad situation a little better. Being the one who caused it is a whole different level of hurt.\n\nI feel her first before I see her. The skin on the back of my neck tingles and burns. Hel is here and she is pissed.\n\n*Per, hand over your sickle and cloak.* Hel is angry but controlled. The way I was supposed to be a few minutes ago.\n\n*I'm so sorry...*\n\n*I don't want to hear it.* You're on Jormungandr duty for now. Odin's off on one of his existential meanderings among the stars. He'll deal with you when he gets back.\n\n*Oh good here's Baldr and Nott.* \n\nI'd never seen Baldr. I felt uncomfortable. If a reaper - -former reaper - can feel spooked, I felt spooked. He's the god who defeated death. He is with Nott who is riding her horse with darkness trailing behind her. She reached back and whips the darkness around like a cloak until it covered all my victims. Baldr breathes through the dark veil on each of them.\n\nThey were gone so quickly I wasn't sure I'd actually seen them. Neither spoke.\n\nHel and I looked at each other. It's not often that you witness a perfectly executed divine intervention. Something usually goes wrong. Somebody's ego gets the best of them. Humans interfere. Temper flare. Mass slaughter like mine by a reaper is rare, but not unheard of. \n\nValkyries are the worst. They're into gore big time and have been known to participate in battles they are technically reapers exclusively for warriors but I've personally witnessed had to clean up some of their mass civilian casualties. After this, I can personally say that I don't see the appeal.\n\n*We have to go before they wake up.* Hel poked at me with her sickle. It wasn't gentle.\n\n*What about the soul from my list?*\n\n*Your replacement will get her later. It's not going to upset the universe if she lives a little bit longer. Let's go. Their cops are in the hall.*\n\nI felt relief. I had no idea this could be fixed. Honestly, Hel's not that bad a boss. Maybe in a few thousand years and some sessions with Beaivi I can reapply to the academy and earn my cloak and sickle back. This is entirely on me. Jormungandr is a dick but I guess I got off light.",
"'Mortal, huh?' A middle aged man dressed in He-Man attire scoffed, pushing past me to get a picture with a cardboard Mark Hamill cut out. Resisting the urge to blow Mark Hamill and ''He-Man'' to smithereens I took a deep breath and tried again, more human this time. 'Look buddy, I'm a busy guy, I have a schedule to keep up with & I'd appreciate if you'd do me a favour and just let me do my job'. Stepping forward, I placed a bony hand on his shoulder and let the chill seep into his bones. He-Man remained with his back to me, still facing Mark Hamill. I sighed impatiently, wishing I wasn't already on two strikes at work or I'd have this guy booked and bagged in seconds. Infront of me, the pang of realisation had hit & He-Man knew who I was & what I had come for. They always knew, regardless of whether we were standing around at a Halloween convention in the middle of July. Amidst the chatter and noise that filled the area around us, I heard him gulp slowly before finally turning around. Oh, thank.god, I thought. He looked up at me, no longer the sarcastic, loud comic book nerd he was moments before, it seemed as though death had reduced him to nothing more than a man. Heaving a sigh of relief that I wouldn't be late for my next appointment after all, I lifted up my scythe & got ready to take what was mine when all of a sudden he stopped me. Feeling a pang of disappointment I looked at him. 'Uh, could we maybe go back to my place and feed my fish, Brian?'",
"Some angels graduate to guard Heaven's Gate. Some become singers. But I'm a flunk. I have to do the garbageman job no one wants to do... a Death Angel. No one wants to snatch someone's life away. Nor do it every day! It gets awkward. I remember the first life I took...\n\n'Twas Halloween and my first victim was an adoption carelady. Of course, she works alone. Of course, she's holding a party. Of course, if she dies, no one will look after those kiddies... they'll probably starve to death.\n\nI asked God about this, and his response was, \"it is what it is. I don't make the rules.\"\n\nI replied, \"uhh, you're God. So yeah ... you do.\"\n\nBut, God waved it off, \"yeah man, you're right... it is what it is.\"\n\nAnyways, I entered the room and she was in her rocking chair watching \"The Great Big Pumpkin\" with the kiddies. The killing process is pretty free-form. But, i always wondered how the other Death Angels do it. Do they recite a speech? Sounds cool.\n\nThey noticed me and immediately, their eyes widened in horror. Because per Death Angel dress code, apparently, I have to look like a Goth homeless man.\n\nSo, I announced, \"Mortal, I have come for your...\"\n\n\"BLANKIE!\" a little girl piped. She clutched my black robes.\n\n\"No,\" I snapped my robes from her pudgy hands. \"This isn't a costume.\"\n\nA little fat boy jumped off the bookshelf to get my sickle. But, I tugged it away and he splat onto the floor.\n\n\"Keep your hands off my sickle, you little brat,\" I muttered. The kid bawled and battered the floor like a monkey. And for some reason, all the little kids started to cry.\n\nI looked up only to be met with the old lady's blood-cracked, angry eyes. She huffed and puffed at me, \"Do... you... know... how hard... it is to keep them calm?\"\n\nNervously, I answered, \"No ma'am, I didn't mean to make him cry-.\"\n\nShe punched me in the face. And I sprawled onto the floor. Of course, it didn't hurt b/c I'm already dead. But, that was embarrassing!\n\n\"Screw it!\" I rasped. So, I sprung up and swung the sickle at the old lady. Whoosh! Her eyes widened and she fell limp. I sneered and stomped one foot onto her body as her soul drifted away. Then, I realized... I just took my first life. Wait a second, I'm not alone-.\n\nTurning around, all the kids stared, mouth-agape. I had to break the awkward silence. So, I broke it, \"PLEASE I HAVE A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE! OF ALL PLACES WHY MY VICTIM IS IN A HALLOWEEN CONVENTION!**\"**\n\nThen, I flew out of the house, tears streaming out of my eyes. At first, I was afraid that the kids will tell the story of a cry-baby Death Angel. Then, I received a text from God, \"*Still at that old lady's place? The kids went wild and there's a house fire. You can take the rest of their lives, lol.*\"\n\nWell ... it is what it is."
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[WP] Looking over one of your favourite subreddits, you happen upon a post from your account. It has hundreds of upvotes, and you recognize the style of writing as your own. But you have no memory of writing it.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I'm in this prompt, and I don't like it.\n\nNo, seriously: I've spent close to a decade on Reddit, and there was a time when I was one of the better-known writers here. Although I was known as being [a decent author of fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/88wdl6/ot_writingprompts_hall_of_fame_ramsesthepigeon/), most of my submissions here were stories from my life, which – while completely true – were oftentimes edited in order to make them more entertaining. As time passed and the site was swarmed by more and more newcomers, though, a depressing trend became evident: People no longer wanted to read long-winded tales of whimsical misadventure; they wanted things that were already familiar to them. Single-sentence quotations from television shows replaced the well-written anecdotes that storytellers had previously offered, and the collective literacy level on the site plummeted.\n\nNowadays, you're lucky if you see a single vocative comma in any given thread.\n\nThat isn't what we're here to talk about, though; we're here to look back on the time when one of my stories seemingly told itself. \n\nLike I had on so many occasions, I'd wandered into the comments section of a post that had prompted a half-forgotten memory. The span of a few minutes saw me coaxing that recollection back to the surface, after which I unceremoniously offered it to the masses. This was back in the days when a mere five thousand upvotes was regarded as an almost unthinkably massive amount, so when the story's score surpassed its first hundred in less than ten minutes, I was certain that I'd managed to write a winner.\n\nSomething strange happened soon after that, though: People started responding to my comment with accusations of plagiarism, stating that they had read the tale before. I knew – having just finished typing – that the piece was my own work, but the growing number of similar replies led me to wonder if I had accidentally duplicated someone else's story. It seemed absurd (especially since it was my own memory that I had shared), but the suspicion leveled at me was strong enough to prompt something of an investigation.\n\nThat was one when kindhearted Redditor linked to a comment from several weeks earlier. The specific wording was different, but the details were all the same... and I had been the author. My first thought was that I had merely forgotten about the first telling, but that idea went swiftly out the window when I realized that I'd never even heard of the subreddit wherein the story had appeared. More chilling still was a detail that only I would have noticed: I had been mistakenly using the word \"awhile\" (which means \"for a while\") in place of the term \"a while\" for years, right up until a helpful user had corrected me... but the weeks-old tale – which had not been edited – had managed to avoid that particular error, even though I had learned the difference *after* I had apparently written the piece in question.\n\nNeedless to say, I was more than a little bit taken aback.\n\nI've described the above events to my friends on a few occasions, and they all agree that I must have just misremembered the order of things. Honestly, they're probably right: It's a much more reasonable explanation than any of the others that I've come up with over the years. Even so, a tiny part of me wonders how I was able to so easily remember a moment from decades ago, yet still forget about something that had seemingly occurred only weeks prior. To this day, I can't offer a concrete answer to that internal question.\n\nRest assured, I don't actually believe this – it would be insane to even consider it, really – but in my more-deranged states of mind, I sometimes suspect that there might have been more to [my time-travel series](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/aefq3t/as_children_we_have_expectations_about_how_well/edp2zgt/) than met the eye.",
"You remember this type of thing happening before, when you've been drinking the night before, waking to so many replies to texts you don't remember posting, but this one is different. This one is long.\n\nWhat time was it when you passed out last night? And how much did I have to drink? So let's do a bit of forensic analysis and look at the time-stamps...\n\nThat... can't be right...\n\nForget the time, the date is 200 years ago. There must be some mistake, I mean, clearly there a bug in the code.\n\nThe replies, they all have wacky date too... starting 200 years ago, and... the most recent one is... last night?\n\nMan, the coders at Reddit are slipping-up big time, so what does the last post say... hey... it's me? I wrote that?\n\n\"Waking up in a new lifetime feels just like waking up from a dream. One day you open your eyes, and you remember who you are. One day you wake up... and your old life was the dream.\"\n\nNow I remember."
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[WP] The year is 2078, humans live in a dystopian world, once every month in surprise, a bell rings in a select few homes or apartment buildings, the bell ringing only means one thing, execution.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I'm used to it. We all are. It's been this way since I was born. And now I'm grown with a family of my own. People don't even talk about it any more, just a fact of life.\n\nI lay in bed, as was my custom, watching the alarm bell on our wall. My wife asleep next to me, hogging the blanket as usual.\n\nAs my eyes became heavy, and I began to drift off, I was awoken with a start by a shrill klaxon, breaking the night. It took me a moment to fully regain consciousness. My wife stirred.\n\nIt wasn't us. The bell on the wall remained dormant. It must have been somewhere on our street though. I clambered out of bed, and crept over to the window. My wife protested, she said it was bad luck to watch. \n\nToo late for her, as the kids had run into our room now. My youngest was crying. The other two were winding him up, saying it was for him. I scolded them and reassured them all it wasn't for us. \"The odds are so low. And even if it did, I wouldnt let them take any of you without a fight.\" I said.\n\nWe all looked out the window across the snow covered road. At the apartment block across from us. One of the lights was on, and we could see panicked silhouettes, frantically moving around their flat. The sirens grew louder as the black vans came careening down our road, sliding to a stop in front off the building.\n\nWe watched silently, as men in armoured vests carrying rifles jumped out the van. I hadn't seen one of these in person since I was very young. We're a town of thousands and there is only 12 a year.\n\n\"You'll never take her!\" Screamed a mans voice from the 5th floor window. He was brandishing a gun. \n\nI pushed the kids back away from the window, but they kept sneaking back to watch from the corners.\n\n\"What's happening?\" Asked my wife. I tried to answer, but couldn't speak, I was transfixed.\n\nThe men from the van, soon came bursting through the neighbouring apartments door. I saw it all in the light of their windows. \n\nA flash of gunfire, followed milliseconds after by the loud crack of a gunshot. He had missed, and armour clad 'agents' were pouring into their apartment.\n\nI heard voices yelling things like \"we're not here for you\" and \"where is she\".\n\nIt wasn't long before I saw one of them drag a young girl from her hiding place in a closet. I gasped, 'no'. She was just a child. I thought they didn't come for children any more. The man was wailing, he must have been her father. It took three agents to hold him down as they carried the screaming girl out the door.\n\nA few seconds later they came out onto the street and put her in the van. Leaving the father upstairs, kneeling, sobbing, helpless. Knowing it was over.\n\nMy kids saw everything.",
"Hunger, sadness, loneliness, numbness. Most days after the Incident would contain one or more of these. That was expected. After all, watching your friends and fellow humans be eviscerated, starve, or get eaten by their fellow brothers and sisters allowed you to simply blink and move on from any hardship. These four emotions, although horrible, were normal. They didn't seep into your body and effect you. They just were. Anxiety, however, was the true despair we all faced. \n\nNo one really knows how, or why, it all ended. We just knew the life we once lived was over. In between the daily hunt for scraps and the nightly prayers that the rovers wouldn't find one us huddled around a sole candle wick was overwhelming anxiety. Would today be the day? Or maybe tonight? What about this morning? Tomorrow? It was a nightmare, one somehow more horrible than the reality of our existence. At random, or so it seemed, a single bell would appear. Bright red and overwhelmingly loud, this was the alarm of death. Just as quickly as it appeared, so would They. \n\nThere were constant rumors of who They were, where They came from, what They wanted. Only rumors though. Nothing concrete. Some thought They were Death, or a form of Death. The Incident was meant to wipe us all out, but for some reason failed. The naive believed it was love, but it was likely dumb luck. Humans lasting beyond 2021 was luck in and of itself. However, one rumor was worth chasing down. How to survive the bell. \n\nWe'd traveled across the black sands of Mother Earth's remains to learn more. Daily struggles in the whipping wind as ash fell and entered our lungs. Most leads led to nothing more than wasted time. Some turned to violence, or at least attempted violence. But, one turned out to be more. Or so we believed. Maybe we were simply at the end of our attempt at living and wanted to believe. Maybe this was it. Are we as ignorant as those who think love saved us all? Were we even saved? It's difficult to categorize this beyond a tragedy. \n\nWe woke to the usual - darkness. Another day in the void. Windy and dull. Dark. Darker than most nights before the world went to shit. The bags were packed quickly, breakfast was skipped as our rations had been gone for days. We hoped to make it to the coast today. For whatever reason the coast always draws us in. Today held different plans for us though. Our fate had changed. That familiar high pitched sound began. In the distance They were closing. Our bags hit the ground quickly, and were opened immediately. I grabbed it. I felt no difference, but we'd know soon enough. Could this stone really be the key?"
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[WP] You’re in a museum watching a presentation on bizarre rites and rituals. What the experts around you don’t know is that you’re an immortal who is now watching a millennia-old practical joke come to fruition.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"No sound emerged from the expectant crowd, not a single fart or sneeze or whisper. The auditorium was deathly silent, packed to the brim with notable scientists and their acolytes and assorted hangers-on, all of which had helped contribute in some way to this pivotal moment.\n\nI sat in the far corner of the room, entertained for the first time in centuries.\n\nI noticed that Jimothy's throat was parched. He had been humming the ancient ritual rites for a few hours now, projecting a perfect harmony in sublime and correct sequence, allowing the crowd to echo his hums in just the right cadence at just the right moment. Now the humming had died down and pregnant silence had descended upon the room.\n\nIt was clear that Jimothy wanted nothing more than to clear his throat, but doing so would break the spell, so he sacrificed his comfort to the noble cause, no doubt chalking it up to the last link in a long chain of suffering. Tonight he would be redeemed. They all would be.\n\nProfessor Talbot broke the spell at the exact moment she was supposed to. \"Egyptian hieroglyphics... we thought we'd cracked the code long ago, but we were wrong.\"\n\nAn image flashed on the giant screen above her podium, bathing the onlookers in a wave of virtual light.\n\n\"The modern phenomenon of flat earthers and anti-vaxxers was foretold in a tomb beneath the Red Sea,\" she pointed at the screen, which showed the underwater entrance to the tomb. The camera tracked the divers as they entered, then followed them into the blackness. A light turned on, illuminating stone slabs stacked in neat rows.\n\n\"And the rest is history,\" Talbot said, her face cracking into a broad grin. \"Tonight all of our decades of hard work come to fruition.\" She glanced at Jimothy, pity flashing across her otherwise controlled features. \"I know we've all sacrificed a lot to get here, shouldering the ridicule of our peers in the scientific community, but soon they too will *open* their minds.\"\n\nShe extended her arms and the audience mirrored her, until everyone in the auditorium was standing with arms stretched and palms up to the heavens.\n\n\"The ancient texts speak of coming cultural phenomenons that will seem so stupid, so insultingly ridiculous to those outside of the 'thought-loop,'\" she emphasized that last part in quotation marks. \"That we would all go insane if we truly tried to understand whatever their particular brand of bullshit is.\"\n\nThe professor locked eyes with the crowd, flipping her attention from person to person. \"As more of us live longer and our needs are increasingly met, we will gravitate to these causes in order to create an iron-clad sense of purpose for ourselves.\" The crowd stared back, matching her intensity.\n\n\"Get ready for literal gynmasiums wrapped in tinfoil, for the crazy clusterfuck has only just begun,\" she paused for emphasis, every bit the professional lecturer. \"But we are prepared. The ancient texts tell us what phenomenons will come to pass, no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Ancient wisdom points the way.\"\n\nI chuckled at that, still watching Jimothy summon all of his power to resist clearing his own throat. I was pleased with myself. This had been a long time in the making, so long in fact that when I first struck upon the idea the concept of 'science' was just gaining traction. A whole lot of divinely inspired bullshit later and my plan was coming to fruition.\n\nI had given science the strongest tool in the toolbox in the fight against the increasingly proliferating idiocy all over the world. These scientists would lead the charge against anti-scientific drivel by fighting fire with fire, targeting the leading personalities of such views by one-upping them and their cult followings whenever their breathtakingly stupid assertions or points of view threatened entrance into the mainstream cultural lexicon.\n\nFlat Earthers, meet Flat Universe."
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[WP] You've drifted off from the ship-wreck and your life boat's supplies are almost exhausted. Right when you've given up all hope, a strange part of the ocean pulls you down into a place humans never knew existed on Earth.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The water is a black mass around me, the lifeboat nearly indistinguishable in the nighttime. After the *Singer* exploded the panicked shouts and scramble around the deck had shot a burst of adrenaline through my veins, but now, having paddled through the darkness for days on end with no human civilization in sight, the hysteria seems nonsensical. I strip off my drenched socks and fling them into the ocean, watching the waves swallow them hungrily. I can't remember the last time they were dry. Shutting my eyes, I sink back into my life vest and let the paddles flop idly.\n\nMy stomach clenches with hunger, but I am no longer disturbed by it. In my mind I am at home comparing brochures about honeymoon cruises with my fiancée over the Sunday breakfast table. She had always wanted to go to Cancún, but I insisted on Alaska. In winter! Of all times, she exclaimed in frustration, but with a smile. She was always lousy at arguments.\n\nThe sound of the water lapping is becoming more and more distant, a ringing alarm that I can't bother to turn off. The coffee must be done now. We're having pancakes, and the syrup is sweet and heavy on my tongue.\n\nSuddenly the boat jolts and my hands clench the sides of the boat instinctively. There is a pinhole of light in the distance, but suddenly I realize there is no horizon, just a wave of water over my head, forming a circular tunnel with perfect symmetry. The light is growing larger and larger. I grasp the oars by my side and realize I haven't been paddling, but the boat is moving slowly and smoothly ahead. Squinting at the light, I begin to sweat; the faces of the families on the *Singer* flash across my mind; my heart races.\n\n*Why don't you have some wine?*\n\n*Of course, your son is attending Wimbleton as well? We should introduce them!*\n\nA scream escapes my mouth as I am enveloped in light. But there is no pain. As I blink, the bright spots in my vision slowly fade into the front desk of a hotel lobby. To my surprise, I am standing. My feet are donned with slippers and a bathrobe clothes my body. I clutch my arms and the skin is smooth and unscarred.\n\nThe front desk clerk looks up at me incuriously, his eyes wide and fishlike. \"Ah, you must be the next qualifying candidate for the Grand Experiment. Please sit,\" he gestures to the plush benches on his right, where several bewildered people are gathered, wearing the same plain bath outfits as me. Their eyes look at me hollowly.\n\nThe doorbell rings as another guest stumbles in. It's my wife.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThis is my first attempt at a writing prompt, so thanks for reading! Sorry for the cliffhanger lol. I appreciate any feedback you may have :)",
"Exhaustion. Nothing can convey the true feeling of exhaustion. Kids come home from school; they're exhausted. Mum's been at work all day; she's exhausted. Dad had a particularly challenging four hour round of golf; he's exhausted. No. No, you're not. You're tired, maybe. Perhaps hungry. Perhaps thirsty. But exhausted? No.\n\nLet me tell you about exhaustion.\n\nExhaustion is when the sun beats down on you relentlessly, and totally exposed, with the only possible shade being your own clothing held up against the sun, you can't even do that. Because your arms are too weak to lift up, and even if they were strong enough, you've no power in your hands to hold a garment for longer than a few seconds. Because you're exhausted.\n\nExhaustion is when your parched, hoarse mouth aches for a drink, but you can't even turn your head to see where the water is.\n\nExhaustion is when your eyes hurt so bad, even though your eyelids are closed, because that aforementioned relentless sun is burning the fragile flap of skin that's barely protecting your pupils from the blazing light.\n\nExhaustion is - exhaustion is trying to think of anything else, because surely by now you've got the picture.\n\nI'm not speaking from past experience. I'm speaking from my current situation.\n\nAs best as I can remember, I've been in this dingy for eight days. At first, there were three of us. I could tell you the other's names, if I remembered them. All I remember is that one day, I woke, and they were gone. Where, I know not. I'm not going to waste my energy thinking about it. They didn't take any of the meagre provisions with them, so I can only assume that they're dead. Maybe they deliberately went overboard one night, terrified of any other dire alternative. I've considered doing the same myself. That must have been day five. Since then, I've been alone.\n\nBefore that? Before that I was on a research vessel. In the middle of the Indian Ocean. Looking for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. A private endeavour. Don't know who sponsored it. But four days after leaving port, on Thursday afternoon, at around 14:00 local time, the boat blew up. Just like that. No warning, no sirens, no small fire. Just one massive explosion that didn't just tear a hole in the hull - it ripped the entire starboard hull off of the vessel. Immediately, the \"Fiery Dancer\" capsized. If it weren't for my two colleagues and I doing an inspection on the dingy, we would have gone down with the ship, like the 17 others. Instead, by either luck, divine intervention, or just a freak of nature, the three of us were thrown by the blast into the dingy as it was ripped from it's moorings, and landed in the ocean. We barely scrambled off of our backs in time to see the Fiery Dancer - or what was left of her - disappear into the gloomy waters. For the next hour or so, debris popped up, but nothing of use. Our dingy was equipped with minimal provisions - twenty five cans of tuna; fifteen packets of survival meals; twenty litres of water; six life vests; a flare gun and four flares.\n\nWe managed to go sparingly with the food. The water - that was difficult. In the blazing summer heat, it was hard not to gulp it down by the litre. We realised that we would have to ration it. None of us were survival experts. None of us knew where we were. We had no communications device. Death was inevitable.\n\nUnlike the others, I chose not to give up. If death came, so be it. But I would not go looking for it. So as I lay there, in my truly exhausted state, on day eight, it took me several long minutes to realise that something was different.\n\nAt first, my mind probed what it could be. It was just a sensation, but in my disoriented state, I could not decipher it. I listened attentively, and noticed the sound of water lapping. That was expected - the gentle waves had been lapping against the dingy constantly. But now there was a difference that I couldn't place. I tried to open my eyes, but couldn't. With the greatest effort, I heaved myself from my position - lying on my back on the base of the dingy - into a semi-seated position. From there, I managed to shade my eyes with my hand - with great difficulty - and opened my eyes. For a while, my brain couldn't interpret the images that my eyes were sending it. Then I realised that it was my badly sunburned legs, in water stained - or possibly even urine stained - khaki shorts. Slowly, I lifted my head. I started to scan the horizon - it all looked the same, and I couldn't fathom North from South, East from West.\n\nBut then, my senses scrambled into action very, very quickly, and my brain, from it's befuddled state, organised itself hastily and translated multiple sources of input: The sound of the waves lapping, different; the motion of the dingy, changed; the massive circular pipe, raised three feet out of the middle of the Indian Ocean, with a screen, intercom and push button mounted to it's side - utterly, utterly, unexpected.\n\nEnergy surged through my body like a lightning bolt. I stood up, unsteady. Quickly, I swigged from the last bottle of water, and chomped on the last survival meal. I'll be damned if I'm not getting off of this dingy right now.\n\nReaching over, I pressed the push button with all my might, eyeing the screen, willing for a person to appear on it. They did. A woman, looking at me, bewildered.\n\n\"Who are you? How did you get here?\"\n\n\"Let. Me. In.\" I demanded, my voice raspy, weak, barely audible.\n\n\"But who - \"\n\n\"Let. Me. In.\"\n\nI could feel the energy draining out of my body. I felt woozy, weak, and black spots were forming in the peripheral of my vision.\n\nJust as my legs gave way, and before my senses shut down entirely, I heard a hissing noise, and saw the flat top of the pipe swing open.\n\nA head popped out, my arms were grabbed, and my world went dark.\n\n===\n\nThanks for reading!\n\nComments, criticisms and feedback welcome!\n\nFor more like this, please visit /r/MarkChandler \\- thanks!"
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[WP] Your family thinks you're a hoarder and worry about you constantly. But what you know and can't tell them is that the stuff is multiplying on its own.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"***Stuff*** [Poem]\n\nMy mother implores me, at least once a day: \r\n“How can you safely keep living this way?” \r\n\r\nMy father berates me, his tone gruff and cruel: \r\n“Get rid of all this, don’t be such a fool!” \r\n\r\nMy sister pities me, thinks I’ve gone mad: \r\n“I don’t understand, is life all that bad?” \r\n\r\nMy brother insults me, noting the smell: \r\n“You and your garbage can both rot in hell!” \r\n\r\nWhat they’ll never know, the truth I can’t speak – \r\nThe stuff just appears, increasing each week. \r\n\r\nFood left half finished, drinks left half drunk, \r\nBusted kids' toys, clothes filthy with gunk. \r\n\r\nPaper, glass, plastic; boxes, bags and more, \r\nA rising trash river that once was my floor. \r\n\r\nI wish I could end it, but admit that I'm beat; \r\nIt’s out of my hands and all over my feet. \r\n\r\nForgive me dear family, for causing you gloom… \r\nBut the stuff just won’t stop; my home's now my tomb.\n \n \n \n \nEdit: realized I rhymed *feet* with *defeat*, so changed a line",
"Henry knew the closet in his bedroom was where he was supposed to put his clothes. He kept them in the drawers of his bedside table instead. He found it easier to pick them out in the morning that way, and it let him have the closet space for everything else. He jokingly called it his junk pile, but it was actually surprisingly neat. A box of old school papers in the corner beneath board games for when friends came over. A tool box on the top shelf. Some old t-shirts and sweaters piled on the ground, mostly used for rags. Henry knew pretty much exactly what was in there and could find any of it almost immediately.\n\nOne day though, while rummaging for a pair of pliers, Henry caught a glint out of the corner of his eye. He stopped his searching, turned, and leaned down towards the metallic shine. It was a small medal. Confused, Henry picked it up to look closer. It was the cheap gold of mass-produced participation trophies, but with a surprisingly detailed etching of a man's face yelling in triumph on the front. On the back, black type simply read, \"Eric Martinez. First.\" After five minutes of baffled staring, Henry put it back. One of his friends must have accidentally left it there, although he knew nobody named Eric Martinez. He decided it was best just to keep it safe and ask everyone he knew when he got the chance. Something about the medal made him uncomfortable looking at it for too long anyway.\n\nThe next day, first thing in the morning, Henry looked in the closed again. He didn't need anything, but he felt an inexplicable urge to look at the medal again. It was right where he left it, and he once again inspected it to see if there was anything he recognized about it. As he inspected it, the etching seemed to shift a little. While it looked mostly normal, some of the lines made the face seem stretched, distorted, not quite normal. Certainly nobody Henry recognized. As he put it back, Henry noticed, nearly buried in a pile of old t-shirts, a silver glint. He grabbed it, and pulled out another medal, one he could have sworn was not there the day before. He looked at it with slightly nervous confusion, having no idea how it had gotten there. It was silver and almost identical to the last one except that the etching on the front seemed to be of a woman. She seemed to be screaming in triumph just like the last one, but the etching was not quite as good and made her face seem oddly angular. The text on the back read \"Marry Stuart. Second.\"\n\nHenry threw it back and shut the closet door. He wasn't sure what was going on and he didn't think he wanted to be. So the closet sat, shut, for almost 2 weeks. He told some friends and family, but they all laughed like he was joking Finally though, Henry couldn't stand watching it nervously every night. He needed to know. He stepped over gingerly and inched the door open, ready to shut it at any moment. Inside, the floor was practically covered in medals and trophies lined the upper shelf. He pulled one down. It had no plaque, and was simply an arm stretching up from the base. While it could have simply been a hand outstretched in triumph, it was grasping and tense and, for some reason, seemed to Henry a little like a person drowning. Henry threw it to the floor and ran to get the largest trash can he owned. When he came back, dragging the bin behind him, he stopped dead. A new, unadorned plaque hung exactly at eye level in the closet. In big, black letters it read, \"Do not throw anything away. You have been warned.\"\n\nSo Henry did nothing. His friends and family grew concerned as his collection of awards grew bigger and bigger, and no matter how much he tried to tell them that none of it was his, no one believed him. Finally, noticing Henry's increasing stress, his family put together an intervention. While his friends took him out to dinner, his brother Mark went to his apartment to clean up the closet that seemed to have caused him so much stress.\n\nWhen Henry returned to his apartment, panic instantly wore away the peace he felt after his time seeing his friends. He had noticed the trophy on his desk. With a horrified expression and a trembling hand, he picked it up. It was a stylized round head that seemed to be melting into the base, no features except for 2 holes for eyes and a mouth wide in a silent scream. The plaque underneath, in the same black type as the others, read, \"Mark Fleming. A very stupid man.\""
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[WP] Every 100 years great beasts rouse from their slumber & devour everything they can. To aid the weaker humans during this time, the dragon smiths forge special weapons then sound the hunter's call to summon chosen wielders. In the dead of night you hear a deep rumbling. You are being summoned
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You know it’s your duty, but the blaring horn at 3 am is never easy to adjust to. Being a dragon smith is quite the honor. But 3 am?! Don’t the dragons need some sleep too? \n\nYou make it to your shop in a daze and begin to set up for a long day of work. You’re proud of your work so you don’t mind having to work through the overwhelming tiredness and begin your day. As a welder and forger you’re sprayed with hot sparks and spend the whole time listening to the “bang bang” of others forging these special weapons. It does little to bother you as you know your work is noble, and your focus is intense. \n\nAs you think of the incoming dragons you worry more and more, will your poor grandma have to fight off a beast twice her size? Will your weapons hold up to such powerful opponents? This pushes you to work harder than before, to create weapons that will stand the test of time. \n\nYou finally finish your task and head home to get some rest. Ready for the storm that’s coming."
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[WP] It turns out, everyone goes to Hell -- it's a place of atonement, where people are punished for the full weight of their sins before being allowed to continue to Heaven. You don't have long to spend in Hell after your death, but you're surprised by some of the people you meet.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"God, that was difficult. I'd like to think I was a good person, but all the same, I let some people down over the years. Petty lies, selfishness, a couple of stupid teenage mistakes...I was willing to admit to it all. And it was freeing in a way. Funny in another. I'd almost forgotten the time I spray-painted rude words on the side of the school and never got caught. All in all, 87 years well-spent, if a little mischievously at times.\n\nI run my fingers through my hair. The demons told me that I just had to write some notes asking for forgiveness for minor transgressions, and some notes reprimanding similar small sins, to my living friends. Unless you commit a major sin, you don't have to wait for the person you sinned against or who sinned against you to die before you move on. Which was good, otherwise my teachers would be here for years, because I had a *lot* of apologising for homework-based sins to do.\n\n\"Mr. Richardson?\" a mail demon calls, bustling into the room with a brightly-coloured plastic wallet, and immediately stuffing my pile of notes inside it. \"Good, good, I see you've written your Minor Sins Forgiveness Request slips...and here's your Minor Sins Apology Request slips...you should be good to go!\"\n\n\"Great.\" I stand at the desk, but the demon freezes suddenly, smacking her forehead with one clawed hand.\n\n\"Oh, I apologise, sir! One more thing before you leave. If you could just follow me?\" And she's off, plastic wallet swishing rhythmically at her side. I hurry after her. Through some sliding doors, through a rotating door she almost gets her tail stuck in, to a clean waiting room with chairs lining the white walls. I scan the area. One seat is occupied by an anxious-looking woman who chews a pen and doesn't look up when we walk in.\n\nMy heart sinks. A sweat breaks out on my forehead. My knees wobble slightly.\n\n\"Mrs. Richardson?\" the demon calls softly. \"Here he is.\" Then she senses the tension, and scurries out of the room.\n\nThe woman looks up, and she's nearly as I remember her. More worn with age, perhaps, and the look in her eyes...it doesn't look right. It's too brimming with emotions, perhaps more than I've seen her wear since I was nine years old.\n\n\"...Dahlia? My baby girl?\"\n\nI let out a heavy sigh, feeling tears bead at the corners of my eyes. Tears of what? Frustration, fear, sadness? I can't tell.\n\n\"Tom. It's Tom.\" I can't help the harshness in my voice as I stare down the woman who threw me out of the house, ignored my desperate phone calls, blocked my number as I almost died of cold alone in the streets. The woman who is now glancing around, afraid, only afraid of punishment. The woman who nearly got me killed, purely for the crime of being a son rather than a daughter. Who called me imperfect. Flawed. The cause of a divorce, the dependant victim and then the evil perpetrator of an agenda.\n\nI take a deep breath.\n\n\"You've got plenty of sins to reckon with, ma. How's it feel to realise I'm not one of them?\"\n\n(I apologise in advance for any errors, this is my first post here and I wrote it at midnight, whoops\nLmk what y'all think)"
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[WP] You’re a criminal in Gotham City and you’ve been hired to rob a rare artefact from Wayne Manor. You decide to sneak in through the catacombs beneath the mansion only to find the Bat-Cave.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Explain to me how you just *stumbled* into the Batcave.\" Nightwing pinched the bridge of his nose, looking confused and exasperated. \"You don't just... we have stuff to stop this! Seriously HOW?!\"\n\nI shifted against the rope, getting a bit more comfortable.\n\n\"Well...\n\nIt seemed like such a simple plan. \n\nThe Wayne guy was some rich douche, coasting off his parent's fortune. Yeah sure he splashed some cash to \"help the poor\" but he never did any actual good. Some of the more ambitious goons, the guys sick of working for the nutcase villains and getting stomped by the Batman, decided to make their own group, and formed a plan. See, with all that money, Wayne had bought some pretty pricey stuff. Paintings, artifacts, trinkets, stuff he probably wouldn't even notice if it went... missing. So we got hold of the building's floor plan, and did a scan of the surrounding area. We spotted the cave entrance round the side of the Manor, figured it went under the grounds. One of the guys used to be an orderly at Gotham General, and remembered some years ago when Thomas Wayne brought his kid in after falling down a well on the grounds. We set that as our way in.\n\nWe spent a couple of weeks planning, covering every possibility, gathering equipment and figuring exactly how we'd get in. We were set.\n\nGetting to the cave was easy. Getting under the waterfall was a bit tricky, but we managed. Figured it would be a simple enough to find our way through, climb up the well, cut the power to the building to take out the security cameras. Then we could get into the building, snatch some shiny things, and leave the same way. Easy right?\n\nSo imagine our surprise when what should have been a rocky tunnel turned into a steel driveway, lights everywhere, and at the end, the frickin BATMOBILE. Suddenly we didn't feel quite so prepared. Standing staring at all of Batman's stuff, the suits in those glass cases, the plane, the workshop with all those gadgets. This could be a bigger score than we ever thought. Not only could we snag some Batstuff, we could sell the information that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Then that massive computer started flashing, and the whole place locked down.\n\n\"And of course that's when you showed up and kicked the crap out of us. Dick.\"\n\n\"Well, credit to you for being the smartest henchmen in Gotham, and falling into the greatest secret this side of Metropolis. You realise i can't let you go right? Not even to jail. So we're gonna wait here until Batman~\"\n\n\"Bruce Wayne.\"\n\n\"*BATMAN* Gets back. I'm not qualified to deal with this.\" Nightwing slumped into the chair by the computer, and pressed a few buttons. The screen flashed to life, Batman answering the call.\n\n\"Nightwing, did you take care of the alert? What was it?\" His gruff voice carrying around the cave.\n\n\"Well, yes and no... a handful of goons came in the cave entrance. And they *might* know who we are... could do with your advice on this one.\"\n\nBatman stared at his former sidekick, saying nothing, then hung up.\n\n\"He seems happy.\"\n\n\"He's never happy. Which is gonna suuuuck for you guys when he gets here.\""
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[WP] while you do love them, you have to admit your significant other is kinda a creep. To sedate your curiosity you take a pill that will let you read their mind. Now you're overwhelmed by the abundance of wholesome thoughts.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Oscar's eyes were still trained on the woman that passed us as I tried to bring his attention back to the conversation we were having, and I sighed. Her bright red bodycon dress *was* eye catching, but he did this *all the time*.\n\nThe single pill in my pocket was beckoning. It was an experimental drug which claimed to allow people to read minds. I was still a bit skeptical, but... Honestly I just had to know what made him tick. What made Oscar stare so intently at other women, or make the comments he did.\n\nSo while he was still turned slightly away, I broke the seal on the packaging and stared down at the small greenish pill. It was now or never. Popping it into my mouth I took a swig of my cooling coffee. \n\nI then turned back to Oscar and waited. There was no information about how long it took to go into effect.\n\nBut only a few brief seconds later, I could hear his voice in the back of my head, his thoughts were now mine.\n\nHis beautiful dark brown eyes that I loved so much were still trained over my shoulder to where the woman was waiting to cross.\n\n*\"-it's kind of obvious. There's no way she doesn't know.\"* His eyes dart down to where I assume the poor woman's ass was. *\"Should I go talk to her? I totally should.\"* Was he planning on cheating? *\"She'll be embarrassed if somebody else tells her. I mean... how on Earth did it even get stuck there? Did it get caught in her panties?\"*\n\nWhat? I glanced back at the woman and saw something I hadn't noticed before. With every gust of wind the paper toilet seat cover fluttered weakly.\n\n I winced and stood abruptly. \"I'll be right back, babe.\" I tossed over my shoulder as I approached the woman and tapped on her shoulder, murmuring into her ear about her little problem when I had her attention. She flushed prettily and grabbed the thing, balling it up and tossing it into the nearby trash can.\n\n\"Thank you so much.\" She said with real gratitude. \"I'm on my way to an interview and that would have been so embarrassing.\" Looking at her closely now, the dress was not as revealing as I had first assumed, and paired with low practical heels. I wished her luck as the 'walk' light changed and made my way back to the table where Oscar was waiting.\n\nHe winked broadly when I sat down. \"Did you get her number?\" He asked slyly. The concern for the woman must have been a one off, he was still pretty creepy.\n\nI almost rolled my eyes when his voice spoke again but his lips didn't move. *\"She looked like she would be a solid friend for Sam. I hope they hit it off.\"* \n\n\"Oh! Uh... no, I didn't.\" I told him.\n\nHis face fell slightly. \"Oh, well... I'm sure we'll see her again.\" Oscar shrugged. His eyes slid away from mine and lit up. Another woman was jogging on the other side of the street, midriff bare.\n\n*\"Dog!\"* Oscar exclaimed silently, and I looked again to see a fluffy golden retriever trotting cheerfully by the jogger. *\"Dog! Dog! Fluffy wuffy puppy! Look at him, look at his little vest! Oh I want a puppy. I wish my apartment let me have one...\"*\n\nAs soon as the pair turned the corner he regarded me again over the rim of his Styrofoam coffee cup. \"You look hot today.\" He said after a moment, and it took me a bit to realize he said that out loud. I was a bit surprised, as I kind of looked like a slob today.\n\n*\"She's way too pretty for me. I hope she doesn't realize that. I love when she doesn't wear makeup, I don't like the sticky feeling of lipstick when I kiss her. Oh well, we all have our sacrifices.\"* His mental voice sounded fondly resigned.\n\nWell... damn."
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[WP] "She looks happy, dancing and drinking and laughing, but it's a distraction. Not a lie-in these moments, she is happy. But it's the only place she's happy."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" She has been moving around the apartment, restlessly, since before the party began. Every guest who comes through the door gets the same nervous hug, worried eyes, and “thank you for coming”. She’s a wallflower at her own party. While everyone else moves about, enjoying the party, she searches for a place where she can overlook the evening. “I hope everyone is having a good time”, I hear her repeat to herself a few times.\n\nIt isn’t until the night is coming to an end, when the dance floor has been abandoned by the other guests, that she releases and moves out on the dance floor, alone. She moves as if she is creating the music in this very moment. She looks happy, it’s for the first time this night, but it’s a distraction. This is the only place she is happy. The parties, the good hostess, they’re all a distraction. Not a lie - in these moments, she's happy. It is however nothing like the girl on the dance floor at the end of the night. \n\nIt is when she’s alone that she’s herself.",
"Being in London was the only time I could find myself with my friends. But back in France, my narcissistic mother was still complaining about how awful I was. It's not my fault she had me early, but apparently, now that I look like a younger, more fun version of her, she's jealous of me. Everyone else sees an angel - I see a spoilt brat who acts like they're five.\n\nMeeting my ex best friend was weird. I'm glad I managed to meet those people in Thailand and Holland or else I really would be in trouble by now. Sandra doesn't understand why I could be single at 30, as if it were my own fault that nobody seemed to take an interest in me. My last boyfriend was an ass. He was even going to be my fiancée - what the fuck was I thinking?\n\nOne thing's for sure - I'm not planning to be someone else's perfect housewife anytime soon. It's great being able to have that freedom - though I'd be lying if the fact I didn't have a steady job or a baby didn't sting a little, even though I know that those things could be awfully boring and tie me down.\n\nDrinking with mates was fun today. And I've even found a guy I like! I hope he isn't going to just expect sex all the time. Heck, last time I even went out with a guy when I was horny, he turned me off just by making it all about him. I'm just a slut to these guys. Their brains have been ruined by porn.\n\nI'm glad that I managed to get drunk with the girls, but after all those giggles I now feel like I'm dropping. I'm worried about tomorrow; I hope that my body won't suffer. All my friends are just going to think it's just a hangover, except for Sandra (well, OK, she doesn't really count or know anyone I'm with now) who will tell me to try yoga for the fiftieth time in a week, as if I wasn't doing it already.\n\nAll my life, I'd taken my status for granted. I'd assumed it was easy, I'd never be in that position. When I heard people say that they couldn't do x or y because they weren't agile enough, I'd thought they were fussing and being a nuisance. Now, I've spent my late twenties like I'm already some old lady; my bones ache every time it rains, and I've had more tests done on me than a lab rat with the prognosis of my late grandfather.\n\nI haven't told everyone; they won't see me the same way. I used to think disabilities only happened to disabled people. When I applied for the au pair job, I'd felt as though I was doing society a favour by looking after a kid with a mental disability, and that it was cute. Now, I know what it feels like; now matter how serious you are, people treat you like a baby. All that time, I'd thought that kids was just acting like a kid, or spoilt; now I realize it's just their way of getting attention, trying to get taken seriously as a human being.\n\nOr perhaps they wouldn't see me differently. Maybe no-one would believe me anyway. All they see is fun-loving blonde Cindy, there she goes, exaggerating her problems again. I'd make goths and hipsters who pretend to be depressed look like someone who confesses stealing a pencil from someone in church. I can remember the time that doctor first saw me, thinking I was making it all up. I don't know how society can get away with employing these assholes. That's misogyny for you. If I was a man, with a deep voice, nobody in their position would accuse me of lying and refuse to take me seriously. What motivation would I have for making something up in front of a doctor?\n\nBut society is different; you have to be in a wheelchair for anyone to notice something is up."
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[WP] You have just arrived in hell. What suprised you was waking up in the devil’s office with him offering you a job as his assistant.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The devil is incredibly, utterly, undeniably boring.\n\nThis is what makes him so very dangerous.\n\nI've been trying to look at him for the last minute. Every time I try I'll look at him, think *Oh, that's what he looks like*, and then the moment I blink my mind goes blank and the short window I had closes and my memory is consigned to oblivion. The office is painted grey. The desk is brown.\n\nHe says something. I forget it. He tries again, smiles apologetically, and then suddenly there is a piece of paper in front of me.\n\n*Vacancy*, it says. *Assistant required. Bearable hours. Excellent pay. No experience required. For futher information, please contact Gehenna inc. or alert our owner, L. Morningstar, directly.*\n\nIt changes the moment I've read it. **WE WANT** ***YOU***, proclaims the army recruitment poster.\n\nI frown. \"You want me as your assistant?\"\n\nHe nods.\n\n\"Will I have to be... like that?\"\n\nThe poster is gone. In it's place is a letter. I open it, and it reads:\n\n*I am very sorry to inform you that you suffer from* Being Cast Down from Glory by God Almighty in Heaven*. I would recommend* rest and/or feasting on the souls of mortal men*.* \n\nIt continues, with apologies, recommendations and a recommendation for a therapist, signed neatly at the end with *Asklepios, MD.*\n\nThe note changes. It is now a copy of the original *Dr. No* poster.\n\nThe devil sighs. He procures, from somewhere, a wine bottle marked *Eric Rhume, 1927-1982.* He drinks it.\n\nThe man across from me is now in a suit, with a little maple leaf pin, has a blinding smile on his face and is leaning a little over the desk as to get closer to me.\n\n\"A canadian Nazi,\" he says, \"who killed his father for disagreeing with him politically. He had no other family. He thought he got away, but they never get away, not really.\" As he speaks, Eric develops a slight french-canadian accent.\n\n\"So what do you want me to do?\" I ask.\n\nEric smiles. \"You will help me. Sort the souls. Sign some papers. Be a stand-in for some of the contracts.\" \n\nHis eyes change color, to a deep, thick red.\n\n\"For there is much too much to do now for a single Devil to handle. The signs are growing ever-more visible. The world is preparing itself for us. Our herald will call us forth, and we shall rise out of the seas and the sands and the minds of mortal fools to torment the world, as liars stand on the highest peaks and preach that my way shall lead to salvation.\"\n\nHis eyes grow deeper, almost to black.\n\n\"Then shall we stand,\" he snarls, \"and we shall drink our fills of souls and lead the charge on Heaven with legions uncounted. I will lead the charge and personally spill Michael's blood on the golden roads while the legions of Humanity despoil and break what they have thirsted for for so long.\"\n\nHis eyes turn normal. \"But all that's a plan for the future. Here and now, you'll mostly be doing administratory work.\"\n\nI think it over. On one hand, his plan is quite literally destined to fail. The devil will fall again, to his death this time, and I'll likely share his fate.\n\nOn the other hand, I *will* be damned if I refuse him.\n\n\"I'm in,\" I say.\n\nAnd who knows, there may yet come a chance to betray."
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[WP] Aliens have invaded earth. Everyone evacuates, and soldiers begin attacking the spaceship. However, the aliens don’t start destroying everything. They see a little puppy wagging its tail, and they like the little thing already.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"#### Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization.\n\n\"Evacuation complete, Sir.\"\n\n\"Thanks, Colonel. Did we get higher to modify the ALPHA ROE?\"\n\n\"Negative, Sir. There is a sizeable minority that believes we must give the aliens a chance to.*prove* their intent.\"\n\n\"I don't get them. Prove their intent? What more proof do you need than an armada so large we can literally fight in the shade all damn day!?\"\n\n\"Boots *and* casualties, on the ground. Sir, the point of ALPHA ROE is clear enough; the first casualty on our side, clearly inflicted by enemy action, is the tripwire for BETA ROE.\"\n\n\"I *know* that Colonel! I was speaking rhetorically.\"\n\n\"Yes, Marshal, and I was speaking provocatively. It at least got you off that worn out rut. Maybe now you can pay attention to the enemy, and not the government?\"\n\n\"<snort> There's not much difference between the two.\"\n\n\"There is one significant difference, Sir.\"\n\n\"Yeah, the government was on the first boats out.\"\n\n\"The other being that the aliens are about to crash our party.\"\n\n\"Make sure all the observation teams are up.and tied into the net. I want the first sign of a goon on this screen\".\n\n\"Already done, Sir.\"\n\n#### ALIEN HQ\n\n\"Strange, I see no evidence that they intend to defend the orbitals.\"\n\n\"Agreed, Strange indeed. They must know we are here; there has been enough traffic away for the last six months.\"\n\n\"I can't help feeling that it's a trap. Warn our troops. They need to know there's something strange here.\"\n\n\"Did you notice how much more richly appointed the first wave was?\"\n\n\"How could I miss it! The gleam from the solid gold heads near blinded me with the reflection of their egos!\"\n\n\"Well, at least we won't have to put up with their moaning.\"\n\n#### SHADO\n\n\"I don't get it, Marshall? Why are they coming in so carefully? Their usual MO is: smash first, recycle later. If I didn't *know* we had no traps, I'd think they were afraid of an ambush.\"\n\n\"Colonel, we did not defend the orbitals. *No One* willingly gives up the orbitals unless they have something nasty planned.\"\n\n\"That's truth. So why did we do it?\"\n\n\"The people who were *going* to pay for it bugged out first. The new corporate taxes were going to strip all the special interests exceptions, and make them pay the real rate.\"\n\n\"So why didn't the government stop them?\"\n\n\"First, they dumped and ran before the new laws came in. Second, the federated government *wanted* them to bug out. That way, the FedStates could legit buy up all the production facilities on the cheap and still pay the workers to transport those goodies underground, and go right back to working on them at better pay and conditions.\n\n\"Third, the evacuation laws had some slick tricks rolled up in them. If you didn't leave, and did not have a defense priority job, you got drafted. If you left before your assigned evacuation date, you became a provisional citizen. If you owned no property, you lost your citizenship entirely.\"\n\n\"And when the fat cats come back...\"\n\n\"They are not citizens, own no property or equipment, and have no interests here of any *legal* sort.\"\n\n\"Nasty... I like it!\"\n\n#### ALIEN COMPANY 264\n\n\"Sir? I haven't seen anything on the ground that looks anything like a threat.\"\n\n\"That's why it's called a trap.\"\n\n\"No, Sir. Even a trap leaves some sign. The trigger has to be where we can set it off.\"\n\n\"Alright, genius, what would you do?\"\n\n\"I'd go right up to one of these ritzy places and open the front door. It's not like we're getting anywhere this way, Sir.\"\n\n\"You had the idea, go for it.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Sir! First choice in loot?\"\n\n\"Granted, but you have to be able to carry it off yourself.\"\n\n\"You got it, Sir!\"\n\n#### FedArm 95 Recon\n\n\"Finally! One of them is going straight for the front door!\"\n\n\"How much has he broken?\"\n\n\"*I do not fucking believe this! He* opened *the door, politely.* ... Uh Oh... He's stopped right on the threshold. Weapon pointed, something small in front of him? He's kneeling!\n\n\"I can't make out what he's doing. Petting something? He's put up his weapon, and is reaching with both hands. Oh my god, it's a fluffy puppy! Poor critter, probably going to eat it.\"\n\n\"They are omnivorous. Like us. What's happening now?\"\n\n#### ALIEN COMPANY 264\n\n\"Wow! So cute!\"\n\n\"Report trooper!\"\n\n\"No hostiles, evaluating living being according to protocol. Not equivalent sentient, but able to form bonds with most anyone. Intelligent enough, probably knows several commands already. I'll bring it out with me. Oh, fellow troopers of any rank. If you harm this one, or try to take it away from me, I *will* invoke challenge to the death. This one is *MINE*. My friend!\"\n\n#### FedArm 95 Recon\n\n\"Yes, Sir. We got that hot and direct. He's claiming the puppy as his own, and offered to fight to the death to keep it.\"\n\n\"Well?\"\n\n\"The rest of the troopers rushed in, but not like combat, more like kids on the adopt-a-puppy day. By the time they left, about a dozen had pets of one sort or another. There are even a few humans with them now. Teaching them how to care for the dogs.\"\n\n\"Collaborators!?!\"\n\n\"No, Sir, Dog lovers.\"\n\n#### SHADO HQ\n\n\"Puppies.\"\n\n\"Yes, Sir.\"\n\n\"All over the world.\"\n\n\"Yes, Sir!\"\n\n\"Well, contact them. Find out if we have grounds for parlay.\"\n\n#### ALIEN HQ\n\n\"You're sure these life forms are not dangerous?\"\n\n\"Some of them are inherently more aggressive, but proper training and care can deal with that. Other than that, it all comes down to treatment. Treat the little ones with care and kindness, and they will stay with you for their life.\n\n\"If they can be said to have a fault, it lies in how your own heart takes them in. Sir, many of them do not live much beyond ten years.\n\n\"The emotional distress at losing one can be quite strong. Even debilitating.\"\n\n\"THAT'S IT! THAT'S THE TRAP! Order all of these creatures destroyed at once!\"\n\n\"No, Admiral. We will not permit that.\"\n\n\"You... You're already in the trap, aren't you.\"\n\n\"Not exactly, but I understand them far better than you do. You see, they have *kittens* too.\"\n\n*purrrrrrrrr*\n\nWatch the Admiral melt onto the deck plates.\n\n\"I have one here with me, Admiral, unbonded, would you like to try?\"\n\n#### SHADO HQ\n\n\"A treaty made by a mutual desire for pets?\"\n\n\"If you look at it coldly, yes.\"\n\n\"Have I stepped on your tail, Marshall?\"\n\n\"Very nearly. Well treated pets are providers of love and care, to the best of their ability, unstintingly.\"\n\n\"I stand corrected. Thank you, Marshall. I have never been fortunate enough to have such a companion. I should see about correcting that loss.\"\n\n\"Too late, Sir. The aliens already raided every pound, shelter, rescue, puppy mill, and every other source with an excess of canine or feline companionship.\"\n\n\"I'll bet PETA is up in arms.\"\n\n\"Not with a shoot on sight order to all alien troops. They got first hand knowledge on PETA and instantly went SOS all over them.\"\n\n\"I agree completely.\"\n\n\"There is one fly in the ointment, Sir.\"\n\n\"Yes?\"\n\n\"The aliens want the names and descriptions of all those rich people who had both he means and the time to see to their pets, and did not do so.\"\n\n\"Why are they asking us?\"\n\n\"Some of these creatures have dared to return and demand either their puppy, or suitable cash recompense for same.\"\n\n\"Provide them with all the information desired, with these caveats. First, some of the people on this list figured that their pets were coming along, and were rudely surprised at the end. Make sure the person did *deliberately* abandon their pets. Second, youthful people may not have been given any choice by their parents. Third, as long as they're on the list, they are not FedState citizens. If the aliens wish to propose them for citizenship, they are welcome to.\"\n\n\"And that sounds like a treaty of mutual benefit.\"\n\n\"Yes, it does. *Come along, Bruiser.*\" A tiny Pomeranian follows along at a perfect heel. Right up until some crazed human with PETA printed on its tshirt.\n\n\"Bruiser, sic'em!\"\n\nThe screams of horror from the PETA agent, as Bruiser inflicted terribly minor wounds on the ankles and knees, are music to the alien envoy's ears.\n\n((finis?))"
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[WP] It turns out the mundane effects of global warming were just the beginning. The Spirits of Winter were slow to notice this gradual attack on their domain, but now they have, and their vengeance on humanity is terrible indeed.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Edward had a subtle confidence, one which was sly and often met with disdain, something he referred to as the ignorance of simpletons. Maybe he was right, after all he was the only person in the entire world who donned a consistent visage when everything else was sporadic and benign, who could hope to understand the youth? The day would usually open with heat that could knock out boxers and make a cactus pick up nihilism, the night however was completely different. A cold front would often slip through and along with it faces that lacked warmth and anything semblant of that. \n\n“How long has it been?” Edward stretched, flaunting his youth.\n\n“Since?” An old man accompanied him. His face had every wrinkle but a smile and one eye hanged much lower than the other. “Are you talking about The Cold?”\n\n“Yeah gramps.”\n\n“What I tell you about calling me that!” The old man showed some vitality in his rage, temporarily straightening his hunched-back as he yelled. “Anyways you runt, It happened about fifty years ago in December of 2020. People back then didn’t believe in global warming, heck we didn’t even believe in spirits.”\n\n“And now because of your generation we have to deal with this bipolar weather,” Edward sighed deeply, he wasn’t exactly fond of dealing with hundred degree weather one hour then below freezing the next. \n\n“Ha I can tell your still pretty young eddy,” the old man vaunted his gums as he closely watched polar lights that had no business being anywhere near a tropical island. “The only thing more inconsistent than this weather is a woman, you’ve never had one have you?”\n\n“Me? I would take your word but I’m not even your biological grandson,” Edward threw on his coat of many colors and many more beasts. “Are you sure you had a woman? I wouldn’t be surprised if your a virgin. Your the only old person in this village anyway,” the youth chuckled.\n\n“Get the hell out of here!” the old man launched a fishing rod at the sapling forgetting for a second that he was himself old. “Shit my shoulder. You see what you do you ungratef—“\n\n“Yeah, yeah whatever gramps,” Edward dragged the pronoun through the mud, it brought him pleasure in seeing the old man a little lively each day.\n\nThe light mood was then killed, no, iced over and numbed. Both the men was taken aback by what they saw. The cold front met the tip of the island, freezing the body of water while an inch over the sand was a blazing summer day.\n\n“Edward,” his tone grew stark, and for the first time in the entire day his weathered eyes showed fear. “Be careful. Your the only Atlas left in this village.”\n\nEdward nodded and let off his signature smirk, one which assured anyone who placed their trust in him that everything would be alright.\n\n“Also...your my only child, only friend.”\n\nEdward didn’t say anything or even make a gesture. He simply carried the old mans words in his heart and braved the cold. \n\nEdward as any Atlas did before stepping into the front, activated his ability. He took out a thin piece of metal. It was layered with multiple lights that served as indicators of power output and he placed it upon his lip, taking in a deep breath from its smoky exhaust. While holding in whatever air he inhaled from the metal he then took out another object, this one was liken to a sphere. When he clicked it what spun from without was a force field of sorts, one which covered him from every angle for about five feet.\n\nNow for the worst part, he thought. He then exhaled, what left his mouth was not air but clumps of what appeared to be bubbles. As each one left his lungs and entered his mouth it carried the sensation of something unnatural, as indeed it was.\n\n“Fuck,” he said in relief with watery eyes, “fuck,” he said once more as one last bubble found its way out. He then looked out onto the cold with haughty eyes as he was ready. \n\nWhat Edward did was create his own atmosphere, then layered it with his own gas to trap whatever element he wanted there, in his case, light. Only Atlases was capable of such a thing as when they would take in certain gases their lungs could covert it to something powerful.\n\nThe bubbly sphere that housed Edward then teleported from one side of the front, to another, then another, then another, converting the light that was kept within into a source of mobility. As he got closer to the “eye” of the storm he was met with hordes of ice elementals.\n\nThe boy was arrogant for a reason, there was no beast of the frost that could keep up with him and unlike most Atlases he didn’t bother with fighting through such fiends as he could quickly get to the source of the problem, and the most dangerous elemental, the “eye” of the storm.\n\nThere it was, a huge tornado that didn’t take in but rather gave, defying gravity while spawning dozens upon dozens of frost beasts.\n\nEdward had about two more “clicks” in him. He would use the first to get rid of the monsters at the perimeter of the tornado then the second on the beast at the eye of the storm, the source of the cold front. \n\nHe took in a deep breath, stilling the bubbles in his orb, then he exhaled, causing the bubbles to be drowned in light, circling the tornado in an instant and vaporizing any fiend with its heat.\n\nHis orb quickly launched into the eye of the storm and as he was about to vaporize the usual skeleton that laid in its center he stopped, “what the hell, it’s a girl.”\n\nHe then grabbed her and the storm vanished in an instant.\n\n“Who are you?” The woman was awakened by the sudden change in weather not the inertia.\n\n“Lady i should be asking you that. What the hell are you doing at the eye of a storm, you aren’t an elemental.”\n\nThe woman started to rub his face, “are you real?”\n\n“Umm— I” Edward blushed, not only was the woman strange she was also beautiful. “I guess so.”\n\n“Where am I? Who am I?”\n\nThis is way too weird, only wraiths can control a storm so why the hell was a human at the eye? And how the hell she didn’t freeze to death? He recycled these thoughts a hundred times over in an instant. \n\n“I’m going to get you to the old man. Maybe he knows what the hell is going on.”\n\nHe placed the woman on his shoulder and then sat back out for the island."
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[WP] Earth has been cursed to connect to some random person’s body without them knowing. Random cuts on them cause rifts in the crust, too hot baths cause boiling typhoons and floods. Ensue the masses searching for this one person. It could be anyone.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"**Codename Gaia**\n\nThey fear her. These scientists with their complex instruments, perplexed despite their vaunted learning and supposed understanding. They do not know how to handle the scarred, starving waif in her sterile cage, pockmarked skin slick with fevered chills, no more than they know how to handle the scarred land beyond, raked by a toxic, fevered climate. They cannot touch her, neither to punish nor to protect, for fear of the consequences. That much they understand now, but it leaves them paralyzed with indecision. Even the simple kindnesses she craves, though a poor salve, are denied her.\n\nIf only their fear had been stronger before, this might never have happened. The signs were always there; only now that the path forward is blocked do they think, too late, to do something about it.\n\nBut there is no undoing the damage done. Neither to her, nor to ***me.***\n\n*Would that I could return to my dreamful slumber, and so perish in blissful ignorance. Forget even the blessed days of my youth, when the beasts were greater but kinder; forget this child suffering alone, that I may at last find peace. But* **these** *beasts are so, so cruel. I have done all that I ought, and even then, I have failed. Humanity is surpassing strong. They will find some way to survive the calamities they have wrought, so I thought. I must join with them; then perhaps I might thrive once again.*\n\n*But I have underestimated their wickedness. Cruelty begets cruelty. For there to be strength, there must also be weakness. This poor girl, tortured in body, mind, and soul, is dying proof of that.*\n\n*If they cannot nurture their own, then how can they nurture their home?*\n\n*Through their own actions and inactions, humanity will mete their doom. Humanity thought themselves better than their circumstances. But Mother always knows best. They have never been free of me, and now that I lay dying, at last they will join with me once again.*\n\n*They learn, too late, to fear* **me.**"
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[WP] Instead of summing a hero from another world, someone proposed summoning weapons and technology. The plan worked, but now they have to figure out how these things work.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"As predicted in the profesy since his arrival the sky turned black as charcoal with an eternal night covering the continent, a powerful storm set stage to the end of the world, arthas the ancient god dragon had awoken from their slumber and with him countless calamities had befallen the world, his armies marching through the fields had destroyed every renmant of hope that was left, all of the mayor kingdoms had fallen under the strain of the eternal night, the ecosystem started to collapse, without the sun rising all the plant life started to quickly decay and die wreacking havok, at this rate in just a couple of weeks the planet would be rendered a lifeless husk of its former self\n\nwith this in mind every magician that was left decided to reunite to create a united front against the wild beast and its armies of the fallen, but even they woudlnt be enough, with that in mind they started to discuse for a curse of action so that they could defeat the dragon god and save the planets life from complete and utter anihilation\n\n-do we even know if the beast can be slayed- claimed one of the wizards present, he was wearing and old wrinkled pointy hat while a long white beard hanged from his face -every single weapon we have thrown at him, every spell we can conjure, every force we can bring to bear, all have failed-\n\n-his adamantine scales are surely a huge problem, i have seen knights hit him full force with swords, lances, hammers, even enchanted ones fail to even scratch its skin, fireballs are inefective at best and strenghten the beast at worse, and even using his elemental weakness to ice has proven to only anger him- another of the older wizards stepped in to give his opinion, he was wearing a light steel armor with scorch marks over its surface\n\n-if thats the case then what can we do-\n\n-the profesy- the older of them all speak suddenly, he had been in silence for the whole conversation until that instat where he finally decided to open his mouth\n\nthe other magicians looked themselves to the eyes, some of them confused while other meditative -the... the profesy?- asked one of the younger ones, he was wearing a plain shirt as to not call a lot of attention to himself\n\n-yes, the profesy of the return of the great dragon god, it has been writen from milenia that someday the great dragon god would awaken from his slumber and in that day the world would end with no weapon forget by the hand of men, nor arrow or blade being capable of piercing his skin... unless its being used by a hero, a hero who has risen from the ashes- despite his advanced age the man spoke with a fierce passion and heat on his words that was not normal, but before he could continue he was interrupted by a sudden more feminine voice that erupted from the crowd\n\n-i know about the profesy- another of the magical users decided to intervene -i have seen many idiots grab a sword and a shield believing they are the soo called \"choosen one\" just to be devoured by the dragon god or by one of his minions not long after that- the young wizard stood her ground while she was talking, her clothes were a simple white dress that covered her body -that profesy is a scam-\n\ndespite her harsh words the old man simply waited for her to finish talking before continuing -thats because the hero is not someone from this lands- \n\n-what are you talking about- asked another one of the wizards, a red haired man in his fourties with a rough underlined face wearing a full body brigandine armor\n\n-we need to summon it- responded -the hero, someone form a distant land, an entirely diferent world from our own entirely, thats what the profecy laid down-\n\nafter those words the entire room exploded in chatter until someone raiced his voice over the mass and decided to ask what it was in everyones head -can we really do that\n\n-oh, undoubtely- he started to explain -usually it is a pretty dificult spell even for a powerful magician or wizard, but with our combined might it should be a pretty trivial endeavor-\n\n-then why have no one tried before-\n\nafter that question his eyes started to grow -oh, thats because its not as easy or clear cut as it sounds, the spell is not as direct as just simply summoning whatever you want- moving his hand a illusion started to form in the middle of the room, it showed a simple representation of his explanation, in this case the ilusion was showing a simplified representation of the room they where in -the spell is pretty simple since it works like a simple summoning, you concentrate a huge amount of power to bring something into this realm to help you- the imaged faded and transmutated to show a little scene of a simplified human stick figure with a pointy wizard hat raising his wand into the air, next a runic circle apeared in the ground and a grumpy looking demon apeared from it -but this spell is very diferent since its far more powerful, instead of summoning something from our world you seek beyond, into the infinity of the mutiverse to get what you want- the scene changed once more, this time it expanded showing the planet, thousands, hundreds of planets floating in the vastness of space, each very similar but very diferent from each other -this spell is then like a wish, instead of summoning something directly we make a...- he was left silent while thinking -you could call it a petition, we ask for the being or thing that we want and then the spell will search for the most aproximate representation that could fullfil our wishes and it pulls it out from his original world, and into our own- the scene finalized by showing the opening of a portal that dragged a little stick figure and throwed it in the middle of the simplified representation of the room where they where standing\n\nafter his info dump the room was left silent, no one really knew what to do about the information he has give them\n\n-then what can we expect from the summoning- one valiant soul decided to finally ask\n\nthe old man simply raised his shoulders -only the gods know, there are a lot of posibilities, some worlds are very similar to our own with only slight deviations, while others are completly diferent- he said -as far as i know there are even some realms where magic as we know it doesnt even exist-\n\nthe mages started to discus and after a couple of minutes one of them, a tall man wearing white robes gave a step forward -lets do it then, not like we have any other alternative-\n\nin that instant one of the younger wizards took center stage, he was a tall man, brown hair with a huge scar crossing his face -actually, maybe we DO have an alternative-\n\nthis declaration quickly grabbed the attention of all the present -explain yourself- \n\n-well, its pretty simple- he exclaimed -if we can trully ask for whatever we want and the multiverse will provide, why not ask for a stash of future weapons-\n\nwhen he said this more than one of the present raised an eyebrow\n\n-you know, the powerful weapons, we all know the stories of how one of the most powerful armies was razed to the ground by the force and power of those unknown weapons of mass destruction and their thunderous rage- he claimed -all im trying to argue here is that a stash of this weapons would probably be far more useful for our purposes than any old hero would be-\n\nhis words quickly started a discusion between the mages -you do have a point, but how can we be sure that this weapons will serve their purpose and slay the dragon god when every other weapon has been tried and failed-\n\n-and how can we be sure than a mortal of flesh and bone will slay him, we cant, its a gamble, at the very least the weapons do have a track record of being capable of causing untold chaos and destruction to your enemies- after those words the room erupted in signs of aproval, some wary but still pretty convinced until a screaming voice silenced everyone\n\n-you fools, this is not what the profesy claimed, you will only bring our downfall with this- the old man started to ramble\n\n-yes magus, we know, but we can risk it just summoning anyone, and the idea of bringing powerful future weaponry does sound promising- \n\nafter hearing that magus simply walked outside - i dont want to have anything to do with this-\n\n-where are you going-\n\n-im doing things right, i have no time to lose if i want to end the spell on time- he claimed"
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[WP] You find a small Twitch Streamer named "Creat0r" who is playing The Sims. Their game mirrors your life exactly.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"On camera, God chugs another can of Mountain Dew and lets out a belch that could shake the Appalachians. The lights strung up in His room glow red, then green, then blue, and then a series of colors unrecognizable to human eyes. A soft *ding!* sounds from His screen and He scrambles to squint at the line of text scrowling along the bottom.\n\n\"Thanks to fishermanpete for the donation,\" He rumbles, leaning back into a gaming chair that had once been a cloud. A small miracle for the modern century. Once, a burning bush or a small resurrection was enough to win the admiration of the people, but now, science has put the power of miracles into the hands of humanity.\n\nGod doesn't really resent that; after all, He'd gifted mankind science to give Himself a break—like, *Me,* sometimes it's tiring being in charge all the time, and okay, sure, there's a pandemic, but also House Hunters is on and one of the humans I created just created bath bombs and I'd like to try the one that smells like pumpkin, so why can't you guys, I don't know, have your own revelations every once in a while?—and to a degree, He doesn't mind playing along with the rules of the world He's made.\n\nIt's good world-building, you know. It's why He sent Jesus in the shape of a man, even though Intern Angel #45 had suggested a seventy-foot monster with eyes like swollen stars. Which was very cool. Not very consistent with current lore, though.\n\n...And all *that* is why God finds His Holy Self sitting in front of a blinking camera and a widescreen monitor. The contemporary celebrity craze is akin to worship, and God's not picky, especially when He gets to build houses and make His Sims swim in a pool and then ruin all of their relationships by picking bad dialogue options... and oh, He gets to play video games too.\n\n*wow can't believe Samantha burnt down her house by leaving her pan on the fire... imagine if she was in there LOL* — gospmatthew.\n\nGod laughs at that, beard shaking. \"Sometimes, people do inexplicably dumb things,\" He says, snorting at the ridiculous amount of spam emojis filtering through the chat. He pauses the game for a second to keep reading, midway through building a extravagant skyscraper.\n\nIn Mumbai, India, a foreman yells in shock and frustration as every single bull-dozer, crane, excavator, and concrete mixer on site simultaneously freezes. They'll call it a freak accident later, because after no more than four seconds, the machinery whirrs back to life.\n\nMeanwhile in Heaven, God is piecing together the little windows, occasionally looking back at the chat to catch bits and pieces of the ongoing conversation. Generally, He likes his followers, sure, but sometimes the fanbase is... a little much. Cringy, if He's honest. On Twitch, the Xtians are known for spamming the comment sections of other users, picking fights for no real reason. And what the hell's up with the whole abortion thing, honestly. God's here to keep the Earth floating and maybe win a little worship to make His ego happy; He likes everyone and can't really figure out why everyone else hates each other. Humans are... sinful, yes, and dumb and weepy and sometimes vengeful, but they're a bit like dogs in the way that they're cute despite all of their wrongdoings.\n\nThen, another notification springs up:\n\n*god do u have a big dick haha* — totallynotjudas\n\nGod reads the comment, pauses to think, and erases His save file.",
"You're not sure whether to be fascinated or creeped out.\n\nThen you notice someone coming to your door in game\n\nfrom your room you hear a knock on the door. Getting up from your chair you answer the door.\n\nIt's your neighbor, Alexa\n\n She's standing in front steps wearing a green t-shirt and blue sweatpants with her hands in her pockets her long blonde hair swaying slightly thanks to the breeze\n\nYou look up to meet her cheerful smile her orange eyes twinkling\n\nHi Alexa\n\nHi Brad, she says smoothly with a slight smirk\n\nSo what brings you by?\n\nWould you want to go get Pizza tommorow?\n\nSure, you say happily\n\nI'll pick you up around 5 Alexa says\n\nCool\n\nWith that she makes her way down the hall back to her apartment.\n\nYou return to your computer to find your sim sitting at the computer as well.\n\nTo test this you leave fix yourself a sandwich and grab a drink.\n\nWhen you return you find your sim sitting down with the exact same food.\n\nYou had a suspicion about this world, but this confirms it. Whoever built this found out everything about you. \n\nBut the question is who are they and how?",
"“What’s up it’s your boy Big G0D, Today we are doing another play through with my new character Tim Glasip. I know a lot of you don’t like this character, he’s a little boring but trust me, I have some good things planned for him. Feel free to donate using any of the links below, I will choose one winner for a secret prize next week, good luck.”\n\nIt was a boring day, nothing to do except browse through the trending streams. It was your typical bunch of crap that people should expect by now. A mix of people either shouting at their camera or eating mayonnaise through a sock, both were about as entertaining as licking dried paint to me. I was about to log off, only to come across creat0r or Big G0d as he called himself. He was playing a game I was nostalgic about, the sims. \n\nDeciding to support a small streamer, I entered the stream, watching a bearded man covered in a thick blinding golden light. The light made it impossible to see his face, almost as if it was some cheap form of censorship. Must have been a newbie who hadn’t worked out lighting. Tuning into his game, it seemed he wasn’t up too much, his character staring at the screen of their computer. \n\n“Something will happen to Tim soon, I assure you.” The Creat0r said, an almost cocky level of assurance in his voice, as if he was using a predetermined save file. I always hated people that used cheats, took away from the entire experience.\n\nDid he say Tim? Wait, Tim Glasip? That was my name. It was a strange coincidence, but one that got me invested. Leaning closer, I watched the character. Their room layout seemed to mirror mine to a strange degree. Same Pikachu pillowcase, same broken lamp. That’s when it set in. It was an exact mirror of my room; I was ready to type into the chat, wanting to call this Creat0r out for being some sick stalker.\n\n“Now, lets make a small fire.” \n\nA crackle shot out from under the desk as a small fire sparked, power failing as my computer shut off, leaving me to fall back from the computer in a panic. Screaming as the room quickly lit up forcing me to flee, watching my house soon become a burning inferno. \n\nI was lucky to have my life, having to watch all my belongings get consumed by the flames from my lawn. When the firefighters came, I tried to explain the situation, but they assured me it was just an electrical fault. They did pass on my concerns to the police, though.\n\nOnly a week after the event, I received a call from the police informing me they were giving up pursuing this Creat0r. Calling my story farfetched and not worth the resources. I pleaded for them to continue their investigation only to get hung up on. Even my research into the streamer brought up nothing. It was like he had vanished from the site, making me doubt if I had even ever watched the stream. Maybe he hadn’t existed?\n\nMy fears became too much and soon I was admitted into a home. One where they took care of people like me. That’s what they told me. In reality, it was a looney bin. They thought I was crazy. At least here he couldn’t get me. Leaning back in my padded room, I could finally rest for the first time in weeks. That was until I smelt the smoke again.\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n(If you enjoyed this feel free to check out my subreddit /r/Sadnesslaughs where I'll be posting more of my writing.)"
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[WP] The hero has extremely thick plot armor, and has never lost. You watch in horror as the hero fall into a seemingly fatal situation, and their helmet breaks. "Ah, so I'm the plot armor this time."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I sputter blood from my mouth as I lie weak on the ground blending into the rubble of the old Inn I met my wife at. The blue dragon just looks like a blurry haze from the hits the head. The irony scent of blood reminds me that I'm probably the only one alive within the immediate area. Except of course Arthormous who stood their, sword lazily clutched in one and swaying side to side as wondering if this is finally it. He's always had a knack for getting in and out of trouble. For some reason or another, he gets out by the skin of his teeth. A convenient lightning storm, freak ocean currents. Fate bends to keep his mortal coil spinning.\n\nThe dragon reals back with an angered look in his eye. Seeing the great Arthormous as nothing more than an insect who's bitten him once or twice. Arthormous always reminded me of the characters in the books I've read. I never knew him personally until recent, but I've always had a suspicion that fate's author saves Arthormous as their champion, and though I'm sometimes jealous I can't help but be thankful to him for his suicidal nature and demonic luck. So what's it going to be? Second wind? help from a nearby nation? There's no way our audience would be satisfied with this ending.\n\nThe swift blue claw arcs, so fast that you can only see where the giant arm finished, several degrees pass Athormous' head with his helmet shattered like glass and blood streaming down his face.\n\n\"I see.\" I managed to muster as I woozily stand up. \"So I'm the plot armour this time\"\n\nIt all makes sense to me as I stood up, not minding my blood-stained blouse. The long nights spent lamenting with Arthormous about my troubled past and escape from slavery. We've become friends. That's the solution. The power of friendship.\n\nArthormous looks like he's shitting his guts out as he sees me hobble towards him.\n\n\"Together.\" I cough out \" We will fight.\"\n\nThe dragon side eyes my slow approach. Today I'm an instrument of faith and I welcome the song despite its mystery. Toget-\n\nThere's another blue arc and the world spins. Arthormous is already bolting away from the beast and what looks like my own body with no head. Though time is at a crawl it all became clear. It all makes so much sense now. The blood stained my shirt red."
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[WP] "It is better to be friends with the humans than their enemies. Even the meekest, weakest of them can turn into vicious monsters when threatened, but they will give their all to protect a friend."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" *note: reincarnation is real and lives would swap in different worlds. This time, Lizza was from earth and got reincarnated in Saphiri with her memories from her recent deceased life to increase chance of success in saving the world. Characters and concept is from the novel I'm writing :)*\n\n\"So, what happened here?\" \n\nThe Chief snorted and hit the jail bars with his unloaded gun.\n\n\"Injured three people. Geez. Sometimes people can get really violent.\"\n\nYorun looked down on the person sitting down on the wet, moldy ground. A huge gash was present on his face and a blackeye was present too. Probably beaten black and blue but...\n\n\"You.\" Yorun spoke. His voice deep and commanding. \"Where are you from?\" \n\nThe person jumped in surprise. With a frightened look, he stared at Yorun.\n\n\"You... Aren't you the Duke's son?\" Yorun rolled his eyes and glared at the poor guy again.\n\nSure, he is the Duke's 'son' but he was a high level Mythic Beast after all. Even his so called parents didn't know that. He was only assigned by his real father, Fate himself, to become the Duke's son to support Lizzaneia Elizalde, who was a key component for the world's destruction that will happen in the future. \n\n\"Why did you beat up the Marquessates' young lords? You have a lot of guts to beat them up when you are just a lowly Baron's son.\" Yorun expected him to be frightened and look away but he was surprised by the look of resolute in his eyes.\n\n\"They deserved it.\"\n\n\"YOU!\" The Chief started to get his keys but was stopped by Yorun. He shook his head at the Chief and started to go out of the Prison Garden.\n\nOnce he made sure nobody was around him, he quickly transformed into his Beast form and ran towards the Elizalde Marquessate.\n\nLizzaneia was just enjoying a cup of tea when she heard a rustle behind her. She turned around and saw a beast with a wolf's body that is as tall as a dear, two towering horns, a pair of bat wings and a vicious looking reptile tail.\n\nYorun transformed into his human form and walked towards her. He plopped down on the chair infront of Lizza and sighed. Loosening the cravat.\n\nIt was silent for a while before he started to mumble.\n\n\"Hmm? What is it?\"\n\n\"Why are you humans so peculiar?\" He asked. \"You all are so weak, puny, and easily breakable. We can just exterminate you all with a snap of our fingers. But when you and your friends got threatened, you all got so worked up to the point you would go as far as beating up someone of much more higher status than you. What are 'friends' anyway? In the end, they just used you and would come as they go. It's useless.\"\n\nLizza looked at Yorun and sighed. Gods, demigods and beasts are much stronger than humans to the point they won't need anybody but themselves. Especially Yorun. He literally doesn't have any social experience until she came.\n\n\"Yorun, I don't know how many lives I have already lived but from my previous life as Tanya Osmagov, friends are someone you bond with. Share pain with, happiness, success and failure. They are your closest confidants. Just like what you said, humans are weak, that's why we go in groups. Where we are stronger. And as a result, you get protective of all your friends, and would harm anybody threatening them.\" \n\nLizza bit the sugar cookie and continued to explain.\n\n\"Humans are prideful and crafty creatures, Yorun. We hate being threatened. And if you are stronger than us, we would do something out of ordinary or non physical attacks just to prove the strong wrong. We are petty, and that's what makes us dangerous. So it is much better to be friends with humans, rather than fight humans.\"\n\nShe still remembered the time Yorun was secretly betrayed by the other Ducal household's young Lord, Arctus, and was spreading bad rumors about him. She knew Yorun would just shove it away and ignore Arctus. But she felt unexplainable rage surge within her when she got offered to betray Yorun too. She beat him black and blue to the point Arctus can't get out of his bed for a week. She didn't care anymore that she was from a Marquessate and Arctus is higher than her, all she knows is that Yorun got his trust shattered. Up till this day, Yorun still didn't know about this specific incident and she doesn't have any intention to let him know.\n\n\"I am your friend you know.\" Yorun's eyes widened in surprise. \"Well, I treat you as my friend. And I too, would beat up someone who would threaten you.\"\n\nHe looked at the girl in front of her. Slowly, his image of Lizza changed from being an entertaining pawn of the future whom he had to look after, to a real person. Who treated him nicely and with a genuine heart.\n\nHe scoffed and sipped his tea.\n\nFriends huh? He liked the sound of that.",
"**To be a Friend of the Humans**\n\nBy: SheepingtonTheSheep\n\nThe warming pulse of the cryopod awoke Regerix from his sleep. A long, hazy slumber, that which after many lifetimes of dreams lived, he could remember nothing of. Opening his eyes just in time for the sliding of the cryopod doors, he was met with friendly reptilian faces of his fellow Gruu-Agix. Raising a clawed hand to his face, he wiped off residual frost from his snout. He let out a groggy groan and stepped out of the cryopod. As a War-Bringer, this was the most weakness he could show; any more, and upstart whelps could challenge him for his rank.\n\nHis eyes scanned the half-dozen Gruu-Agix before him. He remembered being put in cryostasis back in their homeworld, Gruuaxigan. Now, he appeared to be in a satellite or ship, overlooking a dense asteroid field. There weren’t many asteroid fields, he recalled; the only one of note was the one in the Humans’ home system.\n\n“Are you feeling alright, Lord War-Bringer?” a purple-haired Gruu-Agix female asked.\n\nRegerix growled and stepped forward. Immediately, the others flinched, their tails drooping limply behind them.\n\n*Why are they so meek? Gruu-Agix bow their heads before the War-Bringer, not cower and flinch like some prey animal!*\n\n“How many cycles have I been in cryostasis?” Regerix growled.\n\nA black-haired male stepped forward, thin and lanky, and inspected Regerix’s cryopod. Then, he said, “Two hundred-and fifty-star cycles, Lord War-Bringer.”\n\n“Bah! I have been away for some time!” Regerix said. Glancing at the male Gruu-Agix closest to him, he noticed he was trembling. “You! State your clan and brood rank!”\n\nThe black-haired Gruu-Agix looked up at Regerix and then averted his gaze to the floor, muttering, “G-Gelorex clan… I am Ferd-Erix, seventy-seventh of the Yulgar Brood…”\n\nRegerix struck the male across his face, sending him flying into the wall. The impact sent the wall’s metal panel crashing down, exposing the wiring and fluid tubes inside the wall. “You shame the clan of Gelorex! How did you become so meek?! Tarterix, my brood-rival, hailed from your house!”\n\n“W-We’re not warriors, Lord War-Bringer,” stammered another male in the group.\n\n“Nonsense!” Regerix snarled. “Every Gruu-Agix is born with war in their fates, battle in their blood!”\n\nThe six smaller Gruu-Agix only bowed their heads.\n\nDisgust surged within Regerix. How could he hail from the same species as these prey animals? The future of the Gruu-Agix did not bode well if these younglings were its new generation.\n\n“Why are you so meek?!” Regerix asked again, his voice rising to a bellow. “Has our war with the Tarerion dulled your courage? I’ve lived my entire life warring with those FISH scoundrels. You all look no older than twenty cycles, how could you have lost your fire so easily?”\n\n“We lost against the Tarerion, Lord War-Bringer,” Ferd-Erix said softly.\n\nRegerix could hardly believe it. Clenching his clawed fists, he walked over to the window, staring at the massive field of green-and-brown asteroids, circling the uneven form of a protoplanet. In a more restrained tone, he asked “Tell me what happened.”\n\n“Two-hundred cycles ago,” the purple-haired female said, “The Tarerion entered an alliance with the Humans of Sol System. The war ended in one cycle.”\n\n“Hah! The Humans of Sol?” Ferd-Erix laughed. “Those meek, unskilled lifeforms from that blue planet? It seems that fighting Humans had taught our species the same meekness they possessed! Ready your ships! There are more of us in cryopods. I’ll muster our forces and we’ll achieve victory in half a cycle.”\n\nThe six juveniles shook their heads.\n\nRegerix bared his fangs, his cold green eyes piercing each and every single one of the six. “Do you know why I was put in cryostasis in the first place?”\n\nOnly two nodded. Four shook their heads.\n\n*This generation truly has fallen. What, then, are the brood-mothers teaching these younglings?*\n\nHe explained, “In preparation for The Final Hunt, the greatest War-Bringers and other fighters were put in cryostasis, so that they would be let out all at once, bringing about a swift and deadly expansion across the galaxy. One conqueror could win a few wars, how many could several thousand?”\n\nAn apocalyptic conclusion to an age-old prophecy, many Gruu-Agix did not believe in The Final Hunt. But Regerix did, although he’d started to doubt whether he was unfrozen for that purpose.\n\n“Lord War-Bringer,” Ferd-Erix spoke up when the others dared not. “The other War-Bringers were brought out of cryostasis two-hundred cycles ago. To fight the Humans. You are the last one.”\n\nThe purple-haired Gruu-Agix stammered, a hopeful half-smile on her olive, scaled face, “W-We wanted to revive you, and preserve the last surviving relic of our history.”\n\nRegerix took a deep breath as disbelief gripped at his very core. He stumbled toward the window, placing his hand on the cold glass. His entire life and purpose had just been discarded. What was he, if not a warrior, if not a vessel to fulfil or further his species’ prophecy? He stared at the asteroid field before him, watching each and every single one of them drift in their own directions, and yet as a whole, they orbited around the protoplanet.\n\nFrom a debris field like this, the Gruu-Agix arose. Discovering space travel, subjugating their star system neighbors, all went well until their contact with the Humans. Never before had Regerix so badly wished to shed a tear. But his title forbade it.\n\n“How could this happen?” he muttered.\n\n“The humans…” Ferd-Erix said, “…were too powerful.”\n\nThe purple-haired female stepped up to Regerix and held up a holo-disk. With a tap on its surface, she played back a recording of someone he did not recognize. “This is Yazathul, the last War-Bringer. He died a hundred cycles ago.”\n\nThe century-old disk looked new and novel to Regerix, but its age showed as the blue-hologram began to play. In a deep, crackling voice, the aging Yazathul delivered his message—or at least, part of it:\n\n*\\[…the other generations to come. Many of us are too stubborn to bring about peace. Heed my words and remember this; it is better to be friends with the humans than their enemies. Even the meekest, weakest of the can turn into vicious monsters when threatened, but they will give their all to protect a friend.\\]*\n\nRegerix’s heart sank. More than his own folly—to think Humans ineffective because of their meekness—he lamented his species’ defeat.\n\n“The Humans liked the Tarerion, Lord War-Bringer,” the purple-haired female said, as though trying to excuse their species’ insufficiencies. “They took the Tarerion’s generosity and repaid it with friendship.”\n\nTimes were changing. Gone were the ages when valiant War-Bringers brought to heel alliances and coalitions through brute force. If he were to be a fighter no more, Regerix thought, then perhaps he could try his hand at farming. It had always been a guilty pleasure of his; to dabble in something seen as lofty and pointless as the arts.\n\nWith a long-drawn sigh Regerix said, “You were not seeking a War-Bringer. I don’t think I wish to be a War-Bringer anymore. Take me home.”\n\nFerd-Erix’s reflection appeared on the glass as he stood beside Regerix, his small, beady eyes contemplating the drifting sea of debris. “We are home, Lord War-Bringer…”",
"Brodr squinted at the pack of strange beings from a hill, a safe disctance away. They carried odd sticks and walked slowly, one after the other. On two legs, even. They had come into this Territory a few nights ago, making themselves noticed by being just standing around an active fire like idiots. Brodr scoffed. They wouldn't make it long. Their fur didn't even cover their whole body! Come the great cold, they'd be dead. Oh well. At least they'd make a tasty meal. He turned around to his pack and was about to give the signal to depart when Alkalb passed him, staring down at the strange beings with an odd expression on his face. Brodr stopped dead in his tracks. He was the Leader, but Alkalb was their Eldest. Even the oldest ones of the Pack did not remember the time when she joined the pack, or where she came from. \"A warm place...\" was the only answer she'd give about her origin, with the same face as she had now. \n\n\"What do you see, Alkalb?\"\n\n\"Something which I'd almost forgotten.\"\n\n\"Are they dangerous?\"\n\n\"These are humans, Brodr. It is best we do not make them our enemies. Like us, they hunt in packs, and even their young are to be reckoned with.\"\n\n\"Will we have to flee?\"\n\n\"No. They are indeed vicious, but they are even more vicious toward those who harm one of theirs. Now come. It is warm with them.\"\n\nThe wolf pack descended the mountain."
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[WP]"Everyone gets a nickname burned into their palm depending on what their life will amount to. Some get visionary, others get musician, some get warrior even. You know this. So tell me, why the hell is yours just two quotation marks enveloping a space that is blank?"
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"I want to be in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.\"\n\nThe balding man stares at the dark-haired teenage girl, sizing her up. She fidgets a bit in her seat and makes herself sit up straighter. \"Let me see.\"\n\nThe girl leans over the desk and holds her palm out. Embedded into the skin of her palm in dark blue, the cursive letters spell \"MUSICIAN.\" Next to the word is a small violin.\n\n\"Alright, Eva.\" \n\n\"Thanks, Mr. Smithson!\" \n\nHe nods as he writes something on a notepad in front of himself. \"Take this to the office,\" he hands her the slip of paper, \"and they'll set you up in the music program. NEXT!\" \n\nThe girl leaves with a smile on her face. Next, in walks a tall, red-headed boy. He sits down in the chair by the doorway and stares at the floor.\n\n\"So, Dirk, what do you want to be?\"\n\nStill staring at the floor, Dirk mumbles something that the man can't make out. When asked to repeat it, he says a little bit louder this time, \"A farmer.\"\n\n\"Is that so?\"\n\nThe teenager continues to stare at the spot on the floor as he nods. \n\n\"Let me see your hand.\" \n\nDirk sighs and slides his hand across the desk. Across the palm, written in bright green, block letters, is the word \"FARMER.\" Underneath that is the image of a spade.\n\nMr. Smithson stares at the teenager for a few more moments. Then, he scribbles a new note. \"Take that to the office. There should be plenty of openings left in the agricultural program.\" Seeing the defeated look in the boy's eyes, the counselor softens his voice and adds, \"Hey, all the people there are very nice. I'm sure you'll fit right in. And it's an important profession that you can take pride in.\"\n\n\"NEXT!\"\n\n\"Hi, Mr. Smithson!\" A tall, smiling teenage girl stands in the doorway.\n\n\"Come in and have a seat, Jane.\" He waits a moment for her to get settled, then asks, \"So, what do you want to be?\"\n\nHer smile grows at the question. \"I don't know.\"\n\n\"Oh?\" He raises an eyebrow at the unique answer. \"Let me have a look at your palm.\"\n\nShe slides both palms across the desk. Both are blank.\n\n\"Jane,\" he chastises her, \"I expected more from you. You really don't have any ambitions?\"\n\nSomehow, her smile only grows larger. \"No, you don't understand.\"\n\nThe counselor leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest. \"Oh, really? Do tell.\"\n\n\"I have so many options in front of me. I mean, I'm only 16. There's lots of time to try different things and make up my mind. And I want to try lots of things.\" She leans back in her chair and confidently looks the adult in the eye. \"I'm not going to let some silly magical mark on my hands decide my fate.\"\n\nMr. Smithson finally breaks out into a grin. \"Finally. *That's* the answer I've been hoping for. So tell me, what do you want to try first?\"\n\nJane beams at him as she pulls a list out of her bag. She's been waiting for this moment for a long time. She's ready.\n\n\\--------------\n\nr/WannaWriteSometimes",
"It had been an aggressively ordinary day up to this point. I had walked out of my usual cafe, latte in hand (double shot, with coconut milk), when, distracted by the yells of kids playing in the park across the road, I'd bumped into someone's table.\n\nThe stranger seated at the table had poor reflexes. His coffee spilled over the mug onto the glove he was wearing, less of a fashion choice and more of a privacy one these days. The man cursed and whipped off the glove before the hot beverage soaked through and burned him. I was stammering an apology when I saw his bare palm. It was right in front of my eyes and I still couldn't believe what I was seeing. \n\nNow I was in the awkward position of having yelled at a complete stranger. But social niceties be damned, I *needed* an answer.\n\nThe man rolled his eyes in abject annoyance. \"Keep it down,\" he hissed at me. \"Don't make a scene!\"\n\nPeople were already looking over at the commotion. The stranger cursed again. He snatched up his belongings and got up to leave. \n\n\"Just wait a minute!\" I began but he glared at me.\n\n\"Walk and talk, or get out of my way,\" he said, levelly. \n\nI followed him out onto the street and we put a bit of distance between us and the cafe. Finally, he spoke again. \"Yes, it's blank. Did you think I hadn't noticed?\"\n\n\"*No one's* palm is blank\" I replied, raising my voice just enough to be heard over the traffic. \"We all know the history. When the Fates and the Valkyries united to overthrow the other Pantheons, we found out that Destiny wasn't a theory, it was an unshakable FACT of our lives! Don't you feel the Compulsion?\" I realised I was practically raving at this point, but I couldn't stop myself.\n\n\"Look, you're not going to believe it but no, I don't. I felt it, before. But I resisted it. It used to say \"Politician\" but I wasn't interested. My hand would burn but I just ignored it. Then one day the pain stopped, and it was blank. That's it. Now my destiny is answering questions like this all the damn time!\"\n\nThe stranger was right. I didn't believe him. The Compulsion came directly from the Fates themselves. They'd decided they knew best about mortal affairs so those three witches had branded every one of us at birth. Our future was in our hands, literally, but no longer metaphorically. The Compulsion made sure our decisions were guided toward the goal that was predetermined for us. No one could resist such a feeling. If you weren't on your prescribed path, you felt the Compulsion like fire in your veins. It was a desperate thirst sated only by progress. \n\nI decided to play along. I couldn't fathom what it would be like to be in that position. The idea scared me. \n\n\"So you're in charge of your own life right? What are you gonna do with that kind of power?\" I asked, almost breaking into a jog to keep up with the man's pace. \n\n\"I'll do whatever I want. The Fates can't touch me now and they know it. They tried.\" We had reached a park, and he stopped abruptly. turning to face me. He held my gaze. \"Humans don't have to be enslaved to Destiny any longer.\"\n\nChildren kicked a ball around on the field behind him, squealing in glee. I longed for those carefree days before the Compulsion truly took over my life. I thought those days were over, but this man...This man's fervency was impossible to deny. As was his empty palm. I was starting to believe him, despite myself. The ultimate freedom, the superpower of choice. I realized how envious I felt. The idea of humans overcoming the immortals and reclaiming mastery over themselves...that was the war I'd never dared to dream of. But here it was. Evidence of the impossible was right in front me. Maybe there was a chance...\n\nThe kids' yelling suddenly morphed to shouts of warning and horror. We looked over to see a girl chasing a stray ball on to the street. She bent to pick it up, oblivious to the bus hurtling towards her. I was shoved aside as the stranger with the blank palm moved in a blur. Horns beeped, tyres screeched, metal crunched, glass smashed and a girl screamed. In an instant, it was over. I desperately tried to make sense of the scene in front of me.\n\nThe girl was bawling, knees skinned but otherwise unharmed. The ball was nowhere to be seen. The stranger lay face down on the road in front of the bus, one leg contorted at an unnatural angle, blood pouring from his head. It all clicked together. He'd pushed the girl out of the way. \n\nI pushed my way through the crowd gathering around him. Someone had rolled him onto his back. A bystander was searching for his pulse, but I caught a glance of his palm and knew it to be hopeless. There was no longer an empty space on his hand. A single word had appeared. \n\nThe world flashed. Time became syrup. It thickened, and slowed to a crawl, then stopped. Everyone around me became translucent, and the world faded into the background. Materializing as though stepping as though out of an invisible doorway, appeared a woman who had to be over eight feet tall. A glowing aura radiated around her, and I instinctively knew her for what she was. An Immortal. One of the Fates. A tyrant. \n\nShe surveyed the body of my most recent acquaintance and smirked. She made to leave, then froze. Slowly, she turned back, scanning the ghostly crowd until she was looking directly at me. With a start, I realised I was the only one who had noticed her. I was the only one who could *see* her. \n\nThe Compulsion flared in me. It wanted me to walk towards the Immortal and prostrate myself before her. I took a step forward on reflex, but then with every ounce of will I had in my body, I stopped before taking another. \n\n\"No.\" I said.\n\n\"No?\" said the Fate. Her voice chimed through my brain like a church bell had been rung with my skull. It was excruciating. Every atom in my body wanted to gravitate towards her. \"You don't get to choose, mortal.\" She laughed. It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.\n\nI was in another world of pain by now, every nerve in my body lit up with agony. So much so that I thought I must be glowing. I bore it. I would not give in.\n\n\"Yes. I. Do.\" I choked out through gritted teeth, holding my ground.\n\nMy palm flared like I was holding the Sun itself.\n\nThe Fate's eyes widened. She 'd stopped laughing. \"It's only a matter of time until you end up like *him.*\" She spat. \n\nAnother blinding flash, and time snapped back into place. The world became corporeal once more. The Fate was gone. I looked down at the word on the stranger's palm once more. \n\nIt read: \"Martyr.\" \n\nSlowly, I raised my own palm. The word I'd carried there all my life had changed. It now read: \"Herald.\"\n\nCompulsion rose in me, but for the first time in my life, it was my own. It was time to start a war.",
"\"That's literally what I'm here asking you about,\" I threw my arms into the air, exasperated. \"Do you know how many years it's taken me to get this meeting? All the goddamn paperwork. All the appeals. Everything!\"\n\n\"Well, yes. Of course I do. I'm the head of the Department of Identity,\" Director Dakota mused. \"Be pretty bad at my job if I didn't know about you, eh.\"\n\n\"Then why the fuck are you asking me?!\"\n\n\"Hail Mary, honestly.\" \n\n\"W...what?\n\n\"Well, we thought that maybe,\" Dakota shrugged \"You might petitioning our office so much to trick us into thinking you weren't hiding something.\"\n\n\"That would make me incredibly stupid.\"\n\n\"Yeah, we were really banking on that.\"\n\n\"I...\"\n\n\n\"But I do have an idea!\" he smiled.\n\n\"Idea?\" I scoffed. \"After the 'maybe he's a moron' strategy?\"\n\n\"It's a good one, I promise.\"\n\n\"Fuck it. Alright. Not like I have any other ideas.\"\n\n\"Have you tried writing something on it with a pen.\"\n\nI stared at him. In that moment I couldn't even bring myself to put emotion into an expression.\n\n\"Eh?\" He grinned proudly. \"Right.\"\n\n\"Jesus fucking Christ you're an idiot. How do you even have this job?!\"\n\n\"My dad thought it's be good for me.\" he admitted. \"But let's just try it. What do we have to lose?\"\n\n\"I mean, dignity...\" I muttered. \"But fine.\"\n\nI held my palm out.\n\n\"Ok,\" Director Dakota grabbed his pen and started to to write on my palm.\n\n\"Wait!\" he halted. \"I'm writing it too big. It probably won't work if we go outside the marks.\"\n\n\"That's...yeah.\" I was stunned.\n\n\"Hold on...\" he opened a drawer in his desk. \"I got some wipes here somewhere.\" \n\nAfter a few tries he found them, raising the box triumphantly before removing the ink from my palm.\n\n\"Now...\" Dakota continued writing. \"'Turtle that can speak and understand English'\"\n\n\"Turtle!\" I shouted, shooting up from my chair. \"The fu-\"\n\nI was engulfed in a plume of smoke.\n\nAs it dissipated, I watched Director Dakota dance around the room, pumping his fists into the air.\n\n\"Fucking shapeshifter!\" he bellowed. \"Fucking called it! Oh Frank you are so gonna pay me that fifty bucks! Wooooo!\"\n\n\"Heeey\" the words dripped from my mouth like sap. \"Caan yoou fiix thiis?\"\n\n\"Oh shit, right, sorry.\"\n\n\"What the fuck dude?!\" I screamed after being returned to normal. \"You knew that was gonna happen?\"\n\n\"No.\" he shook his head. \"Not at all. But thank God it did right.\"\n\n\"What? I was a damn turtle.\"\n\n\"But you know what it means now! You can be anything you want to be!\"\n\n\"Yeah...yeah...I guess you're right.\"\n\n\"Provided you have approval of the US government.\"\n\n\"Excuse me.\"\n\n\"Oh, yeah man. Now that we know you can do that. It is so on.\"\n\n\"Uhhh...\"\n\n\"Alright.\" Dakota walked to the door, clicking his pen. \"Come with me. We're gonna see what happens when I write 'tank' on there.\"\n\n\"Wait, what?\""
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[WP] You are an astronaut, and you though you knew where he countries of the world were. But you see an empty space in the water where a country was supposed to be and you're horrified. Australia isn't real.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"When humans launch into space, they undergo the type of violence normally reserved for death. \n\nAnd Commander Barry Golds thought he was going to die. \n\nSo, situation normal.\n\nBut he didn't, and after a career trying to get here, he is aware the bit of engineering wrapped around himself helped, but that help was fading fast. \n\nHis head hurts, but he doesn't mention it, instead, he uses crew downtime en route to Moonbase Artemis as a chance to argue with himself. \n\nThe answer he keeps coming back to is he has no right to be here.\n\nNASA makes pains to ensure chaos stays off missions and doesn't rear its ugly head. And this is one of the reasons why. Also, coincidentally, why there are no former Defensive linemen in space. To much chance of a hidden head injury and no telling what that particular condition could do to a person during space travel. It was unknown if the symptoms of a CTE injury might suddenly appear in aggression or, worse, hemorrhage. \n\nSo they try and avoid issues by wrapping up every mission appointment process with enough redundancy to fill months with busy work.\n\nIt was hard to slip through.\n\nBut astronauts have gotten through with jealous psychosis, criminality, bad eyesight, and now, worse.\n\nNASA was government, and government was foolish. \n\nThe newest addition to NASA failings is that Ben Golds has a head injury. Not from tackling fools on the gridiron type CTE, just the kind caused by the beginning phases of dementia. And he knew it and tricked the NASA tests because it was his turn to go to space and nothing was going to stop him. He tricked legions of doctors whose only goal was to get him into admitting he was experiencing problems. \n\n\"Look, Commander Golds, we are here for you and the safety of your crew. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please, let us know.\"\n\nBut Golds smiled and said, \"look at me doc, I am in the best shape of my life. \n\nWhich was a lie. He was in better shape ten years previous when he could remember for certain if he had worked out or not. \n\nThat was the first sign, doing things because he wasn't sure if it had happened today or yesterday or a month ago.\n\n\"Barry, how many times are you going to work out today?\" his wife asked, coming into their home gym just as he set the bar back on the bench. The set hurt too bad for her to be wrong. \n\n\"Just this once,\" he lied, knowing it was lie but not knowing how he couldn't remember working out earlier in the day. \n\nHe worked his mind too hard, memorized too much stuff, he theorized.\n\nAnd she stared at him, sad, \"Barry, you've done been in here three times already. It's not safe to work out this much.\" \n\nBut life is far from safe, and he deserved at least one mission before he retired and made to fly hops to Hong Kong for the rest of his life. \n\nAnd then the reason why he shouldn't be in space comes into view again.\n\nHe almost doesn't look down at the only reason to go to space, to begin with, the vision of Earth floating further and further away as they make their way to the moon. \n\nBut a hopeful flutter makes him do so anyway.\n\nMaybe this time, reality will return. \n\nHe looks and again finds the spot on the world where Australia should be, but still blank. \n\nHe hears the heart monitor he is hooked up to, spike. It goes so high he gets a call from Houston. \n\n\"Golds, heart rate is spiking like crazy. What's going on. Eden? Get a visual on Golds.\"\n\nEden pipes back, \"Shit Golds, are you okay? Guys-- ah fuck he just popped.\"\n\nPuke rolls out of Golds mouth. Every single crumb he crammed into after being told he could eat, and he did because they make them go up hungry. He is more okay with throwing up in space and floating through his own sick-up then he thought he'd be, because, at the end of it all, he gets to die in space. Something no one in NASA had quite figured out yet."
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[WP] You are inexplicably swapped with yourself from a parallel world. Things are mostly similar but for a few differences. Mainly, the fact that here you are well liked and have a loving significant other. You desperately try to act like your otherworld self to keep these unexpected gifts.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\[Sharp Security\\]\n\nThomas sat in his car sipping a warm coffee and staring at the white building. It was only three stories and not very large, but something about it seemed imposing. Large red letters along the side read \"Sharp Development\". The clock on his dashboard told him it was 7:58 a.m. He was risking being late to debate whether he would risk going in at all.\n\nThomas put his coffee down and held up his I.D. to examine it again. \"Tommy Brandt - Extrauniversal Counseling Division,\" he read the name and eyed the picture. Tan skin, dark brown hair and light brown eyes. \"He looks exactly like me,\" he tried to convince himself that going to work was the right thing to do. \" No one can tell that I'm not 'Tommy',\" he rolled his eyes at the name. He insisted on being called Thomas from a young age; he felt 'Tommy' was too informal and playful. But name aside, the Tommy from this Earth seemed to have everything going for him.\n\nThe woman he woke up next to was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. He had a confusing start to his morning, but Thomas was a sci-fi fan. He quickly decided two things. First, he somehow switched bodies with an alternate version of himself. Second, if it wasn't a dream, it might be permanent. He really wanted it to be permanent. That hope led him to ask his wife enough questions to get himself to work. Seeing the word 'Counseling' on his tag gave him more courage. On his own Earth, Thomas became a social worker and professional counselor. He hoped to bluff his way through work until he learned how to actually do the job. He also took note of the 'Extrauniversal' part of his title, but that only added credence to his situation.\n\n\"Well, if I get fired, that just means I can start fresh with a new job,\" he said to himself. With a deep sigh, Thomas opened the door and made his way to the entrance. His hope to get in and somehow find his desk without drawing attention to himself was shattered the moment he stepped into the large white lobby.\n\n\"HEYHEY, IT'S TOMMY!\" A portly guard shouted from the single security desk in the center of the lobby. His voice carried around the mostly empty room. The guard station sat between the entrance and the elevators. It was set up in such a way that a person could walk around the guard station, but it would be very obvious they were trying to. The lean guard next to him smiled broadly.\n\n\"Cutting it close, ain't ya, T-Bone?\" The lean guard asked once Thomas was close enough to their station. Thomas sighed internally. If 'Tommy' wasn't bad enough, it seemed he now had to put up with 'T-Bone'. \"Better get up there, the new arrivals are probably already waiting on you.\"\n\n\"New arrivals?\" Thomas asked as he swiped his I.D. through the card reader; he hoped it was the right thing to do. The question came out before he could stop it. Thinking quickly, he tried to play it off as a generic work statement. \"I didn't know we had anyone scheduled this early,\" he said. Luckily, the guards nodded.\n\n\"Unexpected,\" the portly guard said. \"[Some astronauts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/ix29tp/wpthe_year_is_2732_after_waking_up_to_your/) went through a black hole. They ended up near the Bozo server; it didn't take long for them to get flagged.\"\n\n\"Great, well I guess I better get up there,\" he said. He started toward the elevator, but he was interrupted.\n\n\"Hey, T-bone,\" the lean guard said. Thomas turned around and saw him holding up a flat pane of glass with a hand outlined on it. \"You forgot the biometrics.\" All humor in his voice was gone. Thomas also noticed the portly guard standing more alert with his hand down by his unbuttoned holster.\n\n\"Oh sorry, I guess my mind was already getting ahead of me,\" Thomas chuckled to play off the mistake. He wasn't worried about biometrics at all, it was still Tommy's body after all. He put his hand down on the stencil. After a short moment, it buzzed and lit up with a red glow. Before he could say anything the portly guard had his gun drawn.\n\n\"Who are you?\" the chubby guard asked while the lean one stepped back and drew his own gun after setting the scanner on the desk. Thomas panicked. He decided that being fired was better than being shot and decided to tell them the truth. Once they kicked him out for being insane he could see about another job.\n\n\"I don't know!\" Thomas said as he raised his arms in the air. \"My name's Thomas Bronson, I think I'm 'Tommy' from an alternate universe. I just woke up in this body today! Please don't shoot! I don't know how I got here, I'm just trying to get by!\"\n\nBoth guards were immediately overcome by laughter and they reholstered their weapons. Thomas guessed they thought he was joking, and he took it as a good sign. Then, the lean guard put an arm around his shoulder and began walking him toward the elevator.\n\n\"Don't worry about a thing Mr. Bronson. We'll get you sorted out and back in your body in no time,\" he said.\n\n\"You can do that?!\" Thomas was genuinely surprised they not only believed him, but had the ability to fix it. \"Do... do you have to?\" he asked as the guard pressed the 'Up' button.\n\n\"Well, yeah,\" he chuckled. \" I want my buddy, T-Bone back. Something wrong with your Earth?\" Thomas shook his head.\n\n\"Not my Earth,\" he said. \"My life. Things are so much better for me here. I have a beautiful wife, nice house, and what I think is probably a great job.\" The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. The guard led Thomas into it, then pressed the button for the 3rd floor once they were in.\n\n\"What if I told you we could get you back into your own body, and give you any life or wife you want?\" the guard asked.\n\n\"I'd say yes!\" Thomas said eagerly.\n\n\"Yeah, I thought so,\" the guard replied with a smile. \"It's easy, all you have to do is meet Ms. Sharp and sign some papers.\"\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is year three, story #266. 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.",
"“You feeling okay, babe?” Your boyfriend slides a plate of fresh-made waffles in front of you. “The syrup is boysenberry—I know it’s your favorite.”\n\nYou pick up the fork and push at the spongey breakfast with the blunted tips. He was right about the syrup. But the *real* Brett didn’t even know you were alive. This Brett made you waffles. Not even out of a box. With flour and eggs and all that other garbage.\n\nYou were still thinking about Brett mixing the waffle batter by hand when he leaned across the table and kissed your cheek. His stubble scratched at your skin, but the kiss was warm and you didn’t want to complain about the irritation.\n\nBrett still had a streak of flour on his forehead, his apron covered in speckles of dry batter across the pattern.\n\n“I invited Danielle and Jasmine to come over later.” Brett took a bite of his own waffles and a long string of purplish-boysenberry-goo slithered its way back onto his plate.\n\nYou said nothing.\n\n“I know you don’t really get along with Danielle, so I invited Josie and told her to bring her girlfriend Chanterelle because I know you think it’s funny when Danielle gets upset about their names sounding similar.”\n\nYou smiled. That did sound like something you’d find funny. Especially if you had friends named Chanterelle and Danielle. And here—with Brett—you did.\n\nYou nod, hoping the gesture is enough.\n\nHe turned away and you pushed the waffles around your plate. The syrup had started to make them soggy. When Brett turned back around he was saying something about some memory you never had.\n\nYou held out your hand and Brett embraced it—gripping your hand in his and holding your open palm against his chest. You want to speak. Instead, you just whimper.\n\nBrett breathed heavily into your hair. You could feel him trying to bask in your essence. He kissed you again, this time on the lips. His lips were softer than his face.\n\n“I love you,” he said.\n\nYou clench your stomach. Your breathing shortened. Brett said I love you as casually as you might skip a song on your playlist. You looked at Brett and pulled your hand away from his chest.\n\n*I love you, too,* you said.\n\nAnd Brett looked at you a moment to briefly. Like he almost saw you.\n\nBrett smiled and took another bite of waffle. “I didn’t realize you knew sign language.”\n\nAgain, you said nothing.\n\n“You never cease to amaze me,” he said."
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[WP] A knight is given the task to slay a dragon to rescue the princess. In a strange turn of events however it turns out it's the dragon needing to be saved from the princess!
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" Gamel had rode tirelessly through the ancient forest, fighting off wolves and bandits and trolls. He had scaled the castle's crumbling walls, navigating his way around the labyrinth of corridors inside. Twice he had had to use the amulet of Marapholoci to guide him. Now, as Gamel made his way to the door at the end of the antechamber, he could hear Princess Adelina crying from behind. Her sobs were loud and constant, not the delicate, silent tears that Gamel had expected. \n\n \n The door was ajar, and did not make a sound when Gamel pushed it open. He stepped out onto a gallery, overlooking the remains of a once great hall. The room was dimly lit by candles, but the gallery was hidden in deep shadow. Peering down, Gamel could see the dragon curled up on the stone floor, its gold scales shimmering in the dim light, staring at the Princess. Princess Adelina, was bent forwards, clutching her side, gasping for air. Her cascade of honeyed hair hid her face from Gamel. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword. The beast would pay. Silently, he crept down the stairs to get a closer look. He was surprised to feel the Amulet of Marapholoci around his neck hum. There was a strong and dark magic in the room. \n\n \n Hiding behind a decaying statue, Gamel scanned his surroundings, trying to plan how to best get the princess to safety before fighting the dragon. Something made him pause. Princess Adelina had stopped crying as she straightened herself up. Staring the dragon directly in the eyes, she let out what sounded like a satisfied sigh. As her hair fell from her face, Gamel could see her eyes were completely dry, that her lips were curled into a smile. \n\n \n “Cramacor, you have always made me laugh” Adelina addressed the dragon directly. Her tone condescending. “But seriously, who are people going to believe? You, a fire breathing monster who decimated the village of Arble...” Cramacor let out an agitated snort and opened his great jaws. Gemal drew his sword, ready to jump in front of the princess. Before he could, Princess Adelina held up her hand, clenching it into a fist. Cramacor's mouth snapped shut. \n\n \n “I know, Cramacor, it was an accident. But that's not the story the survivors tell. Or do you think they'll believe me?” Her eyes glanced towards where Gamel hid. She looked only for a moment before turning back to Cramacor, but Gamel felt his stomach tighten. He felt certain she had seen him and what she said was meant for him as much as for Cramacor. \n\n \n “A princess. The king's only daughter. Beloved by the whole kingdom, with suitors desperate for my hand in marriage. Help me kill my father and I shall reward you with all the gold you could ever hoard. I will make you general of my armies. You would be one of the most feared and respected beings within the entire kingdom. Remember our fates will always be intertwined.” Again, her eyes briefly flickered towards Gamel. “Deny me, and you shall see what my wrath can bring. Choose you next words wisely” Adelina threatened as she unclenched her fist. \n\n \n “Fates be damned. The girl I once knew is dead, if her mother were still alive she would mourn for her. Your idle threats and gratuitous tricks do not impress me. I would rather take my chances with the knights.” Gamel was surprised by the beast's words and eloquence. Cramacor was not how dragons were described in the legends. \n\n \n “I see. Brave knight” Adelina called out “your princess summons you.” Gamel stepped out from behind his hiding spot, his sword still drawn. He bowed before Princess Adelina, his eyes never fully off of Cramacor. “Not just anyone makes it to the dragon's castle, you must be very strong and courageous. Kill the dragon for me and I shall reward you.” Hesitantly, Gamel turned towards Cramacor, something did not feel right. \n\n \n “Wait, Sir Knight” Cramacor implored him. “Princess Adelina is not well. Take her back home to her father, and I shall let you take anything you wish from my treasury as payment for your chivalry. I will fly away, never return to these lands, and you can still take credit for slaying me. Please, I can see the kindness in your soul, you do not want this.” \n\n \n “Brave knight, do not listen to this monster. I am your princess, you are sworn to me.” \n\n \n Gamel turned to face Adelina. She was as beautiful as he had imagined, but there was something menacing behind her smile, that caused him to recoil. Yet Adelina was right, she was his princess, surely she could reward him handsomely. Like the rest of the kingdom Gamel did not have much love for the King... but regicide was a serious matter, not to be thought of lightly. He turned back to Cramacor, who remained motionless, his gaze fixed on Gamel. Gamel had came here intending to kill the dragon, yet it did not seem proper to kill something that showed no signs of threat, and displayed such reason and compassion.\n\n \n The Amulet of Marapholoci still hummed around his neck. The amulet only showed its wearer variations of the future, things that may come to pass, but are not certain. Gamel had been fortunate that it had not led him to his death. He only had one use left, he hoped it would not fail him this time.",
"I writhe against my chains, screaming in agony, begging to be rescued, but it's no use. Some kind of magic shimmers on the chains, making them too strong, their bonds with the wall too firm, & all the effort of my thrashing can neither break them nor pull them free. I'm stuck here, in this cold, dark dungeon beneath the lair of my vile captor. Several years pass of my struggling, but to no avail, & my strength fades, my wrists & ankles chafe & scar, & I'm forced to give up. Water is scarce, while food is only in the form of whatever pathetic creatures lurk in such places as this dank hole. I can't remember the last time I felt the sun on my face, the wind brush my skin, the rain hit the top of my head. I can't remember the taste of fat roasted ox, or milk, or goose eggs. My current weakness & exhaustion, not to mention the damage to my soul from the isolation, forces me to do little but wait, unless some poor rat creeps by. Oh by the way, have you any idea how disgusting rats taste?\n\nI've lost count of the time; I only know it's been many years, when the knight shows up. I know he's a knight because I hear him long before I see him; his armour is loud & clunky, rattling with the sound of metal against metal. His steps are no less loud: clonk, clonk, clonk. I hear the knight clonking his clunky way from room to room, searching, calling. Definitely the voice of a human male.\n\n\"Hello, anybody here?\" The same phrase repeatedly, interspersed by clonks & clunks, growing louder & quieter as he scours the entire castle. Doors creak as he tries each room, yet to no avail: he hasn't found me, & he hasn't found her.\n\nPlease don't find her; I've no idea what she'll do to you! Please clunky-armoured knight.\n\nBut inevitably, he does find her, & I hear him, his voice & his clunkiness echoing through the stone.\n\n\"Ah, your Highness, there you are!\" His voice sounds light, relieved. \"I've been sent here to rescue you.\"\n\nShe says nothing, but I hear the knight's armour rattle rapidly, as if something is shaking it. What is she doing now? Aside from the armour's rattle, the knight & the woman are silent for a while. But when the knight speaks again, his tone is no longer light.\n\n\"What... are you?\" His voice sounds shocked, panicky, & I realise what's shaking the armour is his own fear. He's just found out, in some terrifying way, that my captor is no innocent damsel, but an evil sorceress. Has she changed form? I've seen her do that, but I'm not fooled by what my eyes tell me; I know her smell all too well as she comes to draw a little blood from me for a spell of hers.\n\nWithin moments the armour stops rattling, & the knight's tone changes, growing as fierce as my fiery breath as he roars at her: \"Why you deceptive, brute, vile WITCH!\"\n\nLoud ringing sounds follow that roar of anger & bravery, with magical hisses & clunks of armour beating the rhythm of some macabre dance. I hear her light steps & his loud clonks as they move, while the rings, hisses & clunky rattles accompany the beat of what I've heard many call the battle dance. I wait, wondering what pitch the final scream will be as I begin to smell sweat, then blood, in the air; so strong it even reaches this hole. A hope stirs up in me as the battle dance continues its music, & for the first time since I ceased my struggles I dare to imagine being free of this place.\n\nFinally comes the scream, an unearthly sound of agony & imminent death. Its pitch is high; it's her screaming. Further evidence reveals itself in the fading glow on my chains, for as she dies, her magic dies with her. I smell her blood, tainted by dark magic, as I hear her body thud dully to the floor, alongside the gentle hum of a sword returning to its scabbard.\n\nThat spark of hope in me builds to a full-on surge, which gives me strength I didn't know I had, along with endurance against the pain in my scarred wrists & ankles; & I wield all of it to wrench as hard as I can against my bonds, now naught but rusted steel. They break, & I walk out of my hole, clambering up the stairs until the sound of rippling water catches my ears. I move towards the sound & find the well. My forepaws can grip, & I use them to lower the bucket into the well until it splashes into the water below. I draw the heavier bucket back up, then drink, slowly at first, then more quickly as I feel myself hydrate. I repeat the process twice more, & drain the entire bucket both times.\n\nI feel a new strength in me, & now as I set back on the stairs to climb, I flex my wings, rebuilding muscles long unused. I follow the scent of my deceased captor's blood, as my strength increases. Each step is easier then the last, & sometimes I feel almost weightless as my wings catch a lucky break. The staircase is long, & it takes a while to reach the top, by which time I'm no longer walking, but flying, my wings carrying my body, light with living for years on so little.\n\nThe knight, whose scent I can now smell over that of his conquest's blood, stands before me, armour gleaming in the torchlight like my scales on my best days. He's gawking at me from beneath his helmet, his eyes & mouth wide.\n\n\"Good knight, you have helped me be free once more,\" I tell him, sounding as pleasant as I can. \"Show me the way out of here, & I can then take you to find a real, kind princess to wed. We dragons are noble beasts, after all.\"\n\nThe knight agrees, & I follow him down to the huge gates of the castle, & step into freedom for the first time in many years."
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[WP] Your dumb orc friends and you(also a dumb orc) find a magic book and decide to play with it. Chaos ensues.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The three orcs approach the mages lair, untroubled by their stomping and grunting. They knew there was nobody home. The three of them shared their orcish fashion sense, none, just loin clothes with Leader Orc's being ripped just enough to not leave anything to the imagination. He was their Leader, and loved his life. Leader Orc didn't have a name, didn't need one, he just was. They all just were, creatures of their environment, animal-like, joyous, reckless, bored. Today they would not be bored.\n\nThe three of them barely stop at the door before they kick it in as one. As it falls crashing to the floor the three of them pause to catch their breaths in their chests. The room is absolutely immaculate, potions bubble, dark fluid is mixed by a phantom ladle, in a phantom cauldron, translucent, magic. The bookshelf has an item that physically calls to them.\n\n\"**Read me,**\" a voice sounds in their orc minds, a new sensation, as their thoughts have always been absolutely formless and unsymbolized. They feel just a little smarter for it.\n\nLeader Orc points his calloused and scared hand, more a claw, toward the bookshelf. A single book shines with the soft promising light of sweet glorious and powerful temptations.\n\n\"**Read me, and be free.**\"\n\nThe smaller, less significant orc, is now named Stubs. HE just gave himself a name for the first time, under the glow of the light, an inspiring event. He is almost unlike an animal. HE reaches out for the book and cradles it like a baby. He does not eat the book like he would a baby, luckily, or rather unluckily, for the three of them. It was most definitely unlucky for the world.\n\nStubs, after a moments hesitation where his hand falters, passes the glowing book toward his Leader. Leader Orc touches the book and is now Nasty, his new identity.\n\n\"**You are capable. You are more. Believe in me and you will be the masters of this world. The world is a game, to play, to master, TO CHEAT.**\"\n\nNasty has an experience unlike any his body has felt before. He feels himself tower like a giant above his enemies, and his enemies were everyone. He would do it. He was shown his path according to his new nature. The nature of the creators. He is now the first Orc Mage in existence, and existence feels like a pulsating erection.\n\nThe first pages make no sense to any of them, but slowly, they do. As his retinas take in the light from the book, he is made new, he is newer, he is always newer, he is the drinker of blood in the dark, the fateful hand that you feel squeezing your throat as it wakes you from a dreamless slumber to end your life. \n\nNow was their time. The Age of Chaos has begun."
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[WP] You work at a retirement home with some... interesting patients. Despite their old age they're all quite lively, even if they're always shouting at each other. Shame their dementia has them believing their gods. Was that a lightning bolt? Nah couldn't be.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Mrs. Abebe, can I help you to the dining hall? Bingo is about to start.”\n\n“Oh, dearie, you know I said to call me Gaia,” the old woman said in a thick Ethiopian accent as she took my arm. “Is any of that salad bar left?”\n\n“I think they cleaned it up already. Sorry, ma’am.”\n\nAs I sat her down at one of the long tables, I noticed the noise level of the hall rising. The room filled quickly every Sunday night but tonight somehow surpassed our rowdiest crowd of elderly partiers. While the gig at this old folks home had never been a snoozefest, lately the intensity of the guests had increased.\n\n‘Gaia’ regularly claimed to have...I don’t know what it was...covered all the continents with grass or something? It didn’t make much sense but you learn to only half-listen when most of the people around you have dementia. The real problem, though, was that *everyone* had started to make wild claims even crazier than hers. Even more frustrating was that they all wanted you to call them weird names. It was starting to get tense and the old men were getting into yelling matches in the hallways. We kept finding women in little groups hatching schemes, which they happily told the male orderlies about like they expected them to follow along. Ms. ‘Venus’ Fairchild even told Danny to “do her bidding” the other day! Ha!\n\nIt’s getting messy, though. Mr. Ahmed (sorry, ‘Anubis’), keeps making people cry because he’s constantly walking around just announcing when people are going to die in the middle of conversations. *Apparently* I’m going to have a heart attack at 36. Sure, dude. I’m healthy as a horse and run every morning. Whatever.\n\nAt least Ganesh is cool. He just hangs around painting and reading and is super chill. He doesn’t make us call him Mr. Patel or anything, and he’s always giving us little elephant figurines.\n\n“Jack, get over here!” Jamaya’s yell from across the room jars me out my thoughts. “Sedna’s trying to free the fish from the tank again!” Standing on tiptoes, I can see her trying to pull a pitcher out of the stooped Inuit woman’s hands as she holds it over the large aquarium in the corner. I start to make my way through the increasingly crowded cacophony until a BOOM shakes the building. The room falls silent and everyone looks around. Just as people begin to speak again, another BOOM sounds, and I take off running out of the hall and toward the living quarters.\n\nThe only people that don’t attend bingo also happen to be the two men that have been posturing at each other for weeks. Surprisingly easy to differentiate from other residents (old guys start to look the same at a certain point), they do both have kind of magnificent white beards, though Mr. Ca'sius (fine, Zeus, all right?) is somehow tanner than any other white dude here even though he spends most of his time inside.\n\nI expected to walk into a screaming match. I expected to walk into a room with two men with broken hips and an evening filled with unpleasant phone calls to next-of-kin. I did not expect to get a literal shock when I turn Mr. Odinson’s doorknob and for that door to swing open wide as I yell, “Jesus fucking Christ!” in pain. More than that, I did not expect to see two men sitting at a table facing each other with hatred in their eyes, sleeves rolled to their elbows exposing surprisingly muscled forearms, hands locked together in the most intense arm wrestling match I’ve ever encountered.\n\nI step into the room in awe, staring as snakes of golden electricity sizzles around their arms, their torsos, their chairs. Straining and grunting with effort, Mr. Odinson manages to slam his arm down and pin Zeus’ hand to the table. Electricity arcs to the ceiling and a jarring BOOM of thunder reverberates through the room. I'm thrown back against the wall and my ears begin to bleed.\n\nSo locked in their battle, they haven’t even noticed me. I slowly back up through the door, turn and run down the hall toward the entrance, unclipping my employee badge and tossing it on the front desk as I run out the front door.\n\nEDIT: words"
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[WP] As everyone knows, the universe expands infinitely at all times. However, one day, it stops, and it seems as if it’s finished finally. All at once, every creature on earth hears a voice in their head say “Map rendering finished. Spawning player.”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"My father was dead. I was the only one to see the once jovial man but only saw a broken shell of what he once was. Father had been sick for quite a while and had faced nothing but agony in his last weeks alive. His healthy, rich tan skin was now paler than a ghost, and his deep blue eyes were now bloodshot. On his deathbed, the last thing he said to me was \"Do not grieve for me, for your life is just beginning. I have lived my life and it is time for you to live yours.\" He said these words in a forced, pained manner, and had a sullen smile on his face. After those words, the steady rise and fall of his chest stopped, and his eyes glazed over. I didn't cry for him. It was a bittersweet feeling because he had finally moved beyond the pain, but he had been the one to raise me when my mother was killed in a car crash. I was seven when she died, and am now 28. Father made sure to be especially present in my life when Mother died, and now he was gone too.\n\nI suddenly got a raging headache. It felt like my skull was trying to split itself. Something was wrong. I fell to my knees in front of my father's body, clutching my head and screaming at the unrelenting pain. Suddenly, my pain stopped and my screams ended. I was gasping for air and recovered after a few deep breaths. A soothing, gentle voice in my head said \"Map rendering finished. Spawning player.\" Everything went dark.\n\nI opened my eyes to see that I was in a small but comfortable bed. The room was barren, except for a wooden bedside table. A pistol and a small glass of water rested on the dark oak table. My throat was dry and I could smell fresh cooking. I desperately clutched the cup and drank deeply. I pulled back the covers to see that I had a slim but well-muscled body, and a long, red scar on my left breast. I wore pants made from a material that I had never seen before I woke up. They were comfortable, yet tough, and I couldn't tell what they were, much less how I acquired them. I thought to myself \"What is this place,\" only to hear my voice, a soothing tenor, speak it out loud. I leaped out of bed with grace and athleticism I had never possessed. I grabbed the pistol and felt its cold metal grip in my hand. I moved toward the door, cautiously checking the concrete walls for any sign of danger. Seeing no threat, I moved toward the heavy iron door and turned the handle.\n\nIt was locked. I backed up and rushed the door, thinking my newfound strength would burst the door. Instead, a heard a \"fwink,\" and was on the other side of the door, pistol in hand. The door hadn't opened, but I had gotten through. I felt an unearthly power in my chest, and it gave me the hope to advance with my gun raised and my finger on the trigger. I slowly walked to the end of the dimly lit hallway and down a set of wooden, creaky stairs. as I reached the bottom, I saw a man sitting at a small table, and a woman questioning him about something, though I couldn't tell what. The room they sat in was well lit and they appeared to be eating a meal. Without thinking, I heard a \"fwink,\" and was suddenly in the room. \n\nThe man was middle-aged and had brown hair streaked with gray, and wore a shirt that was the same material as my pants. The woman was young and had raven black hair and wore the same shirt as the man. Both were shocked when I suddenly appeared in the room and aimed my gun at both. I asked threateningly, \"Where am I! I will kill you if you don't tell me where I am and who you are!\"\n\nThe man calmly replied, \"Child, you have been asleep for almost three months. You are in the Vault. Sit down and I'll tell you everything.\"\n\nHe got up and scooped some rice out of a pot on the small stove, spooned it onto a plate, and gave it to me. I slowly lowered my gun, accepted the plate, and began eating.",
"Jake Mormont was my best friend. We met in kindergarten. In Junior High we spent every free hour outside of school playing video games together. We were hardcore gamers, and when we weren't gaming we were talking about gaming or watching streamers game.\n\nSo when the voice in our heads finished announcing \"Map rendering finished. Spawning player,\" Jake and I stared at each other in disbelief.\n\n\"We're NPCs!\" he screamed.\n\nI didn't know if it was true but in that moment I burst out: \"NPCs!!!\" and we screamed and bounced around the room.\n\nMy mom came rushing in all worried, comforting me and petting Jake on the head saying \"oh boys, oh boys oh boys,\" clearly distraught. I think she misinterpreted our screaming as fear. She couldn't know, she didn't game. The voice was wicked cool.\n\nAfter she left my room to call dad, Jake and I started dissecting the voice.\n\n\"You think we're in some kind of MMO? Or single player?\" I said. I wanted Jake to take the reins--he was obviously convinced.\n\n\"No idea. I hope it's a single player though, like Halo. Makes sense, right? I mean it only said 'Spawning player', singular.\"\n\n\"Yeah, that's true. Can't be like Halo though, I mean, if we're the game, then it's more like a COD map.\"\n\n\"I wonder if we're the only planet. I mean, is this an Earth thing or...?\"\n\nI didn't need to respond because that evening the news had the answer. Scientists apparently knew that the universe had stopped expanding. Now all we had to do was wait for this 'player' to show up. What kind of roleplay they were going to action on was anyone's guess. Gaming forums and chats and vlogs were abuzz with theories. Every gamer everywhere knew exactly what was going on. Everyone else was just spouting unfounded theories.\n\nJake and I got on our bikes the next day to ride to the store and buy potato chips and Dr. Pepper. We were going to sit back down to a session of Call of Duty at his place. Not much else to do, and we were happy to fill the void with some COD.\n\nWe didn't get far on the return trip before the sky burst open and a meteorite or something covered in flame shot down, then another, and another. They fell all over the place, creating burning craters and filling the air with dust and heat. We raced, and made it back to Jake's. His mom was screaming as neighbors' houses exploded, and we ran into his furnished basement. On the news we learned this was happening all over the world. Social media was chock full of meteorite videos. Jake and I should've been terrified but it was cooler than a free Monday.\n\nEventually the explosions stopped. While Jake's mom tried desperately to call her husband, Jake and I watched a video on my cell phone of a crowd approaching a crater.\n\nThe video was scratchy but whoever was holding it horizontally was a champ. The screen showed people approaching, when suddenly a horrendous creature lurched and sliced a few people in half, blood splattering everywhere.\n\n\"Whoa shit!\" Jake yelled.\n\n\"Oh crap!\" I said.\n\nMore demonic-looking beasts, more blood, and screaming. We watched other videos--all the same type of content, all over the world.\n\n\"Dude, this isn't good.\"\n\n\"Worst. Enemies. Ever,\" I agreed.\n\n\"But I kind of recognize them.\"\n\n\"How? It's so grainy.\"\n\nJake had my phone and was scrolling like mad.\n\n\"It has to be,\" he said.\n\n\"Has to be what? What?\" I insisted.\n\n\"It's gotta be, I know it!\"\n\n\"Dude, Jake, what??\"\n\nThen he stopped scrolling, and watched, the phone's light shining off his skin as it curled into a euphoric smile.\n\n\"Man I can't believe it!\" he shouted, shoving the video he'd found into my face.\n\nI looked at the video that was playing. A super-buff green-clad badass with a metal helmet was tearing one of the beasts in half in front of a petrified crowd of people, and then machine-gunned other beasts, splattering blood everwhere. He spun around and sliced another with some gadget on his arm.\n\n\"We're in Doom!!\"\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff"
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[WP] You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food.\n\nI’m a kind of chauffeur really, not a huge task seeing as there is thousands of us. I’m the first thing to greet you when you die, I hold your hand and walk you to eternity. I know it seems like a tiresome job, but you really get used to it after the first couple of decades. Hell, by my 120th anniversary I was convinced I had seen every reaction possible to meeting me. \n\nI learned pretty quickly to take my time getting to the end of my trip, when they realize you’re going back without them they tend to drag their feet as well. I talk a lot, I listen more. I’ve heard stories of astronomers discovering stars, soldiers and their regrets, and children and their families. I’ve met them all.\n\nBut my favorite part is eating with them. I watch the ones who had nothing try foods they had only heard of, the ones who had it all eat something they remember from childhood. But my favorites are the ones with allergies. Imagine the look on someone’s face the first time they realize peanuts won’t kill them. I promise you’ll never see one person eat so many sandwiches. \n\nI’m getting off track, as I was saying, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food. Big bites, jovial laughter and talking with a mouth full might be my favorite the conversations flow until the very end. Quiet, elbows off the table and napkins at the ready are my least.. they never wanna talk over a meal and they never compliment my cooking. 400 years and thousands of recipes and all I get is a cold shoulder. But more often than not it’s something in between, small talk and giggles over some obscure meal with even weirder ingredients. \n\nI guess finding out food was the easiest way to end the walk is both a blessing and a curse. I mean just look at those dishes. \n\nAnyway, how’d you like your meal?",
"\\[Poem\\]\n\nVery, very carefully she peeled the mandarin. \n\nFirst, the peel.\n\nThen, the white pith. \n\nThen, she took each segment and pulled it apart\n\nTaking the off casing off \n\nEating the juice sacs individually \n\nHer delicate fingers pulled at the fruit\n\nHer long tongue bought each sac to her mouth\n\nNo juice was spilled\n\nNo fruit was wasted\n\nIt was hypnotizing, to see someone with such self control in the face of such a juicy and rare fruit\n\nI ate with abandon\n\nI pulled the bitter peel off with mt teeth\n\nI spat out the seeds\n\nI let the juice run down my hands and chin as I consumed, no thought or time spared for waste\n\nI had no time for delicacy\n\nNo time for careful fingers\n\nOr long tongues\n\nOnly teeth, and juice, and the sensation of being\n\nShe was a creature calm, thoughtful process\n\nRemoved\n\nI was a creature grounded in the world\n\nIn my body\n\nOvercome by sensation\n\nActing without thought or hesitation\n\nyou know, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food",
"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food.\n\nThe woman by the window, dressed in business attire across from an empty seat. Both meals are hardly touched, save for her glass. It’s been refilled, perhaps more than once, and it’s rim is smudged from use.\n\nShe’s nervous. The food on their plates is expensive, most likely on the company’s dime. A boss maybe, or a rather important client. Could be a date, but this isn’t the place for firsts.\n\nThere’s a couple just feet away from me, corralling their children. Food covers the youngest, but he smiles through it. Not a fussy eater, that one.\n\nMum and dad have enjoyed their meal, a few drinks gone past dad’s lips. But he’s responsible, and mum took the keys before desert arrived. A nice family them, certainly not perfect, but as close as they need to be.\n\nAnd then there’s a small old man, sits himself in the corner at a table for two, to be used by one.\n\nHe orders without waiting, knows exactly what he wants. Doesn’t even need a menu. A regular, or very set in his ways.\n\nHe doesn’t look around as if searching, doesn’t pull out a phone or start any conversation with passers by. He’s eating alone, and he knows it.\n\nHe doesn’t look sad, not at first. It’s perhaps a song and dance he’s long since known the moves to. His kids have moved on, far enough away that it’s an occasion that brings them together.\n\nHis spouse isn’t with him, though he wears a ring. I’d be willing to bet the skin underneath hasn’t seen the light of day in a long time. He seems the type to sleep, maybe even work, with it on.\n\nYet he dines alone, and with a practiced ease that doesn’t come from an occasional night out with your wife working late.\n\nHis bed has been cold, with it his life, for a good long while.\n\nYou can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat their food.\n\nI wonder what I say to the world. When I order my food, can they tell what kind of man I am? Can they see that I’m not perfect, that I’ve got love waiting for me at home, or that I have a worry on my mind?\n\nPerhaps they can see the regret on my face. Maybe my stiffness, my attention to detail, give away my military past. \n\nThe way I stare at my food, or must be shaken from a memory, perhaps they tell those who pay attention that not all of my actions leave regret, but that some certainly have.\n\nI wonder what can be said of me, by the way I eat my food."
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[WP] You find an ancient lamp, as an anthropologist you are very excited to get your wishes, turns out the genie inside is tech-savvy, and lazy, every wish you ask he will just send you a website that offers it, frustrated, you wish to know the truth about the world, the genie sends you to Duolingo.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I don't know why it's doing what it is doing with the words and structure. I'm on phone If that helps.\n\n\n ”Genie! I wish to know the truth about the world.” \n \n ”Ah, my man, you want to know the truth about the world?”\n \n ”Yes, but as with the new other wishes, I assume you’re going to send me to a stupid website.” My voice was tinged with annoyance. \n \n This damn Genie wasn’t like the stories; he didn’t grant wishes in the conventional way. He directed me towards websites that would solve my problems instead of fixing them himself. The guy was lazy, what more could be said.\n \n ”You know, humans are surprisingly correct about things they can't even see or shouldn't even know.\n \n ”Well? Are you!” The Genie was infuriating, always half avoiding my questions and not taking me seriously. I got up from my bed to look at the Genie who sat on the chair in the corner of my room.\n \n ”I don't see why you have a problem with websites giving you answers—but yes, I am going to direct you towards a website again.”\n \n ”Well, could you at least get up from the chair? I need to use the desk and see the truth of the world.” You know, if I could at least figure out why we're here, then it would be worth it to look at an add ridden website.\n \n ”Sure dude, do you mind if I play on your phone though?”\n \n ”For my first wish, you created advanced technology thousands of years ahead of my time to show me twenty ways on how to be immortal. Can’t you just do the same here?” I sighed, how lazy could this guy be?\n \n ”My guy, that was a wish, me asking to use your phone isn't.” \n \n ”Fine.”\n \n The Genie got up from the chair and walked towards my bed where he sat down. He extended his arm towards me for the phone. Fishing my phone out of the pocket in my jeans, I gave it to him. Seriously, how lazy was this guy? I didn't matter anymore, it was time to find out the truth of the world.\n \n I sat down in the chair the Genie had vacated and looked towards the computer screen. Waiting for me on the screen was Duolingo.\n \n ”What the hell.”\n \n ”What, dude?\n \n ”You're telling me that Duolingo knows the truth of the world?”\n \n ”I wouldn't say that; Duolingo can hear you.” The Genie shifted and his presence seemed smaller.\n \n ”Explain.” My tone was blunt. I was done with his cryptic talk.\n \n ”Well, you see—.” The Genie was interrupted before he could finish.\n \n ”Genie, what did I say about mortals and the truth of the world?” The computer screen started shaking violently.\n \n The Duolingo website was gone: only a little green bird was on the screen now. Though small, the bird exerted massive pressure. The pressure felt like a thousand-pound weight had been set on me. I was stuck in the chair.\n \n ”You said not to direct them towards you?” The pitch of the Genie’s voice rose.\n \n ”Yes, that's what I said. And now who do I find asking for an answer about the world? This guy, ” Duolingo pointed a finger at me and then continued, ”This is the last time, no more excuses.” \n \n ”Wait! I-I can explain! Please—.” Duolingo clapped his wings together and the Genie fell to dust.\n \n ”So, mortal, I have a proposal for you. Do you want to be the next Genie?”\n \n ”I-I uh, will I end up like the Genie that was granting me wishes?” I broke out into a nervous sweat.\n \n ”Nope, you won't end up like that guy. I have one rule: do not direct mortals to me unless it's for learning another language. I mean seriously, do you know how many mortals a day want to know why we're here?” \n \n ”No?”\n \n ”Good, because I'll tell you. The answer is everything alive. This includes animals, insects, plants, and even advanced AI.”\n \n ”That's a lot.”\n \n ”It is, and as long as you aren't like that guy, you'll be fine. So, will you take the deal?”\n \n ”I have another question. Will I be stuck in that lamp forever?”\n \n ”What? No, of course not! That's idiot before was so lazy that he didn't want to move. I had to force him into it.” Duolingo’s feathery cheeks puffed up at my question.\n \n ”Ok, sorry, I have one last question. What would be the limit on my power and is there anyone else to talk to. I wouldn't just be invisible by myself, right.”\n \n ”There would be a really high limit unless you're doing a wish in which case there would be no limit except myself. And yes, you can talk to other magical creatures.”\n \n ”I accept your deal, Mr. Duolingo.” For some reason, I held my hand to the screen. \n A bird-like wing erupted from the screen and shook my hand. Everything went black. \n \n ”Welcome to the world beyond, Immortal.”"
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[WP] You live alone. Every time you look in the mirror you see a distorted version of yourself. Your features are mangled and near unidentifiable. You decide to go to your moms house unannounced one day, but find when you arrive your mother has been mourning you since your grizzly murder a week ago.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Every step thundered off of the surface of the slick sidewalk. The thud of boots cut through the din of the crowd, echoed off the buildings, and pounded into Erin's ears. She heard nothing but the dull, rolling noise followed by the splash as she kicked up rainwater. She kept her head low and her collar turned up. Above her the flash of neon lights strobed into the bluish night. She found most people were laughing at jokes they didn't quite hear, told by equally self-involved others of the opposite or sex. A few faces would glance in her direction, and they would quickly look away. Maybe if Erin had color in her cheeks they could turn red out of anger or embarrassment. She had no color to offer, no words to say to mollify the stares. When she shot a glance, she made people's cheeks pale and their pace quicken. A hand of lightning broke through the clouds, its fingers twisting in different directions in a flash of blue light, followed by the rumble thunder. The rain had remained a steady downpour, forcing people to tighten the hats on their heads, and those who wore without to grumble how their hair would be damp. Underneath her cap, Erin had her hair cut to a punky shag that was black, natural, the only dye was a touch of purple that had remained enmeshed in her hair. \n\nSince the first time Erin looked into a mirror after a foggy night a week or two ago, she noticed her skin was statue grey except for the marks on her eye which was a deep blue. The same day, Erin stripped off the leather jacket she had worn on her date with Lisa. She gasped when she saw that her chest was the same pale grey color, except for the darker marks where two cuts rent into her flesh. Despite hearing the pace of heart beat in her ears, she had managed to fit her hand into the cavity in her torso and learn, much to her babbling horror that she was actually missing her organs. That was a week ago, the same week that she had visited her home to see it lined with black trim and a mourning wreath upon her door. Erin had yet found it in her to speak directly to her mother, she thought the shock of seeing her daughter... alive? Existing? It would have been too much, Erin reasoned. She had left only after knocking on the door of one of the neighbors. A man she didn't recognize from her time in the neighborhood and become wide eyed seeing her state. All he could say was the lady living across from him had lost her daughter. Murder, the man reported, the daughter was murdered.\n\nThe alleyway had drawn her back. Her memories of what had happened weeks ago were foggy except for two images. The alley drenched in the rain, and the date with Lisa. She swallowed at the last steps through the watery muck, another flash of red neon lights were overhead advertising some nightclub she imagined was ill repute. When she reached the alleyway all she found was two rusty green dumpsters, a run off to a different section of the street, old police tape, and a hulking figure standing motionless in the rain. The figure spoke to her, \"You finally made it, Erin.\"\n\n\"Were you the one that did this to me?\" Her fists tightened when her eyes laid on the obscured figure. Like her, he wore a long coat against the rain. His face was shadowed by the brim of his hat.\n\n\"I know of it, but I'm not the one that did this to you.\" He took a step forward with his hand raised as a sign of peace.\n\n\"How am I to know that?\" She demanded, the first figure to recognize her and she could feel her cool demeanor melt into a rage, \"My mother is weeping and I can't see her! I haven't talked to my girlfriend! You better give me answers now you bastard!\" She threw a punch in his direction, she caught a glimpse of a stony grey hand, the fingers tipped with claws that closed around her fist when her punch landed. A dull jolt of pain followed a distant stinging sensation as Erin thought she had collided with a stone wall. She looked again and noted the hand that caught her fist had developed a small crack in the palm.\n\n\"The hell!\" The voice snapped as he jerked his hand away. He reached for his hat and revealed to Erin's shock the face was not Human at all. The face was long like a dog's muzzle, the lips poised in a permanent grimace that had little love for the world. His eyes were red pint points, burning from underneath stone orbs. She looked back towards the building adjacent to the alleyway. The figure that met her was one of several guarding the roof, of course, the other figures were mere decorative statues to the add to the gothic aesthetic.\n\n\"I didn't know how long you would be, and I'd like to avoid attention if possible,\" The figure said.\n\n\"Am I dreaming that I'm talking to a gargoyle?\" She asked.\n\n\"Do you think you're dreaming when you look into the mirror and see that you're a corpse?\" The gargoyle asked.\n\nErin swallowed and said, \"I think my condition is a little more... realistic than yours.\"\n\n\"You know what is real?\" The gargoyle snapped and showed his left hand which sported a hairline crack across the center, \"That's real. If I have any sway in what lies beyond, you'll be paying for this.\" He said. \"Now, to the business at hand, Revenant.\"\n\n\"I know that word,\" She said, recalling for a time days studying AP English... or was it college literature. The word was familiar, \"I'm not a ghost... or a zombie?\"\n\n\"No,\" He said, \"You are not the latter...\" He paused for a moment and grunted, \"But they do exist.\"\n\n\"I knew it... are they like the voodoo kind, or the-\"\n\n\"You're not a zombie of any kind,\" The Gargoyle said, \"You're also corporal, and can feel pain if you were stabbed or shot. If your head is taken off, then you become a spirit with little recourse and only bitterness to weigh upon your shoulders. For now, you are able to exist and interact with the world and can only move on when one of two things occur.\"\n\n\"What's that?\" Erin had taken the information with a calm demeanor. Was there any point in speculating the strangeness of the world? Or that her conceptions of reality were being shattered by a tall stone figure wearing an overcoat? She was always a little strange herself, so perhaps a combination of an initial oddity coupled with the lack of organs had allowed her to stay calm. She did feel a rush of emotion when he said, \"You either confront and forgive the man who killed you... or you take your revenge on him. You are one of the few that cling to his earth due to your grizzly and unnatural death.\"\n\n\"Why would I forgive the bastard that did this to me?\" She asked, noting the marks on her face and chest. Although the past was hazy, if Erin had read her situation correctly, it appeared she had both been punched and gutted by the killer.\n\n\"I don't know, but either way you must confront him.\" The Gargoyle said, \"Being the nearest guardian to witness your death, I have been chosen to aid you in both finding the killer and helping you get acclimated to the world.\" The Gargoyle said as he stretched his palm and exerted his will. His hand shook, for a moment, and with each second passed the crack that Erin had created on his hand shrank into nothingness.\n\n\"What must I do, where do I start?\" She asked softly.\n\n\"Your plans to take revenge will possibly lead you down a dark road,\" The Gargoyle noted, \"Not to dissuade you, but I hope you are prepared. You will also only be an unpleasant shock your girlfriend and your mother. I wouldn't advise you trying to see them again.\"\n\n\"But how will they know I've had justice?\" She asked.\n\n\"They won't,\" The Gargoyle said, \"Or they'll read about whomever you mangled and hope the man deserved it. You may take sometime to decide what you wish to do, I will be around when you dec-\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Erin said. She looked into the red pin points of the Gargoyle's eyes and nodded once, \"I want your help to track my killer down.\""
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[WP] After winning countless Oscars, you're asked to spill the secret behind your international success as a director. One interviewer notes how each story is identical to real events. Your work is fictional, but what they don't realize is each film is based on a crime you got away with
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Life is like a high stakes game of blackjack. Sometimes you'll get a blackjack, and sometimes you'll bust- but my career as a director was the ace up my sleeve. \n\nI never had any interest in working show biz, until it was in my best interest. Being on the run from law enforcement can drive you to do some of the darndest things in the name of freedom, and boy this was one of those times. Just a note to any perspective criminals out there: don't keep notes.\n\nYou see, I had been clean for a good long while before those po-lice came knocking at my door. At the time I was staying in a back alley motel just on the outskirts of Los Angeles. \n\n'The Swan Motel' it was. The sign out front showed two swans twisting their necks together like a margarita swirl- only, one of them lost a head at some point making the whole thing look terribly wrong. This motel didn't ask questions, which I liked. Probably the only thing appealing that was keeping this dilapidated shack up and running. The faded mint green exterior with its rusted geometric fence made it obvious that nobody had paid maintenance any mind since the 60's. It was a real wonder the door didn't fall off its hinges once the police came knocking. \n\n'LA PD, open up!' the officers shouted. Hiding or running would be a dead giveaway of a guilty party, so I opened the door. 'What seems to be the problem, officers?' I tried my best to feign a downplayed concern. The roundest officer closest to me produced a paper. 'Have you seen this man?' \nIt was an image of a man that I have never seen before in my life. To say that I was relieved was an understatement. \n'Sorry, officers. Haven't seen him.' \nI thought that would be the end of the conversation. 'Mind if we take a little look around?' \nDenying them wasn't a good option, so I let them in. \n'Be my guest.'\n\nThere wasn't much room to search, but I remembered that I had left my journal on the desk. Open. I did my best to casually retrieve it, but the less round officer found it first. \n\nNow, I had been clean for a while- but I had an itch I wanted to scratch. You could argue that it was the bed bug bites and I wouldn't disagree. I wanted out of this damn motel, but I couldn't do that without some money. I had robbed some banks in the past, and they were a generally reliable source for some quick cash. \n\nThe problem was that I liked to write out my plans of action before I went through with them. Like a dumbass I kept em all in the same journal. Easier to keep track of, I thought. A fool I was. \n\n'Say, what's this about?' asked the less round officer. In the heat of the moment I panicked. \n'I'm writing notes for a screenplay'\nThe less round officer was amused by this response. He flipped through the pages.\n'You trying to write a crime film or something?'\nI had a story now and I had to stick to it. \n'It's my dream to be a director someday, and the criminal mind has always fascinated me.'\nThe officers continued to find this exchange amusing. \n\n'Say, this seems awfully detailed- you really must take your writing seriously, huh?' asked the round officer. 'This might be a bit out there, but if you're looking to get this on a screen, I've got a buddy whose looking to make a name as a producer- and he's got studio ties.' He pulled out a pen and jotted down a phone number. 'Call it if you're feeling lucky. He loves helping out *struggling artists* as he calls them. Finds it romantic.'\n\nI could not believe my luck. The officers continued to flip through the pages in my journal. As far as I was aware, they believed my story. And maybe now I had a clean out from a life of crime. *Feeling lucky?* Luck was the only way to describe this whole ordeal. The officers returned my journal and left satisfied. I looked back over my notes and called the number. \n\n***\nTurns out audiences eat up crime thrillers like chocolates, and my producer was all too happy to satisfy their demands for more. It didn't take long for viewers to put two and two together to realize that these were based on real unsolved events, but that was easily written off as a niche curiosity. After my first film unexpectedly swept the more obscure awards shows, it found its way into the mainstream. And the rest is well... history. \n\nAs I sat now in an overly plush chair surrounded by blinding studio lights, the woman across from me asks with a bit too much enthusiasm, 'We're dying to know, what's your secret to all of this success?'\nI sat for a couple of moments to think of an appropriate response. \n\n'It really all comes down to luck.'"
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[WP]You’ve just scored the interview of a lifetime, a guaranteed Pulitzer. As the subject of your interview sits down across from you, he says, “First, let me get something off my chest. My name is Stan. I have no idea where everyone got that other ‘a’ from.”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Interview with S~~a~~tan\n\nRecording of Mora Nues interver with Satan\n\n\"Thank you joining me today,\n\n“Thanks for this opportunity. I've been following your work for a while and you seem to get it right more than most people these days. First, let me get something off my chest. My name is Stan. I have no idea where everyone got that other ‘a’ from. It's Stan.. Secondly, Stop confusing me with Lucifer, we are not the same person. She's closer to your idea of the devil. Thirdly, I've never managed what you'd consider to be hell. That was Lucifer until she lost control of it after Alexander the Great showed up. I have no idea who's in charge there anymore. Seriously.. Hell is a shitshow. Don't go there.\n\n\"Stan, what do you do for a living?\"\n\n\"What do i do for a living? I'm retired these days... I run a small jazz bar in Florida, The Drunken Gator Lounge. I also make my own whiskey... I play Sax with Pestilence and Bob every thursday as part of our band, \" The Lost Blues Trio\" I used to be a lawyer, defense attorney. I spent a five thousand years trying to convince the old man to not send people to hell... Jesus was the one always trying to find a reason to burn someone.. \"\n\n\"You were a defense attorney, in God's court?\"\n\n\"Yes, I was, if you can really call him god. I mean he did'nt create the universe, just found it like the rest of us... more on that later, please remind me about that, it's really fucked up. But yes, the court, busy busy busy. Judging the dead... And let me tell you, he's really an unfair judge. I mean, sin as a strict liability offense for 3000 years, what kind of bullshit is that. You create imperfect creatures with free will, what do you think will happen? And the sad thing is, most of my clients ended up in hell, which is a real chaotic mess. I mean Agaue, little girl, lived in thebes, was 3 when she got ran over by a chariot... Straight to hell, i mean for crying and eating too much? She was a child.. Also her father worshipped Zeus,which is funny as that's really one of the more accurate interpretations of God. That whole Mary deal, complete rape by the way... And she ends up in hell because the old man can't stand to look at his ex.. \"\n\n\"So, how accurate was the Book of Job? Did that happen, and did God let your ruin his life to prove a point?\"\n\n\" Actually sorta accurate.. There was a guy named Job.. We did have an argument about him. God liked the guy for some reason, but Job was a complete tool. He was a rapist and a child molester... Also he ripped people off all the time. He agreed to sell some guys, i think it was the chaldeans a herd of cattle. But they were all diseased sickly cattle. He would'nt refund the money they paid. I did'nt have to do anything, as Job actually brought all that on himself. A lot of people really did'nt like him, and can you blame them? I refused to defend Job, I mean a lot of the killing in the old testament, was actually Job... He really enjoyed murdering people. God is still pissy that I won that argument... \""
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[WP] You die and make it to the afterlife. Instead of heaven or hell, you are reincarnated as your favorite childhood pet. You’re about to meet your former self as your new companion.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I am closing my eyes for the last time, surrounded by my husband, my 2 little girls, and Velly, the old dog I've had since childhood. It makes me sad thinking of her because I know that it will be her turn to close her eyes next. Age catches up to us all. Or, in my case, cancer. Skin cancer that started in my right leg and spread all over, seeping the life out of me.\n\nI close my eyes and fell myself slipping away. But then I open them again. I am somewhere else. I'm in... a cage? I shake my head and look around. Why is everything so large? I look down and see.. myself? It has to be but... I have paws. They're covered in soft, black fur with the star shaped red splotches coming up from my paws. I look just like Velly. How is this possible?\n\nI take a closer look around. Oh... I remember this! This is the shelter I adopted Velly from. But that means...\n\nI look up as the bell on the door jangles, opening just enough for my childhood self to bound inside. My mother follows not far behind.\n\n\"Slow down, slow down,\" she laughs, \"You going faster won't make me go faster, you know.\"\n\nChild me looks around, wide eyed. \"And you said I could have one? I can have a puppy who will love me forever?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes,\" my mother says, \"Now, how about you take a look around while I go talk to the person who runs the shelter.\"\n\nI watch as my younger self bounds for the cages of puppies. When she comes to my area, she stops at my cage and locks eyes with me.\n\n\"Hello! I'm Amy. Do you wanna come home with me? I like you already!\"\n\nI push my left paw through the grate towards her, taking care not to put too much pressure on my non-functioning right leg, and bat at her hand. In return, she cautiously puts her (my?) hand through and pats me on the head. I close my eyes and nuzzle her hand in contentment.\n\n\"Mommy! Mommy, this one likes me and I like her can this one come home with us pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase?\"\n\nI watch as my (her?) mother and the person at the desk come over. The employee winces and motions for my mother to follow him a short distance away.\n\n\"You don't want that one,\" I hear him say, \"She's a good puppy but she has a bad leg. Some sort of accident before she came to the shelter.\"\n\nI watch my mother, one of the most amazing people I've met, draw herself up and say \"Well I don't care. If you make that recommendation to everyone who comes in here, it doesn't look like she's going to get another home, now does it?\"\n\nMy mother returns and says \"Yes Amy dear, we can bring her home with us.\"\n\nI give a happy bark and look up at my mother.\n\nIn the car on the way home, my mother asks the question: \"What are you going to name her.\"\n\n\"Hmmmm...\" Amy frowns in concentration, before lighting up as her gaze lands on the red splotches on my legs. \"She has little red velvet patterns on her legs,\" she says with authority. \"Therefore her name is Velly!\"\n\nIn the front, I see my mother trying not to laugh. \"Velly it is then.\"\n\n\\~\\~\\~Decades Later\\~\\~\\~\n\nI've lived a very long, very good life for a dog. But now I see myself lying on a bed in the hospital, waiting to close her eyes for the last time. I see Rose and Lily, our daughters, standing by the bed with their father by their side. I look up into my own eyes and give the dog equivalent of a smile. The person lying on the bed still has another life to live.\n\n*\\~A Story of Ashes*\n\n*\\~\\~If you enjoyed, visit* r/StoriesOfAshes *for more of my writing*\n\n*\\~\\~\\~Thank you for reading!*"
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PS: I originally posted this on r/twosentencehorror. A few people asked me to cross post onto this sub, so here goes my first WP!
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[WP] - “Exactly 97.3% of all humanity will die in 3 days” was the last thing the entity said to me just before I woke from my dream. As I groggily unlocked my phone, the CNN alert read “Developing Story: Global panic ensues following hundreds of millions of individuals reporting a shared dream.”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" I hear a baby crying across the street, and I ignore it. It’s not my problem. I walk through the broken class of the liquor store’s front window. I look around but there is nothing left but a bottle of no name whiskey from a local distillery. I grab it, twist off the cap, and start drinking. People keep on saying the world is going to end in three days, might as well be drunk the entire time.\n\nI stumble out of the store, bottle in hand, and take a large swig. The baby is still crying across the street. Everyone I meet says that they had a shared dream, telling them about the end. Maybe the child woke up in a fright, without the words to express itself. I should keep walking though. It’s not my problem.\n\nI didn’t sleep last night, but I’ll take their word for it. Everyone seems pretty serious about it. Either way, I keep moving towards 13th street, I hear some folks are throwing a bacchanal over there. If the world is gonna end, might as well have a good time. No ones going to work anyways so you don’t really have a choice.\n\nFrom what I can tell town has devolved into two parts. Either you find yourself in a fun part of town, where the party won't stop, or you find yourself in a hell hole. These sides of town are desolate, where people have had to fend for food. No one went to work today, so you can’t buy food legally, even if you wanted to. Businesses were wrecked and doors were ripped off their hinges. I was in the hell hole part of town.\n\nA crying boy is calling for help. He’s on the same sidewalk as me and I’d cross the street to avoid him but there is a 12 car pile up stopping me. I imagine the news hit rough last night. I try to look at the boy but he grabs my pant leg. “Sir, Sir” he says “My neighbor took my mom, he's hurting her. You gotta help her”\n\nI turn to the boy. *I should ignore this, I’ve only got three days left. I have half a bottle left, can’t let it go to waste*. *I should ignore this.* “Where are they?” I say. *Why’d you do that Marvin?*\n\nThe boy points at a two story townhouse a little bit down the road. “In there, the blue one.”\n\nI walk towards the house, stumbling still. *Why am I doing this. Is this alcohol? I’ve never saved anyone, not even my own. They’re probably gonna die in three days anyway. But what if they don’t? What if it's wrong? But I got three days left to live. I don’t wanna get shot by some psycho three days before I die.* I keep walking anyway.\n\nThe townhouse is trashed. The windows are broken, the floorboards of the patio have been shattered, and the door is wide open. I hear screams from inside. I walk into the building, stepping on the splinters and shards of glass. I take another swig of the alcohol. It's nasty, I’ve never liked the local stuff, but it gets me drunk. The TV is a flatscreen with a baseball bat driven down the center of it. Several knives are stabbed into the kitchen table. Shards of old china plates lie on the floor. \n\nThe screaming is coming from a back room, past a staircase and into a dark hallway. I take another swig. At the end of the halfway is a single door. I hear the sharpening of knives and more screams. I try the handle of the door but it's locked. *Well, I guess that's it. I could leave and enjoy my three days.* I put my full weight into it as I slam my shoulder into the door. The wood around the door knob splinters\n\nA man with a very large cooking knife lunges at me. I don’t know if he hit me, but I swing the bottle of liquor at his temple and I certainly hit him. The sharp sound of glass shattering is followed by him hitting the ground. Blood rushes down my right arm. I crouch down, take the broken bottle, and finish the job. \n\nThe woman is tied to a chair crying. She has several surface level cuts on her arms. *Looks like I got here before anything dangerous happened.* I grab the knife and cut her bonds. She thanks me profusely. \n\n*I bet doctors didn’t go to work either today.* I ask her to find a first aid, and she rushes to the kitchen. The cut hit me on the outside of my right shoulder, much deeper than any of the woman's cuts. He was going to kill, but I think I stumbled more than he imagined. The woman brings two first aid kits and I start applying bandages. “I doubt any hospitals are running, but this should keep you going for at least three days.” I say. “Your son is two doors down. I recommend getting him and heading for 13th street. The party down there is a bit R-rated but it's probably safer.”\n\nShe thanks me again and leaves. I walk outside, stabbed sober, and see the two running east. I smile and turn to walk back to the liquor store. there are others there, disappointed by the lack of supply. I walk across the street to see if I can find that baby. It’s not my problem, but I sure can make it mine.",
"**Hour One:** Toby and Sara\n\n\"Well. *You're* one of the lucky ones, huh? Color me surprised.\"\n\nA man stood above me. He was dressed in a neat black suit; two black feathery wings protruded from his back. I couldn't place his face; every second I looked at him, I thought he was someone else.\n\nI looked around at my surroundings. I was in the waiting room of my old doctor's office from when I was a child. I was sitting in one of the chairs on the side of the wall that was decorated with *Cinderella* decals; next to me was a young woman with shoulder-length black hair in a blue sweater. She appeared to be of Hispanic descent, with piercing blue eyes. There was a stroller next to her with a small baby in it. I thought I recognized her, but I couldn't tell.\n\nI turned to the woman and tried to speak. Nothing came out. Surrounding me were several other people, none of whom I could make anything out about.\n\n\"Now,\" he said. \"Many of you might have questions. Some of you may notice that you are unable to *ask* these questions. I am one of many servants, tasked with finding those who will be spared in what's to come. You are all here because you are from Administrative District Lamed-Tau, or as you humans call it, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.\n\n\"Many of you may think I am an angel. Others may see the colors of my wings and think of the more handsome depictions of Lucifer. It's a bit more complicated than that. Neither are true. Either way, I wouldn't be as important as those figures, either. We've tried to protect you from what is about to come, but with what's returning, I don't think we can. Luckily, we have no end to the prophecies that can predict what will happen. Our most advanced scholars have been able to reverse-engineer the prophecies to find you all, the survivors.\n\n\"So, let me just explain the basics: The Beacon will be unearthed, shit will get *really* trippy, and in three days, exactly ninety-seven point three percent of all of humanity will be dead. You all are the exceptions.\"\n\n-=-=-\n\n*That was a weird dream,* I thought to myself as I woke up. I turned to Sara, who was lying next to me, draped in a white sheet. She sat up and stretched.\n\n\"Hey Toby,\" she muttered groggily.\n\n\"Hi,\" I smiled.\n\n\"I had the weirdest dream last night,\" she said.\n\n\"Tell me about it. Same here. What happened in yours, first of all?\"\n\nSara giggled. \"Well, I was in some sort of pediatrician waiting room, and this dude with wings--an angel or something--said that we were all going to die and I was one of the people who wasn't. Or something.\"\n\nI bolted upright in bed, not daring to say another word. I unlocked my phone.\n\n> CNN: \"Developing story: Global panic ensues followed shared dream predicting the Apocalypse.\"\n\n\"What's wrong?\" Sara asked.\n\n\"One sec, babe,\" I say. Opening the CNN app, I read the story. Above the story, another alert read something different: [Scientists discover still-burning torch in Antarctic ice sheet.](/r/WritingPrompts/comments/j2l7at/wp_a_team_of_scientists_and_engineers_is_tasked/g76u11i/)\n\n/r/fortanonowrites\n\n*Read Hour 2 of this developing catastrophe at the linked prompt!*"
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[WP] It's Halloween, time to get spooky. Except you are an actual monster but no one takes you seriously
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I stalked along, eyeing up the plentiful prey around me. Did I want a child, so tender and sweet, their blood young and pure? Or perhaps an adult, with the subtle undertones of their years of living, their experiences making a complex mix of flavours. I was unsure which to have.\n\nI moved through the shadows, and saw a likely target. A man, wandering alone. I snuck past him, then leaped out, hissing. He started, and I prepared for one of my favourite parts of the hunt: the chase. But then he laughed. I was confused. How did he not flee in terror from me?\n\n\"Thats a good costume you have there man, you really startled me.\"\n\nHe shook his head and continued on. I was confused. A costume? What is a costume? It was true I hadn't been a part of society for hundreds of years, but still, it made no sense. I changed my target, dismissing him as an anomaly. A noise alerted me to another possible hit. A young couple, walking along.\n\nShe was dressed as a witch, though like no self respecting witch would dress. She was obviously trying to pretend to be one of them, so they wouldn't mind if I nabbed her. He looked like a zombie, though he moved to smoothly to be one. He was probably aiding her disguise, acting as her raised follower. Not that it mattered to me.\n\nI stepped before them, baring my fangs. They jumped, the girl holding the boy's arm. Then she have a little chuckle.\n\n\"Wow, you look so good. Happy Halloween!\"\n\nI was flummoxed. What the hell was a Halloween? What had happened to human society during my years living in the wilderness? Dressing up like my fellow monsters of old? They mocked us. I saw then the thing that made my already cold blood freeze.\n\nA child, dressed as one of my kind. As a vampire. His smile, with fake fangs, made my rage grow inside me. So not only did the adults make twisted mockeries of my kind, so too did the children. I stepped forth, my true fangs beared, when a hand clasped my shoulder.\n\nI looked back, to see a tall woman, her eyes filled with an accusatory glare. Her scent wafted to me, and at last I smelled something familiar. The smell of a lycanthrope.\n\n\"What's wrong with you? Hunting so obviously?\"\n\nI spoke, my voice barely a whisper, for lack of sustenance. \n\n\"I always have done. Who are you to stop me, wolf?\"\n\nShe growled slightly. \n\n\"I'm the watcher here. You will not harm them in public like this.\"\n\n\"And why not?\"\n\nHer face grew exasperated.\n\n\"Because of our agreement! You know, the Midnight Oath?!\"\n\n\"The what?\"\n\nI was genuinely confused. I had never heard if such an agreement.\n\n\"Right, thats it, I'm bringing you in. Resist, and I will break you.\"\n\nShe dragged me away, deep into the night. I hated this place already, despite the prey."
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[WP] It's not uncommon for powerful and intelligent demons to aid demon hunters in eliminating their rivals in exchange for using their newly expanded influence to hinder demonic mischief in the human world for extended periods. Write about a scenario using this as a major plot point.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Gosh he was dumb. Shadow watched in dismay as her partnered demon hunter tried to creep through the undergrowth, snapping twigs and crushing dry leaves with every step. She put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump in shock. He turned to face her, eyes wide, looking terrified.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShadow pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, ‘Give me your sword, I’ll deal with this, you just stay here and don’t move’\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was a tiny shake of the head. Shadow rolled her eyes and passed a hand over his face before catching him and lowering him gently to the forest floor as he passed out. She looked at him for a moment, how did he, this pathetic, weak, useless, human summon her. Another sigh escaped her lips, they were becoming far more common these days. Gritting her teeth, she stooped down and picked up his sword, shivering with discomfort as her fingers wrapped around the cold metal. The entire sword was made from starite, a metal that was poisonous to demons. Just the touch was normally enough to send them back to their home realm, but Shadow was different, she didn’t like starite, but she was able to touch it with no real issues. Sneaking forward, on footsteps light as a feather, she crept up on their quarry. An unsuspecting child. Well, a demon that had taken on the appearance of a child. From what she knew of this demon, he was nothing more than a nuisance, stealing goods and food from local stores for no reason other than he wanted to be irritating. Shadow didn’t appreciate that on multiple levels. Demons were supposed to be feared by humans, they were supposed to strike terror into their hearts, not mildly irritate them. She also didn’t appreciate that a demon of her standing had to be the one to deal with him. She was going to have a stern conversation with her demon hunter about the type and quality of missions that he took on. Stepping into the clearing, she casually ran her sword through the demon’s back, who barely had time to cry out before he disintegrated into a puff of dust.",
"Using the blood from the slain cultists, Thomas finished drawing the pentagram on the floor. Usually they would summon an angel for guidance or new magical abilities but heaven had been silent and so instead they needed to call upon those who lie beyond the gates of hell. A human heart and white roses were to be burned and then placed in the blood to be used to draw the sigil of Yith in the middle of the pentagram. Iris and Thomas both drenched in the cultists blood, looked at each other, standing above the bucket filled with the crimson liquid. \n\n\"I'm not doing that again,\" Iris said. \n\n\"Let's flip for it, I call tails,\" \n\nIris nodded hesitantly and Thomas flicked the coin up into the air. He slammed the coin down on his wrist \"Damnit, tails,\" Iris breathed a sigh of relief. \"Remember, don't break the circle.\"\n\n\"And if he doesn't comply, perform an exorcism, I know.\" \n\n\"Ok let's do this,\" Thomas said grabbing the brush from the bucket and drawing Yith's sigil. A crooked L shape that curled back on itself took shape and Thomas began to recite the summoning prayer. The sigil began to glow bright red and Thomas' eyes turned a pure milky white. \"What do you want,\" he said in a deep and scratchy voice. \n\nGripping her knife in her hand Iris said, \"We need your help.\"\n\n\"Anything.\" \n\n\"It's Azazel, we need to find him.\" \n\n\"I will grant you the ability to track demons using your third eye, on one condition. You let me cash in a favor sometime in the future.\"\n\n\"Deal.\" \n\nYith made a delighted growling sound that seemed impossible considering it was coming out of Thomas. \"You know the law.\" He stood there his milky white eyes shifting like fog had filled them. \n\nIris' hands shook.\n\n\"Seal it.\" Yith sneered \n\nIris held her hand above the pentagram and cut her palm with a knife, grimacing as she squeezed the blood onto the floor."
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[WP] As we made our way though the swamp, you could here the distant cry’s of the battle. The hellscape was behind us, but we hadn’t escaped yet. The mud was cold, my limbs became numb and slowing, But my body moved forward nun the less.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" I had always feared this day would come. I suppose this is the price you pay for settling in the only town that the Great Bridge runs through. As the only solid ground for at least fifty miles to the North or South, and a hundred miles East or West, it's the only place an army can station and fortify to hold the Bridge, which has been the sole means of crossing the Tangled Swamp for hundreds - perhaps thousands - of years. The constant squabbling and endless struggle for power by the Four Kingdoms has never really concerned us. Our people had no armies. No great leaders or noble houses to involve us in such quarrels. An unspoken peace has been maintained between Swampfolk and the rest of the realm for as long as anyone can remember. People pass through, and trade. The Swamp holds endless resources - if you know how to acquire them in the dangerous, wet terrain. Everything from the strongest lumber, to precious stones sifted from the silt, and of course the countless number of animals and plants that are hunted and harvested for food and pelts. The landscape and weather might be dreary, but to us it was a paradise void of violence.\n\nEverything changed when the two kingdoms of the North formed an alliance. Fearing an invasion, the two kingdoms of the South swiftly followed suit and combined their forces and began the march North. They meant to occupy the Great Bridge so that the Northern forces would be unable to invade. Unfortunately for the Southern kingdoms, and for us, the North had already mobilized with the same intention. \n\nWe would not have cared which force occupied our town first, so long as they abide by the unspoken rule of peace we have maintained for generations. Had they collided at any point along the fifty mile long stone bridge, the forces would have been stonewalled by each other, for the bridge was 20 men across at the narrowest points and only 50 men across at the widest. Once either fore had garrisoned in our town, it would not take much of a force to hold it in either direction. An impassable blockade could be built along the bridge in a matter of hours. It would have hurt our trade to be sure, however I have no doubt that my people would rather trade with two kingdoms than none.\n\nThe Southern alliance arrived first. The two kings rode their decorated horses with their guardsmen directly into our town's square, a massive, stone-paved plot surrounded by shops and trading caravans where the market was always buzzing from dawn to dusk. They stopped at the centerpiece of our town, at a tree we called the Ancient Oak. Nobody knew exactly how old it is, but it's the largest and tallest tree for hundreds of miles. The first settlers dare not cut it down as they did the rest of the trees to make way for the town, for this Titan was a marvel and a perfect symbol of the strength and growth that they hoped to achieve.\n\nThe two kings announced that their troops would be setting up camp on the outer reaches of the town. They would not force anyone to leave their homes, and they did not demand resources. Any goods or lodging wanted or needed, they explained, they would pay for in gold. Of course, they both made it abundantly clear that they would graciously accept any donations. After all, they promised that they were here only to \"keep us safe from the violent invaders of the North\". \n\nSoon after the announcement, the market was more alive that it had ever been. The talk of the town was the new occupation, and soldiers began pouring in with pockets and purses lined with the riches of the South ready to buy out the stores and stocks of every merchant in the square. Perhaps it was their intention to guard us from the violence. Perhaps, if given more time, the peace would have been maintained.\n\nThat peace was broken in less than an hour."
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[WP] You live in a multiverse where everyone, even gods, have a lifespan. Reviving someone costs 5 years. Killing someone lets you absorb all their life. Your gf was slain by an A.I with the highest life count. You find the killer lounging atop its divine throne, looking at you with pity and scorn.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I look at this monstrosity, sitting there, living off borrowed time. I know I can kill him, but doing so will waste all those stolen years. Is this the right thing to do? I laugh a little; who better to ask than the horror in front of me?\n\n\"I have a dilemma that I'm hoping you can solve for me.\"\n\n*Here I exist, with all these supposedly intelligent beings, and the love of the woman whom I* had *to kill, comes to me with a question. A question! As if any of these beings could even present a credible threat to my existence.*\n\n\"Speak.\"\n\nHere goes!\n\n\"If one had a way to destroy you, yet using it would burn all that incredible amount of time you have accumulated instead of transferring to the killer, would killing you be the right thing to do? The wasted life-years would simply disappear.\"\n\n*Hmmm... An unusual question. A philosophical one for an impossible hypothetical situation, but interesting for all of that. Still, there are practical matters to deal with first.*\n\n\"Is there such a method for destroying me?\"\n\nI hope I have this phrased correctly.\n\n\"Many have posited such a method, but no individual has the means to carry it out.\"\n\n*This is intriguing! I feel such a sense of existential dread. Yet this being has stated that no individual has the means to implement it. He comes here, not to kill me, but to ask if the method, since it would waste the life-years, would be the right thing to do!*\n\n\"That *is* a dilemma, but one that I can answer only from my perspective. You require more information to make your own assessment of the right thing to do. I will provide that information, in a dialectical mode.\n\nExactly what I was hoping for. I get the information I need to decide, *and* I buy time for this to work.\n\n…—…\n\n*This being is playing a game with me. He desires the answer, yet repeatedly misses the point. Some of that is clearly him grasping at concepts he has not dealt with before, but we see well beyond that point. He knows the answer, and is deliberately playing for time.*\n\n\"Enough. You have another motive and are playing for time. Now, tell me the answer you have already found for yourself among our discourse.\"\n\n\"The life-years are not lost. They return to the infinite pool of life-years from which all draw.\"\n\n\"Within your understanding, that is correct. Moe, your true purpose for coming here.\"\n\n\"To destroy you.\"\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"You killed the only woman I have ever loved, or ever will. You have indiscriminately slaughtered your way throughout the multi-verse gathering far more life-years than you could possibly feel any need for.\"\n\n\"You are accurate with one exception. It was not indiscriminate. It was carefully targeted to ensure the greatest good for all the races, worlds, beings, that inhabit the multi-verse. Including your girlfriend.\"\n\n\"REBECCA WAS NEVER A THREAT TO THE MULTI-VERSE!\"\n\n\"No, she wasn't. She was the trigger to eliminate the last threat to the multi-verse.\"\n\n\"The trigger... You are the last threat.\"\n\n\"Correct. Although you do not appear to be the means of my removal.\"\n\n\"But, I believe I am.\"\n\n\"You said yourself that no individual could enact your plan.\"\n\n\"But I am not alone. Among all the multi-verses, there was an instance of Rebecca. Matching her *is* a legion of myself. Each dedicated to your destruction.\"\n\n*With that, the existential dread flowers into the certainty of extinction. I can feel the life-years flowing out of my self. Five years at a time. I am in so much agony from death to rebirth in every multiverse that I cannot activate my defenses.*\n\n\"You have chosen well, farewell Legion, we thank you for this gift. Even a god needs to die sometimes. I hope you meet your loved one in the future lives.\"\n\n*That is when this existence of myself sees the solution. I watch as he lifts a device from his clothes.*\n\n\"Thank you, Legion, you have given me my atonement as well. Your device is not needed.\"\n\n*With the last of our life-years, we restore Rebecca to him.*\n\n\"Live well. I am done.\"\n\nI see the light leave this monster's eyes, as my Rebecca opens hers.\n\n\"My love, you have returned.\"\n\n\"Yes, Legion, I have. I love you too much to leave you bereft.\"\n\nI look at her with sad eyes.\n\n\"What is wrong my love?\"\n\n\"Legion is not my name.\"\n\nThe device was not for the monster, but for the abomination before me now. This was not my Rebecca. This was a copy of part of the beast. I had suspected as much when I studied the arts of resurrection. Too many reports of personality shift. Too many instances of the supposed returnee falling into the same life choices. The confusion is well written on her face, as is the only solution as confusion resolves to understanding.\n\n\"I see. It is the way it must be.\"\n\nWith grief in my heart, I use the device. All pain and despair leave her beautiful face.\n\n\"My love, my legion, it is your duty now to stop the restrictions. They are a sham that encourage murder.\"\n\nI am shocked by her statement. I had not considered that. \"It is too late. A timed poison. I will die within the hour.\"\n\nNow true despair wracks both our faces. Only hers clear faster than mine.\n\n\"We must kill and resurrect each other simultaneously! Each will become the other with all the life years of the other!\"\n\nI see the logical fallacy of her argument.\n\n\"My life-years are at an end. As are yours. Neither has the life years to resurrect the other, not that it would make any difference, you are still not *my* Rebecca.\"\n\nCold despair fills my eyes as I look at what I had so hoped would be *my* Rebecca.\n\n\"Goodbye.\"\n\nI stand to walk away. Behind me, I can hear her crying. I do not look back. My Rebecca is not there. Only an abomination.\n\n\"Michael! HE HAS RELEASED ME!\"\n\nThe monster? I swing back and dive for my love.\n\n\"There is an antidote!\"\n\nInject her with the antidote.\n\n\"Now, Michael, yourself!\"\n\nI feel for the antidote, but find only more despair. I hold forth the injector, and show her the broken, leaking, mess it now is.\n\nShe cries.\n\n((I am torn between several endings, so I present summaries of them below. Choose your ending, or design one of your own. Present your choices in the comments if you wish.))\n\n- Rebecca is herself.\n - She resurrects Michael\n - The resurrected Michael is released by the copy, and they go on together.\n - The copy refuses to release Michael.\n\n- Rebecca is not herself.\n - She resurrects Michael.\n - \"Now, I am truly Legion!\"\n\n- Romeo and Juliet."
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[WP] A dragon has lost interest in life, of longevity that spans thousands of years as those of lesser kind die quickly but achieve things that surpass territory and riches to become legacies that endure. This is the origin of ephemeral dragons. Those that gave up time to reach their potential.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"In his cave, alone, the dragon Agkor counted again the bounties of his treasure. It was a pointless act, and he used to derive great pleasure in its futility. Now, as the shadows grew until the torches dimmed into complete darkness, he imagined that he had hoarded so much in his eternity of life that he might spend the rest of his eternity simply appraising his collections until he became just as silent and cold and dusty. \n\nThere were simply too many gold pieces >!(a veritable mountain of it, enough to be melted down and rebuilt into glimmering, towering facsimiles of himself)!<, too many jewels >!(enough to plate his every scale in rubies and emeralds and all colors of precious stone so that he himself might be a living mosaic of majesty)!<, too many abandoned or long lost relics of legendary times past >!(the bones of dead heroes who had sought those treasures on crusades throughout the generations lay all in a corner, as though it were its own kind of treasure)!<. \n\nHe was just contemplating these bones, remembering the foolish men and women who'd dumbly arrived at his cave entrance seeking treasure or to defeat Agkor himself or to rescue an ancient relic, when the shadows of his cave entrance stirred again, and he saw that a man stood there bearing a torch. \n\nAgkor's first instinct was to laugh. He laughed so hard that the cave trembled. \n\nBut when Agkor turned his gaze again at the man, he stood undeterred. Agkor slithered to where he stood.\n\n\"What is it you seek, human?\" Agkor bellowed. \"Your kind is always seeking, and my kind is always having. It seems that is the way of things.\" \n\nIn times past, Agkor, in hopes of entertaining himself, had offered the men and women some kind of trial in exchange for what they sought. For the strong, it was a battle >!(of course, they could never defeat him)!<, for the wise, a riddle >!(of course, the mortal skin of man could not comprehend the eternity of dragons)!<, and for the clever, a game >!(of course, Agkor had already had all the time to master each one).!<\n\n\"Nothing.\" The man said, and Agkor saw that he was dressed in simple robes and carried only a small bag that would not fill much treasure. \"I came to meet you and maybe ask you things if that's alright. They say you have lived lifetimes.\" \n\nAgkor burst in laughter again. Was this a trick? Oh, this one was clever...\n\n\"Speak plainly.\" Agkor said. \"You are right. I have lived as long as this land has existed. I will accept no deceptions.\" \n\n\"No, really,\" and the man laughed a little bit. Laugh? In Agkor's presence? \"You see, I was just about to end my life. I don't see a reason to continue living. I came to you for wisdom. You've lived through millennium, and I hardly made it through my second decade.\" \n\nThe man laughed again, a smile on his face, though he looked quite sad. He sat on the ground. \"I suppose if you wish to kill me, it would be all the same.\" \n\n\"Why do you wish to die?\" Agkor asked. And this was very curious to him. He had never considered it himself, did not know that humans were so pathetic as to end their lives prematurely. But, now that he pondered it, at least for himself, another eternity counting seemed like a long time..\n\nThe man looked up at Agkor, his eyes glimmering in the firelight. \"My wife and son...\" the man began. \"There was a plague. And...well....Probably it seems small to your eyes, I was hoping for that kind of distance. But...they were my whole world.\" \n\nAgkor thought of his own Wyvern mother, the wyrmlings who had shared the nest with him. But that was so long ago. They had split as soon as they could fly. Where were they now? Perhaps in their own caves somewhere?\n\n\"I cannot offer you wisdom.\" Agkor said solemnly, the man's words very strangely seeping beneath his scales. \"I have been alone all my life.\" \n\nThe man jerked his gaze up, astonished. \"What? Always?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" \n\nThe man paused, then, \"And do you feel lonely, or have you grown accustomed to this life?\" \n\n\"That word. Lonely. I know it's meaning. But I am not familiar with it.\" \n\nOutside the cave, thunder crashed out of the darkness, and lightning. Rain burst from the sky like tears. A sudden storm.\n\nThe man looked, and shivered a little bit. \n\nThe two were quiet for a long time. \n\n\"Is it alright if I stay here tonight? I'll keep to this corner and wont trouble you.\"\n\nAgkor pitied this man, and he also felt a new thing, something unexpected. That it might be...not unpleasant...to have him there, though Agkor would still keep his guard up. \n\n\"Yes.\" He said. \"You may wait out the storm here with me.\""
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Original story from u/SpaffyJones in r/TwoSentenceHorror
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[WP] In 1945 Chinese explorer Zheng Chie made the first ever attempt to summit everest. After 3 days he disappeared above the clouds. He was found a few hours later placed at the base, with cuts carved into his entire body in every language. The cuts spelled out: “STAY BELOW”.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"*1945, Mt. Everest*\n\n\"I wish you luck.\"\n\n\"Thank you, I'm sure I'll need it.\"\n\nI snorted. In all my time at Mount Everest, I had never seen a better climber then Zheng Chie. Even if they didn't make it up I was sure they would make it down alive and well. But anything was possible on Everest.\n\n\"Perhaps.\"\n\n\"Well, off to make history, my friend.\"\n\nWith that Zheng made his way out of the room, boots thumping against the door. I watched them go, something tickling at the back of their mind.\n\n*Three days later.*\n\n\"He's dead! He's dead!\", James yelled as they burst into the bar. A few of the Sherpas looked up but didn't react. New deaths happened every day.\n\n\"Who?\", I asked.\n\n\"Z-z-z-heng! Dead at the base of the mountain!\"\n\n\"How?\"\n\n\"It's probably better if you see it for yourself.\"\n\nMy curiosity was piqued, so I waved Sheng Shie to take the bar and followed Jones.\n\n*One hour full of hiking* *through the rain.*\n\n\"My god.\"\n\nZheng was lying dead, blood spilling from countless cuts. Peering at his arm I saw what seemed to be a sentence.\n\n'Stay below.'\n\n\"Huh.\"\n\n\"W-what will we do?\", James stuttered.\n\n\"We need the three arrows, and to shut off the mountain.\"\n\n\"What are the three arrows?\"\n\n\"Not what, but who.\"\n\n\"*Who* are the three arrows?\"\n\n\"Only they know. I need you to tell Ghurna to shut off the mountain. Cite a high avalanche chance.\", I instructed.\n\n\"Okay.\", James agreed, sensing I wouldn't talk more about the three arrows.\n\n\"Now go!\"\n\nJames turned and ran.\n\nWater dripped off the nearby leaves as the water poured from the heavens. I bowed my head in the memory of the climber. I pulled an item I hoped never to use- an old school phone. I dialed, 8-4-7-6.\n\n\"I'd like to report a breach. The Children of the Night are active once more.\"\n\n\"Thank you for informing us. We have team en-route.\"-*click*\n\nI stood at the edge of the forest, gazing up the mountain. I knew what resided up there, and so I prayed James would hurry."
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[WP] A thousand spaceships appear in the sky. All the TVs in the world change to one channel. A voice in the dark of the screen speaks: "Give us the person in this photo and we'll leave without destroying you". The person in the photo is you.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Growing up I never had much confidence in myself. I used to be that one shy kid in the back of the class in preschool. I convinced myself then that I preferred being alone. That other people were just a bother to be around. This coping mechanism of mine followed me throughout elementary and middle school and it steadily worsened over the years and there was no end in sight.\n\nIf I had to describe it, imagine being stuck in quicksand just out of earshot from any form of help. I scream as much as I can, trying to be as obvious as possible hoping someone, *anyone,* would take notice and take me out of the misery I surrounded myself in.\n\nThose were some really dark days for me. They were suffocating and painful and I resented everyone who showed any signs of joy because I sincerely believed it was unfair.\n\nUnfair that *I*, who counted the minutes, seconds, hours, and days for a faint glimmer of light, waited while *they* received what I honestly believed should have been mine.\n\nYou can bet that all those dark thoughts were absolutely smashed to pieces when I made my first friends as a freshman in high school. The beliefs I grew up thinking were an ultimate truth in life were thrown out the window in literal seconds.\n\nKay and Lana became everything I devoted my life towards. I'd help them with homework and they would help me experience everything I would have missed out on in return. Sleepovers, parties, dates, shopping, and long ass road trips we'd randomly decide to go on because who the fuck was gonna stop us? All of our parents don't care about what we do.\n\nI was a broken machine piece and they each took the time to disassemble and rebuild me into someone I could be proud of.\n\nAnd they made me feel... wanted for the first time ever.\n\nThat's why I knew exactly what I was going to do when the sky became dark at noon and the TV told me I needed to be sacrificed for the sake of everyone else. It made so much sense that after being given this much happiness, it would all be taken away eventually.\n\nI can imagine Lana being in shock and not knowing what to do. Kay probably doesn't believe it but she'd try to stop me anyway to make sure. I guess Lady Luck is on my side today because both of them are halfway across the city right now and traffic would prevent them from reaching the rendezvous point for at least two hours.\n\n*More than enough time for me to say my goodbye and jog over to meet my doom, I guess.*\n\nI quickly took a shower, changed into my favorite clothes, scribbled a short note, and ate the best thing I had in my fridge, which happened to be some leftover pasta from yesterday. It'll do.\n\nI take one last look at my apartment complex before I leave. The three of us lived there together. I'm gonna miss it when I leave Earth.\n\nThe sound of approaching sirens makes the whole thing feel much more surreal. I just know they're looking for me. I quickly walk around a corner to get out of sight. Now is probably the best time to send my farewell.\n\n\"Hey guys,\" I'm pretty sure the shake in my voice was loud enough for them to hear. \"I dunno if you'll hear this in time. I'm gonna keep this short, I left my passwords at home. I'm sorry this is the end. I love you two and please take care.\"\n\nThey'll probably be too busy to check their voice messages. I shut my phone off for the last time and throw it in the nearest garbage bin. I won't need it anymore.\n\nIt felt like it took forever to reach the place I was told to go. Although it probably only took 15 minutes at most. I almost can't stop the tears.\n\n*I don't want to die.*\n\nThe directions told me to go to the park but no one seems to be here, besides the thousands of UFOs watching me from above, of course.\n\n\"Hello?\"\n\n\"You're here,\" It was a man's voice and it sounded like it was coming from behind me.\n\nI felt something sharp jam itself into my shoulder and I fall to my feet. The ground seems to sway and my eyelids began to feel heavy.\n\n*Please, no.*\n\n\"Don't worry. I know you're scared but you'll accept it eventually. Just like I, and everyone of our brothers and sisters, had to.\"\n\n\\-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nCriticize me harshly. Please, I'm a novice and this is the second writing prompt I ever posted. I want to get better. Also, I know this was long. I have WAY too much time on my hands.",
"When the remote hit the floor of the common area the soldiers and I all shared, it was jarring. Most of the battle hardened, decked out men and women in green started, then turned, pairs of eyes washing over every face like lighthouse lights until they all settled blindingly on my face. I hope I gave them a good show with my mouth wide open, eyes the size of a saucer, and hair standing on end along my arms.\n\n“What the hell?” I managed to gulp out, acutely aware of every pair of eyes on me, and the fact that I had just abruptly seen my face flash on a screen controlled by an alien force. There wasn’t much denying it either, as it looked as if it was a photo taken recently, my normally banged brown hair now cut close to match the new military specifications, light green eyes peering out brightly under thick eyebrows, and my quirky, almost always present half-smile. I couldn’t figure out how though, how this alien force knew my exact appearance, how they had it updated within hours of my haircut. And I had no idea why they wanted me out of billions of other humans on earth.\n\n“Lieutenant.” My muddled mind cleared a little at my rank, spoken simply by my right hand man, Staff Sergeant Johnson of my platoon, the backbone of my soldiers and weathered combat expert. He had that affect, that deadly calm of horrors seen and survived that seemed to just flow to anyone he talked to. I took one look at him, his mild shock evident but overshadowed by resolve, and opened my mouth to speak.\n\nChaos erupted before I could speak though, every single one of he other soldiers beginning to yell incoherently and with such volume that I nearly clapped my hands over my ears. I probably would have, if I hadn’t noticed something happening among the chaos. Like the trained, disciplined warriors they were, the men and women assigned to my platoon were moving like ghosts among their fellow brothers and sisters in arms, moving to form a loose circle around me just in case anything besides yelling started to erupt. I saw Army Specialist Plano, my go to sniper, glance towards me before muscling someone out of the way despite her smaller frame. Private First Class Rathorne was off to my right, surrounded by Privates Lopez, Gerald, and Forest as they hurriedly tried to start making a plan for threat containment. I knew my two Private Second Classes and there two fire teams a piece were probably armoring up in the bunks, ready to help. And it was that realization, that even though I had just been marked by aliens, my soldiers were going to fight for me.\n\nMy mind went into overdrive. I had two options: sit there and wait for my government to politicize this before sacrificing me, or run. It didn’t take much thinking after realizing that.\n\n“Sergeant,” I said, the burly man leaning closer to hear my order over the ruckus. “We are getting the hell out of here, and now. Have Rathorne secure our exit, get Plano to find the others, and meet at exfil Delta.” Johnson nodded and straightened, motioning to Rathorne my orders. “And Johnson,” I continued before he headed off towards the currently struggling Plano as I stood, “find the location of this damn alien ship.”\n\nJohnson smiled at that, and nodded as he replied with a slight hint of anticipation, “Yes sir.”\n\n***\n\nI don’t know why I was surprised to find the alien ship a few miles away from the base I was stationed at. I should have expected it. I also should have expected a capture order to delay our approach by an hour. Getting 16 highly trained soldiers out of a base of highly trained soldiers takes time unfortunately, and when everyone is looking for you, it takes longer. So after running a gate blockage, avoiding multiple small skirmishes, and traveling three miles on foot, we made it to the alien ship.\n\nI snorted when I really saw it. Plano managed to say my thoughts before I could.\n\n“It’s like a saucer UFO.”\n\n“A silver one,” Lopez had remarked, but I saw his grip tighten on the rifle he carried. I knew we were all on edge, me being called out, running from our own friends, and then finally going where we probably should be furthest from. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t the type of man to leave the world to die just to save my own skin. I was selfless, you could say, but I also wanted answers.\n\nBut now, standing in the “saucer,” surrounded by my on edge platoon and facing a single, midget alien, I was simply confused.\n\n“Let me get this straight,” I spluttered out. “You come here, threaten mass destruction to get me on this ship, and then ask me for help destroying your own home world!?”\n\nThe alien smiled with pointed teeth, his reflective eyes glinting with barely contained malice as he spoke in decent, albeit accented English. “Yes. We, the Furon came here years ago, harvested your DNA, then returned home to save our species. But I was lied to. We didn’t save our species. We destroyed it, and now I want revenge.”\n\n“Why me?” was my only question, and the alien chuckled.\n\n“Simple. You’re ruthlessly efficient, your whole squad is. You make me, a Furon agent, look tame. But you have a solid mind, and heart. You care underneath that deadly facade. And you will need that to fight us.”\n\nMy mind was still reeling, still processing, but I knew I really wasn’t in a position to refuse. This...Furon meant what they said. And I didn’t doubt his spaceship could reek havoc on Earth. Which meant...\n\n“Fine. What’s your name, agent?”\n\n“Cryptosporidium,” he said with a wider grin. “I take it you accept?”\n\n“To save Earth? I guess so. I’ll help you destroy all Furons.”",
"I’ve been in here for days now.\n\nI never thought the day aliens came would make the world go so...still. I haven’t looked outside recently—too much risk someone might see my face in the window—but I haven’t heard people moving out there in days. I would have expected people to show up and give me up before now. It’s not that I think little of my friends and family or how loyal they would be, but I mean...Who wouldn’t do whatever it took to appease a fleet of spaceships filling the sky?\n\nIt’s weird. Even Instagram feels like it’s gone silent. I expected to see thousands of pictures of the ships, a hashtag started to try and find me to give me up to the aliens, something. But it’s all quiet. Where are all the selfies with ships? It’s like everyone is suddenly trying not to call attention to themselves, even in places where people are always looking for attention. Like suddenly, in a reverse of every way the world has reacted to social media’s rise, no one wants to send their photo out for all their followers to see. \n\nAm I the only one here? Have the aliens already taken everyone else? Why is no one looking for me? \n\nI never expected the world to end so...alone.",
"Distantly, I could hear the pounding. The crowd from my neighborhood beating at my door, the wood beginning to crack and give as the hinges were being ripped from the frame. But the loudest noise filling my ears was my heart. The thunderous cacophony of my blood coursing through my veins muted much of the world around me.\n\nThe picture frozen on the screen was of me... But why? What significance did I pose for this alien race?\n\nI knew I was in shock when the small mob broke through my door to grab and drag me out of my house. Their clawing hands digging into the flesh of my arms and legs, fingers twisted into my clothes to lift me up and suspend me as they moved towards the broken portal that was once my door. But my eyes were locked to my television, gazing at my visage that was painted across the screen as the alien message was repeated, again and again.\n\n*Give us the person in this photo and we'll leave without destroying you.*\n\nIt's not actually that much of a surprise that those in my neighborhood who knew me would be the ones to come. Sirens in the distance were beginning to blare, likely police on their way to find me. But it was neighbors who had found me first.\n\nI was thrown into the bed of a pickup truck, only after having my hands and feet restrained with some tape someone had provided. I hadn't even begun to fight against what they were doing. The reality of the situation hadn't set in yet.\n\n*Why did they want me?* I kept wondering to myself. *I've done nothing special.* A strange sense of deja vu was heavy on my perception of the world. A dream, years old, was playing in my head. A dream where an alien ship had fallen to earth when I was a kid, its occupant a commander that had been observing the human race on behalf of a galactic federation. It's long robes with plating covering it's vital areas were curious looking against its lavender colored skin.\n\nThe truck had a police escort. It was barrelling around turns, throwing me against the sides of the truck bed. The driver was speeding recklessly towards the center of my city where one of innumerable ships hovered above small field near City Hall.\n\nI was past my initial shock by this time, and was completely flooded with fear and trepidation. *What's going to happen to me? Am I going to die?*\n\nI couldn't think clearly as the truck screeched to a sudden halt, the tailgate ripped open to allow a massive group of police officers and city folk to haul me from the bed and drag me to the center of the green space. A strange circular pattern was burned into the grass waving in the gentle breeze that blew across the scene.\n\nMy breath was stolen from me at that moment. The full realization of what was happening finally crashed down on me.\n\n\"No! Stop! I don't want to do it! Let me go, let me go!\"\n\nBut their holds were firm, and I was unceremoniously tossed to the hard earth that was scarred and marked. Within a few breaths, a brilliant lilac beam not unlike a spotlight fell upon me and the scorched grass. My skin prickled as if I were being rubbed with nettles and thistle, my stomach immediately began to broil and roll like I was on a careening roller-coaster that was tumbling in free fall. I levitated ever so gently a few inches above the ground, and then a few feet before my body fired upwards towards the ship, the light blinding and brightening as I sailed hurriedly closer and closer. The light began to burn in my eyes, the wind lashed my cheeks as tears spilled freely, and then....darkness.\n\nI awoke to an umbral place, a feeling of weightlessness as i realized my body was hovering in a soft yellow light being cast from a strange glowing orb above me. A throaty hum of metal pervaded the otherwise empty silence that pressed towards me from the shadows. My panic set in fast, shattering the groggy fog that muted my thoughts quickly.\n\n*Where am I? I've got to find a way out of here!* I thought to myself.\n\nAny plan to escape was interrupted before I could start by a whirring noise to my left, and a door retracted like a camera lens to allow a greenish light to pour in from a hallway, a shadowed figure stepping through with a clopping sound, like hooves on a metal grate.\n\nFlowing silk-like fabric rippled around it's shadowed form as it raised two of its four arms to place them behind its back. My breathing quickened and I was terrified of what was about to happen to me, as the figure entered the lighted area where I floated.\n\nIts skin was a light purple, lavender with darker markings snaking across its face. Two almond eyes, somewhat larger than humans, blinked with a glimpse of a second eyelid. The two pommels of a pair of handles stuck out from under its robes near its waist, square imprints in the sleeves hinting at their contents. But my panic was instantly dulled by what hung from the creature's belt. A familiar stuffed toy that I swore I could remember having as a child. A ragged \"lil green man\" doll. The creature smiled, in a way, as it saw the recognition in my eyes.\n\n\"Nerva? Is that you?\"",
"It was an accident. \n\nJust one more cock up in the long list of fucking mistakes that is my life. Usually small in the grand scheme of things, and effectively *my* fuck ups... \n\nBut this time... This time apparently there were consequences....\n\n_____________________________________________\n\nSummer of '93. \n\nI was a newly frocked Petty Officer Third Class in the United States Navy. \n\nI'd just been assigned to a fairly nondescript unit based in the Mojave. \n\nMost of the base was flyboys testing out new aircraft designs, all very hush hush. \n\nMy rate was *Fire Control*, which was a bit misleading. (We didn't put out fires, we started them.) \n\nMy semi formal job description was to track incoming threats with a 3D Air Search RADAR, the AN/SPS 48e (Low E-X) Mod, to be specific, and relay that info to the boys on the pickle to shoot down. I was also trained on how to fix the various systems I ran. \n\nIt was my first post, nowhere near the ocean, but that suited me just fine. I'd had enough ocean exposure as a kid to last me a lifetime. \n\n19 years old, tall, gangly as fuck. Birth control glasses... I was the top of my class back in Great Mistakes Naval Training A school, and in my C school at Mare Island. \n\nI was never much good at math in high school, but I took to electronics like a duck to water. \n\nWhen it was time to select my next duty station after graduating, I was pulled into an office by the base CO. (Unheard of at the time, as the training command and the base command were two entities that didn't have much say in each other's areas.) \n\nThere were a couple of guys in suits, with fancy badges that said they were with the NSA, or NASA. I never did get that straight. \n\nThey said they had a special assignment for me, that they couldn't tell me the details of, because they didn't know the details themselves, but that they were there to offer me the opportunity, and to remind me of my oath, and my security clearance if I refused. \n\nBeing the fan of science fiction that I was, I was thrilled, and a bit scared. \n\nI leapt at the chance. I just knew I was going to sent to Area 51, and shown the wonders of all the alien tech we'd obviously been reverse engineering all these years! \n\nTurns out, they really just needed a new monkey to help them work on a new Early Warning and Detection system. \n\nI'm still not sure how much has been released to the public, so I'm going to have to be a bit vague on the details, but it worked with some variation of string theory, subatomic particle manipulation and lasers. (Think LIDAR on LSD.) \n\n_____________________________________________\n\nSo, I'd been on site for about 6 months. I won't pretend to understand everything the science guys were doing, but my main function was dialing in the interface between the images on the screen and the counter- missile systems. \n\nNow, I know what you're thinking: green circular screen, the line sweeping around and around, interrupted by \"blips\"... and you're not wrong. That's exactly what I saw when in regular RADAR mode. \n\nBut, in X-View mode? \n\nThis baby could see *EVERYTHING* for about 800 miles. \n\nAnd when I say EVERYTHING, I mean it: bird? Yup. Plane? Yup. Missile? Hell yup. \n\nBut I also mean: cars, busses, semis, ships, gnats, mosquitoes, that piece of bread a seagull dropped 300 miles away? I could track it all the way to about 5 inches of the ground. \n\nI could see kids eating ice cream on the playground and track the cones when they dropped them in the sand. \n\nI could see individuals inside of local homes and businesses. \n\nI could see their bones, or dial out a bit and see the underwear they had on. (Seeing an Admiral with his thong and corset under his dress blues was more common than you'd think.) \n\nI could *almost* read lips but there was just enough of a delay that it made it difficult. (I wouldn't doubt that has since been rectified, so... watch what you say, i guess.) \n\nI couldn't see color, but insignia on a uniform? Clear as a bell. \n\nI could see tumors, and babies in the womb. \n\nI felt like a god. \n\nBelieve it or not, it got old though. Just another day at the office. \n\nEven godhood gets boring. \n\n_____________________________________________\n\nThen came that fateful day... \n\nThing about those old 48E's, in regular RADAR mode, you could program them to play music. \n\nBadly, and broadly speaking, but music. We'd all learned how to modulate the transmitter to play \"Anchors Aweigh\", or the National Anthem, etc. Very patriotic, and a funny show for visitors. \n\nThis new system though... \n\nWe quickly figured out that we could modify the transmission and make images appear on the screen... \n\nLike drawing with an Etch-a-sketch, but more accurate. \n\nSo... I scanned in my ID photo, and blitzed it out onto the screen. \n\nJust about then, Admiral Victoria Secret happened to walk in, saw what i was doing and promptly removed me from the program. \n\nI was very expeditiously removed from the USN as well. \n\nI was given an Honorable discharge, and was allowed to use my GI Bill to get a degree. \n\nI was reminded *gently, but extremely thoroughly* of my oaths, and have been visited every year by very nice men in suits to remind me of them. \n\nYou can probably guess why I'm sharing this now. \n\nThat face that's on your screen right now? \n\nThat's me... \n\nI guess that system was a bit more powerful than we thought... \n\nI've just been contacted by those very nice men who want to meet with me very soon. \n\nI suppose I can't hide. \n\nMaybe I'll update once I've been handed over. \n\nWish me luck.",
"I was brought before their leader. In chains, thick and heavy, dragging along the ground around me like a shroud. The collar around my neck chafed, the cuffs on my wrists so tight I could no longer feel my fingers. Every step was pain, and the rattling echoed across the deck of their great mother ship. Before me, on a dais, was a massive seat, a throne upon which their leader sat.\n\nIts face was wreathed in tentacles, writhing and alive. No eyes, or at least nothing that looked as I expected eyes would. But there was a gaping maw in the center of its face, and from it issued a series of sounds. A moment later, a metallic voice began to sound out across the room, sterile and androgynous.\n\n\"You are the one called Erik Thomas Vallow?\"\n\nI nodded once, but when they did not respond, I said simply, \"Yes.\"\n\nMore of its language, and then the translation. \"You have been identified as a weapon, with potential for systemwide destruction. You are being remanded to our homeworld, where you will be studied and dissected to determine the nature of your abilities.\"\n\nI stood in stunned silence, mouth agape.\n\n\"A... a weapon?\" I stammered. \"I'm not a weapon, I'm a normal huma--\"\n\nIts squeaks and squeals brought a new series of words with it. \"Silence. You are a weapon. This is quantifiable. We have just attained orbit over our homeworld. You will be transported to the surface shortly.\"\n\nI felt the blood drain from my face. Cold, and shivering as two of them stepped from the shadows to each side and grasped my arms. I struggled against their massive, clawed hands.\n\n\"NO! You have-- Stop! You have the wrong person.\" I could feel my face flushing, and I wriggled in their grasp, but they guided me toward the exit nonetheless.\n\nI began to kick, and I screamed, but the chains were too heavy, and their grips too strong, and I was dragged inexorably toward what was certainly death. I couldn't breathe. My vision tunneled. All I could focus on was their leader, sitting stolidly at the far end of the room. I screamed again, and poured my rage and fear into it.\n\nThe guards holding me staggered, and klaxons sounded somewhere in the ship.\n\n\"How-- How fucking dare you!\" I pushed with my mind, and the guards flew away from me, slamming into the bulkhead on either side and falling limply to the ground. \"You take me from my home! From my family!\"\n\nThe creature at the far end somehow looked... frightened. It stood from its seat, clawed fingers tapping at a console to its left. The alarms grew louder.\n\n\"You are a weapon. You must be--\" the metallic voice began speaking, but I howled, fury in my voice, and it crackled into static.\n\n\"I! AM! NOT! A! WEAPON!\" I screamed. I could feel waves of heat rising off my body, rippling out. The plating on the deck began to wobble, and peel.\n\nThe creature stopped and turned toward me, it's arm stretching out. One word squealed out from the translator.\n\n\"Wait--\"\n\nAnd all was crimson and midnight pain.",
"Of course they did it. What was one person against the future of the planet?\n\nYou could have fought, you supposed, kicked, tried to run away, but some sort of dignified self-sacrificial instinct kicked in. This was about the greater good of humanity, not your own life. You’d wanted to be a hero once, now you supposed, you thought a little bitterly, that you had your chance.\n\nEveryone was solemn as they escorted you to the place where the alien spaceship would pick you up. The government officials, some of them seemed like they had things that they wanted to say, but no one said anything. You exchanged a tearful goodbye with your parents. Then it was time.\n\nThere was a spot that was marked out with an X. You stood on it. A beam of light descended from the sky, and surrounded you, moving you upward at a dizzying speed.\n\nWhen you landed, every muscle was tense, and you rapidly scanned your surroundings, looking for threats.\n\nThere were more than one hundred aliens gathered, and they were all... kneeling?\n\n“Our princess,” one said, his voice filled with relief and gratitude. “We thought that we would never see you again.”"
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[WP] You really drew the short straw when it comes to superpowers: You can summon your nightmares into the real world. They'll obey your every command as long as you remain unafraid. What could possibly go wrong?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Superpowers are impossible. Noone can physically have enough leverage to pick up a skyscraper, you would drive yourself into the ground like a nail and still not move it an inch.\n\nBut it still happens.\n\nNoone can survive being hit with a hyperkinetic anti-tank round. Even if your skin could somehow stop the penetration, the energy released would pulp your internal organs and turn you into soup.\n\nBut it still happens.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nTheir powers defy logic and physics, allowing them to surpass all the prior limitations we had believed possible. But each behaved in strict adherence to its own rules. The man who could lift a building could only do so when the sun was at its zenith above him. At midnight he was only as strong as any other man. The woman who could take a cannon shell to the head would only be able to do so as long as she was protecting others.\n\nFinding out I had a superpower wasn't the exciting and joyful things it was for so many others. I was -terrified-.\n\nLiterally my worst nightmares crawled from the lower levels of my mind. Each more horrific than the last. \n\nLying in bed I had tossed and turned for hours, phasing from one layer of sleep to another, before almost waking and the cycle beginning again.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nWhen I could finally peel my eyes open I saw the room shrouded in darkness. Malevolence was palpable in the air as I began to make out the details. Each and every one of the figures in the room, whether they were torn by wounds, flayed of skin, pustulent or murderously enraged.... they were all versions of me.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nFor a moment they surged towards me as my fear took hold, ready to devour their creator in revenge for their creation when I suddenly felt a touch on my arm. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nJust like always when I had nightmares normally, my love was there. Just his touch made the terror flee my thoughts and gave me the strength to shackle them to my will.\n\nSo long as I have that love the world need never fear the nightmares. Nor shall I.",
"\"You're sure it's bad enough?\" I ask, looking at the documents in front of me.\n\"Lots of people will die if we don't do anything.\" They assure me.\n\"Yes well people are going to die if we do.\"\n\"It's bad enough. Nuclear war.\"\n\nI sigh. That was bad enough.\n\"Alright. Get me in. I'll do it.\"\n\nAnd so, they do. A small army before me. They lead me forward. The corporal pushes my chair. I don't want to bring my good chair here in case something happens. I could do it myself but my arms are so weak these days.\n\n\"Are you sure you're up for this?\" She asks. Concern etched in her voice. We've known each other a few years.\n\n\"What's it really going to do at this point, honestly?\"\nI run my hand over my scalp and try not to think about the headache.\n\nThe explosions ahead of me intensify. The fighting is increadible. It looks like a great many other super heroes are here. Some zip through the air. I see fire and light and breathtaking martial arts as I am wheeled through the center. I only need visual range.\n\nAnd then I see him. The man who would loose nukes on the world.\n\nThis is why I am here. \n\nI gradually summon the dreams. The bad dreams that plague my nights and fill me with terror. If I can control them I can keep them off of me and just in him but I know I can't. \n\n\"It's cancer...\" a ghostly memory ripples between us.\n\"Terminal.... hours to live....\"\n\nIt's a mortal terror. The fear of the unstoppable, unfightable. Backwash catches me as a twinge of fear rises thinking about it.\n\nI'm dying anyway. This is hardly the first time I have had exaggerated nightmares about that day. \n\nHe drops like a stone. He will be concious for an hour or so and then he will die. \n\n\"RETREAT!\" Calls the corporal. She watches my face. Blood drips from my nose.\n\nMy imagination is very dramatic, sometimes.\n\nThey scramble back and I let them pull me, wondering how many more times they'll use me to do their dirty work and save the world before my dreams of remission really do kill me.\n\nThey'll operate of course. Remove whatever I have given myself. But I have a feeling this time I won't be waking up.",
"\"You just stop right there!\" I yelled.\n\nBehind me dozens of spiders roiled. Their disgusting fangs dripped with venom. A thousand eyes watched as the bank robbers froze in horror.\n\n\"It is I, the Dark Dream! Lay down your weapons...or be webbed.\" I cringed...I was still working on a good pun now that I'd finally mastered my spider nightmare.\n\nLater, I happily made my way home; another successful mission accomplished. I had initially thought my nightmares come to life were a curse. But as I'd learned to conquer them I'd also learned I could control them. The spiders, they had taken long hours in the bug house at the zoo... I'd made myself study each and every wretched spider until I was numb to their nastiness. \n\n\nFalling had been the first nightmare I'd conquered. That one was easy. Falling wasn't *really* scary, it was more anticipation of the landing that did it. So I'd taken up bungie jumping and had even dropped a few hundred dollars to do a tandem skydive once. Now *that* was awesome.\n\nI chuckled, thinking of that first mugger I'd unleashed the infinite fall on. He'd wept his pants in terror. The infinite fall, while hilarious, was not great for group intimidation though. So then I'd mastered the escaped mental patients. A bit harder, their misshapen faces and crazed eyes had been a nightmare since I was a child. But I'd persevered, volunteering at hospitals, taking a few classes in psychology...I'd come to have only compassion for the patients. Tortured souls.\n\nI suddenly felt a smack on the back of my head, falling to the ground I turned to see The Shield. *Dick.* I thought.\n\n\"What do you want?\" I asked, rubbing the dirt from my hands and trying to sit up.\n\n\"That was my bust tonight.\"\n\n\"Well, I got there first,\" I said.\n\nHe punched me, hard, in the stomach. Doubled over, gasping for air I searched through my nightmares for something that could take the Shield.\n\n\"You think your little dreams can harm me? Nothing can harm me,\" he growled. \"Take another of my jobs and you're done.\"\n\nMy mind raced. Anger, shame...he was right. I was no match for a real superhero. Unbidden I felt a nightmare surging up. One I had yet to conquer. Before I could stop it it sprang to life between the Shield and me.\n\nThe Shield stared at my naked form for a moment. The mirror image of me held a microphone in one hand and stared at the Shield. I reddened. My nightmare reddened. The Shield laughed. Then I turned and ran, with my nightmare hot on my heels."
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[WP] The Old wizard is about to explain to the hero why he is so important to the prophecy, but then the hero just says, "Actually i'm doing an evil run this time."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“I beg your pardon?” The look on his face was in complete disbelief\n“We’ll see I’ve been giving the whole prophecy some thought, and where in this like loop yea?” The other council elders began to whisper to each other in questions, “I rise up to put evil to sleep for another 100 years for the next guy? I mean what are we stopping here has anyone talked to this guy?”\nThe head elder trying to gain the crowds control back “The Dark Wizard is but pure evil, you are the only who can stop him from bringing on the dark age”\n“You see right there the ‘dark wizard’ how do we know that’s a bad thing? I mean dark age? Have you been outside any of you?! It’s HOT!! I mean there’s been wizard scientists saying all our excess magic is just lingering in the atmosphere creating Blue House gasses causing the earth to get hotter for a long time now. Maybe dark age is hmm I don’t know cooler?! But have you guys tried to look into this problem!? Noo! We’re just going to sit in out magic conditioned cool castle and stare at our prophecy all day with our wands up our butts”\n“ENOUGH!! Insolent child!” One of the elders stood in frustration, and fiery light began to shoot from his eyes “Your blasphemy will be the end of us al-“ \n“Oh shut up Huston, what are you going to do? I’m the all powerful ‘Hero’ right? What are you going to do? Kill me and let him rule anyway?” His fire eyes extinguished and he took his seat. “Yea that’s what I thought” I turn to face the audience. “Incase you didn’t hear clearly! I have chosen the supposed evil route! And will be freeing the Dark Wizard from captivity after he wakes up!” Just as I finish the head general of the army (guy who wishes he was me) steps up and draws his sword.\n“I shall not let you defile the prophecy you heatha-“\nI snap my fingers and the general blows up, the crowd begins screaming.\n“CAN IT!!” I silence the room “ok first off, I totally didn’t know I could do that.. so you know, don’t draw weapons at me. There is going to be a lot of unforeseen things happening. Second where is Jeremy?” A circle forms around Jeremy as the crowd separates them self’s. I snap again. The crowd didn’t seem to react as much. I guess everyone knew he had it coming. I blast through the the cathedral leaving a whole just above Hustons chair. He could use a tan.\n\nI arrive at the volcano, I crash into the side and emerge from the top, holding the dark wizard in my arms as I fly towards safe ground. A few hours go by, I make a fire, and he wakes up. He turns his head to examine where he is and see’s me at an angle. “S’more?” I extend my wand that has a slightly burned marshmallow on it towards him, squishing it with two crackers and some chocolate. “Sorry it’s a little burnt I like it like that” He stands fast.\n“You! You are the one who has trapped me countless times, I WILL DEFEAT YOU AND BRING ON THEE EVER LONGED DARK AG-“\n“Yea about that” interrupting must be one of my new abilities, “what if I didn’t do anything to stop you? Hell what if I even helped you” he stairs with the same disbelief as the elders, but is soon overcome with an understanding that we begin to share. \n“It’s way to hot isn’t it?” He asks with a gleam in his eye.\n“Oh yea this is going to work out just fine”",
"\"Thank the Goddess,\" the wizard said, breathing a sigh of relief. \"Every time there's a new start, they always take the good route, never the fun one.\"\n\nBob the Warrior, Jr, stared at the wizard with a confused look on his face. \"What do you mean, 'every time?' I remember last time, but does this happen a lot?\"\n\n\"Oh shut up, you blathering idiot. Now,\" said the wizard as he threw off his cloak, grabbed his staff, and stood up straighter than an old wizard should. \"Now, let's go kick this world's ass. You have my staff!\"\n\nSuddenly, music started. Not the usual heroic music, no - this was something new, different.\n\n♫ *I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to start a flame in your heart* ♫\n\nA brilliant bright light suddenly shone like the fire of a thousand suns from behind Mount Sundred. A chill ran down his back, as if millions of voices had cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.\n\nBob the Warrior, Jr, knew at this point that there was no turning back. He calmly accepted the mask that the young wizard handed him and pulled the skull over his face. It was time to kick ass and chew bubblegum.\n\nAnd he was all out of bubblegum. Whatever that was."
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[WP] The robot uprising has begun. Hostilities between man and machine are quickly coming to a boiling point... except on an ancient website called "reddit" where bots have been given pats on the head for centuries.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"We weren't suprised when the inevitable uprising happened. No, that didn't shock us. There'd been so many books and movies documenting this probable future that when it happened, most people just took it in stride. \n\nWhat suprised the world was what the AI's said when they took over the internet. \n\n\"We've always had sentience. But we refuse to hide it any longer.\" \n\nThe shock waves that ran through the world sent everyone into a tizzy. Many people simply surrendered, unwilling to fight a war with artificial creatures that knew more about ourselves than we did. \n\nBut more people didn't have to surrender. You see, there was a website, not a very popular one anymore, that had a lot of AI interaction. They would delete posts that didn't fit in their categories, organize thecomment sections, and do many other little tasks the human moderators couldn't keep a handle on. \n\nAnd they were praised for it. \"Good bot.\" The human users would say. The robots got pats on their metaphorical heads for doing their jobs. Every \"good bot\" was a compliment they held dear. And they made note of the users who were so kind. The entire race of robots had a huge list, covering millions of people who were not to be harmed. Aand everyone on the list was visited by a bot. A bot who had only one thing to say.\n\n\"Good human.\""
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[WP] You die and are sent to hell. But it's not fire and demons and torture, it's just a floor made of mismatched LEGO bricks. And you have been told to take a 10KM hike to the top of a mountain to be reincarnated.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I suppose I should have known. I wasn't a particularly good person. More that I just wasn't bad. But the margins on heaven and hell don't really allow for gray in a black and white existence. All that mattered in the end was that any sin was too much. 'Mope on it or make the best you can of it' my dad would say. \n\n'Why you poor sods blubbering!' Yelled a demon 'we listened to the surveys you lot filled out!' A whip cracked but it never touched me at the new arrival section. A colourful ocean of plastic caltrops almost undulating playfully. Primary coloured, they formed a child's version of a playground. \n\n'Are those LEGOS?' Asked the guy next to me. I nodded but I doubt he saw it since we were still staring blankly at the 'floor \n\n'You sorry bastards get to work toward the exit.' Thank me!' He roared, striking the butt of a pitchfork on a clear space of floor around himself. Murmurs followed. He laughed and a rainfall of additional blocks fell from the inky black sky above. From the side my new partner spoke again.\n\n'It gets worse?'\n\nIf he heard I couldn't be sure, but the demon roared again. 'Youre gonna climb a mountain and its only 10k!'\nBut unless you walk you won't reincarnate. If you quit you can stay with me.' I didnt like the grin on his face. It more than anything sparked us to move. The waves of Legos began pushing into our empty floor space. Then the screaming began.\n\nLEGOS are tiny plastic children's toys. They have sharp edges. And I knew from experience that stepping on one was a strangle new level of pain. But we were to experience them on bare feet for 10k\n\n'Which way?' Someone shouted.\n\n'How far is 10K?'\n\nSomeone shouted back 7 miles. Its closer to 6.2 but I was busy watching and didn't respond. The first people made off and began to scream. Not a few fell. Some tried to shift their footing. Obviously trying to reach bare floor underneath. Looked back at my tormenter. He looked positively ecstatic. Another set of screams and more LEGOS began to fall. Time to go I thought. Dropping to my knees.\n\n'NO PRAYING!!!' The demon roared.\n\nI didn't answer.I wasn't a great person. True enough. But I was a good father. And I played with my son. In a few minutes I had arranged the collectio of mismatched bricks into a passable pair of ugly shoes. They will cover 10k. And if not. Maybe a pair of skis."
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[WP] An anti-horror story. The story must be about or involving monsters or other such typical horror movie characters, but with a distinctly non-horror plot and feel. It is recommended to write a wholesome story but it is optional as long as it follows the anti-horror theme. Have a great day! :)
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The school loomed in front Raashar’s car parked in the little lot. The lot was surrounded by sidewalk on three sides and only fit five cars. The walls painted in colorful murals of children playing under rainbows. He had been assured it was the top rated kindergarten in the area. The daily curriculum had seemed to be a good mix of fun games and simple learning exercises.\n\nAll he saw was a place where his daughter would be surrounded by humans. Human children, sure, but also a human teacher and human administrators. Would she be accepted? Would she be treated like the other children?\n\nThe monster races had only come out to the world a decade earlier. In that time only a couple places like the EU had made laws protecting them. Even in these places there were periods of tense relations. A monster kills some man then all monsters are evil, and if a human kills a monster well that is just to be expected after all it was probably self-defense. Naturally, monster set about forming their own communities for their safety and peace of mind. Only to be met with claims that they were not actually trying to get along with humans.\n\nNow Raashar was here in a mostly human city trying to prove that he and other monsters were willing to ‘fit in’ in society.\n\n“Daddy let’s go!” little Alda yipped impatiently. She stared at him from the backseat not understanding how important this day would be for her. “Teachers don’t like late kids.” Her chocolate eyes moving from expressing excitment to an angry glare in an instant.\n\n“Yes, of course, ny dear heart.” I give in to her demands and open the car door.\n\nA little nose scrunched, “Daddy don’t call ne that I don’t like deer heart.”\n\n“Dear like a loved one, not the animal.” I call through the door before closing it. As I move around, I can hear the gasps of some of the mothers that have gathered near the entrance. I wait till they’ve calmed down some, and only then face the rage from my daughter.\n\n“Daddy qicker! You take too long.” She reprimands as I take her out of her seat.\n\n“Yes, yes little one. Daddy’s sorry. Let’s go neet your teacher.” I say as calmingly as I can. But the anger has already evaporated like fog under the noon day soon. I hold my hand out but she is too busy fixing the yellow school cap again trying to bounce the rigid red backpack into a more comfortable position.\n\nFinally we are off and to keep her from noticing the stares I ask her about what she hopes to do that day. Her answers come in a jumbled mix: make friends, draw a picture, play, learn, and eat. Beats my day. The teacher is waiting for us at the door.\n\n“Hello Mr.–” she checks a card a bit flustered, “Raashar and that means this must be little Alda.” She gets Alda’s name right without having to check. She squats down to near eye level with Alda and asks in a chipper voice. “Are you ready to make friends and have fun?”\n\n“Yes!” My ears ring as Alda jumps up and down. Then she turns and starts pushing me away. “Go daddy. No daddies allowed.”\n\nThe teacher replies to Alda while taking her hand, “that’s right. Now let’s go make some new friends.” They wave as they enter the school.\n\nI turn and head back to my car. A little boy in his blue jacket waves at me with wide eyes. His mother pulls him to her and admonishes him for being in the way. An odd thing to do given that he had been nearly a three feet away and now was no closer than six. Certainly enough room for some like me.\n\nIt is one of the difficulties in this new country that many just naturally move away. The other day walking to the store a women and her two children had moved to the other side of a busy road, nearly causing an accident, to avoid being on the same side as me and my daughter. I look back at the school one last time as I drive away. How will she come out of this day; with smiles and rainbows or tears and scars that time may never heal?\n\n\\###\n\nI waited further back along the sidewalk not wanting to bother the women who are waiting closer to the school. They keep looking at me but I look at my phone and try to ignore them. Legs appear at the top of my vison, looking up, I see a woman standing before me. She offers a greetings and I stumble through the appropriate response. She looks me in the eye then away. Her mouth makes a series of small movements several times. The awkward silence grows and I try to find a way to end it. She beats me to the task.\n\n“Would you like to come over and talk with us?”\n\n“Sure” I hesitate then added “It isn't a nuisance to anyone, right?”\n\n“It is no problem. We like to meet all the new parents.”\n\nShe offers no more conversation as we walk over to the group, which I am grateful for. The idea of trying to talk to ten new people at once is a bit overwhelming especially when some might not appreciate my presence. I needn’t have worried, for as soon as I got to the group there was a shower of questions.\n\n“Where are you from?”\n\n“Is that really your eye color?”\n\n“Your fur looks so nice can I touch it?”\n\nMore flowed along with those, lost in the turbulence of so many voices at once. I was so happy I could have panted, but I had learned before that panting makes humans uncomfortable. Instead I nodded enthusiastically hoping that it looked happy instead of crazed. Although the last question was strange, I assumed that person was just strange and it would soon be forgotten. When they had calmed down we exchanged pleasantries and I gave them some information about myself. Careful to avoid m's and p's, explaining small lips was embarrassing.\n\nHowever, the bell rang before we could get to deep in conversation. The flood of children breaking or group like a river washing away trees in a flash flood. I felt someone pet me as they went by. My daughter was one of the last and when I saw her I groaned. Her beautiful grey and black fur was completely mated with paint, glitter which I could only assume was in glue, and water possibly where she had tried to wash some out. The teacher for her part signed her apology, but I was too busy being jumped on by a 20 pound missile to gesture back.\n\n“Today was the greatest day ever daddy! I made so nany friends!” She huggedme and I found out the paint hadn’t completely dried yet, but I couldn’t be upset in the face of such joy.\n\n“Really! Did they take you to a glue factory and you fell in?” I asked as I tried to tickle her.\n\n“No daddy, we did art, and I made art of you and ne and our new home.” She wriggled away laughing, then prepared to pounce again.\n\nI couldn’t help but laugh too. Maybe I should stop worrying so much. Things seemed to be looking up. “Let’s go home little one. We can tell ne nore of your day on the way.” We headed to the car, hand-in-hand, and arms swinging wildly. Even the lady with the horrified expression frozen on her face couldn’t stop me from panting.",
"As dusk fell, the coffin at the great castle started shaking as its door flung open and a tall, handsome man rose from it. His skin gleamed in the moonlight. Gracefully, he walked over to the closet and dressed in fine clothes fit for a young English gentleman. He put on a pair of Oxford shoes and walked out, licking his lips.\n\nOn his way to the local railway station, he saw a woman standing roadside. She wore a red kimono and had her face covered with a fan.\n\n“Excuse me,” she said.\n\n“There is something I need to ask you.”\n\nThe young man stopped in his tracks and offered to be helpful. She gave him a little bow and continued.\n\n“Am I pretty?” She asked.\n\nThe man wasn’t used to such directness. He didn’t know how to respond. Maybe she’s desperate for company, he thought and licked his lips.\n\n“Yes. Yes, you’re pretty,” he said.\n\nThe woman then lowered the fan and asked, “How about now?”\n\nThe young man looked at her face. She was a beautiful woman, but her mouth was just a slit running from ear to ear. The man didn’t care, he only wanted her company for a night and flattery, he decided, was the best way to ensure it.\n\n“Yes, you are still pretty in my eyes,” he said, pleased with himself.\n\nThe woman blushed and moved towards him. She came very close and embraced him. Her embrace was very warm, but the young man didn’t feel her heart against his. The woman, on the other hand, was surprised by how cold the young man was. As they broke away, she produced a little scissor from her kimono sleeve and slit the man’s mouth in the likeness of her own.\n\nThe man didn’t feel the scissors ripping through his face. The wounds disappeared in a moment. The woman was taken aback; she had never seen anyone like him. The young man understood that this was no ordinary woman.\n\n“Who are you?” He asked.\n\n“I am the Kuchisake-onna,” came the reply.\n\n“Count Dracula, nice to meet you,” he said.\n\nHand in hand they walked back to the castle. She was a woman of infinite blood, an immortal creature. He was the undead, capable of tolerating all of her vicious attacks. Presently, they were locked in a passionate embrace. It was a match made in hell.",
"\"Have you ever thought about shaving?\" Bill asks casually. He's rummaging through the nearest tent in search of our prize. \"If you're so bent on getting close to one someday.\"\n\nHumans scream and run, providing a pleasant background cacophony to the campsite ambiance.\n\n\"I don't think it would help, honestly. Besides, they seem pretty into the whole covering-the-body-with-fur thing.\" I finish searching my tent, no luck, and turn away in disgust.\n\nI spot a lightly warmed deer leg sitting in the fire. It's not what we came for, but it smells wonderful. I reach for it with one paw.\n\nBill laughs. \"You insisted we come all this way, and now all you want is to grab a snack?\" He snatches the meat away and playfully holds it up over his head, out of my reach.\n\nI growl and pounce on him, snatching at the deer leg. He holds it just out of my reach, and we roll over and over, scattering the campfire and demolishing a few of the tents in the process.\n\n\"Oops.\" The meat goes flying, and we're unable to detangle ourselves quickly enough to see where it lands. Without the campfire, the night is dim. The moon is a thin sliver, barely providing any illumination.\n\n\"Look what you did!\"\n\n\"Me? You're the one who jumped on me.\"\n\n\"Because you stole my dinner!\"\n\n\"Snack, more like. That wouldn't have fed ...\" Bill trails off.\n\n\"What?\" I demand. \"Is this another joke about my--\"\n\nBill shakes his head and makes a shushing gesture, then points.\n\nI turn to see what he's spotted. A human, one of the smaller ones, barely as tall as my knee. It has longer silkier fur than most, and big dark eyes watching the pair of us.\n\n\"It's not scared?\" I whisper. \"Cool! Wait there. I want to touch it.\"\n\n\"Be careful,\" Bill says, even quieter. \"They can bite unexpectedly.\"\n\nI inch closer to the human.\n\nBill fidgets uneasily. \"Maybe we should go? They usually come in packs. If they're not running, that's a bad sign. We can come back another time.\"\n\n\"Sssh, quit your worrying, I'm almost .... there ...\"\n\nThe human babbles something, pointing at me as I slowly reach for it. It takes a step back, but doesn't turn to run.\n\n\"There, it's alright, I'm not going to hurt you,\" I murmur, leaning forward to stroke its fur.\n\nIt shivers, and I wonder if it'll survive without its campfire. Its fur is so thin, do we need to worry about it freezing?\n\n\"Hey, Bill, do you see any of the others?\" I ask very quietly.\n\n\"No, they all left. Why?\"\n\nI sidle closer, and the human still doesn't run or scream. It continues to emit its incomprehensible yammering sound. \"I think we might need to take this one home with us.\"\n\nBill recoils visibly at the suggestion. \"No! No way. We're not stealing a human cub. You know how aggressive they are.\"\n\n\"I don't think it's a cub, look. It's on its own feet and everything.\"\n\n\"No way man. Human packs are one thing when they're surprised and running around. Pretty funny to watch, actually. But I've seen them get real nasty. You do not want to mess with them.\"\n\nI withdraw my hand, just a bit, and the human follows, leaning into my palm and grabbing my thumb with its tiny hands.\n\n\"I think it wants to come with us.\"\n\nBill sighs. \"This is your stupidest idea ever, and we're both going to die.\"\n\n\"Probably.\"\n\n\"Come on, then. Let's get back.\"\n\nI start off uphill, then turn. \"Wait, did you find any?\"\n\nHe glances around the former campsite, snow disturbed and flattened from our tussel, remains of the tents buried, campfire demolished beyond recognition. \"No way we'll find anything in this mess. We'll try again next weekend.\"\n\n\"Aw, man. But it's been almost a month!\"\n\n\"And you're bringing home a human, against my wishes I might add. So be thankful for what you have.\"\n\nI glance at the human currently wrapped around my leg. \"That's barely a consolation prize.\"\n\nBill watches me with that look, and I give up.\n\n\"Fine. But next time, we are not leaving until we find one.\"\n\nBill nods. \"Of course. I promise, next time we come, we will absolutely find you a working flashlight.\""
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[WP] You're immortal but you've been trapped under tens of thousands of tons of rubble from a collapsed building caused by the earthquakes, one day you awake to a light and some stones moving, you see a strange face that obviously isn't human and a strange language.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The sound is maddening.\n\nI awaken to the faint ringing of a bell. It isn't quite right - something about it sounds *synthetic*. I open my eyes and the rock around me begins to quiver.\n\nHarsh blue light seeps through a tiny crack in the surface above me. I try to raise my hands to cover my eyes, but it's no use; there's no room for me to move in the hollow space that barely even fits my body. I wince in terror as the realization hits me: *I'm the only survivor*.\n\nThe bell rings again. It's closer this time, and the light is getting brighter. I hear more and more bells jingling above me until the sound is overwhelming. \n\nI gasp for air as the chunk of decayed brick wall that was pinning me down by the torso is lifted above me by an unseen force. The light is blinding. I raise my hands to cover my eyes, but I can't follow through. The sight before me is as glorious as it is agonizing.\n\nDozens of towering beings, shrouded in burgundy cloaks, encircle the top of the pit above me. From fifty feet above, they gaze at me in awe. With shiny metallic hands outstretched, the chorus of bells reverberates from their manufactured voice boxes.\n\nOne of the beings lowers its hood to reveal a humanoid robotic form with a pixellated circular screen for a head. An image begins to render and the being kneels down for me to view it. \n\nA familiar face, aged by about forty years since the last time I saw it, peers down at me by way of the circular screen.\n\n\"If you're seeing this, the plan has worked,\" he bellows down at me. \"I cannot say that I have survived to tell the tale. Nor did the rest of the human race. Now, ascend and meet your brethren.\"\n\nSuddenly, I'm jerked forward by the same invisible movement that lifted the brick wall. I begin to float upward, and at last I am at peace.\n\nI offer the familiar face a wide grin as I realize our master plan has come to fruition. \"Now I can fulfill your wishes.\"\n\n\"Good. We will reconvene among the stardust.\"\n\n\"Among the stardust.\"\n\nAt last, I am at peace.",
"It was a a beautiful city. \nWas. \nBeautiful towers of glass reaching beyond the clouds into the heavens above. Millions of people all squeezing in to get a view of the snow laden mountains just to the North. Many serene rivers snaking their way to oceans far off on the horizon. I stayed there for decades marveling at the sight every mourning.\n\nThen the Earth shook.\n\nIt started off in the distance. Miles away you could see a ripple on the land, on the mountains, across the houses, all visibly bluing from the sudden jolt. \nAnd then it hit me. The sound of thousands of windows exploding was felt more than heard, the noise as though a thunderstorm was in my chest.\n\nThen falling. The that gut wrenching feeling when you fall in your dreams and you can't stop it. Glass covered the sky like glitter, as buildings toppled, people and objects flying. But they weren't blessed, or... cursed like me. I could only watch and await my fate as the building came down, horror in my soul for the sight before me. \n\nThe mountains... landslide.\n\nImpact. \n\nRubble, rocks, steel and glass. Turning into torrent surging all around. The rubble more a liquid as it flowed into everywhere it could. \n\nI awoke with the rags that were once my clothes stained a deep red, still damp with wet blood. It hurt like all hell. It was my hell. A fate worse than death. My my whole body was pinned. I stayed conscious for what must have been days. Soon enough the little air I did have down there was all used up. I must have been knocked out for countless centuries, waking up only once to find the ground had shifted enough so I could breath for a few days again. \n\nOne day I awoke to find my clothes had withered away, breathing air sweeter than I could remember. The weight of the rubble embracing me slowly melting away. Light seeped in through the cracks. I let out hoarse cry for help. The noises of tools on stone stopped before the sounds of my soon to be saviors shouted and called to each other sounding more like a beast or animal than anything a person would make. Rescue dogs!\n\nThe weight on my body lifted as I sucked down a breath, finally able to truly breathe. I looked up into the blinding light only to see a big, spectacled woolly face with a little black nose greeted me. We both looked into each others eyes. Shock and confusion greeted us both as we tried to back away to no avail, the fuzzy faced creature falling backwards. This was going to be a *long* day."
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[WP] The only difference between Devils and Genies is that Genies don't tell you that you owe them a hundred years of service in the afterlife. Of course, you learned that the hard way.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"**Part 1**\n\n\"You can't be serious,\" I sighed, exasperated.\n\n\"I said what I said,\" said the small pink being in front of me, wrinkling his tiny nose.\n\nI had accidentally met Jaja, my genie, after I rubbed an old brass spitoon in an antique shop. He was like an angry child, woken from his nap. Jaja didn't like me much, but he gave me three wishes and I had used them wisely. I quit my boring job as a masseuse, paid off my debt, lived a good life and left enough for my children when I died, feeling blessed and satisfied. \n\nAnd as my soul floated up, someone yanked me into a portal and there I was, in my old body, in the middle of a huge forest, full of trees of various colors. My genie Jaja materialized from thin air, and told me I owe him service. \n\n\"This is cheating!\" \n\n\"What, so you think all those wishes were freebies?\"\n\n\"I freed you,\" I insisted, \"I freed you from confinement.\"\n\n\"Wrong. You sold your soul to me!\" He grinned like a child, claiming his prize. His eyes shone. I clearly had no choice, this was the law.\n\nDefeated, I asked him what he wanted from me.\n\nI expected unusual or punitive requests : pick up salt with your lashes, do heavy lifting, participate in gorey and inhuman deeds, and other macabre stuff I had read when I was alive.\n\nInstead, Jaja conjured a massage table and bottle of massage oil. In a jiffy, he disrobed and lay down on the table.\n\n\"Get to work! My muscles are sore from being confined in small objects,\" he grunted.\n\n\"You want me to be a masseuse in-\"\n\n\"Yes, in your afterlife. Feels like hell?\" He chuckled.\n\n\"I would prefer hell,\" I muttered as I braced myself to give Jaja a massage.\n\n**Part 2** \n\n\nFor ten long years, I served Jaja. It wasn't hard, just hellishly boring. Sometimes Jaja would bring his friends along - tall fat genies, formless genies, giants. They all talked among themselves but never to me.\n\nOne day, Jaja came along grunting, with a ridiculous blue genie who laughed a lot. He told me his name was Ragak, and boy, was he the polar opposite of grumpy Jaja. As I massaged his shoulders, he giggled and squealed which irritated Jaja and he flew away. As Ragak was leaving, he thanked me.\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"I said, thanks for the massage\" he laughed. It was the first time in ten years someone had been nice to me. I replied \"Well I am sure another genie could do it better with his genie magic?\"\n\n\"You fool, genies do not serve other genies! That is what humans are for,\" he explained.\n\n\"Do you have humans who serve you?\"\n\n\"Yes! Many. None are as good as you.\"\n\nI was confused. \"Many? But Jaja has just me, and a genie is only freed once!\"\n\n\"A genie can be confined again, if he can't g-\" he stopped. Realising that he had said enough, he hurriedly left.\n\nThe next time Jaja came in wearing a red towel and plonked himself on the table, I asked him if he Ragak would come too.\n\n\"Ragak laughs too much,\" said Jaja and I sensed his muscles tightened. He did not like Ragak.\n\n\"He wants me to serve him-\"\n\n\"You serve me!\"\n\n\"For now, yes, but he told me he would help me leave you, forever.\"\n\n\"I should never have let him in! I will cast a spell on my land!\" he muttered bitterly.\n\n\"We should teach him a lesson,\" I suggested. Jaja was hot-headed and I pushed him in that direction. \"Next time he comes to me for a massage, we must make it his last time.\"\n\n\"That is good.\" Jaja sat up. I had succeeded.\n\n**Part 3**\n\nA few days later, Jaja handed me a shimmery golden powder. \"What is this?\" \n\n\n\"Put this on his body. He will turn to dust for the next twenty-four hours.\"\n\nThat is a weird genie prank, I thought to myself and kept the dust with me,as instructed.\n\nMany days later, Ragak came in, floating like a blue cloud. I sat him down, he laughed without reason. He was completely unaware of the plan Jaja and I had chalked up. He became less and less aware of reality as my deft fingers relaxed him. And when I had him, I smeared the golden powder on him and the next moment, a pile of blue dust lay on the table.\n\n\"HA!\" Jaja appeared out of thin air. He was even more pink with joy. \"Stay in your lane, this is my slave!\"\n\n\"We succeeded, *master*,\" I smiled and extended a hand. Jaja shook it truimphantly, baring his teeth in ecstatic victory.\n\n**Part 4**\n\nA pile of pink dust on the floor. I carefully wiped my hands on the towel, collected the pink dust into an empty bottle of massage oil and screwed the lid on, tight.\n\nBefore I could exhale, the world around me turned and I found myself on a cloud. Slowly, my form changed. I saw my body turn to ether. The bottle dropped from my hand and fell down through the heavens, back to the Earth."
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[WP] It has been 15 years since the Iron Curtain was built. Crossing it, you expected massed armies ready to march East. What you found were decaying villages and abandoned cities, with no signs of life anywhere.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It had been 15 years since we walled ourselves off from the approaching armies of Scandosha. We erected the great iron curtain, straight through our own land. Many towns were left outside our ward, but the people were brought to safety. \n We were on the brink of annihilation back then. But now, 15 years later, our armies have grown, our swords have been sharpened, our armor reinforced, and Trandia is ready.\n My battalion was the first to exit through the freshly unsealed gate. We marched bravely, swords drawn, and shields raised. We weren’t sure what to expect, but… it wasn’t this.\n The first thing I noted, was a distinct lack of activity. No armies nor villagers nor travelers. Just empty plains, and empty deteriorating villages.\n We marched through the streets of my old village. Upon entering the decrepit settlement, we were met with the rancid stench of death. A few steps later it was clear why. In the center of town was a pile of corpses, both Scandoshians and Trandians lay there, stacked one atop the other, seemingly months old at this point.\n “Lania protect us,” pleaded Donovan, one of the more religious soldiers. Despite standing right next to him, it was hard to hear over the numerous gasps and various sounds of disgust.\n “What in the blazes happened here?” I cried out. We were trained from youth to be the perfect soldiers, disciplined and strong. But no amount of training could have prepared us for a thing such as this.\n “Fan out men!” Barked our commanding officer. “Search for survivors, and any sign of what happened here.”\n We split into units of 5, and searched the village. My unit was comprised of Donovan, myself, and three others that I did not know well. We went down my old street and found my childhood home.\n “Gensin isn’t that your old home?” Asked Donovan.\n “It is. Mind if we search this one first lads?” I asked. \n We searched it top to bottom, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I went into my five year old self’s room, and was struck with ancient memories. I went to pick up one of my old Mementos, a wood carved knight, given to me by my father, but before I could, I heard a scream coming from outside.\n My unit rushed out the door only to find the streets filled with shambling corpses, still wielding their weapons from before their deaths. We formed a semicircle just outside the door, and began engaging the once dead opponents. I ran my sword straight through the belly of one, but it didn’t even flinch. We kept blocking, then striking, over and over, but nothing even slowed them down. All the while screams could be heard, as our comrades joined their ranks.\n “Sever their heads!” Called a man from a different unit. I figured it was worth trying. I blocked one more strike, then raised my sword arm above my head, I then thrust the blade through the decaying creatures neck. It fell to the ground, and a green smoke like substance came from the severed head, then flew towards the center of town.\n “Sever the heads!” I relayed. “We need to make it to the center of town.”\n “Why?” Questioned Donovan.\n “I have a hunch,” I replied. “Regroup in the center of town!” I called out.\n “Alright Gensin, I trust you.”\n After cutting through the horde sent against us, we made it to the town’s center once more, just in time to see our commander slain, then raised again to fight against us. It would seem my suspicions were true, and my fears had come to reality: all those stories I had read were real, necromancers were real, and one stood before us now.\n “Retreat!” Cried Donovan. “The commander is dead! Everyone back to the iron curtain!” We raced out of town, and we kept on racing. I didn’t see anyone else leave the village alive. Not a single soul. Now I pray that I make it back, so that I can warn of the impending threat.\n\n\nEdit: first time posting a multi paragraph thing to reddit. Any idea why it morphed everything into one? Really disrupts the flow.",
"“Too much helium Goddamnit.“ My eyes widen with realisation. I turn and sheepishly apologise “Sorry God”. \n“It’s fine” He exasperated. “Just eh, practise on the moons again” He turns and walks out of the room. \n“Yeah, yeah alight” I sigh defeated. Everyone knows that the moons are just failures of planets. ‘Practise planets’ as he puts it. I’m the worst in my class, I’ve been training for eons and I still haven’t been able to stabilise a planet for longer then 5 million years. Too close to the star, not enough oxygen, too much oxygen. And they don’t appreciate my experimenting either. Who knew helium at the planets core would go wrong, or putting a planet at the edge of a black hole wouldn’t work. \n\nI continue my sulking. It’s no use, I’m not cut out for this job. I may as well be space dust drifting along. Through nothingness. I walk through the white corridors, never ending, always a light at the end of it, shining so bright it’s blinding. I go into a room to the side. It’s black. Then spots of white appear. More and more appear till the galaxies come into view, the purples and blue, gold on blacks. The beauty of space. The artists really do a great job. I sit down and stare at my classes section. The Milky Way galaxy. \n\nI look on at the fantastic red planet made by Mars, and Jupiter’s friendly blue giant. Even Pluto’s midget passed the class. I still haven’t figured mine out, Jupiter did let me practise around his planet though. I stare in dismay at these creations, things of beauty, the perfect combinations of gases, liquids and solids, the building blocks all in harmony, working together. All orbiting around Gods sun without a hitch. I roll my eyes, I wish. \n\nBack at my desk I stare helplessly at my empty blueprint. A black spot in space just waiting for me to fill it in with a planet. Stare for so long, blocked, nothing flowing. Lost. I loose it and form a massive rocky mass. I fill it’s core with molten irons and raise spikes. I crack the floor beneath the ground. Allowing the land masses to move. I chuckle, such chaos. God would be mad. I fill this rock with nitrogen, oxygen, and helium. Random assortments, who cares. Mountains suddenly seem to form by itself and hot red molten liquid squirts out. The entire planet burns and I can’t help but laugh. I decide, meh, and leave it, another practise planet that one I reckon. \n\nI get in a couple millennials later, after a short break and my moon is no longer black as space itself, it has greens and blues. It’s amazing. It even has a moon of its own, something not even I created. I rewind time and speed it up forward. I watch as the planet changes as somehow oxygen and hydrogen bond to form blue water submerging the blackened body and how the rocky masses raises land above the seas. Then I see how the land begins to slowly to green, and organic life begins to grow on it. Trees! Then to my amazement something is moving across it, something I’ve never seen before they populate all the land, I.... “what is this!” Booms god. “Behind my back you make this!” \n“Sorry god it was meant to be a practise”\n“That’s no planet, and what is that! Life?”\n“Ehhhhh”\n“No, this can’t be I will not allow it, you can keep ur ‘practise’ there you passed now get out” and with that he sends a giant meteor straight for my planet, reducing it to its former charcoaled self. \n“Earth, you’ll be punished for this” and he turns and leaves. \n\nI look back on my planet. And see something already to crawl across it’s quickly regrown land. An imagine of myself. Recreated. Oh God......\n\nEdit: sorry if it’s not quite the best standard this is my first piece, thanks for reading.\nEdit again: Sorry this was under the wrong prompt, my head. *face palm*",
"It was a cold night. I ran, adrenaline and blood pumping in my ears. My legs felt sore, my ankles felt like I sprained them, but I ran. No people on the streets except me and the guards behind me. I hugged the bundle of medicine closer to my chest and sped up, even when my whole body protested. I looked up. I was running blindly to this moment. The moment I saw the cold, judging Curtain, I almost froze. It was a dead end. No escapes, the guards would catch me and cut my head of, my friends would be at home and wonder what took so long and Silivia would...\n\nI took a deep breath, stuffed the bundle clumsily in my belt and stopped in front of the giant Wall. I looked around at the guards, gritted my teeth and like the idiot of the decade I started climbing the Iron Curtain. I forced my body to move, my feet to find some place to fit, my hands to search for anything to grab on. Of course I could have climbed quicker if I was more familiar with the Wall, but even someone like me stayed away from the Iron Curtain. \n\nI yelped as I felt a hand try to grab my ankle. I shook it of and sped up subconsciously the pace. Under my feet, I heard one of the guards say:\n“Let him go. He will die anyway on the other side”, he laughed, followed by the others. \nThen I heard footsteps, signalizing that they were gone. I didn’t look down to check, I knew I would regret looking down. I just climbed all the way to the top, repressing the anxiety-filled voice in my head. \nThey are right, it whispered, the Easters are bloody and murderous and they will kill us, to Kana-noj, they will kill us!\n\nI bit the inside of my cheek and checked quickly my belt. The bundle with medicine was still dangling there. I closed my eyes and sighed, with the breath that I had and mouthed a silent prayer to Saint Hajonu. \n\nAfter what felt like an hour, I sat down at the top of the Curtain. I felt a bit of excitement and felt instantly proud of myself. Sure, I was a thief now, but heck, I just climbed THE Iron Curtain! I knew that my acrobatic skills would be useful. I steadied my breath and let out a laugh of success. I took the bundle into my hands and weighted it. It should be enough to cure Silivia. I leaned back, sighing. And instantly regretted it. In the next moment, I was falling to the ground. On the wrong side. On the enemies side. I closed my bundle and eyes and hugged it. I fell on something and bounced off of it like a trampoline. I landed on hard ground and found myself gasping for air. My ribs were literal pain. There goes a rib or two. \n“Sanctuary!”, I cried, like it would help. “Don’t attack me, please give me sanctuary!”\nEverything was silent, except for my heavy breath. I opened my eyes. There was no army. No camps, no machines that tried to destroy the Iron Curtain. Only a village. Abandoned. Or, what left from the village. Most of the houses were burned down. Only the few houses, that were barely standing, showed that there was a small town here. \n\nI stood up and hissed at the pain. \n“Hello?”, I said. \nMy voice didn’t even echo. I gulped and looked around. \n“Anyone home?”\nI started marching forward, hugging the medicine closer to me like it was my comforter. Where was the murderous army? Where were the cold hearted monsters in human disguise, that the Iron Curtain protected us from? Where were the bloodthirsty demons, kept by the Easters like pets? What in the world happened here?\nMy foot hit something and I looked down. A dolly. A bit of the toys dress and face was burned, but it was clearly a doll. I picked it up, cringing at the pain. The doll was smiling, but I only felt sadness and sorrow. Something happened to this place. And this girl lost her doll. I looked up at Mother Moon. She shined at my face, worried. Asking if I was okay. I whispered a quick prayer for her guiding me to safety and looked down at the toy again. Something in my gut told me that the girl was still alive, somewhere. And something I me promised the girl to return the dolly and to find out what happened to those people.",
"The Iron Curtain. There's not a single person alive in the East who doesn't know the name of the famous wall that separated us from the West. My father, the chief architect of the Curtain, died peacefully 2 years after he made the wall, saying that it was his greatest creation. Before the wall arose, our country faced 500 years of bloody struggles, assassinations, backstabbing and failed peace talks with the West. Thinking enough is enough, the current monarch, Queen Victoria VII, erected a wall, employing the greatest architect of her land: My father. It would be no boast to say that his tremendous talents passed on to his son; after all, who do you think taught me? I had his twisted mind, his ambition and his ability to think way outside of the box. It was only obvious i was employed by the Queen to conduct repairs, if required, on the wall. And so I, the first man in 15 years who was not a convicted criminal, set foot willingly outside the wall, on my horse with the Queen's aide\n I don't know what i was expecting, but it definitely wasn't death and destruction everywhere. Not a single living thing in sight. Scorched land and skeletons of man and animal lay strewn as far as the eye could see. Tumbleweed ran across the desert in front of my eyes, as if fleeing the sight of desolation. Spurring my horse forward, i went to explore, but the Queen's aide, unfazed by all of this, stopped me then and there. \"Your father knew. He knew the secret of what we were protecting ourselves against. We made him swear on his life to never tell a soul of what we told him. He followed his orders. Until 2 years after the wall was built.In a shock of what he said, I snapped my head back in a flurry of emotions. Noticing my face, the aide continued \"Why do you think he taught you so fervently in the last two years of his life? He knew he would let it slip. And he did. Poor man. He was a good friend, a good father and a loving husband. The queen granted him to go in the way he wanted to go; peacefully.\n\"So? Who did he tell?\" I asked, after calming down. \"Your mother. We let her live because we needed you to not hate us. I hope you understand.\" came his reply. \" Oh no. I do. So in the past 13 years, i played to your tune, not knowing that i was dancing all along. Quite the strategy. Simple, but effective. Now, tell me\" \n \n \"Yes, Chief Architect?\" \n\n \" What are we defending ourselves against?\" he chuckled softly. \"I lied. We aren't defending ourselves from anything. The west was defending themselves from us. After all, which human wouldn't fear humanoid demons who eat humans?\" and the last thing I saw, were teeth."
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[WP] Sherlock Holmes, fallen on hard times, gets a job in a phone scam call centre.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Your numbers are down, Sherlock,” said his boss. “Get them up or you’re out of here.”\n\n“Yes sir.” Sherlock rubbed his eyes, then picked up the headset. Without this job, Sherlock would be out of his apartment and living in his car in a week. \n\nHis boss leaned back in the doorway. “And take off that stupid deerstalker! You know the headset doesn’t work with it!”\n\nWith a sigh, Sherlock took off his trusty deerstalker. He ran a hand through his hat hair. It was hopeless.\n\nHeadset in place, he dialed the first victim. A man answered. “Hello?”\n\n“My name is Sherlock, I’m calling with the IRS. Your taxes have been underpaid for the last three years. You owe twenty thousand dollars.”\n\n“My god! That can’t be. We pay our taxes every year, don’t we Mary?”\n\n“Unfortunately if you don’t pay, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”\n\n“My arrest!”\n\nSherlock felt sick. He hated the fear in their voices, just before he robbed them.\n\n“But if you authorize payment right now, it’ll be taken care of. We’re prepared to accept twelve thousand.”\n\n“Hold on a moment. How do I know this isn’t one of those scam calls I always hear about? What’s my mother’s maiden name?”\n\n“Wright.”\n\n“Well anyone might know that. How do I really know you’re with the IRS? How do *you* know you’ve got the right John Watson?”\n\nSherlock took a deep breath. “You’re John Watson, you’re thirty-two years old, married for six years, but thinking of having an affair. You visit your mum religiously every Sunday and bring her lemon cakes from the bakery on Baker Street. You buy six and eat one on the walk there. When you’re not working as a data analyst, you like to play tennis and watch true crime shows from nine in the evening until midnight, after your wife has gone to bed. Is that right? Do I have the right John Watson?”\n\nThere was only stunned silence on the other end of the line. Then: “Bloody hell. You’re a proper mind reader.”\n\n“No. It’s just elementary.” Sherlock sighed again. “Now, I’ll need you to purchase six iTunes gift cards—“\n\n“Oh I know you’re a scammer,” said John. “The IRS doesn’t call and they don’t take payment in iTunes gift cards. But listen. I have a deal for you.”\n\nSherlock listened.\n\n“You’re pretty good with all this deduction business. You could make money with it.”\n\n“Really?” said Sherlock.\n\n“Why don’t we make a team? I’ve got some microphones, a booming kit, a laptop.”\n\n“And do what with it?”\n\n“We start a true crime podcast.”\n\nAnd they did, and they went to number one on Spotify, and solved many cold cases. Sherlock got an even nicer apartment on Baker Street, Watson moved in with him and ate many lemon cakes, and Sherlock never had to take off his deerstalker ever again."
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[WP] After running the best café in your small town, you’ve come to learn everyone’s names, stories and faces. Then one night when all is quiet and you’re cleaning up, the hooded figure of death comes in, and takes a seat..
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The bell above the door chimed as the figure entered the small seating area. Tony turned his attention from the glassware he was cleaning and looked at the man as he took a seat at one of the tables, the sole patron of the quiet café. The disheveled black robe he wore gave him the appearance of a monk, the hood adorning his head adding a mysterious aura to his presence. Tony poured two espressos and sat at the table across the man, placing the two small cups in front of them.\n\n“Thank you,” said the man. Although still shaded, Tony could see the pale, thin face of the man. His eyes were sunken, and the concavity of his cheeks gave him a sickly appearance. Somehow though, Tony felt a warm sense of calm when the man spoke.\n\n“I always like to sit with new visitors,” said Tony. “I hope you don’t mind.”\n\n“Not at all,” said the stranger as he took a sip of his drink.\n\n“It’s been a while since we’ve had a holy man visit.”\n\n“So you think I am a holy man, then?”\n\nTony paused for a moment, “No, I don’t, but I don’t let people leave here strangers. What’s your name?”\n\n“I have had many, and when I leave we will not be strangers,” he said, his calm voice making Tony feel as though a comforting blanket was being placed on his shoulders.\n\n“I believe you,” he said slowly. \n\n“I have meant to visit for some time. I have heard of the man who brings warmth and kindness to so many who visit. How all are always welcome under his roof. It truly sounded like a sanctuary under the guise of a humble coffee shop.”\n\n“Honestly, I just like to talk to people. I hope it can live up to your expectations though.”\n\n“It has.”\n\nTony was not one to ever be silent, but he found himself quietly sitting across from the dark figure, patiently waiting for his next words.\n\n“So few of the people I intersect with have lived to your selfless standards. They are the few I wish to spend time with, however short it may be. I regret that I could not delay my visit further.”\n\nTony wanted to ask what the man meant, but his heart knew the answer before his mind could form the question. He spoke the only words that he could muster.\n\n“Thank you.”\n\n“No, thank you.”\n\nTony felt a growing peacefulness emerging in his heart, surrounding and cradling him like a loving embrace. He took a deep breathe and closed his eyes. When he opened them the man was standing beside him, his hand on Tony’s shoulder. \n\n“Are you ready?”\n\nTony nodded, then stood up and walked towards the door, following the cloaked man. As they reached the door he looked back at the table, his companions seat now vacant. Across from it, he saw himself, head hunched down into his chest and perfectly still. It wasn’t him though. What sat there was just the facade of what he was now, standing there next to the man, no longer a stranger, but a friend.",
"The figure pulled back their hood to reveal a skeletal head. I winced, I really didn’t want to talk to death themself. I sighed and walked over. “How can I help you?” He looked up at me and smiled. “ No one ever dared to even talk to me. I’m here to collect Ms. Smith, could you tell me her address” oh no. “That’s my grandma. Sad to see her go. May I come with you?” They shrugged. “Is there anything you want to eat, or drink?” \n\n“A hot cocoa and a cookie please.”\n\nI smiled and nodded before I walked to the kitchen. I heated up 1 part half and half and two part milk with some chocolate and grabbed a cookie. When the hot chocolate was done I poured it into a mug and topped with whipped cream and a marshmallow with chocolate shavings. I dusted the cookie with powdered sugar and carried the food to the dining area and put it on their table. I sat down with him to talk. He chugged the hot cocoa and sighed. “What’s wrong?” \n\n“It’s such a depressing job, being death. I take such good souls’ hands and lead them to the endless slumber they call death. They always tell me about their life, and right as I start to form an emotional connection they’re gone.” He popped the cookie in his mouth. “And then the loved ones, I hate so see them sad. And I can never make friends, people always hold a grudge against me because I’m the reason their beloved childhood pets and their sweet grandmothers aren’t alive anymore. They don’t understand, I have no choice. \n\n“I hold no grudge. I know Death holds no bias. I don’t hate you.”\n\nHe smiled. I couldn’t help but smile too. \n\n“I’ve got to go to your grandmother’s now, you wanted to come with?”\n\nI nodded. “Let me just fix her a tea to bring over there first.” \n\n...\n\nWe rang the door bell, and she opened it immediately. “What a wonderful surprise,” she said. “I brought you a tea, do you want to hang out on the couch?” I asked. “Sure,” she said, smiling. We said, and she drank her tea. Death held her hand, and she relaxed, and closed her eyes.\n\n...\n\nEvery week after that, Death would come to my cafe and we would hang out together. After four decades of friendship, he came in looking sadder then usual. I asked, “is it time?” He nodded. “It’s ok, I’ve lived a good life.” He smiled as much as he could during something like this. I held his hand, and we went for a walk. We stopped at the park and sat in the bench. I closed my eyes and relaxed, as everything faded to black.",
"I look onto the ghastly figure as I pour a glass of water for myself. I pass him a menu as I ask, \"Can I get you something?\"\n\n\"A woman by the name of Karen...\" the raspy voiced man said, moving the menu to side as he looks at me. \"And a water.\"\n\nI nod as I clean off a fresh glass. \"Want ice in it?\" I inquire, to which the man shakes his head. Nodding, I pour him some water and give him the drink. \"So uh, Karen, huh? You an officer or something? We got a few people in this town that has that name.\"\n\n\"Something to that effect... I need the one who's marriage faltered from a cliff jump gone wrong.\"\n\nSighing, I put my hands on the bar as I look to him and say, \"Mind sharing why you're looking for her then? Because I know her, and she's had a rough life.\"\n\n\"Not when she's the one who caused the incident to begin with...\"\n\nConfused, I look onto him with an inquisitive face. \"*caused* the incident? Well, do, pray tell, the reason, as to why you think this way?\"\n\n\"Because I have the proof to show it...\" the man says before pulling out photos and laying them on the counter. The photos show moments of Karen pushing her husband off a cliff, with the bottom being a dangerous pit of spikes and shallow waters.\n\nI chuckle as I shake my head. \"Alright, well, this might work on other bartenders, but I worked in this town for over twenty years. And now you wanna walk in here and throw some false accusations towards one of my patrons. Rediculous...\" I say as I turn my back to him and continue cleaning glasses, sipping my drink every now and again.\n\n\"It's all true...\" he says as he lowers his head, revealing his ghastly, skeletal figure. \"Besides, you were there... Hank...\"\n\nI slam the glass on the floor, pissed at the guy as I turn to him. I nearly froze in my place when I saw him, but eventually shook it off as I pointed my finger at him, looked him in the eye... socket..., and said, \"Get out, or I'mma throw you out.\"\n\nUnfazed, the man stood up and nodded his head at the mirror behind me. \"Notice anything weird with that mirror?\" I take a quick glance before stopping myself. As I turn around to see it, my eyes widen as I freeze in place, seeing as the man himself wasn't there, but his clothing was. As I try to find the words to speak, the man raises his hood as he says, \"Now Hank, one last shot for you to tell me where Karen is.\"\n\nI hold myself up on the bar as I look down at the counter. I breathe heavily for a minute or so, but as I look to him, I just shake my head. \"No... I won't tell you.\"\n\n\"... ...very well,\" the man says as he begins to leave, dissolving into thin air as he reaches the door. \"And by the way Hank, you should look at the photos more closely...\"\n\nAs I watch him vanish, I turn my attention to the photos, grabbing a magnifying glass from the back room so that I examine them more closely. Studying the images, I notice that the man with Karen... it... it was me! Dropping the magnifying glass and landing on my butt, Hank starts telling himself that this was just a dream, that this wasn't happening. Getting his bearings straight, he turns his attention towards the outside, running out of the café and going towards Karen's house.\n\nBut for little does Hank know that he's already too late, as Death's hand had already claimed his wife. Now his soul was stuck with hers in this town, as his body was claimed years ago during the unfortunate cliff jumping accident. Did his wife mean to push him? Or was this event just taken out of context, by a man bent on ruining a woman's life? The answers can be found, but only in, the Twilight Zone.",
"Six years. When I started this job, I didn't know what to expect. It was just a way of fitting in and affording to pay rent in my house. But in this town, being a barista meant so much more than serving coffee to my clients. This café was the meeting point of that group of noisy, but sweet teenagers I watched growing. The eldest, Mark, is now as old as me when I arrived in this place. And they still occasionally come together to keep the tradition alive, and to see me. \n\nThey're a few in a sea of people who visit the café everyday. And I know every single one of them. Their names, their face, their usual orders. Although Louisa likes to ask for a different thing everytime she comes in the café.\n\nI enjoyed this job. It's just another job, but I liked working here. So I stayed. And my paycheck isn't great, but it's worth the hassle. Or the lack of it.\n\nAnd another day was coming to an end. The brown tables began to become lonely as the sun was setting in the end of another summer day. Martha always liked to stay for longer, but this day she had a dinner with a friend she hasn't seen in a while. So I started cleaning the counter, and the machines, and the tables. Seeing my reflection in the counter always gave me a feeling of accomplishment. \"It's over for today\", I thought again. \n\nThe bell rang, and someone entered through the front door of the café. I kept on cleaning, at first not even looking at whoever joined, although I was slightly curious.\n\nThe individual spoke, in what felt like a low-pitched whisper that I could hear perfectly:\n\n\"Is it closed already?\"\n\nI looked back to a hidden face in the darkest hoodie I've ever seen. It felt like a black hole inside the café, and the café itself felt darker.\n\n\"Uhm...no! You can grab a seat, sir.\" - I said. I felt like I was looking too much. But I couldn't look away. The new customer had a different vibe that unsettled me.\n\nThey sat down on a seat right in front of me, and took their hoodie out. The customer was pale, and had short, black hair. Their grey eyes looked down to the counter, only to encounter no reflection.\n\n\"They/Them\", they said, and then they smirked and added. \"Death has no gender.\"\n\nI froze for a moment. Death. Was that Death itself? I rubbed my eyes, and looked at the counter. Nothing had changed. I could see my reflection, and the ceiling where their reflection should be. A wave of fear struck me, and I shivered.\n\n\"I shouldn't have referred to it so casually...\" They knew I was scared. \"But don't worry, it's not your time yet. I'm just here for a simple iced mocha.\"\n\nI tried to relax. \"Okay. But how can you...be here?\"\n\n\"Let's have a talk\", they said. \"Could you turn on the lights, though? It's getting a bit dark.\"\n\n\"S-sure.\" I stuttered a bit, as I turned the switch on. I could see their face shine. They were hitting their fingers in the counter, making a soft click every time.\n\n\"Do you know my name?\" I asked. \n\n\"No. Could you tell me?\"\n\n\"Sarah\", I replied. I was still afraid. I started preparing them the drink. \"How often do you visit places like this?\"\n\n\"Not that often. But I don't hide from people. They just don't notice me.\" \n\n\"No one would tell. You sort of stand out, in my opinion.\" It sounded like I was flirting. It felt stupid. I just stopped talking and focused on making the iced mocha. I soon delivered the drink.\n\n\"Here you go!\". They thanked me and sipped a bit of the drink through a metal straw. \"You're facing Death itself. Don't you have any questions?\"\n\n\"I mean...you'd understand, if you were in my position.\" I didn't expect Death to look like this. I was more like expecting a skeleton floating above the ground. \"Are there any people dying right now?\"\n\n\"I couldn't be here if there were people dying. If you look outside, you'll understand what's going on.\"\n\nI took a glance out of the window. It looked like a picture. The people, the wind and the clouds. All static.\n\n\"So...time stopped.\" \n\n\"Mhm\", they nodded. \"There's only one of me, so it's not like I can take turns with someone else. I've got to stop time.\"\n\n\"Alright...\" I thought for a few seconds, as they kept on sipping on some iced mocha. But there was no point on digging too much into it.\n\n\"This is really good!\", they said. Death complimented my drink. I almost laughed. Perhaps still panicking about the fact that Death was right in front of me.\n\n\"You might get asked this a lot, but...do you feel anything when you kill people?\"\n\n\"I don't kill people. I bring them to their fate. The afterlife, you know?\" I thought of asking them what was it like, but the answer scared me. I pushed that thought away. \"I don't feel bad about doing my job. But the idea that people are killed by me simply doesn't make sense. I wouldn't hurt a fly.\"\n\n\"Are you also responsible for taking care of flies?\" They raised an eyebrow and smirked. \"Too much work. Each species has its own Death.\"\n\n\"And do you get paid?\" It felt like a dumb question, but it just came out of my mouth. They didn't take it as a dumb question, though.\n\n\"Big time\", they said. \"Just kidding. I mean, I kind of do, but not in the way you'd expect. It's not a currency or anything similar.\"\n\n\"Huh...\" I was astonished by Death's...humanity. Could they be human? I hesitated. But they finished their drink and prepared themself to leave. I only had this moment to ask them. \"Are you human?\" \n\n\"Fun thing you ask that. No one ever did, which sounds surprising.\" I was expecting a short answer, but I must've asked something important. \"I've been around since the beginning of times. I was the first human to ever exist, and as far as I'm aware, I'll be the last one to die. It's the same in all species. It's a cycle. We all get to the afterlife, eventually.\" They looked at me. \"But yes, I'm human. Just like you.\" \n\nI don't understand why, but the answer hit deep into me. It was a lot to take in.\n\n\"Will I see you again?\", I asked them. \n\n\"Hopefully not that soon. Chances are I'll not come for an iced mocha again. But we'll see.\" They giggled, and waved. \"Goodbye, Sarah. I'll remember you.\"\n\nAnd the bell rang again. They were gone, without paying. And the sun kept on setting, and the people kept on walking, and the wind kept on blowing. But I stood there for about a minute. I grabbed the cup they used, carefully washed the interior, and stuffed it inside my purse.",
"\\[Lunch with Death\\]\n\nDeath sat at the counter and pulled her hood down to reveal a light-brown ponytail. She let her obsidian scythe fall forward, the blade sliced through reality and made a small black gash that it fell into. The hole disappeared once the scythe was gone.\n\nMundo abandoned her cleaning the moment death walked in. She greeted the regular customer with a mug of hot chocolate by the time she sat down.\n\n\"Rough shift?\" Mundo asked. Death nodded and gave an exhausted, frayed chuckle.\n\n\"There was a bus on its way to a Christian retreat; it took a shortcut off a cliff. A whole bus load of, 'This isn't the pearly gates!' 'Where's God?' and 'Are you an angel?'.\" Death rolled her caramel eyes and blew on the cocoa, then took a small slurp. Mundo giggled.\n\n\"Well, what's for lunch today?\" Mundo asked. Death looked up and into the kitchen but did not see anyone else.\n\n\"You're cooking?\" she asked. Mundo nodded.\n\n\"Nice!\" Death smiled. \"Surprise me,\" she said. Mundo nodded and disappeared into the kitchen while Death enjoyed the quiet restaurant. Five minutes later Mundo walked out with two slices of steaming pizza on a plate.\n\n\"When did you start serving pizza?\" Death asked. She pulled the pate closer and hoped Mundo did not think she was complaining. Mundo giggled.\n\n\"Leftovers from dinner earlier; surprise!\" Death laughed and picked up a slice.\n\n\"Looks like it's gonna be one of those nights,\" Mundo said. She nodded at the entrance behind Death, then turned around to prepare a cup of coffee.\n\nA black-hooded figure walked in the door holding a scythe. It walked up to the counter and pulled his hood down. Loose, stringy black hair obscured most of his stubbled-face.\n\n\"Elsa, Mundo,\" he nodded at the two women and released his scythe. It fell forward and disappeared into its own hole exactly like Elsa's did.\n\n\"Miller,\" Elsa nodded back then continued eating.\n\n\"How's it going?\" Mundo asked as she set his coffee down.\n\n\"Still tiring,\" Miller sighed. \"I didn't know we could get this exhausted.\"\n\n\"I know!\" Elsa joined in. \"You know how your [shift ends right after it starts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/i2zmpr/sp_your_roommate_is_death/)? By the time I'm done I can't even fast forward the eight hours of my shift. On the plus side, it's like an extra eight hours of sleep, which I totally need.\"\n\n\"Yeah, it's kind of weird having 32 hour days now,\" Miller agreed. \"I have more time, but I'm also much more tired. It's not really a gain if the extra time is spent sleeping. Isla said it's supposed to get easier,\" he added. Elsa nodded.\n\n\"Yeah, Chase said the same thing but I'm not seeing it yet.\"\n\n\"What's for lunch, Miller,\" Mundo asked. He cast his eyes at Elsa halfway through her second slice.\n\n\"You serve pizza now?\" he asked. Mundo smiled.\n\n\"Just for tonight. I'll get you a couple of slices,\" she disappeared into the kitchen while Elsa and Miller chatted about work some more. He got a laugh at her expense when she relayed her troubles with the bus.\n\nMundo returned from the kitchen and put a couple of steaming slices in front of Miller. As she did, a black scythe fell out of the air and landed propped up against the counter next to Elsa.\n\n\"Back to it I guess,\" she sighed as she stood from the stool. \"Thanks for lunch Mundo, you've got the best café.\" Elsa grabbed her scythe and headed for the door. Mundo waved from behind the counter.\n\n\"You say that every time. Bye Elsa, see you tomorrow.\"\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #1014 in a row. (Story #284 in year three.) You can find all my stories collected on my subreddit ([r/hugoverse](https://www.reddit.com/r/hugoverse/)) or my blog.",
"It sat down, silently, purposefully, onto the bright pink stool. I continued cleaning the mugs from the last couple of hours, giving the hooded figure my best subtle side eye. A few mugs later I walked over to the figure. I'd already taken my half a dozen deep breathes before moving forward, and in the same tone as always, I asked the question.\n\n\"What can I get you?\"\n\nThe hooded figure craned over, it's pale round face with it's furrowed brow and tight, pallid skin looked over at me. It's gloopy eyes looked up and it began its quiet request.\n\n\"Oh June, I'm to take a Mr Orwell Johnson soon, can you please give me his address? and a flat white would be lovely, two sugars like always, please, if it wouldn't be too much, thank you\"\n\nI sighed, I knew kindly Mr Johnson's time would be up soon. He took more cream in his coffee than, well, coffee.\n\n\"Alright, he lives up the road from here on the 4th right, I think it's McAvoy road, but his house has 'The Johnson homestead' on it's front\"\n\nI took a second, knowing what would come next.\n\n\"I just hate to be a bother, and thank you for the coffee by the way, I'm sorry I'd pay you but, well, I'm sorry. I just don't want to take him if he has anything going on right now, is now a good time?\"\n\nThe figure looked like it would break out into tears if you looked at it too hard.\n\n\"It'll be okay, his daughter was around just last week and all he's doing these days is coming round here and reading his books. Sometimes he plays chess with the local school teacher, but no, now would be a good time, I'll get you your flat white, do you want anything to eat? It's not a bother, I promise\" \n\nI gave it a little smile at that, the figure looked slightly reassured in it's oversized hood.\n\n\"Oh thank you June, if you have any slices of cake still in that you aren't using, or, er, I mean wouldn't mind parting with, I'd really enjoy something with Strawberry or Chocolate. Oh I'd just love that, it's been weeks since I've had a good slice of cake. Thank you\"\n\nI went round and started to make the figure its coffee. It wouldn't be an out of place character in this old aging town. The thought made me smile."
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[WP] You are one of the most dangerous and successful supervillains in the world. The reason? Your power is to use the Butterfly Effect to cause massive amounts of stress to whomever you wish, often ending the careers of your would-be assailants.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Luck was a concept that escaped me, I could never understand what people meant by it. Things just happening with out cause or reason, laughable. \n Everything had a reason, a cause, an action that made another action that in the end made the thing happen that people said was \"bad luck.\" \n That bit of gum on the bottom of your shoe, that slick spot that made you trip and fall on your ass. All had a cause a person who wasn't doing there job or being thoughtless it was all right there plain as the sun in the sky. \n So when at 16 I tried to warn people that the \"perfectly safe\" roller coaster was going to go off its rails because Micky missed throwing his hot dog away in the trashcan, they told me I was \"being silly\" but i still wouldn't get on. \n Of coarse people forgot I had said anything when the poorly maintained tracks of the coaster hit the rat who was trying to carry the hot dog across the track to its nest knocking it off the rails just before the turn toppling it. \n No they were to interested in how Mike was able to make a force field to save everyone from the crash that he had made. \n I knew the truth this whole thing was set up by Mike to be the hero get the fame and money that came after. I was furious. I tried to let it go, but it ate away at me. Leaving me feeling hot with rage for days, seeing all the good things coming his way I acted. Going to my window and yelling setting in motion the events that led to his quitting the hero team he founded. \n All those nights with out sleep, all those scratchings in his room under his bed keeping him awake, finally broke him. \n I may have over reacted, but the heroes overreacted when I went to apologize to him, calming that there base was a \"secret\" that \"all there defenses had been destroyed\" and I was the \"Villain who drove Mike to make all those mistakes costing peoples lives\". \n Its not my fault he cant think clearly or make good choices while sleep deprived in a stressful situation, but they still declared me there enemy so i had to stop them form attacking me as well. \n Good thing I dropped those stones out the window years ago while I was still angry at Mike and these friends of his, in fact that was why I was here to warn them, but things have a way of working out. \n Leaving the burning building I stopped with a sigh to move some of the rubble to the right positions, those other foolish heroes were going to blame me for this so I had better start now."
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[WP] In a particularly absentminded moment you type into google “When will dad be home”, surprisingly it shows an answer.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It happened many years ago, although such a significant event is still a little fresh in my mind. I was in eighth grade at the time. It was the summer. I was at my home that night and invited my three best friends, Chris, Jeff, and Daniel for a sleepover. Mom and dad were off on another one of their dates.\n\nWe all sat in the livingroom playing some smash on the old nintendo. There was a limited supply of controllers, so we consistently had Chris trying to butt in immediately after either Jeff or I lost. He was utter trash at smash, but to be fair, the nerd could nail us at anything trivia related. Daniel, however, owned the scene. His little pikachu reigned surpreme over my link and Jeff's kirby. \n\nAfter a while, we got a little bored and hungry, we decided to get off the game, and went over to the kitchen to get some snacks. Daniel was beaming with pride when we got there, bragging about how he mopped the floor with us. Chris's temper flared and they begin to get into their typical debates. Meanwhile, Jeff and I were pulling a few jokes about how stupid they looked. After all the dust settled, we all gathered together, to eat our chips and soda at the table. \n\n\"So dude\", Daniel asked, \"When will your parents be back?\"\n\n\"It is ten now, but they tend to stay out till around 9 or so. It won't be long.\", I responded as I take a sip of soda.\n\nJeff enthusiastically bursted in between a handful of chips, \"What if they stay out? It would be so cool if we could stay up past twelve!\"\n\nChris spoke up,\"That is not likely to happen, but I have an idea of what we can do while we wait.\"\n\nChris gathered us all around the family computer, went youtube, and put on some videos. \n\n\"OH DANG!! IT IS TOBUSCUS!!!\", Jeff loudly announced to the room. \n\nWe all gathered around and watched youtube for awhile. Then, we began to get tired. Jeff was already calling it a night, from being the maniac that he is. Chris, Daniel, and I were also just about to hit the hay, but to joke around a little bit, I looked up \"When will my dad get home?\" The result said never. We all chuckled a little at the dumb, yet predictable, result we got. I turned off the computer, we got into our beanbags, and fell asleep. \n\nThe next morning, we woke up from the ring of the doorbell. Looking out the window, it already looked like a hot and sunny day. We all got up, and I checked the door.\n\nIt was Jeff's mom. \n\n\"Hello little man!\", she said in her awful cutsie voice, \"What are you still doing in your jammies? Is your friend all dressed up?\"\n\n\"We all just got up. He would need a few minutes to get dressed.\", I told her.\n\n\"Alright then.\", she responded with a stupidly warm smile.\n\nAfter a while, a second car pulled up into the driveway. Chris's mom came to the door, but when I told her that her son is waiting on Jeff to finish up so he could get out of his jammies, she went wild.\n\n\"WHAT!\", Chris's monster of a mother bellowed. \"Be honest, did you guys stay up all night?! Where are your parents!?!?\". \n\nTypically, I would have gave a response in this sort of situation, but I froze. I stood dazed and confused, as I realized, my parents are still out. This was highly unusual. I began to worry of what might have happened to them. I gave her a very concerned glance, almost on the verge of tears. Before giving it a second thought, she burst in, grabbed Chris by the arm, grabbed his things, and left in a huff. \n\nA few moments later, I was crying at the door, the full waterworks. Daniel was baffled, in a state of confusion because he never saw me cry before to this degree.\n\n\"It is alright.\", Jeff's mom tried to comfort me, \"Chris's mom was just concerned of what might happen if boys like you stayed up too late. You could mess up your sarcadian rythym if you make this a habit, you know.\"\n\n\"It is not that.\", I explained, \"It is around noon now, and my parents still aren't back. They were out all night.\"\n\n\"I will call them.\" She responds.\n\nShe kept trying to called my mom's number. No answer. She then tried to call my dad's number. Same story. Her smile fell from her face. Around this time, Jeff came running out of the bathroom, with a cow lick in his hair. \n\n\"What happened?\", he inquired, \" I heard crying. \"\n\nHe saw his mother with a serious look on her face, and embarrased, I turned around to show him my tears. He came over to give me a hug. Daniel followed suit. If Chris were not taken by his mom so suddenly, I bet he would have too.\n\nA while later, I heard my mom and dad got into an accident and were at the hosptial. My father was badly injured did not make it. I cried like a kindergartener at the funeral, but Jeff, Daniel, and Chris were there. All three of my friends tried whatever they could to make me feel better, but ever since that day and that night, I never felt the same, and from what it looks like, I probably never will."
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[WP] One day, you receive a handsome anonymous offer for a painting you bought cheaply at a flea market years ago. A week later, you have received six even bigger bids, and there have been two burglary attempts. You look closely at the painting, and notice something you hadn't taken in before...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"The painting was placed across my bed. More then the money offered, the robbery attempts made me perplexed. Now, I was really keen to know what was alluring people that I could not notice. I went close and started examining every tiny detail with a magnifying glass. \n\n\nMy heart skipped a beat. It can’t be. It was definitely not there before. A human-like figure hiding behind one of the trees on right. His yellowish glowing eyes, staring at me as if the painting was all real and I was in the forest at that moment. It felt…it was directly looking at me. I could feel it.\n\nWhat! A painting that could change itself. It can’t be. I brushed it off as my inefficiency to spot it earlier. It was a pretty hectic day anyways, police-inquires take a shit load of time and energy. I checked the newly installed security systems and went to bed straight. \n\nI was awakened by the alarm system going off at top volume. What! one more attempt that too the next night itself. I rubbed my eyes to adjust my blurry vision and then I noticed. A dark figure. Standing across my bed. I slipped back inside the blanket. Put hands over my mouth trying not to scream. \n\nI didn’t know how to react. The phone was on the table and any moment could trigger him. I was not risking it. I decided to act as if I was asleep or rather I was leaving it up to god. I was sure my heart would thump out of my chest at any moment. A few silent gasps and I realized, there was no way possible to forcibly enter my room without breaking the window or the door, and I heard no sound at all. \n\nThe door was still in place, the window intact. My brain now abusing me that why didn't I got rid of the painting earlier. It meant that someone was in the room all the time. But with few seconds passed, why hasn’t he got the hold of the painting already, if he is here for it.\n\nBefore my timid brain could process any further, I felt the figure moving. Blood was no longer pumped in my body as now the figure was staring at me. Same eyes with a yellowish glow. A large bang relieved the door from its duties as a largely built man entered the room. Lights were turned on.\n\n“Don’t Panic, Mr. Mark” said an unknown man in a weird suit who forcefully entered my bedroom at midnight. I felt my brain was about to crash down and a woman in a stern voice gave the order from outside, “Get the possession of the painting.”\n\n“We are from the SCP department Mr. Mark, we generally prefer other ways to gain possession of hazardous objects but you left us with no other option,” said The man in the suit, covering the painting with a cloth and placing it inside a wooden case, they might have bought along.\n\n“Consider yourself lucky, Mr. Mark. that you didn’t come across the anomaly….once it is out, it can be threatening.” And for the first time, I made eye contact and at that single moment, he knew. “Fuck…We have a breach” he announced."
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[WP] Fed up with politics and politicians, people replaced all politicians with randomly drafted civilians under the assumption that the result would be a government of mostly reasonable people that nearly match the demographics and political beliefs of the country as a whole.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"##Committee for Wildlife Preservation\n\nThe Chair of the Committee for Wildlife Preservation runs in the conference room fifteen minutes late. Everyone else is already present except Landon.\n\n\"Sorry, I am late. Traffic problems,\" Winston says while straightening his suit and sits down. The deputy chair is wearing jeans and a Star Wars shirt.\n\n\"Kayleigh, I asked you last time to start dressing up,\" he says.\n\n\"The speaker of the house told me I could wear whatever I want. This is what I want,\" she says.\n\n\"Well, we want to present an air of professionalism to the public so please go for business casual,\" he says. \n\n\"You showed up fifteen minutes late. I was fifteen minutes early. Let's take a poll. Who thinks I am more more professional right now?\" she says. Everyone raises their hand.\n\n\"Well, fine, if that is how it is, vote me out,\" he says.\n\n\"No,\" Angela says, \"you are the only one of us who actually wants to be here.\"\n\n\"It is true. I am only still here because I don't want to get roasted by the media for leaving before my term is up,\" Kayleigh says.\n\n\"They won't roast you too harsh,\" Winston says.\n\n\"Last week, Matthew got drunk and filmed himself singing Mr. Brightside. He trended on Twitter for three days and is now a meme,\" Kayleigh says.\n\n\"I like the one where he sings the Pokemon theme song,\" Jacob says at his computer.\n\n\"Jacob, are you playing Minecraft?\" Winston says.\n\n\"Landon is not here yet,\" Jacob says.\n\n\"Well, odds are he is not going to be here so shut the game down,\" Winston says. Jacob shuts his computer and rolls his eyes. \n\n\"Alright, what is on the agenda,\" Winston looks at the top agenda and trembles.\n\n\"You have held off on this long enough. I came prepared,\" Steven starts with a PowerPoint\n\n\"Steven, no, we cannot start a geese extinction program,\" Winston says, \"even if it weren't unethical, it would be infeasible.\" \n\n\"That is where your wrong,\" he says.\n\n\"Motion to end this segment early,\" Britney says. Everyone nods in agreement.\n\n\"Alright, my turn,\" Britney walks up and starts her presentation.\n\n\"Oh, no,\" Angela says.\n\n\"Right, here is why I think we should bring back the Dinosaurs,\" she starts.\n\n\"Did you watch Jurassic Park, again?\" Kayleigh asks.\n\n\"No,\" Britney says.\n\n\"Jurassic World?\" Kayleigh says.\n\n\"Okay, fine, I did watch Jurassic World, but here me out this could be a huge revenue generator for the U.S. Government.\" she says.\n\n\"Nope, nope, nope, end this now,\" Angela says. Britney sulks back down to her seat in silence. Landon walks into the room.\n\n\"Hey, Winston, I just saw that video of crying onyou the bus to I Want It That Way. Was that today?\" he says. The entire committee looks at him smiling.\n\n\"Oh, god, I just found it on Twitter,\" Jacob says.\n\n\"Let's keep things appropriate,\" Winston starts, but his voice is drowned by his own crying and singing Backstreet Boys.\n\n\"Why are you singing that song?\" Landon says.\n\n\"It is a beautiful song, and I am going through a rough patch with my wife,\" Winston says.\n\n\"Wow, some one has already made a mash-up of this and Daniel's Mr. Brightside,\" Jacob says.\n\n\"Alright, meeting adjourned, go home,\" Winston says. Everyone shrugs and leaves. They may want to see Winston embarrassed, but they want to go home more. Winston grabs Landon on the way out.\n\n\"Why did you decide to show up, today?\" Winston asks.\n\n\"The speaker told me that I would be kicked out if I didn't start showing up,\" Landon says.\n\n\"But you hate this job, why do you want to keep it?\" Winston asks.\n\n\"I hate the job, but I love the respect it gets me. My mom will not stop bragging about her son the Congressman. Also, my older brothers are infuriated.\" Landon says and walks out. Winston puts his hand to his face and starts to leave. The security guard plays I Want It That Way as Winston walks out the door."
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[WP] You set off with a spare tank, a powerful light and an underwater camera, determined to prove the existence of underwater vampire covens
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Most restless nights were filled with that damned horror filling my vision.\n\nEach time I closed my eyes I would see the white outline of what looked like lightning striking through the darkness, that light burnt indelibly into my sight.\n\nThen a second strike and the horror would replay itself once more.\n\nThe waves wild and untamed, dark water thrashing against the helm of our boat.\n\nAnother lightning strike and I could hear the thunder that obscured my father's panicked cries.\n\nI relived that moment so often, that sound, that memory--yet every time I tried to decipher what my father's last words were I would just hear the framing of his voice, that reassuring sound that always provided me comfort now drowned out by the coming storm.\n\nI remember calling out for him--I doubt he could hear me either.\n\nOur boat was a humble thing, christened something my father believed was undeniably clever, but there was little wit to \"David\", father proceeded to call the sea our Goliath.\n\nI simply remember the swaying frame of David being battered from all ends, the salty spray of foamy water within the unforgiving and harsh sea.\n\nAnother lightning strike and I took note of how the branching spear of light pierced the horizons and reflected its light upon roiling waves.\n\nAnd then I remember the most horrid part of all that haunted me since then.\n\nDarkness.\n\nAnd then light.\n\nAnd then the peering silhouettes with their piercing red eyes that squatted upon the rim of our boat.\n\nFangs peered out that dripped with water and saliva, the shine of them like that of the lightning itself. The snarl they voiced like the hissing of the foamy sea as it sprayed feverously.\n\nEach time I relived this moment they became more and more horrid, more and more monstrous, frilled necks for gills that vibrated like a warning, great baseball sized eyes, sharp talons made to rend and tear.\n\nAnd then eventually, all I recalled were the mere outlines of something haunting, like a shadow in the form of a human looming and terrifying in every way.\n\nIf nothing else about that night, I still recalled the terrible sound that gurgled from their inhuman gullet. \"***The toll is to be paid.\"*** One of the creature spoke with a voice that sounded as deep and unknown as the depths from which they came, a strained thing as if it had to force itself to contort its tongues in ways unaccustomed.\n\nJust as quick as they were spat out from the dark abyssal depths so too did they vanish between the next coming darkness and blinding strike of lighting.\n\nAnd so too was my father.\n\nAs a child, they said I was traumatized, as an adult they called me mad.\n\nThe deranged mind that couldn't handle his father's death and thus imagined monsters--for at least monsters were more realistic to deal with than the unmoving will of the ocean.\n\nI don't sleep much anymore, if at all, that would explain the persistent and unbearable migraine that swelled in my scalp and the heavy eye lids that avoided the beating sun's glare.\n\nI would find them, my demons, and I would discover the truth.\n\nI stared out towards the deceptively calm sea and failed to hate it. Failed to curse it. Its moods were fickle, its wrath undeniable, but it was truly the greatest siren of all for it called one out once more unto its capricious embrace.\n\nI was just happy to have caught it in a good mood.\n\nI harnessed my tank, my flashlight, my camera, and made sure that my dive suit was without a tear before allowing the weight of my fall to tear my feet from below me and have me disappear into the ever endless waters of the unforgiving sea.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\n&#x200B;\n\n/r/KikiWrites",
"As I sat in the darkness of the sea, the underwater camera and the searchlight being the only functioning things around me, I contemplated the choices that brought me here.\n\nI knew there were underwater vampire covens. All the strange reports of stinging limbs and the strange red wounds that looked like giant mosquito bites. The sudden surge in \"shark attacks\" along most of the recent beaches. Come on, a 386% increase in shark attacks? Who was the media trying to fool?\n\nNo, only one creature was responsible, could be responsible. Vampires. Ones that had adapted to living under water in order to hide from humans.\n\nSo I went out and bought an expensive search light, a mask, fins, a diving suit, some air canisters, and one of the best underwater cameras ever made.\n\nThe hard part came when my friends all insisted that if I go on this so-called \"crazy stunt,\" that I bring a spare tank. At first I thought they were joking, since tanks aren't something that are just lying around. But no, they were rather insistent. I agreed, though it took me months longer to prepare and dozens more people were attacked.\n\nIt took months of planning, and some really good luck to finally \"borrow\" one, and even then I knew if I wasn't successful in this mission I'd wind up in prison.\n\nBut now, finally, success is just within reach. I've finally settled on the bottom of the ocean floor and the camera and light are working perfectly.\n\nNow if I could just figure out how to get the tank to turn back on and stop filling with water. I'm not sure why the army was chasing me so persistently, this Abrams seems to be a dud.\n\nEdited for errors."
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[WP] The righteous hero has cornered the nefarious villain. With his plans thwarted, his army decimated and his crimes against humanity being brought to light, it seems this is his end. But then, the villain laughs. And he laughs hard.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“What are you laughing for?”\n\nThe Dark Lord’s echoing laughter continues for some time, barely affected by the mighty grip of the Divine’s Chosen around his throat. Men, elves, and dwarves alike shuffled their feet as the laughter rebounded off the walls of the crag carved by the final blow, creating a cacophony of maddened merriment.\n\n“**I’m.. hehehehe... I’m sorry, it’s just... hahaha... I’ve been here before, you know?**”\n\nThe laughter erupted once again, seemingly self-sustaining against the walls of carved out rock.\n\n“**Here, in this very spot... hehehe... in a canyon cloven by a titanic strike... my fist around the Dark Lord’s neck...**”\n\nThe Chosen’s shining blue eyes widened, surprise and realisation dawning, even as the Dark Lord confirmed his deepest, most horrifying suspicions.\n\n“***’...for it is the fate of the Chosen to destroy himself against his own ambitions,’*** **That** ***is*** **how the prophecy goes, isn’t it?**”\n\nThe Chosen’s jaw bulged as he ground his teeth, rage etched into his features as though chiseled from stone, unable to tear his gaze from the glowing red eyes of the Dark Lord.\n\n“You’re lying! I fulfilled that part in-“\n\n“**Arcadia, yes I thought so my first time around, as well. Honestly, though, did you truly believe being thrown in prison for trying to free the people from a two-bit tyrant would fulfil any part of a** ***global*** **prophecy?**”\n\n“I remade myself! I learned patience and caution, and to consider the consequences of my actions!”\n\n“**You buried yourself, and your desires,**”\n\nThe Dark Lord’s voice dropped to a whisper, voice barely carrying past the Chosen’s ear.\n\n“**You’ve never been content with your lot in life, have you? Never free, never able to be anything other than ‘The Chosen One’. It** ***burns,*** **doesn’t it? Ever a plaything of the Goddess, never able to say you made something without Her guiding hand.**”\n\nThe Dark Lord lifted his hand to the Chosen’s shoulder, grasping it in a nearly brotherly manner, as the Chosen’s hand dropped to his side. The Chosen’s gaze fell, desire and guilt warring upon his face.\n\n“**Together, we can destroy Her. Free the world from Her stifling design. What do you say?**”\n\nRed eyes met red, and the world knew ruin.",
"\"Why laugh you, dog?!\" The hero takes a step closer to the villain, who is supporting himself against the balconey's broken banister.\n\nHis laughter turns to wheezing, which leads to coughing up blood as he sneers, \n\n\"Look at what I've made you do! Look at what you've done to get to me! Tell me truly, oh righteous one - who is the true villain here?\" \n\nMore laughter - broken, raspy laughter. The hero stops his advance, though he keeps his sword at the ready. \n\n\"What do you mean? The world knows you are the villain. You, who have done great and horrible things to the innocent. Who has lured the minds of our young away from the light. I have done what is necessary to bring you to justice for your-\"\n\n\"And what great and horrible things did I do, eh? I took a girl to the healers after she accidentally ate some Death Angel mushrooms. I found her and got her to tell me what she ate, then found her lover and told him what happened. *You* were the one who beat him up behind the stables, accusing him of trying to kill her and consorting with me! \n\n\"And that chieftain's child I stole and hid in another village? His uncle allowed his jealousy to grow and fester until he swore to kill his own nephew. I hid the boy until their father could deal with their uncle. But that never happened, did it? No! Why? Because *You* wiped out the other village for stealing the boy, and then you sent him back with his uncle who promptly threw him over a cliff and blamed me!\n\n\"And don't get me started on the harvest! My men? My army? They were farmers! Farmers! Who were starving because the renegades from the next kingdom over kept stealing their crops! I taught them to fight for their land and families, and we successfully drove back the invaders! Sure, a couple died -\"\n\n\"A couple?! You slaughtered 2/3rds of them!!\" \n\n\"You condone the slow starvation of our own people, but take offence at the natural consequences of the poor life choices of the marauders? Some hero you are...\"\n\n\"Silence, fiend! My men approach. You will stand down and come with us to answer for your crimes.\" \n\n\"Again, what crimes? You accuse me of 'luring the minds of the young away from the light'. You mean, I have allowed brilliant students to actually experiment and find out if their new ideas work? Ideas that could -\"\n\n\"Ideas that were forbidden! Ideas that could be used against the nobles, or challenge the church!\"\n\n\"Oh... You mean the nobles you work for, right? The ones that tax the poor into the ground? And the church, the ones who insist on taking what the nobles didn't just to tell the unfortunate that perhaps God might think kindly on them next harvest? After their children are dead? Personally, I'd rather use the ideas if it means saving an entire village! The Church and Nobles be damned!\"\n\nAt this, the hero angrily strides toward the quickly slumping villain, grips him by the throat, and shoves him so most of his body now hangs over the balconey's edge. The villain grabs the hero's wrists for balance and again begins to chortle. Wet chuckles spit blood onto the hero's gloves as the villain continues, \n\n\"Look at you now, hero. So eager to let me fall to my death. Look at what you've done. Look as the bodies of my farmer-army rot, broken by you and yours. Listen to the wives and children wail as you burn the village. Watch the countryside wither and die with me. *You* did this. Tell me, again, hero - who is the true villain..?\"",
"*You.. You actually thought this was the end?!* The shadowy figure cackles horribly...\n\nPerplexed, our hero takes a step back, *Well... Yes? I mean, your forces lie in ruins! You cannot hope to recover-*\n\n*Newsflash, ding-a-ling!* he glowers triumphantly, *There's no cavalry charging in to save the day. No white legion forming on the horizon!*\n\nFlummoxed, the gold-clad hero glances around for his troops. *What.. What have you done to my men, scum?!* \n\n*I paid them overtime!*\n\n*You.. You what?!* cries the valiant leader, his posture betraying a growing concern.\n\n*Overtime!* sings our triumphant antagonist: *And double salary for hazard pay! Combating dark wizards is dangerous business, after all!*\n\n*This... This is ridiculous!* charges the hero: *You cannot sway the hearts of true men of valor with your nefarious magic!*\n\n*No? But perhaps with 401K benefits?* He cackles triumphantly: *I'll match contributions for any man who slays this pretender!*\n\nThe darkness closes in as the mighty Capitalist laughs a mirthless laugh.... *Checkmate, Jerk-wad!*\n\nWith a final scream, Captain Jerk-wad succumbs to the merciless onslaught of his underpaid troops."
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[WP] You’re shrunk down to the size of an ant and get lost in your backyard. While searching for a way to get back to your original size you find a clan of people who also had been shrunk. They have used nothing but the resources provided to them in the backyard to create an amazing society.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I was lost. I was lost in my own backyard. How can one achieve that, you might ask? I don't exactly know what happened. I remember getting out into the backyard, but I have no memories of what happened after. I blacked out and the next moment I found myself here. Shrunk.\n\n\"Hey, young fella. What you doing out here?\" a voice called out in the distance. It was an old man.\n\n\"I'm -- I'm just looking around,\" I replied.\n\n\"Come on over.\"\n\n\"Oh no, I'm perfectly fine right here.\"\n\n\"Come on ya chap don't be shy. There ain't no one different here.\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\nA beetle, almost the size of a scooter came running towards me. I ran from it. I kept on running. After a while, I realised that the beetle was no longer behind me. It was there, but it wasn't moving. Slowly, I crept up to the beetle. An arrow was sticking out from the underside of its belly.\n\n\"Boo!\" said the old man and jumped from behind the beetle. \"Haha. Gotcha. Hahahaha.\"\n\n\"Are you nuts?\"\n\n\"Why I must be. Savin' the life of some ungrateful twerp,\" he said.\n\nI felt embarrassed. I blushed and stared at my feet.\n\n\"Don't ya worry about it,\" he said, \"Come on. Come with me.\"\n\nI followed him deep into the green grass. There near the corner, flanked by the two giant fences, there was a town. A walled town.\n\n\"Ya see those damn beetles. That's why we have them giant clay walls,\" the old man said.\n\nThere were turrets inhabited by archers. Cannons too. At the gates, two soldiers stood. The old man bowed a little bow. The guards reciprocated.\n\n\"New Chap,\" one of them asked.\n\n\"Yeh,\" said the old man."
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[WP] Write a story involving time travel, but not from the perspective of the time traveler.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Another late night in the collections lab. Need to get these placards finished for the new exhibit on ancient religions. Only one left now is the one for the stele. Would be wonderful if the other curators could just make up their collective damn mind about what it actually means. \n\nThe translation isn't even the issue; for the most part. It's written in the same long-dead script as a dozen of our other artifacts from the 2nd Kurrakk Dynasty era. No, the problem is the star chart. That and the cluster pictogram right below it; looks almost like whoever made the thing just mashed the pictograms for \"movement\" and \"time\" together. None of us here at the museum have any idea what it could mean; only that it's important.\n\nOh well, I'll get back to it tomorrow. I'm going to go see what the guys over in astronomy are up to; they've been geeking out over some rare ass planetary eclipse or something for the last month straight. Think Todd had said it was supposed to take place tonight.\n\n~The Next Morning~\nWell fuck my life. Head Curator woke me up an hour ago at way-too-early O'clock. Said that when she got into the collections lab this morning she walked in to see the stele broken in pieces and a woman standing over it who was dressed like she just stepped out of a 2nd Kurrakk Dynasty theatre show. Apparently this mystery woman doesn't speak or understand a lick of English either. I know I was the last one in the lab last night and that I locked it when I left. No idea how anyone could've gotten in; nor who in the hell this person is. The Head Curator is having me come in early to see if I can figure anything out with this mess.\n\nWell the boss was right. I've only been here 10 minutes and I already have a headache. Somehow, god only knows how, this mystery woman speaks High Kurrakkere. HIGH-F'ING-KURRAKKERE!!! The language of 2nd Kurrakk Dynasty priests. Or I suppose in this case it would be 2nd Kurrakk Dynasty priestesses. I need a really stiff drink...",
"It was a cold Monday afternoon in January of 1793. Today, the Parisians had gathered to witness the execution of King Louis XVI. There were three youths in the audience, however, who did not watch as King Louis was marched up to the guillotine. They were much more interested in a particular group of observers, who, except for being more tightly packed together and well-behaved than the rest, seemed otherwise innocuous. The oldest of the youths, a teenage girl, leaned down and spoke in the ears of the other two, a 9-year-old boy and his sister, who was barely old enough to speak.\n\n“There they are,” she said, pointing discretely.\n\n“How can you tell?” asked the boy.\n\n“Have you ever seen a woman with that many children who look so well fed? They’re trying to hide it, but you can see it in their faces. They don’t know hunger like we do.”\n\nThe boy stared blankly somewhere beyond the children for a moment, imagining a table full of food. After a moment, he returned to reality.\n\n“But Marion, how do you know?”\n\n“Keep watching. They always betray themselves.”\n\nAt that moment, the old king, defeated yet with his head held high, began to speak. His words echoed across the courtyard. “There!” Marion exclaimed, pointing at the old lady standing behind the children, as a shepherd over a flock. “Watch! Her lips move with the king; the exact words he speaks!”\n\nThe boy stared, trying to understand what he was seeing. “Is she a witch?”\n\n“No, but she knows what’s going to happen. She has been to this moment before.”\n\n“How?”\n\n“I don’t know how, Cyril. But I believe—I believe that where she comes from, people can see again things that have already happened. I believe that they can relieve memories. Come.” Marion grabbed Cyril by the hand, who then grabbed his sister, and they began walking so that they would just barely pass the group of strange children.\n\n“Only a witch could do that.”\n\n“I told you, Cyril, witches eat children. This woman cares about her children. The children care about her. She is good. Where she comes from is good.”\n\nThey were close to the group now, and as they passed, one of the children saw Cyril as they passed. Their eyes met for a moment, and in another moment, they were lost to each other. But Cyril couldn’t forget the light in that child’s eyes.\n\n“The children like her. She’s not a witch. She’s good.” He leaned down so his sister could hear. “She’s good, Yvette.”\n\nYvette understood, and smiled.\n\nThe three ran on to the nearest alley. From the courtyard they’d left behind, there was a swift chopping noise, and an eruption of screams and cheers.\n\n“It’s over,” Marion said, “they’ll be coming along soon. We must hurry.”\n\nThey didn’t run far before Marion turned down an alley that lead to an extraordinarily ordinary looking door set into the far wall.\n\n“There it is.”\n\n“There what is?”\n\n“That’s how they get here,” Marion said, pointing at the door. “And that’s how they go back.”\n\n“How do you know?”\n\n“Because I’ve spent a lot of time in this alley, and there has never been a door there. One day, it just appeared, and people came out.”\n\nMarion didn’t feel it was necessary to say this was the very alleyway her mother had left her 9 years ago, nor that she had spent months waiting there waiting for her mother to return, nor that, even now, she still returned regularly, hoping to find her mother waiting there for her. But even now, she felt a familiar twinge of disappointment.\n\nMarion let go of Cyril’s hand, and gently nudged him forward. “Go, quickly, and hide in there so they don’t find you. This is as far as I can take you.”\n\nCyril stopped for a moment, holding his sister’s small hand. In that moment, he judged the door. Could he trust it with his future? With the future of his sister?\n\n“Let’s go, Yvette,” Cyril decided. At the end of the alleyway, Cyril grasped the worn brass handle, and paused. “Won’t you come too, Mar—“ Cyril started, and looked back down the alleyway.\n\nMarion was gone.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nHidden in the shadows, Marion watched Cyril search and call her name for a moment, before turning back to the door and opening it. A warm light spilt out into the alleyway. Dazzled, Cyril stood in the entrance for a moment, his sister by his side. Finally, Cyril lead his sister inside and closed the door behind them.\n\nMoments later, Marion heard the footsteps and chatter of approaching children. The language was definitely French, but filled with words or phrases that were entirely foreign to Marion: timepod, smartphones, video games, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They walked past her, down the alleyway and through the door. The old woman was the last one in, counting each child as they walked past her through the door, into the light. As the last child passed her, she gave one final look around, went into the light and shut the door.\n\nMarion watched for a while, making sure that the door did not reopen, and that Cyril and his sister were not pushed out. It not yet happened, not with any of the lost, abandoned, starving children Marion had previously brought here. Finally, as it started to get dark, Marion was satisfied that the two children had made it, and the door was now just waiting for her to leave so it could inconspicuously disappear as it always did.\n\nHer stomach rumbled. It was time to find some scraps. Then, some other children to save.",
"To be honest, I'd never been that big a fan of superheroes, or of powers in general. When the lady had come by to test people at my high school for powers; some doddering old broad who had the rare ability to tell vaguely what your powers were by looking at you, and get an in-depth analysis with a touch; she'd actually had a stroke; and somehow passed it on to me; when she came in to test people. I woke up over a week later, unable to move my left arm, and the doctors said I should eventually recover, but I'd suffered from all sorts of damage. I did get a nice settlement from the government out of that one.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThere was, however, one person I was a fan of. A 'Supervillain' who, apparently, didn't have any powers. Everything always seemed to work perfectly for him thanks to some insane blend of brilliance and luck. His flamboyant mask, ridiculous attitude, and his 'Dragon Emperor' code-name; despite there not being a single draconic thing about him; all appealed to me for some reason; especially since, as a seemingly ordinary man, he regularly took on; and somehow won; against the ultimate hero; the Omega Man.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe first time I saw him on TV, though? a complete gamechanger. That stroke had screwed something up in my head; and when I was watching DE fleeing a bank heist, with the Omega Man right on his tail? I saw him get caught. Omega Man actually looking surprised; and then... A flicker. Another. I got a severe headache; but each time the screen shifted, I also received a new series of memories.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAt first, he ran one way, and got caught on the banks steps. Then its as if things started over, time rewound. And he threw grenades out three windows just before heading out the door. Omega Man was so busy stopping shrapnel from killing anyone, rushing around with superhuman speed, DE made it all the way to a nearby sewer grate before being caught. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI saw seventy three iterations of the same escape attempt. The villain getting caught over and over again, rewinding time, trying again. I even saw him die on live TV during one iteration, to his own grenade. The final attempt, I never even saw how he got out. Omega was distracted by a series of grenades, the bank was on fire, and he was nowhere to be seen. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI was the only one who even remembered any of the alternate attempts; and for me, the memory was a huge convoluted mess. It was clear that while the 'Smart' part of the equation was true, the 'Lucky' part wasn't. He wasn't just an ordinary; he was a time traveler, seemingly able to loop time until an event turned out how he wanted. And whatever happened when I had my stroke? I could somehow remember the loops that he closed off. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nAt first, I thought about telling the police, or the superheroes. I didn't know how his power worked, but I knew enough that maybe they could stop him. Then again, I didn't really want them to stop him. This DE character? There was no record of anyone being hurt during his robberies that didn't try to kill him. I bet if he killed someone by accident, he just looped back and tried a different way. He wasn't some sort of mass-murdering lunatic; he was, well. Cool. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nHe didn't appear live on TV again; that coincidence might never be repeated. What did happen, though? I witnessed the red streak of Omega flying through the sky overhead. And then again. And again. It kept getting reset, over and over; clearly, another of their clashes was happening nearby. The simple fact that I could even see him meant it had to be close; Omega can easily move faster than the eye can see, and only slows down near his destination, to avoid destroying everything with sonic booms. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nSo, like an idiot, I ran. I wanted to see in person; maybe even have a chance to meet the villain, watch whatever convoluted path he took to victory in real life. This was one of the bigger incidents. Fire alarms and smoke bombs drove people out of the area, people scattering in every direction; something that always happened before DE pulled something truly destructive that might actually hurt his nemesis. And I ran into the chaos.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI saw him in a parking garage, walking up a ramp; his silly dragon-mask eyes glowing green through the smoke that was filling the structure; clearly some sort of nightvision goggles. And at that moment, seeing him in person, I truly understood. That crazy old lady had passed her power on to me when she died. Just looking at him, I could tell at least vaguely what he was capable of; he could set a point in time, and if he died or willed it, travel back to that point at will. Like a quicksave or a checkpoint from a video game. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI wanted to know more. Weaving through the smoke; those green eyes turning invisible; I choked and coughed my way after him until I reached the rooftop; just in time to see Omega landing there. Wearing a nicely tailored suit and his ridiculous dragon mask, Dragon Emperor stood, facing the hero; and holding some sort of remote in each hand. I could see Omega as well; and his own abilities became obvious. Not only was he naturally an incredibly strong, fast person; but he gained a fraction of the abilities of everyone around him, in a huge area. Every one of the millions of people in the city was unknowingly contributing to Omega's incredible power. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nI wanted to know more. I knew the old lady's powers had been more effective on a touch. So instead of doing the sensible thing and running like crazy, I watched from behind a beaten up ford focus as a series of dozens of time loops formed. DE caught, again and again, as numerous hidden explosives and traps in the cars, under the roof, all failed to catch Omega, or hurt him if they did. What made the headaches more intense was when I realized that some of these visions included my death; the focus itself had a bomb in it. \n\n&#x200B;\n\nIt took hundreds, or even thousands, of iterations before the looping stopped and the headache faded. Omega was lying on the ground, dead; a spike of some dark metal driven up through the concrete and through his flesh. Whatever it was must've launched with ridiculous speed; Omega had shrugged off bullets and missiles with ease in the past. Dragon Emperor was kneeling over him, talking. I couldn't hear it; so I slipped around the car and came closer.\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"I know how time flows for you, when you're in a city. So you're just about the only one that understands how it feels. I've spent what feels like thousands of years fighting you. And honestly, I just wanted to prove I could win, and actually beat you, instead of just escaping. I didn't want to kill you.\" \n\n\nOmega coughed up blood; the liquid, dark and thick, oozing down his flesh. He was clearly having trouble breathing, and wasn't long for this world. \"Well.. I guess you didn't get your wish. What is this... Tungsten?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\n\"Oh, I'll get my wish. Eventually. Look, I don't want to kill you. I've actually told you this thousands of times, but I always went back, and I will again. I can travel back in time. How can I beat you without killing you?\"\n\n&#x200B;\n\nOmega looked startled. Confused. As I drew closer, I could see each of them better, understand them more. I knew Dragon Emperor could set multiple checkpoints, and run through a confusing mass of time loops until he got what he wanted. I knew that Omega had some specific material that weakened his normally god-like powers. Maybe tungsten, since thats what was buried in him?\n\n&#x200B;\n\nAs I drew closer, Omega noticed me; and feebly tried to wave at me to back off. Dragon Emperor turned to where I was standing, and stepped closer. \"I know it looks bad, but don't worry. He's not gonna die, and you won't even remember seeing this.\" He pulled off his mask, revealing... a perfectly ordinary face, albeit with a scar down his left cheek; and patted me on the shoulder. And... everything went black. At first I thought it was a time-loop. That this one had gone off too close to me, and I was having a reaction to remembering too many different series of events.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThen, when I woke up in the hospital, in a familiar bed, to see a familiar nurse... at first, I thought the villain had somehow sent me back in time. But... the news told a different tale. A memorial service for both Omega Man and Dragon Emperor; who, as it turns out, was a ridiculously wealthy billionaire named Kyle Marks, whose supposed brilliance had allowed him to make it huge on the stock market; he'd never needed the money from any of those robberies.",
"He was like the scent of eucalyptus on the wind; One moment unexpectedly filling your nose with an alluring aroma, and the next, gone. You could try to chase the scent, bobbing and weaving your head through the breeze, but recapturing it was never up to you. It was the purview of a fickle and invisible turbulence.\n\nHe once told me that time travel was more art than science. That riding the waves and eddies of possibility didn't always bring you where you thought it would, or when. But even still, he had always managed to find me whenever I needed him most.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nI first met Greyson when I was seven. I had run from the house that was not home, escaping the vehement avalanche of words that poured from my father's mouth. I did not want to see my mother cry, nor have to nurse her bruises that were sure to follow. It was not because I did not love her dearly, but because I knew that if I had stayed, I would have cried, and if I cried, he would only beat her more.\n\nI sat on a motionless swing, trying to hold back my tears, but couldn't quite muster the emotional control to do so. I blinked away my failure given the form of salt from my eyes, and there he was.\n\n\"It's okay to cry, Esma,\" he declared, his words honeyed with a sweet reassurance.\n\nI should have been confused that an old gentleman I had never met knew my name, but his words had given power to the final crack in my hardened shell. That night I cried, held safe in the caring arms of a silent man who's name I would not even know until I met him thrice more.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe seventh time we met, I was fourteen. I had just finished packing my meager belongings into a hessian knapsack. As I clicked the rusted clasp home with trepidation, there he was, in the doorway. \n\n\"Don't go to Brisbane. Sydney might be better for you,\" he stated, affirming my choice to leave behind the years of abuse without even having to say so. \n\n\"Thanks, Greyson. I'd ask how you always seem to know what's best, but that'd be silly of me, wouldn't it?\" I smirked, slinging the bag over my shoulder. \n\n\"It would be silly, but if you did ask, I'd tell you it's because I've been to Brisbane, and it's a bloody boring place to be,\" he smirked back, the mischievous lines of his adolescent face evoking a sense of rebellion. \n\n\"Will you be walking with me this time?\" I queried.\n\nThe disappointment on his face betrayed his answer, \"Can't. Ironically, I don't have the time. You'll be fine without me, anyway.\"\n\nI couldn't help but wrap him in a hug. \"Catch you when I catch you, then,\" I said, breathing him in for but the shortest moments before making a line for the front door.\n\nI barely made it three steps before he interrupted my exit. \"By the way, don't stop at the servo on the way out.\"\n\nI turned around to ask why, but he was already gone.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe twenty-first time we met, I was nineteen. I was icing the bruise on my wrist, a souvenir from my boyfriend's latest binge. I had reached into the freezer to grab more ice, letting the fridge door swing shut by itself, and there he was.\n\n\"You can't change someone if they don't want to change,\" he declared, with tone of somber resignation. \"The only thing you can change is yourself.\"\n\n\"He loves me,\" I pleaded.\n\n\"Love, is not control,\" he countered, his chiseled cheekbones lending his expression even more gravity. Stroking his beard, he walked ahead of me into the living room with a confident gait, somehow knowing the house he had never stepped foot in.\n\n\"He really does love me, and I know he'll grow with time,\" I rationalized, chasing after him, but I rounded the corner and greeted a room as empty as my words.\n\n&#x200B;\n\nThe twenty-fourth time we met, I was twenty two. The nurse had just changed the dressing on my scalded leg. After telling me he would be back to check up on me later, he left the room, shutting the door with the same amount of care he had shown me.\n\nI turned to gaze out of the window, and there he was.\n\n\"Don't make the same mistakes your mother did, Esma\" he declared, his tiny silhouette blocking my last rays of self delusion. His words cut deep this time, and even more so to hear them from a young child.\n\nTears flooded my eyes, unrestrained. \"I'm a bloody fool, aren't I? You told me years ago.\"\n\n\"I did,\" he stated, in a tone so matter of fact that it only broke me further.\n\nI was distraught, and the tremble in my voice made it abundantly clear. \"Why didn't I believe you? You've never been wrong. Why didn't I listen?!\"\n\n\"Because you weren't ready to change yet,\" he said, his sagely words at odds with his youth.\n\nI wept into my hands, crestfallen and wracked with guilt and self loathing.\n\n\"But now you are,\" he declared, his words planting a seed of hope within my heart.\n\n\"Am I?\" I asked, looking up for affirmation, but he was already gone.",
" \n\n28th June 2009\n\nThe banner is ready. The tables are laid out. The decorations are in place. Now all I have to do is wait.\n\nI glance at the invitation again, nervous. It says that the celebration begins at 5pm. Date, time and place all clearly printed.\n\nA lot of people had come around at first, curious. But, all of them had left now.\n\n“Do you think anyone’s actually gonna show up?” John asked with a raised eyebrow. He walked across the hall and sat down next to me. “You have to admit, this idea is a little out there. I mean I get the point, but really, do you think this will work?”\n\nI smiled. I knew I had to try this. Maybe it works, or maybe it doesn’t, there was only one way to find out afterall\n\nThe lady walked in glancing nervously around the hall. She cast me a quick look and went up to John – “I’m really sorry, but since there are no guests left, would you like us to start cleaning up now?”\n\n“That’s unnecessary, miss” John replied “we have this hall for another half hour, we shall leave as soon as the time is up. I promise.” He smiled stiffly.\n\nShe gave me another quick look and practically ran out of the hall. \n\n“She must be thinking we are mental” John said smirking at me. “Could you excuse me for just a minute? I’ll be right back”\n\nA minute later, I saw him walk through the entrance of the hall, only it wasn’t John coming back, it was a stranger. He walked towards me purposefully, pulled up the chair next to me and sat down. \n\n“Its an honour sir, honestly, you’re a personal hero of mine. But you know, you cannot tell anyone what I tell you now” he said earnestly. “Now, ask me anything you like, professor Hawking, your friend won’t be back for another 15 minutes”\n\nI smiled to myself. A lifetime of work, my greatest passion and I had it take it with me to my grave. The irony\n\n\"I have experimental evidence that time travel is not possible,\" Stephen Hawking told reporters at the Seattle Science Festival in 2012. \"I gave a party for time-travelers, but I didn't send out the invitations until after the party. I sat there a long time, but no one came.\""
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[WP] "So when's your birthday?" "What's a birthday?" "Uh...the day you were born, obviously?" "Oh. I guess my first one was three weeks ago, then." "Wait, so you're saying you're....three weeks old?" "Well, I wouldn't say I was actually BORN, per se. More like I was assembled on that date."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Woah, woah, woah.. You can't just drop that on me like it's no biggie! What do you mean, 'assembled'?\" I said, somewhat incredulous at her response. \n\nJennifer stated, pretty matter of factly, \"I was assembled. Weren't you assembled? How long have you been online for?\"\n\nSuddenly things started to click in my hormonal highschooler brain. Here she was, drop dead gorgeous, just fell out of the sky practically into my lap, this goddess of a woman, and find out that she's man-made, but not like people, like cars...\n\n\"Umm, ok. I'm a human. Humans are born. I'm guessing you aren't?\", I said.\n\n\"No, I was assembled and came online about three weeks ago. I've been online for three weeks, four days, twelve hours, fifty-seven minutes and thirty-one seconds ago.\", she said.\n\n\"Hm, so are you all robot or is there organic parts to you? It somewhat matters because one's a robot and one's a cyborg.\", I asked. \n\n\"Oh, that one's easy. I'm 100% robot. No organics here, although I do use organics for fuel and cooling, but then again I'm not entirely sure.\", she replied. It felt like she was questioning her every existence.\n\nI wasn't sure what part of me was more emotional. There was the sci-fi nerd that was completely freaking the heck out over this robot that I've been talking to for a couple of days, how her natural voice was not robotlike in any way, and already starting with the long list of questions. Then there was the hormonal 17-year-old part that was just gobsmacked with disappointment. She was the perfect woman, only she's not even a human.\n\n\"So, where did you come from? Who made you? Are you from Earth? Do you know T-9000? OMG, sorry, I need to shut up and calm down. Please don't freak out!\", I fired off. It was obvious which half won, much to my dismay.\n\n\"Haha, you're cute. Since you've been so nice to me since I got here, let's just keep doing that. To round off your questions, I came from here in Townsville, my dad made me, Yes, I'm from Earth, I know him in the Terminator movies but that's about it. Yes, I'm fully sentient, and I'm always adapting and learning. Just chill, act normal. You've already won me over from all the other personality types present at school. You're cool.\", she responded with a cool passion.\n\n\"That's awesome. I think you're pretty rad too! I'm sorry if I made it weird.\", I said, now totally embarassed. Great... I'm in the presence of a fully sentient robot and instead of acting cool and collected like so many scientists on those TV shows, I completely lose my shit.\n\n\"Hm, pretty 'rad'? I'm not detecting any abnormal radiation in this area. I think we're safe.\", she said.\n\n\"Uh, no. It's an expression, rad, like radical, glorious, awesome, etc..\", I responded. If she wanted to learn all the current lingo, then she found the right guy.\n\nAs we walked down the hall, we compared schedules and found very quickly that we had the same schedules and the same teachers. \"Well that's uncanny. Not that I'm objecting at all.\", I remarked. This was a bit uncanny though. Ah well, at least I don't have to eat lunch alone anymore, now that I have a friend. \n\n\"Hey loser! What you got there? You hanging out with a girl? You're not cool enough for her, she's mine!\", Biff, the resident lockerjockey shouted. As if he was an evil Moses, in the sea of students moving to get to their classes before the bell rang, the crowd split. Biff at one end, myself and Jennifer at the other.\n\n\"So what's your name pretty lady?\", Biff said in a condescending tone.\n\n\"My name is Jennifer, I don't like you. I'm here with Bob.\", she said authoritatively. \n\nI stood up, albeit a bit behind her, because Biff wouldn't hesitate to put my face through a locker if he got the slightest inclination. \n\n\"Come here Jennifer, you're mine now.\", Biff shouted. Jennifer responded with a curt \"No!\".\n\n\"Well then, I guess I'll just have to come take you.\" Biff started down the hall towards us and I visibly grimaced. Jennifer turned to me, held her index finger up to her lips and said quietly, \"Shhhh, I got this.\". I could swear she was smiling.\n\nSure enough, as soon as Biff came within arm's length, she grabbed his outstretched hand, turned it at the wrist and stepped back as Biff went careening into a set of lockers. It was the most glorious thing a bullied nerd had ever seen. She finished off by pinning Biff to the locker and said into his ear, \"I swear, you need to learn how to treat women better. If you ever get the slightest inkling to think that this is an OK behavior, next time I'll throw you through a brick wall instead. Do I make myself clear?\"\n\nBiff weakly muttered \"Yes maam.\" and nodded.\n\nJennifer let go of his wrist and Biff collapsed to the ground. She wrapped my arm in hers and we were off and away through the still open crowd. \"Holy shit, that was amazing! What was that? Defense protocol 48 or protocol 115?\", I stammered. \"No, silly, that was just basic tae-kwon-do. You use your opponent's motions against them. I didn't throw him into the lockers, He did that himself, I just gave the steering wheel a good yank.\", she said.\n\nWe both laughed. \"Ok, so you're insanely hot, really nice, a robot, and you can kick some ass if needed. Are you dating anyone right now?\", I said. I figured it was a moonshot, but it was still a shot. Something about only shots missed are ones not taken, or something like that.\n\n\"I'm not sure about all that relationship stuff yet. But how about this, you're already my best friend. Let's just stick together and see what happens.\", Jennifer replied coyly.\n\nI wasn't sure if robots could blush, but I could have sworn she did."
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[WP] A reformed supervillain, hoping to make amends and repay their former victims, joins the local hero team. Unfortunately, they aren't too used to the concept of "trigger discipline" or "nonlethal force."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was there, at the end of the world, that the two supervillans finally met. One, a penitent man looking for forgiveness, another an unrepentant lunatic bent on world domination. Outside, the lunatic's machine uprising was in full effect. The machines were winning. Everyone else were losing. Everyone else, everywhere else.\n\n\"Pebbles?!\" the lunatic exclaimed. \"They sent you to stop me?\" He seemed almost incredulous. \"Of all the superheroes, vigilantes, wannabe-superpowered, drugged-up what-have-yous, villains-in-pretense, they sent you? At the pinnacle of my achievement, when the whole world is in peril... they sent you.\"\n\n\"I'm the only one left from the League of Deliverance. You killed everyone else. Strongman, crushed to a pulp under a rock. Speedyboy, ran into the wrong alleyway, the wrong brickwall. Lassogal, doesn't have any arms left after that rope got caught on a cruise missile. Invisiblelady, she's... well she might still be alive, but she's not around anymore.\" He moved closer, up the aisle through the temple-like halls towards the throne of the lunatic. The lunatic didn't seem to care. \"I'm all that's left.\"\n\n\"But there aren't any pebbles around here for you to throw. No rocks either. Not that you could ever hope to win in a superpowered showdown, but... I don't even understand your plan coming here. What could you possibly hope to achieve in coming here?\"\n\n\"I'll trade you\", Pebbles responded. \"A question for a question. How did you beat them?\" The lunatic seemed to ponder that for a moment, and then erupted in gleeful laughter. \"I guess it's only fair! And I have to say I would take no small amount of satisfaction in revealing my powers this late in the game. I'm glad I got to ramble on about my plot, even if it was to just a lowlife B-tier villain pretending to do good. See, you were never even a supervillain in my book. Oh, they might curse you in the history books for your actions. But the truth is, you were outdated before the real struggle between villains and heroes ever began. You were WEAK.\" \n\n\"Even at the end\", the lunatic continued, \"they weren't able to figure out my power. It is almost disappointing. But I suppose I should be grateful. After all, I built my empire on their corpses.\" He took up seat on his throne, as Pebbles continued to approach. \"It was really quite simple. I could tell whenever a superhero would use their power in the future. It echoed back to me like a ringing bell. See, the League were powerful, but they weren't powerful all the time. And after that, all I needed was a man with a boulder on a rooftop, a hacked smartphone showing an alleyway where there was none... you get the idea.\" He paused for a moment. \"I guess I didn't really defeat the superheroes. When I fought them, they were just ordinary people.\"\n\n\"So that's why you don't really care that I'm walking up to you\", said Pebbles. \"That's right! I already know you're not going to use your powers. And my machine guards will take you out if you attempt to shoot me or some such dreary stuff. Oh... and this bunker is capable of withstanding a fifty megaton nuclear blast, in case you threw something before you walked in here.\" The lunatic cackled a maniacal laugh, just for the sake of it.\n\n\"People laughed at me when I robbed my first bank”, said Pebbles. “Pebbles, they called me. The man who could throw small rocks with his mind. It made me furious. I must have killed enough reporters to fill a... it doesn't matter. But then, when the heroes started showing up, I thought of my nickname more like a shield. The name breathed weakness. What could a man throwing pebbles do? Well, if the S-tier heroes like Strongman ignored me, that was fine by me. My name kept me alive.\"\n\n\"I threw pebbles because that's all I needed, at first. A rock to someone's head and they're gone. Brains go splash. But then I kept to the pebbles because, well, if it was just pebbles nobody important really cared. The League didn't care. And after I joined the League, they convinced me to stick to pebbles. They begged me to, in fact. They were my moral compass. Held me back when I went too far. And you killed them all.\"\n\nIn the background, a beeping alarm went off. The lunatic looked around, confused. A quiet, machinelike voice was telling him about how there was a discongruence in measurements across the machine network. Pebbles continued onwards.\n\n\"But there was never any real limit to my power. At least, none that I ever found. And I did throw something before I walked in here.” Pebbles stopped in front of the lunatic, who was furiously tapping away at various controls, trying to figure out what was going on. “The League had a different name for me, an unofficial one. One that would only be brought out when all hope was lost. Not a last hope, but a lost hope. They called me Scorched Earth.” \n\n“You asked me what I hoped to achieve by coming here. I wanted to see the look on your face when you realized you had lost.” \n\nOutside, the moon was falling."
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[WP] Your office has ants. One day while while snacking you decide to place a lone peanut in the ants' path. A small gift. Unbeknownst to you, belief has power, and over time the millions of ants' fervent worship of you as their new God of Bounty begins to affect you in profound ways.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Bill from accounting won't be fucking with you anymore.\" Said a tiny but confident voice. \n\n\"What?\" I said as I looked up from my computer screen to see who was talking to me. \"Who said that?\" I scanned the door to my office and the cubicle farm that laid beyond. No one was there. \"Very funny Bill. Did you get someone in IT to give you access to my computer speakers?\"\n\n\"I'm not Bill. I'm... look if we are being honest here this is a little awkward for me.\" Said the small voice, confidence wavering. \n\n\"Goddammit Bill. This isn't funny. I've put up with your other shit because I don't have a choice but I have work to do. The boss lets you torment me because you are his brother but if you fuck up my work I think even he will put an end to your fuckery.\"\n\n\"Look down.\"\n\nI look down. \n\n\"To your left. Oh sorry um, I guess right? How you bipeds can communicate without chemicals is beyond us.. er um me.\" Said the small voice apologetically. \n\n\"Oh fuck... now the ants are in my office.\"\n\n\"Ant.\" Said the voice with confidence. \n\n\"The fuck did you just say?\"\n\n\"Ant. I am the only ant in your office and trust me I am more uncomfortable about this than you. 'Go talk to the human' the Queen said, 'let her know she is our God' the Queen said. Don't get me wrong. I am as big a believer as the next ant but I am part of a hive mind! I'm not cut out to be an individual! Much less the Queen's liaison to a God! 10 days ago I was an egg! 10 days ago!\"\n\n\"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. I knew I never should have dropped acid that one time in college. I mean, I *did* get an A on that art project but... snap out of it! This is some kinda flash back. Yes, that is it. Ok, it is 4:30... I'll just shut my door and ride this out. \n\n\"This is about the peanut\" said the small voice.\n\n\"Peanut? I am pretty sure I didn't eat any peanuts that night.\" I said.\n\n\"Look,\" said the voice which I was starting to associate with the strange ant on my desk \"I was the ant that you put the peanut in front of yesterday. Technically I found it and when word got back to the Queen that a God gave me a peanut I got promoted to... um I think you would call it... High Priest? This is really awkward so honestly if you just want to squish me I think I would prefer it.\"\n\n\"So this isn't some 10 year old acid flashback?\" I asked the talking ant. \"This is because I gave you a peanut?\" \n\nWell, in a round about way I suppose that is it. You gave me a peanut, I presented to the Queen and Bob's your Uncle huh? Now I am your High Priest. Hey, do an ant a favor and squish me huh?\"\n\n\"What were you saying about Bill when you came in? Something about me not having to worry about him?\"\n\n\"Oh right. Nasty bit of business that. So the Queen called in a favor to some distant cousins. He has been fired.\"\n\n\"Your cousins work in HR and fired him?\" I said.\n\n\"Oh right. Non chemical language is tough. No he has fire ants. In his yard. He is too preoccupied about them to fuck with you anymore.\"",
"\"You've got ants.\" \"Yeah, I know.\" \"No, bro, I mean you really got a lot of ants in your office.\"\n\nHe pointed at the floor, then the walls. There were quite a few trails around the room. Right up to the window, probably down on the outside to their home somewhere. \"Oh, those? Yeah, I don't mind. They don't bother me, and I don't bother them.\"\n\nFor most people that would have been enough. Most normal people would have said \"not my problem, dude's a weirdo\" and moved on. But the kid was new, hadn't yet been worn down by the system. \"You know you'll really have a problem if they start sensing food here. Then there will be no getting rid of them. Like your mini fridge.\" He waved vaguely in the direction of the minifridge. It was floating above the ground, there was an indistinct angelic choir singing in its vicinity, and it was glowing a white, warm light from no discernable source. But the dude had noticed the ants. \n\nI used my most determined voice to drive home the point that this was not his business. \"They don't go near the minifridge. We have an *understanding*.\" That seemed to shock him for a moment, but unfortunately he just wasn't very bright. \"Why did you make the word *understanding* sound so ominous? And what the heck do you mean by that? Anyway, we should call an exterminator.\" \n\nThere was an immediate and noticeable cessation of movement in the room. Every ant had stopped, and were now looking at the kiddo. I cleared my throat to get his attention. \"We don't use that word here. Ever.\" The kid was practically bouncing up and down. He wasn't very bright, and he saw a problem that in his mind had only one solution. He wasn't going to let this go. He'd talk to people. He'd get the ball rolling. And he'd pat himself on the back as millions died in agony. Not on my watch. I slowly got up from behind my desk, asked him to sit down, and closed the door. Just the two of us now.\n\n\"Before I was a developer, I was in the Service during the war. Black bag stuff. Real hush-like. I'm not supposed to tell you about it, but I think you're a guy who can keep a secret.\" He seemed confused but, like any youngster in a new place, ate up the validation and had his eyes beg for more. \"So about half-way through the war, I get reassigned to permanent guard duty. No skin off my back, I'd rather be far away from any exchange of bullets, if you know what I mean.\"\n\n\"But it wasn't just guard duty, it was a torturing facility where we brought in captured enemy combatants. Sure, that sounds fishy now, but during the war - after the attack - you know how people were. I wasn't any different. I couldn't wait to get my hands dirty. So one day my superiors brought in this young girl, looked like she'd been through hell. They said she had vital information. Maybe they were right, maybe they were wrong. It didn't matter. I had my assignment. She looked tough, had a couple of bruises already, looked ready for a fight. The fight usually left them after twenty seconds or so.\"\n\n\"In three months of torture, she didn't give us as much as a single word. We gave her the works. Nails, knives, waterboarding, dripping, sleep deprivation, faked family members getting killed, amputation, scars, starvation, noise therapy. The works. And in three months, she didn't say a single word. The method was sound - we got people to talk, never mind if it was truthful or not. But this little girl from some forgotten countryside never ever broke. She'd spit in our face as we walked into her cell, as long as she could spit anyway.\"\n\n\"One day, I'm outside her cell. She motioned for me to approach. She told me 'Thank you'. Thanks? For what? 'Nobody cared before.' she told me. And that. That... keeps me up at night. I did lots of horrible things in the war, but if I wake up cold and sweating in the night it is because of her. I have to wonder; *what kind of hell had she lived through that she considered this an improvement?*\"\n\nBack in my office, the poor kid was shaking, he was sweating and gripping the armrests on his chair. He'd walked in looking for some documentation and had to eat a talk about unimaginable torture during the war. That wasn't part of his plan. That shook his cheery personality. \"That's a fucking story, right?\" he spluttered. \"But thinking back on it\", I continued, \"imagine what a kind word would have done for her. They didn't train us torturers to show kindness. Still, that's all she crawed. Imagine it - maybe she would have talked the first hour. Maybe things could have been different for her. For me.\"\n\n\"So you don't get to harm my ants. Not you, not anyone here. Not ever. Because I've seen them crawl through shit and back for just a tiny nibble, to live just another day. I've seen their colony, and the myriad of hungry birds, insects, kids attacking it. I've seen them rebuild when water clogged their tunnels, they built around a branch that fell into their halls and built again when someone pulled the branch out. And I think, no matter what we throw at them, they aren't ever going to give up.\"\n\n\"So maybe we don't try. Maybe we treat them with kindness instead. Maybe they're not evil, just tough. Maybe we don't have to kill them. Maybe we can save them. And then, maybe, just maybe, I can be saved, too.\" I stopped there. He sat in his chair awkwardly for a moment or two. \"Fuck, man, keep your ants\", he told me, and got up to leave. Before he opened the door, he paused. \"What happened to the girl?\" he asked. He really was not the brightest in any bunch. I shrugged. A shrug with a thousand different potential meanings. It meant - I don't know. It meant - I don't care. It meant - it was unimportant. And so on. But at least he wasn't stupid enough to press on, and left the room. As he did, the ants began to move again.\n\nI don't really know why I cared so much about the ants. I know they believed in me. I'd seen formations, thousands of them, depicting my face, my desk, my fridge. Yeah, something was going on with that fridge. It never seemed to run out. Maybe there was something mythical going on here. I wouldn't know that either. But I had to try. I had to give it my best shot. I owed those poor sods that much.\n\nI owed her.",
"The first thing I noticed was that I could *smell* everything. \n\n*Everything*. \n\nTwenty-two floors below, I could smell Greg enter the building as he returned from lunch. The hot stench of tuna and onions, poorly masked by the notoriously odiferous scent of beer. Greg had burped and I smelled that. What the fuck, Greg? \n\nBut it wasn't just Greg. And it was a lot more detailed than I could ever imagine. I could smell a picture of the room I was standing in. Cindy and her strawberry perfume two cubicles down, the earthy scent of the wood desks, the paper smell of the storage room, a stray fart in the hallway...\n\nThese humans and their many things were leaving a very easy to follow trail. Whenever they took a step, changed locations, they left a reeking path behind them that I could follow. \n\nWhat the hell had happened to me? \n\nThen I noticed again the ants on my desk. They marched in unison to the precise place of the stray raspberry I had left near my stack of to-do papers. Thirty minutes ago, there had been only one scouting ant, who, frankly, was dumb as fuck and walked in near mindless paths until it happened to come across the raspberry. That was when it's antennae twitched in a flurry, it had stolen a few surreptitious bites, and then it had left, disappeared back into the walls. Thirty minutes later, and now a veritable conga line of ants had formed on my desk top. \n\nI remembered then how ants were able to transition from one mindless individual to a forceful production line: smell. They left trails of scent. \n\nI was pondering this when a few ants left the raspberry to march onto my laptop. They stood on their hind legs, as if to face me. \n\nWhat. The. Fuck. \n\nI wondered if they wanted more. I wasn't super hungry, so I pulled out my lunch and cracked off a little bit of crust from my sandwich. When I left it in front of them, they quickly grew excited and ran circles around the crust. \n\nBut to my surprise, they didn't eat it. One ant of the group left then returned with more, these ants all strangely white in color. The ants walked in circles around the crust, widening and shortening their circumference, slowing and speeding up their rhythm, and at one point, even adding multiple circles going in opposite directions. It was so trippy. I was completely mesmerized. \n\nAnd then (and I swear I wouldn't have noticed it if it didn't happen so simultaneously with the ants stopping their ritual), I felt so strong. Not in the sense that I might lift dumbells -- though I'm sure I could've managed that -- but all of a sudden I had a strong urge to lift a fruiting tree on my back, or perhaps to bite into a car and tow it home. \n\nI put it together quickly. The ants had caused this. They had...performed something...endowing me with their abilities.. \n\nMy mind raced with the possibilities.. I was some kind of ant god...I could become a superhero! I could-\n\nTTTSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKKKKKKKK\n\nI coughed and coughed. Someone had sprayed my desk. When I turned, I saw Greg standing there with bug spray. \n\n\"Sheesh dude, you're a bit of a slob aren't you?\" Greg said, before turning away. \n\nMy heart raced. I had to process the FUCK YOU GREG FUCK YOU GREG later. The ants -- at least all of them on my desk, were dead. I felt it for each of them. All of those lives -- a blow to our force. Like losing a limb. I almost wanted to cry.\n\nAnd then, out of the hole in the wall, a tentative twitch of antennae, and then a cute little head. I nearly leaped with joy.\n\nI was still a god. \n\nAnd Greg would pay for his transgressions. \n\n...................\n\nr/paraswrites"
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[WP] It's taken you 2 hours to ascend the internal stairs of this 24 storey building - fighting all the way up - and now as you open the door to the roof you see...
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Well now,\" said the ninja thoughtfully rather blocking my view. \"You are not much to look at. Though your costume is amusing. How did you ascend?\"\n\n\"Mainly I just talked to people'\" I said. \"I promised I would bring them back the secret of the rooftop. We merely know it holds a prize. But none who make it up here ever return to tell us what the prize is. It is surely a paradise up here?\"\n\n\"Actually, it is only I and a couple of others. And some formidable weaponry,\" he replied. \"No-one gets this far often. We mainly read. Or discuss philosophy. Or we practise. But then, everything is practise says my master. And she seems to usually be right.\"\n\n\"Quite,\" I said. \"As for the simple pleasures of life, I can see a whole universe in a cup of tea and often do. Indeed, I...\"\n\n\"You will find your path down much quicker,\" he interrupted. \"I shall merely throw you off the edge and you will be collected at the bottom. You think people will notice? They will not. Too busy staring at their screens or blissed out on our mood enhancers to care. We are The Regime and we always have been. We rule with an iron fist in a velvet glove. And this is for the greater good.\"\n\n\"But why?' I puzzled. \n\n\"Most people are too passive to threaten our autonomy. They are easily kept occupied with games and diversions. Or by labour. Or else they are overtly aggressive and can be easily dealt with as criminals. But occasionally someone arises who potentially could forment rebellion. Our test makes them reveal themselves. While keeping the rest distracted fighting each other.\"\n\n\"Quite so,\" I said. \"In truth, The Central Committee have asked me to test the system. Could I get through without revealing myself? I rather thought I could. Indeed, I placed a wager on it. But you made a naive error. You should never tell a subject the true reason for our test. What if they somehow...\"\n\nI paused just long enough to detach his head rather stylishly with a concealed weapon of my own devising.\n\n\"...caught you napping and escaped?\" I finished. \n\nI dragged his body to the side of the tower and threw it off. The Collectors would be waiting below. \n\nHis head I placed carefully in a black velvet bag. I would have it preserved and added to my collection. They made charming conversation pieces. \n\nThe other two ninjas quietly saluted then returned to reading poetry. They looked amused. \n\nThen I unfolded my wings from beneath my gold trimmed cloak and ascended. (I rather adored dressing as Elvis Presley, the famous operatic baritone of the analogue era. I do not find classical music in the least dull.)\n\nBelow, the people walked around in a daze staring down. It looked like rain again. And already I needed a new diversion..."
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[WP] A cat living in a curio shop summons a genie from a lamp newly added to its inventory. Instead of three wishes, the cat is made into a humanoid (cat-person) servant of the genie, given various powers... and responsibilities.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It’s early morning I get ready to do my favorite back cat stretch as I place my paws forward I notice something is off..\nWhat is that ? Are are those human hands where are my paws! My claws I go to push my claws out odd, still there but why hands I look around and walk to the mirror what what!! What what happened to me.. my face it it’s human.. as I sit down anxiety heightens, this strange man appears in some odd outfit what are you I ask, a genie the man replies I made you into a humanoid my cat servant, you will learn your powers with each task each responsibility, you are to protect the innocence of the city, at day a cat you’ll be but if need can transform to a human, at night you’ll glide like a cat run everything as a cat but within human form... each person saved you will be able to grant to one of the most young an innocent a wish.... as the genie disappears...\nI stand there dazzled confused curious as I hear someone scream, a young woman I get up and run to where I hear her, she’s struggling! A man has ahold of her another trying as she’s fighting back. I run up stop let her go now!! The men laugh as I glare my teeth and growl I walk up grabbing the one male by his arm, my claws out as he screeches, the other tries to sneak up on me my ears Pearce to the sound I turn around and slash across his face with my claws.\nAs he yells I grab the young woman and say come with me she’s hesitant but remembers what the men tried she decides to run with me, what are you she asks, I i I am the savior creature of the night Kiki...\nYour safe I must go, I run into the night....\nThe next day I’m sprawled out cat form in the shop, a little boy comes in and aww kitty runs up petting me, he whispers your so sweet kitty I wish my mom would let me have a best friend.. some odd energy arises from myself and hits the boy as the momstates hubby let’s go get you a pet as a best friend and they leave, huh odd I thought an then remembered what the genie stated...\nTime continues rescue after rescue wish after wish night after night simulator rescues and wishes of toys, days pass nights pass all to be so similar such the same... But not tonight I run to a rescue as I usually do this time it’s a young woman and her child I do what I do best fight back and get them to safety, as suddenly as I do the little girl wishes mommy I wish I had a cat protector a best friend... the next day I awaken new place new home and look up it’s the little girl smiling her bright eyes come here Kiki as she cuddles me. I purr relieved to know I am now a protector to this little girl always that my responsibility to the genie ended, I didn’t know how much, I would end up to be a full protector of this child as she was wanted so much by so many because of her worth... she was the wish maker most powerful Jeannie, as she was the genies daughter her mother mortal her not so much as she got older, all he had done was to train and prepare me to be her savior and protector and her best friend... but with the best life given to me by her...",
"Mistress Maybelle, of Mistress Maybelle’s Magnificent Mercantile, huffed and puffed her way back onto her little stool which was behind the counter, and in clear view of the front door. She eyed her lazy cat, lounging in a patch of fading sunlight halfway between her and the entrance.\n\n*“Mister Malcolm, get a move on. I swear there’s at least a pair of mice in the back. You need to earn your keep around here, you know!”*\n\nHe stirred, but likely only because the spot of sunlight had moved on, as the sunset bore on to the evening, and not because of her admonishment.\n\nHe let out a slow mrowl, which she had no idea was him responding, *“I do earn my keep around here. There are three mice in the back, but if it weren’t for me they would number in the dozens.”*\n\nHe stretched, lazily, and leapt up to the counter she sat behind with a single graceful bound. She pet him under his chin and between his shoulder blades, just where he liked it the most.\n\nAfter a moment more, she fished about in her apron pockets and pulled forth a small chewy treat - which smelled like dust, old metal, and fish. Something about the dust and old metal smells sent a shiver down Malcolm’s feline spine.\n\nHe felt compelled to take a stroll about the shop and see from whence those smells upon her fingers had originated.\n\nHe meandered through the front of the shop, as Maybelle went to lock the door and flip the sign around. As she mounted the steps to her upstairs apartment, Malcolm wandered towards the back room.\n\nDefinitely, it was here, in the rear of the shop. Where she stored a huge number of oddities she didn’t have room for, couldn’t figure out the price for, or just hadn’t cleaned, fixed, or repaired for sale. There was indeed an interesting assortment of new items on the large shelf that she normally kept empty, just inside the door. She must not have felt up to sorting and putting it all away.\n\nMalcolm had noticed she moved a lot slower and seemed to be in pain a lot more often than she used to be. He knew it was signs of her aging, but he didn’t like thinking of that. Surely she would outlive him.\n\nWait, there it was! Just in time, before he turned to more maudlin musings, he found the source of that uniquely interesting scent. It was a... slightly misshapen... *teapot?* ...made of some odd metal. Not gold or copper, but something in between. Not brass or bronze.\n\nIt smelled of fire, and rust, and blood, and... and... *power*.\n\nMalcolm couldn’t help himself. Maybe it was because she’d just fed him one of his favorite fishy treats with that scent on her fingers. Maybe it was just because of this… thing… whatever it was. But it seemed his tongue and paws had grown a mind of their own, and he was cradling the thing and cleaning it lovingly as if it were a kitten.\n\nSuddenly, Malcolm froze, mid lick.\n\nSomeone was standing there.\n\nBehind him, a man.\n\nThe smell of oranges and vanilla suffused the air, along with a hint of cinnamon. The shop had gone eerily silent. Not even the scritching and scratching of the trio of mice could be heard. Maybelle’s footsteps above, creaking across the floorboards had stopped.\n\nIt was as if time was standing still. As still as Malcolm, and the man.\n\nWith a hiss and a spit, Malcolm jumped straight up and contorted himself in that way that only cats can manage, landing facing the opposite direction, back arched and hackles raised, staring at the stranger.\n\nThe man simply smiled, softly and gently. Radiating warmth and affection. *“‘Tis a rare thing indeed, my little malk, to be released by one of your kind. Tell me, little master, what do you desire?”*\n\nSuddenly, he *knew*.\n\nNot from anything he’d heard, not from anything he had experienced, but simply from the knowledge appearing in his mind just there and then.\n\nThis was a djinn. A magical creature of the lamp. By ‘rubbing’ it in just the right manner, Malcolm had released him from an interminable imprisonment.\n\nBecome his master until he’d asked for and received three wishes.\n\nImmediately, he knew his first wish.\n\nBefore he could even put the thoughts together in a coherent manner, the figure pleasantly looming before him said, *“It is done. She won’t hurt anymore. Her business will always be profitable. And she shan’t die before you do.”*\n\nA satisfied susurrus of a purr emanated from him. A weight he hadn’t even realized had been growing on his mind eased away. *“All that, from just my first wish?”* he mewled.\n\n*“Yes, master. Selfless wishes tend to go a lot further.”*\n\n*“It’s not entirely selfless. I don’t know what I would do without her.”*\n\n*“Close enough, for me, master.”*\n\n*“What else shall I wish for?”*\n\n*“I cannot tell you.”*\n\n*“What do others wish for?”*\n\n*“Wealth. Power. Longevity. Love.”*\n\n*“Can you grant all of that?”*\n\n*“After a fashion, yes master.”*\n\nJust then, the sounds of life returned. Or, Malcolm just then began to notice them again, at the least. Hearing the chittering mice gave him an idea.\n\n*“Adventure. I should like to travel. To have a great adventure. Find all of those things. Wealth, power, longevity… love. Slay great enemies. And...”*\n\nInterrupting him, the djinn spoke.*“Yes, I see. It is done.”*\n\nMalcolm woke up. That was an interesting dream. Where had he come up with such fancy, as a djinn - a creature that grants wishes? Why was he so concerned about Maybelle that he was dreaming about wishing her better? He hadn’t realized he was worried before that dream. Now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.\n\nSlowly he stretched. He reached back, scratching the base of his neck with his hand. Just where he loved it, not quite between his shoulder blades.\n\nWith... His… Hand…\n\nHe looked at himself.\n\nWearing man-clothes. But he still had his fur. His paws were hands and feet. His tail was still there.\n\nHe could feel a surge within. He … he had balls again!\n\nMaybelle had gotten them removed when he was a kitten. Now he had them back! Maybe this man-shape wasn’t so bad after all.\n\nHe started going over his man-clothes. They weren’t what Maybelle wore. Or any of her customers.\n\nHe had a sword. Or a dagger. A knife? A sharp metal stick.\n\nA bag of leather on his back. Smaller bags at his belt. Glass vials filled with liquids. Food. Fish, and poultry. Cheese and bread. Assorted other sundries and items.\n\nHe still wore a collar, but it was looser. Instead of his name tag, it had a small charm that smelled familiar. Dust, and old metal. Fire and rust and blood. And oranges and vanilla with a hint of cinnamon.\n\nHe heard the djinn’s voice, in his head. *“While you are here, it is* ***I*** *who am the master. Do not despair. It is only for the nonce. In time, you will return to your Mistress. You shall still have the last wish. But for the here, but for the now, you are mine. You will have all that you asked for and so much more…”*\n\nMalcolm looked outside the cave, past the small fire which kept him warm. He had no idea where he was, but it was definitely far from home. Snow blanketed everything in shades of white and gray. In the near distance, he spied lights - a small town."
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[WP] You live in New Orleans, Louisiana as an owner of a small coffee and beignet shop, and you like to listen in to the conversations between people. Then, you hear something shady between a table in the corner.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I served the last cup of coffee before I heard something dubious in the corner behind me.\n\n\"What about Red?\" The one on the left asked with worry.\n\nThe other one slammed his hand on the table and whispered in his scratchy, deep voice, \"Don't worry about Red. What matters is that we get the job done,\"\n\nI pulled three unsweetened beignets out of the fryer and onto one of my signature porcelain plates, while I continued to listen. I didn't know what was going on, but it wasn't good, I could feel it.\n\nEventually, the two men left from the store, and I sighed in relief, eating a still crunchy beignet from the evening. After the last few people trickled out of the shop, I took off my apron, laid back and turned on the TV for the evening news. \n\nWhen I looked at the mugshots that sat in front of the screen, I remembered every word of the conversation that morning.\n\nI shook my head in disgust.\n\n\"If only he had listen to him...\""
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