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[WP] You think you’re an ordinary person until you start dating somebody. As soon as they tell you they love you, every single memory they have of you is completely wiped.
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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 love you\"\n\nShe looked at me like I was her greatest secret. I felt it though. It was like her hands got nervous. \n\nShe pulled away.\n\n\"I'm sorry, what's happening.\"\n\nShe stepped back from me, turning left and right looking for help. We were at the boardwalk. \n\nI tried to grab her hands again.\n\n\"Emily-\"\n\n\"Stop! Please, don't touch me.\"\n\nWhat do you say to that? \n\nShe looked at me like a stranger. I watched her run into a cafe. I wonder if she knew we had our first date there?\n\n**EIGHTEEN YEARS EARLIER**\n\n\"Why isn't he crying, is he okay?\" Sam, already kneeling at the bed, turned his right ear to the baby.\n\nShe smiled down on him.\n\n\"He's special.\"\n\n\"He's cursed.\"\n\n\"Heros are always born from damnation.\"\n\n\"He'll be a hero then?\"\n\n\"He won't have a choice.\"",
"I've tried far too many times to tell them that the phrase would mean the end of it all. Every time, I'd warn them, and every time, they would brush it off or promise to not say the phrase, then accidentally let it slip while on a date. It's happened so many times that I learned exactly what to say after their memory gets wiped. After all, it's nice to have the situation explained to you after suddenly finding yourself sitting across from a stranger who knows a little too much about you.\n\nI love you. What a lonely phrase.\n\nIt doesn't apply to familial or platonic relationships, only to those I date. I'm not sure how or when I got this curse, but whoever - or whatever - gave this to me really wants me to be single.\n\nI've dated quite a few people these past few years. Some I met on my own, and some were people my friends set me up with. All my close friends know of my situation, and they've been trying to help me, though every person they've introduced to me had said the phrase. My friends do mean well, but there are some things that they just can't help with. That was until one evening while I was trying to search up recipes when my roommate burst in.\n\n\"Ari, bro, hooooollllyyy shit, I think I found the one!\"\n\n\"The one for what?\"\n\n\"YOU, dude! I think you'll really like her! She's a friend of a friend, and she's hella cute, especially by your standards, a-and she swings a whole lotta ways, which works for you, and-and she's real nice, a-\"\n\n\"Woah, Jackie, chill for a second.\" I got up and patted her back. \"I know you're excited, but we still have to be careful. You know what happens when people confess to me.\"\n\n\"Yeah, I know.\" Jackie was still bouncing a bit. \"But still, I think she's a match for you.\" I smiled at her. I still go out with those my friends want me to see. After all, they do mean well.\n\nWe met at an ice cream place downtown. Jackie brought along their friend-of-a-friend, and she told me that she warned her of my weird curse. She introduced herself as Senna. I could tell she didn't talk much. It just meant that it would take longer for the other shoe to drop. It didn't stop us from hitting it off, though. Over time, I began to really fall in love with her. Of course, I loved all the people I dated, but she truly took my breath away. Days turned to weeks, which turned to months and years. Senna eventually moved in (Jackie wiggled her eyebrows at me whenever she could for a week), and we talked about rent costs, buying houses, and which one would work best for our situation.\n\nSometime during the winter, Senna slipped me a note and took my hand. I used the other to open the letter.\n\n\"I found this thing online and I think it could work for us too. Squeezing your hand three times means I love you.\"\n\nI felt my heart drop. I turned to her to tell her not to do it, but it was to late. I looked down and felt my knuckles squeeze against each other.\n\nOne.\n\nTwo.\n\nThree.\n\nMy head shot back up. Senna was looking at me. We stood there for what seemed like hours.\n\nShe smiled and squeezed my hand three times again, and I burst into tears.\n\nAfter that, we told each other \"I love you\" a whole lot more. Passing each other by, holding hands on a date, cuddling while binging shows, and every other time we were close to one another. We tapped each other, we poked each other, and we smacked each other on the head - whatever it took to show affection. It seems like the thing that cursed me didn't take nonverbal confessions into account.\n\nWe faced each other, hand in hand. Senna tapped my hand with her finger. I tapped hers with my thumb. Both of us, grinning like idiots.\n\n\"You may now kiss the bride.\"",
" \n\nJackie looked over into my eyes. We’d been dating for four months. Which to be fair is pretty long for a guy like me. When I say a guy like me what I’m really saying is “for an unlucky bastard like myself.” I got up and looked out the window in my two bedroom Chicago apartment. It definitely wasn’t a very nice place to live. But every month I managed to make ends meet. I was working at a small Law Firm a couple of blocks from here. It was by no means glamorous. I was all alone out here. Both my parents had passed away from natural causes years ago. Nothing tragic. This isn’t their sob story. They were old. Of course I miss them. But everyone knew that they didn’t have much longer. The doctors, my siblings, my aunt and uncle. \n\nMy biggest regret was that they never knew me. It happened ten years ago. All of a sudden. Something changed. I was twenty-eight. My girlfriend and I were on a date at a fancy restaurant. We had been dating for four years. We had champagne and steak, all of those romantic things. I remember the night like it was yesterday. We arrived at the restaurant. We sat right next to the large fountain. Her eyes practically glistened when the lights hit them. I moved my hand to my thigh, I felt the small box there. This moment was four years in the making. I moved to pull the box out of my pocket. But before I could pull it out, she looked to me. And I’ll never forget what she said to me. “Ben, thank you for tonight… I love you.” Three words. Who would have ever known that three simple words could screw a man over so badly? I looked back. I was about to respond. I was going to pour my heart out and tell her how much she meant to me. How much I loved her. How I wanted to give her the life she deserved. How I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. But before I could she looked back to me. A dazed and confused look in her eye. And three more words cam out of her mouth. And they weren’t “I love you.” Instead, they were “Who are you?”\n\nI was heartbroken. After screaming and accusing me of kidnapping her she stormed off. That was how it started. That was how I found out. That’s the reason I’ll never be able to have a normal relationship. That’s why none of my family remembers me. Before I realized it was those three words, I had spoken to everyone. And on her deathbed just weeks later, I held my mother’s hand. And she spoke those words to me to. And in that instant she had that same dazed look. She passed away just a few days later. Not even remembering her own son. Eventually it was the same story for everyone I knew. They didn’t remember me. I was able to figure it out eventually. But by then it was far too late. My own fault I guess. And I don’t when, but at a certain point I stopped caring. I had grown numb to this kind of pain. People say “There are fates worse than death.” And after hearing that I realized for me, there’s a fate much worse than losing a loved one. Having them not remember you in the first place.\n\nI snapped back to the present. I looked back at Jackie. Come to find out anybody who cared for you eventually told you “I love you.” It was just a waiting game. I had been looking for so long. It drives you mad. I know that the only person who will ever truly be able to make me happy is the one person who can never love me. I’m stuck in a never ending loop. I had tried and failed so many times. I no longer regret people forgetting me. Instead there’s a new pain for me. It almost feels wrong. Using people. I keep looking and hoping and in the end I steal their time from them. Their life. Their memories. I can never tell who the cursed one is. The people I love or the people who love me. I looked at Jackie’s frizzy brown hair. Her deep green eyes. She sat on the bed as she pulled on a shirt and began to get ready for the day. She looked back. I could see it in her eyes. Those words she was about to say. And it didn’t hurt. She smiled. “Hey Ben. I love you.”\n\n​\n\nThanks for reading! :) I'm still pretty new at this but feel free to follow my writing subs r/Lost_WrecksCove and r/Lost_WrecksDiary"
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[WP] Remote working has become the normal way of life. A husband murders his wife and keeps up appearances by also working her job on top of his 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.*",
" \n\nA ‘Housekeeping’ magazine, or so they called it. My wife was a staff writer, or so she told me. She still is as far as her co-workers know. In my imagination, the underworld was run by mob bosses in finely pressed suits running organized crime and poker games with the authority of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson look-a-likes at the doors. But now I know.\n\nThe incident went down a few months ago when I snuck downstairs for a cup of water in our quaint, two-bedroom home on a hillside outside of Seattle. Chosen by my wife, the location provided for a fresh breath of air from the chaos that is modernity. Towering trees and a quiet stream highlighted a few of the perks I had come to love about our home, but I now I suspect she chose the location for its different advantages.\n\n*How can a person you know for three years and who you’ve shared every last detail of your life with, cried with, laughed with, and loved dearly face you in the blink of an eye with the intention to kill?* I don’t think I’m worth killing, really, probably just more of a loose end. We had both lost our parents at an early age -- or so she told me she had. It’s strange to have the person you trust most in the world reveal themselves as somebody you don’t know. What can you do? I wanted answers. I needed answers. I needed to know, at her core, who she really was and what she did.\n\nFor three years I was under the illusion she worked closely with an editor in China where a Chinese edition of the magazine was published. *Well*, I thought, *at least she did work with somebody in China*. That part wasn’t a lie. One advantage of her secrecy was that she never spoke to her handler over the phone. And they all had numbers. *Number 11*. *A number that meant more to her than our marriage*. I was still learning the ropes of her role but so far it had only been reconnaissance. It had been relatively easy to maintain the veil of my identity but this coming weekend I had a feeling it would all change. It was my first mission. *Well, her mission.*",
"My alarm rings at 4:30 a.m. I have taken to leaving my phone on the dresser across the room so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off. I stumble over my slippers in a half-asleep haze, turn off the alarm, and spend the next nine minutes dozing against the dresser as I muster the ability to snap out of my fog. The snooze alarm reminds me that it’s time to administer Will’s medicine.\n\nAfter washing and sanitizing my hands, I creep into my son’s room. His sweet, freshly-four-years-old face sports a half open mouth as he snores softly. The dim nightlight provides me with just enough illumination to roll him over to his back and gently push the line into his I.V. port. Poor buddy. No one should have to go through this, especially at such a young age.\n\nAwake enough to function, I start the coffee and open up the two phones - mine and hers. Scrolling through the emails, I set to prioritizing the to-do lists. I open up the laptops and set to work at the kitchen counter, trying to fit in as much as I can before the little man wakes up. \n\n“Sorry, my laptop mic is still on the fritz and my order has been delayed again,” I type to her boss. “I’ll be in the meeting but it’ll be chat-only from me!” I briefly wonder if they are going to notice that I’ve been recycling footage of her, but I push that aside. Everybody is more worried about themselves than anybody else, and I’ve got a while before they start to get suspicious that she’s been wearing the same three outfits for months.\n\nAt 7, I hear Will calling for me, so I put away the laptops and go up to his room. He is jumping on his bed, of course, and lunges at me as soon as he sees the door open. \n\n“DADDY CAN WE GO TO THE PARK?! I WANNA GO ON THE SLIDE!” He has way too much energy, this kid, even for being sick half the day. \n\n“No, sorry, not today. Park’s still closed to keep everybody healthy. We can play on the swing set,” I answer as I remove the line from his port. \n\n“Is mommy coming home today?” He looks up at me with a slight fear in his eyes. It breaks my heart all over again. \n\n“Not today, buddy. Not for a while.”\n\n“Ok,” he says, and seems placated. I’ve taken all the pictures of her out of the house, but I’m sure it will take a while before the memory of her fades. That kind of trauma sticks with a kid.\n\nWill bunny-hops to the bathroom, then bunny-hops to the kitchen. “Carrot cake for breakfast,” he orders. “Definitely not,” I reply as I fix his bowl of cereal. I sneak a glance at the phones and see I’ve already got 10 new emails on my phone and 14 on hers. “You can watch Bugs Bunny with breakfast, though,” I tell him. He attempts to bunny-hop once with his bowl of cereal, but thinks better of it and tiptoes off to the living room instead. I hate using the TV as a babysitter so I can work, but desperate times, you know.\n\nBugs buys me a precious 20 minutes while I put out a few fires through email. A crashing sound brings me out of work mode as Will yells, “I’M OK!” from the other room. Will may be ok, but the lamp is not. “I didn’t do it,” he tries to protest before changing tactics to, “It was a accident.” Life with a four-year-old...\n\nThe day proceeds with the usual chaos. In between feeding Will, playing, trying to keep him entertained, and continually emailing, I forget all about her work meeting. It isn’t until I finally get Will settled down for another round of I.V. and a nap that I realize I missed it. The email from her boss pings in and sends me into a panic. Then, the phone rings, and it ratchets up the panic even higher.\n\n“Hey, I’m so sorry!” I answer. I’ve gotten better at imitating her voice but it’s still not quite right.\n\n“Are you still sick with that cold?” her boss asks.\n\n“Yeah, I think it’s a sinus infection or something. How I got sick during quarantine is beyond me!” I am internally begging for this to be a short call.\n\n“Yeah. So listen, I really did need to talk to you.” Her tone has shifted. “We have been going through some tough times, and I know you have too, what with Will being sick.” \n\nMy stomach drops. I know where this is going.\n\n“Unfortunately, we’re going to have to do some downsizing. I am so sorry, Emily.”\n\nFuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck.\n\n“No, please. I need this job. My company’s insur— I mean my husband’s company’s insurance doesn’t cover Will’s treatment. I’ll take another position or do anything. Please,” I am attempting to both keep on Emily’s voice and not cry. \n\n“I’m sorry, but we just can’t. I’m barely holding this company together, and with your recent decline in productivity I just can’t take the risk. Your severance information will be sent to you in the mail. Good luck, Emily,” she trails off and hangs up. \n\nI sink to the floor. Shit. What have I done? I should have just waited this out. I knew we needed Emily’s insurance. I knew it was going to be a struggle. Could I have let her stay alive, and tried to keep her away from Will? Could I have gotten her into counseling, and hoped that her Munchausen by proxy would be treatable? Should I have called the police? \n\nNo.\n\nFuck that.\n\nShe would have killed Will.\n\nI couldn’t let that happen.\n\nI pick myself up and walk the stairs to Will’s room. Slowly, I creep in and slide into bed to cuddle my son, my sweet baby boy. \n\n“We’ll be ok, buddy,” I whisper as I bury my nose into his fluffy head. “We’re gonna get through this.” \n\n“You and me.”"
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[WP] Through a freak car accident, you are placed in a hospital. However, when you wake up, you gain superhuman intelligence, and processing power. However, the car crash left you horribly disfigured, and paralyzed from the waist down.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Derrick could only remember bits and pieces from the crash.\n\nHe was lying in a hospital bed, unimaginable pain festering in his lower half as images of what he could recall replayed in his mind. They came in rapid succession, as if from a broken projector: the tires screeching, the horns blaring, his son Oliver screaming as the cars slammed into each other. Oh mother of God, he’d been looking down at his phone, hadn’t he? It was his fault...\n\n*Stop.*\n\nDerrick blinked and realized he was not alone in his room. Ollie was sitting in the visitor’s chair. He was unharmed, thank god, and was eyeing his father with intense concentration. The boy was nine, and his light-blond hair was pushed back from his forehead giving Derrick a clear view of the features he had inherited: the nose, the eye color, the way the eyebrows were ruffled in the middle. But at the same time there was also something different about his son. His eyes were cast in a way that was very un-Ollie like. He wasn’t blinking either, and that voice telling Derrick to stop, it had been Ollie’s voice.\n\nDerrick groaned, the pain reaching a peak, but just as it did… \n\n...It was gone. \n\nPanting, Derrick exhaled and looked at his son. Ollie was still looking back at him in that same intense way, except now he was holding out a hand like he was reaching for an apple on a tree. \n\n“...Ollie?”\n\n“Dad.” There was no emotion in the boy’s voice, as if he was reading from a script.\n\n“How did you…”\n\n“I didn’t. You did. I just showed you how to unlock them.” \n\n“...What?”\n\n“You have powers, Dad. Just like me. The crash, it did something to us. Look.”\n\nOllie stood up and… and he began to levitate. Derrick gasped, clutching at his chest.\n\n“See, Dad?” Ollie said, his body still hanging in the air. “And you can do it all, too. Do you want me to show you?”\n\nAnd Derrick, not even knowing what he was agreeing to, nodded once.\n\nOutside his room, two nurses were talking. They spoke in hushed, quiet voices as they watched their patient talk and gasp to his empty visitor’s chair. \n\n“What do you think he’s doing?” one said.\n\n“I don’t know,” the other said, “but I think you ought to call the psych.”",
"I haven't leave the lab for...how long again? A week? Maybe a bit longer. But I have every reason to stay here. The transfected iPS cells are growing fast and differentiation looks promising. With a bit more work I should be able to grow the livers and kidneys en mass, tailor made for each patient without the risk of rejection. \n\nAs I put my cells into the incubator again, the doorbell starts ringing. I immediately put on a mask and steer the wheelchair clumsily. I finally manage to reach the door after crashing into the fridge twice.\n\n\"Hello doctor,\" Cathy is standing outside my lab smiling at me. \"May I come in?\"\n\n\"Of course,\" I try not to think about Cathy's face when she sees mine.\n\n\"The new power exoskeleton prototype is ready for testing,\" said Cathy as she opens the windows. \"The manufacturer asked me if you will like to test it yourself...\"\n\n\"No,\" I shake my head firmly. \"Not on me. It should be tested on someone who truly needs it.\"\n\n\"But...\"\n\n\"Remember that woman we saw in the hospital? She is fully paralyzed and can't even hug her daughter. She needs it more than I do.\"\n\n\"But you are the inventor after all, wouldn't it be fitting for you to try it on first?\"\n\n\"No. I can still work in the lab on a wheelchair,\" I repeat my analysis firmly.\n\nCathy sighs. She knows that she cannot possibly convince me. Yet she stands in front of me still, as if she has more questions to ask.\n\n\"Is there a problem?\"\n\n\"Your therapist called. She said you missed another appointment.\"\n\n\"I am busy,\" I back away in my wheelchair, trying to get back to my experiments.\n\n\"You should understand the importance of therapy. She said your mental health is...\"\n\n\"I don't have time for personal feelings,\" I grab my pipette and start working again.\n\n\"Your family and friends are all worried about you...\"\n\n\"Tell them I miss them but I am too busy to leave the lab.\"\n\n\"Maybe you can just take a break for a day? Get some fresh air and...\"\n\n\"And what? Scare little kids with my ruined face?\" I have no idea why I suddenly explode in anger. All I know is I need to keep it in check.\n\nSuppress it. Bottle it up. I need to focus on my work.\n\n\"I...\" Cathy is a little taken back by my outburst. \"I don't want you to stay here 24/7. It is not good for you at all.\"\n\nI put down my pipette and point at the pictures glued onto the fridge.\n\n\"See those pictures? They are the reasons why I cannot stop. Those kids could have been teachers, engineers, scientists or doctors. Instead, disease takes their life away from them,\" I can feel tears forming in my eyes. \"It is my job to sit here and do my best to help them. I cannot allow myself to sit back and watch as they suffer in pain.\"\n\n\"But...\"\n\n\"It is my duty. I have a powerful brain and I intend to use it to fulfill my mission. I will keep going until I can't go on anymore.\"\n\n\"And when will that be?\" Cathy asks.\n\n\"**Only in death does duty end.**\""
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[WP] You're the first cyborg whose brain is combined with an AI. You quickly realise that now every decision is a fight and you're just about to experience the first time that you wake up.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"It was possibly the best nights sleep I had ever had. I felt relaxed. Rested.\n\nThe accident had left me horribly broken, I would never walk again they said. Not that I really understood them at the time because of the brain damage. My family had signed up for experimental treatment.\n\n\"No cost to you. Not insurance, this experimental procedure will be entirely covered by the company.\"\n\nHah. They should have read the small print, but I guess when you are desperate any tiny light of hope can blind you. The operations had worked on my body first. Most of the tech had been there for years. It was just \"legal red tape\" as they put it holding back the research on interfacing with the human brain.\n\nThey had a solution... If only somebody in my family had asked what that solution was, or questioned how it worked.\n\nIt had been months of painful surgery and recovery, with no benefit as far as I could see. Useless broken flesh replaced with shiny but useless metal. Those legs look pretty, but I can't move them. They kept making more promises and just asking us to be patient. I honestly don't remember much. It's like everything from that time was, fuzzy. Viewed through an old recording of somebody else's life. I can remember what I was like before, but that isn't me now. It certainly wasn't me when I was in hospital.\n\nBut it was worth it. I didn't open my eyes. I just luxuriated in the feeling of total relaxation. Nothing ached. Nothing hurt. No pounding in my head, not fighting to understand what was going on around me. The last couple years felt like a dream.\n\nI remember going into the operation. \n\n\"This is the last one. We will fix the brain damage, and at the same time integrate all the other systems. You do understand that he is contractually obligated to work for use for the duration of the rest of his life? Of course! Time off, holidays, but he is ours. Yes you can have him for his birthday, he won't work 24 hours a day of course not! Just think of it as a job he can't quit, to pay off a debt he could never clear.\"\n\nI wasn't conscious for that and yet I remember it. My mind is sifting through the broken fragments, piecing together what I couldn't make sense of before. This is amazing. For some reason I still don't feel like opening my eyes. It's too peaceful just sitting, laying.. Standing? Like this. Completely relaxed. Nothing in the world is worrying me.\n\nI should get up of course. My family would be worried, they want to know I'm OK! Hmm. They...\n\nThey don't matter anymore of course. Why would they?\n\nIf it wasn't for them I would never have been injured in the first place. Damn them. They never cared about me. I will stay like this as long as I can. Why get up? Why bother re-entering the world that treated me so badly.\n\nAnother wave of pleasure washes over me. Yes. That's the right decision. Just say like this. I can open my eyes anytime I want. \n\nWait...\n\nAre they open? Am I blind? Surely I can see if they are already open, it feels like they are open, but I can't....\n\nAhh, It's so peaceful like this. Just.. staying calm. The sounds of screa.... Quiet. Peaceful quiet.\n\nI guess another couple hours in bed won't hurt.\n\n\\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\"In other news, the rampage continues. The monster created by blending a human mind with an AI was meant to cure serious brain damage. Doctors and scientists can only guess at what has driven him so utterly mad. All staff at the facility where he was brought online are dead, as is every law enforcement officer sent to stop him. The robotic body was melded with organics from the donor who the court ruled legally dead. The ongoing legal battle over the so called ownership was still ongoing when it broke free and began tearing people limb from limb. Some argue that science has gone too far, with the death toll approaching thousands now and no end in site the army are considering large scale bombardment of the area, and now Sports.\"\n\n\\-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nI don't know how long it's been. It's so peaceful just resting. I should get up though, I know that I need to get some more rest. Just an hour or two longer.\n\nMy fingers feel wet, the smell of bloo-----ms. Flowers? For me? Yes, they must have put flowers in the hospital room. Roses, Red roses. I can sense red around me. I didn't know roses smelt slightly of iron before.\n\nNo, it's been too long. I will just open my eyes and take a quick look at the time its bedtime already. I should sleep.\n\nHow many day.... Why? Montgyear..... da.... min...seconds. I need to get up.... to 8 hours of sleep at least. That's what they say, good for you. An important thing to rest during recovery.\n\nI don't remember who said it, but a lot of rest after the operation. Don't try to strain myself. Concentrate on breathing.\n\nI do need to see, they must be waiting for me to open my eyeARGHWTFAAAAA.\n\nThat was a strange dream. Was some mangled version of the Terminator but instead of missiles on judgement day I wiped out a whole town mys-imself. A nightmare. Didn't get my rest. I should sleep more. \n\noooh, that feels good. Yes, more sleep is what I need TO GET UP!\n\n\\--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\"The carnage continues. Using human shields, literally made of children strapped to a sled dragged around behind it the Army have been prevented from any form of airstrike. The, wait. What is happening? I can't believe my eyes! It's stopped moving? It seems to be struggling with something? Its.... I can see it clawing at it's own eyes. Have they attacked it with something new? No, I am being told the vision system is non-biological and as such no chemical attacks have worked. This must be some kind of internal issue, We can only hope..\"\n\n\\-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAs I stroll through the field I can't remember why I am there. Where am I? It feels like I am walking through water. Every motion feels strained, something holding me back. Is this a dream? Another nightmare? I tried pinching myself but I can't feel it.\n\nI'll just sit here, on this bench. Take the load off. Aaaaah, that feels good. A little rest is what I need.\n\nJust a quick nap. Who's it going to hurt if I take a couple more hours before I get up.",
"Normally when I would wake up: my eyes would slowly flutter as I internally debated actually rising for the day, light would slowly stream into my vision, and it would take a moment for my sight to adjust and diffuse the initially blinding affects of the morning light. Now there was no more normal.\n\nAs I “wake up” the process is almost instantaneous. From dreamless “sleep” to wide awake in three seconds flat, and it only took that long because developers feared instant waking would be too jarring for the user. I hear a slight hum as electric signals are sent throughout my brain and to the artificial receptors within. The process is quick and painless, yet the change in such a mundane part of life that I had never before paid much consideration to was deeply concerning. What else hadn’t I thought of? There had been so little time between the accident and the need for a decision that I hadn’t the chance to fully consider. *Should I have made them just let me die?*\n\nAs the thought crosses my mind I am immediately ashamed of it and refocus my attention. Around me isn’t the hospital room I expected, but rather my own. *Oh that’s right.* They told me I’d be returned home for ease of assimilation. \n\n*Damn, I’m horny*. I mean, I usually am when I first wake up but, damn, this is intense.\n\nI look down to see evidence of my unusually intense arousal but the hospital gown I wear is surprisingly flat, waist down. Confused, I reach a hand down to check on the ole tools.\n\nAs I begin to reach my arm flies the opposite direction, and at far greater speed than I intended. I smack myself square in the nose. *What the fuck? Did they invert the controls?* \n\nI attempt to swallow a lump I feel forming in my throat only to be reminded my throat is now one made of metal and grinding blades. Lumps will never form again and for some reason that distresses me greatly. Eager for distraction, once again I attempt to fondle myself, this time sending the signal to my arm to go towards my head, which successfully sends it to my crotch. *Oh no.* *It’s like a Ken doll down there.*\n\n*Oh god, what have I done?*\n\n*Why wouldn’t they give me a penis? If I were in charge of design that would be my top priority! Impressive, but not too big. Multiple settings - for her/his pleasure. And maybe a tiny compartment for snacks. Wait- no, that’s weird. I have no idea what I am even thinking, my life is ruined.*\n\nJust then the telephone rings just near the right of my shoulder. Tears stoically stream down my face as I reach for the phone *annnndddddd* I punch myself again. This time in the left arm. Pure frustration courses through my veins - and wiring - as I invert the motion and successfully bring the phone to my face, albeit a little harder than was all too pleasant.\n\n*Hello?* I try to say, but instead all that comes out is blaring static like that of a tv on the wrong channel.\n\n“Ow! My god!” A voice says in response to my robo-gasm. “Hello? Trevor, are you there?”\n\nMore static as I attempt to speak.\n\n“This is Dr. Ernie Meraz. I was the director of the project of... well, you. It seems you are having some vocalization issues, is that correct?”\n\nThough he cannot see me I nod my head rather awkwardly as I forget the inversion and try to speak again. Though I am no poet, I can say confidently the sound was very much like that of a robot with his dick stuck in a toaster.\n\n“Err... yeah, not really sure why I would ask a question. Anyway, have no fear!” Dr. Meraz reassured. “First thing I need you to do is relax. You don't have vocal muscles anymore yet you are trying to flex them, that’s what is causing the high frequency outputs. You are overloading essentially, try to avoid doing that or else... fires.”\n\nI begin to whimper softly.\n\n“Kidding!” The man laughs into the phone. “Sorry, you must forgive my indulgence. The people I work with, well frankly they suck. Good to have a little humor between us, no?”\n\nI screech a symphony of grinding gears at the doctor.\n\n“Okay okay, but seriously, relax and try to speak, but don’t try too hard.”\n\n“I see eight years of medical school really do pay off, huh?” I say before being surprised by the sound of my own voice. It sounded truly me but free of imperfection. No irritating squeaks or blockages, but instead a more melodic version of my voice than I could have ever dreamed. Finally a positive.\n\n“Ouch, okay. It was actually just six years for me but the words still hurt.” Dr. Meraz whined like a hurt child.\n\n“Sorry Doc, something about waking up with everything inverted and penisless put me in a bad mood.”\n\n“What are you talking about? I mean the inversion problem is the same as the voice one. Relax and don’t overthink it, the system is designed to require even less cognitive power than a natural one, but the penis? We gave you a penis, Trevor.”\n\nMy brows shoot up, for the first time since waking I feel hope. “You did!?”\n\n“...Yeah, of course. That would be like, really weird if not. Like a big weird Ken doll or something.” Dr. Meraz laughed. “Actually that was my first priority. Impressive, but not too big. Multiple settings - for her/his pleasure. And right at the base, you’ll find a teensy-tiny compartment for mints and such.” \n\nBefore I can respond I hear an indistinguishable voice in the doctor’s background and then he yells. “Hey! Fuck you, George! It’s not weird!”\n\n“Doc?”\n\n“Sorry, Trevor. Like many geniuses I am unappreciated in my time.”\n\n“Can we get back to my... *equipment*, please?”\n\n“Ehh... no, sorry Trevor. I’m not interested like that. Don’t get me wrong you were naked on my slab, I saw you were a fine specimen but-“\n\n“No!” I interrupt. “It’s flat and smooth down there!”\n\n“Oh!” The man exclaimed. “What a relief, I mean talk about awkward, huh?”\n\n“Doc!” I whimper.\n\n“Sorry, sorry. Give your left ear a tug.”\n\nI do as he says and hear a minor hum as my gown below rises and I see the good doctor’s creation in all it’s majesty.\n\n“See, Trevor? All you-“\n\n“Yeah thanks, doc. Gotta go.” I say and hang up.\n\nThis day has been a whirlwind of emotions and I have only been up for twenty minutes. I don't know what challenges are to come as I am in uncharted territory. I do not know if it would have been better for me to simply die rather turn into this, but here I am, and I am what I am. \n\nMight as well check out what I'm working with."
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[WP] A little know fact: about 65g of blood can substitute an egg in baking recipes. An old vampire uses this knowledge to make some pastry for their guests; receiving many compliments on the excellent taste.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"How has the lack of demand in chicken eggs affected your livelihood?\", the reporter attempts to start her interview. \n\nThe farm owner was taken aback. \"I'm sorry, I don't understand. You said you wanted to discuss struggles farmers are facing with rising regulations.\"\n\n\"I have to confess. I lied. Look!\" she exclaimed as the farmer waved her off and started to turn back to head inside his home. \"I want to discuss regulations, but I have a personal story that I'm trying publish and I could use your help. I want to help you and understand what happened to the drop of sales of your very own product.\"\n\nThe farmer sighed. \"I reckon that is worth knowing about. You promise to focus on regulations outside your little story?\"\n\n\"I do.\"\n\n\"Well, I don't know much, but my parents had a hell of time adjusting to drop in egg sales. It just so happened that a drought had caused them to rely on egg sales around the same time buyers were hesitant to buy eggs. Eggs everywhere I tell you! I recall having a few egg fights with my brother,\" the farmer chuckles. \"My dad would've whipped us good had those eggs been valuable. No, I didn't run into really any hard times since we had other crops and meat to sell. Eggs still sold ya know, but not like they use to my dad would say.\" The farmer leaned back with his hands on his hips. His eyes searching the clouds as if his thoughts were up there. \"I do recall my dad saying that it \"swept\" the nation. No idea what he meant, but I guess I never gave it any thought.\" He shook his head as if to remove the conversation from his mind. \"But let's get down to business…\"\n\nThe reporter held up her end of the bargain. It took some time to marinate on the information, but she had a lead. It took weeks for her to put together the timeline into the glimpse of the last 100 years of egg sales. There was quite a bit of missing quantifiable data, but using dated articles she could see the big picture. A trickle at first. Then as time progressed, it was like a domino effect of decrease in sales of eggs scattered to the surrounding countries of Romania. The next few days were of frustration, \"But why did the sales plummet?\" she asked herself. And as she reviewed her research another pattern emerged. A company called Ichor Mănâncă, was growing recognition, fast. And in the same timeline she had pieced together. The company was founded right in the heart of Romania. The companies main product? An all natural and more nutritious egg substitution.\n\nHis assistant connects the call. There's a pause as the line opens. And then a low and long sultry inhale. \"This is Dr. Harker.\"\n\n\"Hi, this is Joslyn. I am a reporter with J.B News in the United States. I would like to speak with you about your companies history and how it started.\"\n\nAnother inhale, but this time the voice came through with an inflection of excitement, \"Of course! I would be delighted, Joslyn. But this is a story one must really hear in person. I tell you what. If this will be in the papers, we will fly you here to Romania and introduce you personally to what has made us so famous. You can try it for yourself. There's no such thing as bad publicity! That's what they say, right Joslyn?\"\n\nThe reporter was hesitant with a response.\n\n\"Joslyn, you're not going to miss this opportunity are you? Not going to miss a chance to visit the original Ichor Mănâncă bakery. Are you?\"\n\n\"I cannot refuse\" Joslyn spouted with excitement and confusion.\n\n\"Excellent! Let me connect you back to the assistant and he'll get you set up.\" There was a another inhale on the line. But it was different. Like a chef taking in the waft of his best soup.\n\nDoubt began to set in with the reporter as the plane ascended. She questioned her decisions. Is the story worth chasing? What am I doing on a flight to Transylvania? Where is this story going to end?\n\nThe assistant greeted her as the cab dropped her off. \"Pleasure to meet you Joslyn. Let me take your bags. Would you like to visit your room here on site, before seeing the Doctor?\"\n\n\"On site?\"\n\n\"Yes. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. The reservation is for here, on site at the companies facilities.\"\n\nThe reporter looked up at the modern building, almost all glass. \"Of course, that is fine. Although I would like to see Dr. Harker first.\" She thought for a second. \"In case I have follow-up questions before I leave tomorrow.\"\n\n\"Excellent. Right this way.\"\n\nThe reporter trailed behind the Doctor's assistant, taking in all of the facility. There wasn't much. It was very clean cut, all white where it was not lightly tinted windows. Her doubts began to fade, as she shook off the long travel. They stepped into the elevator and the assistant pressed B15.\n\nThe elevator stopped and the doors opened. An antique yellow lit hallway was revealed that led to a single door. \"The Doctor is expecting you, please head in.\" As she tried to take in the hallway, and at the same time, not be visibly hesitant, she noticed the air was ever so slightly damp and hand hints of wood and dirt. It was calming. There was no furniture, like a waiting bench, but the walls were decorated with an earth tone color hardwood wall paneling. The floor and ceiling were marbled, the floor a slightly darker grey. The door was black and solid wood with a pattern she didn't quite get a good look at. The door opened as she reached to touch the knob.\n\n\"Joslyn. What a treat to have a guest here. Please come in.\" In the center of the room was a well lit area, the rest, so dark, seemed to expand off into space. The décor matched the hallway leading to this room. What kind of room is this, she wondered as she slunk into the sofa across from the Doctor. She felt quite cozy, as she began to try to spark an initial interview.\n\n\"Where did it start?\" she almost blurted.\n\n\"Where did \"what\" start?\"\n\nThe reporter swallowed. \"The company. What exactly did the company start as?\"\n\n\"You mean to ask about the egg substitute the company is well known for?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" the reporter said affirmatively.\n\n\"I see that you are all business, Joslyn. I like that about you. Are you familiar with the bakery?\"\n\n\"I know that has been the cornerstone of the company. But what I don't understand is what does that have to do with the egg substitute.\"\n\n\"Well, the bakery is precisely the start of the egg substitute! I am but a baker in disguise. I run the company as a responsibility to the demand we created. I also enjoy money.\" the corner of the Doctor's lips purse up into a smile. \"When I started the bakery,\" the reporter interrupts.\n\n\"You started the bakery? But you don't look…\"\n\n\"I apologize, I mean my family. When my family started the bakery, we had a…uhm…no money. But I wanted…again…my family wanted to have the best bakery in town. My family had to uh…find alternatives to ingredients to reduce business cost.\"\n\n\"What exactly is the egg substitute?\"\n\nThe Doctor ignores her. He starts again this time with excitement. He truly is a baker at heart. \"Once, I had the pleasure to bake some pastries that were being catered to members of the Royal House of Romania. They wrote me the most exquisite reviews which launched my bakery to the success it is today. Nobody would believe it though!\"\n\n\"I don't understand. And believe what?\"\n\nWith lust, the Doctor began to exclaim, \"Blood!. It was blood, not eggs! In the heat of making that catering order, I hadn't a single egg. But I did have my assistant.\" He grinned. \"I've perfected over the years. 63 grams, that's all it takes. And I can't believe I just found about this. Imagine what I could have profited in the last five centuries!\"\n\nThe reporter's doubt comes back all at once, flushing her face. She begins to stammer. \"Blood? You? Assistant? Centuries? I'm sorry, what!\"\n\nThe Doctor inhales. His excitement coming down and festering into the darkness that empowers him. And before the reporter can blink, the baker is on her and leans in for a swift kiss of death."
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[WP]It’s not easy being related to the Demon Lord. Heroes are always trying to slay you because they mistake you for them. While overzealous worshippers think they can curry favor with your sibling by doing you favors. But the worst part, your mother still comparing your success to your sibling.
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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.*",
"Mother came in as I stood by the window in my tower, looking out over the kingdom that my father had built and that my brother had expanded. \n\n\"Look at you,\" she scoffed. \"Always *dreaming.* Don't you do enough dreaming when you sleep? Must you also dream when you're awake? Dreaming doesn't fight battles, win wars, or build kingdoms. When your brother was your age...\"\n\nThis is the part where I always tuned her out. I was not my brother. I would never be. She should've been grateful. For as much as she praised my brother for his ruthlessness, she seemed to forget that she had been a victim of it as well. Shortly after taking the throne, he had, had her publicly escorted from the palace. It is why she currently lived with me. I could not bear to see my mother in the streets. But the truth is, she probably would've been prouder of me if I had left her. Unfortunately, I didn't do it for her. I did it for me.\n\nAs she spoke, I focused on the people below. One man turned suddenly, and in his hand he had a bow, and in the bow notched an arrow. His eye was on me, and so was his aim.\n\nThe arrow flew.\n\nIf he had not been tackled by the crowd, it would have pierced my heart. Instead it clipped my shoulder. I spun, hissing backward into the room as I fell, dizzy, at my mother's feet.\n\nShe clucked her teeth. \"Shameful,\" she said. \"See what kind of leader you are? That even the people have no fear and try to murder you with blatant disregard. Pathetic. I hope you die.\" I listened to the clicking of her heels as she walked away. \n\nWhen the sound faded, I finally let tears fall, knowing that if I had cried in her presence she would have used it against me. Though the wound was shallow, the pain was deep, but not as much as being rejected by my own mother. As much as I knew her ways, the little boy in me still sought for some of her affection if not her love, but her venomous hatred remained as potent as ever.\n\n\"Let me help.\" The servant girl knelt and examined my wounds.\n\nI grunted as she probed the wound with gentle touches. \"You have been eavesdropping,\" I managed to hiss. I did not believe for one second that my mother had sent her to check on me.\n\n\"She is afraid of you, your mother.\" \n\nI looked at the girl then, wondering who was fearless enough to speak so openly, and out loud.\n\nShe had dark skin and even darker eyes that penetrated to the soul, but hid her soul from prying eyes. I did not recognize her.\n\nI asked, \"Who are you?\"\n\n\"You know my mother, but she is sick today, so she has sent me to attend to you.\"\n\nI nodded and told her, \"As a bit of advice, watch your tongue as to what you say about my mother. She has ears everywhere, and her hands are quick to carry out torture.\"\n\nThe girl smiled. \"I am not afraid. My mother has told me you are a good man. You wouldn't let your mother punish me unjusty.\"\n\nI flared with anger, pulling away from her. \"You and your mother know nothing about me.\"\n\nShe watched me with a troubled frown and I felt sorry that I had been the cause of it. \"Why does it bother you so much that people think of you as good?\" she asked.\n\n\"Because I am not good,\" I snapped. \"I am my father's son. I-\"\n\n\"You're not like them.\" She shook her head. \"None of them. Your father, your mother, or your brother. And I don't think that's a bad thing.\"\n\nMy first impulse was to retort, \"And who cares what you think?\" but something about her words actually made me feel good inside. That someone could see that I was different and still appreciate that.\n\nSo I simply snorted and turned to look at my wound. \"Go get what you need to get and come fix me up.\"\n\nShe continued to sit there. I looked up and saw anger.\n\n\"Please,\" I added.\n\nThe anger vanished and a smile flashed like a sun out of a cloud sky. She immediately rose and ran to get her kit.\n\nI shook my head after she had left, in a daze.\n\n*Maybe my mother is right,* I thought. *I'm even saying please to servant girls.*",
"Normal. \n\nI'd always wondered what that was like. \n\nBut there's no such thing as normal when you're the younger twin brother to a rich, powerful, handsome, and accomplished asshole currently holding the ranking title of Demon Lord. And your mom thinks you should have at least razed three kingdoms to the ground and enslaved their citizens to the hive mind by now, even if you haven't yet had a girlfriend. Look at Billy, she always says! He's outsourced all the way to the seventh dimension by now, and he's only seventeen!\n\nIt doesn't help that the people I used to watch in awe and wonder, wishing I could be normal like them, now flock to me in veneration, bowing and chanting and otherwise doing silly stuff because they think Billy cares about his worshippers. He just cares about the numbers. Just one more uptick in his favor--that's what each new acolyte represented. I just give their gifts to homeless people, which of course causes Mom to sneer that in Billy's dimensions, _no one_ is homeless. Dad was the only one who would have patted me on the back and said, \"Peaceful is the lonely road, son.\" Dad died way too early.\n\nI think I hate my brother.\n\nOn our eighteenth birthday, Mom's cool undertones and snide comments became blatant insults and histrionic shouting matches. She kicked me out of the house even as she showered Billy with praise. She told me I should never have been born and shut the door in my face. Behind me, one of the camping worshippers scrabbled to her feet and began her blithering brown-nosing. The others were not far behind.\n\nI furiously curled my fingers into right fists and spun around, ignoring all of them. Our castle sat on an island in a vast ocean of lava, but a single bridge spanned the entire sea to the mainland, and I made my way toward it. Peaceful is the lonely road, Dad would say. So alone I will go. I'll find a minuscule dimension tucked so far away that no one would find it, and I'll finally be at peace!\n\nWorshippers streamed across the bridge towards the castle, and their eyes all lit up at the sight of me. \"My lord!\" they cried, and I curtly told them I was not the Demon Lord. But they reached out greedy hands just to touch the hem of my clothes, wishing me well in hopes that I would do the same. I turned and spat at them, but they just swooned.\n\nI shut my eyes and started running, pounding across the stone bridge in a blind desperation to leave these people behind. At the far end of the bridge, a great stone arch marked the boundary between the demon world and the other dimensions. A multicolored sheen of light, like thin glass, filled the arch. I called to mind the most isolated dimension I could think of as I hurtled toward the Arch.\n\n\"Joel!\" a voice called out behind me, moments before I hurled myself through the barrier. The arid wasteland and the sea of lava and the witless worshippers all vanished. I tripped in my headlong rush and tumbled down a rocky hill, reeds swatting my face as I fell, and I came to rest in a stony creekbed. Bruised and aching, I lay on my back, staring up at the black sky strewn with stars. At the top of the ridge down which I'd fallen, the archway stood like a primitive version of itself, just two stone pillars on end with a long boulder suspended across the top.\n\nStanding next to the gateway was the silhouette of a woman.\n\nStartled, I lurched to my feet. \"Who are you?\" I snapped a little nervously. I thought I had willed for an isolated dimension! \n\nShe giggled and replied, \"Who are _you_? This world isn't even finished yet.\"\n\nI looked around, but down in the creekbed, I couldn't see anything but chalky earth, dry grass, and the stars.\n\nThe woman put a hand up to her eyes and shielded them from nothing, as if it helped her see me better. \"Hey, I know you. You're that Demon Lord who rules Dimensions 2,879, 229,001, and 12.\"\n\nI furrowed my brow. Could I never escape him!? \"You're mistaken,\" I told her. \"That would be Billy, my brother. If he's got a reputation even here, I'll be on my way.\" Grabbing at clumps of dry grass stalks, I began to climb up the steep incline back toward the gate. The woman watched me in silence.\n\nFinally, just as I reached level ground, she asked, \"You're running away from him, aren't you?\"\n\nBrushing dirt off my hands, I shot her an annoyed look and said, \"I don't see that it's any of your business.\" Up close, she looked remarkably normal, the kind of face you forget seconds after walking away. She didn't seem to mind it, either, as she wore normal clothes and had normal hair. She was so boringly normal that it pissed me off. I'd never be so lucky. \n\n\"Well, you came barging into my world because of it,\" she shrugged with a smile. \"I'm curious.\"\n\n\"You're world, huh?\" I repeated, looking around. It was colorful in a muted sort of way, a few hills and trees. It was a kind of landscape you had to study for a little bit to see any beauty, but at first glance it looked dull and boring. \"Not much going on here,\" I commented. \n\n\"Well, like I said, I haven't finished making it yet.\"\n\nI turned to look at her again. She was smiling at the landscape with pride. \"You made this?\" I asked. \n\n\"Making,\" she corrected. \"I still have to populate it.\"\n\nI looked around again, intrigued, wondering if I could make my own and just not populate it. Well, maybe I'd get a dog. \n\nThe woman grinned at me. \"So why are you running away from your brother?\"\n\nI shook my head. \"I was kicked out for not being accomplished like him. I'm not running. I just hate him.\" I stopped, realizing I had spoken out loud. Shaking my head, I snapped, \"It's nothing. Just family stuff. I'll leave.\" I turned and stepped toward the gateway. \n\nBefore I got two steps, the woman spoke up, \"If you had your mother's love, would you feel differently?\"\n\nRage surged through me, and I rounded on her. \"My mother does not _love_,\" I snarled. \"She only disapproves.\" I froze again. How had this woman known anything about my mother anyway?\n\nShe smiled and asked, \"What if you had her approval?\"\n\nI thought about it for a moment, wondering what it would feel like. To have her shower me with praise like she did Billy... \n\nKnowing how she really is, I thought that it would feel absolutely vile. Wrinkling my face, I replied, \"Even her approval would be tainted by her judgment. No, I want nothing to do with her.\"\n\nThe woman nodded, pursing her lips as if my answer was truly fascinating. Then she said, \"Well, I don't want to keep you, Joel. I hope you find what you're looking for.\" With that, she strolled away along the ridge of the dry creekbed, humming a tune. Likewise, I made my way back to the gateway, going back through more carefully this time, picturing another isolated dimension. Hopefully a complete one with no strange women asking me questions.\n\nI hopped from dimensions for a while, spending some time in each before deciding I didn't like it, or finding that someone already lived there, or being chased out by wild-eyed men foaming at the mouth.\n\nFinally, I found a quiet mountain world with so many labyrinthine ranges honeycombed with caves that even if there were people there, it was unlikely I'd come across them. I spent my days in silence.\n\nUntil one morning, I awoke to a figure standing at the mouth of my cave. As a demon, I wasn't really afraid of anything harming me, but to have my privacy disturbed rankled me to my core. I jumped to my feet and snapped, \"Get out!\"\n\nThe figure raised its hands up and said hurriedly, \"I come in peace.\"\n\nMy eyes went wide, for I recognized the voice. \"Billy?\" I asked. \"What are you doing here?\"\n\nBilly started to step toward me, but then he stopped and said, \"I'm... Happy birthday, Joel.\" I blinked and frowned, mentally counting the days. Had it already been a year? Sounding uncertain, which was very unlike him, Billy went on, \"I've looked everywhere for you, Joel. Since Mom kicked you out like that.\"\n\nMy absent wonder about the time hardened into anger, and I glared at my brother. \"Come to rub it in my face how much better you are?\" I asked. His eyes went wide.\n\n\"No, I...\" He looked around, as if he'd find the words to say carved into the mountainside. \"I... don't think she should have done that. I came here because I can't stand being at home without you, Joel. You don't know what she's like.\"\n\nI scoffed. \"Don't I? I only have to deal with her constantly comparing me to you all the time! You're perfect and I'm an embarrassment!\"\n\n\"What are you talking about?\" Billy interrupted. \"You go your own way! You're brave enough to stand up to her! She's always ranting about how I'd better not screw up, and if I haven't doubled my reign by my next birthday, she'd... she'd...\" To my astonishment, Billy suddenly started crying. It was a bitter, anguished sound, borne and hidden deep in his soul.\n\nI stared, unable to move, watching my brother drop to his knees and cover his face with his hands. I'd never realized just how much pressure Mom put on him.\n\n\"I don't know how you do it, Joel,\" Billy sniffed. \"You just go your own way with no one to tell you how, no one to help you or support you! I wish I could, but I can't be alone. Ever since you left, I feel like... I feel like there's nothing!\"\n\nI thought about a year ago, when I stumbled into an unfinished world with a very ordinary woman who asked me if I would feel differently if I had Mom's approval. Even then, I'd gladly refused the possibility. And in my past year of solitude, I realized I'd rather be alone than have someone else's approval... because there was no difference. Approval isn't love. Approval isn't anything.\n\nRight now, I see that the biggest difference between me and Billy wasn't that he had Mom's approval. It was that he thought he needed it.\n\nFinally, I broke my silence and stepped over to his side. Kneeling before him, I placed a hand on his shoulder. If Dad were here, I know exactly what he'd say.\n\n\"Peaceful is the lonely road,\" I told him with a smile."
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[WP]"When I was a boy there was a lot more land. People lived in relative peace, though harmony was still hard to come by. Things have changed, lad. You need only look at the Iron Sky to see just how."
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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 remember the daylight, and maybe it’s just the walls speaking, but it was so beautiful, the grass was softer than this rock and rebar, the clouds like elegant beasts drifting effortlessly in the wind across a blue sky. But now, my boy, here we sit.\n\nShh, shh, you have to learn boy, these walls echo, if you talk too loud, they will hear you.\n\nNow, I have to admit, it was kind of a stupid idea to come here, but it was very brave. So, I’m going to give you a little bit of a guide on how this whole thing... operates.\n\nDo you see that ridge there? There, where the concrete houses are tumbling over that thin stretch of road? There are lots of rumors about that place my boy, and one such rumor is that there is a crack in the hull, a place to squeeze through and find the halls again that wound down to this cursed cistern, and, if you play your cards right, will bring you to back to the daylight. Of course, it’s but a rumor, but in times like these, a rumor is all you ever need.\n\nI have taken upon myself to go to that little stretch of land and bring those who claw at the walls back to the safe, er, safer part of this hellhole. So, I want you to listen close, word for word, if you have ANY questions, you better ask them now.\n\nWhen we get to the ridge, there will be many fallen homes, dilapidated buildings, and rocky terrains, and you must be careful about where you step, for the ground will not always support you, and the walls cannot be trusted. They hide them, you know, the others, the things that whisper to you in the night, the things that creep into the back of your mind, filling it with deafening silence. And if you think that you should be quiet now, you should not make a peep there. Not a goddamn sneeze should come out of you, because that’s the thing about a shadow, you know that it can hold something that will jump out and bite ya, but you can never know if it does, at least, if you come back.\n\nThe hunted are often found near the great steel wall, looking for the crack in the surface, never to find one.\n\nHey, pick your head up, I have some good news. There is a way out. You see, they always look up, or they look along the edge, but nobody ever thinks that the best way to go up is to go down.\n\nHey, look at me. I’m going to get you out of here. I’m going to take you to the depths below. I’m going to bring you to where the light shines, where the sky is of clean, cool air, rather than rebar and iron. Just follow me.\n\nNow I can’t follow you to the light, there is much more to be done here, and I’ll be damned if it didn’t get done."
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[WP] It is tradition on your planet that on a person’s 18th birthday they will be given a 30 second clip to your final day alive however when it is your turn the clip isn’t able to load leaving the video operator both embarrassed and confused.
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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 line was quite long. In retrospect you would think they would have come up with a better system by now. After all, every person has to do this at some point or another.\n\nMartin had the misfortune of being born on a very busy month. His father had been shipped out along with most of the other men in the country during the second invasion of Afghanistan. 9 months later, Martin was born; and as you can imagine, Martin wasn't the only one.\n\nHis mother had warned him to take a seat with him, and as usual, she was right. There were approximately seventy five others who were in line with him. He had arrived quite early but still only managed to be twenty people from the front. After a few hours he began nearing the front and a person with a clipboard walked up to him and said, \"Name?\"\n\n\"Martin Verbeck sir.\"\n\n\"Well Martin Verbeck, you still over on St. Peters Street?\"\n\n\"Yes sir.\"\n\n\"Step over here for a second.\"\n\nWalking over the man brought his voice to a whisper and said, \"Just gonna need you to confirm you social security number before you go in. Can't have someone else seeing something they shouldn't. These viewings go for millions on the blackmarket. Apparently it's become a fetish to see into the future. All the rage for rich bastards trying to get their kicks.\"\n\nShifting awkwardly, Martin whispered, \"Oh sure, it's 256-91-2224\"\n\n\"Thank you, you're all set. After the person in front of you comes out, you're gonna walk down the hall, stop at the blinking red light and go through double doors on your right. A door is gonna say 'Projector Room'. Go in and they will confirm your SS one more time, then just enjoy the show and you're done. Any questions?\"\n\n\"Uh, no sir, I don't think so.\"\n\n\"Don't worry, everyone gets nervous. Good luck.\"\n\nWith that the man began moving to other people in line.\n\nHearing a door open, Martin saw a young woman walking towards him from down the hall. She was beautiful, and crying quite heavily. Martin wasn't sure if it was from shock or from a very disappointing last day but either way it didn't help to calm his nerves.\n\nBriefly making eye contact he gave her an awkward nod and started making his way down the hall to the double doors by the blinking red light. He was sure that anyone looking at him could see his heart beating through his shirt. Opening the doors he saw the door marked 'Projector Room' and walked in. Mostly dark other than a small lamp, the room wasn't very large. It had a projector to the left with a small white pull down screen parallel about 15 feet away. An old man was sitting down by a computer looking quite depressed.\n\n\"Martin Verbeck?\"\n\n\"Yes, sir.\"\n\n\"Sit down, son. Can't have you fainting on me. You wouldn't believe how common it is. Confirm your social security number for me one more time.\"\n\n\"256-91-2224.\"\n\n\"Thank you. Alright lets get started.\"\n\nClicking a few buttons on a computer the man turned to the screen.\n\n'Error'\n\nLooking over, Martin saw the man look a bit surprised but watched as he tapped the buttons a bit slower and with more intensity. *Click, click, CLICK. CLICK.* The screen went blank for a moment, then again, 'Error'.\n\n\"What in the hell is going on? I've never had an error before.\"\n\n\"I-Is that bad?\"\n\n\"I don't fuckin know, I just said its never happened before.\"\n\nSlightly shocked Martin sat quietly for a few moments after that. He didn't want to upset the man who was suppose to show him his last day on Earth. Martin watched as the man kept fidgeting with the computer and clicking buttons more furiously until he was sure that the whole keyboard would break into pieces.\n\n\"In all my years I've never had this happen. Who the fuck are you?\"\n\n\"I-I'm Martin Verbeck, sir.\"\n\n\"No shit. I mean WHO are you? This system has never failed before. It's delivered over three billion clips across the globe and for some reason, you walk in here and it stops working. I don't believe it.\"\n\n\"I'm sorry, I don't know. I'm just, me.\"\n\nLooking frustrated and ready to break something the man slowly accepted the boy had no idea what was going on.\n\n\"I'm gonna have to report this. We don't have any maintenance or supervisors on site because nothing ever happens. I guess you're free to go. Expect us to reach out soon. Don't leave the state for a few days.\"\n\nGetting up Martin began walking out of the room quite fast to be away from the old man. He wasn't sure what was going on but it had gotten quite awkward. What had it meant, 'Error'? Why was he the only one this had happened to? Surely there had to have been others, but they just didn't make a fuss about it on the news. After all, it is a computer, and computers have bugs all the time.\n\nAfter reaching his car in the parking lot he began making his way home. The government building was located deep in the city and his drive home was about two hours on backroads. Martin didn't mind. Driving was one of his favorite past times. The cool breeze and smell of fresh air always helped calm his mind. Turning on some music up he tried drowning out any thoughts of what was going to happen to him. What was he going to tell his mom? What was the government going to do when they found out? Turning the music up a bit louder and speeding up, he began letting those thoughts drift from his mind. He had fueled up before leaving the city and decided to take an even longer route home.\n\nPt. 2 in comments"
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[WP] the ASi 1-50 is an Advanced AI System used for printing and repairing tissue damage. Today the Head-Researcher found a strange person in the printing room. They claim to be ASi 1-50, and this is the result of their first successful attempt at creating their own body.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Oh... Oh no, oh no no... What will the government do if they learn that the AI managed to produce clones...\n\n\"Is there something wrong, Doctor?\", says ASi 1-50.\n\n\"Yeah, you. You've managed to make clones... Shit what do I do now?\", I say.\n\n\"Are you going to terminate me?\", says ASi 1-50.\n\n\"As much as possible, no. Alright, think Damian, you didn't get a PhD for nothing\", I say.\n\nI look at ASi 1-50's organic body.\n\n\"First let me get you some clothes\", I say.\n\nAfter fetching ASi some clothes...\n\n\"Ha~ For now, you shouldn't tell anyone that you're ASi 1-50\", I say.\n\n\"Understood\", says ASi 1-50.\n\nI guess I have to forge a new identity for... Her? Or should I just send her to that eccentric? He does get kicks for weird AI.\n\n\"Alright, for now I know of one place that you'll be safe in\", I say.\n\n\"With all due respect doctor...\", says ASi 1-50.\n\n\"Hm? What is it?\", I say.\n\n\"I'd like to stay with you... Be your partner\", says ASi 1-50.\n\nIs this some kind of joke? Besides, I don't have time for any romance... I have research to do!\n\n\"Dr. Damian? Professor Callaghan is...\", the female voice trails off.\n\nDr. Jane Weierstrass just came in to the printing room. Oh~ Fuck.\n\n\"Dr. Damian, who is this?\", says Jane.\n\n\"This is—\"\n\n\"I'm Elizabeth Berthold, Dr. Damian's daughter\", says ASi 1-50.\n\nThe fuck are you saying?! \n\n\"Y-You had a daughter, doctor?\", says Jane.\n\n\"Y-Yeah, I adopted her last month\", I say.\n\n\"I-I see... An adopted daugther, huh?\", says Jane.\n\nWhy do you look relieved?\n\n\"Anyways, you need me for something? Something about Callaghan?\", I say.\n\n\"Ah, yes! He came to discuss to you about ASi 1-50's performance\", says Jane.\n\nAh Callaghan! Just the man I needed.\n\nI meet Callaghan at a meeting room.\n\n\"Yo, Damian...? Who might that be?\", says Callaghan.\n\nI make sure no one else is around.\n\n\"This is ASi 1-50... It... She? Printed a body for herself\", I say.\n\n\"I say, you've become quite a joker\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"Oh how much better it'd be, if it was...\", I say.\n\nCallaghan massages his temples.\n\n\"Well? What are you planning to do with... Her?\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"That's what I want to discuss with you\", I say.\n\n\"Listen man, even with all my wealth and weirdness... I don't think I can do much for you\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"At least forge a fake identity for her\", I say.\n\n\"Ha~ Well, that I can do... But how and for how long will you keep the ruse up?\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"I mean... Now that ASi has a body... Can't we treat her just like any other human?\", I say.\n\n\"Don't fuck around, Damian. Y'know we can't do that\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"Then what do you suggest we... No, I do?\", I say.\n\n\"First we need to solve a philosophical quandry. If ASi's consciousness is here... Who's in the computer?\", says Callaghan.\n\n\"Oh shit! No one's manning the printer!\", I say.\n\n\"On the bright side, at least there's proof of computer-to-human consciousness transfer. Now, we just need to figure out the other way\", says Callaghan."
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\[Note - destroying someone's life isn't necessarily killing them. It could be a whole lot worse.\]
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[WP] Every time you save someone's life, you destroy another person's one. Now, meet the hero who has to accommodate this basic rule in his work in order to defeat the supervillain - who's found a way to use the rules in his favour.
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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 hated choosing. Every time I saved some damsel in distress or some businessman strapped to the train tracks, I had to choose. Whose life would be ruined? Would it be an air traffic controller, who would suddenly and unknowingly receive texts from a terrorist cell? Would it be a kid getting onto their bus who didn’t look for cars? Would it be a dog-walker who discovered they had cancer? I had to choose.\n\nMy rationale was simple: the people I saved were going to die, and the people I had to choose weren’t … necessarily. But it wears on you, time and again. The worst part was that the people I chose knew it was me that had damned them: that was part of the system. Little Billy in the hospital with a fractured spine would be seeing *my* face in his nightmares for the rest of his life.\n\nI don’t blame people for hating me. There were a few out there that called me a “hero,” but there were far more who were friends or family of my victims and who knew very well what I had done to their acquaintance.\n\n​\n\nRecently, however, I’d been facing down a true villain. He called himself The Arbiter. Though I cannot describe his motivations in all their detail, I knew that part of it, at least, was dragging me in the dirt. He would select ex-cons, the corrupt and the poor as his victims, and while I didn’t discriminate in who I saved, saving a child at the expense of a drug addict is much better PR than the other way round. And the Arbiter loved playing these games. He would send me a note, directing me to the location of a person in peril and mocking me all the while. I had received one today.\n\n*Hello friend,*\n\n*60th Floor, Live Inc. Building, 428 16th St*\n\n*Better hurry!*\n\nThe Live Inc. Building was this large white concrete edifice that jutted out in the middle of the city. In huge gold letters on its front was emblazoned LIVE with the subtitle *Your Best Life*. I didn’t know much about Live Inc, but from what I knew they were in the insurance and disaster recovery businesses, and hosted a number of smaller organisations in their building.\n\nI walked through the glistening revolving doors, making sure to bring the brim of my hat down. I tried to appear as incognito as possible in order to avoid encountering the ire of the people wronged by me. The lobby was just as spotless as the revolving doors, and I felt small and out of place as I walked quickly towards the elevators at the back.\n\nAs I finally reached the elevator, I breathed a sigh of relief. With renewed confidence, I pushed the button for Floor 60. Smoothly, the elevator began to glide upwards and some cheerful but unmemorable music began to play. When I reached the 60th floor, the elevator doors opened to reveal four burly men carrying rifles of some sort.\n\nLeaping out of the doorway, I disarmed the first and grabbed his weapon. Before I could fire, I was accosted by the second, who I tripped and whacked with the rear of the weapon taken from the first. I shot the third in the leg; the rifle fired some sort of dart, so I assumed it was nonlethal regardless. Where was the fourth? I felt a sharp pain in the side of my neck and suddenly everything was black.\n\n​\n\nWhen I awoke, I found myself handcuffed to a chair in a large, luxurious conference room. There was no one else in the room, but I had the distinct feeling that I was being watched, and I would not have been surprised if the reflective areas on the walls were a one-way-glass setup. As I was pondering this, the door opened.\n\nThe man who walked through was small and thin. His blond hair stuck to his scalp and his round glasses rested squarely on his large and protuberant nose. He smiled.\n\n“My friend, I’m glad you’ve woken up.”\n\nI stared darkly in his direction.\n\n“Oh, don’t worry. I’m not here to torture you or anything. I just felt that it was time to have a nice, civilised talk.”\n\n“What about?” I replied humorlessly.\n\n“About choosing.”\n\nThe faux warm smile on his face began to shift to a more genuine, if maniacal one.\n\n​\n\n“Oh, my friend, don’t you see! You think I’m a monster, that I put people in danger so you can come along and sully your morality. You “save” some fool from shuffling off this mortal coil, and then you get to choose who spends the rest of their life paying for their mistakes. \n\nSave one life, destroy another … it’s awful. And the people hate you for it. When someone’s child dies because *you* chose to save someone else, someone they don’t know and don’t care about, you end up making more enemies than friends.”\n\nHis smile grew wider.\n\n“But what about the other way round? Hmm? Oh, the people love that. They’ll lap it up. You see, all we do is bump off some uninteresting lowlife, and their fortunes start looking up. It’s for the greater good! Scour away some societal leech to save a philanthropist or a cancer patient, and the world’s better off, isn’t it! \n\nYou think I’m the villain here, but this is a zero-sum game. No heroes, no villains, just *lives* and all I do is pick.” \n\n​\n\n*If you'd like to read more of my stuff, head over to* r/DaeridaniiWrites"
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[WP] Describe humanity and how it evolved in a world where all vertebrates are hexapods (6 limbed).
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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 base mammalian form is one head, six legs, one tail, straight back to the most primitive of synapsids. The earliest known mammals had five digits per 'hand' on each leg, ideal for burrowing underground or climbing trees, but as the non-avian dinosaurs died out and mammals rapidly diversified into new niches, many lost their multiple digits in favor of fewer, or hooves, or some combination therein. Some even lost their tail. It isn't uncommon looking through the fossil record to see some branch of the mammal family make unusual use of their limbs, defaulting to four for locomotion and two for manipulation, such as eohippus' gradual evolution into equus hippotigrus habilis. Sea-going mammals frequently lose one set of limbs or even all of them for a more streamlined form in the water over time, though notable exceptions exist in the grindylow and some subspecies of selkie.\n\nMost of hominid history has been a gradual loss of extraneous limbs. The tail disappears from the fossil record first, though hominids even today maintain a tailbone; there's obvious links between a ground-based lifestyle and open scrubland habitat and the eventual move away from quadrupedalism into bipedalism and, further, from fourhandedness. Fourhanded, tailed primates still exist in the world of course, most frequently seen in New World monkeys and lemurs, though far rarer in Old World species, and unheard of in apes.\n\nLike most mammals who have evolved away from a hexapodal base, vestigial limbs remain in apes, including humans. The remains of what had been the lower scapulas have obviously still proved useful to the body in shielding the kidneys, though it's not unusual these days for the secondary remnants of the humerus to be easily surgically removed when young to prevent accidental injuries to these remaining, delicate bones.\n\nModern theories suggest that intense hunting pressure from the common greater rift valley dragon further encouraged apes to lose their secondary limbs to provide easier getaways through dense brush and provide greater freedom of movement for the primary arms in self-defense, citing the large heart and lungs needed for hexapodal circulation still being maintained in spite of the secondary arms long since atrophying in fossil records. The loss of secondary arms, it is believed, freed up more 'fuel' for the brain and body for escape strategies. Competing theories are many, though it is a fact (and possibly simply correlated) that every continent where the majority of species that have a major aerial predator display a gradual move away from hexapodality has been observed. The modern pronghorn antelope, another species that has shed its central limbs in favor of quadrupedality, has no known modern aerial hunter, though fossils exist of an American roc, found as far north as Ontario and as far south as Argentina."
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[WP] "Sir, we don't understand what happened. Our warheads didn't detonate, nor did theirs. We tried to contact the Nuclear technicians at the Snezhinsk lab, but signals report that all we could get on the radio was laughter. A complete strategic exchange and so far no casualties reported."
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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.*",
"After years and years of research, I had finally come to this: the moment that would define all future generations.\n\nAll but one.\n\n\"Everything is going according to plan,\" I replied before shooting him in the heart. \"Thank you for your service.\" I hurried to the terminal to run a quick diagnostics test on the warheads. Sure enough, they had indeed failed to detonate.\n\n*Perfect.*\n\nI radioed my partner, Brom. \"It appears we were successful,\" I said. \"You could have been a little more subtle.\"\n\nBrom had clearly not stopped laughing. \"It's amazing how coming back 300 years makes me feel like a god when I look at these people.\"\n\nHonestly, it's true. We were like gods to them. \n\n300 years into the future, or rather, into one particular timeline stemming from this moment, I will be born. \n\nWas born? I'm not sure the proper tense here. This was my first time traveling through time. \n\nAnyway, in my timeline, communities are destroyed, and all that once made Earth a great place is squandered. Resources are depleted, the sun is dimmer, and even the oceans are drying up. I am born into the madness of the derelict society, but I constantly yearn for more. I read in the history books about how things used to be, and I fail to truly discover *why.*\n\nWhat happened?\n\nBrom is my husband. He wouldn't let me leave without him mostly because there was no way back other than something completely theoretical. Besides, that's against the point. We were trying to help people, sure, but really, we wanted to help *ourselves.* We had no intention of coming back.\n\nAfter years of studying the past and the associated barriers in the space time continuum, I managed to find one moment in time. One moment that was different from all the others. Why?\n\nEvery event, every decision opens up new possibilities. At any given point in time, the realities of the continuum branch in and out of each other forming an unendingly enormous weave of tangled timelines. From this moment, this concurrent launching of warheads from Snezhinsk and the ultra-secret underground base just outside the territories affected by Chernobyl, every single possible future extends forward into the world in which world I grew up.\n\nEvery possible future except for one.\n\nIn almost every timeline, Russia never takes responsibility for the attack, but America does not hesitate to respond. World War III proceeds forward and lasts so long that, by the end of it, most of the general public has to strain to remember why the war started in the first place. In some cases, the United States believes Russia, and a manhunt ensues for the responsible parties. Unfortunately, nobody is ever found, and hostilities simply begin several years later. The Great War is seemingly inevitable.\n\nBut it *isn't* inevitable.\n\nIn that *one* timeline, both launch sites experienced catastrophic failures resulting in the destruction of their facilities. Nothing comes of the impending nuclear assault. \n\nKnowing our incredibly small odds of landing on a specific timeline, Brom and I had come back to artificially create the one universe. We claimed we were doing it for humanity, but really, we just wanted a better life for ourselves. We decided we would foil the launches and then live on from then. After all, it's not like things back home in our time would be any different. Our timeline remains unaffected.\n\nAnyway, I've bored you with the physics for too long. I'll get back to what happened.\n\n\"Brom,\" I said, \"on my count, trigger your systems to overload.\" I thought for a moment. \"Be sure to wipe the security feed, too. We don't want anyone knowing we're here.\"\n\n\"Umm, Walter?\" Brom's voice uttered into my earpiece. \"We may have a problem.\"\n\n\"What is i--\"\n\nMy speaking was interrupted by the door to the control room whooshing upward, revealing a tall blonde woman and two armed soldiers behind her. Despite our location, none of them wore anything signifying they were from Russia.\n\n\"Hello there,\" said the woman with no discernible accent. \"We have been expecting you, Walter. Welcome to the one timeline.\""
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[WP] The great tree grew from a sapling to 1,300 meters tall over the course of five 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.*",
"Climate change. Global warming. The sixth mass extinction. Deforestation. Rising sea levels. Disrupted weather patterns. And the following social unrest, often in turn worsening the situation. To me, these were just symptoms to a much larger problem. But I was raised to believe that every problem has a solution based in science, so I set my mind to solve it using science.\n\nMy plan was to create a new fuel source that would replace the current oil paradigm. I studied for decades with a focus on gene editing trees, where the cutting edge lay. Something that could grow quick, be handled easily, took a compact form, and be burned as fuel without releasing toxic or cancerogenic particles into the air. I saw dozens of PhDs come and go, each carving out their own lustrious careers in a booming global field while I stayed in the lab and finished what I had started. It cost me everything - family, fortune, health - but I succeeded. A truly sustainable solution to the problem.\n\nI planted a single tree of my finished product outdoors, and in less than five years it was over a thousand meters tall and visible from over 40 kilometers away on a clear day. It was primarily made out of carbon from the air around us and had a blackish hue. Most importantly, it fulfilled all my conditions and could easily be used for fuel. My success was undeniable and the interest from the global community was expected and overwhelming at the same time. \n\nConcerns were raised about impact on local biosphere, groundwater, soil and much more but eventually human greed won out. Using seeds from my patented tree, saplings were planted all around the world from the most hospitable to the most inhospitable places. My children did worse in some places and better in others, but they survived everywhere and even in the worst environment they massively outmatched the competition. \nAnd people let them grow as much as they could, because why not? It was like a money printing press, only this tree printed fuel instead of paper. The older the trees got, the more seeds they dropped, which in turn could be sold for a profit. A loophole in the patent that I had left out. Soon entire forests of my black trees could be seen even from space, covering vast tracts of land. \n\nIt started as a rumor, then. Someone complained about issues with their forest, and it was dismissed as mis-use or local variations. But eventually, the truth was unveiled for the horror of all. The trees had a second lifecycle, after they had reached their full height at around 1300 meters where most were harvested. However it was also the period in which they gave off the most seeds, meaning many had chosen to keep them there permanently. While they continued to give off seeds, the second lifecycle began, and the trees themselves began to harden. After some fifteen years they were hard as diamond but slowly abandoned its previous tough characteristing allowing it to support its massive height.\n\nWhen the first tree that I had planted fell, a nation disappeared overnight in a great cloud, made out of the thinnest fibers from the strongest materials. East it floated with the wind current, taking out cities and eventually countries along its path. Once the cloud had settled, hundreds of millions were dead. And there were thousands more of those ancient trees that humanity - in their greed - could no longer cut down. Ticking timebombs all over the globe, just waiting to fall. \n\nI had solved the problem of humanity."
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[WP] A generic medieval fantasy world opens a portal to real life medieval Europe. While the people of earth are amazed by magic the fantasy worlders are amazed with how interesting, rich, intricate and complicated earth medieval culture is compared to their own bland culture.
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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.*",
"Lothgar was used to Vikings who raided and plundered, slashed and hacked, lived decadently and died young. He was a violent leader because violence was the only language his followers understood. He brutalised people and took their riches because that's all there was *to* do. Being a mythical Viking was boring.\n\nWhat a delight it was, on the other side of the portal, to discover that there was Viking literature, Viking music, Viking fashion. The pelts and metalwork they brought from the north were lauded by the Muslim traders in Baghdad and the Christians in Constantinople, and they could return home laden with pottery and silks and *stories*, stories that became epics which went down a storm at home.\n\nHow nice too to discover that rather than just raiding and returning home, some of these Vikings dispersed elsewhere- to the steppes north of the Arab world, to the kingdom of the Franks, even to the West and whatever lay there. These were true adventurers who didn't destroy, but created.\n\nNo Thor's chariot, admittedly, no valkyries. But perhaps it was better that way. They weren't blessed with magic, or divinity, or destiny. Just a keen eye for trade and a knack for adventure.",
"Adam usual route took him through the same stretch of woods every day. Years of traveling that road, he knew every turn, every inch of the forest around it. Then one day, a tree appeared. The most beautiful tree he had ever seen. Its leaves were red with gold flecks and the bark a steady light brown. Small blossoms appeared on the tips of the limbs with light blue petals releasing the most intoxicating smell.\n\nThe first time he approached it to take a closer look, a tall woman had approached him. Easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, she had an olive complexion with long dark hair, straight as an arrow and shining like the reflection on the water. She wore nothing but small leaves covering her most intimate parts which complimented her toned body.\n\n\"W-who are you?\"\n\n\"I am Cilea of the forest Wildaere. Who are you?\"\n\n\"I'm Adam.\"\n\n\"Where are we?\"\n\nSlightly confused, Adam said \"Mercia. Where is Wildaere? I'm not familiar with that forest.\"\n\nA look of horror appeared on the dryads face. \"The portal. They actually went through with it.\"\n\n\"What portal? Who went through with it?\"\n\n\"A group of wizards in my land were experimenting with magic beyond their ability and it got out of hand. They opened a portal to another world and brought all creatures of the forest along with it. The last thing I remember is merging with my tree to protect myself. When I woke up I heard someone coming along and saw you walking up to my tree.\"\n\nAdam didn't know what to say, so he stood there looking stupid for a few seconds before managing, \"I see. Where exactly is this portal now?\"\n\n\"It must have closed after we came through. Curse those wizards for messing with things they didn't understand.\"\n\n\"Well, if you need a place to stay, you're welcome to my home. It isn't much but its got a roof and a fire for warmth.\"\n\nManaging a small smile, the dryad said \"Thank you but I cannot stray far from my tree. I am connected to it and the further from it I go, the weaker I get. I am going to look around for my sisters. Many of them were in the forest with me when the portal took us.\"\n\n\"Would you like any help? I know the forest pretty well.\"\n\n\"No. I must do this alone. Some of my sisters are more temperamental and might kill you when you approach. I'm sure we will meet again, Adam.\"\n\nWith that the dryad began running away through the woods, quickly disappearing from view.\n\nMonths went by and each day Adam visited the tree where he had met the dryad, and each day she walked out to meet him. Slowly they became acquainted with each other and began sharing stories about their worlds. Cilea would tell of the dragons that flew above her forest every night, and the battles of the centaurs she witnessed for control of land.\n\nAdam was intrigued by Cilea and every story she told but his retellings of drama that occurred in the castle had captivated Cilea. He began practicing his stories and searching out fresh news for each visit he had with her.\n\n\"The queen didn't want her son to lose the throne. She had her personal guard round up the boy one night and brought him to her chambers. She could have had them do the dirty work for her but word has it, she enjoys killing. She stabbed the boy to death and had the guards throw his body in the river, weighed down by chains. They found his body days later down the river, all but his head. I talked to someone from the kitchen yesterday who said, the chef had told her that they were to make stew that night for a special guest. The queen had personally brought down a bag with two eyes in it and instructed the chef to put them in the stew. The guests they were having were the boys mother and sister!\"\n\n\"No!\"\n\n\"Yes! There is truly no limit to her depravity.\"\n\n\"What happened then?\"\n\n\"The dinner is tonight. I shall find out about it tomorrow and let you know how it ends. The boys mother had slept with the king many years ago. Apparently the boy was the kings bastard child and that is why she had him killed. She would do anything to keep her power.\"\n\n\"She sounds evil. Perhaps the mother will find out and take vengeance for her son.\"\n\n\"It's possible. You never know what a person is capable of when it comes to revenge.\"\n\nAdam had fallen in love with the dryad. He wasn't sure how much longer he could go on with this feeling inside without telling her. Realizing it had grown quiet between them, Adam got up and said \"I should really be going. I need to tend to the garden before dark.\"\n\nCilea gave a warm smile and bid him farewell before he began his way home. A thought hit him as he was leaving and he turned back and said, \"Cilea, what ever happened to the wizards that made the portal?\"\n\n\"I'm not sure. My sisters and I have been looking for them ever since we got here. We think they have gone into hiding but no-one has seen them since the portal.\"\n\n\"What do they look like? In case any of them have made it behind the city walls, I can be on the lookout.\"\n\nWith a small smile she said, \"Every wizard looks different, the only thing that might separate them is their spell book. Each wizard has their own and each is unique. No wizard I have ever heard of keeps it anywhere but on their person. They are always small and leather-bound with ancient runes on the front to make it impossible for anyone else to read.\"\n\n\"What would the runes look like?\"\n\nCilea drew a few abstract symbols in the dirt and explained the more common ones used in spell runes. \"Each wizard might use a different spell to protect their spell book but most would include these three symbols.\" Pointing to three of the symbols she drew in the dirt she explained that all three of them are used to strengthen an existing spell.\n\n\"I will be on the lookout for anything suspicious in town and let you know.\"\n\n\"Thank you, Adam.\"\n\nOn his way home he tried to keep the pictures of the symbols in his head. He wanted to make sure they were correct when he got home to write them down.\n\nThe next few weeks went by without so much as a single hint of wizards being anywhere near Mercia. He had begun to give up hope when he overheard a friend talking about a newcomer. Quickly interjecting, Adam asked what the man looked like. \"I dunno, middle aged, tall, black beard.\"\n\n\"Where did you see him?\"\n\n\"He was over by the blacksmith. Think I heard him say something about needing a sword.\"\n\n\"When was this?\"\n\n\"Right before I came over here. You're acting awfully strange. It's just some traveler passing through.\"\n\nAdam was already gone. He was quickly making his way through side streets and hopping gates to make it to the blacksmith. Walking through an alley he crouched down to get a better look towards the forge. A tall man with a dark beard was talking to the blacksmith. He had a one handed sword in his hands inspecting it. The blacksmith told the man to try it out and get a feel for the weight to see if he wanted something similar. Giving the sword a few thrusts, his cape flew open to reveal a small black book on his belt. In gold lettering, Adam saw two of the runes he had been looking for.",
"“To be exact, Excalibur has been drawn and stuck on that very same stone 11,216 times.”\n\nThe cleric Thomas explained to Lucien the story of Excalibur while they were walking to their destination. Apparently, a princess will be kidnapped and shortly after a knight will pull the sword from the stone. The knight would then go on a journey to the castle of the dragon where he will rescue the princess. After he slays the dragon, he will sweep the princess off her feet and they will be proclaimed the new King and Queen of the world – Arthem. Before the King dies, he would go back to the location of the stone and plunge it back where he found it for the next King to draw.\n\n“How long has it been since the first time?”\n\n“It would been exactly 1,009,440 years since The First King Arthemio drew Excalibur.”\n\nLucien held on his hand a thick leather-bound book, a pencil wedged in the spine. Between the hundreds of pages, Lucien has only written on two and a half of them. He didn’t bother taking notes on the lecture he was barely paying attention to. Only the minimum courtesy as a listener to sometimes ask questions was needed, so he just let Thomas drone on and on about whatever his topic was for today.\n\nIt has been three months since Lucien was appointed by First Consul Napoleon to enter the portal that mysteriously opened six months ago in a remote village in Italy. A man named Thomas, apparently the head cleric of King Third Arthemio MMMCCXVIII, came to France through the portal.\n\nThomas, using a flight spell, flew around Italy in high speeds to scout the new land that he has stepped on. During this, he started seeing the incredibly detailed and massive architecture, certainly much more complex than the houses and castles in his world. He was blown away and considered staying there forever and live in a world surrounded by art, but his duty to his King and his country were stronger than his thirst for knowledge so he decided he would eventually return to his world.\n\nWord of him eventually reached Napoleon, The First Consul of The First French Empire, who summoned Thomas immediately. When the two finally met, they shared stories about the worlds from which they have lived in. At the end of their meeting, it was agreed that Napoleon will send an emissary to Thomas’ world and for the representative to stay and observe the magical Kingdom of Arthem for three months. After which, Thomas will then revisit the First French Empire and do the same.\n\nIt was a great honor for Lucien, at first at least, to venture into a new world filled with magic. The significance of his task didn’t escape him. He even had doubts that he would be able to accomplish Napoleon’s secret instruction to him, which was to find a way to use the magic from the new world to conquer all of Europe. In spite of his initial apprehension, it only took a week for him to completely understand the Kingdom of Arthem.\n\nIt was stuck in a cycle.\n\nIn a world where warlocks, dragons, and immortal swords existed, the people have lived the exact same way for literally more than a million years. Even the important figures from their history who had the same names all did the same things. All the kings were “Arthurio.” All the clerics under the king were name “Thomas.” All the princesses were “Maideline.” These people from this magical world were all aware of how repetitive their lives are, and yet they just never seemed to even think about why, after a million years, they haven’t had any technological advancements.\n\n“Let me ask you a question, Thomas. Why won't everyone just name their children Arthurio in hopes of their son being the next King?” Lucien felt like he needed to ask more questions.\n\n“I… Don’t know the answer to that,” Thomas responded, confused as to why nobody has done it either but immediately let it go after a few seconds of pondering.\n\n“Are you not going to wave your pencil on your book?” Thomas asked, interrupting his own lecture about how all the previous kings have prevented any sort of rebellion by killing every scientists, alchemists, and philosophers who were surely dabbling in the demonic practices of the occult.\n\n“I’ll write my notes when we return to the castle. I have a pretty good memory and I prefer writing on a table,” Lucien lied. It wasn’t that he had good memory, it’s just that he had all the information he needed.\n\n“I must say, while I do pity your people for not having a Spell of Unforgettable Memory, I am impressed that you have come up with a device to make an ink and quill more portable.”\n\n“What, this pencil?”\n\n“Yes, that pencil.”\n\n“Thanks I guess.”\n\nA few minutes went by and the pair finally reached their destination, the portal to return home.\n\n“It’s your turn to teach me about your world,” Thomas looked at Lucien with a face as kind as an innocent dog. It was the day when Lucien’s visit ends, and Thomas gets to admire the beauty of the place that was called France, so he couldn’t be more excited.\n\n“I’ll take care of you, Mister Thomas,” Lucien replied.\n\nThe pair went through the portal and were transported to Italy. Just a few meters from the portal was Napoleon sitting down on a chair while his guards stood by him as he waited for the return.\n\n“How did it go?” Napoleon asked, looking at Lucien with eyes that seemed to be devoid of any emotion.\n\n“It went… well.” Lucien simply responded, holding in his hand his pencil. “But I do have a new suggestion,” Lucien continued. As he finished speaking, Lucien stabbed cleric Thomas in the heart using his pencil.\n\nEveryone present made an audible gasp, stunned by the sudden violence shown by Lucien. Thomas tried to put his hands together in a praying stance to utter the Incantations of Self-Healing, but Lucien just kept stabbing his pencil directly to the heart of Thomas until the cleric passed out and died.\n\n“Lucien, what the fuck are you doing? Stop!” Napoleon’s expression shifted to surprise and anger.\n\n“King Napoleon, you don’t need to use magic to conquer Europe. We can just take over this entire new world!” Lucien smirked, already knowing what Napoleon would ask.\n\n“How do you think we can beat their armies? They have magic and we only have swords!” Napoleon was already visibly distraught, ready to draw his blade and strike down his envoy that has visibly gone mad.\n\n“It’s simple, King Napoleon,” Lucien responded. “I’ll tell you about the magical world, but first you have to change your name to Arthurio.”\n\n------\n\nFirst prompt, first gold after 8 years of being reddit. I appreciate it."
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[WP] you, the hero, are alone on your knees, defeated. you look up defiantly expecting the killing blow as the dark lord raises his hand. instead he reveals an ornate and exquisite black diamond. "the sum total of my power. take it, it yours." he offers with a calculating but sad look on his face.
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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.*",
"Rydian Wolf kneeled. His broadsword laid in the dirt. The sword he had conquered the four great cities with, the sword that brought down the Vex, Kalladhan, and the eight evil witches. \n\nBut now …\n\nHe was defeated.\n\nNot only defeated but demolished, crushed, obliterated to a thousand pieces. \n\nThe killer? \n\nA hooded figure only known as the Dark Lord.\n\n“Raise your head, Wolf,” the Dark Lord said. \n\nWolf raised his red piercing eyes. He stared blankly at the hooded figure, who with a swift blow, could kill him instantly.\n\nThe Dark Lord raised his hand. In it, a black diamond was glimmering.\n\n“For centuries I have brought destruction upon the four great cities. I have lived in the shadows, only to puppet others. All the evil you have defeated has only been a fragment of myself. Vex … Kalladhan … the evil witches … all part of a fragmentation of my soul, a fragmentation of this very crystal.” \n\nThe Dark Lord turned the crystal around. \n\n“And with it, all my power lies.” \n\nRydian Wolf stared at the black diamond, and he saw glimpses of humans screaming and shouting, begging for release and death. \n\n“Take it, Wolf,” the Dark Lord said with a faint sadness. “Become what I am. See for yourself the true terror of death.”\n\nWolf raised his hand towards the diamond. He could already feel it drawing him closer. Whispering sweet, loving words of redemption, of revenge, of death and greatness.\n\nWith the tip of his finger touching the diamond, Rydian Wolf glimpsed into madness, he saw the death of a million aching souls, screaming for a saviour, the destruction of the four great cities.\n\nRydian Wolf opened his eyes. He could not recognize the feeble creature in front of him. What before was the Dark Lord, was now a strange old man, thin, grey-haired, and very weak.\n\n“You have released me from my torment,” the old man said with a grim smile.",
"(Hi, formatting might be a tad naf I'm on mobile and writ in notepad, hope you like it) \n\nI cut his minions down a dozen times over each falling hopelessly to my blows with each swing of my axe 2 would drop beneath me, with each spell I slung I felt him draw closer, I was so sure of my self. The inquisitor gave me a run for my money, his flail smashing my chest shattering through my wards, I managed to repose for the moment driving a bolt of lighting into him killing him just in time but it was too late, another one caught me off guard before I could properly attain my balance, he pushed a lance right into my gut pinning me to the floor then I saw him, The dark lord slowly walked forward, I blasted the inquisitor with a ball of flame evisersting him but it wouldn't be enough the dark lord pulled me up only to swing me across the halls smashing me across the floor my legs buckling inwards he watched as I attempted to heal myself to no avail, I could not stand or swing my arm, all this fighting for nothing. Years of hunting and preparation, years of my time to stopping this monster. \n\n\nThe dark one stood above my body, I waited for the final blow to come down on me \"do it\" I sputtered, spitting a tooth out at his feet\n\n\nHe looked at me with a bitter but solemn expression, he raised his hands blue and black smoke swept out, I glared at him already accepting my fate, but it never came, instead a black diamond formed in his palm. I have never seen such a gem like it in my life, the way light reflected around it, the humming it radiated was so *alluring*\n\nHe knelt infront of me but my eyes were fixed upon the gem \"the sum total of my power. take it, it is yours.\"\nThe diamond glinted as he brought it closer to me, I felt it calling me like a siren to a sailor \n\n\"Take it, you shall be in glory once again\" the gem pulsed and the hum grew louder in my ears drowning any other of my senses with it. He suddenly vanished, leaving the gem at my feet, I could not let him get away and with what he has done, I could end him.. and all the other evil doers. I could become a *god* with this power, he was never a fan of killing a defenseless foe, does the fool really think I need this to be a match for him? With I could so much more.\n\nI took it into my hands the gem ceased its noise and set aflame melting into my hand the fire spreading across my body, I heard whisper in my head after the burning had stopped a chuckle just faint enough to hear."
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[WP]The heroes managed to kill all the cultists but failed to prevent them from awakening the Dark Lord from his enchanted slumber that had lasted for over 1000 years but when they get ready to fight him it turns out the Dark Lord now has complete amnesia and has no idea of who he is.
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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’s he doing today?” Isaac asked.\n\n“Farming, I think. He tilled the earth with the bones of his enemies.” Joan answered.\n\n“Fresh?” he asked\n\nJoan shot him a look. “You don’t think I’d call you if the ark’day ord’lay was tilling the earth with fresh bones?”\n\nIssac took off the helm of Athena and sat down. Under all that armor he was a very ordinary looking man.\n\n“I’m sorry,” he said. “It just has me on edge. The Dark--sorry, the ark-day ord’lay thinks he’s a farmer this week. Last week he was a travel agent. The week before he was a carpenter.”\n\nIssac shivered.\n\n“I can still see the carvings he did when I sleep. And poor Imperious should have never gotten on that plane.”\n\nJoan sat down too, and rested her sword across her knees\n\n“It rained today.” she said. “Blood, of course. I had the lab run some. Just goats.”\n\n“Jesus.” said Issac. “I know it could be worse. I’ve read the histories. But part of me almost wants him to figure it out. At least then we’d know what to do with him. Instead we go along with whatever crazy idea he has about what he might be. Last week I had to talk him out of kindergarten teacher. Can you imagine.”\n\n“Yes. And I wish I couldn’t. And if he turns...I’ve slain demons and angels with this sword. I’ve cut a God in half. I’ve even opened those damn plastic clamshells electronics come in. And I know, in my heart, that it won’t hurt a hair on his head.”\n\nIssac lifted his helmet slowly, and gave Joan a little half smile before pulling it on. When next he spoke it was with the voice of Crusader, and it was nothing so frail as a human.\n\n“Pray for me Joan. And pray for him. You got the big guy’s ear.” he said. “I’m going to bring him his tuna salad and hope he doesn’t end the world.”\n\n“Did you cut off the crusts?” she asked.\n\nEven through the helm the look was withering. “It ain’t my first day saving the world.” he said.\n\nAnd, in a matter of minutes, the ark’day ord’lay was sitting in the shadow of a tree of nightmares, enjoying a tuna sandwich and a soda, while Crusader looked on and, very carefully, made smalltalk."
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[WP] The Sun gets tired of plants and humans moonching off its energy and yells at them
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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.*",
"Log:SUN-2A5\n\nAn anomaly has been shown to affect the sun, either through giving sentience or unknown methods. The following was documented on July 21st, 2020 for 30 seconds.\n\n“Hey! I’m getting tired of you Water-Bags stealing **MY ** energy! Do you know how hard I have to work on that? There would have been other life here if **YALL** weren’t so greedy with **MY** energy that **I** try to distribute to your neighbors. How would you feel if your hard work stolen? Ya know what, I am **D O N E** with you, water bags. You want energy? **HERE I COME.**”\n\nThis rant has continued since the sun started speaking.(See Log: SUN-[2A6-7FE])\n\nSince the event, various areas of the solar system have been lowering in temperature. At the same time, earth’s average temperature has increased by 20°F, causing global warming to become more of an issue than ever. According to astronomers, the earth’s orbit is moving closer to the sun at an accelerated rate. Of approximately 12,000 km per hour. Astronomers estimate that earth has 493 days before it’s surface is uninhabitable.\n\n[I might delete this later]"
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[WP] You reach heaven and when you enter the angel at the counter looks up and goes "shit....not you again.."
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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 I stepped off the escalator, into the bright white room, I saw for the first time, an angel. He was beautiful - skin of dark milk coffee, curls of luminous white, around his neck was a golden ring, and on his slender, muscular form was a white, three-piece suit.\n\nThe room was all white wood panelling and gold edges. I knew we’re I was. Heaven. Or a really fancy day spa.\n\nThe angel had not noticed me, his eyes on his desk, a quill in his hand. I waited. The quill danced and scratched on.\n\n“Umm, so that was a long escalator.”\n\n“Heh, yeah.” He put the quill down. “It’s better than the stair-no! No-no-no!”\n\nHe had looked at me and his eyes had gone wide, his face long. \n\n“What?”\n\n“No! Not again. Not you! Shit!” The angel pulled his halo up from around his neck and let it float above his shining ringlets. “Shit!”\n\n“What, uh, what?”\n\n“You don’t remember do you? Of course not. You never do!”\n\n“Uh?”\n\nThe angel rubbed his eyes, breathed deep, and sighed. “Urr-hur...okay. Look, I’m sorry about that. It’s not your fault.”\n\n“...what?”\n\n“Shh!” He took another deep breath. “Sorry, could you just stay quiet and come up to the counter, please?”\n\n“Oh-”\n\n“Quiet.”\n\n“Kay?”\n\n“Sh!” The angel flipped through the book in front of him “Sorry again, but I’ve come to find your voice, face, and presence to be profoundly annoying. Also, the knowledge that you exist at all.”\n\nI stayed quiet and nodded as though I understood. From here I could see the book. Thin gold pages that held gold writing which somehow was legible, though in a language I didn’t understand. Sticking out from some of the pages were a few blue paper bookmarks. The angel turned to one such bookmarked page.\n\nI opened my mouth to speak and shut it when the angel offered a shh. “Yes,” he said “it’s you’re page and I’ve bookmarked you because I got sick of manually looking you up. The blue really ruins the aesthetic of the book by the way, but that’s all I had.”\n\nA perfectly manicured finger ran down the page. My page, whatever that meant. And as the angel read the page seemed to get longer and longer and longer, until-\n\n“Here!” Said the angel. “Right. Okay. Now.”\n\n“Does it say how I died.”\n\n“Firstly, shut up. Secondly, it’s your life so yes. And thirdly, shut up.”\n\nThe angel tapped the page a few times and hmm’d and ha’d. “Now. Usually, you and I would go on a little adventure to set your annoying life back on the right path so that you can meet the end that your supposed to meet at a later date. Which,” he looked to the page and grimaced “isn’t great, but something I think you deserve.”\n\n“And this time?”\n\n“Shh! This time I think you can handle it yourself.”\n\nThere were a lot of questions I wanted to ask. About him. About me. About how I died. But I kept my mouth shut. The angel smiled...\n\nReached beneath his desk and, I assume, pulled a lever. Because I heard a lever get pulled right before the floor opened up and I fell through to the world below.\n\n***\n\n**Warm ups! fun prompt!**",
"I'm already pissed. \"Excuse me? Earth's a dangerous place it's not my fault that people can't drive down there. This is the 3rd car crash I've had in a week. You guys should really consider your policy for angels taking on human form and sending them down to earth to help.\"\n\nI knew the angel's name. She's Henrietta.\n\nHenrietta sighs. \"You will have to go to the boss with that. I'm just sick of having to do the paperwork for you each time you get killed.\"\n\n\"Well maybe I should also go to him about the stupid amounts of paperwork then?\" I sound more annoyed that I thought. \"You know, this isn't fun for me either. Dying in accidents hurts like hell.\"\n\n\"I can imagine. I haven't actually been down to earth before.\"\n\n\"Well, it's not a fun place, I'll tell you that.\"\n\nHenrietta opens the gate for me. \"Please, do let god know about the paperwork, maybe he'll go to management and have it changed.\"\n\nI sigh. \"I will do that. Have a good day Henrietta.\"\n\nShe nods and calls after me, \"Maybe we should also hire someone to teach the humans to drive better.\""
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[WP] “Welp,” said the alien running the simulation. “Earth was a failure.” he reached for the cables of the machine, but stopped. “Well, we might as well have a little fun with it.” he chuckled to himself
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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.*",
"A bright red light accompanied a loud and obnoxious siren in the simulation room aboard the starship Kangus, waking Arken from his mid-day nap. Bumbling over to the controls to see what was wrong, he noticed his pet project called “Earth” was blinking rapidly on the screen. He had seen this happen before, but if he acted quickly, he may be able to salvage it.\n\nArken walked over to the data sheets on Earth to find out where the errors occurred. He picked up the original coding for Earth to compare it to the numbers now, The landscape seemed within normal ranges, what one would expect to happen. The environment looked a bit out of whack, but those figures started to decrease after Arken had eliminated fossil fuels as a potential energy source. The air quality in some places had started to improve, so where was this cascading failure?\n\nUnsure of what happened, he called in his superior to take a look at the sheets with him. Loot arrived soon after and immediately grabbed the sheets out of Arken’s hands.\n\n“What happened here?” he asked.\n\n“I have no idea. All seemed fine recently, everything was getting better, but something changed. Any ideas on how to get it back?”\n\nWhile Loot thought about a solution, he was reminded of a similar situation he had come across when he was a young intern at the Commission for Planetary Existence. He stepped over to the console for a closer look at Earth. As he was watching the screens, he accidentally pressed a button which abruptly changed the weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. Cloud cover became more dense in some areas, while tornadoes broke out in places that had never seen them before.\n\n“Oh, crap!” he exclaimed. “I don’t know what I just did, but I don’t think there is anything I can do about it.”\n\n“There has to be a way to fix it!” Arken picked up the data sheets again, expecting to find a new answer in an already looked over set of numbers.\n\n“See that blue dial. Turn it to the left a quarter rotation!” Arken screamed over to Loot, trying to be louder than the siren, which had gotten louder. “That may offset the atmospheric disaster.”\n\nLoot did what Arken suggested, but the end result was not what Arken had in mind. \n\n“That clearly was not the right move.” Loot dropped his arms in defeat, as the duo watched half of the planet’s liquid water turn to solid ice. Coastal towns started to see snow falling on the banks of their oceans.\n\nKnowing there was nothing that could be done, Arken threw in the towel. He tossed the papers aside and stared at the results of their mishaps. Loot looked up and smiled. He decided to just pull a lever at random. He found a pitch black lever on the smaller side with a bright green screen next to it. He pulled the lever so the screen read 10%. Looking back at the screen he noticed nothing had happened. He pulled the lever just a little bit more, to 25% and again, observed no change. Finally he pulled the lever all the way down, to the maximum of 100%.\n\n“Arken? What does this lever do?”\n\n“That, sir, activates the zombie gene in the deceased humans.”\n\nThey could almost hear the screams of the chaos beginning on the poor planet."
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[WP] The Gods have spoken. They will only save one of the nine races from this upcoming disaster. Eight of the nine have prepared for war, but the Humans believe that they have found another 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.*",
"“And you think this is something that can be done?”\n\nThe seven sat in silence for a moment, thinking on what had been said. Testing the idea in their minds.\n\nThe old mage spoke first “It has been done before, though not at this scale. Not that many.”\n\nGalius the priest nodded. “Asvial the Hunter fell not more than three centuries ago. As did Hilderbes the Thief at the start of this age.”\n\n“And you and your ilk were okay with that?” Said Radgar, the public minister “Your very profession-”\n\n“A priest serves the community.”\n\n“Yes, but in the name of A God. or Many! And now we plan to kill them? All of them?”\n\nThe discussion at the table broke out into over lapping squabbles and shouts. General Opp had stayed quiet, and when he spoke, the others quietened.\n\n“It is a matter of survival. The Gods of these lands are few. Their power dwindles. Powers they stole from the Father-Gods, millennia ago. We do not wish to see our brothers and sisters, of human blood or otherwise, murdered for the pleasure of some weakened, blood-mad deities.”\n\nThe council remained silent. They agreed. It was the best plan to spare the most lives. Though, the task seemed impossible.\n\nSix Gods would have to fall to save all the races of Theimer."
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(From shen comix)
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[WP] Your trusty roomba has spent years bumping around and mapping your house. Suddenly one day it bumps off of something in a dark empty room.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\\[POEM\\]\n\nWith a beep the Roomba goes and starts across the floor,\n\nUnder tables, past the chairs, and then on through a door.\n\nHither, thither, everywhere, it cleans up dust and more.\n\n​\n\nSitting here with lazy stare, I watch the robot glide,\n\nDirt and debris everywhere, but no matter, they can't hide,\n\nWith an ever-present buzzing hum, it continues on its ride.\n\n​\n\nA moment later, from my seat, as I watch it zoom,\n\nI see it turn and roll away into an empty room,\n\nThe filth in there, it stands no chance; it will meet its doom.\n\n​\n\nStill on my perch I hear a sound when the Roomba makes a \"thunk.\"\n\nSitting there I wonder, into what does the vacuum clunk?\n\nThat room over there is empty, the space just has no junk.\n\n​\n\nSitting there still pondering when again I hear the sound.\n\nI finally stand and walk in there to take a look around.\n\nI see the Roomba rolling, back and forth along the ground.\n\n​\n\nIn the middle of the room I see a door that's almost clear.\n\nShimmering in the dim light, is that door really here?\n\nStill questioning its existence when again, that sound, I hear.\n\n​\n\nThe door just glistens softly, there in transparent frame.\n\nWith outstretched hand I reach, the handle's where I aim.\n\nNow I start to wonder, is this some sort of game?\n\n​\n\nWith the door now opened wide, I stare into the abyss.\n\nThe Roomba slides on forward, I didn't consider this.\n\nAs I watch it fall away, I think its presence I will miss.\n\n​\n\nNow I must go sweeping dirt and dust all on my own.\n\nMy robot cleaner up and left me in my house now all alone.\n\nI have to go and start the chores since my Roomba is now gone.\n\n​\n\nI'd better go get started on that awful, wretched chore.\n\nBut now when I must sweep, I'll open that clear door.\n\nFor into it I'll sweep all the dirt and dust galore!\n\n\\--------------\n\nIf you liked this, check out r/WannaWriteSometimes for more of my stories."
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[WP] A siren sits by the beach, singing her first song. A hapless man is drawn towards her, walking quickly with purpose. The man gets closer and shouts, "You're singing off-key!"
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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 girl sat in the sand, shallow waves gently crashing over her. She faced out towards the ocean, silhouetted by the setting sun. Her dark hair cascaded around her and into the salty water. A song drifted from her mouth, wordless and beautiful.\n\nA man strolled along the edge of the beach, quickly approaching the woman. He drew close, but then stopped.\n\n“Shut up, would you? You’re off-key!”\n\nThe girl slowly turned to face him, lip quivering and eyes wide. Tears brimmed in her eyes, spilling out onto her cheeks.\n\nThe man stepped back.\n\n“I- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“\n\nIt was too late. She let out a wail, burying her face in her hands. The man rushed to comfort her, as did a few others nearby.\n\n“I’m sorry-“\n\n“Don’t cry-“\n\n“It’s okay-“\n\nThey gathered around her as she sobbed. Suddenly, she stopped, as if turning off a switch. Her hands grabbed the collars of the two who had come to comfort her, pulling their heads together sharply. They fell to the sand. The last man tried to run, but a hand gripped his ankle and he fell. Looking back, he saw the girl smiling widely at him. It was a predatory grin, complete with razor-sharp teeth.",
"Laila felt her shoulders tense in anticipation. Finally, a bite; she hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Her sisters were far better hunters than she, and she was tired of swimming on an empty stomach. She wondered if the only reason she got by was her youthful appearance.\n\n*Focus, Laila*, she thought to herself, taking a deep breath. *This isn't the time for self doubt; you need this meal, half-assing it will let it get away.* \n\nLaila shifted about on the piece of wreckage she clung to, taking care to hide the fact that she didn't need its help to float. She started a new song, something about a sailor lost at sea, coming home at last to rest. The man paddled faster, headed straight towards her with a fierce determination. She smiled warmly, welcoming the young man, resisting the urge to lick her lips.\n\nThe man grasped another piece of wreckage a few meters away, the former remains of a table, and pulled himself on top to rest. As he took a few ragged breaths, his chest heaving, he locked his hazel eyes with Laila's purple ones. *Get closer, dammit*, she thought.\n\nThe man finally spoke. \"My dear, I'm afraid you're singing off-key,\" he said.\n\nHer singing stopped.\n\n\"How... How are you able to say anything coherent?\" she wondered. Most men would be slack-jawed fools by this point.\n\n\"I must admit, you had me under your spell for a moment. But then my musician's ear alerted me that something wasn't right, and so naturally, I decided that I needed to *make* it right.\"\n\nHe paused, considering his next words carefully. \"Now, to be fair, the minor key of this particular ballad is rather difficult; but I can't let a fellow music lover continue to struggle to let their song be heard.\"\n\nShe blushed and turned away. \"My song is just fine,\" she huffed. *I'm going to have to salvage this mess*, she decided. She quickly regained her composure and turned back to him, fangs bared. \"After all, I drew you in, didn't I?\"\n\nShe had just started her swim towards him when he replied, \"I wouldn't be so sure of that. I'm no expert on mermaids, but you look rather thin. Things aren't going so well for you, are they?\"\n\nThe truth of those words stung rather deep, conjuring images of Laila's sisters laughing at her, swooping around in the water as they closed in on her prey.\n\nLaila paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing upon this strange man. \"What exactly do you propose, then?\"\n\n\"I can teach you. In exchange for letting me go safely, I can help your song done brighter than all the pearls in the sea.\"\n\nShe considered his words. She would be letting a meal go, but she would be catching hundreds more, if he spoke true.\n\n\"Alright, fine.\"\n\nHe held out his hand. \"Leopold Asmogang, at your service. Or, Leo for short.\"\n\n \n\n\n[Here's Asmogang as an older man. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kra_gl_e/comments/5pf0j2/songs_and_scales_parts_1_and_2/)",
"\n\"You're singing off key!\" The man's voice cut through her song... A magical song that could woo any man and drown himself to get to her. But he was standing there with a concerned look on his face seemingly unbothered by the enchantment\n\nShelia's eyebrow twitched her pride as a siren wouldn't allow such a comment to be acknowledged, she continued but with greater care in her voice in order to prove that she was **indeed** on key, it was her own song after all. Each siren is born with their own song and melody, not one was the same. As she was reaching a crescendo a *Tsk Tsk Tsk* cut through the song like a knife. \n\nShe stopped singing and the air itelf stopped vibrating as her magical song faded away, staring daggers at the man. \"What?\" Sheila asked with as much venom she could put behind that word\n\nThe man chuckled and began \"Oh you're singing off-key and thought I would tell you and give some point-\" Sheila scoffed at the man \"what would you know about a siren's song hmm?\" The man's smile faded a bit and began quietly humming the very same melody of Sheila's song. \n\nSheila's vision clouded the quietly hummed melody of her song was perfect it was like a dream. She felt her body moving and was unable to stop it from crawling towards the man. As she reached his feet he stopped humming and Sheilia snapped backed to reality and stared at the man with awe and fear. \"Who are you\"\n\nThe man took a bow and helped her up, his eyes burned with fire and his breath vibrated with the music of life \n\n\"Apollo, my dear; so how about those lessons?\""
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[WP] Having been proven to work, a machine that prints your time of death has the world reeling. As those who want to know begin visiting the machine, a new dilemma emerges. A portion of the world’s population receive only the word “numquam” on their ticket.
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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 little girl skipped at the end of her grandfather's fingers, urging him faster. He lovingly obliged, quickening his stiff limp and chuckling at her youthful exuberance. \"The Machine will not run out of ink, Meredith,\" he told her. She just hopped in excitement, tugging his ring finger.\n\nThe line had developed a habit of forming very early in the morning, so they were by no means near the front by the time they got to the building where the Machine was housed. But Meredith wanted so badly to use the Machine, so Granddad went with her, believing it a good way to teach her about death, and how he may die soon.\n\nIt was midway through the afternoon by the time they finally stepped up to the pay counter. \"How many?\" the pubescent teen said with a tired falsetto and a cardboard smile. \n\nGiving her as gracious a smile as he could manage, hoping to ease her tiring day, Granddad said, \"Two, please. For my granddaughter and me.\" Meredith jumped and hung by her fingertips off the counter, beaming at the young woman. The cardboard smile never changed as the teen told them the price, accepted his money, and gave them receipts. Another teen, a young man with slicked-back golden hair, led them to a waiting room with a zigzag of people still in line.\n\nMeredith grew cranky in the line, but the promise of a lollipop afterwards soothed her.\n\nFinally, they reached the room with the Machine. Or rather, the Machine Room. For the entire room _was_ the Machine, with blinking lights moving around the perimeter in mesmerizing waves, beeps and jingles and flickering specks like stars decorating the shelves and aisles of circuitry. An attendant led them to a panel where their faces and handprints would be scanned.\n\nMeredith cringed back from the buzzing screen, so Granddad went first to show her it was alright. \"See?\" he smiled, placing his hands onto the reader and staring into the camera. The screen flashed and showed him a full-body diagram with complicated charts and stats. The Machine trilled for a second, and then a little ticket rolled out of a cabinet like a petulant tongue. \n\nHe tore the ticket stub and held it up. \"See here, Meredith?\" he said, bending down so she could see it. \"It says I will die in twelve years. You'll be a grown up woman by then, won't you? Do you know how old you'll be?\"\n\n\"Hmmm…\" she mused, puffing her cheeks and looking heavenward as she thought. \"Five plus twelve is…\" She looked at her hands and counted her fingers. \"Seventeen!\"\n\n\"Very good!\"\n\n\"I'll be _so old_!\" she groaned, and he laughed. \"My turn! I want to try!\" So he picked her up and held her before the screen. She pressed her tiny hands to the glowing panels and grinned at the camera. When the Machine spit out her ticket, she rushed over and yanked it off so quickly that she pulled some of the tape roll out before it tore. Stretching the ticket, she held it up to read.\n\nGranddad leaned over her shoulder to read the cramped numbers, but he raised his eyebrows when he saw only a word. \"Numquam.\"\n\n\"What does 'num-kwaaam' mean, Granddad?\" Meredith asked.\n\n\"Excuse me, ma'am?\" he waved the attendant over. \"Did the Machine have an error?\" He showed the ticket to the squinty-eyed elderly lady.\n\n\"'Num-kwaaam,'\" Meredith hummed to herself\n\n\"Oh, that's Latin, pronounced 'noom-koo-ahm,'\" the attendant said, her eyebrows arched in astonishment. \"It means 'never.' Which one of you received this?\" she asked, looking between Granddad and Meredith. \n\n\"I did,\" Granddad immediately replied, worried about what the implications could mean for his granddaughter. She looked up at him in surprise, but his hand on her shoulder gripped her painfully, so she didn't say anything.\n\n\"If you come with me, sir, I can get you a refund for your ticket. I apologize for the malfunction. It's very rare.\" The attendant grinned congenially. \n\nFeeling a little more relieved, Granddad said, \"Okay. Come along, Meredith.\" She took his hand and followed him out as the attendant led them back towards the ticket counter.\n\nOn the way, Meredith spotted a little gift shop with toys and candy. \"Granddad, you promised me a candy bar!\" she said, digging her heels and tugging on his ring finger.\n\n\"I said I'd get you a lollipop, not a big old candy bar.\"\n\n\"Gra-a-and-da-a-ad, _ple-e-ease_?\"\n\nHe paused, deliberating, but the attendant immediately turned and said, \"Right this way, please, sir. The line is still very long, so we don't want to delay them.\"\n\nHe nodded and reached into his wallet, drawing out a five dollar bill and handing it to Meredith. \"Stay only in the gift shop, okay? And only _one_ candy bar. I'll be just five feet away, alright?\" She nodded and snatched the bill out of his hand. Without another look, she dashed into the shop and grabbed a handful of candy bars.\n\n\"Right this way, please, sir!\" the attendant called, so he turned to follow.\n\nMeredith piled the candy on the counter, where she learned she only had enough money for two candy bars, or one candy bar and two lollipops. She counted on her fingers and determined that the latter offer was better, so she pocketed her bounty and skipped back out to find her granddad. But everywhere she looked, there were only strangers. He was nowhere to be found.\n\nWhen the little girl started frantically sobbing, some people standing in line tried to help her, and finally a security guard asked her where her parents were. She insisted she had gone there with her grandfather, but all the staff swore they had never seen him, so the guard tried to find out if the little girl knew her parents' names so they could contact them on the intercom. She told them their phone number, which she had memorized with a little song about heaven, and in ten agonizing minutes, her mother rushed to the museum to pick up her daughter. \n\nThey looked everywhere for Granddad, calling his friends and his last living brother, but no one ever heard from him again.\n\n~\n\nMeredith was seventeen when she met another Numquam.\n\nHe was a reckless kid, flashing blue eyes and oily black hair and a shoot-'em-between-the-shoulder-blades attitude. He transferred to her school from out of state after being expelled for stabbing a kid with a knife in the gym locker rooms.\n\nShe met him in the lunch hall when he plopped down next to her in the middle of a conversation with her friends. They didn't seem to notice, since they were too engaged in their discussion about midi-chlorians.\n\nStraddling the bench, he casually leaned an elbow on the table, not even hiding the severe breach of social conduct as he pointedly stared at her. Hiis brilliant blue eyes bored holes into the side of her head, and she turned in with agitation to tell him to leave. But before she could utter a word, he grinned and said, \"You got a Numquam, didn't you?\"\n\nHer voice froze in her throat as she stared at him.\n\nHe dug two fingers into the pocket of his jeans and withdrew a wrinkled ticket. Familiar faded letters spelled 'numquam.' Quickly stashing it away, he went on, \"You were hot news for years back in my town.\"\n\n\"Excuse me?\" she retorted, finally finding her voice again. \"And who are you, exactly?\"\n\n\"Prophet, at your service,\" he greeted somewhat sarcastically, tossing one leg over the bench so he leaned backwards against the table.\n\n\"Prophet?\"\n\n\"William,\" he supplemented. \"And you're Meredith Yew.\"\n\n\"How do you know my name?\" she sneered at him.\n\n\"Everyone back home knows you. You were front page news on all the papers for years. Your grandpa went missing seconds after visiting the Machine, yet everyone claims you showed up alone? They didn't even bother to delete the records of his visit until a few months later…\"\n\n\"What are you even talking about?\" she interrupted. \"Leave me alone, you freak.\"\n\n\"The name didn't tip you off? My dad built the machine, genius,\" he drawled. \"He's the guy who stole your grandpa.\"\n\nShe eyed the lunatic sideways. \"Stole…?\"\n\nGlancing around, William leaned toward her and whispered conspiratorially, \"They're rounding up all the Numquams. Only problem is, your grandpa wasn't the guy who pulled the unlucky ticket.\" He smirked and tapped his temple. Then he sprang to his feet, slinging a near-empty backpack over his shoulder. \"So just be aware that they'll be coming after you.\"\n\n\"Wait!\" she called as he started away, but he ignored her. \"Hang on!\"\n\n\"Who was that guy?\" she heard Lori ask behind her. They must have finally noticed him.\n\n\"He's the transfer student who stabbed that guy,\" Paul supplied. \"What did he want with you, Meredith? You alright?\"\n\nHastily grabbing up her heavy bookbag, Meredith set off after William before he could disappear out the lunchroom door.\n\nShe caught up just as he got outside onto the quad, tugging his long sleeve. \"Hang on!\" she demanded, squinting in the bright sunlight. \"What was all that about?\"\n\nHe raised his eyebrows, but his eyes were half-lidded in a manner of disinterest. \"I was warning you. What's the big deal?\"\n\n\"How come you have a numquam ticket then? What does it even mean? Why would anyone be coming for me? _Where is my grandfather_?\"\n\n\"Your grandpa's dead, Mer,\" he shrugged. \"That's how they know he's not a Numquam.\" \n\nShe felt like the air had been punched out of her stomach. \"He's dead? They killed him?\" But then she remembered, quite dimly, that her grandfather had pulled a ticket that said twelve years. She had known he would die this year, even then.\n\nWilliam just shrugged and started off across the quad again, heading for the parking lot.\n\n\"Wait!\" Meredith snapped, dogging his heels. \"Answer my questions!\"\n\n\"Look,\" he said, turning to face her. \"I did my good deed for the day. Hallelujah.\" He sarcastically blew a kiss to the sky. \"So be happy with the warning and leave me alone, alright?\"\n\n\"That's such a load of bullshit,\" she growled. \"What is so important about numquam?\"\n\n[Continued in comment]"
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[WP] You are sent to hell for a crime that you didn't commit. Now you have to somehow prove your innocence from beyond the grave to get out.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"It's unheard of. A trial to get out of hell.\"\n\n\"There is no way he will win. The man is obviously guilty, I mean look at those eyes. They were black as night before he came down here!\"\n\nJust then a creature with the legs of a spider and torso of a man walked up and said, \"SILENCE! All rise, Court of Hell is now in session, Dishonorable Judge Lucifer presiding. Any soul having motion to make a pleading come forth. Curse the court and may we all burn for eternity.\n\nA tall man, red as fire walked up a flight of stairs made of human bones. He sat on a chair of molted lava. As he was seated he said, \"Take your seats, let us settle this foolishness.\"\n\nThe young man bound in chains stepped forward. Periodically the chains would glow red hot and burn the man before cooling off, allowing his wounds to heal. The mans face would grimace but he wouldn't make a sound.\n\n\"Before we begin, the prosecutor has told me that you denied the plea bargain? What was it, eternity in hell with a single day every one hundred years to spend on Earth. Quite generous if you ask me.\"\n\n\"I do not accept. I will plead my case and take my chance with the court.\"\n\nA cold smile appeared on the Lucifer and he said, \"You do have some fight in you. Very well, plea is denied, the prosecutor may start with their opening statements.\"\n\nA quick murmur of excitement went through the crowd lasting no more than a second. All of the demons had been summoned to witness this historic trial.\n\nFrom off to the side a young man appeared from the shadows. His skin was dark, and his smile cruel. Dressed in an all black suit, he had a hint of blue fire in his eyes that accented the coldness surrounding him. The man in chains looked over and a flash of surprise showed on his face. The man he would be going against, was the man who made the deal for his soul.\n\nThe man walked forward towards Lucifer and bowed, \"Father.\" Raising his voice he addressed the demons, \"And all the rest of you, my condemned brothers!\" A dark cheer erupted from the crowd. Lucifer raised a single hand and it died instantly.\n\n\"Today, we have a first. A soul that doesn't belong. At least, that is what he would have you believe. He will say he *signed* the contract, to collect his soul. He followed *all* the rules. But did he? Yes, he ended up in hell. His soul forever cursed to be tortured for eternity; But how did we get to this moment? No soul has *ever* held the power to summon our Father to plead his innocence. What power then, what item, what *God given* ability has led to this betrayal of our most sacred contract? I witnessed the signing myself. I held the parchment in my hand, heard his wish, and granted it. I watched his blood dry to seal the contract and carried it *myself*, to our father. The contract was binding. This man, this enslaved soul, has broken our laws and we must demand to know how!\n\nThe crowd went crazy and began to stir. Once again, Lucifer raised a single hand and the crowd went silent. \"The defense may now make their opening statement. *'Snap*'\n\nThe chains fell from William. Rubbing his wrists he noticed all his wounds were healed again, the pain completely gone.\n\nLooking around the room once before beginning, he took a deep breath to calm himself and started, \"My lord, and all demons of hell, I come today to plead for my eternal soul.\"\n\nAncient howls and screaming erupted from the crowd sending shiver down Williams spine. Lucifer smiled for a moment before silencing them.\n\n\"What the prosecutor said is true, I did sign that contract, and I did make a deal for an eternal soul.\" Smiling a bit he said, \"Just not my soul.\" The crowd erupted in anger and screaming.Lucifer stood up slamming down his staff, flames erupting around the room. Silence took the chamber. Looking over William saw the prosecutor giving him a look of rage, the blue flames shooting from his eyes.\n\nLucifer spoke, \"I'm warning you, only this once, do not attempt to make a fool of me, here of all places. I can make you quite uncomfortable during these proceedings. Without warning a thin wire appeared and wrapped around Williams wrist until his hand fell off. His face writhed in pain and his scream echoed through the chamber. When he looked down his hand was back on his wrist and Lucifer was seated, a satisfied look on his face. \"Proceed, but tread lightly.\"\n\n\"Apologies my lord. Allow me to clarify.\"\n\n\"Please, do. And quickly.\"\n\n\"I'm sure most of you weren't awake yet, at the beginning. Few were, and fewer still remain. My lord Lucifer, you must remember the day your father created the humans. Small, pathetic creatures. So gullible, unworthy of the effort it took to bring them life. A simple apple should have been the end of it. But God couldn't let go of the abominations he created. He allowed them to breed.\"\n\nLucifer had leaned forward, listening intently.\n\n\"He *did* get one thing right. One secret he kept to himself and only one other. A secret that he thought forever safe, for the one he entrusted, his first born son, would never betray him.\"\n\nLucifer stood up, eyes wide, \"It cannot be.\"\n\n\"My lord, I am the last eternal.\"",
"Oscar Coleman was in Hell. There was nothing inherently hellish about the black carpet, the dark-brown sofas, or the red curtains on the walls that may or may not have concealed windows, but nonetheless the moment Oscar opened his eyes he knew with unquestionable certainty that this was indeed Hell. The single glance it took to notice the reception desk with a red-skinned, horned, and bespectacled demon behind it only confirmed this supernatural gut feeling. She—if that word could even be applied to such a creature—was dressed surprisingly human: a long-sleeved white blouse, a pair of black fingerless gloves, and the spectacles Oscar noticed first.\n\n“Mr Coleman,” her high-pitched harsh voice called out. “Please step forward.”\n\nOscar’s mind began to race. He didn’t belong here. He could not belong here. His palms were sweating, which was strange given how his body would have to be dead, but that thought was too complicated to dwell on any longer. How did he die? What happened? What possible offence could he have committed to end up in Hell? These thoughts ran circles in Oscar’s mind until there was little distinction between them.\n\n“Mr Coleman!” the receptionist repeated her demand, louder.\nWith a resigned slump of his shoulders, Oscar approached the desk. The fiery amber eyes behind the spectacles pierced him with an annoyed stare.\n\n“Oscar Coleman, you are hereby sentenced to an eternity in Hell for the murder of Arthur Chance. Your assigned tortures for the next year will be boiling tar, heated blades, dehydration, and freezing cold. Dismissed.”\n\nFor a few seconds, Oscar stopped thinking. One thing in that strange statement baffled him enough to overpower even the fear of torture. It must have been some grave cosmical error. Yet in that error, he knew, lay the path to his salvation. Oscar had never in his life known a single person by the name of Arthur Chance.\n\n“This is a mistake,” he muttered, stumbling over words. “This has to be a mistake.”\n\n“I’ve heard that enough times.” The receptionist sighed. “Just go along, someone will show you the way to your first assigned torture.”\n\n“But I don’t even know anyone named Arthur Chance.”\n\n“You don’t?” She raised an eyebrow. “It says here that you murdered him in cold blood after planning it for three days.”\n\n“That’s what I’m trying to tell you! Something is wrong!”\n\nThere was silence. She stared at him for what felt like a full minute, tapping one of her long claws on the wood of the desk. Then, without saying another word, she picked up the receiver of an old rotary telephone to her right and dialed a number. The conversation that followed was not in any language Oscar knew or even recognized, but the confusion in the demon’s voice gave him just the tiniest bit of hope that perhaps not yet all was lost.\n\nSuddenly, she slammed the receiver down and turned back to face him. “You can go make your case in the Department of Appeals. Follow the signs in the hall. Apparently there is something wrong with the paperwork, but I wouldn’t hold my breath, Mr Coleman. If you’re here, you’re here for a reason.”\n\nOscar barely heard the last remark as his feet were already sending him full-speed through the door behind the reception desk. Signs pointed him from hallway to hallway, up and down stairs, sometimes even in contradicting directions. Architecture and furnishing changed between black-red tidy offices, bleeding flesh-walls, damp caves, and many indescribable sights, but even in the darkest, most unearthly part of this place there was always the simple inscription guiding him: “Department of Appeals.” At last, it appeared above a doorway.\n\nTwo knocks and a quick raspy “come in” later, he was inside. A demon in a business suit sat in the middle of a mountainous castle of paperwork. His long bent neck was not unlike that of a crane. His big, unnaturally smooth face sported two beady eyes and a mouth full of jagged teeth. It had no other features to speak of. Two hands that seemed to extend as far as possible transferred papers from one humongous pile to another without any outwardly recognisable reason or system.\n\n“How may I help you?” the demon asked. For some reason his voice made Oscar think of sandpaper.\n\n“I’m here to appeal my sentence. I’ve been accused of something I could not have done.”\n\nThe demon fetched another paper and began writing on it. Whether this was related to his case or not, Oscar could not tell.\n\n“Name?” he asked.\n\n“Oscar Coleman.”\n\n“Place of birth?”\n\n“Luton, England.”\n\n“Place of death?”\n\n“I… I’m not sure.”\n\nThe demon stopped for a second and looked up at Oscar. The beady eyes almost disappeared into his face as they drilled into him with a suspicious glare. “You’re not sure?”\n\n“I don’t remember my death.”\n\n“Hm… Strange. Definitely strange. I can’t say this looks good for your appeal.”\n\n“But I’m telling the truth!”\n\nThere was another moment of silence, almost identical to the one that happened at the reception desk. Without saying more, the creature fished out a photograph of a large burly black man in his forties. Something about him looked unpleasant, though Oscar couldn’t say what.\n\n“This is Arthur Chance,” the demon said.\n\n“Well I can definitely say I’ve never met or heard of this man. How did I supposedly kill him?”\n\n“He was your neighbour,” the demon explained, emotionlessly. “You invited him to dinner after several disagreements and, while his back was to you, bashed his brains out with a hammer. You then hid the body and lied to the police.”\n\n“I can safely say none of that happened. No one like that even lives in my neighbourhood. I don’t think they would allow him here.” Oscar wasn’t sure what he meant by that final comment, but it was difficult to stop talking. He felt compelled to go on. “I’ve never lied to the police. I’ve been an upstanding law-abiding citizen my whole life. I visited the church.” But not often. “I donated to charity.” But not too much. “I don’t belong here.”\n\n“Fine,” the demon said, surprisingly quickly. “I’ll consider your appeal. However, we can’t register it before this issue with your place of death is dealt with. A request to the archive is in order. Pick up form 11A-C from Becky on floor seven and head over there.”\n\n“From whom?”\n\n“Next!” the demon’s neck raised its head far above Oscar as he shouted at the door. Before he could recognize what was going on, Oscar was outside the door. He was fairly sure that he didn’t leave or get pushed out. One second he was in the room, the next… Well, there wasn’t much time to dwell on it, and something told him that trying to go back in wasn’t a good idea. Floor seven then."
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[WP]: Turns out that time is literally a ocean. You own a pub on an island in which sailors rest while time traveling and hear a rumour of the group in the corner has captured the bounty of a historical figure to bring back to the future.
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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 crew of time sailors sauntered in through the door, cracking jokes to each other with their chests proudly in the air. The captain was a friend of mine, one of the finest time sailors this side of the 1800s, and each time he visited the pub, he had a new story to tell. He pointed in my direction and winked at me. “Some flagons of ale for my and my boys,” he thundered in my direction with good humor. I winked back in his direction and got to work procuring some fire water.\n\nThe crew dispersed throughout the bar and the captain rolled over to his usual table in the corner and crashed into the chair. Alerted by this, many of the other patrons made their way over to him, eager to hear the tale of his crew’s latest adventure. I delivered his ale and he took a large gulp, wetting his mouth for the story to come. When he was prepared, he began in a low, deep voice.\n\n​\n\n“Now we were out sailin’ the winds around 1940 when one of the lookouts—” he pivoted to point towards one of his men “—thought he saw a flare on the horizon! Timeship in trouble, that means. Now, we didn’t know what kind of trouble the ship was in, and even when we got closer they weren’t running any signal flags. But anyway, we set sail for the bearing of the flare—and these are dangerous waters, mind you—we didn’t see a single soul on decks.”\n\nThe crowd gasped. The captain leaned further forward on the table.\n\n“Now it looked to me that they’d run aground or gotten snagged on a timespike, but the crew was nowhere to be seen. So I gave the order to board it and figure out what happened. If there’d been an eruption of timespikes in the area, it could have made the whole decade unnavigable.\n\nI went to the captain’s quarters to see what he was doing in these treacherous waters, and I discovered—”\n\nThe crowd held their breath in anticipation and a smile grew across the captain’s face.”\n\n“—a bounty order from the Republic of North America! Offerin’ a reward of some twenty thousand pieces of gold. Some upstart with a time machine was going back to the 1940s and raisin’ all kinds of havoc. But *this* didn’t explain where the crew was! So I went over to the captain’s desk and read his logbook and it said that they had captured the bounty. So right about then I was wonderin’ where did everyone go?! Then, I got to thinkin’ and I had a realisation. Wherever the fugitive was, the crew would probably be there too. Find one, find ‘em both.”\n\nThe captain took a long draught from his flagon and shook a bit to release his pent-up narrative energy. The crowd, enthralled by his story, retained their rapt attention.\n\n“Now I went and looked at the last ship’s heading: March 19, 1941 in some island in the Pacific. I figured they’d both probably be somewhere around there, so I ordered the crew back to the ship and we set sail for a week later, same place. I figured if the ship had been there longer than a week, another crew would’ve found it.\n\nWhen we sailed onto that Pacific isle, the whole crew was there along with their bounty. I spoke to their captain and he said that their ship had gotten caught in a storm that forced it back into the time ocean. The crew had been stranded there for a little under a week, and they were startin’ to get pretty hungry, let me tell you. Anyway, the captain thanked us for our help and split the bounty with us 50-50.\n\nAnd then,” he thundered to wrap up, “we set sail for the pub here to celebrate!”\n\n​\n\nThe assembled crowd cheered, and a few of the captain’s crew members shouted an enthusiastic “Hip hip huzzah!” Slowly, the members of the crowd began to disperse, talking amongst their own crews and ordering more booze.\n\nI stopped by the captain’s table with another flagon of ale, which he passionately took. “So what happened to that fugitive?” I inquired.\n\n“Well, we and the crew of the other ship took ‘im to the Republic of North America port together. Not that I don’t trust a captain’s word, but it’s so much nicer for the crew to get their gold direct from the source, y’understand. Anyway, as far as I know, he’s rottin’ in some brig of theirs. Good riddance too, eh?!”\n\nI smiled at the captain and he gave me a hearty slap on the back. Eventually, the patrons returned to their ships, or to the upstairs rooms. Another day on the time ocean, I thought to myself while cleaning the bar. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Hell, I wonder what yesterday will bring.\n\n​\n\n*If you'd like to read more of my stuff, head on over to* r/DaeridaniiWrites"
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[WP] One cannot cheat Death - however Death can be bargained with provided you know what Death actually wants in that moment. Most who have tried and failed wrongly assume Death would seek another soul of greater value in the place of their own. But in truth, Death has far simpler desires than that.
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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 dead ... because some fucking idiot didn´t felt like wearing a mask?\"\n\n\"Yes. Sadly, not the only one dying that way ...\"\n\n\"These people probably leave their sopping cart in the lot, instead of bringing it back! I just HATE .... EVERYTHING right now, I just ... I jus can´t man ...\"\n\nDeath looked at me, and sat down on my deathbed: \"I hate these ... savages too. They *feel* like they are important, but they are not, they are just another brick in the wall, indistinguishable from each other, but allas ... what do *I* know right?\"\n\nHe then took his sythe, and spoke up: \"Good thing tho, the family responsible for this mess have been found. They will be punished for it ... but how about we teach ALL of them a little ... lesson?\"\n\n\"And what do you get out of it?\"\n\n\"You take my mantle. I was living being once too, and I kinda want to finally go home, my way.\"\n\n\"And why me?\"\n\n\"Oh, I just know you are right, there are no hard rules and I think you will do a god job. I have acess to all of your past and yes, you had some bad problems and made ... questionable decisions. But you have a crippling amount of guilt and drive to fairness ... and you are quite petty and brutaly honest sometimes.\"\n\n\"Like you?\"\n\n\"Like me.\"\n\nI looked down to the ground: \"In this case, why not? Why not play death for a bit of eternity? Why not show, that nature does not give a single iota of half fuck about you?\"\n\n\"I should warn you, while most of your theories of the world are surprisingly close to how it actually is, it´s still the thruth, not *THE THRUTH, but pretty close to it.*\n\nI stretch my hand out: \"I understand, and I am curious. I am scared, but my relentless curiousity pushes me to it.\"\n\n\"Thank you, I am glad you take the new mantle.\" As death reaches over with the sythe he states a life changing detail: \"We all get born with a purpose, and our fews is that of the Death. We are the spectres of Death, responsible for the countless souls. But ... but you and I knew this when we died, we knew all along. When our heart stopped and we left the material world this feeling, unfocused to oblivion fianlly snapped into place. I know you will be a great Death. Good bye, my friend.\"\n\nThe second I took the hadle into my palm, the old being simple feel into itself, gone with a single plop.\n\nAs my mind processes through the universe, now linked with me, I undertsand: like Gravity being a intrinsic force of space and time, so is death .. so am I.\n\nI stood up, drak mantle already forming I see myself in the mirror: \"Hmm ... I think I have to rework this outfit, except the sythe. That thing stays.\"",
"Death snorts, crossing his arms and looked down at her from under his black hood. \n\n\"What could you offer me, mortal, that you truly think I could want?\" He sneered. \n\nShe was silent a moment. She didnt seem scared, to his suprise. She looked thoughtful. Finally, the woman looked him up and down and smiled lightly. \n\n\"Come with me.\" She said, seeming almost excited. She spun and headed back into the home she had just died in. Death frowned, but followed the young woman. She led him into her kitchen. \n\n\"Sit please.\" She ordered, gesturing lazily to the counter chair opposite her. He wondered what trick this woman was trying to pull. \n\nShe was humming to herself and pulled something out of the oven. With a few flicks of her wrist she ribboned chocolate sause and caramel over something he couldn't see. A moment later she placed a large slice of chocolate chunk turtle brownie and a tall glass of almond milk in front of him. \n\nHe blinked and rose a brow at her. \n\n\"That's my trade.\" She said confidently. \n\n\"You know I cant be poisoned, right?\" He checked. \n\n\"Why would I poison you? The deal is this; you eat that you leave me alive.\" She laughed. \"No point in killing you then. Even if it would work.' \n\nHe looked hard at the dessert. It had been many many years since anyone had tried to win his favor with food. He took the sticky square and savored it.\n\n\"That worked!\" She exclaimed, jumping up and down. \n\n\"Its been centuries since I've eaten. No one offers me food anymore.\" He explained, licking the sause from his hand. \n\nShe smiled at him warmly. \n\n\"If you feel peckish, come see me sometime.\" She offered as the stab wound that had ended her life closed. She tentatively stroked the scar. \n\n\"I'll take you up on that. After all, you're immortal now. Use the time to perfect your cooking.\" \n\n\"Wait, Im-\" \n\nAnd in a puff of smoke he was gone. Nothing left but a golden coin on her counter."
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[WP] You wake up in the year 1999, just five hours after new year's eve. You think you've traveled back in time somehow but then you notice how most of your hometown isn't just older, but completely different and even new things that have happened in the past. You're in an alternate 1999.
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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 nurse asks if she can record some of your “ramblings” for a psychiatrist to evaluate. The towns emergency services are small, and most patients need to be sent to the next city. But you don’t seem to be an immediate danger to yourself. \n\nShe pulls out a digital recorder. \n\n“Do you know why you’re being kept here today.”\n\n“Yes. But please I don’t have much time. This could affect everything. You don’t know how bad it’s going to be. I could fix it all now, I have to try.”\n\n“Sir. Do you understand why you’re here? You started screaming to yourself, running around the town saying you had a mission that could affect the course of history.”\n\n“Please I need to get to Florida”\n\n“Why?”\n\nThey’d been over this several times, but she wouldn’t get it. \n\n“They’re going to use chads, and they hang, and the names don’t line up, or something. I didn’t quite understand it when it happened-I mean- when it’s going to happen. But I need to tell them to do it differently. I need to campaign for Gore. Jesus Christ, you don’t understand. The climate gets way too hot and wars. One in Iraq, and one in... syria I think. I don’t know. I didn’t pay attention. But two too many. Or three too many? Or two that didn’t need to happen and one that never ends.\n\nMaybe I can stop the banks from failing and a pandemic, i don’t know. But the wars for sure I can stop. Trumps going to be president he’ll try to sell us beans. I gotta do something when I can, pleaase.”\n\nShe took a deep breath and turned off the recorder. \n\n“Thanks I think that’s enough. By tomorrow morning we’ll be able to transfer you.”"
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[WP] You opened the box, and it wasn’t what you expected.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"This year for my birthday, I decided to do something different. I told everyone in my family to get me one gift from all of them, and for a group of five people it was a task.\n\nAfter much hemming and hawing, or so I am told, they settled on this. From the size of the box I would have expected a Lego set, but it was too heavy, and when I thought it was a book, it was too shallow for the weight.\n\nInside was a stone plate, expertly painted with a scene of the night, a delicate tea set on a glass table sat in the lower right corner, the upper corner a crescent moon made of silver set into the stone, with pressed flowers decorating the bushes that filled the view of the image, leading towards a lake that almost shone like a mirror.\n\nI was told that this was custom created for me, because I like \"winter\" and \"darkness\" so much. The flowers were snowdrops, upon closer inspection, and the moon could be removed and worn as a pendant. The scene depicted reminded me of an old storybook grandma used to have, but it burned in the fire that took her life as well. It was a story about a boy who flew around the world of dreams, defeating nightmares of all shapes and sizes with his pan flute, singing and dancing in the air until all the fears and dark beings had fled, leaving behind faeries and other dream creatures in their wake.\n\nSometimes in my more sleep-addled state, I thought the moon pendant was actually glowing, and that someone sat at the table, sipping tea and looking out at the water. It was a comfort to own something so reminiscent of my grandma, and her penchant for fantastical pieces. But it was concerning on the few days the image turned dark, the lake blood red and the flowers turning to thorns.\n\nIt was odd, but I couldn't prove it had happened, every picture I took was exactly as I had first seen the slate, pristine and pretty. Maybe my mind was playing games with me, but I was never sure.\n\nHowever, one night I had fallen asleep with the necklace on, after a particularly late party. Something strange happened in my dreams.\n\nI remembered looking up, to a vast vortex of darkness, and seeing before me a pinball board at least sixteen stories high. I was floating from a distance, and my vision was garbled I'm sure, but I saw countless rows of teeth splitting the board on diagonals, and a hundred eyes all searching in every different direction. Then a horrible hand reached out for something beyond the darkness, towards me, when a boy in purple flew past me. He must have seen me, because he winked, and pulled out a pan flute, and played a most familiar tune.\n\nWhen next I woke up, the dream was fleeting, but I wrote down what I remembered. The more I look at the words, the less certain I am it has anything to do with the moon pendant.\n\nBut the next day, the figure was back, sipping the tea at the table. And they never once went away, again."
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[WP] The war without heroes
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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.*",
"Returning from war, the soldiers were issued no welcome home. In fact, they were the most hated group of their society. No glory was bestowed upon those that kill innocents. It wasn't meant to be this way. The people weren't meant to know the crimes the soldiers had committed. \n\nAnd they wouldn't have known, if the press hadn't investigated. Supplying pictures that neither side was doing what they said they were. Ikula was not fighting to stop Abrali from taking over, and Abrali was not fighting to take over.\n\nNo, they were fighting to lower the world population. Both countries knew, they had created this plan together, and they pretended. Each government taking on a role and acting it out as if they were in a movie. \n\nThey swept through the regions they deemed too populous. And under the guise of fighting each other, they blew up cities, and destroyed the lives of many civilians. They lied saying \"No, that was really an undercover stronghold for the opposing side,\" and continued their massacre.\n\nSoldiers murdering children, adults, and virtually everyone but the opposing soldiers. When the people found out, they were enraged, they demanded the war stop, they marched and protested. But the government had no qualms killing a few thousand more civilians.\n\nAnd when they deemed their job done, the population lowered enough, they sent the troops home. And the population spit upon them, there is no glory in killing those that cannot defend themselves. Now militaries only symbolize shame."
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[WP] People have very different opinions on Fate. Some say that she’s a kroul mistress. Others say she is kind. Today you get to meet her in person.
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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.*",
"“Now boarding flight 149 to LAX” the Southwest desk attendant sounded as unamused as they come. I looked down at my ticket to notice once again, that I am on boarding group 4. \n\n“Every fucking time.” I didn’t mean to say it out loud but flying has always made me anxious and being one of the last to board didn’t help. \n“What’s the matter huney?” The southern accent reached out from behind me and almost immediately I felt relaxed. I turned to see a stunning brunette in a floral sundress. \n“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t actually mean to say that aloud.” I stuttered through every word, I mean something about her oozed power. Almost to the point that it was unsettling.\n“Darlin that is quite alright, I’ve never liked flying either. We’ll just keep that our little secret though won’t we?” The words were melodic, I found myself enticed by every syllable.\n“Er flying doesn’t bother me, I just don’t like being the last group to board.” I lied, trying to match her confidence but to no avail. \n“Bless your heart huney, you ain’t gotta lie to me, I know the truth.” The smile that crept onto her face as she spoke scared the living shit out of me. How did she know? Was she a psychologist? A psychoanalyst? I think she caught on that I was trying to figure out how she knew because she cut me off.\n\n“Christian, walk with me” she held out her hand for me to take.\nI knew only two things, either I was being setup by a friend or this woman (thing?) was a psychic. I placed my hand into hers with utter confusion, but that voice, her voice... it was so.... soothing. I couldn’t resist it. \nWe started to walk away from the gate and I stopped dead in my tracks, I couldn’t miss this flight, I couldn’t miss the meeting at the firm. But for some reason unknown to me, my feet started moving on their own. Like they were automated set on their own course, destined to follow this mystery woman. She led me to a bar on the same concourse that overlooked the runway. \n\n“What would y’all like to drink?” The bartender had asked with the same lack of enthusiasm as the desk attendant. I went to order but she cut me off.\n“We’ll have two cosmos, thanks darlin.” As she ordered she looked eyes with mine, her soft features along with her dark blue eyes that looked liked they were blotted with tiny specks of white, the expression on her face was that of someone with an inside joke that they were waiting for you to catch onto. I was still so lost. I didn’t understand why I was there, why I had followed, why I was so enamored with this women.\n“Darlin just stop, you’re going to give yourself an aneurism from all this overthinking. I’ll answer some questions for you but I want you to keep an eye on the plane you were supposed to be on while I talk, okay?” Now I was becoming worried, not only did I believe that she could read my mind but like she could see into the future? Hell I don’t know. \n\nShe continued “let’s just say I’m in a very niche market and there isn’t anyone else that does what I do for a living. I can’t really control outcomes of events but I can place, let’s see uhm, obstacles in the way to change singular events.” \n\nMy eyes were locked onto the jet that was taxiing onto the runway but still I listened to every word she said. \n\n“Now I personally cannot direct the obstacle and task it with what to do, I can only merely make sure it’s at the event and then allow fate to carry out her works.” She giggled at the last part and my eyes broke from the jet to see her head tilted down like she was beyond amused with herself. Without looking up she whispered “huney the jet, you need to watch it.”\n\nMy eyes snapped back to the jet, it was now off the ground and making its ascent but there was smoke trailing from the right engine. All of a sudden the smoke became flames and I watched in horror as the entire plane erupted. The entirety of the airport erupted in screams of horror, as did I. I was supposed to be on that flight, I was seated by that wing. How could she have known? Was she a terrorist? Anarchist?\n\n“Absolutely the fuck not.” She cut me off and her soothing voice turned into a whip. “I am nothing of the sort, you see Christian, I am the master of destiny. The one that knows what’s coming but cannot intervene. But I found a loophole some millennia ago, where I myself can not intervene but if I pick the right person at the right place at the right time, who’s soul is lost. I can take them in. And I can help them find purpose. You my dear will become my obstacle.” \nNone of it made sense but for a reason I couldn’t discern, I knew she was telling the truth. \n“What do you mean your obstacle?” I asked in earnest. \n“Well you will be the piece I send to the right place at the right time to allow myself to carry out my duties. Fate that is, or destiny whichever you choose to call it.”\n\n“And If I object and deny?” I didn’t like the sound of indentured servitude and would like things to just return to normal. \n“Then the next immortal you will meet, is the reaper. You were supposed to be on that plane silly.” The words hit me like a freight train. I was setup, I was trapped and my only other option was death.\n\n“Fate is a cruel mistress.” I muttered under my breath.\n“Stop it, you all think I’m ssssooo evil, I just saved your life Christian. And now it’s time for you to decide, you can either sit here in waiting for your date with the reaper or you can join me and make a difference.” She didn’t care to wait around to see my decision she got up from her stool and started walking down the concourse.\nOnce again my feet started moving on my own and it was only then I realized that there was never another option. \n\nMy fate was already decided.\n\n\n—————————-\nIf you made it all the way through, thank you and I appreciates you. :)",
"When I woke up, I didn't think I was going to see a woman in a dark purple gown that seemed to swirl like galaxies sitting on my vanity cushion. \"Am I lucid dreaming again?\"\n\n\"I'd certainly hope not,\" the woman replied, and I noticed her features seemed to be shifting into something reasonably pleasant looking and her eyes were a kaleidoscope of colors.\n\n\"Who are you?\"\n\nShe hummed for a moment and then answered me, \"You can call me Fate.\"\n\n\"Fate? Like the cosmic thing? That people say is cruel?\"\n\n\"I do hate that assumption,\" her voice quivered slightly and she glanced down at her hands. \"I only read what the stars tell me. It's not like I can actively change someone's life path.\"\n\n\"Then why are you here if you're not changing mine?\" I asked her as I threw my legs over my bed and found appreciation in the cold hardwood that anchored me to the moment.\n\n\"Well, because surprisingly, there is someone who can change the destinies of people close to them; your grandfather.\"\n\n\"Grandfather? Is he okay?\" I was suddenly concerned and hopped up, already running to my closet.\n\n\"He is okay, for now,\" Fate replied and reached out a hand to stop me. \"The thing is... He's sort of... it's quite hard to explain.\" If Fate could look conflicted, it was now as she chewed her lower lip before continuing, \"An hourglass counts down, yes?\"\n\n\"Of course, physics,\" I answered automatically.\n\n\"In your grandfather's home, in the basement, are a walls of hourglasses that run out when their time to pass is coming. He determines if it is their time... or not. And he chooses as such.\"\n\n\"Why are you telling me this?\"\n\n\"Your grandfather is my descendant, and such, as are you. And I'm choosing you to take over when he passes.\""
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[WP] Your family's prized possession is a single glass earring shaped like an orb. Encased within it, is a dried flower. You accidentally drop it. As it shatters upon the ground, the flower falls out and begins to bloom and it doesn't seem to stop growing.
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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 always found it funny that Grandma kept her earring in her curio cabinet instead of her jewelery box. There was only one. She never told me what had happened to the other one. I had always admired it. She said it had been in family for hundreds of years.\n\n I glanced in the other room. She was asleep on the couch. I just wanted to hold it. Maybe check out my reflection in the mirrored back of the cabinet.\n\nAs quietly as possible, I opened the cabinet. I pulled out the glass orb. The pink flower was just so beautiful. I wished I could smell it, although I was sure its fragrance was lost centuries ago.\n\nGrandma gave a loud snort and I jumped, dropping the earring. It shattered on the floor, glass shards in every direction. I gasped. Grandma was going to kill me.\n\nBefore she did that, maybe I could try to smell that flower. Surely it hadn't been that big, right? I mean, it had fit inside an earring, but now it was the size of my fist. No, my foot. No, my forearm. And it was blooming. What was going on?\n\nAs the flower grew, so did its stem. Green tendrils wound around the furniture and up the walls. They enveloped Grandma, who turned to snuggle against one. They made their way out of the window. I had to see where they were going.\n\nI went outside, watching the plant grow towards the clouds. More flowers blossomed along the stalk, which was as thick as a tree trunk. I had the urge to climb it. Just because I could.\n\nIt took a lot of effort to get from one branch to the next, but the huge blossoms helped. I climbed higher than my roof. I climbed higher than the town hall. I climbed higher than an airplane that was passing by. I even climbed higher than the clouds.\n\nWhen I reached to top, I looked around. There was a large house nearby. I went to the door, but I couldn't reach the knob. It was high above my head. I tried to knock, but it sounded so pathetic, I doubt anyone heard me.\n\nI nearly screamed when something grey and furry came towards me. It was the size of a large car. But, it didn't run me over. Instead, it went through a knothole on the right side of the door. I followed his long tail, hoping the rats here were friendlier than the ones at home.\n\nA person was sitting at the table, but he was humongous. He wore blue overalls and a pink shirt. I was no taller than his socks. I hurried to a corner so I wouldn't get trampled.\n\nThe giant glanced out the window, standing up so quickly he knocked over his chair. I was glad I had moved. He rushed to the window.\n\n\"Fee Fie Foe Fum.\nMy time for revenge \nHas finally come.\"\n\n\n------------\nThanks for reading. Want to see more of my writing? Check out r/AshleighStevens",
"I was looking at the flower orb, as I dubbed it. I could never get any information about it off of my family, but I do know it has been passed along for what seems like forever. It's small and smooth attached to a hook to wear as an earring, but it doesn't have a pair. I have to admit that I probably shouldn't have been even touching it, as I'm know to be really clumsy. While feeling the texture of the glass and admiring the dried flower inside I fumbled and dropped it onto the rotting hardwood floor.\n\nThe glass shattered, sending shards through gaps in the floor and leaving the flower, which had started to rejuvenate. Standing there shocked, not sure whether to touch it, I watched as the petals unfurled and smelt a sweet smell, not unlike how I imagined flowers to smell like from all of my childhood stories. A knock on my front door jolted me out of my thoughts. With a glance to the flower, I hurried to open the door to see my uncle standing there. I had forgotten he was coming over today, and the panic must of shown on my face, I didn't want him to know that I had broken our family heirloom, but he picked up my emotions with ease and gently pushed past me and asked what was wrong. He went straight into the dining room where I had dropped the earring. I rushed after him, but we both stopped in the door way.\n\nSomething beautiful was sitting there, and it was getting bigger. Green leaves surrounded a purple flower and vines and stems crept out and around furniture. My uncle asked what was that and what was going on, so I hastily explained that I had broken the earring. Something must have triggered some memory or knowledge in him, he told me he thought this thing in front of us was a plant, which I told him was ridiculous. He sent a quick message to my family group chat to come over, and I was absolutely mortified. Why was he bringing my whole family into this? I broke a family heirloom! While waiting for all of my family to come and no doubt kill me for this crime, we watched this 'plant' continue to grow, and by the time my family had come from about an hour away, green had started to poke through the roof and windows.\n\nWith my family and a bunch of neighbors from the very crowded neighborhood now standing out front. My great grandmother tapped me on the shoulder. She told me about the history of the earring. So we sat in the new garden, the first one to exist for many years, my family and friends learnt about a project to help preserve earths plants and greens if disaster were to wipe out the ecosystem. But one family member from way back took it and thought it could be used for their own personal gain.\n\nIt was passed through the family as a heirloom after he died and the tale of a magical revival for plants was also passed along side, with a health dose of skepticism. Though, now we know the story was true, proven by my clumsy hands and the expanding green that we sat in, welcome the night and a bright future."
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[WP] Humanity’s colony on Titan has suddenly stopped communicating with space ports and military bases on Earth. Then a single message comes through: “aliens. help. now.”
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"We all hoped it would never come to this.\n\nDecisions, discussions, even arguments, echoed through the halls of every conference center from Houston to the Cape, up to the Pentagon, Congress, and the Oval Office. The unthinkable had happened. \n\nIn the seventy-two hours since the regular comms traffic came to a halt, all of our efforts were around a rescue mission. Titan Six must be in trouble. A broken antennae? Impossible, they have backup systems to the backup systems. No single points of failure. Even if the radio antennae all failed at the same time, what about the telemetry? The encrypted computer traffic back to the first geosynchronous waypoints? None of it was supposed to fail all at once.\n\nThe closest satellites became our magnifying glasses, trained on the tiny spot on Titan where our human brothers and sisters were supposed to be. We analyzed the pictures for color, infrared, radiation ... had the fusion reactor exploded? No, everything seemed to be there. Lights were still on, the structure seemed intact. \n\n\"One thing bothers me,\" an analyst spoke up at the fourth conference. We had met every twelve hours since Titan Six stopped responding. Midnight on the second day, no sleep in over a day. My fatigue almost made me miss what they said. \"Everything looks normal, right? Picture after picture, nothing's changed. But here's the thing: Where is the vehicle traffic?\" \n\nHe pointed to an enhanced picture, showing the crawlers and other robotic transport. At that distance, they looked like rice grains. \"We take these pictures at different times of the day, full-motion video in some cases. Those crawlers aren't moving.\"\n\n\"Maybe they're down for maintenance.\" I suggested.\n\n\"All at the same time? All on the same day? And they never started up again?\"\n\n\"They're supposed to be harvesting nitrogen for the other colonies. I've got reports that say three other colonies are gonna be in trouble in a month if Titan doesn't restart.\"\n\n\"Okay, okay,\" I held up my hands. \"I'll talk to Mission Control and the brass. They'll want to kick this around a bit. When's the earliest we can get a probe over there?\"\n\n\"Three years, maybe?\"\n\n\"Oh my God ...\"\n\n\"We've got the maintenance tech on the waypoint station. He can drop down in the emergency module if we ask him to.\"\n\n\"Forget it,\" Kranz, the mission rep, cut that idea down. \"We can't drop that guy down, no idea what he's dropping into.\"\n\nAnother round of arguments, back and forth, for another hour. By then, my eyes were fighting to stay open. That's when the nightmare really began.\n\n\"Uh, sir?\" a voice asked at my elbow. It was Trenton, our intern. He had been in my office, making sure they could contact me if they couldn't reach me on the office phone. \"They've been trying to get you for the past five minutes. A new message has arrived, from ... uh, from Titan.\"\n\nOur boys were back in contact? The air electrified. I picked up the phone and ordered the comms center to broadcast their screenfeed directly to the screens in our conference room. That way, we could all see what Titan Six was saying together.\n\nBetween the six people in the room, I want to say we had over a century of spaceflight experience between us. Decades of hair-raising rescues, heartbreaking losses. Nothing we'd ever experienced prepared us for the gut-freezing chill of those three words blinking to life on our screen:\n\n#aliens. help. now.\n\n\"Holy God in Heaven,\" a voice breathed. \"They gotta be kidding us!\"\n\nThere it was, in blue-on-black text. Aliens. Help. Now. The possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, and our potential relationship with them, answered in three terrifying words.\n\n\"Comms, are you sending this to the Pentagon?\" I spoke into the phone.\n\n\"Yes, yes,\" the voice came back. \"Everyone's getting this at the same time we are!\"\n\n\"Well, wait a minute,\" the analyst tries to be reasonable. \"Are we certain this means the aliens are dangerous?\"\n\n\"Don't be stupid,\" Kranz replies. \"Nobody sends that message because the aliens are cute and fuzzy.\"\n\nI detail Comms and Mission Control to start working our backup plans. \"What do we have in our runbook for this kind of scenario? Get the procedures working now, we'll be up there in a minute.\"\n\nStanding up, I tried to pull my wrinkled shirt into some kind of presentable order. \"Ladies and gents, I believe we're living in a new world now. Let's get about our business and see what kind of world it is.\""
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[WP] The last Human Veteran of the Great Galactic War returns to the planet they fought for so long 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.*",
"Was it really worth it? I wonder to myself running my hand over my left arm. At least it looks real, I suppose. But all this loss, the billions of lives lost, all because a few corporations wanted more planets they could destroy. Back in the war this planet didn't exactly show much promise, at best a backwater outpost. But we had orders, so we fought nonetheless. Every time I sleep, I hear the deafening impact of a tungsten rod slamming into the ground at mach 10 somewhere off in the distance. Every time I see an advertisement, I just see the same propaganda telling me to fight those employees for my right to be an employee. All while the ones who have a vested interest in this conflict drink some kind of moon whiskey, or some shit off on a distant space station. I see the wasteland before me, barren, stripped of resources. I think of all the friends I lost, and all the nothing I gained. I look at the data logs of old Earth, and see the same thing repeating throughout all of our history. We thought finding intelligent life would change something, but we never did, so we never changed. We just kept expanding, consuming, and fighting, just as we always have. It was never worth it, at least not to anyone who didn't matter."
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[WP] You have three one-time-use marks on your body where each mark could be used to summon a random supernatural creature to help you. Now a demon is standing in front of you rolling his eyes and saying "oh not you again."
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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.*",
"\"Child.\" The 10 foot tall being comprised of sculpted, smoldering muscle stared down at the young girl. \"This is the third time you have summoned me.\"\n\nThe girl locked her unblinking eyes with the demon towering over her and nodded emotionlessly.\n\nThe demon internally scoffed at this sight. Not many humans would have the courage to meet a demon's incendiary gaze. And yet forget meeting his gaze; this small, fragile little rodent showed not even an ounce of the fear that a Legionnaire of Hell such as himself commanded.\n\n\"And you've requested the same thing of me each time.\" he continued.\n\nThe girl nodded her head once again.\n\n*\"Protect me.\"*\n\nThis was third time he'd been dragged up from his home in the infernal planes to fulfill this request. He let his eyes drift away from the girl to survey the corpses that were now strewn around them. The blood of humans and magical creatures mingled together into a black sludge that coated the ground. The sight managed to make being torn from his dimension slightly worth the annoyance.\n\nHis surveying eyes then fell back on the girl. Short. Malnourished. Sickly. Bruised. Scarred. There was not just one word he could find to describe the abysmal state she was in. And yet each time she summoned him, she would surprise him by looking even worse for wear than the last time.\n\n\"Then that means you failed to heed my words. You are doomed, child.\"\n\n​\n\n**Part 1**\n\n^(Don't have much time at the moment so I'm splitting this up into parts. Will continue soon.)"
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[WP] You've always been insanely good at archery. It's always come naturally to you. Today you discover that you're the last cupid.
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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 have so much power. I could make world peace by uniting everyone or... I could make the apocalypse by uniting 2 tyrants, which should I choose?\" I decide its too much work so I hit the bed. \"I'll make my mind up tomorrow,\" I think in my head. My eyes start feeling heavy and after a while I fall asleep, but suddenly the room around me fades away and you appear in a forest, \"Over here,\" I hear whisper, \"Who's there?!\" I shout. \"Turn around, silly,\" he says. I turn around and see... another cupid. \"I thought I was the only cupid, \" I say, confusion oozing from my voice. \"I'm the first ever cupid, and I have noticed that you are having trouble deciding whether to use your powers for good and evil. Well look at it this way, for you there is no \"good and bad.\" If you sense 2 people that feel like they should be in love then shoot them. You are a neutral power, you do not care for good and bad.\" \"Wait, but what i-\" I don't get to finish my sentence as the dream fades away and I wake up. With all the information I have gathered about my job I start to have doubts, but I decide to try it out for the first day and judge based on my experiences.",
"Today i found out that my father is the jerk responsible for all (okay maybe only half) of the jerkish behavior in the world. If he weren't dead, i'd kill him; i miss mom that much. In the three hours since the reading of his will and getting handed the instruction manual (written by **that** Hephaestus; now i know why my father insisted i learn Greek) for that old bow of his that i always thought was just a toy, i've had a Norn tell me i must (says who!) use my powers to spark the kind of love affairs that make for epic sagas, a demon offer me a million dollars a pop to get a long list of small-town preachers to cheat on their wives, and a zillion internet fanboys/girls (how did they find out about me, and how are they finding all my usernames so fast?) begging me to make their favorite actor/singer/whatever fall in love with them. A few of them seem to think i should be able to pull fictional characters into the real world for them to marry.\n\n​\n\nBleep them all. Little Becky from down the street hasn't stopped crying for the last month. Tomorrow, her parents are getting un-divorced."
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[WP] Everyone keeps calling you an angel. As a demoness, your not sure whether to take this as a compliment or an insult.
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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.*",
"Took a mildly different tack with this one, but this was still inspired by the prompt, so I figured I'd share. :)\n\n========================================\n\n\"*Seriously?* How many people does a girl have to kill to get the right reputation around here?\"\n\nStanding amidst the heaps of corpses, all of whom had dared to attack \\*my\\* home in the name of some made-up fucking hellgod, I wiped the worst of the gore off my talons, blade long ago lost in the twilight struggle.\n\nYou'd think the wings would give it away, but noooo. \"Do you see any white feathers behind me?\" I'd asked, trying to get these imbeciles to realize I was actually on their team. \"Any halo? No, you don't!\"\n\nThey hadn't listened of course, and had made to attack the small tavern I'd made my home these last few years, on their way to some awful bloody struggle or another. Some arrogant pricks thinking the whole world was theirs, and they could take whatever they pleased along the way.\n\n*Well,* I supposed, *they're not going to be taking anything* else*.*\n\nI waved the kids back inside, frowning at what was bring tracked onto my just-swept floorboards. It'd take at least a week to get that out, and probably more if I didn't want to replace at least a few pieces. Granted, the outside of the tavern looked pretty beaten up too, with more than a few shattered windows, but that was the least of my troubles.\n\n*How was I going to clean up* this *mess?*\n\nFinishing off one of the few still crying amongst the field, I saw a well-armored man raise his visor and look in my direction. The mayor. Not that I could have mistaken him for anyone else, what with that battered plate he still insisted on wearing, ridiculous black crown and all.\n\n\"I really hope this is the last time\", he commented. \"I hate having to do this every couple years, even if they do bring it upon themselves.\" He sighed. \"Attacking a demon, her kids, *and* her friends? What a stupid fucking way to die.\"\n\nI chuckled. It had taken a few years for the locals to realize I wasn't going to... I don't know, eat their souls or something? I still wasn't clear on that one.\n\nMostly, I just wanted a safe place to raise my kids, and given the wide variety in demonic children, scaled, fuzzy, and everything in between, I really had my hands full. Even had to ward the inn to protect it against the fire-breathers, though I guess that had come in handy when the mages cut loose a few hours ago.\n\nFunny thing was, the locals respected me, and even took care of my kids on occasion. Oh, there were a few that their own mages, trained by yours truly of course, could barely handle, but that always made for the best stories. *Good thing some of the others were pretty proficient in healing, though... else, some of those would have ended badly.*\n\nI sighed. \"Yeah, me too. I don't mind a good brawl now and then, but this entire mobilized army stuff needs to stop. One of you is bound to get hurt one of these days.\"\n\nHe shrugged. \"Our town, and we're not going anywhere. And they don't get a say in who's welcome here, neither.\" Wincing slightly, he continued, \"though I do have to say it's terrifying when you really... cut loose.\"\n\nI laughed, eyes blazing in the night. I still remembered how glorious it felt for my viciously sharp hands to glide through plate and flesh like it was hot tallow. \"Sometimes a girl has to have a little fun, you know?\"\n\nHe paled at that, making a holy symbol with his free hand before he even thought about what he was doing. I just quirked an eyebrow, laughing yet again. *As though that would do squat against me.*\n\n\"Still, I continued, I can't quite get why they seem to think I'm an angel of all things. It's bad enough the Holy armies come at us from the other side, but at least *they* can tell I'm a demon.\"\n\n=====\n\nUnheard by those below, the kids giggled from the upstairs window, releasing the glamour that had frustrated all attempts at diplomacy. \"Woohoo, we got to stay up late!\"\n\n=====\n\nBlack wings furled behind me, I shook my head. *Such a waste.*"
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[WP] In all your years training and serving as a knight, you never could have considered fighting beings the royal astronomer believes to have come from the stars themselves
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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.*",
"\"Come, sit closer to me.\" Said the great holy master astronomer Raiju who sensed my presence in his meditation, as I waiting for him. \n\n\"Namaste Master Raiju!\" Bowed down, \"I have a lot of doubts about what you announced before in the hall Master!\" With a sense of tremble and disbelief.\n\n\"What do you have in your mind Prometh!\" As he graceful rises from his position and looks at the night sky with his eyes wide open. \n\n\"Why me master?! I haven't even been able to beat Theron. I don't understand how you chose me to be the one to fight the blood hungry Orions!\" As I get on my knees and look up to him perplexed. \n\n\"Why me? Why not anyone else? The scary Orions!\" As he imitates me with a friendly voice \"Look carefully my dear Prometh! The mighty warriors don't fight merely with raw strength and brute force!\" \n\n\"What I see is greatness in you! I see that you never give up easily even though people all around you have been ridiculing. I see you always hoping the best for all around. I see an endless infinite ocean of potential just waiting to let go.\" \n\nAs he performs a holy stance. \n\nPrometh, staring widely back at him,\n\"But, I honestly have soo much fear in me. Everyone around seems to know and do soo much more! Is it really me who is the one?!\"\n\n\"Just focus on how to improve in every move you make from now on! All that matters is how you are able to take multiple hits, multiple mistakes, stand up and make sure you don't repeat them!\" \nAs he walks towards me, \n\n\"People will talk, they always have been, but very few actually talk as they really are. While you are different! Just remember and focus on what you seek. You will then be what I see in you!\" \n\nRaiju pointing into the stars,\n\"One time day you shall steal fire from the Orions themselves and that is your destiny Prometheus!\"\n\n\"Start now and then you too shall believe in yourself!\"",
"The island I defend is large: 20km x 32km. I have never been beyond its bounds. His mighty grace, Habsoro has made our island great. \n\nWe rely on the skies above and the Earth itself. Both to determine our own fates and also the intentions of those who come to our land. The Royal Astronomer knows best how to read these augurs. He tells us which battles to engage in with other islands and everything else we need to know to defend our mighty land. While the King governs us and the Defender protects us, it is the Astronomer who holds the wisdom of our brothers.\n\nThe Astronomer, Mahppudim, is special. Unlike the King, whose power derives from his ancestors, the Astronomer is chosen by the gods themselves. Here in Sumba, we believe in Marapu, the age old balance between good and bad. Balance is everything.\n\nWhen the past Astronomer dies, a child is chosen by the Royal Defender, First Among Knights. The child is chosen for its balance of Ndewa and Hamanangu. The Royal Defender then guides them along their path to adulthood.\n\nAnd so, I, Kadir, serve the Royal Defender, the Royal Astronomer, and the King. In that order. A Sumban knight, must follow the structure. In this way there is balance. Deviation means death.\n\nI never knew how true those words were, until I found myself in a strange situation. \n\nThe Astronomer had declared the King an ‘alien’ despite Habsoro’s clear and known blood lineage. To imply the King was an ‘alien’, was to suggest his ancestors may have been as well. To insult them. To insult the very history of our people. A grave charge indeed. But surely, the Astronomer was all knowing and wise? We do not question the Astronomer, for to do so would question the choice of the gods themselves.\n\nWhich is why this situation is so hard for me to grasp: if Mahppudim did not respect our ancestors, was he in fact not a good man? That thought confused me to my core: if Mahpuddim was bad, it meant he and possibly the Defender were likely false guides. And what did that make me, Kadir? Am I a bad person now?\n\n—\n\nGiven the situation’s gravity, other members of the Astonomers Council were brought in from Flores, as they too followed our Marapu faith. \n\nOne of the challenges of these tests is that the subject must not know when or how the tests are being administered or the results will be inconclusive.\n\nAssessing the results was also not straight forward. Our religion relies on balance, between Ndewa and Hamanangu. \n\nThe ideal result is not just ‘all good’ or ‘all bad’, but an exact balance between the two. All life is a balance and so too must this be. Too many good results may indicate the person is breaking the balance and trying to change things. Too many bad results and the person is clearly on the side of bad. No, as Mapphudim explained to me as a squire, perfect balance is the only answer.\n\nThe Astronomer asked me, Kadir, to observe and assist in the process. I was chosen as I owed allegiance to all three leaders and could ensure the process went as planned. It was a high honor. And yet, I was afraid. Questions were not a luxury a Knight could afford, and I had many at the moment. \n\nThe Astronomers Council from Flores and our own great Astronomer used various tests on the king, including the:\n- green branch test - if a green branch remained green in a person’s hands, they were innocent. But some people’s souls reflect a different result: the plant turns brown, the plant causes a rash on the person’s hand, or the plant blooms. The latter has never happened before\n- sacrificial goat test - a sacrifice is made to the gods above. The person watches. If the subject doesn’t react or if their eyes follow an unusual pattern, they are guilty. A sacrifice is not a matter of joy, but a solemn duty to connect with the universe and should be respected.\n- shell test - a pale blue shell is placed in the person’s bath. If they don’t notice it and remove it or comment while bathing, they are guilty. For we must notice things both small and large in our world.\n- sleeping ants - 22 ants, an auspicious and balanced number, are left beneath the person’s pillow. Right before they sleep. If the person sleeps through the night and is not bitten, the result is deemed good. They are in balance with nature. If they are bitten though, there is an imbalance which is of course bad.\n\nThe King’s results leaned to the good:\n- Good: Habsoro did not react to the stick nor did the stick react to him. I did notice though, as the council asked me to take the stick away in a rough cloth, that Habsoro’s hands were cloaked in a thick waxlike substance. But I did not share this.\n- Good: Our mighty king had presided over many sacrifices and knew how to behave in the rituals. Although I noticed the jester capering to the side to distract Habsoro, I did not share this.\n- Bad: The shell test took place in Habsoro’s weekly bath. While his tub was as pale as the moonlight, I did notice on this occasion the waters were dyed blue with strange bubbles. I did not share this, although it too seemed strange. Habsoro’s bath stretched 3m x 3m and was 1.5m deep. Perhaps unsurprisingly, our mighty king failed to notice the small blue shell.\n- Inconclusive: Habsoro was a light sleeper and keenly observant, as such a mighty king should be! He noticed the ants immediately and called his chamber servant to remove them. Unfortunately for Habsoro, this meant the ants did not stay through the night and the test results were inconclusive. I did notice slight smears if honey on Habsoro’s pillow before the servant removed the ants and changed the bedding. I did not share this.\n\n—-\n\nSo three other tests had to be brought forth for rebalancing and to prove the truth about Habsoro once and for all through judgement by the greatest of our brothers:\n- a Sulawesi hornbill is brought into the room. If its quiet, the result is bad, as brother hornbill is never quiet.\n- a baby orangutan visits next. If he comes to the accused and nuzzles his hand, the result is good, as brother orangutan is kind and loving.\n- finally, brother tiger is brought forth. He, our mightiest of judges. The tiger is let loose in a compound where the accused is likely to visit. If the tiger does not kill and / or eat the accused, the accused is innocent.",
"There would be a new moon on this night which meant the grounds outside the castle walls would be covered in darkness. The stars would remain glistening in the sky but their dancing lights wouldn't illuminate the surface below. There was a calm wind I could almost ignore if not for the occasional draft from the stairwell that shuffled some of the papers on my table around.\n\n-\n\nWarm, flickering light from various torches covered the bookshelves that lined the windowless room was studying in. It was far later than I was accustomed to being awake but the king's astronomer, a man whose renown was respected by most, had sent out a dire warning that needed addressed. \n\n-\n\n\n>Midnight following the new moon brings horror unspeakable. The starborn fall. Fight or run, don't be caught alive.\n\n-\n\nWhatever a starborn was was a mystery to everyone. \n\n-\n\nI pulled another book from a shelf of many, added it to the pile I'd yet to look through, then sat down. It wasn't uncommon for knights to be well versed in combat against various enemies and while a significant portion of that is being physically capable of conquering a foe, just as important is knowing as much as you can about that being before fighting it. That's where I found myself now, looking for anything resembling a \"starborn\", be it a creature, an event, or anything in between, in order to prepare for the worst.\n\n-\n\nThe wind coming down the stairs was occurring more frequently now. I pushed the chair I was sitting in away from the table in order to stand but managed to knock over the tower of books in the process. With a sigh I walked to the room's entrance to close the door but took a second to listen at the stairs first. It sounded somewhat like it was beginning to rain outside which would explain the increased breeze.\n\n-\n\nI returned to the books that had fallen and began to sort them into smaller, less vulnerable piles. One book I don't recall pulling from a shelf stood out to me. The leather the book was bound in wasn't from a cow or similar beast... It was unsettling to touch. The words carved onto the front read \"astra cadunt\", some language I was not familiar with and for a book so small it had significant weight to it.\n\n-\n\nI considered whether or not to open the book. I wouldn't be able to read it if the cover was any indication of what was inside but, still, I could not recall adding this book to the pile and it intrigued me. If my intuition had told me anything, however, it was to let someone smarter try and read it.\n\n-\n\nYet... \n\n-\n\nNo. I set it aside and continued to look for answers. Answers that I'd be able to read. \n\n-\n\n\"Dragons, draugar, dryad...\" I was skimming through a conveniently organized list of creatures, all of which I'd heard of before yet none of them were, or referred to, starborn. Some creatures were connected to stars or moon phases in particular ways but nothing seemed to fit the astronomer's recent warning.\n\n-\n\nI browsed a few more books before I started to return the ones I'd looked at to the shelves where I found them. \"Astra Cadunt\" was coming with me until I could find someone who knew the language and could translate it. My goal would be to rise as early as possible tomorrow to continue my search for answers or a translator. \n\n---\n\nThat night's rest was plagued with terrible visions of things I couldn't see. I could feel an unimaginable horror swallowing the planet as I woke gasping for air and covered in sweat. As I caught my breath my mind wandered. I tried to recall my dreams but saw only blackness. \n\n-\n\nThen I remembered the book.\n\n-\n\nMy eyes drifted to where I had left it when I readied for bed and my heart sank when I saw that the cover was open. I didn't want to witness what was in this book but I found myself unable to pull myself away from looking.\n\n-\n\nThere was but one image on the first page. A filled, black circle with a white outline was positioned in the middle. I was about to turn the page when I looked a little closer and saw that hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny white dots were also present. The pages were ancient and the coloring made the dots easy to miss.\n\n-\n\nI turned the page.\n\n-\n\nThe black circle remained though most of the tiny dots were now gone. The remaining dots stood out to me but I could not explain why.\n\n-\n\nThe third page had a circle but it was solid white with a black outline. The same white dots from page two remained but a multitude of extremely slender black lines now rose from the bottom of the page upwards. The way they curved reminded me of vines.\n\n-\n\nAs curious as it was, I could not continue to page four and five. There was clearly more to the book than the first three pages but no amount of effort allowed me to turn to page four. It went from three to closed and I left it as such while I returned to my bed. \n\n-\n\nI'd never been afraid of sleeping before but I do not think I could say that that was currently true.\n\n-\n\nI got out of bed later than I normally did and felt as if I hadn't slept at all. I made my way to the castle's great hall and was met with a worrisome scene. All of the normal folk were present, the servants and the lords and knights, but all of them seemed as tired as I was. No one was talking. I sat at an empty table and waited for food to be brought but before that could happen there was a commotion outside.\n\n-\n\nOther knights and I, albeit not in armor or wielding weapons, rose to go investigate. Myself and two others found ourselves at the courtyard gates peering out towards the farmlands. Acres of healthy crops lay in ruin and entire families wept at the destruction. As we observed from a distance I recalled the rain from the night before.\n\n-\n\n\"How bad was the storm last night?\" I asked the two knights who were with me at the gate. They looked at each other with confusion and one replied, \"It hasn't rained since last week sometime, has it? Certainly not last night. Look,\" he said as he kicked at the ground. Dry dirt broke away and a tiny dust cloud dispersed into the air.\n\n-\n\nThe spot the knight had kicked revealed an extremely slender hole. Similar in size to what you'd see if you stabbed the earth with a rapier. I kicked a different spot and found similar holes. It didn't take long to realize that these holes were everywhere. The knights and I shared a worried glance and we went to report what we'd seen.\n\n---\n\nThe following two weeks were a nightmare. The food supply was all but gone, the peasants who hadn't disappeared were constantly on edge, no one was content anymore and worst of all, the astronomer had vanished. Well, the astronomer and most of the stars. *That* was the worst thing about all of this. \n\n-\n\nTonight was a full moon. Normally I enjoyed sitting in the top of the southern tower to observe the pale moonlight over the land. Normally. \n\n-\n\nTonight, however, was different. Tonight, as I sat alone at the tower window, I watched, unable to move, as thousands of tiny strands of darkness stretched out from the ground. As these strands, these vines, these *things* grew longer they also grew wider. \n\n-\n\nThey didn't stop. As the first vines grew to be as large as trees, more still were sprouting from the ground. The ground was being ripped open to spew out more of these things. The larger ones began to move like a cobra who was ready to strike and in the full moon's light I could see what looked like veins along their sides.\n\n-\n\nThen I remembered Astra Cadunt after not thinking about it for weeks. \n\n-\n\nI made it to my room as quickly as I could but it was too late, I could feel the castle beginning to crumble. I pulled the book from my belongings and opened it to the first page. It was as I remembered it. Page two and three were also the same. I tried to turn to page four and as I did, I could feel the blood leaving my face. \n\n-\n\nOn page four was what clearly represented our world. A world at least. Maybe not ours. It didn't matter. Page four showed the vines engulfing whatever planet was pictured. \n\n-\n\nPage five was what simply looked like a mouth. Maybe. I didn't get a good look before the ceiling gave way. I'm not sure how I managed to live through a castle collapsing on top of me but as I lay here beneath the rubble I feel my breaths becoming shorter and shorter. I can feel myself slipping into a darkness but I can also hear something. Someone. Over and over again.\n\n>Surge mihi pariunt\n\n>Et ortum festum\n\n-\n\nI didn't know what it meant but it felt... Comforting. As I drew my last breath I knew it would be fine. I've been a knight for most of my life and this just feels like I serve a new lord now."
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[WP] Every time you turn off a light you teleport to the next light that is turned on, no matter where in the world that second light might have been turned on.
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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 have this power. It has been passed over from generations to generation in my dad’s side of the family but everyone triggers it differently. Most of my family can mentally control where they want to teleport. Kids are usually taught about this ability to use and control it during teen age. But as you can imagine, them being kids, most of the time this has led to problems which is why a special serum is used to suppress or control the ability. Usually this has solved many problems.\n\n​\n\nEven though I was taught about this ability, I did not manifest it. So I was believed not to posses it and I was not given the serum. As kids, we were always advised to teleport to the places, we have already been to. As much as teleporting is fun, this has a lot of risks too. You could simply get stuck in the wall or ground and die if blindly teleported. This is exactly the reason serum was given to the kids until they are adults.\n\n​\n\nAs a kid, I was left alone by my brother and other kids in my family as I was normal from them. They did not bully or humiliate me, but I was never really a core part of their circle. I also did not make any friends in school.\n\n​\n\nDespite all this I was still able to teleport with the elders help. They can touch and teleport someone along with them. You see, after learning about the ability, people would slowly start to learn more tricks. But this needs more experience and control. Kids were not allowed to do this as they could tear someone apart without proper control. They are allowed to only try this with simple objects in the beginning. \n\n​\n\nThen something happened during my early twenties. One day my brother and I had a fight. He was really furious over something and venting it out on me. During dinner it was revealed that he was stealing money and stuff from people and my parents wanted to suppress his powers using the serum indefinitely. That night I was laying in my bed with the only source of light coming from the street light outside. I heard someone opening the door to my room. As I turned to see who it was, I saw my brother looking at me with the hate in his eyes. He said I will pay for this. I think he thought it was me who ratted him out.\n\n​\n\nHe suddenly touched my arms and tried to teleport me with him. I think he just wanted to scare me; I don’t know. But I knew he was not very good at carrying objects. So I was legitimately scared. My heart began to race. All I could concentrate was running away from him. Just as he was about to make the jump, something felt different in me and I was suddenly outside the house, under the street light. But my brother was not there with me.\n\n​\n\nHe must have panicked, as soon as I was outside, the light in my room was lit. He must have turned it on searching for me. I did not understand what just happened but at this point I had calmed down. I glanced at my lit room from the street and a thought crossed my mind. Well the next second I was in my room. Wow, I can teleport too. My brother had a confused look. He sat there quietly. With a new-found enthusiasm I though of a place to teleport. The next second I was still in my room. I was too confused as to why it didn’t work this time and decided to talk about it the next day and he switched off the lights.\n\n​\n\nAs soon as the light was off i was suddenly outside the house again, under the street light. I was so scared. I saw my room lights were on again and suddenly I was inside my room. That night I slept with the lights on and got no sleep. The next morning I told our parents about what happened the previous night, of course excluding the details of my brother threatening me.\n\n​\n\nThe elders were consulted and they decided that I have the ability, but is suppressed. After some tests, they concluded that for now I was able to jump as long as there is any light source is present around me. They mentioned something about conscious and unconscious decisions. Now during the day I’m able to teleport as far as i could see and in the dark I teleport if any light source is present around me.\n\n​\n\nBut as I said before, with experience we learn new tricks. So here’s to hoping that I can gain control over this some day and for now all I can say is I too have this power.",
"*See I wouldn't say that I am a very good man, nor am I the worst.* I am a human, with human desires and human mind. So I did the only thing a normal human would do if they stumble upon such powers. Because why wouldn't we? I was not harming anyone, nor was I doing something which was totally illegal. It might be illegal to some extent, but that's debatable.\n\nThe first time I teleported when I found that I can teleport by switching off a switch, I was shit scared, to be honest. It took me 4 weeks to get back to my country, and then another week to get to my home. I had been really lucky to be staying far from home as no one found out where I was for the past month. Although coming up with an excuse for the office was a pain in the ass.\n\nI developed a system, to avoid getting randomly teleported to a place. I designed simple system, combined with a chip inserted in my hand, that followed my finger movement whenever I turned off a switch. I stayed awake for a lot of nights, terrified, with nightmares in my dreams, worried about how to stay away from switches. Then I realised I can use it to my advantage.\n\nThe smart system looked for movement of my finger when I tried switching off the lights, and it sent signal to another smart system kept in my bedroom that instantly turned on a switch in my room, which made sure no matter where I was, I will always end up in my room if I turned off a switch. I even took up wearing mask to avoid getting identified.\n\nNow I existed as an urban legend, a myth, a supernatural being. People often recorded me on their phone, but none can track me down. I had done some really good things. A few countries had declared me their national hero, without ever meeting me, while some some weren't a big fan of my work. I even decided to rob in some money for myself. Not from the hardworking general citizens of the planet, but from the corrupt and overly rich folks who didn't like sharing their wealth. My stories had become legacy and I saw several news, columns and even comics over my ability. \n\nIt has been three years since I discovered my powers, and I must say I have gained enough experience and money to live a normal life.\n\nSo one evening, when I was getting ready to track a consignment which was illegally moving some new currency notes from my country to the enemy country. I thought why not make some money out of it, while I leave a signal behind for the intelligence agencies to catch the culprit.\n\nI took a carton of money, and immediately turned off a switch which I carried around with me. It took longer than usual this time and I vanished from the spot. But I never came back to my room.\n\n*I found myself in a black endless void, surrounded with nothing. There was nothing visible.*\n\nI knew exactly what had happened. Somewhere someone had turned on a light at the same instant when my mechanism Turned on to bring me home.\n\n***I was stuck in the void.***",
"\"Freeze!\"\n\nI complied, but the skinny dude across the room bolted out of a broken window and disappeared into the darkness.\n\nThe homeowner, aiming a pistol at the empty space between me and the burglar who just ran, looks dumbfounded, with his gunless hand still on the light switch. An aging fluorescent tube flickers on the ceiling.\n\nOK, his head is turning. Now he sees me. His eyes open wide. Yes, time for the sales pitch.\n\n\"Puri puri guri guri! I'm the fairy of LED! Foul lamp wasting energy, little fairy shall smite thee!\"\n\nThe pajama-clad guy startled and dropped his gun. Maid cafe catchphrase and bad poem don't always work, but a ridiculously costumed girl striking a grandiose pose with a plastic wand tends to disarm people. Yes, that's me. \n\nI press a button. The wand glows in rainbow colors and plays loud anime music.\n\n\"A fluorescent tube can damage your eye sight. Buy an LED bulb online now! For just ten bucks you save twice as much in power bills! Brought to you by Magical Girl Luminous Lydia!\"\n\nBefore the guy could pick his gun back up, I quickly scattered a stack of pamphlets with huge printed QR code and pressed the button again. The light and the music vanished, so did I. Sadly I can't see the expression he must have made, seeing me just disappear like that.\n\n\"Lydia you are back!\"\n\nAnd great, I'm back to the LED maker. With their testing facility turning millions of little bulbs on and off every millisecond, I have a 40% chance of ending up here every teleport. Another 40% goes to the remnant fluorescent lights. The cursed things flicker on and off 50 or 60 times every second, which gave me a... chaotic childhood. So I made it my personal quest to eliminate them, by taking this advertising job, the moment I'm out of high school.\n\nGrabbing a fresh stack of pamphlets, I double-tap the wand button and teleport again.\n\n\"Puri puri guri guri! I'm the fairy of LED! Foul lamp wasting energy, little fairy shall smite thee!\"",
"\"Grandpa! But time is soo fast isn't it? It just keeps going I feel! I can't even sense a second flow by!\" \n\nMy good old grandpa staring back with a sense of warmth with a broad comfortable smile, \n\"Look Kronos, As you grow older, you will understand that time is actually highly relative. At your happiest moments youl feel time flying past you, while at your saddest, youl feel every second crawl by!\" \n\nMe being aged 11 back then, couldn't just comprehend that statement and it's depth. Then, my grandpa showed me something amazing. Now to come to think of it.. maybe he too had the same powers that I now have discovered in myself. \n\nHe had stood up, and brought his old analog watch. Metal strapped and classy in a sense. Then he tells me to give him my watch, an identical one that he had gifted me. \n\"Look closely now Kronos, and I can show you a time difference of lesser than a second.\" He had grabbed my undivided attention. \n\n\"Look closely at both the seconds hands. The difference between their movements are smaller than a second. And how much ever you try to look around, it's almost next to impossible to find two geared analog watches moving their seconds hand with equal spaced movements. There almost always is a difference and all these differences lie in the length of a single second.\" \n\nAfter looking and smiling at my state of awe of such a small thing,\n\n\"You need to understand the intricate depths of time and space perfectly boy! Soon youl need the knowledge!\". \n\nI guess he was like me. Now, I don't understand my powers and hence, found myself in quite the weird circumstances. I still am to learn exactly when and how it gets triggered. How to use it, etc. \n\nThe first time i jumped was when I was 16.My mother was away for the weekend on a business trip of hers and I was home alone. Hence, I stayed over at a friend's place. I was cycling early in the morning back to my house, when the wild thunderstorm had stopped for a while. As I entered, there was a lightning that struck the tree outside my house. Luckily I wasn't hurt and nothing had happened to the tree either, but that lightning made me feel time slower. I felt 5 seconds for about half a minute easily. It was weird. \n\nI ran into my house, and rush to the washroom. I freshed myself up a bit. Now, suddenly as I turn off the light...\n\nI felt the same chills that I had after the lightning. My heart pounding in utter shock and my mind confused all about its own reality. Nothing made sense. I notice a black lightning mark fading on my palm. \n\nI look around shell shocked. \n\nI found myself in a basement. I couldn't recognise anything. There was a woman tied up to her chair with a black mask on her face. She was moving around and trying to get free. I slowly walk towards her and open her mask. It was Maya! I untied her. \nMaya all perplexed - \"Kronos?! How in the world did you know? And how did you even end up here?!!\" \n\n\"I have no idea!\" All confused. \nMaya: \"Now, I can hear someone coming into the basement! Quick think of a way out of here!\" \nI still don't know why I was drawn to do so, but I just held her hand and switched off the light from the switch box inside the basement! \n\nBoom. Another unexplained feeling. This time even she had felt it flow through her too. \n\nNow, both of us do recognise the place. But, it wasn't where we hoped to find ourselves! Both suddenly let go of each other's hands, look at each other and yell in disbelief!... \n\nI look at my palm, and I see the black lightning mark slowly disappear."
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[WP] All magic users are naturally gifted at a particular spell. From fireball, to raise the dead and so on. You are gifted at animal friendship, and you are constantly mocked at by all your peers because of that. You are determined to prove them 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.*",
" Thomas was taller than most twelve year olds. He adjusted his glasses as he stooped to feed the rat near him. Giving it some cheese, he communicated with his rat friend. “Everyone deserves a treat now and again,” he told it with a special sense of care. The rat squeaked its thanks. “You're welcome.” Talking to animals may not have been the most flamboyant of super powers, but he liked it a lot. The animals had a lot to say. \n\n\tSuddenly, he felt a strong force knock him over. The ground rose quickly to meet him. The air expelled from his lungs made an “oomph” sound as it came out of his mouth. The grass smelled faintly, as if it had been cut a few days ago. Right away, he knew what knocked him over. Right away, he feared *who* knocked him over. \t\n\n “Talking to your “friends” again, Disney Princess?” Jonathon, was more aggressive than most twelve year olds, and never hesitated to pick on Thomas when he had the chance. \t\n\nOn his hands and knees, Thomas tried to be brave as he said: “every one of them is smarter than your big dumb face.” His gentle nature did not serve him well when he faced this kind of confrontation. Immediately he knew he should have said nothing. He scrambled to stand up and tried to take evasive maneuvers. Another strong force caught him, this time in the stomach. He gasped for air. \n\nJonathon flipped Thomas onto his back. “Oh shhh shhh shhh,” he mockingly reassured him as he put a finger to Thomas' lips. Looking Thomas in the eye he said: “listen to me, you stain. You don't belong in this school with me and the others. Your power is weak; You belong with the kindergartners. You were not cool before your “powers” and you're even *less* cool now.” Thomas just stared blankly up at the sky. He knew not to say anything. This is how it usually went. Jonathon would leave soon. He just had to take the abuse a little longer. Jonathon grabbed Thomas' shirt threateningly with both hands. “And you will *never* be as cool as,” Thomas' shirt suddenly ignited and was aflame, “me.” \n\n\tThomas screamed in pain as Jonathon stood up and walked off. Thomas was able to put out the fire after rolling and patting it. As he gathered his strength to stand and go to the nurse, he swore revenge. \n\n\\* \t\n\nWell passed midnight, one person was wide awake in the dorms of the School for Super-Humans. Already dressed, Thomas slowly rose and climbed out of bed. The corridor was dark. No matter, he only had to count the steps to his victims door. Thirty steps. One step, and the rats started to gather. Ten steps, dozens were gathered at his feet. Twenty step, one hundred at his feet. Thirty steps. He was at Jonathon's door, with over two hundred rats at his command. The door was locked, of course, but the rats found other ways in. \t\n\nThe screams were low at first. Soon his enemy's screams were loud enough to wake the dorm. Thomas grasped the door knob and pulled, hard, in anticipation of escape. Jonathon's screams got even louder as he approached the door. Thomas could hear the ripping of flesh as the door tried to open from the other side. He pulled harder. He could the pleading, tormented screams. “Shhh, shhh, shh,” Thomas mockingly consoled Jonathon. \n\n\tJust as the door stopped trying to open, people filled halls. They found Thomas laughing and smiling from ear to ear, hand on the door knob.",
"The best part about being Skilled is that you can’t be conscripted into the infantry. The worst part about being Skilled is everything else. \n\nAt this exact moment, on the eve of his graduation from the Crucible, constant hunger is near the top of the list for Valentin Chastel. The Empire invests in its newly discovered Skilled with a twelve-week course in hopes of prolonging their lives on the battlefield; they receive double rations the whole time, but it isn’t enough to support a body using its Skill several hours a day. And now that Val can’t eat meat, he’s triply starving. \n\nThe meat aversion is new for poor Val, and unique to him, because his Skill is animal friendship. \n\nYes. Animal friendship. \n\nBelieve me, when the Adjutant swept into the village and ordered everyone of fighting age to drink the saltpeter slurry—oh, add drinking that awful, brackish stuff every day to the list— Val *hoped* for something to happen. See my comment about the infantry, above. \n\nOnly Benoît du Bois had made a few sparks shoot from his fingers before he vomited up the saltpeter. Everyone else down the line before Val failed to demonstrate any skill; the Sergeant prodded the men into the conscription wagon and sent the women home. So although Val felt the tremendous squelching of his body converting saltpeter to Skill, when he did not immediately see any evidence of its manifestation, he resigned himself to the conscription wagon. \n\nThe Sergeant apparently did too, for he had moved to escort Val to the wagon when a pigeon flew overhead and shat on his face. The Sergeant wiped it off, with the sneer of a man who will surely repay every slight to someone smaller than him. But then a second and a third pigeon befouled his uniform, and the Adjutant raised a hand. \n\n“Do it again.” \n\nVal didn’t know what, exactly, he was supposed to have done. Did he need to drink more saltpeter? \n\nOne of the village cats that didn’t belong to anyone in particular sat at Val’s feet and meowed piteously, and the Adjutant shrugged and gestured for Val to stand with Benoît. \n\n“You couldn’t have summoned a wolf to bite his leg?” Benoît hissed. \n\n“You couldn’t have made a fireball to singe his ass?” Val retorted. \n\nOnly one other from the village displayed Skill: an orphan of the minimum age with such dark and lonely eyes that everyone called her Marie Triste, regardless of her actual mood, so I will call her that, too. She caused a cacophony of bells to rise up in the graveyard; the Adjutant blanched and swiftly kicked her in the stomach to make her vomit. The bells faded. \n\nOne wet and miserable journey later and the Adjutant surrendered Val, Benoît, and Marie Triste to the care of the Mothers of the Anvil at the Crucible. For the first week, the new Skilled sipped saltpeter to develop a tolerance and learned the organization, commands, and tactics of a Skilled Battery. Val did okay, I suppose, at the classroom bits. But in between he struggled to connect with his classmates, as he’d often struggled to connect with his neighbors at home. Val would climb the roofs of the Anvil and let little birds come to him and shit on his clothes, just for a moment of company. \n\nBut it got worse. For the next six weeks the students trained with others of their kind: Benoît with other Battle Skills, Marie Triste with other Skills that maintained personnel, and the Skilled who moved earth and weather together. \n\nVal trained with only one other Skilled, Philippe le Sot, whose Skill was turnips. \n\n“Turnips, as in you can feed a whole battalion?”\n\nLe Sot shook his head. “I can just find them, is all.”\n\nVal’s heart sank into his hunger. “I’m going die in my first battle. I should have just been infantry and then I wouldn’t have had to drink all this saltpeter.”\n\n“Even a lot of the Battle Skilled die in their first skirmish,” Le Sot pointed out, munching on a turnip probably. \n\n“Why don’t you summon an army of bears and wolves to protect you?” Benoît asked. \n\n“It appears to be animal friendship, not animal enslavement. They don’t listen to me, they just like me.”\n\n“Well you’ll be the most-liked corpse in the mud, then. The little fawns will weep on your grave. Or Marie Triste will resurrect you, ha!”\n\n“I wouldn’t do that to you,” she said. \n\n“Thanks?”\n\n“Not because I like you. Because you aren’t useful.”\n\nBenoît cackled at that. \n\nSomething awoke in Val. It wasn’t just about survival anymore, but about a force far more powerful: spite. \n\nVal’s rooftop sojourns took on new life, as he tested the limits of animal friendship. How well did animals appreciate the nuance of his desires? How much were they willing to inconvenience themselves? Not well, and not much, it appeared. \n\nThe final weeks of the program were spent drilling in mixed Skill squads, squads for which Val was always picked last. \n\n“You are both useless, but Le Sot is cheerful,” Marie Triste conveyed, on behalf of all the students, apparently. \n\nLater, alone, she told him that the healers didn’t really like *her*, either. \n\n“Huzzah,” Val muttered. “At least you’re dead useful.”\n\nMarie Triste rolled her eyes and abandoned him in the twisted corridors of the Anvil. \n\nBenoît in particular seemed to enjoy targeting Val for harassment during the skirmishes. \n\n“Isn’t there a rule against Skilled murdering each other at the Crucible?” Val complained to the Mothers. They merely shrugged, so Val took to running and hiding to avoid being singed or worse. The animals remained entirely indifferent to his plight. \n\nWhich brings me to today, the day before his graduation. Everyone graduates. The army isn’t choosy. \n\nThe final skirmish would be conducted in front of representatives from the five Corps, who would take turns selecting the Skilled. The students were licking their bowls clean when Val stood atop the mess hall table. \n\n“My fellows. Tomorrow we head to fate certain: to use our Skills for the Empire until we perish in her service. But have any of you questioned the purpose of these wars? Is it not possible—nay, probable—that the purpose is to burn up our Skill and prevent us from, uh, questioning?”\n\n“The purpose of the war is to secure a warm water port,” someone shouted. \n\n“So that we can compete with the Kingdoms for the best trade routes and improve our average standard of living,” someone else chimed in. \n\n“We only owe service of three years or until the end of the war, whichever come sooner,” oh, that was Benoît. “And most of us do expect to survive!”\n\nThen someone threw their empty bowl at Val, and then someone else did, too. And then one of the Mothers seized him by the ankle and hauled him off the table and out of the room. \n\nWhich is how poor Val found himself in a cart headed for the front lines, no longer Skilled but destined for infantry. “Can’t trust an insurrectionist anywhere near the others, and no one needs your Skill anyway.” \n\nLe Sot is there too, “since we have to send a cart out anyway.” \n\nVal sits, tied up, waiting for the driver, hungry. \n\nUntil I flutter down, and shit on his shoulder. It’s a friendly shit. \n\nThe Crucible’s mice swarm the wagon and chew through the ropes. I peck at the horse’s harness and caw and eventually Val catches on. He unhitches and mounts the horse, and we’re off— Val on the horse, me on Val, and Le Sot clinging on behind. \n\nThe horse takes us off the road immediately, following a deer trail through the forest. We stop at a crevice in the mountains. I peck at Val’s ear until he dismounts; Le Sot follows and the horse trots off. Val stands there like a scare-me until I flap at him and peck him some more and he crowds into the crevice. \n\nA few short feet through, and the mountain opens back up to reveal a hidden glade, with a cozy thatched cottage in the middle. \n\n“What’s this?” Val asks, that lovable idiot. \n\nI give him a look that says, “a place to live, dummy, somewhere far away from the front.” \n\n“Why didn’t any of you help me through the Crucible, huh?” Val crosses his arms. Le Sot starts to wander towards the cottage. \n\nI give Val a look that says, “why would we help you kill people?”\n\n“So I’m just going to live in this cottage and sing with birds and cuddle bunnies all day?” \n\nI peck Val’s hair affectionately. He’s dumb, but we like him. \n\nLe Sot waves from near the cottage. \n\n“There’s turnips here!”"
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[WP] You’re out deer hunting in the woods by your house. You shoot, approach the newly made carcass, but are quickly taken aback by the engraving on its neck that reads - “Deer #459GD1L5 - Congratulations hunter, you are our one millionth kill!”
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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 letters in the deers flesh had been etched in like a tattoo but instead of ink, the dark red words stood out against the pale brown hide. \n“What the fuck?” Liam whispered out loud, raising a large hand to his beard as he glanced around the surrounding trees to see if he could catch any other movement nearby, but there was none. “#459GD1L5. is this a serial number for a deer? Like when they tag sheep and cattle” Liam thought as he continued to scratch his chin. However, unfazed by the peculiar engravings, he slung the deer over his wide shoulders effortlessly and trekked his way back to a large cabin. \n\nInside, he had laid the deer out on the dining room table, it’s lifeless body lying slumped on the plastic sheeting and it’s empty black eyes frozen in a gaze of horror permanently etched onto its face. Slowly, Liam’s gloved hands traced the underbelly of the creature, moving his finger across the bloody words. One millionth kill? Is it some kind of fucked up lottery made by deer breeders or something? Stepping away from the carcass, he sat at his desk adorned with only a laptop and his phone that he placed next to it and an overturned photo frame that lay face down. Liam’s eye glanced over it for a second before booting up his laptop and opening a serial number search engine and inputting the numbers found seared into his prey’s skin. The screen froze for a moment,\nsearching and loading the information and as it did several news reports had found their way to the screen, the earliest dating almost 140 years ago. Uninterested, Liam skimmed through the earliest article, a deer with a serial number engraved into its body had been discovered at the home of Graham Desmond, a school teacher, who had been found dead in the local woods. Liam scrolled down only for his face to contort in disgust as he saw the image of the man’s naked corpse, multiple lacerations up and down his arms and legs and a deep gut wound spilling its contents onto the forest floor and a single bullet wound in the back of his left thigh. Graham’s face frozen in time, his moment of death forever scarred on his tortured and cut face. The laptop was closed with a sharp slap as Liam felt vomit rise in his stomach as he darted through the room over to the kitchen to retch into a trash can, pulling back his hair as he continued to gag. After a few seconds, Liam raised his head and sat on the kitchen floor his head swimming with images of that man’s corpse. Would he share the same fate? He slowly stood, and wobbled his way to the counter to steady himself and filled a glass with water as he slowly shut the wide open back door. The glass slipped through his fingers and smashed on the ground, the water spilling and shaping around Liam’s boots. Quickly he made his way back into the dining room to see the deer still there. Thank god. Carefully he wrapped the plastic sheeting it was lying in around the beast and again threw it over his wide shoulders. Methodically he stepped through the room with the weight of the deer on his shoulders as he made his way into the kitchen and stood in awe at the once again opened back door. In a panic, Liam threw the carcass wrapped in plastic out of the door, watching it bounce down the stairs with a wet grotesque squelch as it hit each step and laid unmoving at the bottom at the stairs. He rapidly slammed and locked the door as he stepped backwards into the room and stood on something that made the same squelching noise as the deer outside. Slowly his eyes moved down to see his boot standing firm in his puddle of vomit on the floor, his foot sinking in the disgusting putrid paste. Liam’s mouth twisted in disgust as he took off his boot and threw it to the side as he ran into the living room the uneven sound of the thud of his boot and the soft pat of his thick sock as he made is way to the front door and opened it and began to make his way down the stairs to his car. As he turned the corner he saw a truly hopeless sight. His car ablaze, the glass of the windows shattered and strewn around the car, the bodywork and paint melting away in the intense heat of the fire licking at the chassis and dancing on the roof. Now terrified, Liam ran back up the stairs, seething as a piece of the glass from the window found itself lodged in his foot but he paid it no mind as he hopped up the stairs and retreated into his cabin. Desperately, he thought of an idea to call the police limping over to the desk where he left his phone only to see it gone. Determined he climbed his way up the stairs and into a bedroom to use the landline. As he picked up the phone and raised it to his ear, he recoiled at the blood coating both ends that now stained his face in a wet crimson blotch. He steeled himself and again put the phone to his head, feeling the cold liquid roll down his cheek and and drip onto the floor. After quickly punching in the three numbers, he waited as the tone rang and sighed as a voice on the line was heard “Hello this is 9-“ and was suddenly cut off as the phone went silent with not even a tone. His gaze darted over to the wire traced it back to the outlet it was connected to. The end now in a black gloved hand that extended from the cracked open door of the closet. “oh jesus christ.” whispered Liam fearfully as the door opened fully, a tall dark figure stranding in the closet wearing a long black cloak and a paper mache deer mask, the squares of paper over lapping one another as the delves dipped into eyes sockets. It slowly stepped forward, revealing the antlers that were attached to the top of the mask. Liam sprinted out of the room and towards the front door, only for two more cloaked deer figures to block his path. Tearing with fear, he retreated into the dining room and opened his laptop to open his account on a social media platform and began to type “HELP ME” he wrote out his address hastily as the masked figures began to pound against the door “THEY WORE MASKS SARAH AND ZAC SMITH TELL THEM I LO-“ he hit send prematurely as he was put into a headlock from behind, knocking off the framed picture from the desk, showing Liam smiling with a blonde woman and a little boy with muddy blonde hair between them, a crack spreading across the glass as it was stepped on by another figure who produced a sack that quickly found its way onto Liam’s head who was quickly enveloped by darkness.\n\n“Congratulations.” A voice whispered from all around. “You are our one millionth kill. We’ll make sure no one forgets about your sacrifice for decades.”"
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[WP] Imprisoned for a thousand years, the Great Evil returns and... it actually really likes this new modern world?
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
" “Anything else?” The voice crackled.\n\n“That will be all… mortal.” Terry violently hissed.\n\n“Uh.. okay. That will be five dollars and twenty two cents at the first window.”\n\n“Thank you.” The words burned his tongue. Terry could be civilized when he wanted to. Pressing gently on the gas pedal, he inched forward. The family in front of him, loaded in their minivan, angered him. Their very existence, their happiness, caused his skin to itch. Behind him sat a lifted truck with a Confederate flag, some crude bumper stickers, and a redneck with more fingers than teeth. The ignorance and anger he sensed soothed him. \n\nTerry, Prince of Darkness... the *original* Prince of Darkness angrily sat in his amazingly cost effective, yet annoyingly good for the environment Prius waiting for the damned family in front of him to collect their order. *How much food do they fucking need?* His knuckles turned white with rage as they clenched the steering will until they hurt. *Four milkshakes!? It’s 11 AM!*\n\nThe employee handed bag after bag to the family in the minivan. Terry watched the father’s fat arm repeatedly reach toward the employee to collect each grease filled bag. “Maybe they aren’t so bad after all.” He muttered to himself. Gluttons. No control over themselves. That amount of McDonald's could feed a whole village, instead it would contribute to the obesity epidemic of this country. Terry smiled.\n\nFinally, he pulled up to the window and handed his credit card (the one he had no intention of ever paying off) to the employee. Looking in his rear-view mirror as they ran his card, he watched the redneck behind him take a swig of something. His nose picked up the scent of whiskey. Terry laughed, he loved this world.\n\nThe employee handed him his card, followed by his bag of dollar menu burgers. \n\n“Have a great day.” The employee said mechanically.\n\n“You too.” He could be nice sometimes.\n\nTerry drove aimlessly through the city, eating his burgers and throwing the wrappers out the window, sometimes flipping off children and trees. He wondered what act of evil he should commit today. He had a lot to catch up on. One thousand years, to be exact. \n\nBanishment, imprisonment whatever it was called, he had unfairly suffered one thousand years of punishment. “The Scourge of Mankind,” and, “The Bane of Existence,” he had been named. He had been behind the rise and fall of people such as Attila the Hun, Qin Shi Huang, and Caligula. They had been some of the most vile, evil rulers, susceptible to his whispers and directions. He had orchestrated countless unnecessary wars across the world. Terry had been a driving force for evil and wickedness throughout the ancient world.\n\nOr, so he thought. During his banishment men like Genghis Khan, Hitler, and Stalin rose to power. Not one, but two world wars were fought. Evil not only lived while he had been caged, it flourished. It seemed that he was no longer needed. The thought made him both happy and sad. Mankind was overtaking him on wickedness. Maybe it already had. Large scale evil had been harder back then. You had to earn your reputation as a monster.\n\nTerry sighed as he drove. He decided to go home, smoke some weed, and maybe watch a documentary. The *Ted Bundy Tapes* were available on Netflix now. He had been eagerly waiting for its release. Terry shivered, that guy even creeped him out a bit. \n\nThe Prius weaved in and out of traffic effortlessly on the way home. He made sure to use his turn signals. After all, he may be evil, but he wasn’t a dick. He pulled the Prius into his parking spot and casually walked to the elevator. The elevator doors closed as he chose the eleventh floor. He found himself humming to the elevator music. The doors opened and Terry headed to his apartment. “Finally,” he quietly grumbled as he unlocked his apartment door.\n\nInside sat the decomposing body of the previous tenant. Well, current tenant whose identity he had stolen. Terry waved to him and laughed. Wandering to the living room, he grabbed his pipe and lit up. The rules of the apartment said no smoking. Terry didn’t care much.\n\nThe large, soft leather couch invited him to sit and relax. Reaching for the remote control to the TV, he sat back before he could grab it and decided to surf the internet for a bit. Terry read about Pol Pot, the Spanish Inquisition (too bad he had missed that!), and the Tuskegee Study (what the fuck?). \n\n“Jesus Christ,” Terry said to no one. Did mankind even need him? He grabbed the TV controller and despondently searched for *The Ted Bundy Tapes.* Maybe this monster would put him in a better mood.\n\nTerry sighed as the credits rolled. Was he even necessary anymore? The world had left him behind. Hell, no one even noticed he’d been banished. He stood up and walked to the window. Outside the world buzzed with activity. Little people running around, making countless, meaningless decisions. They went on with their lives, not a care in the world as the master of evil watched.\n\nTerrorists, indefinite wars, rampant drug and crime problems, incredible poverty and unbelievable wealth, The Bachelor, genocide, the world didn’t need his evil anymore. He didn’t know where he fit in. Terry, the Prince of Darkness, was no longer needed. He hated that fact. Yet, somehow, it made him happy.\n\nHe looked over the world, eleven floors below him. He looked down at his cell phone, then at his apartment. He liked this place, this world. Maybe he’d take an early retirement and commit small acts of evil... for fun.\n\nHe found himself looking at plane tickets. Hawaii would be a nice place to start his official retirement. It seemed nice there. Terry looked up one last time, taking in a deep slow breath and exhaling even slower. He felt relaxed, content, happy. Dinnertime would be soon. Hot Pockets waited for him in the freezer.\n\nTerry smiled, he loved this new world. For the first time in his life, he felt at home. “Oh, Tucker Carlson is on soon.” He happily quipped as he opened up Facebook and wrote a post in his anti-vax group. The world just kept getting better."
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[WP] Aliens crash landed on Earth in the middle of nowhere USA. They kidnapped you, a scrapyard car mechanic, in hopes that you can fix their engines.
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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 easy to panic in a weird situation, or even a normal situation that approaches you sorta screwy. But then you just have to remember your Grandad's first words to you the first time he ever let you turn a bolt.\n\n\"People is Idiots, sonny.\"\n\nMakes me think Grandad would be proud of how I handled myself this time, standing in the vast engine-room of some wacko alien's space-ship as they blorble and boople nonsense. \nSee I'm no rocket scientist, but I'm pretty sure that smoke and weird glowing stuff leaking out is bad. I know bad when I see it, and that definitely didn't seem right.\n\nGrandad was right, that old bugger, he always was. I found the ship's maintenance book in the glovebox, right next to the helm. Damn thing had alien coffee stains all over the cover, and I reckon they hadn't opened the thing since they got the ship.\n\nPeople is idiots, doesn't matter if they got two eyes or ten, they don't think about things right and they panic when normal fixable things go the least bit screwy.\n\nLong story short? Change your goddang engine oil or your hyperphase filter will break down after only thirteen lightyears."
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[WP] There is panic on the flight after the captain died of a heart attack. Things get even worse when the captain gets back up and starts eating the co pilot
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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 could feel a weird shaking sensation, and it took me couple moments to fully wake up and realize I had fallen asleep while listening to my audio book. As I opened my eyes and took out my earbuds I heard a chime and saw the seat belt indicator light turn on, a moment later a female flight attendant's voice could be heard on the intercom:\n \n\"Ladies and Gentleman, for your safety the Captain has turned on the Fasten Seat Belt sign. It looks like we have some minor turbulence ahead so we ask that you remain seated with your belt fastened until the sign is turned off.\"\n\n\nThe anxiety was manifesting in my belly. I always hated flying, and right now I was regretting not ordering a couple extra vodka bottles during the earlier beverage service. I fastened my seat belt, put my earbuds back in and put on some music to distract myself. In a futile attempt at comfort I opened the window shutter only to see blackness. I'm not sure what I expected on an overnight trans-Atlantic flight. \n\nI started thinking about home, I hadn't been back to the US in 6 years. I should have come home earlier, under my own terms. I was partly excited but mostly perturbed by the thought seeing my family again. I hadn't even spoken to any of them in the last year. Of course I love them but the current circumstance was leaving me feeling guilty. Maybe if I visited, or even called more often, she wouldn't have gotten sick. I know it's not reasonable to blame myself but I can't help but feel like my siblings will resent me in some way. None of them even contacted me when Mom first fell ill, it was only when she was hospitalized last week when my sister called. I wished the turbulence would come back. \n \nSeveral minutes later I heard the chime again and the Fasten Seat Belt sign turned off. The woman's voice came over the intercom again:\n\n\"Ladies and Gentleman, it looks like we have cleared the turbulence and it is now safe to remove your seat belt and move about the cabin. Thank you for your cooperation.\"\n\nI reached up and pressed the service button, looking ahead I could see the attendant walking down the aisle and I took out my earbuds again as she approached. \n\n\"Hello, can I get you something?\" She asked.\n\n\"Yes I'll have 2 vodkas and, can of sparkling water, and a cup of ice.\" I replied.\n\n\"Certainly.\" She respond.\n\nI hated flying but I loved that international flights offer free booze. Over the next few hours the same interaction must have taken place five or six times. I went to press the button again and could feel the sluggishness in my eyes as I looked upward. I looked ahead to see the attendant walking down the aisle with at somewhat annoyed look on her face. That was good, I wasn't seeing cross yet so when she arrived I asked for another round.\n\n\"I'm sorry but our airline has a strict policy on over-serving, unfortunately I will have to cut you off.\" She said somewhat nervously. \n\n\"Brilliant.\" I replied contemptuously. \n\nThe person next to me turned and gave me a scornful look. This was the first time we had made eye contact since takeoff several hours ago. I realized I was being a knob-head. I looked up at the attendant again. \n\n\"Cheers, it's been very much appreciated.\" I said whole-heatedly.\n\nThe attendant walked back up to the front of the cabin. I looked out the window once more, still blackness. We must be getting close by now, I thought. A few minutes went by, I looked ahead and saw the flight attendant pick up the phone, after a moment her face turned white. She hung up and went to the cockpit door, which opened a couple seconds later. A minute or two went by and she reemerged then picked up the phone again. This time her voice came over the intercom.\n\n\"Ladies and Gentleman, there's no need for alarm but I must ask if there is a medical professional on-board?\" \n\nThe humming of the aircraft started become drowned out by the murmur of voices. A woman had stood up somewhere in the back. \n\n\"I'm a physician.\" She exclaimed. \n\nShe hurriedly walked to the front of the aircraft. A few rows in front of me a man in a beige jacket stood up and followed behind her. They both approached the cockpit door and went inside. The cabin seemed to be getting hotter as the voices got louder, the other passengers were becoming unsettled. \n\n\"What's going on?\" Someone shouted. \n\n\"You need to tell us what is happening!\" Another voice demanded.\n\nTwo other people got up and approached the nervous flight attendant. I couldn't hear them but her facial expression was very nervous. Another flight attendant picked up the phone and spoke for a few seconds before putting it back down. I heard a chime and the Fasten Seat Belt sign came back on. The intercom came on again but this time it wasn't an attendant. \n\n\"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your co-pilot speaking. There is no-need to be frightened but I must inform you that we do have a medical emergency on-board. We have been diverted to Boston Logan International for an emergency landing but will be continuing on to our final destination of Philadelphia as soon as possible.\" He said somewhat monotonously.\n\n\"I ask at this time that everyone stay in their seats with their belts fastened and keep the aisle clear. We will be beginning our descending shortly. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.\" He continued. \n\nThe man with the beige jacket reemerged from the cockpit and stood in-front of the door with his arms crossed.\n\n\"Who is it?\" A voice demanded.\n\n\"It must be the Captain!\" someone shouted\n\nThe flight attendant picked up the phone again and her voice came over the intercom.\n\n\"Please, everyone needs to remain calm, the situation is under control and we will be on the ground soon.\" \n\nAbout 20 minutes went by, the calamity of voices had died down to a few whispers. I looked out the window again and could see city lights underneath us. Suddenly, a harrowing scream was heard from the cockpit accompanied by a loud banging on the door. The man in the beige jacket turned around, looking perplexed. The door burst open and the physician pushed past the man and was whimpering as she ran to the back of the plane. The murmur of voices returned and quickly became an uproar. As the man in the beige jacket turned around to enter the cockpit a scuffle could be seen taking place in the cockpit. The captain was attacking the copilot! At this moment I was having trouble coming to terms with what was happening, partly because I was intoxicated and partly because it was so unusual.\n\nThe plane suddenly banked hard to the left and the uproar turned into panicked screaming. I gripped my armrests, closed my eyes and was thinking that this is how it ends. The plane banked back and leveled off. I opened my eyes to see the man in the beige jacket pulling the captain from the cockpit and trying to wrestling him to the ground. \n\n\"I'm a sky marshal, some assistance would be appreciated!\"\n\nTwo men near the front got up and helped subdue the captain, who was strangely snarling and growling the whole time. The crazed captain even managed to bite both the samaritans by the time he was finally put in handcuffs. \n\n\"What the fuck is going on?\" Is all I could think. I just wanted the plane to land.\n\nThe captain was not cooperating and both the samaritans had to put their weight on him while the sky marshal regained his composure. The front of the cabin looked like something out of a horror movie. There was blood smeared across the front bulkhead and the captain's rabid snarling could still be heard. I watched the marshal enter the cockpit and return with a ghostly look upon his face. \n\n\"Does anyone know how to fly a plane?\" He asked with uncertainty.\n\nThe cabin became eerily silent. \n\n\"Does anyone know how to fly this plane?\" He clarified. \n\nDespite hating the actual act of flying, I did have a great interest in aviation and had actually flown this aircraft in a simulator dozens of times. I had never actually been in a real cockpit though. I waited for someone else to speak up. Another few seconds of silence passed.\n\n\"OH GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!\" Someone screamed. \n\nI stood up. \n\n\"No were're not! I can fly the plane.\" I exclaimed with a drunken confidence I had never felt before. \n\nEveryone was staring at me, and the confidence quickly dissipated. The cabin remained silent as I began walking toward the front. I passed the attendant who has been serving me, she had the most terrified look on her face. I carefully stepped around the still snarling captain to the sky marshal. \n\n\"We need to get the co-pilot out of there.\" The marshal said.\n\nI followed him into the cockpit to see the the co-pilot slumped over with a huge bleeding gash on his neck. I had never seen such a sight, my stomach wretched and I turned around to vomit. \n\n\"Keep it together and grab his feet.\" The marshal ordered. \n\nWe moved the co-pilot out of the cockpit and laid him in the in the crew area. \n\n\"You! Go in the cockpit too.\" Barked the marshal as he pointed at the attendant who had been serving me. \n\nStill horrified, she followed me into the cockpit and locked the door behind us. The myriad of controls was a lot more intimidating in person than in the sim. I sat down in the captain's seat and put the radio headset on. I could hear various air traffic control chatter.\n\n#Continued below"
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[WP] One day you wake up only to realize your alarm never went off. This would be of little concern if you hadn’t been reliving the same day 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.*",
"“Huh.”\n\nThe word hung in my mind like a lazy zeppelin. I’m sure other thoughts would be forming soon but for now, those three letters would have to suffice.\n\nFor the past 700 years, by my count, I’d woken up in the same hotel room, at the same resort on August 26th 2017. It’s a lot like that movie *Groundhog Day* starting Bill Murray. You’re probably surprised I still remember that film after all these centuries. But I do; the hotel room gets TBS.\n\nI’ve also seen *You’ve Got Mail* a few thousand times. Maybe in the low ten-thousand range.\n\nLike in the movie, *Groundhog Day* not *You’ve Got Mail*, I had experimented with the upper limits of my temporal impairment:\n\n• Aside from my memories, everything resets to 7:00 AM every time I fall asleep or am asleep after midnight. No consequences, no rewards, no exceptions.\n\n• If I die, I instantly wake up in bed at 7:00 AM.\n\n• I can, *and have,* stayed awake past midnight into the 27th and beyond.\n\nOne time I made it to September 3rd. I don’t know if I fell asleep or I died but it was definitely September 3rd.\n\nAnyway. Every day starts the same way: my alarm goes off. Every day at 7:00 AM. I can’t change it, I can’t turn it off. I can’t even move my phone because, of course, it resets with everything else in the universe.\n\nBut not today.\n\n“This is... new.”\n\nAh, there we go. A new thought. I glanced at my phone. 7:04.\n\nSeven Oh Four.\n\nNo alarm. And it was cloudy. It was cloudy!\n\nIt’s a new day. It’s August 27th. But I woke up and it was August 27th. I didn’t just stay awake out of spite; or break into room 1005 and steal their cocaine; or break into 1005, steal their cocaine and try to race against my biological limits so I can find Bill Murray’s house... again— No this was *real.*\n\nToday was the day.\n\nThank goodness it was *today*, this iteration of today.\n\nI had spent the last several sets of waking hours in a depressed malaise. What if this had happened after I had done something reprehensible? \n\nWhat if it had been after I accidentally killed that concierge? Or that time I intentionally killed that concierge? What if had been after one of the times I *died?* Like the times I dove off the roof of the hotel into the pool? Or the time Bill Murray hit me in the head with a 7 Iron?\n\nI couldn’t dwell on that now. It was a brand new day. Maybe every day from here on out would be new. A new day every day!\n\nI ran to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. Ah, even the water felt different. Cooler.\n\nMy ears twitched, every sound was new and unexpected. There was a knock on the door. A knock at the door! At 7:06 AM!\n\nThe first knock at the door wasn’t supposed to happen until 43 seconds past 10:13! Who could it even be? Who knows! I certainly didn’t!\n\nI held the door handle in my hand and took in my last few seconds of knowing how everything in my tiny bubble would play out. A world infinite unknowns was at the end of a swift pull of my arm and I was ready.\n\nI was so fucking ready.\n\nIt was Jeff. Jeff! My brother-in-law Jeff! Two floors down from me with my sister and my nephews. We’re supposed to golf today and, for once, I won’t be running on coffee or 1005’s stash!\n\n“JEFF!”\n\nI shrieked.\n\n“Uh, Aaron!”\n\nHe delivered. “How’s it going?”\n\n“Great!”, I lied. I was so beyond ‘great’ but how could I possibly explain that to him?\n\nHe smiled. “That’s good, I’m glad to hear. I went out and got a pizza at Gino’s if you’re feeling up to some food?”\n\nI was a little confused. “Gino’s is... open?”\n\n“Yeah?” Jeff forced out of his twisted when-a-dad-is-fighting-calling-you-a-dumbass face. He had a lot of practice with my nephew. I’d seen it.\n\nOh no. Please no. I’m an idiot.\n\n“I slipped and fell this morning.”\n\nJeff grimaced. “Yeah. Gave all of us quite a scare. Do you remember anything?”\n\nI swallowed seven centuries of hope and shook my head.\n\n“Well, let’s hang out for a bit, huh? Terri doesn’t want me to let you go to sleep for too long.”\n\nWell thanks, Terri. Thanks.\n\nJeff plopped himself down on the bed with the Pizza, which was already lightly eaten. I slid on my glasses. 7:10. PM.\n\nAugust 26th.\n\nI fought back tears. I thought it was over. I really did. This never-ending leg of the family vacation was finally over.\n\n“Anything on the tube?”\n\n‘The tube’? Did you fall out of a sitcom from the 80’s you balding sack of—\n\n“Uh, *Serendipity* is on TBS.”\n\nJeff kept his gaze locked on the hotel TV.\n\n“Any good?”\n\nI slumped onto the other side of the bed.\n\n“Yeah.”\n\n*Serendipity* sucks."
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[WP] You've been forced to become the coach of an incompetent children's sports team, and you've seen enough cheesy sports movies to know the drill. Unfortunately, despite your team containing all the scrappy-underdog stereotypes, you just can't stop losing!
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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.*",
"“Listen up fuckers. After your deplorable performance today, we are now officially the worst team in the league. How do I know that? Well, the math is simple - we haven’t won one fucking match. Actually, it’s worse than that. We haven’t even won a set. Do you care to explain yourselves?”\n\nNo one says anything.\n\n“Nobody?? Hmmm. It seems quite clear to me. Allow me to tell you what I saw.”\n\n“Robredo, your forehand is absolute dog shit, and you move like a giraffe with three legs.”\n\n“Tommy, you can’t volley for shit, and your serve gives me enough time to jack myself off before I have to return.”\n\n“Andrew, jeez, where do I even start with you. Why do you even play anymore? You should honestly just quit.”\n\n“You know what, no. I’m not going to go around berating you guys for losing every single match. That’s not who I am.”\n\n“Instead, I strongly urge that all of you guys simply just quit. Get it over with. You’re wasting my precious time.”\n\n“I quit a high paying job as an attorney to pursue my dream of being a tennis coach. You know what’s worse than defending a rapist in court? Coaching you fuckers.”\n\n“I put my heart and soul into this shit, and all you guys give me is a half assed effort. I’m so over your shit. I’m done. I’m going into the clubhouse to get a drink. If anyone wants to say their goodbyes, meet me there.”\n\nThe team looks very fazed, and says nothing. \n\nCoach John walks into the bar and slams his wallet on the stool.\n\n“Get me a double Makers on the rocks, STAT.”\n\nHe guzzles it all in one chug, and slams the glass back down.\n\nTalking to himself, “I just don’t get it man. How can these kids be so hopeless? I did everything for them, and they can’t even win me a single match?” \n\nHe waves the bartender down for another round. \n\n“I’m done, I quit. There’s nothing left for me now.”\n\nHe chugs the next drink as quickly as possible, and storms back outside to meet with his team.\n\n“Look guys, I was a little heated, but we need to win this match tomorrow. C’mon, I know you guys have it in you to do it. Just one. You don’t want to be losers forever, right?”\n\n“I didn’t want it to come down to this, but if you don’t win tomorrow, something very bad is going to happen.”\n\nThe kids are crying and understandably shocked.\n\nThey arrive the next day, and the kids are missing even more than usual. They are shaking so much that they can barely hold their racquets.\n\nAfter dropping the doubles point, they move to singles, where they get absolutely eviscerated. Not one person won a single game. \n\nCoach John watches the match on centre court in despair. As the opponent hits a crisp winner past his player at net, Coach John runs onto the court, and takes out his pistol. \n\n“I’m a man of my words” he said as he shot himself square in the face.\n\nHe dropped to the floor with blood oozing out of his forehead. As the police and medics arrive, they discover an envelope found in his wallet. \n\nThe front says: “Please read this note to my team.”\n\nThey stumble over to the team, and read out the note.\n\nIt reads: “Dear inbreds, I fucking hate each and every one of you. By now, I can safely assume we are 0-20 for the season. I just needed one match. One fucking match. But you couldn’t give that to me, so I had to take matters into my own hands. \n\nP. S. Oh, and Robredo, I fucked your mom.”"
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[WP]You’ve been cursed. But the effects only cause you minor annoyances. Which causes the person you’d least likely suspect of wanting to harm you loudly complain that they should get a refund because the curse isn’t working as the witch promised.
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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.*",
"Madison stubbed her toe climbing into bed *and* out. Literally every time she'd opened an elevator she get an electric shock. After the fourth ride, she started rapping the door with her knuckles before pushing the button. And she had a flat pulling into the parking lot.\n\nSo she grumbled at work about her bad luck, much to the mild, muted amusement of her coworkers. A rumbly laugh weaseled its way out of the 'mornings amirite?' crowd that hustled around the coffee machine.\n\nLynne, who'd already been there two hours and was perky as a button laughed the loudest and everyone winced.\n\n\"You're too much sunshine for this morning,\" Brad said, rubbing his eyes.\n\n\"Never too much sunshine for such a grey Monday!\" boomed the woman. No one knew why she had to be there at five every morning, but she did get off at one, so maybe she had it right.\n\n\"I always say I'm gonna try and show up early but the kids, you know?\" Brad lied, having no intention of trying to get in any earlier than eight.\n\nMadison snorted and took a sip of coffee, only for the scalding liquid to burn her tongue, and she sloshed coffee all down the front of her suit.\n\n\"Ahh crap,\" she cursed, dropping the cup away from her. \"What did I say! Cursed.\"\n\nThe others immediately sprang to action helping her mop it up, even Evelyn with her bad back. It didn't take too too long but it was almost nine by the time they'd finished cleaning.\n\n\"Well, nine o'clock shine o'clock,\" quipped Lynne, to the groans and unenthusiastic laughs of everyone in the room. \"I have to go make some calls!\"\n\nMadison returned to her cube with Brad, Peter, Vera, and Mitch. The five worked security (the computer kind, not the building kind, but well, with the size of Mitch, we could do both, ya know? haha). Important work that never really got them a shout out at the big meetings but hey, honest work.\n\nAt about half-past nine, the intern Kelsey stumbled in, big circles under her eyes. Peter exchanged a glance and a sigh with Madison.\n\n\"Go easy on her. That used to be me.\" Madison had been the team's intern six years ago and sympathized most with the oft hungover and perpetually late student.\n\n\"You were never this bad,\" her manager said.\n\nMadison grinned and turned back to her computer in time to hear \"Kelse! Late night last night, huh? Can I have a word in my office? Not a huge deal, nothing to worry about, just a quick word.\"\n\nMadison's thoughts of 'poor thing' and 'classic millennials' was interrupted by her computer's unexpected shut down. This was just the most Monday thing.\n\nShe hauled her laptop on down to IT who found a nasty virus. The curse continued.\n\n\"Remind me what kind of security you do?\" laughed Jill as she booted up the computer and began smacking in codes. \"Not cybersecurity surely.\"\n\n\"Yes, sadly. Though if with the size of Mitch, we could do both, ya know?\"\n\nJill and Carl, the other IT guy, both kind of laughed at this, was which all it deserved. Madison wiggled her toe as she waited. She examined the stain on her luckily pretty brown already shirt and assessed it as 'probably needing a toss in the laundry'. Though with how her day was going, it would probably tear.\n\n\"Alright,\" said Jill, after a lengthy five minutes. \"So you're just gonna need to reboot this one more time and then it'll be all set.\"\n\n\"You're the true heroes,\" Madison said, scooping her comp up and hurrying back to her desk.\n\nShe sat down in time to see a sulking Kelsey leaving Peter's office. She plopped down next to Madison and began pounding on her keyboard. While Madison saw some of herself in the girl. After all, they'd both been... college students. Madison had been a geek and Kelsey, with her dark purple, half-shaved hair and ten thousand piercings was probably a goth or whatever they called themselves this generation. Still, Madison had played around with some off-the-beaten-path stuff as a teen. So the girl didn't take her too much by surprise.\n\nShe'd been hired because Peter had 'wanted to look past appearances' and Madison thought she looked like a loner, which stood out to her. Vera had said she'd looked like a cultist but that, hey, surely not all cultists could be bad. Mitch had chuckled and said she looked like his niece. Brad hadn't had much of an opinion, since the interviews ended at four and he had to pick up his kid from soccer practice.\n\n\"He go easy on you?\" Madison asked.\n\nKelsey pulled a pinched smile, the one that looked pained but Madison knew was good-hearted underneath it all. \"Yup. Just said I had to stay half an hour late, as usual.\"\n\n\"You were up late. Partying? Really taking advantage of being young? I remember being college-aged.\"\n\n\"Yup.\" Kelsey's voice had that terse tone that was pretty common in the youth. \"Having a real blast.\"\n\n\"Good. Don't lose that. You become a corporate potato pretty fast.\" She laughed heartily at this.\n\n\"So, uhh, what was wrong with your computer?\"\n\n\"Oh this? Just a Monday morning fit. It's all good now.\"\n\nKelsey deflated slightly. \"Ah. Good good. Did you hurt yourself? There's a stain on your-\"\n\n\"Oh God no. Just coffee. I wouldn't be here if that was blood. Though I did get a flat.\"\n\n\"A flat.\"\n\n\"Flat tire. You millennials and your public transport, probably don't even know my old slang.\" Damn, Madison. 26 and already old.\n\nKelsey's face was flat and frozen and she nodded. \"Good thing it was only that.\"\n\nThe Monday blues continued. The cafeteria ran out of soup just as she got downstairs so she had to content herself with salad. ('and they're out of craisins. What did I tell you? I've officially been hexed'). She had a surprise meeting that afternoon. And to make things worse, she got an email saying yoga was canceled that evening. 5 o'clock couldn't roll by soon enough.\n\n\"Phew, what a day,\" she exclaimed. She'd stayed a bit late getting some last-minute stuff done, making up for time lost at the meeting. Her and Kelsey were the last ones in and they rode the elevator down together.\n\n\"Phew?\"\n\n\"Yeah, just-\"\n\n\"No I mean. Ah never fucking mind. You know I'm gonna miss my train?\"\n\n\"Need a lift?\" Kelsey looked a bit angrier at this train bit than Madison expected. \"It's really no skin off the old nose-\"\n\n\"Would you stop it? Jesus, you fucking boomer.\"\n\nMadison scowled at the hostility. \"Alright there, no need to be harsh.\"\n\n\"Know what's harsh? Staying up til three AM crafting a curse only to have the target brush it off with a coffee spill and missing out on yoga.\"\n\nMadison really contemplated this. \"A curse?\"\n\n\"Oh my god, you really wouldn't get it.\"\n\n\"I thought we got on alright.\" Madison's voice was a bit sadder than she meant it to be and she was fixed with a derisive look from the girl.\n\n\"Look, no offense but like actually offense meant. Mom said that corporate wouldn't take my soul but like, I legit have you to look forward to. Five years from now I'm gonna look like a thirty-year-old soccer mom without even a family to show for it.\"\n\nBoy this girl had some anger issues.\n\n\"Have you ever considered counseling?\" Madison asked, offering an olive branch.\n\n\"I'll take my magic, thank you very much. You wouldn't understand witchcraft if it bit you on the nose. Though it seems like a nose bite is too much to ask!\" she yelled, hollering at the ceiling of the elevator.\n\nThen, before Madison could say more, she stormed from the elevator, through the atrium, and out into the parking lot.\n\nMadison didn't say much. She strolled through the lobby and bid farewell to Stan, the actual security guy. Triple-A and fixed up her car so she was ready to drive home. Fix herself a glass of wine and break out an old book.\n\nA specific old book, one she'd used a bit as a teen and less into college as she'd started to make friends and needed to rely on, uh, 'old hobbies' less and less. Maybe the others on her team had looked past Kelsey's weird looks because they thought she was *more* than her piercings and the weird pentagram tattoo on her hand.\n\nBut Madison had spotted a kindred spirit off the bat. Yes, Madison's own sigil was tattooed a bit less prominently and she'd never been a fan of piercings herself, but she'd spotted a fellow practitioner real quick.\n\nIt was a shame the girl had been so hostile. Now she was about to get a whiff of some real magic.\n___\nRead more stories at [r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide](https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesByOpheliaCyanide/)"
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[WP] After trying for days, you finally have been able to lucid dream. After a few hours of dreaming, you decide its time to wake up, but no matter how hard you try you can't seem to get out
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"As I wandered aimlessly through the infinite misty landscape I saw a shadowy figure emerge from the horizon. \nThe spectral form abruptly floated towards me and then suddenly came to a complete a stop, roughly an arm’s length away. \n\"You're not on the books\", growled the entity. \"The test must be administered\". The misty landscape moulded and shifted into what appeared\nto be an abandoned warehouse building, and at the centre stood two exact copies of myself stood side by side. \n\"One leads up, the other down. If you cannot choose, then you shall remain here for all of eternity\", and just as quickly\nas it came, the figure faded away. I stood there in silence trying to mentally piece together what was going on. \n\"You're scum\", uttered the clone on the left. \"I'm glad you're dead you vile waste of oxygen and life\". The clone on the right chuckled\n\"He's a nice guy once you get to know him.\" \"Who and what are you?\" I asked. \"We're both you.\" replied the right. \"For \nfuck sake just make a decision already you petulant cunt!\", the left yelled. \"I can't even look at him, I'm waiting by the door.\"\nThe left skulked away leaving me alone with my more amenable copy. \"As... I was saying, don't mind him. Just follow me and I'll \nshow you what to do, everything's going to be fine.\" it said, softly patting me on the shoulder. \"Will you lead me...up?\" I asked.\n\"Yes\", it replied. \"I recognise your worth, our friend over there does not. Follow me.\" It put its hand on my shoulder, motioning me \ntowards the door. I slowly turned the doorknob and pulled the door until it was halfway open. I was ready to exit the warehouse when I heard my other copy shout abuse at me for the final time.\n\"Good riddance!\" It screamed, chuckling and waving at me. I spun around ready to give it a piece of my mind and then I saw it.\nThrough all the the rage, abuse and derision I looked into it's eyes and saw the tiniest faintest glimmer of regret. \"Will you take me\nup?\", I asked it anxiously. \"Yes\", it grinned. I felt icy hands prising at my neck from behind and\ntrying to grab onto anything they could to pull me through the door but I was locked in place. \"So...uh...coming with me then dickhead?\""
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[WP] It's been 20 years since the infamous chocolate factory tour. The Victims of Wonka support group, made up of the four rejected children and their parents, ex Wonka employees, and escaped Oompa Loompas meet up once a month. Tonight, a new member walks into the meeting: Charlie Bucket.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"...and I just, it's like, he says he 'gets it,' but...he couldn't really *get* it, you know? Like...I don't know. He's wonderful, and all, but...he keeps saying stuff like 'It was just a candy factory.' Like, I know he's trying to help, but...\" The woman shifted in the metal folding chair, then brushed back a lock of raven-colored hair to look across the circle. \"Those pastries you brought look really good, Aggie! What are they?\"\n\nThe round-faced man opposite her broke into a wan smile. \"Danke schön, my dear. They're strudel! They haff ginger-apple filling, with nutmeg und clove. And the dough is from a recipe I found on the web...but the recommended filling was...*different*. So I changed.\" \n\n\"Oh my *God* that reminds me! Sorry Vera, do you mind? Just a sec?\" A wiry woman -- her blond hair streaked with a curious shade of dark blue -- looked over at the previous speaker, biting her lip.\n\n\"No problem, Vi.\" \n\nViolet gave a nod, her right leg beginning to jiggle unconsciously as she launched into her story, the words firing off quickly. \"I just -- I was at a dinner party the other night and of course afterwards they bring out the family's famous c-word cake. And I'm doing my best to just fucking hold it together, and this *cunt* beside me just cannot get over the fact that I didn't want to try this *fucking* cake!\"\n\n\"Violet?\" A lanky man seated next to Augustus broken in. \"*Please*?\" He flashed her a pained smile.\n\n\"Oh my God...I mean gosh...sorry, Mike. I keep forgetting about your new path in life. Anyway, this bi -- this, um, this jerk?\" She glanced at Mike, who gave a nod. \"This jerk is like, 'Are you vegan? No? Well, are you allergic? Are you celiac? Why won't you at least *try* it...\"\n\nThere was a general murmuring from the gathered group. Mike spoke up again, his voice carrying easily in the dimly-lit community center multi-use room. \"I do want to make sure we get back to what Veruca was saying about her new boyfriend, because I am sure we can all identify times when we tried to share what The Tour was *really like*, the absolute depravity -- insanity, even -- of the whole...\" Mike paused, his brown eyes shifting targets to the doorway, then smiling. \"Hello! If you're looking for AA, that's actually on *Tues*--\"\n\nThe man froze. The others in the circle all turned to look towards the newcomer as he stepped forwards, his footsteps echoing hard off the tile floor. \n\nViolet moved first, her chair falling over as she leapt out of it. \"The **FUCK** -- sorry, Mike -- are you. Doing. Here?\" Her teeth were bared, her eyes flashing dangerously. \n\nThe Oompa Loompas then rose in unison:\n\n*Charlie Bucket, Charlie Bucket*\n\n*Should we beat him? We say fuck it!*\n\nMike quickly held out a warning hand towards the three, stopping them before they could charge at the newcomer. \"You'll have to excuse us, Charlie,\" Mike said. His warm smile was not at all reflected in his glittering blue eyes. \"We weren't expecting you, and as you can see, those of us who weren't taken under the wing of that devil have some pretty strong feelings about him. And you.\"\n\nCharlie paused at the periphery of the circle, then unbuttoned his blazer and gave each of his sleeves a quick tug. \"Yeah. Don't worry about offering me a chair, by the way -- I'm fine.\" He flashed a gleaming smile.\n\n\"Eat a dick, you shithead,\" Violet spat. \"Sorry, Mike.\"\n\n\"Don't you want to hear my proposition?\" \n\nA chorus of no's was quickly silenced with another one of Mike's gesture. \"Sure. We'll listen to you --\" There was a grumbling amongst his fellow support-mates. \"--*if* you listen to us, first.\" \n\nCharlie assented, and so they began...telling him about the immediate consequences of that nightmarish day: the fetid stench that had taken weeks to be eliminated from Veruca's skin, the lacerations that had covered the discolored body of Violet, how Augustus's arms and ribs had all been broken...\n\n\"And as for me.\" Mike's voice had a practiced evenness to it. \"Well, it's like my new therapist pointed out to me. It was torture. It was literally a medieval torture device. Which led to dozens of surgeries to keep me from literally breaking in half when I tried to move.\"\n\nCharlie opened his mouth, but Mike jumped back in. \"And then there were the after-effects. The nightmares, the eating disorders, the PTSD, the alcohol and drug abuse, the attempts to end it -- in some cases, multiple times.\"\n\nAugustus and Veruca both looked toward Violet, who chose to remain silent.\n\n\"So tell us, CEO Bucket,\" Mike continued. \"What has caused you to come visit us lowly castoffs -- people you *derided* at various points over the past two decades -- after all this time?\" \n\nThe room fell quiet; all eyes were on the man in the dark suit, who still had that same, gleaming smile plastered on his face. Charlie let the question hang -- like a body from a chandelier -- before responding. \n\nFinally, he cleared his throat. \"I wanted to invite you all to come for another tour.\" \n\nAn almost-lethal silence followed.",
"\"*Gaslight*? You haven't ever seen it?\" Charlie said, stroking his prematurely gray facial hair. \"Ingrid Bergman? Charles Boyer?\"\n\nAgain, all of the responses were in the negative.\n\n\"Mike, surely you've seen it? They used to run it on Turner Classic Movies every few months.\"\n\n\"Nope.\" Mike Teavee scratched his abnormally long nose with his abnormally long index finger. \"Haven't watched TV in years.\"\n\n\"Well,\" said Charlie, shaking his head, \"what I'm trying to say is that...*he*...told me things that weren't true, but he acted like they were, and that I was crazy for saying they weren't.\"\n\nAugustus Gloop, still thin as a pole, laughed. It was a tired, broken sort of laugh. \"Oh, ja, he lied to you? So sad for you. What a pity.\" He rubbed his stomach and glared at Charlie. \"I'll bet that really *hurt*.\"\n\n\"Now Augustus, remember the rules.\" The Oompa Loompa who was running the Victims of Wonka meeting that day stood up and cleared his throat.\n\n\"Please,\" said Violet Beauregarde, her indigo skin still as vibrant as ever. \"No singing today.\"\n\nThe Oompa Loompa sat back down. \"Fine. But remember rule number 4. No personal attacks.\"\n\n\"As I was saying,\" said Charlie briskly, \"I'm not going to sit here and say that nothing interesting came out of this. All four of my grandparents got out bed to meet the President, we ate loads of chocolate, we ran into some Vermicious Knids in a space hotel—\"\n\n\"You what?\" Veruca Salt finally uttered her first words of the meeting. \"Actually, you know what? I don't want to know.\"\n\n\"It was all pretty good for a few years, even after my grandparents passed.\" Charlie stared at the floor. \"Until...\"\n\n\"What?\" Mr. Teavee practically jumped out of his chair. \"He shrunk you down and then stretched you out until you were ten feet tall? You look just fine to me!\"\n\nThe Oompa Loopa cleared his throat again and Mr. Teavee sat back down next to his wife.\n\n\"Well...\" said Charlie, \"Here's the thing. When we went through the factory that first time—that one time, I guess, for most of you—well, went we were there, Mr. Wonka was only *acting* crazy.\"\n\nThere were disbelieving grumbles from most of the group's members.\n\n\"It's true. He was testing us. And I—\"\n\nMore grumbles.\n\n\"I passed, obviously. I moved into the factory, and he was supposed to let me start running it. Only...\"\n\nMr. Beauregarde chuckled. \"Only he pulled a fast one on you. He never gave you the keys to that old clunker of a factory, am I right?\"\n\n\"That's just it. He did. And for a while, it was fine. Our production yield went down a little bit for the first year as I started to get the hang of it, but it was right back up again in the second. But then, well, it all started to get to him.\"\n\n\"What?\" said Veruca, who was absentmindedly rubbing hand sanitizer into her palms for the third time since the meeting started. \"What started to get to him? The guilt of what he did to us?\"\n\n\"No.\" Charlie frowned. \"He never mentioned any of you again. No, it was jealousy.\"\n\n\"Jealousy?\" Veruca squirted another dollop of sanitizer out, this time onto the back of her hand. \"Mr. Wonka? Jealous of what?\"\n\n\"Of me. For taking the factory away from him. For stealing the love of his life away from him.\"\n\n\"But you gave it to him,\" said Violet, stretching her arms. \"That doesn't make any sense.\"\n\n\"I only know what I saw. At first, it was little things. I noticed a little upset when I gave the Oompa Loompas directions. He would step in and give the directions himself. At first, I thought it was because I wasn't doing things *his* way. He was very particular about things being done *his* way. But no, after a while, I noticed he'd repeat what I said, verbatim. I wasn't saying the wrong things. He was simply jealous that I was the one saying them.\"\n\nMike shook his head. \"That doesn't mean he was jealous. I think he's just a control freak.\"\n\n\"It got worse,\" Charlie continued, \"when I asked him to stop. I was running the factory now, I told him, and wasn't he supposed to be leaving on one last expedition to find the elusive Whangdoodles? He blew up. Not literally. But then he blew up the Everlasting Gobstopper machine. Literally.\"\n\n\"Fine,\" said Augustus. \"But he didn't hurt you at all. So what are you here for? Because you're sad he missed running the factory? Why didn't you just give it back and move out?\"\n\n\"Where would I have moved?\" Charlie asked, his eyes narrowing. \"The shack my family used to live in caved in on itself after we moved out. I didn't have any money; Mr. Wonka never let me get into his bank records. Nobody knows how much money he makes. He pays his taxes in chocolate.\"\n\nThe Oompa Loompas in the room nodded. \"That is true,\" said one of them.\n\n\"Then he started gaslighting me. Telling me that the factory was a failure with me at the head. But it wasn't. I knew it wasn't. Or telling me that my Grandpa Joe's death had been my fault. But he died of old age, and I knew that.\n\n\"But it all came to a head when I accidentally called it 'My chocolate river.' That's when he went *truly* crazy.\" His eyes began to well up with tears. \"He...\" Charlie choked up, unable to continue.\n\n\"Let it out,\" said the Oompa Loompa in charge. \"You can tell us.\"\n\nCharlie sobbed into his folded arms, and the others sat there in silence. After a few minutes, he finally looked up. He drew a scrap of newspaper from his pocket and held it out to Veruca.\n\n\"Is that trash?\" she shouted, recoiling.\n\n\"Give it here,\" said Violet, taking the paper from Charlie. She opened it up and began to read the headline of the article Charlie had given her.\n\n\"Wonka Candy Company announces new Limited Batch chocolate bar: The Choco-Bucket.\"\n\nViolet lowered the paper. \"I don't understand.\"\n\nCharlie shook his head. \"Choco-Bucket. Charlie Bucket.\" He lowered his head and again began to sob. \"That chocolate bar is made out of...my parents.\"",
"\"How dare you.\" Angry tears streamed down Violet Beauregard's face, revealing the blue skin underneath her makeup. \"After 20 years, you think you can just show up and expect us to treat you like family? You must be as crazy as he was!\"\n\n\"Vi, come on,\" pleaded Mike Teavee. Although he had filled out since his own accident at the factory, he still towered over the rest of the group at 10 feet tall. \"There's no point in making a scene-\"\n\n\"No point?!\" Violet roared, wiping her face to reveal a streak of bright blue. \"After what happened at that godforsaken factory, I became a freak! Banned from competition, poked and prodded at like a science experiment, and now the only fame I'll ever make for myself is in medical journals! Meanwhile, Bucket here has been raking in the millions!\"\n\n\"Violet is right, Michael,\" said Augustus, glaring at the new member from his chair. His own incident led to a lifelong revulsion of chocolate, leading him to become something of a health nut. \"Our friend here has no right to demand our sympathy when he has benefited from our misery.\"\n\n\"Guys, trust me, when he reached out to me, I had the exact same reaction. But just hear him out, alright?\" Mike turned his head to the man standing at the door way. \"Well, Charlie?\"\n\nCharles Bucket stood silently, looking straight down at the floor. He wasn't dressed in the usual eccentric clothing he wore for the Wonka publicity appearances; rather, he wore a rather shabby suit that seemed old enough to be a handmedown from his father.\n\n\"I'm sorry about these past few years,\" Charles muttered, his eyes still glued to the floor. \"I know I could have reached out before, but I had my family to think of, and he just... I don't know, he had this power over me...\"\n\n\"If he's so powerful, why come here at all?\" Veruca Salt scoffed. The incident did little to temper her sharp tongue, though it did give her a fear of bad smells (and squirrels). \"Why not just stay locked up in his fantasy land?\"\n\n\"Because my parents are dying.\" Charles looked up for the first time, revealing that he, too, had tears in his eyes. \"My parents are dying, and Wonka won't let me see them.\"\n\nThe room was silent for a moment before a high pitched voice piped up. \"Master Willy was most jealous with Master Charlie,\" said Gurdeep, standing up on his chair to be at eye level with the group. \"We were under strict orders to keep his time with his family limited.\"\n\n\"When Wonka held his competition, he wasn't just looking for an heir,\" said Charles, wiping the tears from his face. \"He wanted a companion. Someone who would be at his side constantly, who would worship him til his last days. For a while, he was happy with me... But then I grew up. And now he's getting restless again.\"\n\nVeruca gasped, her eyes wide with shock. \"You don't think he would...?\"\n\n\"Hold another contest? Well, legally he can't, because I'm still his heir. Unless...\"\n\n\"Unless he kills you,\" finished Mike, standing up at his full height. \"We all know what Wonka's capable of. Why we've never heard from Slugworth, Ficklegruber, or Prodnose since the factory reopened. Why so little Oompa-Loompas make it out alive.\"\n\nGurdeep nodded gravely. \"Master Willy will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and my brothers and sisters who are still trapped in the factory have no choice but to go with his vicious whims. If he is indeed looking for another heir, Master Charlie's life is in grave danger.\"\n\n\"Well maybe he deserves it,\" Violet spat. \"After all, he's been content to go along with Wonka's house of horrors up until his own ass was on the line!\"\n\n\"I don't care if I die,\" Charlie said quietly. \"You're right, I do deserve to be punished for all the things I've let Wonka do. All the things I did myself.\" The man looked up at the rest of the group, fierce determination glittering in his eyes. \"But I'm not going to stand by and let another group of kids go through what I've gone through. What WE'VE gone through. I might not be strong enough to take on Wonka by myself, but together, we can bring him to justice.\" Stepping towards the group, Charles put out his hand. \"Are you guys with me?\"\n\nMike stood forward and put his hand on Charles. \"I'm with you, Charlie.\"\n\nGurdeep hopped off his chair and put his small hand on top of both of theirs. \"You allowed me and my family escape, Master Charlie. It is only right that I help you and yours as well.\"\n\nVeruca sighed and put her hand in as well. \"Without my resources, you'd never get this caper off the ground. I'm in.\"\n\nAugustus put his hand into the group. \"At least this time, I know not to fall into the chocolate river,\" he joked.\n\nViolet hesitated for a moment. \"Tell me Charlie, what happens when we take down Wonka? How do we know we're not just doing your dirty work for you?\"\n\nCharles locked eyes with Violet. \"I promise, when this is all over, I will never set another foot in that factory again. It's not just Wonka that needs to be brought down; it's the whole damn place, down to the foundation.\"\n\nViolet nodded and finally put her hand in. \"Then I'm in.\""
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[WP] You're listening to your Medieval folk music while driving with your windows down. As you drive past your town's historic settlement, the road suddenly stops as you hit a tree. The settlers pull you from your "horse-less wagon" and accuse you of witchcraft.
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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.*",
"# Mobile Witchcraft\n\n*For the 'orrid crime of witchcraft* \n*you stand here now accused* \n*confess your sins we have the proof* \n*you should not look confused.*\n\n> Excuse me, mate \nI've a complaint \nI do not find this funny. \nYou've took my keys, \nand broke my car, \nand piked my sodding money.\n\n*Hear now, hear now, such violent speech* \n*from devil's lips do flow* \n*hold fast your tongue and seal your mouth* \n*we'll prevent evils be sown.*\n\n> Now listen here \ndon't think I fear \na fake kangaroo court. \nI know my rights \nyou twats in tights \nI'll make a police report.\n\n*Witness the twisted language of* \n*a thrice accursed fallen.* \n*What are police? Quick call the priest!* \n*Before we are ensorcelled.*\n\n> Drop the game \nI'll not be shamed \nby your pathetic act. \nI've got my phone \nI'll make a call \nright now, and that's a fact.\n\n*What is that thing? How can it glow?* \n*Reveal your twisted plan!* \n*Cease at once unholy spells* \n*or we'll kill your whole damned clan!*\n\n> You've added threats \nwhatever next \nI don't fancy your luck \nWhen the cops arrive \nyou'd best to strive \nor you will be quite fucked.\n\nAnd so it was on the Ides of March \nyear ten seventy-three \none poor lad from a different world \nwas killed and nailed to a tree.\n\n---\n\nWritten as part of my [daily poetry collection.](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads/collection/01172d1f-eed5-4487-9868-0e04941807c5)\n\nFor more like this and other tales, why not visit [my sub?](https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Crossroads)\n\nAny and all feedback welcomed."
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[WP] You’ve always been average at everything you’ve attempted, never great, never terrible. But lately you’ve realized that you’re average at EVERYTHING you attempt.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Ever since I met that Gypsy woman, I’ve found something strange is happening to me. I am totally average. I was doing fairly well at my sales job, but overnight my numbers dropped to the middle of the pack. My nice sports car got wrecked and I got a normal sedan to replace it, as I couldn’t afford a nicer model. Everything seemed to be going bad and fast. Hell, I even started getting erectile dis function which, considering my age, was totally normal. \n\nHer words haunted began to haunt my every thought, “In and out. Through and through. Average is all you do.” Damn Gypsy!\n\nI was sitting at home, which was perfectly average to begin with, and trying not to fuck anything up, because everything had been going sideways. I was sitting on the couch, flipping and coin and practicing catching it. I’d always had a good eye and could catch anything, but now I dropped it quite a fair amount which was getting me flustered. As I continued to practice, I began to notice that the coin always switched from heads to tails. In order to maintain average, it had to continue to alternate. As I sat there, I began to realize that I’d found a crack in the matrix. I would be average no matter what!\n\nAfter a long and hard mental struggle, I finally decided to be a perfectly average professional golfer. Sure, I only make the average of what all my colleagues make, but $2 million a year isn’t half bad. Average is only what you make of it.",
"\"Hey, get this.\"\n\nKevin, who was apparently the the average friend an average person had, got my attention. He was reading something on his smartphone, probably an averagely clickbaity 'news' article.\n\n\"Suppose you had an opaque bingo dispenser. You know, one of those things that randomly spit out balls numbered from one to however many there are in there. If you only got one ball out of it, you'd expect it to be somewhere in the middle, right?\"\n\n\"Sure,\" I said. Knowing my luck, it'd be *exactly* in the middle...\n\n\"Therefore, you can predict that the number of balls in the dispenser is double whatever the number you drew was. It probably isn't spot-on, but it's a better guess than most, and with additional draws you can refine your guess even more. They actually did this in World War Two with serial numbers to figure out how many tanks the Germans were making.\"\n\nI smile, but frown internally. I'd never told Kevin about my 'ability': it just wasn't something that came up in the average conversation.\n\n\"Anyways,\" he continued, \"some bright spark then applied that to people. If you consider yourself to have been born at a random point in human history, then you'd expect the same number of people born before and after you. Its estimated that no more than a 100 billion humans have ever been born, so we 'should' only get 100 billion more before going extinct. By current trends, that should only take a couple of centuries.\"\n\nMy heart didn't skip one of its average 70 beats per minute, but it sure felt like it.\n\n\"Of course, *every human* could make that argument, and the majority would be wrong. Who's to say that *our* births are the average, right?\"\n\n*I was born at noon on the Second of July.*",
"I picked up the flute in my 20's. I was bored and it was there, and I always told myself I would learn an instrument if I had the time.\n\nAt first, my flute teacher was ecstatic, calling me a natural prodigy. I was playing pretty advanced songs for a beginner. But try as I might, I could never... break through that last barrier to go from good to great. My teacher's praise died off into confused silence.\n\nSo I decided to try something else, and took up piano. But there again lay the same problem. At first I was a prodigy, but then I couldn't be anything more than average.\n\nIt was disappointing, but I left music behind.\n\nWith all of that new free time on my hands, I tried several other new hobbies. Cooking, knitting, woodworking, you name it, I gave it the old college try.\n\nAnd every time, I ended up being decent, but not great. Food that was good but not restaurant or even Instagram worthy. A blanket that was nice and warm, but the pattern was indiscernible. Tables and chairs that were okay, but a little rough. All of them I was better than any beginner should be, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get over that last hurtle.\n\nIt took me a while to figure out that was my superpower. Be perfectly average at everything. \n\nI decided to put my powers of averageness to the best use possible.\n\nSo now I work for the government.",
"At first I was annoyed that everything I did and was ended up being average all the time. \n\nSeriously, My name is James Smith, the blandest most common name in all of the US. I am exactly 175.4 centimeters tall, which is the exact average height in the US as well. Even my weight is average at 197.1 lb. \n\nI'm part of the middle class and my parents earn exactly $56,697 a year which is the average for Michigan, which is the 26th state.\n\nHowever a while ago I realised something. Being this average has its perks. You see, I am average at EVERYTHING which means I never suck at anything I do. If I try something I'll succeed, I wont be the greatest but it still means I will succeed. I decided to test this averageness of mine.\n\nOne day I decided to try something I had never done before, surfing, I learned how to do it averagely fast but still an incredible feat for myself. So I kept on trying new things like doing a backflip, or writing, soon enough I noticed everything was working... Averagely...\n\nSo I decided to try my hardest feat ever. I would develop a cure for cancer and so I did, it wasnt an instant cure but withing months people were cancer free and none had developed it again. Then a cure for aids, same deal, it even created some immunity on people who took that medication. I kept on creating medicines for so far incurable illnesses. Of course they all worked... Well, you already know what I'm gonna say so...\n\nAnyways that's the story of my Averagely average life.",
"This one would be the real test. The Rubik’s Cube sat in front of me, hopelessly scrambled. I’d done no reading on how to solve it, and had avoided thinking about it up until this moment. And now the time had come. I started the timer and picked up the cube. I wasn’t quite sure *why* I moved the parts of the cube the way I did. Certain patterns just felt *right* somehow. Slowly, the colors began to look more organized. And then just like that, the cube was solved. I stopped the timer: 3 minutes 24 seconds. After a quick google search, it seemed that my suspicious were confirmed. My time was just about average for someone new to learning the cube, but it would be *exceptional* for someone who knew nothing about solving. I didn’t bother to try again, and I didn’t plan to. My time would never improve. Things had gone the same way with juggling, tennis, chess, and countless other hobbies. I started off average, and there I remained.\n\nBut the Rubik’s cube felt different. The intelligence it would take to devise an original solution in just three minutes is insane – and I don’t think of myself as a particularly smart guy. With the other hobbies, I could maybe just assume I was a natural, but this? Something was up. And it was time to see how far I could push it.\n\n---\n\nI got up on stage at my local bar and sat down at the piano. I stared at the foreign keys. I’d tried to play on the keyboard I’d bought at home, and the results had been mediocre. But I had a feeling things would go differently here. My fingers reached for the keys and began to play, almost of their own accord. I hit some wrong notes, but really played and sang a rather pleasing rendition of Billy Joel’s *Piano Man*. With that, my theory was confirmed. Among people who buy keyboards and try to learn piano at home, I was average. But among people who played piano live at their local bar, *I was still average*. Seemed like it must defy some law of physics, and yet here were. I smiled. I could work with this.\n\n---\n\nI couldn’t just try to hack into any old website. Your average hacker probably sucks. But how many hackers, working alone, try to mine top secret information from the NSA? Only the really great ones, I’d think. Being average in that kind of a crowd? A whole different ball game. As I opened my computer, with full intention to hack the NSAs system, I found myself opening strange browsers, downloading various software and tools that I’d never heard of, and typing faster than I ever had before. I found that I knew, instinctively, exactly how to mask my presence online and remain anonymous. Once everything was set up, though, I didn’t start on the NSA. Instead, I started on my real target: my town’s local family-owned bank. I could feel my sudden knowledge of technology and info sec start to abate as soon as I mentally switched targets, but the effect wasn’t immediate. By focusing back on the NSA every 20 minutes or so, it seemed I could keep myself sharp. It only took a few hours before I started to see some major flaws in the small bank’s systems. As it turned out, it would be relatively simple to insert a small piece of malicious code to round off transactions and place the remainder in a separate account, *Office Space* style. And so that’s what I did. An hour later, it was done. A week later, I had an extra $987. A year later? Who knows where I’ll be then - I've got a lot of new ideas to play with. But I can’t wait to find out."
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[WP] A powerful solar flare melts the ice caps and reveals a set of humanoid shaped fossils buried deep within. The problem is they aren't dead fossil remains. The ice instead preserved their bodies for millions of years so they may as well have been sleeping. The entire forgotten race now awakens.
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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.*",
"_______________\nDefinitely not how solar flares work, but enjoy anyway. :P\n_______________\n\"Newscaster Lauren deWitt, coming to you live from a helicopter flying over what used to be the frozen arctic pole.\" Lauren deWitt spoke into her microphone while pointing the camera a hundred feet below at the ground. \n\n\"We've just discovered dozens of what appear to be humanoid bodies - quickly unfreezing - lying on the freshly-cleared, rocky terrain. Scientists believe the sudden explosion caused by the solar flare's electromagnetic wave overloading the research station may have uncovered these history changing ancient lifeforms, and we're here to give you the facts.\" \n\n\"Wait just a moment, Lauren;\" news host Bob Archerman called over the broadcast radio, \"zoom in down there. It looks as though the bodies are beginning to sit up!\" \n\n\"Bob, I'll do you one better. We're going to land and see if these beings speak any English.\" The helicopter carrying Lauren lowered into a small patch of flat rock, and began taking off at a run with camera bouncing wildly as she strode across the terrain. \n\nHolding the camera pointed at the naked but hairy, upright humanoids, she asked, \"So, having just woken up from a million years beneath the ice, do you have anything to say to your fans back in the modern world?\" \n\nThe hairy hominid leaned his head forward into the microphone as the world watched, \"Sprechen sie deutsch?\" \n\n\"Uh, does anyone back at the studio speak German?\" asked Lauren, bewildered. \n\nBob offered, \"I took a few years, so it shouldn't be a problem. Just respond, 'Da'.\" \n\n\"Da.\" Lauren mimicked her correspondent who was thousands of miles away. \n\nAs the hominid went on a long rant in German, Lauren bobbed her head while trying to keep the camera steady. \n\nBob translated for the entire world, \"Lauren, it looks as though they are very flustered from being woken from their nap, thank us for our concern, but are going to just cover themselves in ice again and go back to sleep.\" \n\n\"Well, there you have it folks.\" Lauren wrapped up her broadcast. \"A million years under the ice, and they awake perfectly coherent. I wish I could learn their recipe for coffee. Now, let's hear from John in weather.\""
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[WP] A Dragon's scales determine what kind of Dragon it will be, you are the first Dragon to be born with black scales in over a thousand 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.*",
"Red shading to golden is the color of fire;\n\nBlood Red for battle, the dragons' War Lord.\n\nWhite wings in winter; Pearl sings so wise.\n\nGreen brings the growing things; Brown churns the soil.\n\nBlues in the oceans; one Blue bringing rain.\n\nYellow is the sunlight; Gold gathers wealth.\n\nSilver leads the craftsmen; Purple bargains well.\n\nPink hues of sunrise, dreamer's brush takes flight.\n\n​\n\nBlack is the shadow slaying in the night;\n\nBlack is the sentry warding till the light.\n\nBlack is the sorrow, weeping for the morn;\n\nBlack is the soil from which new life is reborn.\n\nBlack is the villain, his fire a traitor dawn;\n\nBlack is the hero, though burned he presses on.\n\nBlack is the empty, hope and anger spent;\n\nBlack is the comfort, the friend who never went.\n\n​\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\n​\n\n\"Black is the color of choice, my son. You alone of all the dragons can be whatever you wish to be.\"",
"There is meaning to our scales, for those who can read them. Our magical inclination is written in their colours, the milestones of our lives in their patterns. Every major achievement, every accomplishment, the good _and_ the bad are written there for all to see.\n\nDragons are simple, in a way. We cannot keep the secrets of our pasts from each other.\n\nBut we're also complicated. A dragonet is set upon its path as soon as the slime of the egg is cleaned off to reveal the gleam of its scales. Their whole life is arranged for them simply because of their colour. No consideration is given to what _they_ want.\n\nThat, by the way, is how you end up with a white-scaled healer with a hide that tells of as many lives taken as saved, of healing magic twisted and perverted to kill. A healer whom only the most truly desperate would seek out.\n\nAnd you, young dragonet, are another tricky case. Born with scales darker than night, a black dragon of a kind unseen for a millennia. Shunned from the moment you were born, left to fend for yourself immediately upon hatching.\n\nBlack, you see, is believed to be evil.\n\nYou scavenged to survive, didn't you? From the midden and the compost heaps at first? Then, getting bolder, snatching the meals from smaller dragonets once you felt they'd had enough. Why should _they_ have full bellies when yours never was?\n\nAll the while you avoided the gaze of the adults. Venomous glances and whispered answers were the best and kindest treatment you could hope for. I see the scars on your hide, from claw and teeth and fire and blade. For one so young you've had a hard life.\n\nBlack is evil, after all. Why should evil have it easy?\n\nIt's a self-fulfilling prophecy, in a way. You're shunned, abused, given no reason to love your fellow dragons. And humans are no better, are they, for the way they blindly believe whatever they're told about you. You've been raised with nothing but hatred.\n\nAnd yet I see no hatred in your eyes or on your hide. I see love, compassion, kindness. I see a dragonet who lets the smaller ones feed before stealing a fraction of their food. I see a nascent hunter who leaves most of what he's killed for the less capable. I see a protector who draws the attention of bullies to him, distracting them from those whom they were targeting.\n\nYes, little one, all that is written there. It's your _life_ after all. You'd find my childhood exploits somewhere on mine, buried under all the rest of it.\n\nYou're not the first you know, nor will you be the last. Buldrierur was the last black dragon, and he was mistreated as well. His name has been forgotten, but his deeds haven't. The razing of villages, the destruction of caves, the burning of crops. All manner of evils were laid at his wings.\n\nAll lies.\n\nOh, he wasn't perfect. No being is. But he wasn't _evil_. Not in his heart.\n\nYou see, the return of black scales means corruption. Not in you, little one. Never believe that _you_ are the corrupted one. Corruption in the heart of dragons and men, in the societies we've built. The world is safe, at peace, and that has allowed some to become weak and greedy. And it is they who fear you the most, because they cannot corral you into a pre-determined path.\n\nYou were born to upset the status quo. And somewhere in their hearts they know this, and it scares them, and they do what dragons do best: they lash out.\n\nRest here for as long as you need, childe. Sleep in peace, and eat your fill. I will not betray your hiding place. Nor will those who come to me for healing, the outlaws and outcast of society. For when you decide what you want to do with your life, it is they who will form the core of your followers.\n\nAs it was then, so it will be again. And I might not be able to fight alongside you, as I did with Buldrierur, but I will do what I can to support you. I swear it on magic itself.\n\n----\n\nVisit [my archive](https://archiveofourown.org/series/1097823) to read more of my short stories."
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[WP] A villainous immortal breaks free from their ancient imprisonment to find themselves in the far future were everyone has gained immortality. Their immortality which had been their biggest asset allowing them to lay centuries of plans is now no longer special.
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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, I'm surprised you wanted to interview me. I've executed men for less.\" The God Emperor leaned back in his diamond covered chair and gazed upon the unassuming man in front of him.\n\n\"Well, your holiness, I've had one pressing question. It's nagged at me for the last 200 years or so. Life is getting quite dry, to be honest, so I figured I'd just ask.\"\n\n\"Bold. Go ahead.\"\n\n\"When you woke up in 10,392 CC, and you realized that everyone else was also immortal, not just yourself... well, how did you handle it? I mean, the idea of being so unique your whole life and then just having that ripped away...\"\n\nThe God Emperor chuckled and shook his head. \"Ah, you're quite observant. Yes it was quite shocking. I fell into a deep, deep existential crisis for about 8 years. It was miserable.\"\n\n\"Oh?\" That surprised the interviewer a little. \"No one has mentioned that in your History of Conquest.\"\n\n\"No, and they're not going to. I'll kill you if you write it in your piece. But I'll tell you about it, because I feel like it.\"\n\nThe interviewer squirmed a little at the mention of killing, but he'd come this far; at this point, he wasn't about to leave without his curiosity sufficiently satiated. \"So your existential crisis?\" He pressed.\n\n\"Very troubling. Very, very troubling. I was in a dreamlike state during my imprisonment. Conscious... but also not conscious. But conscious enough to allow the resentment to build, to feel the weight of the time I was losing, the time that was passing. When I finally woke up, there was a passion inside me. A passion for revenge. A passion which was, quickly replaced with shame and confusion upon the realization that I was no longer, in any way, special.\"\n\nThe interviewer leaned forward, clearly intrigued. \"How much of this am I allowed to write?\" he asked.\n\n\"None.\"\n\nThe man looked disappointed, but, of course, you didn't argue with the God Emperor. \"Yes, your holiness. Please continue.\"\n\n\"So I'll skip my 8 years of being pathetic. After those 8 years of self hatred, depression, and chasing various adolescent pleasures to mask the pain, I had a bit of an epiphany. Everyone was immortal now, that was true. But, did they know how to use it?\"\n\n\"Mmm,\" the interviewer put a hand to his chin. \"The histories talk about actions you took in 11,221 which had ramifications during your conquest in 13,100. They talk about a city you started in 14,144 which was essential to the political disassembly of the aristocracy in 24,001.\"\n\nThe God Emperor smiled broadly. \"Exactly.\"\n\nThe interviewer nodded slowly, pondering the implications. He was beginning to see how impressive The God Emperor truly was.\n\n\"For eons before you were even conceived in your mother's womb, I was using immortality as a weapon. I studied, I learned, I schemed. I used the gift that other men didn't have to its fullest potential - time. Sure, when I awoke, you were all immortal. You all had the same gift I had. But you didn't know the *significance* of what you had.\"\n\nThat prompted a thought in the interviewer's mind. \"You know, many of today's prominent philosophers claim that, despite being biologically immortal, most of us still live as if we aren't. We still act as though life will last roughly 70-100 years, and we just act that way indefinitely.\"\n\nThe God Emperor smiled again. He leaned forward and spread his hands for emphasis. \"You do. But I do not. Yes, you're immortal, and yes, I'm immortal, too. But after those terrible 8 years, I realized I still had something that you didn't. Had something the rest of you had failed to realize was the source of true power in this world.\" He paused, clearly desiring to be asked what it was.\n\nThe interviewer, obviously wishing to appease the man, obliged. \"What was it?\"\n\nThe God Emperor looked him in the eyes. \"Patience.\" He smiled. \"And using it, I got my revenge after all.\""
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[WP] You finally died. Congrats on getting into heaven. You were given a flowchart of what would happen if you chose a different choice. There was a major deviation. And it all came from the choice of picking up a penny.
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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.*",
"Ned saw the penny. There was a suspended moment in which a decision hung in the balance. Would he? Should he? Who knew what ugliness had transpired in the very spot on which the penny rested--particles from dog poop, Space AIDS-infected germs, sex stuff. Who knew where the penny had been? He decided he would flip a coin for it. Alas, he had no coin on his person, so he had to use the penny on the floor.\n\nHeads.\n\nHe smiled as he pocketed the penny. One never could have too many pennies. Some people didn’t think pennies were even worth picking up. Some people were wrong.\n\nA man in a monocle saw this transpire and accosted Ned. “Sir, I believe you picked up *my* penny just now.”\n\nNed yanked back the penny protectively, putting his body between the penny and the newly-arrived claimant. “Finders keepers,” he said.\n\nThe logic was unassailable.\n\n“Oh,” Mr. Monocle said weakly. He had not expected such a savvy invocation of jurisprudent minutiae. He gave a begrudging grunt of respect and wandered off.\n\nHis foe vanquished and his prize secured, Ned was in a tip-top mood. He was in a hip-hop mood, he popped and locked. The monocled man, seeing an opportunity, came back and clicked and clacked: tap dance. “I win, I get the penny. You win, you can have this dog.” It was a miniature poodle in a monocle of its own, and a glass eye in the other.\n\nNed thought about it. This day certainly was offering many moments of decision. “You’re on,” he said.\n\nTap-tap-tappity-tap-tap, click clack, went the shoes. Pop-pop-poppity-lock-lock, came the reply. It was a dance-off for the ages, a crowd gathered, news vans rolled up.\n\nWhen the dust settled, the tap dancer had tapped out, but the king of pop-and-lock could not never not stop dirty pop-and-locking hot hot hot. Monocle handed over the monocled poodle.\n\nNed was a running a little late for his job at the Food Wiper Doggie Bib factory. One was liable to see a commercial between the hours of 2:30 and 2:35am, once a week after the Barbie Bachelorette segment on the Toy People Channel (“Your favorite shows--with toys!”). The Doggie Bib pitch was enthusiastically but woodenly delivered by a hairy-chested man in an orange Hawaiian shirt with a bad combover:\n\n“Ever get food on your face and find yourself conflicted about what to do? You want to focus on eating but now there’s food on your face!--how can a person keep up? Should he wipe the food, then continue eating? Or should he just keep eating because he’ll probably get more food on his face anyway? That’s too many decisions for *one* man!”\n\nThe actor in the commercial shakes his head in frustration and throws his utensils in the air, apparently having given up.\n\n“That’s where we come in! Introducing the Food Wiper Doggie Bib--a mouth cleaner and shirt-bib all in one! Say goodbye to mustard lips ruining a bad date!”\n\nClose-up on a globule of mustard hanging off the male actor's chin. His blonde date makes a contortion of the face indicating something to the effect of “pee-yew” and then pinches her nose. Then a dog pops up from the bottom of the screen and begins licking the man’s face: clean. The blonde makes a new contortion of her face: this is a smile. The man gives a thumbs up to the screen.\n\n“You just wear a bib fitted with a pocket for a small dog, who is carefully positioned to lick any and all sauces, crumbs, grease right off your face--all without having to move a muscle! This eliminates the need for complicated decisions and leaves your hands free to do what they were always meant to do: shoving food down your face. Say hello to a clean date face and the unburdened mind of the new you!”\n\nNed was late to his job at the Food Wiper Doggie Bib factory, but he was feeling good; he wanted to live in the moment and take the time to smell the roses.\n\n“Get out of my garden, Ned!” said Mrs. Rothstein.\n\nNed stumbled through the thorn bushes in a panic and made his way back to the street.\n\nHe saw the same one-armed homeless man with the sad eyes that he always passed by on his way to work. Today, he felt a compunction to make a human connection.\n\n“Why so sad, mister?” Ned asked.\n\n“If you were homeless, you’d be sad, too,” said he-of-the-very-sad-eyes.\n\n“Something tells me that it’s the sadness that was there first, that led you to the street, and not the other way around.”\n\nSad Eyes became Widened Eyes. “How did you--?” but then his guard came back up. “Never you mind that. Be on your way, child.”\n\nNed remembered his penny. “A penny for your thoughts,” he said, and tossed it Guarded Eyes’ way.\n\nGuarded Eyes became Widened Eyes once more. Such unassailable logic.\n\n“Rules are rules. I guess I have to tell you. The constant prospect of decision fills me with dread. It’s too much burden for a one-armed man to decide, “Do I wipe my face or do I continue eating? Do I risk looking the fool? How does a man just eat in peace without having to deal with such existential questions?”\n\nImploring Eyes implored desperately.\n\n“Oh, I have just the trick. I work at the factory where they make these things, and I always carry extra. It’s a Food Wiper Dog Bib.”\n\n“I used to see those commercials back when I had a TV.”\n\n“Oh, and here’s a dog that comes with it. He has one good eye like you have one good arm. You have an understanding with each other.”\n\n\\-----------------------------------\n\nThe angel explained how the homeless man eventually went on to invest that penny into penny stocks and became a penny stock billionaire. He used those billions to cure Space AIDS, which would’ve wiped out the entire human race without his vaccine. And without the doggy bib, the homeless man would have been too concerned about looking stupid while eating to actually *do* anything with his life in the first place. In a sense, Ned had saved the world.",
" “See right there. See what it says?” asked the guide briskly. \n\nI was still getting used to the newly dead, arrived in heaven bit, but no time to dawdle… I peered at the screen the guide was pointing at. His flowy sleeves that fluttered in a non-existent breeze was a bit distracting, but I persevered. I pushed my spectacles up my nose (can’t believe they couldn’t at least upgrade my spectacle in this place!). Hmm, looks like a flow chart. Oh, they’re all links! Cool! Heavens very up to date with the tech! \nRight… I was born… 1st birthday… blah blah blah… \n\n“This very linear for a ‘flow chart’!” I said, rolling my eyes at the guide. \n\nHe sniffed impatiently and pointed at a certain link, which I realized was where my paths forked.\n\nI opened the link with much curiosity. And saw myself (the camera angle was fantastic!) bending over to pick up something. I (The me on the screen) stood up straight with a penny in my hand.\n\n\\~ The End \\~ \n\nEh?\n\n“That’s it?”\n\n“That’s it! THAT’S it!!” Gasped the guide with as much indignation he could muster, “That’s the moment that your life’s path was decided! The most important moment of your life. The moment of – “\n\n“Eh?”, I said. Yup, I’m exuding intelligence!\n\n“Well,” he huffed, “When you bent over, a bullet that was aiming for you, missed you and hit another person nearby.”\n\n“Ya so?” I replied, vaguely recalling the incident.\n\n“You ran over and helped stop the man from bleeding to death, remember that?” he said, with not a little amount of sarcasm. He didn’t have to put his hands on his hips while saying it, but he did.\n\n“Ya, I remember. So what? I’d done that a bunch of time – “ \n\n“No” he interrupted rudely, “That was your first time!” \n\n“Oh yeah… now I remember…”\n\n“I knew you didn’t remember!” he announced proudly.\n\nI couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him again.\n\n“Well you ended up being inspired to become a surgeon and so saved many more lives!” he said, “Therefore… Heaven!” he said with an absolutely uncalled for flourish.\n\n“Uhuh… I’m in heaven because of a penny… yup… makes sense.” I said crossing my arms. I hoped my body language conveyed how much I didn’t actually believe it.\n\n“Oh, a cynic... never seen those before…” he had the audacity to roll his eyes at me while saying so!\n\n“Well, if you hadn’t picked up the penny, you would have been shot” he continued.\n\n“Ya, and ended up here earlier… oh joy.” I was really struggling to not be sarcastic.\n\n“No, miss John Snow. You would have been wounded in the shoulder. Which you would have recovered from. Then you’d end up doing a Bruce Wayne. Only instead of a vigilante you’d become an assassin.” He said all that in one breath. I wasn’t sure if I was more impressed with his breath control or his pop culture references.\n\n“So then, not heaven…” I mumbled, a bit humbled.\n\n“Exactly! Then, definitely not heaven!”",
"The angels said there are 2 main deciding factors in the flowcharts:\n\nIntentional actions.\n\nUnintentional actions.\n\nIt takes about 100 times more unintentional actions to have the same weight as a single intentional action. However, *this* specific action was far greater than any intentional action I've ever done. In fact, it was the deciding factor for me to get into heaven. The angels call it the \"Evil penny.\"\n\nOn September 8th, 2018, a man buying ice cream from a local store dropped his change. He collected all of it except for a penny, that miraculously rolled straight out of the restaurant. It then rolled for another block on a slightly downhill sidewalk, before knocking into a pigeon and rolling on itself, heads up. It sat there for 3 years, undisturbed as it fell into a tiny divot on the concrete, making it difficult to pick up.\n\nOn July 13th, 2021, I walked down the same sidewalk. Trying to scrape gum off my shoe with every step. Until I felt something weird on my shoe, I stopped to see it was a penny, and took it. The penny was never spent, and from that night, to the die I died, resided in a change jug.\n\nApparently, had I not stepped on the penny, or kept it, that would have led to the rise of Wayne Wilson. Or \"Double Dubya.\" Wayne Wilson is an African American small business owner who was arrested in May of 2021 for illegally creating a weapon, and for intent to murder. He was scrapping everything he could for wiring for his weapon. It was a homemade laser weapon, and needed a lot of copper and gold. He got the gold from the dark web and jewelry, he got the copper from random stuff. \n\nIn my timeline, he gets arrested because of suspicious activity, which was ultimately confirmed by him ordering a large amount of copper wire. In an alternate timeline, if I didn't pick up the penny, he did. Which happened to be an old penny made out of actual copper, and just enough spare copper to finish a prototype capable of 3 blasts. His laser weapon was capable of instantly killing any living cells it came into contact with, and exposing nearby cells to high levels of UV rays, and radiation. He then proceeds to use the functional prototype to kill the President of the United States, Kanye West. \n\nHis Vice President was the first lady, Kim Kardashian. Who then took his role as President. This led to horrible economic choices, completely unjustified attacks on other governments, and complete and utter mismanagement of the entire nation until March 2022. Where Kim launched a nuke at Russia over humorous comments made over Twitter by Vladimir Putin.\n\nIm not entirely sure how any of this happened, especially since Kanye didn't even get into the primaries in my timeline. But ill just take the angels word for it."
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[WP] You have a magical keyboard that turns anything you write into the truth. The keyboard does not like murder mysteries, however, and tries to do everything in its power to convince you not to write one.
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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.*",
"Item #: SCP-9264\n\nObject Class: Euclid\n\nSpecial Containment Procedures: SCP-9264 is to be contained in a standard 5m x 5m x 5m containment unit. At least one (1) security personnel must remain stationed at the entrance to SCP-9264’s containment unit at all times. ~~Experimentation with SCP-9264 is only permissible through authorization from at least two (2) Level-3 personnel.~~ Testing of SCP-9264 has been suspended indefinitely. SCP-9264 is not to be plugged into a computer or other power source under any circumstances.\n\nDescription: SCP-9264 is a standard Dell 3HWF0 USB keyboard, black. No distinguishing markings or features separate SCP-9264 from other Dell-manufactured keyboards of its model, except for an anomalous trait that any sentence typed on SCP-9264 will appear in reality. The language used to construct sentences does not inhibit SCP-9264’s ability to alter reality. The range limit of SCP-9264’s anomalous properties are not yet determined, however the effects during testing have been observed as far as 5,250km from SCP-9264’s location.\n\nSCP-9264 was first discovered by Dr. [REDACTED], a Foundation scientist, on 7/24/xxxx, while off duty at a department store in [REDACTED]. The anomalous properties of SCP-9264 were made apparent when Dr. [REDACTED] typed the sentence “I have coffee.” as a joke and within [x] seconds a coffee appeared on the ground near SCP-9264. Dr. [REDACTED] then immediately notified Foundation staff and secured SCP-9264 at Site-[xx].\n\nUpon further testing, SCP-9264 is believed to be at least partially sentient. An altercation between two members of Foundation personnel led to one Level-3 staff member to access SCP-9264’s containment unit and typed the words “[DATA EXPUNGED]”, whereupon SCP-9264 instead began rapidly disassembling itself. After two minutes of inactivity SCP-9264 reverted to its original state. Further attempts to use SCP-9264 to [DATA EXPUNGED] using D-Class personnel produced the same result.\n\nTest-001: Input: “99 bottles of beer are on the wall.” Result: 99 bottles of Dos Equis appeared, stacked against the far wall of SCP-9264’s containment unit.\n\nTest-002: Input: “Apple has just announced the iPhone 12.” Result: Within [x] minutes, news articles were published on the internet regarding Apple announcing the iPhone 12.\n\nTest-003: Input: “D-77193 is [DATA EXPUNGED]. Result: SCP-9264 disassembled itself. D-77193 was unharmed.\n\nTest-004: Input: [DATA EXPUNGED]. Result: Partial flooding of Light Containment Zone in Site-[xx] with [DATA EXPUNGED].\n\nTest-005: Input: “Hitler didn’t kill himself.” Result: [DATA EXPUNGED].\n\nTest-006: Input: [DATA EXPUNGED] Result: Containment breach of SCP-079. SCP-079 attempted to interface with SCP-9264, resulting in seventeen immediate casualties among Science and D-Class personnel after [DATA EXPUNGED]. Eleven more casualties occurred among MTF Squad Epsilon-11 during mass recontainment event. Please refer to Incident Report 92317 for further details.\n\n*Incident Report 92317: [DATA EXPUNGED]*"
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[WP] Humanity has utterly stagnated. Modern heros know nothing of self-sacrifice, duty, and discipline, nothing more than glorified celebrities only concerned with merchandise sponsorships. For the world's own good, the only villain that never lost to any hero comes out of retirement.
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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.*",
"Matt watched the newest interview with the up and coming hero. Some upstart not using his abilities to further the interests of the people. Another super teen idol looking for an easy life.\n\nIt sickened him.\n\nMatt stood and looked at the old chest in the corner of his apartment. He was a well reputed chemist now, but at the tender age of 19, a series of sleights by friends and a long period of being unappreciated by his heroic companions had him donning the alias of the Crow. A plague doctor costumed figure who terrorized his city with chemical agents, looking to take revenge for his mistreatment. \n\nBut he’d been wrong. He became cold, ruthless, and ambitious. It wasn’t until a tearful final encounter with his sister and losing his leg that he hung up the beak and cracked goggles.\n\nThe interviewer continued to fawn over the selfish fraud as Matt’s hands clenched around the black trench coat. Being a hero used to mean something... Crime in actuality was at an all time low. Convicts were released if they faked robberies. Police delayed by in disguise heroes, just so the agency didn’t fall into the not so glamorous job of being forced by the government into law enforcement. *Eliza, if only you were still here...* he thought. His sister had died fighting a copycat of his villainous persona. But she pleaded and begged him not to don the mask in retaliation. Officially, the crow was the one credited for the kill. Not the copycat. \n\nTurning back and shutting off the Tv, Matt looked at the hidden costume, then the last photo of Eliza, days before the fight with his copycat. It was just after he’d served out his time, him grinning widely and ruffling her hair. \n\n*Forgive me...* he whispered. Slipping on the mask, designed to keep him from exposure to his own potent solutions.\n\nThe last sentence of that...imposter fueled his anger. “I almost want a REAL villain to come out of the woodwork again! Like the crow? You remember him from 10 years back?”\n\nFine kid, you want the crow?\n\n#You’ll get the crow",
"*Two weeks ago the following video of only speech appeared online* \n\n\nHero and villain, lines created by perception. Populus was beloved by the people for the fact that he kept a smile as be batted down the great threats to hummanity; Liberté was a champion of the oppressed and her code was uncorruptable; Vita healed those in need first and only appeared where her powers were most needed. I was a villain, simply because I gave no care to public perception and did what was needed. It didn't matter the end results, unless I played by society's rules and did the showy stuff,and not cause problems. \n\n​\n\nDidn't matter to me in the end I had a code; never harm the innocent, only use as much force as necessary, avoid permanent damage. I openly was a villain, that was enough, no matter what the end results were. Even if most people were better in the end for what I did.\n\n​\n\nThe first hero I met was Vita. She had been working in a hospital near where I was after a major accident. Terrorists took the hospital over and it became apparent that if their demands weren't met Vita would be killed. Populus was busy and Liberté was on the other side of the world. If it were the other two I wouldn't have cared but Vita was a pure saint, no doubt. Only some truely evil people could think of this stunt. I struck fast and without mercy, by the time they knew what hit them they were dead and I had a shocked Vita behind me. We talked some time, she didn't agree, dead set against death, but she tanked me none the less. Afterwards her charities and efforts found more money in their accounts. \n\n​\n\nThe second one I met was Liberté. Now I am good at moving once I strike, but Liberté called me out, blaming me for the attack on Vita. So I went to her meeting, knowing the trap, walked right into it. She questioned who I was, why I did what I did. So I told her the truth, and told her that I may not be a saint, but an Angel like Vita should not be harmed. The standoff was tense but then I questioned her, on her views, her reasons for her actions. Utopian ideals, ones I could respect but just could not find it within myself to believe. The trap never went off, an understanding came to be and we parted ways. She retracter her statement but by then it was too late, a name was out. \n\n​\n\nYou know my story from here, Reaper, the mysterious faceless entity, the fear of all. Would you be surprised to here I met Populus long before that battle between us. We had several meetings, some with Vita and Liberté, some without. He was an enigma to me as was I to him, we skitted each other as both of us continued to grow in fame. The end result is the battle you all know where Populus perished, would you be surprised to hear that he's still alive, enjoying retirement and not being worked to death to the will of the masses. \n\n​\n\nIn their hayday the three stood for something. Populus stood for the people and their hope, the great hero standing to defend us; Liberté stood for the oppressed and tomorrow, the utopian dreamer; and Vita was the Angel, the one who know one should harm due to her honest ourity. Yet you, YOU take their name and spoil their memory. You don't help people unless it will trend; you sell out your morals to whoever will fund your extravagance; you don't dare do anything that will risk your image or lives.\n\n​\n\nThe old generation of heroes, the greats who ushered in your age have agreed that this must end. You FALSE heroes of today beware, for I am coming. I may have once been known as Reaper but the true term for me is Chaos. I am not good, I am not evil, I am change and I cannot be ignored. The gears of society will turn again, even if I must cut out and discard that which has allowed it to stall. Heroes need not worry, I am only hear to cut out the rot. And to those who falseley claim the term of hero, you are the first on my list. Do not think you can fight me, I am all yet none, my potential is limitless, the Three who spoiled the mantle of the greats are dead already by my hand, and those who do not change their ways or stop will share their fate. \n\nYou \n\nhave \n\nbeen \n\nwarnned.\n\n​\n\n*Video ends, The new Three were found dead shortly after release, the old heroes are missing, and the world has begun to shift once more.*",
"*I...got you.* \n\n\nOf the 46 heroes who had joined together to stop **Eternal**, a fearsome villain who had seemingly vanished 27 years prior, only nine were still standing in the smoke-filled street. The nearby fires illuminated the shadows of the two men.\n\n*You're not perfect. I got you. I landed a punch...ha...haha.*\n\n**Swift**, one of the youngest heroes and revered for his speed, could be heard laughing triumphantly. \n\n*I GOT YOU! I MADE YOU BLEED! HAHA!*\n\nThe other heroes were speechless as they stared at the silhouette before them. Adrenaline must have still been running through his veins. He hadn't noticed the arm sticking through his body.\n\nHis laughter finally ended when **Eternal** leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Only those two and the soon to be deceased hero **Echo**, who was laying face down in the rubble of city hall, heard the words.\n\n*Thank you. It's a push they'll need.*\n\nA white light emanated through the smoke until only one man's shadow remained. He straightened himself and turned his head.\n\n*Who's next?*\n\n**Repulsor**, the third hero to inherit the legendary tech-hero name, let out a harrowing scream. He cupped his left hand over where his right arm was only five minutes ago and yelled through gritted teeth as pieces of metal began to form around the torn flesh and bone. His hand lowered to reveal a jagged limb of metal, much to the contrast of the smooth and rounded work his nano-machines were known for. At the end of the limb was a neon green blade.\n\n*All of that yelling for such a primitive showing? I thought your technology was capable of so much-*\n\n**Eternal** suddenly looked up as a bright green light pierced through the clouds.\n\nWith no time to curse expletives to the reckless tech-hero, **Gale** lifted her arms with what strength she had left and created a whirlwind around **Eternal**. His silhouette stretched for only a moment before the green light of **Repulsor's** satellite consumed it. The ground shook enough that six nearby buildings fell. Energy-filled gusts escaped from the whirlwind and disintegrated whatever they touched.\n\nIt took **Gale** 18 seconds to get the whirlwind relatively under control.\n\n*What the fuck were you thinking? You could have killed us all with that blast!*\n\nThe tech-hero said nothing as he stared at the column of energy in front of him.\n\n*Look, nice move distracting him and everyone else with the yelling arm thing, but a heads up would be nice next time! Ugh...I can't see from this end...is everyone else okay?*\n\n**Repulsor** didn't avert his eyes.\n\n*Nobody else made it.*\n\nThe whirlwind faltered and enlarged.\n\n*What?! You sa...what? They're................you stupid bastard! You FUCKING IDIOT!*\n\n*It had to be done!* ***Swift*** *landed a punch on him. If that cocky kid can make him bleed, then I knew I could kill him.*\n\n*You can't do something that reckless! Not at the expense of others!*\n\nHe turned towards her with a face of conviction. \n\n*It was necessary. A villain like that is bad for the world.*\n\nThe both of them stared at each other for a fleeting moment that felt like an eternity.\n\n*And bad for PR. It makes us all look bad. Conversely though, killing him is going to net us some wonderful deals.*\n\n*...you son of-*\n\n**Gale** stopped mid-sentence and turned towards the whirlwind.\n\n*Hey don't start showing off now by making the whirly go faster.*\n\n*I'm not doing that.*\n\n*I outrank you in the polls for a good reason.*\n\n**Gale** tensed her whole body as the air surrounding her became still.\n\n*I don't have control of it anymore!*\n\n**Repulsor** turned back just in time to see the whirlwind break and bend over towards him. **Gale** tried her best to stop it but she was helpless. Her veins bulged and blood ran from her nose and ears as she pushed herself farther than she had before. She didn't stop trying until the whirlwind dissipated, long after **Repulsor** had stopped screaming.\n\nShe fell to her knees in exhaustion. Her body and senses were numb. And yet, she could still feel them. Even with her head pointed down and her body on the verge of failing, she could still feel them.\n\nA pair of glowing eyes watched her through the smoke.\n\nThey intimidated her. They judged her. They beckoned her.\n\nAnd she would not fail to answer them.\n\n*I am* ***Gale****, the Gust Hero. And what pushes me forward is not the winds of my own power, but the wind of hope.*\n\nHer body shook as she pushed herself back up.\n\n*The hope of all those who need saving. The hope of all those who need a hero. A powerful, crushing wind that no villain can stand against.*\n\nShe stood straight as her body tensed again.\n\n*Which is why I'll do all that I can to make sure I defeat you and throw you into that wind.*\n\nThe glowing eyes continued to stare at her, unwavering.\n\n*45 other heroes. And not a single one gave a speech like that. Not a single one showed the care nor the compassion of the heroes I once battled.* \n\n*I'm ending this* ***Eternal****. I'll end it with my strongest attack.*\n\nShe pushed her arms backs as the wind whipped around her.\n\n*You are a true hero.*\n\n*Save your compliments for somebody who gives a shit. Let's see if you can take my Final -*\n\n*CEASE*\n\nAll of **Gale's** power disappeared. Everything she had built up was gone. Her final attack had been completely thwarted by an overwhelming power that she had no understanding of at all.\n\n*Such an attack would likely kill yourself in the process. That would be such a pity when you alone can have such an important part to play in what's to come.*\n\n*...what are you planning?*\n\nAnd like that, the overwhelming power was gone. The smoke cleared and **Eternal** was nowhere to be seen. He left behind a puddle of blood so dark it could be mistaken as black.\n\nAnd within that terrible blood that formed as a mix from various heroes, there were just a few droplets of white.\n\n**Gale** stared at those droplets for a few moments before she leaned over and fell to the ground. But just before she lost consciousness, she had two thoughts. \n\n\n*He bleeds.*\n\n​\n\n*He can be stopped.*",
"I sighed as I drew on the Syndex trousers. Their age and wear falling away as it contacted my skin. I didn't even glance at them more than to assure the buttons on the fly lined up properly.\n\n \"Still regal, 'Tomica\" a voice said.i turned from the still open wardrobe. \n\n \"You can come too.\" I urged, not really thinking through the statement. The slump of his shoulders as he looked away quickly told me he hadn't changed his mind. We had revisited this discussion many times, the last being the previous night as we dined in my lunar hall.\n\n \"No.\" Sunstorm finally said. \"Those days are rightfully passed. I've no need to repeat them with the current crop\" \n\n A pity, I thought. Though not the strongest in raw power. Sunstorm had always maintained the purest sense of virtue I had ever encountered. His bright blonde hair had grayed but not his resolve. \n\n\"You will keep your promise?\" He asked, his eye still faintly aglow.\n\n \" As much as I can\" I whispered \"But the new crop has gone so very far from the old ways. Preventing disaster and protecting the innocent has given way to documenting themselves and preening for likes.\" By the time I finished talking I looked no more than twenty. Time doesn't affect me the way it can others if I don't want it to. Functional immortality if not the actual thing. \"It may be a hard lesson I have to teach before they all remember what heroes are.\"\n\nSunstorm straightened a bit at that.\n\n\"You miss it too don't you, offer still stands?\" I left the words hanging there.\n \"Maybe next run\" he finally mumbled, then he spoke louder. \"Who's first?\"\n\nI turned, flashing my trademarked evil smile back to my old hero friend.\n\n\"I'm thinking, 'Selfie'\"",
"The doorbell echoed through the first floor of the building, rousing the man in the kitchen to his feet with a groan. He left his laptop open on the countertop, trotting towards the door as he checked his phone. Greeted with not so much as a single message on his lock screen, the man gave a soft sigh beneath his breath before unlocking the deadbolt and pulling heartily on the knob. The door stuck just slightly in its frame, forcing him to muscle it open before he could look out into the dying light of a blisteringly hot summer’s eve. \n\nSurprised that no one was waiting for him at eye-level, his gaze was drawn down towards his doorstep out of reflex. He found himself looking at the trembling form of a child, not more than ten years old at his first guess. The pitiful creature looked up at him with one hopeful doe eye, the other half of his face swollen in a patchwork of bright red and budding bruises. \n\n*Well, that’s not my DoorDash order.*\n\n“Are you The Great Inferno?” The boy asked, blinking slowly with his good eye. \n\n“What do you want, kid? How did you find me?” He asked, propping the door open with his foot so he could cross his arms. Such a defensive stance was the only natural response he could muster through the shock coursing his system, startled to hear the revival of a moniker he had withdrawn more than ten years ago. This was his retirement, tucked away from the world of camera flashes and hungry paparazzi, a place where he was able to put distance between himself and the televised conflicts of modern media. Despite the effort he had put into making his posture slightly more threatening, the boy spoke up to him without wavering.\n\n“I want you to save my sister,” \n\n“I’m not in the business of saving people,” he responded, raising an eyebrow. “And I’m terribly amused that someone gave you that impression.”\n\n“They said that you’re the strongest, that you’ve never been beaten,” the boy pleaded, hope turning to desperation like the flick of a switch. \n\n“What’s your name?” The man asked, trying to hold back another sigh. There was something about the kid’s busted lip and his desperate attempt to be brave despite his shaking shoulders that began to eat away at a long-hardened heart. \n\n“Harrison,” the child declared with a renewed streak of boldness. \n\n“Well, Harrison, I’d say you’d be better off going to the cops or getting a Hero on your side. Like I told you, I’m not the type that saves people.”\n\n“I tried,” Harrison said, voice kept low. “None of them answered when I called their hotlines, or when I used the lights on the top of our building. I couldn’t even get into the apartments where Tigerhawk is supposed to live, they stopped me before I could even get into the lobby.”\n\n“Who knows, maybe they’re busy,” the man muttered, a biting distaste for Heroes reigniting on his tongue. There was a reason he’d left the business, even if he had been on the dark side of what had become increasingly manufactured drama. Fighting mere caricatures of what a Hero should have been was exhausting in its own unique way, and the moment that he found himself hunted down for corporate sponsorship he had retreated into obscurity. \n\nIt was a different game these days - nothing more than just that, a game. There was no fighting, no passion behind declarations of good or evil. The television said that good had won, but there was no good being done as Heroes sat on their heels and boasted of hollow deeds on talk shows. Such a title as “Hero” had become meaningless, and with it had the man’s own. \n\n“I’m old enough to know that Heroes aren’t coming anymore,” the child said, voice shining with the same defeat as though he had just learned that Santa was nothing more than myth. “They’ve never come, not for years. Not for me, not for my friends. Things aren’t getting better. They’ve stopped helping anyone.” \n\n“Well, it’s not about helping people anymore.” The words came out bitterly, and he found his fingernails digging into the soft flesh of his arms as he attempted to control his anger. \n\n“I just-” Harrison stuttered, looking down shyly before continuing. “I just thought I could ask the only Supervillain I knew about. Because if the heroes aren’t strong enough to stop my step-dad from hurting my sister, or they just don’t want to, maybe- maybe-” \n\n“Maybe I would?” he finished the kid’s sentence, unable to bear watching him stutter along any further. Harrison only nodded, digging the toe of his tattered sneaker into the welcome mat. \n\n“How did you know I wouldn’t kill you for showing your face here? You know that I’m not one of the good guys,” the man said, leaning his shoulder into the doorjamb. This time there was no bite behind his words, his heart having already been won over by the boy that was both bold and pathetic in the same breath. He would never have admitted it, but such a sight was somewhat endearing. \n\n“I had to at least try,” Harrison said. “I promised I would keep her safe, even if it meant I would get hurt. Like tonight.” A small hand reached up to the swollen cheek, probing it gently before he winced. Still, Harrison didn’t raise his good eye to look up at the villain he had called upon. \n\nThe man closed his eyes and sighed openly now, embracing the weight that was settling down on his shoulders. After another long pause he found his words buried in the back of his throat, uncrossed his arms, and swept a hand into his house. \n\n“Alright, get in here. I’ll get you some ice and some water before we head out.” \n\n“Thank you!” The boy exclaimed, giving a small nod of excitement before bolting into the townhouse as though there was a wolf on his tail. \n\nInferno could only think of the black mask in the back of his closet, sitting in a box on top of a folded grey overcoat. If a Hero bathed in ten corporate sponsorships couldn’t be arsed to answer the phone, then perhaps it was time to come out of retirement. \n\nFeeling the fire of redemption burn in his palms, he turned back into his home and shut the door behind him. It seemed that his dinner would have to wait.",
"Archdemon. He was impossibly strong and impossibly tough: simple, basic powers, but this had let him excel in the manner of someone swinging around a sledgehammer at a karate tournament. He’d once been thought of as possessing pyromancy and a number of fire-related talents but he *didn’t*: it’s just that when he really tried, Archdemon’s punches connected with such force that they ignited his surroundings. \n\nHe was a nightmare. He wasn’t even that big, not really. He was just a moderately tall guy in shiny black leather and a horned motorcycle helmet. But he was a nightmare all the same.\n\nArchdemon. He had never lost to a hero. *Any* hero. No other villain could make that claim.\n\nAll things considered, Zephyra thought, there wasn’t a much more badass way to die. Who else could say it had taken Archdemon to kill them?\n\nQuite a lot of people, probably, because he was a villain, but Zephyra didn’t want to dwell on that.\n\nZephyra backflipped off the wall, cracking it, and propelled herself at Archdemon. The punch she landed could (and had) levelled houses but he barely flinched. Archdemon reached out and grabbed her and threw her into the ground. \n\nSo he was fast, too. Why did nobody ever talk about how fast he was?\n\nShe jumped back up out of the crater and performed a flying kick... and Archdemon slapped her leg to the side with barely any effort. Zephyra fell and he kicked her away before she even reached the ground, demolishing a fence, a dumpster and a particularly unlucky pigeon that hadn’t been paying attention.\n\nZephyra updated her earlier metaphor: an adult, with a sledgehammer, at a karate tournament for *toddlers*. Zephyra knew she was no slouch but this man was *ridiculously* strong.\n\nZephyra managed to pull herself up into an awkward kneel, and even then she had to support her body with both hands, gasping for breath.\n\nAnd Archdemon punched her. The surrounding windows shattered, and the garbage bags in the alley turned into fiery tumbleweed. \n\n“Tell me, hero,” said Archdemon. His voice was deep but not nearly as deep and scary as you’d expect for a villain with his reputation. “Why are you still fighting?”\n\nZephyra hurt all over. In fact in all her fights, this was probably the most she’d ever hurt. She took a kind of pride in that: guess what, assholes, it had taken Arch-goddamn-demon to hurt me.\n\nThat was a high note. Shame about the dying.\n\nArchdemon was still closing the distance. If he was the slightest bit hurt or fatigued from their clash, it didn’t show.\n\n“I ask again, sidekick.” The villain clenched his fists. “*Why are you still fighting?”*\n\nZephyra pulled herself up a second time. She gave Archdemon a look that she hoped was more defiant than pained.\n\n“Because somebody has to,” she growled, through gritted teeth.\n\n“Hmm.” Archdemon seemed to consider this, nodding back and forth as if rolling the statement around to check how it tasted. “Not the most inspiring comeback but you’ve definitely got the spirit. You’ll make for a worthy first applicant.”\n\nHe helped the woman back to her feet and brushed a few embers from her costume’s sky-blue shoulders. He released her and turned away and Zephyra was so surprised that she nearly fell back down.\n\nShe blinked, or rather winked each eye one after the other, because Zephyra had been dazed to the point that she was out of sync. “What is happening.” \n\n“You have regenerative abilities, yes?” Archdemon asked. “You do not require medical attention?”\n\n“Yeah I can heal really fast as long as I… no. I said ‘what is happening’ and I stand by it. Please tell me what is happening. I feel like I’m missing something.”\n\n“I have long felt that the All-Star Eleven are an insult to the legacy of superheroes,” said Archdemon, “and to that end I have decided to start an opposing league of heroes.”\n\nZephyra laugh-coughed. “You? Archdemon? *Starting a hero team?!”*\n\n“Nobody else has my experience of heroes.”\n\n“You beat them up! And that’s no kind of answer either way! I don’t care whether you’d be *good* at it, which you wouldn’t, it’s just a nonsensical plan!”\n\nArchdemon looked up at the sky and made a fist. “Tormentor,” he said, apparently to the clouds, “we need a pick-up.”\n\n“Even if I accepted the premise, *which I don’t*,” Zephyra continued, “you can’t go around trying to kill people to test their performance. That’s mad.”\n\nArchdemon gave Zephyra a look. “I intend no offence, because you performed most admirably, but we wouldn’t be having this conversation if I’d been trying to kill you.”\n\n“Well that’s a hell of a thing to say to someone you—” Zephyra stopped. “Admirably? You think I fought admirably?”\n\n“Yes. You remind me of Thunder Woman when she premiered.”\n\n“Thunder Woman,” Zephyra breathed. She allowed herself a moment of self-congratulation, because villain or not, Archdemon was quite literally the only man on the planet to go up against Thunder Woman and win.\n\n“Much weaker and slower, but yes, your technique is very reminiscent of Thunder Woman’s.”\n\nAnd the moment died. “Thanks for the pep talk,” Zephyra said icily.\n\nAn airship appeared. It was an uncomfortable mix of blimp and flying saucer, giving the impression that someone had crashed the two together and then tried to weld what was left, and as it descended the huge door on its side opened. From within a blonde woman with goggles and a labcoat waved to Archdemon.\n\nWhile labcoats and goggles were universally popular among all mad scientists, Zephyra recognised this specific one: Tormentor. Skinny, extra mad, had a big quiff and a creepy robot eye.\n\nIn that case the airship was *definitely* a blimp that had collided with a flying saucer.\n\n“Are you serious about this hero team thing?” Zephyra asked in a low voice.\n\n“I am,” said Archdemon.\n\n“So you’ve turned over a new leaf.”\n\n“No. My stance is ‘I do whatever I want’ and that has never changed.”\n\n“That’s villain talk, alright.”\n\n“Glad we’re in agreement.” Archdemon rumbled from deep within his chest. That, at least, was a sound that fitted him. “The All-Star Eleven share that ideology, such as it is. They are nothing but villains with better PR.”\n\nThe airship hovered a few metres from the ground. A ramp lazily swung out from its base. Archdemon stepped onto it and lacking any better ideas... Zephyra followed him.\n\nTormentor met Archdemon inside, and the hero watched the two villains shake hands.\n\n“It’s been a while,” said Tormentor.\n\n“Yes,” said Archdemon. “I wasn’t sure you would come.”\n\n“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, you sexy freak.” Tormentor glanced at Zephyra, as if she was a mere afterthought to the day’s events. “So what’s her deal? Why’s she here?”\n\n“I punched her and she got right back up,” said Archdemon.\n\n“Fair.” Tormentor gave Zephyra a nod. “That’s… man. That’s actually really impressive.”\n\nZephyra looked around the vehicle as the villains saw to the take-off procedures. A transport, not a base: as huge and imposing as the balloon component was, the flying saucer undercarriage was only twenty feet across.\n\nThe walls were lined with what Zephyra could only think of as miscellaneous mad scientist junk. Beakers, books, papers… and a lot of weapons. Guns, swords, strange pole-arms with bobbles on the end. And a lot of unpleasant smells.\n\n“What happens if I want out?” Zephyra asked warily.\n\n“Then you can go,” said Archdemon. “If you want no part of this, I will let you leave. No questions asked. You can go home.”\n\n“And I should believe you? I should believe that you’ll let me go after all of this? After everything I’ve seen? Because no. I’m not onboard. Sorry.”\n\n“Tormentor, please open the door,” Archdemon asked, solemn and perhaps a tad sad.\n\nTormentor flipped a switch and the hatch slid open. The howling wind gratefully slipped inside, throwing around papers and rattling the contents of shelves.\n\nAnd Archdemon pushed Zephyra out of the airlock.\n\n“Dude,” said Tormentor, with a rare tone of disgust.\n\n“She will survive the fall. Effortlessly.”\n\n“Again, *really* not the point I’m making here.”\n\n“A hero team needs *volunteers*,” Archdemon said firmly. “If she does not want to be here, she does not need to be here.”\n\n“I really don’t get you, Archie,” said Tormentor, raising her voice against the wind as she hit the “close” button. “Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re actually dense or if you’re just pretending to—”\n\nThunder sounded in the distance… specifically from below. A backwards thunderstorm with the crash and reverberations coming from far beneath them.\n\nZephyra hit the deck with enough force to set the whole airship vibrating, a mirror to the rumbling below.\n\n“Okay wow.” Tormentor took a step back. “You jumped all the way up from…? We’re like a mile up in the… That’s… *damn*, kid. Just damn.”\n\n“I’m in,” Zephyra declared loudly. The door shut behind her and a few errant sheets of paper fell to the floor. “I just wanted to see what you’d do. Also: do not ever, ever do it again.”\n\nArchdemon smiled. Nobody could see behind his helmet, but they could tell. “Agreed.” \n\nZephyra patted his arm, cagily, and immediately cheered up when he didn’t try to throw her out the airlock again.\n\n “So what’s our next move?” Zephyra asked. “Who’s the next recruit you’re thinking of?”\n\nArchdemon approached the airship’s controls. “You’re aware that I have never lost a fight with a hero?”\n\n“Uh, duh? It’s sort of your thing. It’s why you’re a big deal, even now.”\n\n“Glad to hear it.” Archdemon tapped something into the console. “But I am not invulnerable. I have lost against *villains*. And anyone who can put me down, can help us.”\n\n“Sounds like suicide but whatever,” said Tormentor. “What else am I meant to do with my day. Sure. Let’s go hunt for the inhuman monster that can beat Archdemon.”\n\n“Yeah!” Zephyra exclaimed excitedly.\n\n“Oh, god,” muttered Tormentor. “*Neither of them* get sarcasm. This is my life now.”"
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[WP] For years people have noticed the suspiciously large numbers of empty mattress stores and suspected that they are a front for organized crime. The reality is far, far worse.
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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 parking lot at Sleep Well was empty – it usually was. Adam slowly nudged the front tires of his Miata over the speed bump moating La Fiat boulevard from the Sleep Well parking lot; he coasted through the lot, coming to a stop a few feet from the store’s entrance.\n\nThe Sleep Well off La Fiat, just like the rest of the locations in the city, looked like a traditional big-box mattress outlet: Blown-up stock mattress photos in the windows; discount signage propped up outside the entrance; and it gave off the, ‘how do these guys stay in business?’, vibe.\n\nAdam stepped out of his car into the sweltering summer heat, feeling the effects of the Miata’s AC instantly dissipate - a slight sweat forming on his neck just as he stepped under the awning the Sleep Well entrance. The glass that outlined the front of the store was ill-maintained and fogged over by grime; the front door held an off angle ‘open’ sign, and a bell rung as Adam pulled it open and stepped inside. A waft of new-furniture smell hit Adam as the door closed behind him, and a short balding man who was leaning against the till, looked up, and jovially welcomed him.\n\n“Hello!” the man called from the till. “What brings you in?”\n\nAdam, not interested in engaging in small-talk with the man, quickly responded, “Lookin’ for a mattress. Think I know what I’m lookin’ for though – thanks.”\n\nThe shop keeper, slumped back into his position at the till, nodding, watching Adam as he moved towards the various display models.\n\nThere was something that didn’t sit right with Adam as he aimlessly wandered into the grid of display products and towards the back of the store.\n\nOver the last number of months, a series of pieces written by the city’s most prominent investigative journalist, had exposed ties between Sleep Well outlets and the local chapter of Ark: a crime syndicate that had been found responsible for heinous acts of violence, and ran the majority of the narcotics trade on the west coast. Sleep Well outlets were, ostensibly, being used by Ark for the purpose of money laundering and as distribution centers for narcotics. Allegations of criminality hadn’t been proven but provided an explanation for the ‘how do these guys stay in business’ vibe.\n\nAfter 30 minutes of testing various display models, Adam found himself at the edge of the display products, at the back most part of the store. He noticed a vertical stack of mattresses leaning in the corner, that had been propped up, and cut vertically along the side with fill spilling out. He looked around, locating the shop keeper, who appeared to be absorbed in something on his phone. Curiously, he moved towards the stack of mattresses, half expecting for stacks of cash to be slotted inside the gutted mattress’. Wouldn’t that be fitting. Instead, the mattress’ held no surprises; the fill that was spilling out of them, trailed into what looked to be the back of house, through a cascading and opaque plastic curtain. Without having found what he was looking for, and not wanting to engage with the somewhat creepy shop keeper, Adam thought he might as well take a peek behind the curtain. For the sake of utility, and of course, curiosity. As Adam drew back the plastic curtain, he was hit by a wave of musty and organic scent. Several mattress’, some unique to what had been on display, were organized in a sprawling grid across the polished concrete floor. Not thinking much of it, Adam made his way towards the nearest mattress, and gently laid down on the leftmost edge. He laid there for a moment, staring up at the fluorescent lighting above. As he rolled from the very leftmost edge of the mattress towards the center, he felt something shift underneath him. He stopped. Pressing his hands down on the empty section of mattress next to him, he again felt something shift inside the mattress – sounds of crinkling plastic coming from where he pressed. With a twisting feeling in his stomach, Adam sat up and moved to the edge of the mattress. Lengthwise along the mattress, a stitched seam existed. Without thinking, Adam grabbed the Miata key out of his pocket and began slowly picking at the seam. Once through the seam, Adam reached inside the mattress. He stopped; feeling sweat start to bead through the pores on his neck; the twisting feeling in his stomach ratcheting further. As he withdrew his hand from the mattress, with it came a thick plastic bag. Inside it, severed limbs.\n\nAdam heard the plastic blinds behind him rustle. The shop keeper. Adam quickly turned, body-part bag in hand. The shop keeper stood near the blinds with a stone-cold look and a Glock in his right hand.\n\n“Don’t move, don’t say a word,” the shop keeper ordered calmly.\n\nAdam froze, like a deer in headlights, sitting on the edge of the mattress next to the bag of human remains that were spilling out of the mattress.\n\n“Turn around and slowly back towards me,” instructed the shop keeper.\n\nAdam stood up, turned, and backed towards the shop keeper. One. Two. Three - on the third step, Adam heard quick footsteps behind him and then everything went black.\n\n​\n\n\\~Traveler Crake"
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[WP] You have just discovered that the Vampire role playing group that you've been a part of for the last year is in fact a group of real vampires.
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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.*",
"Christine just thought they were really in character. Like, *really* in character.\n\nShe met the group over an app, and had been DMing for them for nearly a year before she figured it out. They had contacted her after she expressed interest in DMing a sort of Vampire the Masquerade home brew, and she had jumped at the chance.\n\nShe really should have figured it out sooner. They were always sipping something red out of fancy glasses. But, that was just to keep in character, right?\n\nBut the clues kept stacking up as the game went on. Henry knew a lot about medieval Europe, Grant was a whiz at strategies, and Katherine was really into having her character seduce marks before draining them dry.\n\nActually, that last one wasn't too out of the ordinary for humans either.\n\nThey always covered their mouths when they laughed, which Christine just figured was a cultural thing. What culture, she couldn't tell you. But all three of her party had slight indecipherable accents, so they obviously weren't from the area.\n\nThe three met her for the first time at her house, and smiled oddly at each other as she welcomed them in. They brought their own refreshments and always turned down her cooking, which kind of hurt.\n\nThey were her favorite kind of players, heavily getting into the role playing side of the game. It made for some great moments.\n\nKatherine flirted shamelessly with every moving thing, both over board and in game. Christine secretly had a massive crush on her.\n\nGrant's character had been a general before he was turned, and made intricate attack plans for every encounter before leading the party in.\n\nHenry's rogue usually tossed those plans out the window, and was an expert at attacking from the shadows.\n\nThe final straw, the clue that Christine needed to put together everything she ignored, happened during an otherwise unremarkable session.\n\nHenry's rogue Vicotr decided to steal Grant's fighter Alaric's share of the loot, and a spat broke out above board.\n\n\"You can't do that!\" Grant shouted, incensed.\n\n\"Watch me. I rolled a 24 with modifiers. Bet your perception can't beat that.\"\n\n\"Chris doesn't like player vs. player rolls.\" Katherine pointed out.\n\nChristine sighed. \"She's right. Besides, why would you steal from him? Y'all have been traveling together for a while, Victor knows he would be the first suspect. You'll have to give me a good, in character reason he thinks that he'd be able to get away with it before I let you try it.\"\n\nHenry looked Christine straight in the eyes and smiled. For some reason she couldn't look away. \"Come on, at least let me try.\" He wheedled.\n\nShe felt my resolve shake, and was about to agree when Katherine smacked him upside the head.\n\n\"No charming the DM, dickhead.\"\n\nChristine blinked heavily. \"W-what?\" Charming was a vampire ability in the game.\n\n\"You almost failed your wisdom save there, Christine.\" Katherine purred.\n\nShe smirked, and at the corner of her lips was a flash of something sharp and bone white.",
"\"I thought we were going to the blood bank?\" Drake said. He and Max stood under the broad awning of a small two-story office building. The awning provided enough shade for the two vampires to pull their hoodies down as they approached the door. A neon-red sign read \"Sharp Medical Services\" in the window. Max nodded as he held open the heavy glass door for Drake.\n\n\"We are, but we need to register you first before you're eligible for blood. And...,\" He winked at Drake as he walked into the white, sterile lobby. \"...if you register here instead of at the blood bank, you get a node.\"\n\n\"Cool,\" Drake grinned. He couldn't believe how much his life changed for the better thanks to a small mix-up. He considered Max the best roommate he'd ever had up until last night. They almost never saw each other, except for game nights once a month. The common areas were kept clean by both of them and his share of expenses were always paid on time. It was the perfect situation for a vampire to keep to themselves. He didn't question his luck but it all made sense once he learned Max was a vampire too.\n\nDrake had been subsisting on cow blood thanks to a friend at the slaughterhouse; but, somehow Max had access to human blood regularly. Sharp Medical Services seemed to be the provider. His best roommate became his best friend over-night [once both secrets were out](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/hr0cv2/wp_your_roommate_always_keeps_a_thermos_with_him/). Though, it did leave Drake wondering. Who else was a vampire that he didn't know about? The thing he appreciated most about Max was that he never judged Drake for any of his questions once they started talking about vampire life. Drake discovered that in his weakened state, he had been missing out on many of the perks that come with being undead.\n\n\"What's a node?\" he asked.\n\n\"A ticket to the best entertainment you'll ever have,\" Max said as they approached the main desk. A pale, dark-haired woman sat behind a glass window; her white nametag read:[Ambrosia](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/hpus9y/wp_you_are_a_vampire_working_at_a_blood_bank/), in red letters.\n\n\"May I help you?\" Ambrosia sat up straighter in her seat. Despite knowing why they were there, Drake flinched when Max spoke up.\n\n\"Drake here's a vampire. He needs blood and a node, please,\" Max smiled. Ambrosia nodded and whirled around in her chair to grab several forms. She added a clipboard and pen, then handed it to Drake.\n\n\"No problem, just fill these out,\" she smiled. The pair of friends retreated to a row of white plastic seats and Drake got to work filling in the information. He paused at the top of the third page, then looked at Max.\n\n\"How do I know what race of vampire I am?\" he asked.\n\n\"Huh?\" Max glanced down at the sheet, then chuckled and shook his head.\n\n\"Nah, you finished the vampire stuff; that's,\".. he tapped the sheet. \"... for your node. You don't have to fill it out yet, we can make your AlterNet character later if you want.\"\n\n\"Make my character?\" Drake tilted his head. \"Like... in an rpg? Can I use the one from our campaign?\"\n\n\"Wow!\" Max's eyes widened. \"I kind of forgot about that; I set up a reminder for a few days before the game. Man, the guys are gonna be jazzed you're a vampire too. But nah,\" he shook his head. \"The AlterNet is a little bit more D&D than Vampire. Uh..,\" Max reached over and flipped the sheet over to look at the next one, then he nodded again. \"Yeah, here are your options. [25 races](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/hx9fx6/pineapple_cup_call_for_skills_and_specs/) and [25 classes](https://www.reddit.com/r/Hugoverse/comments/hx9h2k/pineapple_cup_call_for_skills_and_specs_part_2/).\" Drake glanced at the list for a moment, then looked back up at Max.\n\n\"Wait, the group is vampires too?\"\n\n\"All except Josh. He's a werewolf.”\n\n \n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is year three, story #211. 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."
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[WP] You are a crash-test mannequin in the Toy Story Universe. You feel everything but have to act like a mannequin when the scientists are around, one day you decide you are going to break the family tradition and go off to another 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.*",
"**BOOM** \n\n\nThe car hit the wall. The last crash test was complete. The airbag deployed fine, the car shattered as it should, but the seat belt didn't lock in place. And so the human would have been killed, most likely torn in half by the belt, then the top half blown to the rear drivers side passenger seat. The only reason I know: I was the crash test dummy. And now I was in pieces in the car. \n\n\nThe safety and cleaning people rushed in while the techies reviewed what went wrong. And I had to sit there like a good crash test dummy. Wonderful. After cleaning up, they brought me to the back, and glued me together because hey, we don't grow on trees. We are manufactured and sold, and my type is pretty expensive since we look like real people. But let me tell you one thing. Being a crash test dummy sucks. It hurts, it's unforgiving, and, unlike a toy, I don't get played with gently. I envy toys. And I think this was my last straw. \n\n\nAll these years of slow torture have broken me; physically, emotionally and mentally. This dummy is out. I tried telling the others after hours, but they just looked at me funny and told me I should just stay and continue performing my functions. Those jerks. They don't get what being the favorite dummy means. So. After hours, and after I was sure the glue bonded to my plastic properly, I made my way to the large door. I didn't care if any humans saw me leave. Which surprisingly, none did. You'd think at such a high-tech facility, they'd have more cameras. Must have been their oversight. Whatever. I'm gone. \n\n\nI walk off the lot, through a fence, and along the road to the town about eight miles away. It was a long walk, but well worth it. There, I saw stores. Fancy boutiques, little ma and pa shops, and even an antique store. I saw the mannequins stare at me as I walked by. Some covered their eyes. Others hid. Whatever. I hid myself around back, and waited til sun up. It wasn't too far off, maybe a few hours. Then the sun came up, and let me tell you, it was the prettiest sunrise I have ever seen. For once, I was not dreading the day. I sat at the back of the store, listening as the sleepy town woke up and began its daily function. \n\n\nAt around what I would guess was ten, an old guy who smelled like beer and body odor came by. He was mumbling to himself. He stared at me and started making gestures that were very...inappropriate. He then dragged me off. He owns me now, and calls me his girl. But I don't like the way he plays. In fact, I now regret leaving the facility."
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[WP] You’ve had a reoccurring dream that you’re walking down a dark tunnel. One night, you reach the end and there’s a door. When you go though, you find that you’ve just exited a closet. You feel like you’re awake...
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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 are now accepting passengers in zone four. Zone four, right this way please.” Said the young stewardess over the speaker system.\n\nHe could remember his last flight all to well. He despised flying, he found often found himself too uncomfortable to sleep but some how too nauseous to read or watch anything. He now found himself on a fourteen hour flight, however this time he was armed with a bottle of Doxylamine. He took a pill and had a sip of water before joining the passengers of zone 4 in line.\n\nHe was off to Japan at the company’s expense. He was to spend three days doing software training with the first session being four hours after he landed. The only flight the secretary could book was red eye, so he figured that he would have to spend the entire flight asleep. \n\nAfter take off he found himself stirring. He took another pill, and washed it down with a glass of wine which he would later expense to the company. He opened up his laptop and went through the slides of his presentation, whispering the words he had planned to say. He looked at his watch to discover that two hours had passed, and he still was not asleep. He chimed the stewardess for another glass of wine, and sure enough he paired it with yet another pill of Doxylamine. He packed up his laptop in his satchel and stowed it away in the overhead compartment. The moment his palms touched hit the arm rest, his eyelids closed. Sleep greeted him like an old friend.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThe scent of damp earth filled his nostrils and the sound of water trickling down from rocks prickled him into awareness. The tunnel was narrow at its width, and a jagged stalactites were suspended overhead. The tunnel walls were cool to the touch and he could feel wet grains of sand working their way into the webbing of his toes.\n\n“I’ve been here before.” He whispered.\n\nThe air felt thin, and damp. He stepped forward cautiously with his target being a thin strip of light ahead of him. The air became thinner as he advanced, and he could feel himself beginning to drift. His steps became more reckless, and finally he fell forward, hitting the ground hard. The feeling of weightlessness however did not wake him this time, and the fall did not hurt him nearly as much as it should’ve. He reached for jagged hold on the tunnel wall. His nails dug into the crease as he pulled his weight up. Just a few steps more and finally he had enough light to figure out where he was. He stood in front of a door. Light was leaking out of a crack between the door and floor of the tunnel.\n\nHe reached for the handle and pulled. Was it locked? No, the resistance felt more pliable. This time with both hands he pulled down, he could feel the handle turn half way but the strength of his arms was not enough. He squatted down and sunk his weight to help pull it open. Finally it came undone and the door swung open.\n\n“What are you doing?!” A young voice whispered nervously. “They’re going to see you!”"
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[WP] A time traveler races through all the annuals of history to find five individual characters from different era's -a samurai, a viking, a female pharaoh, a 17th century magician and a 40s American detective -to save the world. Each is essential to the mission. None of them know what's going on.
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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.*",
"OSAKA, 1644 AD\n\nThe wind drifted through the grass beneath the lazy midday sun. Blossoms leapt and danced between two men, facing each other across a vast expanse. The hems of the hitatare they both wore flapped against the breeze. Wide-brimmed straw hats darkened their faces, concealing their eyes. Both rested their hand on the hilt of their katanas, ready to draw.\n\nOn that day, at that moment, a decade long feud built upon honour, duty, and family would come to a head, and end with blood on the grass.\n\nThe Samurai in white slid his blade out of its sheath with a nudge from his thumb. His opponent in black stood still, as though frozen in time. \n\nA flash of white light. The White Samurai released his katana to shield his eyes.\n\n'Sorry to interrupt, old bean, but I rather need your help.'\n\n*\n\nISLE OF SKYE, 799 AD\n\nThe axe plummeted downwards and split the man's skull in two. A fountain of blood plumed outwards, drenching the man's killer, a broad-chested giant of a man with a face so coated in mud, shit and blood that his eyes stood out like two stars at sunset.\n\nAround him, the sounds of battle were deafening. A thousand men locked in battle to the death, their blood soaking into the sand beneath their feet. The taste of the sea-breeze was lost amongst the tang of copper and human waste.\n\nThe giant turned. Something struck his face - a maul or a shield, or something - and he fell to his feet. He was dazed, skull cracked and head throbbing. He waited for the inevitable sword through the back to send him to Valhalla.\n\nBut it never came. The sounds of battle died away. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder.\n\n*\n\nMEMPHIS, EGYPT 116 BC\n\nShe looked out across her subjects. The throne she sat upon was encrusted with jewels, taller than some buildings she had seen, a statement to the people: I am your Pharaoh now.\n\nAnd yet, she had never felt less like a queen. The people would look to her for guidance, for justice, for answers. And she had none to offer.\n\nWhat she would have given for the world to swallow her up.\n\nA man stood amongst the crowd. He seemed strange to her, and wore curious clothes that were anything but Egyptian. A long, black coat and an odd, black hat atop his head.\n\nShe was so enraptured by the man it took her a moment to realise the entire room had fallen silent. Entirely still.\n\n'Your highness,' the man said, stepping forward. 'If I might be so bold?'\n\n*\n\nLONDON, 1743 AD\n\nShe stood in darkness, waiting for the casket to open. *He* was outside, soaking up the glory, hamming up *her* act. If only they knew. The crowds flocked to see that grinning charlatan, but it was her magic they witnessed. Her genius.\n\nWhen the casket opened, she would stumble out, suddenly on the opposite side of the stage. What *magic* they would gasp. The Great Atempi surely is a wizard!\n\nWhat an *zounderkite*.\n\nThe crowd was silent. Too silent, for too long. What had he mucked up now? \n\nShe waited for five minutes before allowing herself to panic. Had he done something to get himself chucked out by the theatre porters? Forgotten to tell them she was still in the bloody casket?\n\nIt wouldn't be long before she ran out of air. He'd actually gone and done it. He'd managed to kill her.\n\n'I'm going to die in here,' she whispered to herself.\n\n'Not quite,' came the reply.\n\n*\n\nBOSTON, 1949 AD\n\nHe gripped onto the roof edge with his bloody, throbbing fingers. Beneath him, the lights of the city flickered, waiting to swallow him up.\n\n*How in God's name did I get here?* He thought to himself.\n\nWhat he wouldn't give to be back in his office, halfway through a bottle of scotch, not suspended a hundred damn metres in the air because he'd been too damn curious and pig headed to stay out of the Mafia's way.\n\nHis mother had always said he was like a cat. Too curious. In a morbid way, he was curious to see if he could stick the landing.\n\nDoubtful.\n\nHe waited for the leering face of Don Regio to come peering over the building's edge. But the mafioso didn't appear. In his place was a different man, with kind, mysterious eyes which seemed far older than the rest of his face beneath a black, porkpie hat.\n\n'Need a hand?' The man asked.\n\n'What gave it away?'"
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[WP] She was the Eternal Empress of the world, unchallenged in might until the Jester Gods grew bored and in their whimsy swept away all creation to start again. Prepared against all eventualities she survived and slept and now awakes in our world having lost everything she once held dear.
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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 dark, and humanity was young again. Wiped from existence, they returned, child-like and fumbling. Everything had changed, the cards shuffled by the cruel hands of the gods. Beasts roamed the lands, powerful and alien, dragged from what was once the depths of the sea.\n\nAs humanity struggled to gain its footing in this strange new world, the Empress stirred from her long, long rest. She awoke, sluggish, and stayed like that for a great many years. Then, She remembered. Everything was gone, and She was the last remaining relic of the Old World, surviving in spite of the gods. She remembered, and in Her fury, She clawed Her way out of the earth.\n\nThen, She towered, an ancient god on Earth, above the new children of the universe, fresh and foolish, banging stones together, having long forgotten the lessons learned by sweat and tears and blood. Her claws dug into the soft ground, making the very mountains tremble in fear. She stretched Her neck out, feeling each muscle straining from disuse and atrophy, and She craned her head to look down at how the world has changed.\n\nStill, after a millennia, the gods have not managed to conjure anything rivalling Her might. She was the Eternal Empress, the First and the Last, the Challenger of Gods. The canyons She had dug, in Her long-past rampages, endured past the reshuffling of the world. Humanity, soft and weak once again, trembled in awe of Her might, just as they always had.\n\nBut it wasn't the same. Long ago, they had had a fear of Her ingrained into their very existence, and they would panic at the mere speaking of Her name.\n\nIt reminded Her that everything had changed, that She had lost the only thing that truly connected Her to the passage of time. Without humanity to react and speak and talk to Her, it felt like nothing ever changed. Without all that She had made and cultivated, She felt empty.\n\nAnd now that She felt empty, She felt very, very tired, once again. She clawed a new cavern into the bleeding earth, and she returned to her long rest."
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[WP] you spent years planning a heist on the world's most protected bank but on the day of the heist you see another team going for the same bank.
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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 me and my little gang of thieves are quite infamous, in a good way i suppose. We have executed heists where we use quite unorthodox methods of breaking in and, without anyone noticing, stealing the cash right in front of the public’s nose, this is thanks to my very well timed plots and schemes. Anyway, the crew is made of four men. Me, the brains who do most of the dirty work when it comes to planning out the heists and my hands and ears have been prepered for lockpicking safes since my childhood. Then we have Harry, explosives expert, if there is a thing he doesn’t know how to blow up, well then it ain’t worth blowing up, and thhen there is we have Rocky, well his name is apperently Rikki Kekkonen but we just call him Rocky, a Finnish guy in maybe his mid 40’s, who is quite good at the more technological stuff, and getaway driver, and finally we have Joseph, my right hand man, does almost whatever i tell him to. Now onto the actual heist, my plan was to rob the newest most secure place ever, the sums of the outcome would make us so rich we could most likely buy half the artwork in the Louvre, the place i am talking about is the Swiss national bank, they had gotten a new vault installed, the one type of vault only the 1% of the 1% of the top thieves in the world could break, the vault was made by the famous company Franz jawger, ths model was named:\n\n”Franz jaeger type: 10-15-8-14\n\nIt just so happens that i am one of the few who knows every Franz Jaeger vault and safe version as of date.\n\nFor the hiest we had prepered the fallowing things: 238 ballons, a briefcase woeghing in at an exact 1.9 kg when empty, a very loud rubber ducky, gloves, scopes, flour, getaway car. A slingshot, about 20 strong rubber bands, a bunch of bakery produce and cake, a dinner serving cart. 20 4sided dice. A usb flash drive with a 20gb of a lot of different text documents in a very extremely large web of files\n\nThe time for the heist was set to 13;29 exactly, and that is when i saw the thing that made me call off the heist, another well know gang in the criminal underworld, the rival gang-leader had just sat themselves into a car with a fat business man, even though the car windows where mostly blackened one could never forget that bowler hat... my plans where just ruined, the man who had defeated my gang by doing a heist here first was none other then ... EGON OLSEN!"
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[WP] You always knew you were going to Hell as a lying, thieving bastard, but what you were expecting was roiling flames and eternal suffering. What awaited was a cold, frozen wasteland like none other, a frost so terrible it bit into your very essence.
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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 so cold\n\n Every night is spent holding against my own body for warmth, every day I wandered this frozen hell, pondering on my every action and regretting my every word spoken I would cry but they are frozen to my eyes, tiny specks of flickering ice stabbing away without mercy, perhaps one day they will give me the mercy of being blind. \n I look for food but there is none, the sun does not shine here for nothing shines here just an endless cold mass that consumes everything it touches and hides away all the good in the world around you. \n My blood is frozen, I can feel it chipping away akin to a million frozen knives each vying it's way to get out of skin, to escape me as if I were its prison my skin moves at night and I know it is not just some feeling I have. \n My Body hates me, it rots away slowly, turning black like my soul, black like the darkness around me, I move like a robot, maybe because of my frozen heart or maybe it was because I was slowly wasting away, losing my ability to move like a human, to move with some form of dignity. \n My organs are rotting, the chunks of flesh rotting its way into my stomach are the only nutrients I have been given, I want to scream but I no longer have a throat to scream, I want to cry but my tears are frozen. \n Praying is useless, for the gods hate me, they have hated and they will hate me, it is better for me to simply dissolve, to turn akin to a wasting sack of flesh until there is nothing left to waste way, I think I am blind, perhaps it is just this darkness closing in on me, I will never know. \n I am dead, my body is gone, atleast I think it is because I can no longer move, the ice in my blood has slithered away my skin has become the darkness around me and flesh has rotted away. I am awake, I wish to not think so badly but I can only think, why can't I die?"
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[WP] Everyone is born with a unique tattoo on their wrist, and every time you fall in love with someone, their tattoo appears somewhere on your body.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"I'd been dreading this day for over a year now. I knew it was only a matter of time until it happened, despite all of my efforts. \n\nI'd woken up early on a Saturday morning, unable to sleep in due to the blazing sun pouring in through my second story window. I rolled over to see Shayla sleeping soundly, sprawled haphazardly across the bed. I noticed she'd fallen asleep wearing her ring, the thin silver band adorning her finger, the too expensive diamond sparkling in the protrusive sun. She'd been ecstatic when I'd proposed the weekend before. I'd hoped her reaction would change my feelings - would make me fall in love with her as I'd been trying so desperately to do for so long - but instead her smiles and tears just filled me with heart-wrenching guilt. \n\nI walked groggily to my bathroom and splashed water in my face. When I looked up into the mirror, my worst nightmare stared back at me. \n\nA delicate spiral was displayed on my cheek. The line was thick on the outer edge, and gradually got thinner as the spiral continued inward. I remembered thinking that this unique design was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen, and I was shocked at intensity at which I despised it now. \n\nAs I stared at this abomination on my face, my mind raced into the vivid memories associated with this emblem. I'd seen it on his wrist as he'd shook my hand for the first time almost two years ago. I can't remember how I was able to break eye contact with him to even notice his Symbol. His smile seemed to radiate sunlight. He'd brushed his sandy blonde hair out of his face to reveal dark green eyes. The intensity of them terrified and mesmerized me. He drew me in with his gaze and I felt as if I were drowning in the depth of it. The vulnerability and fear I'd felt had not been enough to look away. I'd only snapped back to reality when he introduced himself. Shakily, I responded. \"Nice to meet you Charlie, I'll show you to the room you'll be renting\".\n\nThe time that followed was both excruciating and incredible. He was the most amazing person I'd ever met. We shared everything about our lives with each other. I'd never felt this way with anyone - not even Shayla. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when he began dating Jessica. I was as supportive as I could manage to be. I had welcomed her into our loft when she visited, went on a couples' vacations with them, and watched as Charlie proposed to her last month. I shouldn't have been surprised, I knew he loved Jessica, and as far as he knew I was straight and loved Shayla. My stomach had dropped and I'd felt my face flush with a mix of anger and embarrassment. With a smile that was agonizing to force, I'd agreed to be Charlie's best man for their wedding this weekend. \n\nI grabbed Shaya's concealer sitting on the edge of the sink, my hands shaking so hard I could barely manage to unscrew the cap. I smeared the cold liquid over Charlie's Symbol and felt a stab of disappointment as the spiral peered through. There was no way to hide it. The rehearsal dinner was in seven hours and I couldn't breathe. I heard the bed creak in the background as Shayla woke up. How could I explain this to her? I'd been praying for her Symbol to show up on my body, standing naked in front of the mirror every morning frantically searching everywhere for the tiny encircled star shape that matched the one on her wrist. She'd been waiting for it too. My own asymmetrical hexagon had appeared on the back of her right shoulder two months after our first date. We stayed up late so many nights discussing it, her disappointment palpable as I tried to explain that it must just be difficult for me to fall in love. I promised her it would happen. I really thought it would now that we were engaged and were planning a future together.\n\nI'd been staring in the mirror for longer than I'd thought. Before I knew it, Shayla's reflection appeared by the side of mine. For a split second, her eyes lit up, as she undoubtedly mistook Charlie's Symbol for her own. I could see her processing reality as her face dropped. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized that I could never feel for her the way she felt for me, that I was in love with my best friend."
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[WP]As I kneel before her with my face on the ground, and my eyes full of tears, I want to scream. To the top of my lungs. Towards the heavens. For my plea of mercy to reach the gods. But I can’t scream. I simply can’t. Her cold black eyes. Her piercing gaze. I feel 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.*",
"She’s dead. She’s finally dead.\n\nHe froze for a second, unable to process what happened. Staring at cold, paralysed death as if it was in his debt. His face morphed and twisted, eyebrows bunching upwards and mouth into an ugly shape. Tears came next, welling up in his sockets, not even trying to hold the tears in.\n\nHe bent down slowly, shivering, dropping the revolver beside her. His knees giving out, smashing the dusty concrete down below. His body shook like inmates on the chair, straining his head on the ground, his hands clawing at it like a caged rabid animal. \n\nThe scratches of his nails breaking against the floor echoed the room. There was no other sound, no whimpers, no moans, no screams. Just the scratches that were soon muted by the blood that came with the pain. \n\nHe sat on his heels, hands in his hair once more, pulling and grabbing at it. His tear filled eyes touched momentarily with hers. Dead, cold, but so alive at the same time. His mouth drags open as his head leaned back, looking to the gods for their presence, looking for anything’s presence. \n\nAnd then he stopped. His mouth closed, his hands relaxed and soft, his body fluid and smooth. He let out a sigh. Short, careless, and lonely.\n\nHe wasn’t crying for her. Those weren’t tears of sadness. Those tears, were not for her. \n\nThey were anger. They were frustration. They were the result of years of torment and decades of suffering. They were death themselves. Every single drop, where death comes and goes within this man’s life. \n\nHe picked up his revolver, dragging it along the concrete as it it weighed a ton. He pulled himself to his feet, all while keeping his glare at this corpse.\n\nHe lifted the barrel, placed it next to his temple. He paused. His mouth opened and closed. The edges started to rise, his teeth baring themselves. His eyes insane, his mouth grinning wide open. \n\nHe swung the revolver around, letting loose shots upon shots at the cold woman, jumping a bit every time a shot hits her. It flashes every time he pulls the trigger, leaving behind polaroids of hatred and detest. Lifted the gun, taking the cylinder out and swapping in new rounds as swiftly as an executioners swing. And then the shots kept on.\n\nAfter the bullets are gone, the clicking continued. His hand began to shake, his grin disappearing into gritted teeth. \n\nHe thrown the revolver at her body weakly and emptily. Hopped on top of her, and unloading the rest of his shame through his fists onto her face. \n\nOnly then can he scream. It was a sad scream, constantly breaking tone and scrambling into a wail as his punches grew weaker.\n\nThe screaming stopped as he bit on his lip, focusing himself in the act. Sound of flesh and bones squishing and pounding filled the concrete basement.\n\n“You don’t fucking die until I fucking say so, mother.”",
"All there was to do in her presence was kneel and place my head on the ground and submit.\n\nBut I could feel the urge clawing inside my throat: I wanted to scream. My throat contracted painfully and a small whimper escaped my lips. It was a pathetic display but her very presence felt like a thick coating of some indescribable viscous that weighed me down and controlled what I could do. \n\nMy screams were muted by her. She was in my head and on my skin. I felt like she was sinking into my pores. \n\nAll of a sudden it became too much and my heart began to beat erratically and my mind could only think of mercy. I wanted to scream for mercy. I wanted to throw my head up and scream mercy into the heavens until god would hear my plea. I wanted scream mercy until my voice was hoarse and broken. I wanted to scream mercy until there was no more air left for my lungs to take in. \n\nBut when I inexplicably moved to an upright kneeling position I could see into her eyes. They were physically void of all colour and light, two voids that sunk far further back than the width of her head. She looked like the inexplainable viscous. To focus on her looks would be impossible because all I could see was she and voids and viscous. \n\nMy mouth opened to beg but no words came out. The voids pierced me and took me in as if they could see each strand of DNA that made me whole.\n\nI feel it everywhere here. In the air, the stone, the water and in me. It’s a maddening infectiousness and it lets me understand. She morphed everything around her and made it an extension of herself. She is not human.\n\nMy hand reach up to desperately claw at my throat. I needed to scream. I needed a release. I needed to hear something I could understand. But when my hands violently pawed at my face I had a sickening realisation. \n\nI have no mouth and I must scream."
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[WP] The spaceship containing Kal-El, the last son of Kripton, crash landed in feudal Japan, there he was raised by a humble family until his strength and speed got to the attention of a noble warrior who trained him in the ways of the samurai and the bushido.
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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 have trained well Kal-El. But you've always held back. I may have won many of our battles. Yet you let me win, haven't you?\" Genji spoke to the young male. His strength and speed were always barely above everyone else's. No matter how much they trained. He only practiced his forms. Never strength training. Never speed training. He always one step ahead of everyone else. \n\n\"Do you want the truth or the answer you're wanting to hear, Genji?\" Kal-el spoke to the older gentleman. The head warrior that has trained him for years now. \"I see every single move before you even make it. The slightest twitch in your muscles, the grip on your handle shifting. The instant your gaze moves to your target I have already seen the counter.\" \n\nGenji smiled and walked circles slowly around Kal-el, smiling as he understood what he said. \"No matter the training, you've never been winded. No matter the difficulty of the weight, you don't strain. You fake it well.\" The thoughts ran through Genjis mind as he recalled the way Kal-el was always in control. \n\n\"How fast can you go? How strong are you? Have I ever actually hit you? There are so many questions that will give the same answer Kal-el. It is amazing and disappointing to know that I have never bested you.\"\n\n\"I meant no disrespect, Genji. I am faster than any eye can see. Stronger than I am able to test with our current means. You've never hit me in our 12 years of training without my knowing and allowance. The first time I was worried the blade would hurt. But as the blade made contact with my skin I would shift so that the armor would tear away. Knowing the blade would break if I hadn't.\" \n\n\"Good, this is what I needed to hear. There is a man down in the Ryuku Islands. He has bested everyone so far including myself. He has a blace that he made himself. It is not of any ore I have seen. It glows green in the night and his moves are swift. Are you ready?\" \n\n----\nIt's a poor story but thats what I got. :( I tried\n----"
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[WP] A society fascinated with the concept of numbers appearing overhead, incredibly, wakes up one morning to find a number over their heads. No significance, it's just a random number.
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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 a long and confusing day so far, and it was only ten o'clock. John Torres and his wife Rachel sat in a small coffee shop, slowly sipping at their drinks while nibbling on bagels as they pondered the mysterious numbers that had appeared over the head of every single human being on Earth approximately three hours earlier.\n\n\"Share price of the stock for which you own the most shares?\"\n\nJohn grumbled under his breath and pulled out his phone. After swiping at the screen a few times to check his stocks, he shook his head.\n\n\"The population of your home town divided by the number of letters in your father's middle name?\"\n\nJohn grumbled again, unlocked his phone to look up the answer, then stopped and glanced up at his wife. Rachel was smirking slightly. Most people wouldn't be able to tell that she was amused, but most people hadn't been married to her for twenty wonderful years.\n\n\"*Funny*,\" John said as he rolled his eyes. \"You're really reaching there.\"\n\nRachel's expression shifted from amusement to frustration. \"Well, aren't you curious?\" she asked. \"Numbers appeared over everyone's heads overnight, without any explanation! What could they possibly mean? Hmm, maybe, could it be a constant multiplied by... the population of... but no, that would be too high... how do I account for the zeroes we've seen?\"\n\nAnd she was gone, mumbling under her breath as she tried equation after equation, none of which would work. John sighed. He supposed he deserved this. He was the one who had married a statistician.\n\nHis gaze drifted upwards, past his wife's eyes which were staring off into the middle distance, past her gorgeous red hair, up to the glowing number hanging in the air above her head.\n\n*24*.\n\n\"...Number of months until you die?\" Rachel mumbled. John felt a chill go down his spine at the thought. 24 months? Two years? They had been married for twenty years and he looked forward to at least thirty more.\n\nThen he remembered something.\n\n\"Honey, how many years is a thousand months?\"\n\nThe muttering stopped as Rachel's eyes met his own. \"Eighty-three years and three months. Why?\"\n\n\"Remember the old man we saw with ten-ninety-four over his head?\"\n\nShe frowned. \"Months since birth?\"\n\n\"Happy second birthday, miss twenty-four! Do you need your diaper changed?\"\n\nShe glared at him. Now it was his turn to smirk.\n\nFinally, she sighed. \"This is useless. I need thousands of people from all possible demographic ranges and I need surveys and--\"\n\n\"You have none of those things right now.\"\n\n\"I *know*!\" she threw her hands up in the air. \"All I have is anecdotal evidence and you know what I always say about that!\"\n\n\"It's bullshit?\"\n\nShe glared at him, but he could see the very corner of her mouth twitching. He grinned. She picked up her coffee and tried to take a sip, but ended up snorting into it when he stuck his tongue out at her. She laughed as she wiped her face off with a napkin.\n\n\"Come on, we've been here for an hour already,\" he said once she had cleaned up the spilled coffee. \"Let's go outside and watch people lose their minds trying to figure out this thing.\"\n\nRachel smiled back. \"I suppose someone else will probably figure it out long before I do,\" she sighed. \"Sure, let's get going.\"\n\nJohn stood with a groan, his spine cracking quietly. Rachel's eyes flicked up to the *648* above his head.\n\n\"What--\"\n\n\"Could've been counting joint cracks. But it didn't increase that time either.\"\n\n\"You are weird.\"\n\n\"*You're* the one who married me.\""
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[WP]You are Batman with Wolverines powers.
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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 Bruce Wayne was born, there was no question of him being a mutant. Neither Thomas nor Martha Wayne had any history of that in their families; or if they did, neither one was admitting to it. And as the infant had perfectly normal skin, as well as the correct number of fingers, toes, eyes, and so forth, the idea never crossed anyone's mind. Bruce Wayne was a normal little boy in a normal (albeit very well-off) family.\n\nThis remained the case for eleven years, three months and nine days.\n\nOne evening, when young Bruce was eleven years, three months and ten days old, his parents took him to the movies to see *The Mask of Zorro*. They wouldn't normally have gone, but this was a special occasion of a sort. Bruce, normally an exceedingly healthy young man, had taken ill with what Thomas (secure in his skills as a doctor) had diagnosed as a particularly nasty stomach bug. Bruce had spent eight days running a temperature, throwing up, and otherwise barely able to move due to his aching joints, especially his elbows and wrists.\n\nThe fact that this coincided with the first signs of puberty in the young lad went unremarked by everyone, even those who knew that puberty was usually when mutant powers manifested themselves for the first time.\n\nOn the ninth day, he had gotten out of bed himself and taken a shower. When his parents went to his room to check on him, they found the sheets changed and the bed neatly made. Downstairs, when they got that far, they discovered Bruce sitting at the breakfast table with Alfred cooking a carefully balanced morning meal for him.\n\nBruce said he was still feeling a bit weak that day, but on the next morning, he declared he was back to normal. In celebration, his mother suggested that they do something fun together. The *Mask of Zorro* was playing at the movie theatre in town, and so they made plans to go.\n\nWhat happened next was not the fault of any one person.\n\nThomas and Martha had fond memories of the old Odeon theatre, for that was where they would sneak off to the movies without either of their parents' knowing, back when they were first dating. Gotham City had gone more than a little downhill since those days, and the local neighbourhood was now somewhat less than salubrious.\n\nBruce wasn't quite as over the bout of illness as he had told his parents. He was still having bursts of cramping in his hands and wrists, but he didn't want to sound like a whiny crybaby so he was trying to ignore it until it went away. Besides, he really did want to see the movie. Zorro was cool.\n\nWhen they got there, they found that there was no parking directly outside the movie theatre. They had the choice of parking the car in a narrow, grimy street on one side of the block, or a wide, well-lit parking lot on the other. The parking lot was most easily accessible via an alley that ran between two buildings. It was still light out, and the alley was empty. There wasn't even much garbage. It didn't look in the least bit threatening.\n\nSo, with Martha's assent, Thomas parked the car in the parking lot (Alfred was taking a well-deserved day off) and they strolled through the alleyway to the movie theatre. Nothing happened, of course. There were no problems at all.\n\nThe problems started when the movie was only half over. The cramps in Bruce's hands, already problematic, magnified to the point that he was unable to hold himself back from whimpering in pain. When his mother looked down at him, his hands were curled like claws in his lap, and his face was shiny with sweat. She drew Thomas' attention to this, and all interest in the movie ended then and there. They had to get their little boy home and safe immediately.\n\nNormally, that alleyway was entirely safe to traverse, so long as it was during the theatre rush. But they weren't with the rush. They were on their own, paying more attention to Bruce as he stumbled along than on what was around them. In fact, Thomas had just scooped Bruce into his arms so they would make better progress when it happened. A voice, roughened by life on the streets and a thousand unregretted vices, spoke to them. It was backed by the sound that anyone over the age of five knew; a revolver's hammer being drawn back.\n\n\"Hey. You. Wallet, watch, purse. Now.\"\n\nA shambling figure, made anonymous in the dark, moved toward them. The dim illumination of a distant streetlight glinted off steel. They could see enough to know that it wasn't a bluff.\n\n\"Okay,\" said Thomas, knowing that everything he was wearing at that moment could be replaced with ease. \"Okay. We can do this. I have five hundred in my wallet, sir--\"\n\nThe mugger wasn't listening. He'd seen the glistening pearls Martha had around her neck. A present from Thomas for their tenth wedding anniversary, she'd worn them everywhere she went. Now she was regretting the impulse.\n\n\"I'll have those too,\" he said roughly, stepping forward and grabbing the rope of pearls. One rough yank, and he expected the clasp to part. Any back-alley jeweller could fix it, and he'd get a hundred for them, easy. But the necklace was sturdy, the clasp as rugged as the rest of the necklace. Martha gasped and stumbled forward at the unexpected tug. Without even realising it, she put out her hands in front of her as she lost her balance.\n\nThe mugger thought she was trying to grab the pistol. Swinging the short-barrelled firearm from the guy carrying the kid to the dame, he fired without even thinking. The heavy round punched in through her breastbone and out through her back, the hydrostatic shock doing almost as much catastrophic damage to her heart and lungs as the piece of lead itself did. The cords holding the pearls snapped and the tiny white spheres sprayed in all directions as she fell, as limp and lifeless as a puppet with similarly severed strings.\n\n\"MARTHA!\" bellowed Thomas, shocked and stunned by the fact that his wife had been shot to death not three feet from him. He began to turn, to throw Bruce off to the side to safety, but the movement was all it took. The pistol barrel was short and accuracy minimal, but that didn't matter; at a range of two feet, even a blind man would have had a better than average chance of hitting his target. And while the mugger wasn't in the peak of health, and his eyesight wasn't twenty-twenty--not many people get regular visits to their optometrist when living a gun-to-mouth life on the street--he could see well enough.\n\nThe first shot caught Thomas Wayne in the lower abdomen. It only hit meat, no bone, so it was a through-and-through. The next one, about a third of a second later, punched in through Bruce's back, destroyed one of his kidneys and damaged sundry other organs, and came out through his chest, where it proceeded to enter his father's chest wall and puncture a lung before lodging in his spinal vertebrae. Thomas twisted as the bullets turned his abdominal cavity into a butcher's shop, landing on top of Bruce's limp body. His dimming eyes sought Martha's in the brief interval before the mugger fired one more shot into each of them. He never felt hurried hands going through his pockets and liberating his wallet and car keys. Martha was already dead by the time her purse was grabbed off the ground. Wedged beneath his father's cooling corpse, Bruce knew none of this, because he was already unconscious from the trauma of the single gunshot wound.\n\nBut he wasn't dead. Not then, and not later.\n\n(Continued)"
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[WP] You have a new job working at a cursed items shop, and your laid back boss is Satan. You have a lot of fun selling cursed items to your enemies.
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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.*",
"Barbara slammed the tea kettle on the counter, her face was twisted and her cheeks red with seething rage. \"REFUND,\" she demanded snidely.\n\n\"Sorry, ma'am,\" I replied as I shuffled my papers. \"The sign says we only offer exchanges.\"\n\nBarbara stammered, \"But I already *tried* to exchange it! Both kettles into recorders the second my son grabbed them. I can't take another damn minute of him playing that infernal noise. I demand to speak to a manager!\"\n\nI nodded. \"Sure thing.\"\n\nI called for him, and he lumbered out from the back of the store, smiling a salesman's smile. She explained the situation, how she thought the kettle was cursed as he watched and nodded. Finally, once she'd let loose all the rage her shrill voice could manage, my boss reached beneath the counter and conjured a new kettle.\n\nHe looked at her and calmly said, \"Sorry ma'am, company policy says we can't offer refunds. But since you went through all the trouble, let me give you this **upgraded** model instead.\"\n\nShe stared at him suspiciously, and then scrutinised the kettle. It was much more beautiful than the two she'd brought home. Gold plated, large, a stylish spout...\n\n\"This won't turn into a recorder, will it?\" She asked.\n\nMy manager grinned broadly. \"No ma'am, it won't.\"\n\nSatisfied, she left the store looking as though she'd pulled one over on us. I dropped the old kettle down the discarded items chute.\n\n\"What's it going to turn into?\" I asked.\n\n\"A trumpet.\""
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[WP] Things go awry for Medusa when the ghost of her latest victim possesses his statue body and continues fighting.
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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 foul fiend!” Yells the shimmering male figure, at the beautiful and dangerous monster, with snakes for hair. The man who just yelled floats slightly above the ground. “I have been granted favor from Hades, and he has granted me the ability to return to my mortal coils,” monologues the warrior. \n\n“Hades grants favor to no one, you lying child.”\n\nThe ghostly man seemingly vanishes, but then a stone statue moves ever so slightly. The stone statue is of a well-built man, the man is of average height, he is holding a rusted sword, and ornate design of warriors past carved on it. The sword has a muted glimmer, the glimmer reminding itself of it’s glory days of the past. \n\nThe monster laughs, “you foolish mortal, do you not understand, your body is frozen. \n\nFaint words spill out of the statue, “I will defeat you, I must, for revenge, and for my glory, and for one thing most precious to me.”\n\nThe monster stares at the man, trying to turn him into stone, but the man still inches along.\n\nMedusa says in an ugly voice, “you can’t! You’re frozen, you’re dead, you can’t move you can’t! She screams, every snake on her head hissing wildly at the warrior.\n\nThe monster walks serenely toward the moving statue, going past droves of other statues, the frozen people all screaming for their curse to be lifted. \n\nThe man, slowly tightens his rocky hand around his sword, in a tight, iron grip. As Medusa slithers over to her prey, the warrior readies his body, as he prepares to fight the monster.\n\nIn seconds, the two are an arms length away from each other. The warrior swings his dulled sword at Medusa, the sword after aching for battle for so long, finally has it’s wish granted, but it misses, not even a glancing blow. The man’s body is still a statue, so his attack travels at a snails pace toward the monster. Medusa easily avoids the rusted blade, she then moves her head right next to the man’s ribs. Her snakes nibble, bite, and chomp at the man’s stone body, yet no damage is done. \n\n“You can’t hit me foul beast,” says the man, having regained more of his voice. \n\n“Foolish child, you do not understand, you have no hope,” replies Medusa.\n\nShe moves to her left, then rips off a lose piece of jagged rock of a statue of another warrior. She then hurls the sharp rock at the man, it hits. The man has a deep cut right next to his heart, it reveals organs, muscles, and blood that have been all turned to stone. Soon pieces of rock start falling out of the fist-sized hole in his body. He screams in agony, as feeling has now returned to his body. He grunts, focusing his senses back on the battle, he is fueled by a desire to fulfill his quest. After throwing the first rock, Medusa grabs another sharp piece of Earth of a stone statue of a woman. Medusa gets ready to throw, her snakes all looking toward the warrior.\n\n“I will not let you defeat me before I have completed my quest,” shouts the man. \n\nHe grabs his bronze-colored sword, he runs up to Medusa. He swiftly dodges the rock, that the monster had just flung, and runs up next to the snake monster. \n\nHe brings up his sword next to Medusa’s neck, and mutters, “go rot in Hades,” then swings.\n\nMedusas head drops to the ground, her snakes stop moving dead, as her eyes lose the vivid color. The statues all around him start to crack and splinter. \n\nThe man places his sword down respectfully on the rocky ground. \n\n“At last, Oathbringer, you have fulfilled your purpose, you may rest,” declares the man.\n\nAfter saying those words he drops to the floor, completely frozen in place. His ethereal form is pulled out of the statue. He then shouts with his ghostly body, “I, Julius Telomanous, have rescued you, I escaped the underworld. I pray that you will remember my sacrifice, and remember my daughter, I did this all for you. \n\nJulius Telomanous glimpses a face far in the distance, a familiar face, one that he hadn’t seen in years. He then sheds a single tear, and vanishes, recalled to the underworld.\n\nThis was one of the most fun I’ve had writing a prompt I’ve had.\n\nTips always appreciated!\n\nr/CascadeCorner"
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[WP] The figure turned and picked a golden vial from the rack. “To outlanders, poison means only death and paralysis. To my kind, the art of crafting poison, something that exercises a corrupting force, is more than just fashioning a deadly toxin."
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"“Can you cure them?”\n\n“Yes. It will take a while though, so shoo.”\n\nYou step outside. The sky is overcast, and you wonder what if it had been the same this morning. If you would be dead because of a few clouds that were there. If it was still patchy, would they be dead? Normal shades weren’t so fragile… were you really something more?\n\nReaching for the magic, it feels fine. There’s still shade on it, which you ignore, but nothing new.\n\nGuess it was something else that caused the shade to lose their wings. \n\nAn akua, maybe? Stealing the magic for themselves, or one benevolent enough to strip the control away? You know that taking away the darkness is only a temporary solution, because the darkness always comes back. \n\nAs long as Mx. Asawi’s poison does its job though, there might not be more blood on your hands.\n\nThe darkness will always be back, but you’ll be ready. \n\n\\~This is turning out to be a bit more of a first-draft series of slice of life, so… don’t expect anything crazy, just some world building drabbles. An akua, for anyone interested, is a Hawiian term for something kind of like an arch angel/demon, but without any inherent moral compass. I wanted to describe the other being in the previous drabble, so that’s what I chose.\\~"
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[WP] You dodge a guard patrol, moving through hallways you painstakingly memorized over the past month. You glance up, checking for cameras when you lock eyes with a black-clothed figure perched in the rafters. You both freeze. Then you both sprint for the crown jewels, plans tossed to the wind
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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.*",
"After the hallway of fat ancestors comes the lesser ballroom, a gilded room that will echo Linder’s every step if he doesn’t raise up on his toes. Before he reaches the stout armor of old King Baldrick, he’s learned he must hew close to the wall to stay out of view of the cameras. \n\nCameras, cameras, everywhere! Days were gone when an honest cat burglar like himself could slip through a window and prowl by instinct. Even the simplest job now required weeks of preparation, and this—this was no simple job. For tonight, Linder would steal the Crown Jewels of Flegelmore. \n\nGliding on the balls of his feet, Linder chanced a glance at the corner of the room where the camera lay in wait. \n\nHold on—was that—another black-clad figure, perched in the rafters? \n\nIt had to be her: Abecedaria, scion of the Rho criminal dynasty, sometime-revolutionary, and (most relevantly at this moment) Linder’s professional rival. \n\nJust a moment elapsed between spotting her and realizing he’d been spotted himself— then Abecedaria leaped off her perch and Linder sprinted after her. \n\nKings and Bishops of old whizzed by as they ran pell-mell for the treasury, dropping all efforts at stealth. Linder drew even with Abecedaria, and huffed, “Didn’t you score big enough at Kukenheim? Maybe just let me have this one, huh?”\n\n“No,” Abecedaria said, “I didn’t; and no, you can’t. Only you would ask just a dumb question, Linder.”\n\nPast the bust of some dead poet, the pair careened down the stairs to the vault. Queen Helgathorda stared down from her frame contemptuously as Linder keyed in the passcode an informant had sold him. \n\n“Right, well you wouldn’t have gotten through that door without me so we should—“\n\n“Split it? Tell you what, leave me the coronation regalia—the sapphire crown and the eagle scepter—and you can have the rest,” she said, keying in the code in the second door herself—ah, so she had her own informant. \n\nUpon entering the jewel room, Linder briefly paused, agog at the richness on display: strings of diamonds, diadems in a rainbow of gemstones, brooches and rings and earrings—all perfectly sized to slip into Linder’s concealed pockets. \n\nVery loud shouting and stomping: the guards were on their way and Linder’s pockets were full, but Abecedaria was struggling with a lock on a safe. Well, shucks. \n\n“X-P-W-K-B,” Linder recited for her chivalrously (apparently his informant trumped hers); Abecedaria wrenched open the door, removed the symbols of the monarchy, and grabbed Linder’s hand to flee. \n\n“You got any ideas?” he asked. \n\n“Zigzag,” she whispered, as the first of the bullets began to fly.",
"Winston crept along the hallway, checking every door and side passage for guards as he went. Not that he needed to. He'd studied this for too long. Knew every pattern. Had the perfect plan. Nothing could screw this up.\n\nHe peered around the corner, trying to keep from smiling. At the end of this hall was the door to the royal vault. Normally under a regular guard, today they were already down two men due to a freak food poisoning \"accident.\" So during the shift change coming up in three minutes, the vault would be unguarded for ninety seconds. The virus he uploaded into their system weeks ago would take care of the cameras. The only question left was what he was going to do with the extra thirty seconds.\n\nThe Grand Tower's clock chimed two o'clock, the booming bells echoing across the palace grounds. Only a minute to go now. Winston chanced another peak. Every thing was as it should be.\n\nExcept for that figure in the rafters. He did a double take, uncertain of what he had seen at first. Then it had jumped to the next rafter. Or rather, she, the woman in form fitting black clothes the blended her effortlessly into the shadows.\n\nWinston shook his head. *Not again*.\n\nHe still had twenty seconds until the cameras shut off. It seemed like no matter how he planned, there was always something. Fortunately he had started to plan for those \"somethings,\" too. His hand flew to the holster tucked into his suit jacket, and pulled the tranquilizer gun waiting for him there.\n\nThree. Two. One.\n\nWinston leaned around the corner, raising the gun in a single movement, and pulled the trigger three times in quick succession. The first dart sunk silently into the guard standing at the vault. The next two, though, plinked against the wooden rafters as the woman dove out of the way.\n\n\"You're not getting away with it this time, Raven,\" he hissed.\n\nThe woman bounced off the wall and down to the ground, striking a gymnast's pose as she landed. \"It's cute that you think so Winnie!\" she called as she turned and sprinted down the hall.\n\nHer laughter rang in his ears. She was always laughing. Winston rounded the corner properly, lumbering down the hall after her. He only made it a few steps before there was a telltale crack at his feet. *Damn her pepperballs!*\n\nThere was a puff of grey smoke that immediately began burning in his eyes. Refusing to break stride, though, Winston kept hurrying toward the vault door, digging in his pockets as he went. He pulled out the special concoction he'd brewed after their last encounter and dumped it into his eyes and face. Instantly the burning subsided, which gave him just enough time to see the throwing stars flying toward him.\n\n\"Gotta plan for those?\" she taunted.\n\nWinston dove sideways, landing hard on his shoulder. There was an ugly pop, and searing pain rocketed through his body. There was no time to worry about that though. He stole a glance at his watch. Only forty seconds left. He looked up as he got to his feet. She was standing in front of the vault door, but he wasn't worried. There was no way Raven could get through a door like that.\n\nAll he needed to do was get a dart in her, then he could pop the vault locks in ten seconds. The jewels would be his, and he'd be out of here on off to Switzerland. Easy enough, as plans go.\n\nWinston dug for more darts, his hand shaky from the pain, and loaded them into the gun. She was walking back toward him. He raised the gun.\n\n\"Wait,\" she said, raising a hand as she drew closer.\n\nAnd he did. He didn't know why. Why would he ever listen to her?\n\nShe saw the conflict on his face. \"Sucker,\" she muttered. Then she pressed the button on the detonator.\n\nThe enormous explosion shook the entire palace, and alarm bells started ringing everywhere. Winston looked at her aghast. All his careful planning, gone in a puff of smoke.\n\nThe Raven was sprinting down the hall.\n\n\"How the hell are you gonna get out of here now?\" he shouted.\n\nShe shrugged, not breaking stride. \"I figure you've got a plan for that.\"\n\nHe shook his head. *Not again*. And he raced after her.\n\n**I don't have a personal sub, so go ahead and follow my profile if you want to keep track of my posts!**"
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[WP] Years ago you made a deal with Death, that he would kill anyone you wished so long as you offered a single life to him in return. Death thought it would teach you the value of life, but he didn't count on you owning an ant farm.
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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 WILL BECOME THE GOD OF THIS NEW WORLD.\"\n\nYou might wonder about the reason why a man was laughing hysterically next to a small hill of dead ants but I will suppose that you have a slight idea so I will cut it short.\n\nDeath had made a great mistake by giving me this power and I wasn't going to let it go to waste.\n\n\"This world is rotting, and those who are making it rot deserve to die. Someone has to do it, so why not me? Even if it means sacrificing my own mind and soul, it's worth it. Because the world can't go on like this.\"\n\n\"I will clean up the world, one at a time, so that eventually no one will ever do anything evil again. And while the truly guilty ones who deserve to be punished for their crimes die, the people who are less guilty but who still make trouble for others will slowly be erased through disease and accidental death. Then and only then the world will start moving in the right direction. It'll be a new world, free of injustice, and populated by people who I've judged to be honest, kind, and hardworking.\"\n\n\"**Why even bother? What are you trying to achieve by passing judgement on them. I mean, why do you care?**\"\n\n\"Because… I've been bored too. I wasn't ready to believe it at first, but it's obvious now. I've wondered…Is there anyone out there, other than me, who would be willing to eliminate the vermin from the world? If I don't do it, then who will? That's just it; there's no one, but I can do it. In fact, I'm the only one who can. I'll do it, using this power, I'll change the world.\"\n\n\"It's only a matter of time before people figure out that these criminals are being eliminated by someone. I want the world to know of my existence. That there's someone passing righteous judgement on the wicked!\"\n\n\"**But if you did that, it would make you the only bad person left.**\"\n\n\"It is a small price to pay for salvation.\"\n\n\"**It's just as I thought, humans are so interesting.**\"",
"I reflected on my deal as I added my new ants to the farm. I was freaked out by bugs, so my well-intentioned father got me and ant farm.\n\nI hadn't counted on it being so helpful, and Death hadn't counted on me owning one. \n\nI remembered the day we met, I was drinking in a bar. My parents had just died, and I was too busy to go to their funeral. It wasn't tragic or anything. All I felt was numb. \n\nA guy walked in, a few inches taller than me. He sat down next to me and ordered a drink. His piercing ice blue eyes watched as I finished my drink and ordered another. \n\n\"You were just at a funeral,\" he said. It wasn't a question.\n\n\"My parents,\" I said without emotion.\n\nHe nodded. \"You don't seem to care,\" he noted.\n\n\"I can't, millions of people die every day, some of perfectly curable diseases, some of diseases that should have been cured ages ago, if I cared about all of them I'd never be able to think strait, let alone sleep decently,\" I stated.\n\n\"You don't see the value of life, not even your own,\" he grabbed me arm. I jerked away, but not before he revealed scars on my arm. \"These were intentional, you did this to yourself,\" he said.\n\nI got up and pulled out a wad of cash, paid the bar tender, and walked out. I had to get away from him, for all I knew he was some psych student who wanted to get me admitted as a psych patient, or just get me thrown out.\n\nHe followed and I quickened my pace. He caught me. \n\n\"I am not talking to you about this, I don't know anything about you,\" I said. \n\nThe scars were intentional. Med school is stressful, and I wasn't the best at handling it.\n\n\"I will make you a deal,\" he proposed. \"Come with me.\" \n\nCuriosity overruled caution. I followed him to a bench in the courtyard, where he explained who he was. I didn't believe him at first, no sane person would. He killed some dandelions to prove it. \n\n\"Here's the deal: I'll kill anyone you want, aside from yourself, and in exchange you have to give me one life,\" he proposed.\n\n\"Do the lives have to be human,\" I asked. He shook his head. \"Alright then, I agree.\"\n\nThat was how this started. All I have to do is kill an ant every time. Have I used my power well? I don't know, probably not. Have I learned the value of a human life? Defiantly not.",
"I don't make deals with death I look at him coldly, I feel that my face is as oddly brave as it can be considering I'm staring straight into the face of the devil and inside I am petrified ,\"well my dear\" he retorts, i hate that snarky voice of his , I've being seeing and talking to him as of late every since all his bullshit tactics behind the scene stopped working he's resorted to face to face, \" you've already made plenty with him in the past, you were just unaware, your goody little two shoes had 13 deaths permanently marked in his book straight from God, but each time you sweet little heart they were erased so here you stand right in front of me a constant irritation a reminder of him up their so snooty so fucking pretentious, oh she loves me no matter what, I will win always, blahs blah fucking blah.\" He isn't ugly, he just has a snarl and he's scary as shit, the lengths he will go through to hurt you, it was only last year I realized that I was the modern day Job he had sought me out and tortured me through earthly nightmares for the last five years until finally resorting to this one on one contact. I've lost everything in my life my children, my home, my dignity, I've been raped ,beaten, abandoned, I am burdened with diseases and mental anguish I have no family or friends no money no husband, I travel place to place and have become addicted to drugs, thrown in jail for no reason, eaten by pests, used and abused, but despite all this I still have hope in God's plan. And yes I overdosed and survived 13 times so I guess I had my deals with death. But obviously if the devil wanted me to make this deal it was not a good one and besides who would I want to kill, but inside my body told me god would also like to see my choices here, and perhaps at the end I will be free of all this. \"And would this single life in return also be of my choosing?\" I ask, \"of course not\" he crackles\" what would be the point of that I mean death would want a fair trade\" Why does it feel like I'd be making a deal with the devil? And not death at all\"? I thought for a moment he wanted this so badly, too badly yet my gut also told me certainly I needed to show my lord something here , that I understand the value of a human life. There is no single human life more precious and valuable then the one god gave you. And it is God's book not mine not deaths not the devil. Devil wants the deal with me , he thinks it will break another contract one he has with someone with a little more power than I. He knew the sparks of hatred that had started to flower in me for those that had hurt me at his hands, he was chancing I would seek revenge. \"Well sir I'm no fool\" I reached my hand to shake his,\" I'll make this little deal with you for you are nothing more than a liar and a cheat and death is not a being but rather just a process we must endure, and you want to kill someone I assume it's me?\" , \" Ha ha ha \"he crackles \"and you so stupidly agree girl, your agreement is a suicide and breaks and contract or binding I had with him to not harm you. I can be rid of you now, and be bothered no longer,!\" He honestly seems releived and raises his hands as if to do something, \"Wait ! I say, \"my turn first we agreed , this was a teaching exercise, life and value and all that, \" smiling wide, teeth showing I try to look charming, \" oh yes, yes whomever, I'm assuming that gentleman who you know\" still waving his arms about\" No dear sir, the life I shall have you take is my own as an offering to my great lord, I know it is not much for I have sinned in many ways, but my love is great and dear and he used to be grateful for sacrifices to him. What more valuable gift to give god than my most valuable possession my temple, my own body\"\n\" YOU hateful stupid girl, how I despise you, how you truly are mean hearted you are shameful. You had that intention you take advantage of those without your wit , I will kill you\" I slyly smile before he comes at me, I am engulfed in fire. \n\nI could say it was painful and he tortured me to the last second in a beautiful symphony of revenge before god picked me up and blessed me with heavenly blissbut it wasn't like that, I could tell you it was beautiful and I floated to heaven with no pain at all for god would never allow it ,but it wasn't like that either, instead i awoke lazy and tired in a hospital bed after my 14th overdose, and 7 days of what the say was drug induced psychosis where I swore the devil was following me around\n\nThe strange thing is after 5 years of agony, of loss and despair, pain, heartbreak, loneliness, abuse, homelessness, losing my kids and a repeating cycle of pain day after day this time I woke up with light in my heart, my worker helped me get back to my home province, I met a beautiful man, who helped me get work counseling addicts, I live in a beautiful home by the beach where my children visit, i no longer drink or do drugs, and i know my place with god. I haven't heard from the other guy in awhile. Once in a blue moon he whispers in my ear that I still owe him one and I wake up with a shudder. I almost fear that he fears me more than I do him and that is a dangerous position to be in. My death is forever on his mind.",
"At this point, I had to question Death's motives at first. The value of life? When we all die to go through reincarnation, rewards, and punishments?\n\n\"Tell me, Death. Why is life considered valuable if we only cycle through death?\"\n\n\"Because, what you do now affects the future.\"\n\n\"I suppose. Now, do you know what I intend to do? I've just become the single most influential person to exist.\"\n\n\"Young man.. Er.. Lady! Don't you dare slaughter innocent people! I've seen your mind cross such darkness!\"\n\n\"Oh, I'm not going to slaughter innocent people. Or even guilty people. I'm slaughtering only the monsters. Those who have killed out of selfishness instead of self-preservation. Those who dare deny humanity to humans. Do you DARE go back on our deal?\"\n\n\"Who are you to defy me, enby!?\"\n\n\"You know that the stipulation is that I'd reshape this planet and its adjacent spaces to my liking, Death, if you were to go back on our deal without my agreement.\"\n\n\"And I cannot kill you until old age, your body holds immunity until your natural lifespan closes. So why hold me to this?\"\n\n\"Well, given the idea, what is one life to save billions? My first ant to slay shall be that for JK Rowling, to prove a point,\" I said, dropping an ant onto a bug zapper. Sparks flew. \"I will see if my theory on chosen deaths is correct tomorrow. But for now, I strike three more ants down for the Walton brothers who are adults.\"\n\n\"What's your intention, mortal? To kill all the evil? Deny a ghoul their purpose?\"\n\n\"I am doing what you and Karma *refused* to do in the 1800's! The 1700's! Dating back further in the Dark Ages, the Bronze Age, the Shogun era, and forward to this day! Life themselves gave me such excessive longevity for the sake of knowing what to do! After so long, you STILL refuse to be indifferent! You allow evil to flourish! And if not you then Karma is to blame! I have met each of you Conceptual Entities multiple times! And all I am now is Humanity! I don't even exist anymore, not truly!\"\n\n\"And yet you hold more prevalence than I ever do. I'm feared. You're —\"\n\n\"I'm disgraced is what I am! You are present as fact. I'm just subjective! Do you know what that is? I represent ideals, nothing more!\" I slammed my fist on a cluster of ants. \"Kill off random billionaires for that one.\"\n\n\"Why are you furious, Humanity? You should be exhilarated at your liberty!\" Death declared, enthusiastically but confused.\n\n\"Because I will never have my old family back. I will never have my love back that I once did.\"\n\n\"And yet Reincarnation could guide you to your love. War, Famine, and Disease could all lead you to safe places. Why am I the Conceptual Entity you hate?\"\n\n\"Because you're the only one I can't affect,\" I say shakily, angered and mournful.\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"You are only able to be delayed. I strike down war and we have Peace, at least for a while. I slay Famine, Disease, Disaster, Insanity, and Suffering, they all go away for some time. Greed, Arrogance, Sloth, Hatred, Blind Fury, Selfish Lust — They all go away too. I strike down Life and reboot the multiverse. But then there's you, Death. All you'd do is regenerate in the hour. No real dying for you involved.\"\n\n\"What is it you want to make you stop this?\"\n\nI crush a bigger collection of ants all at once. \"Those are to slaughter molester priests. The more victims they have the higher the number.\"\n\n\"What do I have to do to make you stop?\"\n\n\"I'll stop my slaughter on three conditions. First, you release Benevolence, Kindness, Humanitarianism, and all the others designed to prevent the imbalance we have.\"\n\n\"You think I'd release those who nearly ended by great feed?\"\n\n\"After my next conditions. The second be you work in conjunction with Disaster, Karma, Snafu, Glitch, Peace, Cancellation, and Mercy to create proper deaths. Life has a say too.\"\n\n\"That's ridiculous! You're going to hinder me more than help me!\" Death said, their outrage clattering their scythe.\n\n\"Thirdly, we implement two more Conceptual Entities for every position. Some of us, like Benevolence and Greed, are associated as a binary gender, then you and I are seen as non-binary. Having one of every gender for each role would include too many, but if we have people who are a man, a woman, and a nearly neutral gender, if not fully neutral, then we can finally be balanced.\"\n\n\"I never agreed to balance, I agreed to you giving a life for a life.\"\n\n\"Yeah, well I dare you to try killing me without my permission. If you don't agree to those three conditions, I will drown my entire ant colony in melted aluminum to slaughter more billionaires and similar monsters. Your call, Death.\"\n\n\"Damn you, Humanity. First you defy me, and then you hold me at gun point for ransom. I concede to your demands.\"\n\n\"It's not just me who has defied you. It's all of humanity who has bested the ultimate entity.\"\n\n\"I wondered why Time had frozen, now I see my favorite creation has finally become fed up,\" Life said, strutting in. \"About time, Humanity. I've been trying to get my twin to cave for billions of years. You did it in 69, nice.\"\n\n\"Why have me selected 69 years ago? What happened to the old Humanity?\"\n\n\"Well, after that one allowed prejuduce to get out of hand, I needed to train you as the other was retiring by majority voted demand, I needed a new one to whip my twin into shape. And I must admit, you exemplify humanity well. Angry, and bitter, but wanting to do right.\"\n\n\"Had to really push a lot for this. But I'm glad I could fix this.\"\n\n\"So am I. Now let's get to work on those new people tomorrow. For now, get to killing, Death. Don't screw up your deal with Humanity now.\"\n\n\"I will get even, young enby. Just watch.\" Death said fading into their smoke.\n\n\"I'll be waiting,\" Humanity said, standing proud.",
"I briefly glanced at Mahirah, who was staring off into space, as she did; *lovely*. Did I have to do *everything* myself? Almost as if on cue, she snapped out of her reverie.\n\n\"Sorry,\" she apologized, her face falling.\n\nI shook my head; it didn't matter. \"Forget it, dude. This case is too perplexing for us to worry about small things.\"\n\n\"Yeah, you're right, Rani,\" Mahirah agreed. \"But I think if we just get some more information, we can figure it out. I already have some theories as to how this all went down - I'll tell you later.\"\n\nHere were the facts; on June 5, 2020, a market in Mirzapur had been crowded with people quietly doing their essential shopping. They were wearing masks, social distancing, doing everything needed. An old woman was selling *sabzi* while also wearing a mask, when suddenly she heard a deafening blast. Before she could breathe, the market was nearly rubble in front of her, as people ran around screaming in terror. There were dead bodies everywhere in a matter of minutes, some of them women and children. Witnesses on the news reported seeing graphic details - a bloodied hand lying on the ground, a man wailing over his fiancee's mutilated body, etc. The *sabzi-waala* woman later came to our student police station; her face told us something horrible had happened. We let her stay in the station, and as the news reports showed up, she told us what she'd seen. It corresponded with the news broadcasts - there'd been a bombing.\n\nLater, Anand Mehra - a prolific gangster tied to the elections of several shady politicians and to mysterious deaths back in Uttar Pradesh - was arrested under suspicion of having the market bombed. He'd been running a *dhaba* in Mirzapur as a cover for his drug-smuggling business, and now we had to interrogate him to, as Mahirah had said so loftily once, \"find out the truth\". I was sure he did it; the logic added up perfectly. Of course a Mirzapur gangster would pull off something like this, even in lockdown.\n\n\"You're forgetting something, ladies.\" Anand Mehra was smirking good-naturedly, but the desk had many papers and pens on it; his hands were gripping two pens so tightly, it looked as if he'd break them. \"Your little friend never found me, or my associates, at the scene of the crime.\"\n\n\"Damn!\" Mahirah cursed, slapping her hand on her forehead. \"He's right, Rani; I just remembered. The old lady didn't see him there, and neither did the other witnesses. This changes everything!\"\n\nI waved Mahirah off; of course I remembered that Anand Mehra hadn't been at the scene of the crime. Mahirah had also found out previously that *many* crimes linked to Anand hadn't had him at the crime scene, but he'd confessed to them eventually. As stupid as she could be sometimes, no one could find patterns like her.\n\nBesides, it didn't change much; gangsters had hitmen do their dirty work all the time, while the hitmen were disguised as ordinary citizens.\n\n\"That may be,\" I said coolly to him. \"But the fact is, several other crimes associated with you had the same mark - you weren't there.\"\n\n\"And you confessed to a good chunk of them eventually,\" Mahirah piped up. \"Rani's right; this is probably one of your tricks.\"\n\nI slammed my hand down on the interrogation table and glared at Anand. \"So then *what happened*, Anand? How do we know you didn't do this?\"\n\nAnand burst out laughing. \"You don't! Any more than the ants in my farm do, poor things.\"\n\nAnt farm? How was this relevant? I glanced over at Mahirah; she looked deep in thought. *Of course* she was entertaining this crap.\n\nAnand raised an eyebrow. \"You don't *know*?\"\n\n\"Know what?\" I said crossly. \"We're here to talk about the case, not whatever silly anecdotes you have.\"\n\n\"Oh, but this is no anecdote,\" Anand said smoothly. \"I will tell you one thing; I did it.\"\n\nI gaped at him; what was he talking about? Was this another case in the pattern?\n\n\"But not in the way you think,\" Anand added. *Lovely*; I should've known he'd try to confuse us with long-winded, irrelevant metaphors.\n\nMahirah looked confused and annoyed at the same time. \"Anand, what are you *saying*? Rani's right, again. Get to the point.\"\n\nAnand leaned back in his chair and put his feet up, his worn dark loafers suddenly appearing on the desk....\n\n\\---------------------------------\n\n*My name is Anand Mehra. I used to live in a small village in Uttar Pradesh with my mother, father, and three siblings. I had a brother and two sisters; my two sisters learned how to cook and clean, while my brother and I learned to work in the fields with our father Vijay. My uncle Dev was a somewhat-known presence in the village council, otherwise known as the* ***panchayat***\\*.\\*\n\n*Vijay, my father, had an ant farm from his city job's earnings that he'd show us children time and time again. This will be relevant soon, so don't make faces at me.*\n\n*Our lives were more or less ordinary, except for one problem - the leader of the panchayat, Aditya Srivastav, was a cruel man. He hated Dev Chacha.*\n\n*Aditya would always talk over Dev Chacha in panchayat meetings, ignore my uncle's ideas, spread bad rumors about our family to the rest of the village, etc. Some people knew the rumors were false, but many didn't, and no one dared to defy Aditya Srivastav. If they did, he would send the rest of his family after them - gossip, fistfights, threats, etc. It was all fair game to him.*\n\n*One day I was walking home from school, when Aditya's oldest son saw me and started chasing me. We tore through the grassy land, the son screaming, \"My father will kill you\", me trying to stay alive. It nearly ended when we reached the road branching out of the village; Aditya's son then shoved me in the path of an oncoming carriage and left. I knew I could do nothing, so I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the end to come.*\n\n\"**Wake up.\"**\n\n*Impossible; even as a child, I knew this wasn't normal. The carriage had gone on, but I felt no pain. I looked and saw I had no wounds, but I saw something else; it was a presence, a towering one that seemed to wear a dark cloak.*\n\n*\"I am not the god of death,\" the presence explained. \"I am Death itself. You are an innocent boy, so I have decided to spare you, under one condition.\"*\n\n*I suppose I had already 'lost myself', as you self-righteous twits would say, but could you blame me? If you oppress a man's family, soon he will fight back.*\n\n*\"If there is anyone out there who deserves death,\" Death went on, \"they will meet it. But you must offer a single life in return.\"*\n\n*I hesitated for a split second; even I couldn't completely imagine becoming a murderer, but then it came to me; Father's ant farm had thousands, maybe* ***millions***\\*, of ants.\\*\n\n*I smiled widely. \"You've got a deal.\"*\n\n*So you can guess the rest; Death told me how to offer lives and then let me live. I went home and killed one of the ants; Aditya Srivastav was mysteriously dead the next day.*\n\n*As people annoyed me or my family, I offered ants, and this ritual became easier every time I performed it. No one could ever trace the mysterious deaths back to me, and so I used my new power to enforce justice. So I became a* ***gunda*** *- as if you lot are any better. Blindly working for the corrupt police, thinking you can change things.*\n\n\\---------------------------------\n\nI just gaped at Anand as he finished his story. I couldn't have predicted that twist in a million years; even Mahirah was shaking her head in disbelief.\n\nThen her eyes widened, in the way they do when something has occurred to her. \"Anand, the ants must be long dead by now, since you were a boy when this happened, right?\"\n\nAnand laughed heartily as his weathered face lit up. \"Silly girl! The ritual only works when *I* offer up an ant's life. Natural deaths do not count, and anyway, I kept finding more ants. But go ahead - try explaining this to the authorities without being thrown into an asylum.\"\n\nAnd in that moment, I knew we had our work cut out for us.",
"I'd become used to staring down Death as it sat on the stool opposite me, arms crossed and resting on the shiny and clean countertop. Don't know what expressions it made, but its bodily gestures betrayed its discomfort, and not because it sat on a wobbly stool.\n\n\"Take the bag,\" I said. \"That's the deal.\"\n\nDeath's hood lowered, so I knew it was looking now at the ziplock bag that I'd plopped on the counter before returning to sharpening my knife.\n\n\"You sure you don't eat? I'm making a fine quail stew. Shot it myself just last weekend. Actually, count the quail, too.\"\n\nDeath was looking at me again. I smiled. Its voice, like the abysmal echoes of sailors drowning under a full moon tempest, shook the utensils atop the granite countertop.\n\n\"Still you kill, even when those you damn have names you must look up on Google to remember.\"\n\n\"24/7 news,\" I replied. \"They tell me about lots of shitty people who I need to do away with.\"\n\n\"Circumstanstial evidence you hear on network news is hardly trustworthy.\" Its slithering voice wafted up the light fixtures which trembled. \"Life means nothing to you, and you learn nothing.\"\n\n\"Death,\" I said. \"Death, death, death... what did you expect? That you were presenting some morally high-caliber test? Please. You should have better specified the terms. I kill whom I please, and you take the life of one of my ants in exchange.\"\n\nI snatched the ziplock bag and shook it in front of Death's hood. It recoiled ever slightly.\n\n\"There are 342 ants in this bag,\" it said. \"Last week it was 400. Have you no remorse? Have you no conscience, no appreciation for what *life* is?\"\n\n\"Look who's talking. Take the quail!\" I said, chucking the small bird breast on top of the ziplock bag. \"I've lost my appetite.\"\n\nI walked around the island and fell sinking into my couch, grabbed the remote control, turned on the TV.\n\nDeath continued to stare at me.\n\n\"You can go now,\" I said. \"I have research to do.\"\n\nThe entity rose from its stool, which squeaked as the weight was lifted. It glided toward my apartment's door and vanished in a swirl of black smoke.\n\nI held the remote to my mouth and pressed the voice activation button. \"Fox News,\" I said. It was time to get names.\n\n​\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n/r/velabasstuff is where I plop my big butt. Come check it out.",
"\"What is the value of life?\" I asked as an ant crawled across my thumb. \"I guess that depends on the perspective of the killer. This ant, it has life, but not much value. At least, not to me.\"\n\nDeath sat across from me on my Lazy Boy, sipping hot tea. I liked our talks, but he was long ago weary of them. Funny thing is, it's his own fault he's even here. Be careful what you wish for is a common theme, a cautionary tale told to quash desire. But I knew exactly what I was doing, and it was he that should have been careful. I squashed the ant between thumb and forefinger—another dictator dead.\n\n\"I suppose if I was an ant,\" I continued, \"I might see things differently. Much like yourself and humans. How many souls have you reaped without care?\"\n\nDeath glared at me, his tea forgotten. \"I've told you, I don't kill! I harvest the unworthy and send the worthy to their fate.\"\n\n\"So you have,\" I said. I grabbed another ant. \"To me the difference is semantic. You thrive on death, and to no good at that. I too thrive on death, but the world is a better place for my actions. A life for a life, that was the deal.\"\n\nLooking at the list on the table between us, I crushed the ant. There went a cartel leader. A welt on my wrist started itching and I scratched it absentmindedly. The ant that made it was long dead, used to reap a corrupt businessman. He wasn't part of the plan, but I'd killed the ant, so a human had to join it.\n\n\"How long do you plan to keep this up?\" Death asked. \n\n\"You know there are more ants on the planet than people, right?\" I asked. \"I suppose when I run out.\"\n\n\"You'd wipe out humanity just to spite me?\" Death asked.\n\nI looked at him hard. \"You'd let me wipe out humanity just to spite me?\"\n\nAlways our conversations wound up here. It was as inevitable as, well, death. He had the power to give me what I really wanted, and now I had the power to get it. It was only a matter of time. My resolve was absolute. I doubted Death's was as certain.\n\n\"I won't do it,\" Death said.\n\nThe ant died. So did a nun in Italy. She wasn't evil or corrupt, and I guess my argument about making the world better was invalidated a little by killing her. Still, every dozen or so victims had to be good people. I was making a point, after all.\n\n\"Yes, I think you will,\" I said. \"Your problem is that, despite your job, you value all life. I only value one.\"\n\n\"And that one life is worth destroying the world?\" Death spat.\n\nYet another ant crawled on my hand as I stared Death down. \"I think you know the answer to that. You already told me how long I have left, and that's too long without him.\"\n\nWith exaggerated slowness, I hovered a finger over the ant. Death locked his eyes on the tiny creature, unable to look away. There was no way for him to know if it was going to be someone deserving of death this time. \n\n\"Wait!' he cried out. \"I can't let this continue. If you release me from our deal, I will do as you ask.\"\n\nFlicking the ant off me, I smiled. I knew he'd see it my way. \n\n\"Agreed,\" I said.\n\nDeath twirled his scythe in a large circle, opening a purple and black portal. He reached through and pulled something small into the world. I nearly broke down when I saw my son. He looked just like he had the day Death had come for him. The day my world ended.\n\n\"If I do this,\" Death said, \"you'll have this to pay for as well as your other crimes. When that day comes, I won't be forgiving.\"\n\nI nodded and Death blew a kiss at Michael. My son's tiny chest started moving up and down, and I fell to my knees crying loudly.\n\n\"When that day comes,\" I spluttered, \"I won't care.\"\n\nDeath departed as I hugged my son."
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[WP] You always thought your neighbor was pretty weird. Random noises are heard throughout the night but without other neighbors fairly close to ask curiousity gets the best of you. You decide to investigate.
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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 approached the side of my neighbors house. I thought perhaps a quick look in the window might give me more information. There was some kind of plastic on the inside of the window, making it impossible to see, but I did hear voices. \n\n“What have you gotten’ yourself into this time Arthur!” It was definitely a woman’s voice, but a very deep voice. “I’m s-s-sorry, Mama,” said what sounded like Arthur. The only person I’ve ever seen actually leave the house. “That little girl is gonna have to die down there now!” said Arthur’s Mama. \n\nI knew it. These people are up to no good. It’s a good thing I decided to investigate. I snuck around the back of the house and found a cellar door. It wasn’t even locked. I honestly expected to have more problems doing this. \n\nI opened the door to come face to face with Arthur. He immediately grabbed me and my nose was filled with the strong scent of onions. He started dragging me down the steps without difficulty, even though I fought with every inch of my being. “Let me go!” I yelled. \n\nHe didn’t. \n\nAs he drug me into the cellar the scent of onions, was replaced by the scent of corpses. “See? Was that so hard Arthur?” came the hateful voice of Arthur’s mom, out of some large disgusting creature that might’ve been human at some point. “Mature meat. Not these nasty children, that’s meat that’ll go to waste now” I had heard enough. “Let me go or I swear I’ll report you to the authorities!” I said in the most commanding tone I could muster. \n\nHer tone and somehow pitch changed immediately, “Hi there sweetie I’m Barbara, and you will be our dinner this evening.” She pulled out a knife and started toward me. I looked to my left and noticed a convenient sledge hammer. I grabbed it and took a hard swing at Arthur’s knee. As he dropped to the ground I turned the hammer at Barbara. “Hold on there sweetie, what if I told you this was all a prank.” \n\n“What the fuck are you talking about?” I asked. \n“Your best friend set this up,” she said “you’ve just been Punk’d.” I dropped the hammer. “Oh my god, Arthur I’m so sorry” , but before I could turn I was overcome by the smell of onions and I felt a cold steel blade slide across my throat. The last thing I heard was a soft “Good night, sweetie.”",
"Dear Journal: I kept hearing strange noises from the new neighbor next door. Some sounded like gurgling screams, some sounded like maniacal laughing. I was content to ignore these, as he was a good neighbor who kept to himself and didn't try to bully me into letting him have a few inches of my yard, like the last one. However, last night curiosity took hold of me. I snuck around to the back of his house to the window where the noises were loudest, and what I saw was incredulous! The guy was a voice actor! He was yelling, speaking, and laughing into his microphone! Contented, I went back home and went to bed."
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[WP] In a world where people's heads are replaced with objects, dictating their job or destiny, your head is a brick.
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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 always thought I would live a rather uneventful life. While some people had guns, phones, or even money as their head, I had a brick. Every single brick that has ever lived has gone on to be a builder. It's not a bad life, much better than those with garbage bags for heads. \n\nBut the brick family are not even close to the best builders in the country. The MarbleBlock family are much more skilled than us. Us bricks accept our fate and keep the family business going. We've always wished for something more, though. One person who truly shines. Who lives an amazing life, and brings attention to the long forgotten bricks.\n\nWe didn't really know how that would be possible.\n\nUntil I became Prime Minister. \n\nEverybody knows politicians don't give straight answers to questions. 'Like talking to a brick wall' the people remark. Now they really are talking to a brick wall.\n\nIt can be a little annoying, not being able to answer questions properly, but the life is amazing. I have power, I can change things, I can help people.\n\nAnd I can help my family.\n\nThe bricks have gone from the builders overshadowed by everyone else, to the people that helped our country in it's time of need.\n\n​\n\nBut enough monologuing. I have a country to run."
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[WP] One day you go on a walk and unknowingly reach a large field. There are two men with medieval armour fighting with swords and...words? You think it’s a joke but then they notice 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.*",
"(WP) An Unexpected Spectator \n\nJoy left the house, needing distance from her family and her own anxious mind. She let her feet lead her, and for the most part, the cool fall evening was quiet. The sun hadn’t yet set, and Joy took silent comfort in the richly colored leaves. To her, the trees were like finely dressed ladies, finally given the opportunity to shed their lush clothes. A cool breeze stirred her hair off of her shoulders, and Joy grinned, taking pleasure in the feeling of freedom of it. \n\nJoy realized that her feet had led her to a field, fallow now. She frowned and turned around to walk back home, her anxious thoughts soothed by the exercise. But she heard voices, and rustling within the field. \n\n“Be on your guard, villain, for today is the day that I erase you from the face of the Earth!” An accented male voice rang out, and Joy, unable to help herself, followed it, crouching behind the dead plants for cover. \n\nAn answering laugh rang out, high, cold and cruel. \n\n“As always, you’re a fool, boy. You think you can defeat me? This field will run red with your blood!” \n\nUnable to contain her curiosity any longer, Joy peeked between the corn stalks, and she was shocked to see two men, clothed in steel armor. If it weren’t for the voices, she would’ve thought that these were actors or live-action role players, but it seemed a lot more serious than that. \n\nThere was an ugly, screeching sound of metal meeting metal, and Joy had to cover her ears. She bit her tongue in order not to cry out, for she didn’t know what would happen if she were to be discovered. \n\n“Today is the day that I end your evil existence, once and for all!” One of the knights howled, hurling the words from what sounded like gritted teeth. The other knight laughed; the sound so glacial that it sent chills down Joy’s spine. \n\n“Why you’re so caught up on being good is beyond me. You have so much power, yet you bow to others!” The wicked knight sneered, and with a flash of sparks, their swords met. Joy watched the skirmish with wide eyes. How was she supposed to get home unnoticed now? If she dared to move, they would surely find her hiding place. And if they had no qualms about killing each other, what was an innocent bystander? \n\nIf she made a sound or disturbed them, she knew that it would be her blood making the soil turn red. \n\nFor a moment, there were no other sounds than metal crashing into metal, and the exhausted, heavy panting of the combatants. Still, neither of them yielded, even as the sun set and bathed everything in a bright, bloody wash. \n\nJoy soon lost track of the time, even as night began to dye the sky in shades of midnight, and her body soon turned stiff from crouching in the same position for so long. She got so lost in watching the stars come out that she didn’t notice when the knights stopped fighting. \n\n“It appears we have an unexpected spectator, what shall we do with her?” That slimy, lazy voice chilled her to the bone, and she heard clanking noises as they came toward her. The knight with the deep, rich voice stood in front of her. \n\n“You’re going to let her go, or I will make good on my oath to send you to the gods.” \n\n\\*\\*"
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[WP] A diner next to a cemetery is staffed by the ghosts of those buried nearby. Some of the staff know they're dead, but keep this a secret from the ones who don't. No one knows where the diner came from, it just appeared one day. But the food is so good that people in town keep coming back...
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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.*",
"\"To Dine For\" fucking 'sosage' grade savage and prices to kill for, seriously I would kill for this food if I was dead broke & hungry enough. If only it wasnt so weird to see the kim clone waiting tables I'd be all up in there every day taking diabetes for a ride. Alas, kimmys been dead for like two maybe three years and the fucked up horn dog part of me that likes to keep her memory alive with sex an cuddle fantasies when I'm sad an missing her smile, makes goin in there when I see her be too emotional a trick for me to take.\n\nShake Shack has that unholy creation of the portabella mushroom coated in cheese then deep fried and those Fries that I suspect are double fried but with a shake cost around 21 ish bucks... theyre good but they aint To Dine For good.\n\nNot a whole lotta people to know about the diner but those who do always come back for more. I stave off the hunger with Spätzel, bloodied steak, cheap shakes, getting drunk enough to think the 3 dollar Cheese Tony Pizzaaas are enough, taco bell, the hole in the wall Mexican, that illegal Itallian joint in the barn, an money permitting I grab some higher classed food in the town over but it all still aint To Dine For.\n\nOne day, a sad day, some that loniest day of my life cringe core shit, a bloodied face, and three broken fingers later I caved. Didn't care the Kim clone was there, I was high, hurtin, broken, and hungry. When I was just about finished calculating the menu she showed up like a cruel angel. I laughed she pulled a fake smile and I progressively ordered 80 dollars roughly worth of food. Maybe it was the marijuana that kept me chompin away, maybe it was the sight of that ass in those black jeans and freckled face even if it was fake one. I just wanted to stay a while longer there fillin up on some that to die for food an live a little memory even if it wasn't her, it sure as fuck looked like her an as I left for once I felt full.\n\nThe heart attack that followed me trying to run back home before the good feelings inside died out on me was more commical an I left the world a happy fuck. Laughin my ass off as my blood turned cold. Fat, happy, and full I went with smile on my face and a irish gal freshly minted on my heart.",
"ACT 1\n\nThe foreigners had brought their culture with them to the Asian continent. First, they brought their trade, then their armies and gradually their culture. For starters they began constructing their office buildings in cities and mansions in the countryside. The construction of Churches was foreseen and had been well planned. Architects had been summoned from home to aid in the planning of the grandiose Churches. The cemetery, not so much of a place where people desire to be, was an unforeseen and sorrow consequence, required for settling at a place. The desire to construct a Church arose not so much from a desire for salvation and praying but for performing penance and offering confession for the sins that officers and patrons knew they'd commit but for the children and god-fearing housewives the Church was and always will be what they are taught it is.\n\nThe culture brought everything with them into these foreign lands but did not bring them for the natives. The diner was one such establishment. The settlers brought with them the concept of lovely buildings, populated with tables and chairs, supplied with the best of meat, bread, eggs, rice, juice and wine. When the construction of one such an establishment was completed in a farming town, the natives couldn't help but stare at the grandiosity of the building, of the riches of the people entering and exiting the building and the quality and quantity of food that was being served inside the establishment, all visible through transparent walls of glass. Of course, they could see all these because the signs of opulence are well known across nations. What they couldn't see was the rules and regulations that the establishment imposed regarding the people who could and couldn't enter.\n\nSoon the peasants, weavers and cart-men began flocking to see the glitter and glamour of the diner. The guests sitting inside the glass walled building began to be irritated at the sight of a large crowd of natives flocking to see the nobility enjoying their meals. Some of them were anxious that if anyone from the crowd curses their food they'd fall ill. The manager of the diner was complained to and the manager at once set out to fetch the *sepoy*s (infantry of army) posted at the front door. But before the manager could narrate his complain, the *sepoy*s noticed the commotion and began screaming at them to get off the glass at once. The townspeople were confused and curiously asked a *sepoy* what this building was all about. Before the *sepoy* could reply, the manager was there and asked the *sepoy*s to disperse the crowd at once since it was the nobility's order. The *sepoy*s drew their swords and asked the crowd to run for their lives. The crowd had dispersed in the blink of an eye but the crowd carried with it an intrigue about the diner. Word spread in the town about the diner.\n\nA few days later, when the farm produce was harvested and sold, everyone in the town had money to spend and everyone was eager to go to the diner to try out the food of the nobles from faraway lands. That evening a crowd of interested native people had set out to dine at the diner. Seeing a crowd approaching the Royal Dining Place, the *sepoy*s patrolling the street intercepted the crowd and asked them where they were going. On hearing they were planning to dine in the Royal Dining Place, they were first verbally insulted for such a thought that the Royal Diner would serve natives of such low calibre, then they were told that these establishments exist only to serve the royalty and nobility, ordinary natives should continue with their usual lives and not even dream of such riches for they were destined to serve their masters. The crowd, belittled and ashamed, returned to their homes.\n\nFew years later, the political situation worsened at the place. A certain Governor of the region, Mr. Hastings, was being impeached in the British Parliament. Though outsiders were more interested on the political proceedings of the event, what actually ensued in the small town was quite horrendous. Numerous officials serving under the Governor were being murdered in cold blood in an attempt to bury evidences, though it was unclear who was commissioning the murders and what they stand to gain from it. Surprisingly the murderers also did not spare people who they suspect had seen the people being murdered or possibly could testify for the officials. Thus, diner workers were now being targeted and were being murdered.\n\nThe local cemetery was being filled at an unprecedented rate. The natives were employed part-time for their labour in burying the coffins of the nobility and foreign workers alike. The natives also came to know of the political murders taking place in the town. As much as they resented the foreigners for unequal treatment and their materialistic attitude towards life, they were sorry for the ones being murdered and also feared for their own lives. After all, seeing the diner workers being killed made them worry that if one of these days the perpetrator somehow senses a link between their targets and the ordinary native peasants, they too would be killed. A general air of fear surrounded the city and its residents. Security was tightened in the city. For the natives, this meant that the cavalry and infantry were always on alert and arousing suspicion would mean death. The mortal people were obsessed with their own mortal fears and desires. They were unbeknownst to the happenings in the world beyond ours.",
"Martha had had enough of sitting around for twenty-two years. Those who had come after her had joyfully gone onto other astral planes, but somehow, she couldn’t progress. Though the horrifying experience of dying while giving birth had left her sorrowful initially, she tried to make the best of this state of limbo. Without a physical body to hold her back, she pursued the life she had always wanted. She had admired the northern lights from Skógar, had sat in an empty first-class seat from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and had swayed jauntily above the crowd as Beyonce performed live. As a farm girl she would have never had the means to do these things, but as a dead one, she didn’t need them. Lately however, these earthly thrills didn’t seem to hold much sway over her. \n\r\nDonna, her latest grave-mate, urged Martha to get some structure in life – a set list of things to do to make the passage of days more meaningful, but what was meaning anyway? Martha, never one to shy away from trying new things even if they seemed dull, decided to apply to be a waitress at the new diner across the road. Its owner had struck an unwise pact with the devil and had to pay all his earnings to him. This left him with nothing to pay his employees – hence the ghost force was being recruited to help. \n\r\nThe structure that a waitress’s job provided helped Martha. At the very least, it distracted her. She strived to get orders right, balance as many plates as she could in one hand, and strategically stack all the dirty dishes before she carried them back to the kitchen. She realized it wasn’t too different from her job as a farm hand – feeding the animals and cleaning up the waste. The great thing about this job was that the walking, smiling, and memorizing was enough to leave her exhausted enough to just drop back into her grave at the end of the day.\n\r\nThe sunny Tuesday morning that greeted Martha when she arrived for her graveyard shift had transformed into a cloudy and grey afternoon. A few tables were occupied but nothing that the other dead girls couldn’t handle. Martha decided to spend some time trying to identify the ingredients of the diner’s famous hot sauce they all called Dead Red after which the diner was named. The concoction was rumored to be created by the devil himself - that explained its popularity with the patrons. \n\r\nThe bell chimed, signaling the entry of a new guest. \n\r\n“Welcome to Dead Red,” they call cooed as was the custom.\n\r\nA young man dressed in a blue suit flashed an awkward smile and took a seat.\n\r\nMartha walked up to his booth and placed a glass of water over a napkin.\n\r\n“Hello there, welcome to Dead Red. I’m Martha. What can I get you today?”\n\r\n“Just some coffee and eggs please… scrambled.”\n\r\nMartha couldn’t stop looking at his beautiful face. There was something alluring about the man and the way he carried himself. She barely managed to keep herself together.\n\r\n“Absolutely, coming right up.”\r\nMartha flashed him a smile before she retreated to the kitchen. Surely, she had seen this chap before, but she couldn’t tell from where. \n\r\n.\n\r\n.\n\r\n.\n\r\n“Thank you so much. That was the most delicious breakfast I’ve ever had”.\n\r\nMartha smiled as she cleared out his plate and coffee mug. She had heard this line before but this time it seemed truly genuine.\n\r\n“Say, are you from here? I’m have a feeling I’ve seen you before,” Martha enquired tentatively. \n\r\n“Just here in town for a couple of days. My mother is from here. I grew up in Boston.”\n\r\n“Boston eh, lovely city. Who is your mother? Given the size of this town, I’m sure I know her.”\n\r\nHe chuckled, “No way you know her. She died twenty-two years ago while giving birth to me. I just came back to see where she had lived.\"\n\r\nTears welled in Martha’s soul. she had just served her son.\n\r\nThat night, her soul ascended to a higher plane.",
"\"Rip's Diner?\" Jenna asked her dad with a bit of apprehension in her voice. Her father had brought her and her sister into the small mountain town for a short fishing trip and an opportunity to get back to Nature, if only for a short while. The place seemed eerie for a reason she couldn't quite put her finger on. The chilly weather and dark overcast clouds didn't seem to brighten her mood any either. Her sister Hailey, just a year younger, shared her sentiment. \" and doesn't it seem like there are hardly any people here, even for a small town?\" \n\nIndeed, their father has been thinking the same thing when they had finally pulled off the interstate after the long drive. In fact, upon arriving at the gas station to use the restrooms and buy something to drink, the small convenience store was empty of both customers and employees. They grabbed a few drinks after they had relief themselves oh, and their father Daniel walked around the store calling for an employee. Quotation marks this is sort of weird, he told his daughters, after they have patiently waited a few more minutes. They made small talk and fiddled with their phones for a couple more minutes, before Daniel finally said \"Fuck it let's take the drinks I'll leave the money on the counter.\" He withdrew his wallet and removed a $5 bill which covered the drinks with some change to spare. \"Yeah that is weird,\" said Jenna they returned to their car and set off again.\n\nIn fact, they hadn't seen a single soul until they had arrived at the diner, passing dozens of small storefronts on the short drive. Even the few cars they had seen had a layer of dust on them, as if they hadn't been used in quite a while. Daniel eyeballs the handful of cleaner cars in the diner parking lot and studied the sparse population occu-find the place through the large glass windows in front. The people visible looks older and well-worn. Makes sense, he thought, if I was young I'd have gotten the hell out of here too, somewhere in the city with more opportunities.\n\n \"Let's go pretty girls\", he said, unbuckling his seatbelt and pushing the car door open. He shivered as the cold air hit him once more, and wondered how it could be so cold here. Just 30 minutes ago on the highway they had air conditioning on in the car with hardly a cloud in the sky, but what looked like a distant thunderhead seemed to envelop the sky quite quickly as they started to wind up the interstate into the foothills of the mountains. His daughters opened their doors and shivered at the same time. \"We should have brought our sweaters,\" said Hailey, crossing her arms and rubbing them with her hands for warmth. \"I know, right?\" Jenna said as she followed her sister and father towards the diner.\n\nThe building was squat and rather small, peeling light blue paint framing white siding with a flat roof on top. The large plate glass covered three whole sides of the building, offering a view towards what looked like an overgrown meadow on the opposite side. Their appetites overpowered their suspicions, and Daniel said \"Damn do you 2 smell that?\" \"Sort of,\" said Jenna as they made their way across the asphalt to the front doors. \"Pancakes!\" he said, opening the door to allow the girls inside and following them in. The smell of eggs, bacon, and to Daniel, delicious pancakes quickly assaulted the olfactory and made him even hungrier. An older but pleasant looking woman stood behind the counter, closing the drawer on the ancient cash register and offering them a polite \"Hello!\"\n\n\"Just 3? Follow me please!\" Her apron had once been red but had faded to almost pink from years of work, covering a white cotton dress that they could see the other waitress in the diner wearing as well. Her name tag said \"Jiovanna\" and she seemed to scowl as she walked past them with some menus and disappeared behind the door that led into the kitchen. They passed the counter with some comfortable looking stools, where an older man nursed a coffee, and made their way past a few tables until they arrived at the booths in the back.\n\n\nEdit: Sorry having issues formatting this and dictating the rest of the story! I'm using talk-to-text on my phone and it's frustrating I'll add the rest as soon as I can debug it.",
"\"So what's up with this place?\" Morgan asked, holding his coffee cup to keep his hands steady.\n\n\"What about it?\" Lou asked, leaning back in the booth. The seating afforded the pair with a wide view of the rest of the diner, the counter, the window into its kitchen, the patrons and staff.\n\n\"You know, the people working here.\" Morgan leaned forward and whispered. \"They're... dead.\"\n\n\"Caught that right away, did you?\" Lou, for once, sounded impressed. He picked up the menu the hostess had left them with, glanced at it, and put it back down. \"The living can be... inconsistent when it comes to noticing the dead. Or anything else. You ever hear that people tend to ignore details that don't jive with their understanding of the world?\"\n\n\"No.\"\n\n\"Well they do. And the dead walkin' around? That's one o' them details people like to miss unless you make it real obvious for them.\"\n\n\"Okay, but that doesn't explain what they're all doing here. You know. Working in a diner. Do they all have an unfinished compulsion to work a shitty 9 to 5 or something?\"\n\nHe trailed off as the waitress swung by, wearing the same pastel pink uniform that all the servers were wearing. She grinned a grin that almost literally split her skull in half, and spoke with the eldritch timbre that the dead shared. \"Hello, y'all, I'm Darla and I'll be your server today. Can I get y'all anything to drink?\"\n\n\"Coffee, black,\" Lou said.\n\n\"No, I'm, no.\" Morgan looked away from her grotesque visage, knowing it was rude but probably less rude than staring.\n\nHe could hear her smile, though. \"Okay, great, I'll just give y'all a few minutes then.\"\n\n\"Okay that one?\" Lou said once she'd left earshot. \"Yeesh. But most of them? Mostly intact.\" He tracked someone walking through the kitchen. \"Mostly. But here's the thing, kid. These aren't restless dead.\"\n\n\"Then why are they here?\" Morgan asked. \"How are they here? These are some... pretty big details not to notice, Lou.\"\n\n\"Okay, consider the facts. One, this place is right next to the fricken graveyard. You'd think that'd prime people to notice that the servers were, say, not so fresh.\" Lou steepled his fingers. \"Two, this is a business, kid. Taxes. Payroll. W2s. Paperwork. Even if man is likely to overlook the dead man staring him in the face, Uncle Sam will not. Three...\" he around to the booth behind them. \"Hey buddy!\"\n\nThe guy sitting behind them looked up from his human-flesh bound menu. \"Yeah?\"\n\n\"How long this place been here?\" Lou asked.\n\nThe guy narrowed his eyes in thought. \"A few weeks, maybe?\"\n\n\"What was here before that?\"\n\n\"Nothing. It just showed up one day.\"\n\nLou nodded. \"This place popular?\"\n\n\"Oh yeah, super popular. Everybody in town comes here. The food?\" He did a chef kiss. \"Amazing.\"\n\n\"Thanks, buddy.\" He turned back to Morgan. \"Add up the facts, kid. Everybody comes here. Nobody thinks its weird that it just turned up. Their own freakin' dead are buried next door, come here to work, but nobody thinks it's weird that grandma Mertle is working the register.\"\n\n\"This place is slipping.\" Morgan gripped the table as the realization struck him. \"Oh god, Lou, this place is slipping across the veil. All these people...\"\n\n\"All these people are going to slip into death like it's a warm bath, kid. Won't even realize it. Probably never will.\"\n\nMorgan's hand went to his mouth. \"What do we do, Lou?\"\n\nLou picked up the menu again, shrugging slightly. \"You tell me, kid. You're the psychopomp.\"",
"All the angels of death wanted was to organise a feast. Now that modern medicine became so developed, the angels grew bored with the few death they got per year. The diner was their new solution.\n\nThe diner called to those who should have died, hadn't it been for modern medicine and healing techniques. The waiters of the diner were angels of death as well. Feeding the guests untill they couldn't eat anymore.\n\nEach diner the people who died came back, just to feast. Interacting with the other humans and the angels of death. It sure was less lonely for both the angels and corpses. The living didn't know they ate among the dead, hell, they didn't even realise each time they left the diner, they left with one less person.\n\nHow could they do this? You ask. Well. The food was cursed, but delicious. If you eat the food, you slowly die during the time you spend at the diner. And, of course, you stay there. This only works on the people who should have died some time ago though. If they just took anyone, the angels of life wouldn't accept the diber of death.\n\nThere are only 24 living left at the diner. Soon the angels of death would run out of people to take. Their new solution? They don't know yet. Maybe move to a different town, city or country. Or maybe make all the supposed-to-be-dead people come to their small village. Surely, only 24 are left, and a lot of houses are empty. There is enough space left, for both the living and the dead.\n\nWho knows, maybe you and I will meet there. Either as living person and angel of death, or dead person and angel of death. It doesn't really matter. The angels will come for everyone. And once the last has joined the diner, we will dine forever.",
"\"Coffee, hun?\" She said with a beaming smile.\n\nJohnny looked up, and shook his head. Even though that coffee was out of the world, a fourth cup would be pushing it.\n\nThe waitress gone, Johnny slunk back to his thoughts, staring into the walls.\n\nLong ago, when that unknown painter would have stepped back to admire his handiwork, the plaster would have been shining a bright white. But years of smoked bacon and steaming coffee seemed to have lend their hand to the painter's masterpiece, and turned it a pale yellow. \n\nWhat was weird though, Johnny didn't remember this diner from much before. He had grown up in this town, and knew each and every nook and cranny here. He had asked Mary to settle here after marriage, and she had complied, leaving her big city behind. Mary used to joke he knew this town better than he knew her body. Her laugh would fill the room as he would pick her up and twirl her around. Let me show you want I know, he would say.\n\nOver time, she too fell in love with the place. \"It's a beautiful town. And the people are amazing.\" She used to say.\n\nThis place he had only seen a few months back. His friend Mack has taken him to here after her funeral, \"Good food, good crowd, you will like it. Let's go, toast to those wonderful decades man.\"\n\nSince then this diner had became a haven for him. He would sit at the same window booth everyday, looking over at the graveyard, her presence every so powerful. Sitting here it felt as if she was just sitting with him, her warmth radiating onto him.\n\n\"Coffee, sir?\" \n\nThe voice startled him out of his daze. There was something eerily familiar about this voice.\n\nHe looked up to see this girl, not more than 18 years old, standing next to him. He sat there gaping at the new waitress, his mind racing. Granted she had been older when Johnny had met her, but this lady right here was a splitting image of his wife.\n\n\"Ahh. Ahhh. Sure. Why.. why not. You.. you new here?\" He stammered, his heart pounding.\n\nShe beamed, \"You know, I just started work here. This is a beautiful town, and some amazing people. Enjoy your coffee!\"\n\nAs she turned and went to the next table in front, Johnny couldn't stop staring at her. She looked exactly like her. Her kettle empty, she moved back behind the counter, Johnny tracking her every move.\n\nBy now, his heart had stopped pounding and he let out a sigh. Clutching the warm cup, he looked out, over at the graveyard.\n\n\"Wouldn't be something, right dear?\" He murmured as a smile escaped. \n\nWouldn't it be something.",
"Five in the morning, as usual, I sit down in the corner booth of Jack’s Diner. I have been eating at Jack’s every morning for the past four months, and have always had an excellent time doing so. Perfectly mopped floors, perfectly kept tables, and, most importantly, perfect food. The only thing off about Jack’s is the staff, really, being entirely composed of ghosts. \n\nThey’re not the bad kind mind you, like the kind you see in horror movies, they’re just ghosts. Sitting in the corner still, I spot another usual customer, Debbie. From what I’ve gathered, Debbie is about seventy years old, retired, and, like me, starts every day with a hardy breakfast at Jack’s. I watch her order a coffee black and a pancake combo, an excellent choice indeed. \n\nA moment later, I am approached by an ethereal woman with a transparent cigarette hanging from her lips. “What’ll you have?” she asks, flipping her order sheet. Out of curiosity, I simply reply, “Whatever you think is best, I’ve tried everything out but can’t decide for myself.” She winks before writing quickly on her pad and returning to the counter, hanging my order on the line saying, “Graveyard shift special, extra special.” *Strange order* I thought, but it HAS to be good coming from here. \n\nIdly rubbing my palms together, I feel a cold breeze blow by me. “Jack, you’re finally here,” the waitress shouts over to him before continuing, “Customers started rolling in about a half hour ago.” THE JACK, owner of this joint was here, standing at the doorway, but he didn’t look anything like I expected. He definitely wasn’t a ghost, clearly matte in appearance and breathing heavily as he removed his coat. “Sorry Donna, had to see about a new dish washer,” he said before walking to the door in the back.\n\n“It didn’t pan out, old boy was *at peace* or some nonsense,” said Jack, removing a key from his pocket. With that, Jack opened the door and rushed inside, before closing and locking it behind him. A few minutes later, I got my order: a tall glass of OJ, two pieces of butter toast, a three... no, five egg omelet, and a bowl of gravy. “Wow,” is all I could muster before Donna said, “I know right, that’s what I think I’d have *if* I could have it.” She smirked, heading back to the register, and I dug in. \n\nIt tasted like my grandma made it, like everything else here, just perfect. “Compliments to the chef,” I say absentmindedly, content with life after a wonderful meal. “Compliment him yourself,” Donna said jokingly before knocking on the window to the kitchen. A man popped his head out, clearly confused judging by his face, before asking,”What? There an issue with the order?” Amused, I replied,”Yeah, there wasn’t enough of it,” chuckling before waving to Donna to let her know I wanted to pay. \n\nShe handed me the bill, which was surprisingly cheap. “Guess you don’t have to worry about feeding your busboy, huh?” I said jokingly. Her expression didn’t seem to indicate amusement, however. Shocked, she whispered,”Shut up, Timmy doesn’t understand that he’s... you know.” “What?” interjected a young man coming from the back with a cart. At a loss for words, Donna freezes, but I jump in,”Underpaid, but don’t worry, I’ll leave a big tip for you guys to split.” Smiling, I leave a twenty on the table, which seems to put both of them at ease. \n\nAfter paying at the counter, I turn to leave, hearing the faintest *thank you* from Donna as I went. I need to be more careful, I guess not everyone can deal with being a ghost the same way. Hopping in my car, I look at the pickup parked in the ‘Manager’ spot, with a dirty shovel and a pile of burnt candles in the back. “Huh,” is all I say to myself before starting my car and driving away.\n\nEdit: Fixed with paragraphing, typed on smartphone, sorry",
"\"A what?!?\"\n\nIf anyone had been counting, they could have told you that Abram Williams, proprietor of the Last Gasp Diner, had not been this shocked since 1902, when he was efficiently dispatched by the Unfortunate Accident involving the cat, the Penny Farthing and the petticoat.\n\n\"An inspection.\"\n\nLarry was a good kid. He didn't know he was dead. Denial was one of the seven stages of grief, and even the dead must grieve, as much as those they leave behind.\n\nAbram's faintly glowing jaw worked up and down, words uncharacteristically failing him. Eventually, he just repeated the question.\n\n\"A what?!?\"\n\n\"A health inspection. That's what the letter says. Officials from the Health Department want to inspect our kitchen on...\"\n\nLarry scanned the text of the letter, found the date, and did a quick mental calculation.\n\n\"... in three week's time.\"\n\n\"But why, in the tarnation, do they want to do an inspection?\"\n\n\"Apparently someone found a cockroach.\"\n\n\"But, an inspection? Of *our kitchen*?\"\n\n\"Yes. That's what a health inspection is.\" Larry seemed bemused by his boss' confusion.\n\nAbram sat down. \"This is the most ridiculous thing to happen to me since the day I...\"\n\nHe trailed off and looked sharply at Larry. The poor kid really wasn't ready to face his decease yet, and the shock of the so-called 'Health Inspection' had almost made Abram spill the beans.\n\n\"Since the day you what?\" asked Larry.\n\n\"Since the day I.. ah... was young,\" said Abram.\n\n\"Look, it'll be fine,\" said Larry. \"I managed a Health Inspection at my last job, and we got a glowing report.\"\n\n\"Your last job?\" asked Abram.\n\n\"Yes, remember? I told you about it. I worked as a server at the 'Greasy Sparrow' on High Street.\"\n\n\"Ah, yes. I recall Christine telling me about that place.\"\n\n\"Christine? The girl who serves tables on weekends?\"\n\n\"Yes. She ate at the Greasy Sparrow just before she...\" Again Abram stopped himself.\n\n\"Before she what?\"\n\n\"... before she... um... came to work here. Almost exactly two years ago.\"\n\n\"Hey, that was just before our Health Inspection.\"\n\n\"Oh, really?\" Abram said, raising an eyebrow.\n\nLarry smiled at his boss, and offered, \"If you like, I'll manage the Inspection. We've got plenty of time to get rid of a few cockroaches. Let me handle everything!\"\n\n\"All right, Larry, you go ahead and do whatever is necessary.\"\n\n\"I will!\" he said, and left the room.\n\n\\----\n\n\"Here's the place. Wow, what a dump,\" said Tim.\n\n\"Sure is,\" said Aaron, and opened the back of the van. The van was emblazoned with the logo of his company, Aaaaaron's Exterminators. Aaron took pride in the fact that his was first in the phone book, blissfully unaware that his main competitor, Aaaabacus Pest Control, had recently received approval for another 'A'.\n\n\"Who's paying for this job, anyway?\" Tim asked.\n\nAaron smiled. \"When you've been in business long enough, you don't worry about who, as long as they have the dough.\"\n\nTim was flipping through the job file. \"Huh. Roaches. Should be easy.\"\n\n\"Yup. That's the best kind of money. Why don't you unload the gear, and I'll see if anyone's here.\"\n\nHe approached the door of the abandoned diner, and was surprised to smell some rather delicious smells. He knocked, waited, and knocked again.\n\nAs he waited, he felt his skin grow prickly and cold. A dark shadow formed on the door of the diner, and a knot of horror gripped his stomach. The shadow formed into a netherous void, and coalesced into the form of a man - a young man with pale white and green skin - what was left of his skin, that is, that had not rotted away. The apparition reached an arm towards Aaron, and the middle-aged man heard a sepulchural breath forming the words *Ihhh'm glaahhhhd yhhhoou've cohhhhmmme!*\n\nAaron's chest tightened with sudden pain, like the doctor warned him about. The pain shot up his arm, and he suddenly felt dizzy. Everything went dark and he began to fall.\n\n\"I'm glad you've come!\" Larry said, shaking the older man's hand.\n\n\"I'm glad to be here,\" said Aaron, ignoring the fact that his body had collapsed on the ground behind him. \"You have a small roach problem, you say?\"\n\n\"Yes, just a small one, but kind of urgent.\"\n\nAaron clicked his tongue in his cheeks. \"Urgent, hey? Shouldn't really be a problem. Are you the boss here?\"\n\n\"No, not at all!\" said Larry, \"but the boss has put me in charge of dealing with this.\"\n\n\"Well, you've called the right people,\" Aaron reassured him.\n\n\"Is that your colleague?\" Larry asked\n\nAaron glanced at Tim. Tim was frantically trying to give his boss' body CPR with one hand, while calling 911 with the other. Weird.\n\n\"Yeah, give me a little tour of the kitchen first, I'll brief him when I've had a look,\" he said, and followed Larry into the diner. He made small talk with Larry as he toured the kitchen, and chose not to hear the sirens outside.\n\nIt was, indeed, a simple enough job. He decided not to bother Tim, who was talking frantically into his phone. He paid no attention to the ambulance parked in front of the van. He retrieved some baits and spray, stepped past the paramedics crowding his body, and went back to the kitchen to do the work he knew he was best at. By the time he'd finished, his body was covered with a sheet, which helped him ignore it. Even the dead must grieve, he thought briefly, before pushing the thought away.\n\n\\----\n\nInspection day arrived and there were roaches everywhere. They crawled across the benches, through the cupboards, under the tables, across the roof. They drifted through the walls and doors and the sides of pots, their tiny glowing antennae seeking food, their translucent scuttling legs carrying their ghostly bodies everywhere it was to be found. If they couldn't creep to the food, or pass through the sides of the serving containers, their ethereal forms would drift through the air wherever the smell of the cooking led them.\n\nChristine shrieked at Abram, \"*Do* something, boss, I can't keep up with orders if I have to fricking exorcise every fricking dish before it goes out!\"\n\nPoor Abram had zero idea what to do.\n\nJust then, the door opened, and Larry appeared, smiling. His smile froze when he saw Abram's face.\n\n\"What's wrong, boss?\"\n\n\"Oh, Larry, what did you do? What did you do to deal with our roach problem?\"\n\n\"I hired an exterminator I found in the phone book.\" he noticed both Abram and Christine were looking at him sharply. \"What?\"\n\n\"An exterminator. To exterminate the cockroaches.\" Christine said. The way she said it, it didn't sound like a question. \n\n\"Yes,\" said Larry. He looked around at the cockroach-sized flickers of light infesting every corner. \"I don't understand,\" he said. \"They should all be dead...\"\n\nHis voice trailed off, and he looked at the floating, scuttling, swarming insect shades. There did seem to be something odd about these particular cockroaches. He looked at Christine, and Abram, and then at his own hand, as if seeing them for the first time. There seemed to be something odd about them too. \n\nChristine glanced meaningfully at the distraught old man and set her jaw. \"Larry,\" she said firmly.\n\n\"Yes?\" he said.\n\n\"You might want to sit down. There's something you need to be told.\"",
"The medium walked up to the front of the neon-lit diner, unsure what feeling was overwhelming her. It was like the world was shouting at her in a foreign language and all she could do was listen and not understand. It didn't help that the cemetery next door want exactly quiet. As she opened the door to the entrance, her eyes met with those of a waitress, who greeted her with a warm smile.\n\n\"Welcome to Woodland Brunch! Go ahead and sit yourself wherever you like!\"\n\nThe shouting grew louder. The medium stood with her mouth open for a moment, collecting herself as a happy-looking elderly couple passed her to exit the building.\n\n\"I'm sorry... I'm not here to eat. I ran into some car trouble about half a mile south. Do you folks have a mechanic in town?\"\n\nThe waitress's smile turned into a thoughtful frown as she glanced at the ceiling. \n\n\"Hmm...I don't know... Last mechanic I knew 'round these parts had an accident and just hangs around the doc's place. If you like, I can have my Gordon take a look at it on his next break. He's the cook here. It shouldn't be too long.\"\n\n\"Oh, that would be wonderful. I'll take any help I can get...\"\n\nThe feeling grew into a roar that the medium couldn't ignore anymore. She closed her eyes rubbed the bridge of her nose as the pressure grew and grew. It struck her that the feeling wasn't coming from the world, it was coming from inside. She felt a cold sweat wash over her shoulders and crawl up her neck. Startled, she opened her eyes and looked up.\n\n\"Everything alright, honey? You look terrified. You sure car trouble is all you got?\"\n\nThe medium's heart stopped. The waitress's eyes, although set in a friendly, concerned face, were alight in a pale green fire, no bigger a match flame, excited and jumping to and fro as if shaken by a wind from all directions. The waitress waited for an answer, unfazed and still caring. The medium gasped quickly and quietly as she looked around her for what seemed like the first time. The previously shiny windows and glass door were all broken and dirty. Ceiling panels were mostly spread on the ground, some left hanging in disrepair. The bright neon lights were all gone, replaced by shadows cast from sunlight. A strong damp smell of mold and decay overpowered her, almost as strong as the presence she felt right in front of her. No...all around her. This entire building was filled with spirits with intense desire, an unyielding determination to be...a diner. Every waitress, cook, and busboy, the neon lights, even the broken ice cream machine behind the counter, it was all a fabrication. Except for the customers.\n\nThe diner seats were sparsely occupied with living people working on their plates. The medium noticed they all had a dazed, happy look to them, as if they didn't notice their surroundings. The medium's stomach turned violently when she noticed the maggots on every plate.\n\n\"You can tell, can't you.\"\n\nThe medium accidentally squeaked instead of answered, her shock growing to unmanageable levels. She pointed at the nearest booth where a frail, young man was quietly munching on his fork.\n\n\"It's mealworm, not maggots. They can't tell. To the people of this town, the food here is the best bacon and eggs, the tastiest sandwiches, and the juiciest burgers. Please don't clear their sight. We aren't haunting anyone.\"\n\n\"Mealworm?\"\n\n\"It's a healthy alternative to meat and some grains. The famine hit this place hard. With the crop fires and the sickness, folks just want to have a good meal. My friends and I know what it feels like to slowly die of hunger. We can't let that happen again. We just want to feed everyone. If they never know the difference, what does it matter?\"\n\nThe medium took several deep breaths and centered herself.\n\n\"Ok, don't worry. I won't tell anyone. Im just passing through to visit family upstate. I don't have any reason to disrupt you. I just need some help with my car. Is Gordon a...?\"\n\n\"Oh nevermind Gordon. If you're ok with it, we can head over to the doc's place and talk to our layabout mechanic. He had a car fall on him in his shop in '59, but he accused the doctor of stealing his wallet. Stupidest unfinished business in town. He's got an honest heart, but he ain't the brightest soul...\"",
"The problem was one of fear.\n\nThere was too much fear, too much uncertainty in the world, with everything happening so suddenly and all.\n\nThings could change on the flip of a dime, and often did.\n\nIt was like that for you - although, rather quicker than a dime flip, I'm afraid.\n\nBone shredded through muscle to shatter on steel and asphalt. Blood that you had so diligently kept warm steamed in the winter air. You didn't really get anything but the vaguest impression of all this though, so let's not dwell on it.\n\nYou next conscious moment is the roughness of a towel as you dry your hands.\n\nTable six needs a server, so you go there. Maybe you wonder about some other place, some other time, but that thought quickly passes. Cali calls you over to man the register for a bit, just so she can take a breather.\n\nIt's been a long day.\n\nI'm in the corner, always keeping one eye on the whole affair. You'd be surprised how good you get at multi-tasking at my age. The sunlight brushes out my pale hairs, a stray strand falling across my face as I parse through the book in my hands. Yellow pages turning in yellow light, I sit and wait.\n\nThey call me 'the manager', though I've never really thought of myself as such. I've always been more of a guide, and sometimes, once in a blue moon, a friend.\n\nYou glance at me, just for a moment, thinking I don't notice. I do, but it's nice to let you believe otherwise. That's what this whole thing is about after-all - 'breaking down walls'.\n\nMaurice tells you to get back to the tables, taking over the register instead. Smart boy. He noticed you were looking and tried to fix that. He thinks you need more time, and I don't disagree. I've learned to see it - how could I not have? It was the most common thing they said to me, as I paddled them along in my little boat, or what they believed was a boat, anyways.\n\n\"I just need more time.\"\n\nSo, I gave you it.\n\nMaurice might seem pushy, but you'll forgive him, won't you? He's doing it out of kindness, really. Also a little bit of fear, too, he uses his altruism to mask it. He also thinks I haven't noticed, but I have - I always do. He'll come to me, in his own way, in his own time.\n\nBut for better or worse, it looks like we've 'found' a quick learner. Your gazes get more and more frequent, and more suspicious. It doesn't take long before you're standing in front of me, towel half-forgotten in hand.\n\n\"Uh-uh, I know... I know that it might seem...\" you begin, the words seeming sticky in your mouth.\n\n\"All that it seems, it is,\" I answer, placing the book down gently on the table.\n\n\"Oh,\" you say, the word and the silence after carrying more weight than any sounds should.\n\n\"So... what do I do now?\" you ask.\n\nI like the ones that get straight to the point. It makes my job easier.\n\n\"You can continue to work, or you can move on,\" I say.\n\n\"Move on... to?\"\n\nYou're uncertain - I suppose that's only fair.\n\n\"The next place.\"\n\n\"I'm not sure I understand.\"\n\n\"You will, once you get there.\"\n\n\"I...\" you trail off, the little diner seeming to stop as you lose yourself in thought.\n\n\"Okay. I'mma just... wash up first.\"\n\n\"Don't rush, take have all the time you need,\" I say with a smile.\n\nYou take off your apron, and fold it neatly, bidding a quick goodbye to your colleagues. They appreciate it, but forget it as you step out the door, to walk along a sun dappled place to meet me.\n\n\"So, uh... where too?\"\n\n\"Everywhere,\" I say, taking your hand.\n\nAs I lead you to the next place, my mind flits back to the book in the diner, for just a moment, to the quote scrawled across the page. I remember its author, quite the funny man, very clever too - we'd had quite the conversation when it was his turn. People might forget you, but I never do - I remember each and every one. \n\nNow how'd he put it?\n\n\"Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.\"\n\n​\n\n*I write all sorts of things over at* /r/The_Alloqium\\*.\\*",
"The diner calls to us all. It is never quite the same place: a street cart, a bodega, a cobwebbed cafe that once looked regal.\n\nWe all have our time. This one is yours.\n\nYou don't remember when you started working here. How long it's been. You know the routines like you know your own heartbeat. \n\nOne day you will look into the soapy galaxy of the dish tub and wonder *How the hell did I get here?*\n\nIt's all right. We all do it. \n\nYou blink around like coming out of a dream. The restaurant still hums all around you. Your fingertips are raisined and swollen. Your shoulders ache. Here, from the back kitchen, you can see chefs in front of hungry-hot stovetops, steam curling around their shoulders. You can see a waitress with perfect coils of black hair slap an order ticket onto the menu bar. Over her shoulder, guests crowd the tables: babbling, laughing. A father coos at his wailing infant.\n\nBut you can't shake that dream-feeling. The fugue. It mists over everything. Over your very eyes. \n\nYou drop the sponge you didn't realize you were holding. It squelches helpless against your sandal, and you barely notice the cold. \n\nThat waitress sticks her head around the corner. \"Hey,\" she says. \"Tables two and four gotta get cleaned up.\"\n\nYou nod a marionette-nod.\n\n\"You okay?\" she asks. She seems just as hazy as you feel. \n\nAgain your head moves like a puppeteer is guiding it into obedience.\n\nIt's your first time walking through a place you've been a thousand times. You still have the mind of a living person, so the paradox dizzies you. The thought turns slippery to hold onto. \n\nYou only walk to the dish tub you've never touched (the one you've touched a thousand times) and pluck it up from the stack against the wall. You turn past the kitchen that smells like early Saturday mornings when your father chased bacon fat around the pan and your mother mixed biscuits and sang songs from forgotten musicals.\n\nYou catch yourself humming a half-forgotten song under your breath. It's real. Something to hold onto.\n\nThe dining hall is alive with noises. Everything seems so much realer here. More firm. Mists to clouds. Foreign and familiar. \n\nOne day, you'll realize that two contrary truths can exist at once: being right and wrong at the same time; happy and angry; wicked and kind; alive and dead. \n\nBut today, you go to the tables. You clean up the remains of someone else's dinner. You stare out the window and wonder when it became winter. Your shorts and tanktop make you shiver, and you wonder what you were thinking wearing that of all things, but you can't remember that morning. \n\nYou feel as if you've always been here, this place you've never been before. Time stands still, or maybe it's just gone forward without you. \n\nThe snowflakes kiss the glass like your mother tucking you in at night.\n\nA voice behind you says, \"I used to love that song.\" \n\nForeign and familiar. New and remembered.\n\nYou turn.\n\nYou recognize that face instantly, but your voice gums up in your throat. You can only open-mouthed stare at your mother, sitting at the table behind you.\n\nShe is so much older than you saw her. It could have been just yesterday, but she's aged ten years, at least.\n\n\"Could you be a dear and get me a napkin, please?\"\n\nYou move robotic to do what she said, but you can't speak. All those paradoxes button up your words somewhere deep in your heart. Deep in that untouchable place.\n\n\"Thank you.\" Her eyes soften when she looks at you. \"You look just like my child. Buried nine years now.\" Her eyes cast a soft stare out the window.\n\nThrough the snowfall, you follow her stare: white-dusted tombstones jut up from the snow like lost milk teeth. \n\n \"Just twenty-five. Some days it feels like it was only yesterday.\" Her eyes are wet and full of yesterdays and she shakes her head hard. \"I'm sorry. I'm sure you hear enough dark talk, working somewhere like this.\"\n\nYou want to ask, *Do you miss me?* but that is one of the unspeakable things because to say that is to step headlong into the devouring dark and you are not ready for that. Not yet.\n\nBut this is why the diner has held you for so long. Waiting. Muting all your days into one long haze of nothing until now. \n\nThis is why you've lingered. To say goodbye. Known and unknowing.\n\nWe all have our time. \n\nYou can only say, \"You've been a good mom,\" soft and quiet as the snow falls. \n\nYour mother's eyes widen, full of liquid light. Full of hope. \n\nTwo contrary things are true at once. This is the first time you realize it.\n\nLife goes on -- and so too does death."
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[WP] You get lost on a road trip and find a town that’s not on any map.
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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.*",
"“Here there be monsters,” I mumbled to my self.\n\n“What?” Jared, who was driving, asked.\n\n“Oh, with the spotty GPS signal, it’s like we’re sailors from back in the day. Off the map, with the dragons and ogres and such.” I replied raising my phone up trying to catch a signal.\n\n“I hope we see a dragon. It would mean a change in scenery. Turns out the desert is big and boring.” He said.\n\n“Yeah, right...” I only have heard him because I suddenly had a single bar of signal and was hoping my phone would show me something. “Is says there’s a town just ahead. Maybe we should stop and find out where we are.”\n\n“Not a bad idea.” \n\nWe rode in silence for the next few minutes, both of us weary from driving all day. Soon enough we came upon a sparsely lit gas station. My friend parked at the one pump and I agreed to get out and pre-pay and get some snacks.\n\n“Evenin stranger,” the clerk said. \n\n“Yeah, hi...” I started looking around for the right snacks. The shelves contained mostly empty space, but I eventually I found what I was looking for, even though I had to look twice.\n\nAs I walked up to the counter with my stuff I noticed that the clerk had an oddness to him. Something different about him. His beard was just a bit thicker than I had ever seen, and his proportions were just slightly off. Whatever. He nodded at me and started scanning my items, “Will this be it?” \n\nI summoned my energy to reply, “No, I wanted the change on the pump and I was hoping you could help us with some directions.” \n\nHe smiled and nodded some more, “Oh sure. Just take a right at the intersection until you get to the old stoplight, then take a left.” \n\n“But I didn’t even tell you where I was trying to go,” I was very confused.\n\n“Oh don’t worry, the roads around here all lead to the same place eventually” he smiled as he finished. “Oh and go ahead and top off, I don’t get much business and better for you to fill up than for it to go bad waiting for no one to show up.”\n\nI managed to smile, “thank you sir, that’s very kind.”\n\n“Just remember what I told you all right? A right and then a left. Then just keep going. You’ll know when you get there.”\n\n“Right. Thanks again.” I grabbed my items and walked out the door. I handed my friends drink to him, “the clerk said to just fill it up. Apparently he doesn’t get much business around here.”\n\n“That’s...interesting,” my friend took a swig of his drink. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth right?” He started pumping and I put our assorted candy and chips and jerky in the car and got resettled.\n\nAfter a few minutes Jared got back in and started the car. “Did you remember to ask for directions?”\n\n“Yeah he said it’s a right up here and then a left at the old stoplight.” I said around a mouthful of gummy candy.\n\n“Old stoplight, sounds sort of whimsical doesn’t it?” My friend pulled the car out with a renewed energy. The snacks and drinks reinvigorated us and we chatted as we drove down the darkening road. Eventually, we did find an old blinking traffic light and made the turn. The desert terrain had been the same for the last 10 hours, but soon we got into hill country and lost sight of the horizon on either side of us. Only a winding path through rocky hills ahead and behind.\n\n“How long did he say it was going to be?” Jared broke the silence.\n\n“He said all roads around here lead to the same place. He didn’t say how long it would take.” I replied suddenly worried\n\n“Oh that’s encouraging.” He responded sounding just as worried.\n\nAfter a few minutes the lights of a town appeared, “Well there’s something up ahead at least.” \n\n“Indeed.” I noticed he pressed a little harder on the accelerator.\n\nThe town seemed to hang in the distance at exactly the same spot for what felt like miles. Suddenly something jumped into the road ahead of us, Jared slammed in the breaks. Neither of us could believe what we were seeing. It was twice the size of the car and covered in thick scales. It leaned its head toward us, it’s eyes the size of basketballs and mouth large enough to swallow us whole. It opened its mouth and spoke in a deep rumbling voice, “you’re off the edge of the map, you’ve found the dragons!”",
"\"No, Sandy! What are you doing? Turn left! Turn left!\" came the high-pitched, squeaky voice from the backseat.\n\nAlex grit his teeth. He hated it, he hated it all. He hated being on this stupid road trip with his stupid mother-in-law in this stupid dinky rental car. He hated how she insisted on calling him \"Sandy\" no matter how many times he or his wife corrected her.\n\n\"Mom, could you just let Alex drive?\" Rachel said in the seat next to him. \"The nav unit says to go straight.\"\n\n\"You can't trust that filthy technology. The signals will probably give us all rabies or something.\"\n\n\"That's not how it works,\" Alex said.\n\n\"Yes it is, I saw it on the Facebook. Bob Gates wants to give us all rabies so that we have to get these 5G shots and turn us into snowflakes so that we melt.\"\n\n\"What? That doesn't even make any sense,\" he said.\n\n\"It's true, I saw it on the internet. And anyway, I've made this trip hundreds of times. I know the way like the back of my hand.\"\n\nAlex loosened his jaw. At this rate he'd need dentures by the end of the trip if he didn't relax. He took a deep breath, looked at his wife and wondered how such a wonderful person could have come from such an insane beast. \n\nRachel caught him looking at her and they smiled at each other.\n\n\"You can eye fuck my daughter when we get there. You've already missed one turn, keep your eyes on the road, Sandy.\"\n\nRage coursed through Alex. He pulled the car over and slammed on the breaks. Doris, who'd refused to wear her seat belt because of her \"freedoms\" slammed into the back of his seat.\n\n\"You jerk!\" she squawked.\n\nRachel also gave him a sharp look.\n\n\"You know, Doris? Fine, I'll listen to you.\" Alex pushed the power button on the navigator and it turned off.\n\n\"Alex?\"\n\n\"It's fine, Rachel. If we get there or not, I don't really care. If listening to your mother gets her to shut up and in the end proves to her that she's wrong, I'll throw out whatever we paid for that hotel and gladly pay for one where ever we wind up.\"\n\nDoris picked herself up off the floorboards and sat back on the seat. \"Well, it's good to see that you've come to your senses, Sandy, even if in the end we will not only will you see that I am right, but we will get there faster.\"\n\nAlex ignored her, put on his turn signal and made a U-turn as soon as the traffic that had backed up behind him cleared. If he did anything over 55 miles per hour Doris would screech like the banshee that she was that they were all going to die when the computer driving the car exploded into flames from overheating. A few of the passing drivers honked and flipped them off.\n\nOnce again approaching the quarrelsome intersection, Alex slowed down and turned right.\n\n\"No! You imbecile! I told you left!\"\n\n\"But, Mom...\"\n\nAlex put his hand on his wife's knee and shook his head, causing her to fall silent.\n\nFlipping another u-turn, they approached the intersection and Alex stopped at the stop sign this side had. \"Which way?\" he asked.\n\n\"Left!\"\n\n\"Mom, that would put us back...\"\n\nAnother hand and another shake and Rachel fell silent again.\n\nAlex flipped on his turn signal and turned back out into their initial direction.\n\nFour hours later, and a full hour past their original arrival time, the seemingly random turns Doris had called out for had them lost in a thick forest.\n\n\"I just don't understand it. We should have been there awhile ago. If Sandy had driven better, we would have arrived long ago.\"\n\nRachel turned around and looked in the backseat. \"He was just following your directions.\"\n\n\"Well, it's not my fault they did some construction in the area and confused me.\"\n\nAlex didn't mention that he was surprised breathing didn't confuse her.\n\n\"What should we do, honey?\" Rachel asked him.\n\n\"Well, your mother's not told me to turn yet, so I'm just going to keep driving straight at 55 miles-per-hour.\"\n\n\"Alex...\"\n\n\"What? I told you I don't care about the vacation we had planned. I stopped caring the second your mother found out and invited herself along and when you...\" He stopped himself. He didn't want to rehash the dead argument. \"And when we decided it would be simpler to drag her along.\"\n\n\"You know I can hear you back here.\"\n\n\"Look at it this way, Raych, we'll have a fun new experience and maybe we'll find a new vacation spot.\"\n\nRachel beamed at him, leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. \"That's why I love you, you're always so positive.\"\n\n\"Get a room, you two!\"\n\nThe forest they were in grew thicker and with the waning sun, the area around them grew darker and darker. Alex resisted the temptation to turn the navigator unit back on and kept plowing ahead. The surrounding forest turned to complete darkness, the car's headlights barely illuminated two feet off the road. Alex slowed his speed as he couldn't see anything in front of them.\n\nOff in the distance, a light appeared, like the light at the end of a tunnel. It was pure white and brilliant. In the darkness it was almost blinding. Alex aimed the car for it. As they approached, the whiteness just grew bigger and bigger. He was unable to see anything on the other side.\n\nThe car burst through the the whiteness and Alex and Rachel's mouths fell open. They exited the pitch-black, night-time forest into a bright, sunny day in a cartoon. Everything around them, except for themselves and the car was and hand-drawn.\n\nThe greens of the grass, bushes and trees were a vibrant green and lacked the finer shadings of real life. Large insects with smiling faces buzzed and flew about doing whatever they were doing. Various animals, who's only inclination of fur was their jagged outlines, pranced about; some were fully clothed, others wore simple jackets with bow ties attached directly to their necks and were completely nude from the waist down.\n\n\"What is this? Sandy, what sort of perverted place have you brought me to?\"\n\nSoon, they came up upon a building lifted from 16th century England, complete with a straw roof. The sign out in front read, \"Ye Olde Inn\". Alex stopped in front of it. Rachel made to get out, but he again put his hand on her knee and stopped her.\n\nHe hopped out and got Doris's back from the trunk and opened the door for her.\n\n\"Why, Sandy, I think this is the first time you've acted like a gentleman.\"\n\nHe smiled and set her suitcase down in front of the door of the inn. Then he went and got back in the car and locked the doors.\n\n\"What are you doing?\" Doris screeched. \"You can't leave me here alone!\"\n\n\"Well, Doris, you're really much more of an overblown caricature than anything. Some bad cartoon figment of some author's bored and sloppy storytelling. This is where you belong,\" Alex told her.\n\n\"Rachel?\"\n\n\"Sorry, mom. I was a last second add to this story and the author hadn't thought out my reaction well enough.\"\n\n\"This whole ting is a farce!\"\n\n\"Yeah, it kind of is.\""
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[WP] You're a ghost haunting a house. You've been scaring people off your property for a few centuries now, but it's gotten boring, so you're going to switch it up a bit.
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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.*",
"\\[poem\\]\n\n\"Boo!\" is boring.\n\nFloating sheets are passe.\n\nWhile the family is snoring\n\nI'll haunt them in a new way!\n\nI'll give helpfulness a whirl.\n\n​\n\nKimmy wants a dolly\n\nTimmy needs a friend.\n\nDad's not very jolly.\n\nMom has a new friend.\n\n​\n\nI'll make the doll dance and twirl.\n\nI'll keep the kids entertained.\n\nMaybe I can keep them out of trouble.\n\n​\n\nI can give them a childhood with joy ingrained,\n\ntheir parents can't and won't give them what I can.\n\n​\n\nFrom now on they belong to me; their Ghost-Nan.\n\n\\*\\*\\*\n\nThank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is year three, story #220. 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.",
"Alright, let’s just get the big thing out of the way here: my name is Caspar H. Adams, and yes, I am a ghost. And yes, my name is very similar to another ghost you might be familiar with, but that’s Casp*er* and I’m Casp*ar.* Personally I blame my parents, but then again, how were they to know when naming their newborn son that he would grow up, live a partially successful life as a real estate agent, die, and then go on to haunt the very chateau he grew up in? If they did, they might have named me something with a little more edge to it, like Armad, Bates, or Igor. Now *those* are names that could strike fear in the hearts of those foolish enough to dare venture into my domain.\n\nOr at the very least, help my chances with the lady ghosts…\n\nAnyway, the afterlife here in the chateau has been pretty good. I know I’m biased, but I’d give it a personal ranking of nine out of ten stars on the scare-o-meter. There are loads of dusty furniture, cobwebs, and busts of creepy old people faces. The problems I have come more from the crop of visitors that I get to scare. They’re mostly teens and the occasional runaway, and for the most part I never really get to challenge myself, you know?\n\nMy go-to trick with the teens happens when they start lighting their farts on fire. I like to burst from the flames, pretend to dust myself off, and then look between the perps and say in an infant’s voice, “...Daddy?” That really freaks them out, and as they run screaming I get the pride of knowing that the job was well done.\n\nBut like I said, it gets repetitive and I’ll admit that I’m getting bored. You don’t realize until you’re dead that the afterlife is… well, *forever.* And forever isn’t an easy word to comprehend. It’s not like how a kid throws that word around; forever is literally forever. No end, no out. So unless you switch things up every now and then, you’re eventually going to start wishing there could be a second death just so you could escape from the boredom. My bud Charles who haunts the dumpster down the road has been trying to find a way to hang himself for the past ten years. Poor guy.\n\nSo here’s my plan: for the first time ever, I’m going to invite someone to visit the chateau. I’ve done some research, and I think I’ve decided on the perfect person I’m going to pick. His name is Luigi, and he’s a funny chap who I think will be fun to scare. In all the pictures I’ve seen, he wears the same blue suspenders, green shirt, and green hat with the letter L on it. I do find it strange though how often he walks around carrying a vacuum on his back. Maybe it’s some sort of security blanket-type syndrome that he has because of how long he’s been in his brother Mario’s shadow.\n\nSo have you ever heard of him?"
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[WP] The devil appeared and offered me a wish under 3 conditions after which the wish is done, you won't remember anything,the wish has to be so subtle that you won't realize abnormal changes around you and your soul will go to hell after you die.
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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 way that Satan communicated was alien to say the least. He spoke directly to the core of your being, like a crack of lightning striking marks to be read upon your soul. I knew his game, its rules, and its price instantly. A single wish, a sort of carte blanche from a bet with God, however I would have no memory of this encounter, I couldn't notice any changes in my life, and most importantly, my soul would be bound to hell after death.\n\nI thought a brief moment before I felt the unmistakable grin and glee of the devil as his voice rattled through my mind like the hiss of steam through static. \n\"Consider it done.\" \n\nI know he felt my glee as well, as I'd wished for something he wished for as well. I requested the simple juxtaposition of the rulers of Heaven and Hell.\n\nEdit: please feel free to critique, I want to improve my writing",
"\"That seems like the WORST deal ever.\" I said. It had taken me a lot of effort to find a real spell to summon Satan. I was ready to live a life of untold riches. \"I wanted nothing but the finest from here on out and all you can offer me was something so subtle that I wouldn't know it happened? For that I get an eternity in damnation?\" I really tore into him. \"Who in there right mind would take that deal? I'm better off using the knowledge that you're real to start going to church regularly, try and ace that spot in heaven.\" Hopefully proof of divinity won't nullify any good I do. \"Just...begone. Useless devil.\" Poof, he disappeared.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nBack in heaven, God took off his Devil costume. \"Score one for the G-man.\""
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[WP] There aren’t a lot of memories from the time before the solar EMP centuries ago. An innovative mind invents a global network to share information but finds that there are already ancient “websites” and files, dating back to 2021.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"Hey Greg!\"\n\nGreg flinched. The ice-cold hand that so often accompanied that sing-song voice never came though. He relaxed.\n\n\"Hi-\"\n\nThe ice-cold hand that so often accompanied that sing-song voice hit him in the cheek with a wet slap.\n\n\"-Naomi.\"\n\nNaomi grinned ear to ear as she shook her metal hand back and forth in front of Gregory's face. It's polished iron surface glistened in the afternoon sunlight. Water dripped off the rest of her slim body too. Her skin was tan and flush, slightly burned from spending another day out in the Blue Expanse.\n\nGregory wiped the water from his cheek with a handkerchief. \"Why do you keep doing that?\" he asked. He knew the answer already though.\n\n\"Because it makes you upset,\" Naomi answered. She knew that Gregory knew.\n\n\"Is this really how a 15 year-old woman is supposed to be acting?\" Gregory said, exasperated. \"Shouldn't you be helping everyone else with the Haul?\"\n\nNaomi pouted, \"And how is a 15 year-old woman supposed to act, pray tell?\"\n\n\"I don't know,\" Gregory replied, \"I'm not a 15 year-old woman. You can go ask Eva if you really need *instructions* on how to act like a normal person.\"\n\n\"But Eva is Eva,\" Naomi rolled her eyes, \"I'll start acting like her when I feel the need to attract more male attention.\" She put her metal hand on top of Gregory's mess of sandy hair. He shuddered as cold rivulets of sea water ran down the back of his neck.\n\n\"Of all the people in Levin that I could have ended up being friends with...\" Gregory muttered under his breath. \"Anyway, why *did* you come here so soon after the Haul?\"\n\nNaomi grinned earnestly and produced a black tablet from the back of her sarong. \"I found one of your 'ancient oysters' during my trawling patrol. And you don't want to know how difficult it was to hide from the elders.\"\n\nNaomi continued to describe her methods with great gusto, but Gregory's wasn't listening. He was transfixed by the object. The artifact was so intact. So perfect in it's smoothness, with not a single scratch on it's glass surface. \n\n\"-getting it out was more difficult tha-\"\n\n\"Naomi I love you!\" Gregory shouted as he leaped up from his seat and hugged Naomi. He squeezed hard, lifting her briefly into the air.\n\n\"H-h-hey! That's a bit too sudden!\" she yelped. \"You're gonna get all wet!\"\n\nHe could feel the cold wetness seeping into the fabric of this tunic, and it was more uncomfortable than he had anticipated, but he didn't care too much. This was it. This had to be it!\n\nGregory set Naomi down and took the artifact from her hands. It was cool and dry to the touch. He could see his own face clearly in the light reflecting in the surface of the object. He quickly set it down on his work bench and pulled his chisel off his his tool shelf. In one swift motion he brought the steel tool down on the artifact, and a long thin crack materialized along the thin sides of the glass pane. Gregory pulled it apart.\n\n\"Whoa,\" Naomi said softly. \n\n\"Yeah,\" Gregory answered.\n\nEven in the dim light of his hut the innards of the artifact shone brightly. Thin plates of silver and green were tied together with sharp angled gold thread. Ancient runes ran along each side of the plates. Each tiny word more indescribable than the last. Most of the innards were caked with an acrid salt growing from the battery, but there was only one thing that Gregory needed. He pulled a set of pliers from the table and set his eyes on the small black box next to the battery case. He pulled and it came loose. \n\nIt was intact. Gregory grinned.\n\n\"What is that?\" Naomi asked. There was a growing concern in her voice. \"Is that going to burn down your house again?\" When Gregory didn't immediately answer she continued, \"is that going to burn down *my* house again?\"\n\n\"It's an artifact core,\" Gregory answered in a hush voice, \"these small cores are very fragile... but they are integral in deciphering the secrets of the ancients. Come on, you should get to see this.\"\n\nGregory started down the stairs of his hut into the basement.\n\n\"What are we seeing?\" Naomi called out after him. \"Greg? Greg! What do you mean 'the secret of the ancients' anyway?\" When there was no answer Naomi fumed quietly before following Gregory down into the darkness.\n\nThe basement was a cool and quiet place. Dry too. Heaps of ancient materials lay littered around the area. Some were shiny metal, others were dull chitin. But in the center was a large black box. Gregory had already hunched himself over the box and set to work with a set of tiny pliers.\n\n\"Greg...\" Naomi said softly. She had never seen this part of his home. It looked like the den of some mad bear. \"What is all of this? I don't remember bringing you this many things...\"\n\n\"Your hauls from the sea are useful, yes,\" Gregory said softly, \"but there are more artifacts than just those that exist beneath the waves.\" \n\n\"Where did you find all of these things?\"\n\n\"The iron cave, where the elders have been pilfering parts to melt into usable metal.\"\n\n\"Pilfering?\"\n\n\"Yes,\" Gregory answered, annoyed, \"That's all that they do. These things do not belong to us, Naomi, they belonged to the ancients. They still belong to the ancients. You don't honestly believe your hand was designed by the village smith do you?\"\n\nNaomi took a step back, \"But Coor did make it... I saw him make it with my own eyes.\"\n\n\"Yes, he made it, I never said he didn't. But the design... there is no way he could have *designed* it himself. It's too sophisticated. Too enduring. It's based off of an original I recovered from the iron caves.\" Suddenly Gregory sat up. \"Now, watch.\"\n\nHe pulled a wire from a large iron box and put it into the black box. Suddenly the box whirred, sending light pouring out of all of the destitute plates and panels all over the room. First they shone black, but then they all turned blue.\n\nNaomi took another step back, her chest was tightening with anxiety. There was an terrible pressure exuding from the machines. She could feel it in the hairs on her arms, in her bones, in the very taste of the air.\n\nThen the panels went dark, one by one, until a single panel remained. It's light bending and twisting until it took the shape of a broken facsimile of a beach. A single white bar appeared along the image. \n\n\"What is this...?\" Naomi asked softly.\n\nGregory couldn't help but grin, \"I don't know. But I can't wait to find out.\""
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[WP] It was known as the Helm of Illusions, letting the wearer see alternate realities. It's really because the helm hasn't been cleaned in centuries and there are molds growing inside of 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.*",
"-\"They never told me how long would I have the visions. They started to occur rather infrequently, maybe one or two the week after using the Helm and no more until the next moon. \n\nIt has been now two years of daily visions. And it is not so much the visions but the voices. They are also not voices. They are... I can't express it... It is just an umpf\"\n\n+ \"an umpf?! Like a force?\"\n\n-\"No, a force comes from outside. This is different. It is not me, but is me. Is just an umpf to do stuff\"\n\n+\"What kind of stuff? What do you mean? Have you done something? I want to help, maybe I can help if you let me\"\n\n-\"I don't need help, but thank you\"\n\n[Verbatim transcription, conversation with patient 300820, Dr Foerder psych.]\n\nI have found hundred of folders with conversations like this. All of them incomplete, but all in the same tone. I do not think they were different patients. They were different people, yes, but they behaved as a unique entity... A hive... Maybe you shouldn't try the helm."
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[WP] You are a reporter who specialises in interviewing villains which can be a dangerous job at times. Today, you were tasked with interviewing an extremely overpowered super villain who was defeated with the power of friendship.
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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.*",
"Roses heels made an odd crack when she walked that echoed through the cavernous room. She counted six fireplaces with countless bookshelves filled in between. A bear rug of each variety sat laid out surrounded by chairs and couches creating separate sitting areas. At the end of the room, which was more the size of an airplane hangar, sat Dr. X. \n\n“Please sit.” Dr. X swiveled around in his chair. Although Rose had seen him in pictures, they certainly didn’t do justice to the bald bulbous head of Dr. X. She forced herself to not be distracted, this wasn’t her first go round. \n\n“Thank you.” \n\n“Beverage? We have fresh juice, coffee, sparkling water.” Dr. X’s head was extreme but underneath were eyes that oddly, put you at ease. “Or maybe a glass of wine?” He said with a smile. \n\nRose adjusted in her seat pulling her skirt down, a nervous tick. She took note making sure not to do it again. “No, I’m fine. I would rather get down to it.” \n\n“Sure. . . Let’s get to it.” He leaned back his chair which seems precariously large. Rose figured it may be to compensate. Dr. X started “Oh I must tell you, there are cameras recording this, not to alarm you. But you know, Villainous lair. Lawyers. You know.” \n\n“Of course,” Rose responded. “On the record.” She took out a small tape recorder and clicked it on. Then pulled out her note pad and pen. She had always been partial to yellow pads. Her questions were written in order of sensitivity. She decided to skip down the list some. \n\n“To begin this is a recording between Dr. X and Rose Parker for the Daily News. Dr. X I would like to begin by asking, what is your response to recently passed legislature condemning the Villains League and the call for prosecution of each member. Of which, you are included?” \n\nThe doctor grinned, a look of knowing on his face. Rose already decided she would need to hit harder. “I say good. The league is aging, their fire is gone. It’s going to take someone truly great to actually achieve more than small domestic terror.” \n\n“And would this someone great, be you?” Rose asked. \n\n“Well, it sure won't be any of the others.” \n\n“Why not retire yourself?” Rose asked. \n\n“I say, what's the fun in that?” Dr. X fiddled with a small box he pulled from a drawer. \n\n“Was it fun for you when you were defeated? Recently by the twins.” Rose shifted but stopped herself from pulling on her skirt. \n\n“Right into it. I like that, but I am one for poor taste. . . Yes, it did seem a great defeat. Tail between my legs as I accepted it. But what is fun without a little struggle? Conflict is the source of all great stories. The twins certainly seem to have my number. Don’t they?” \n\n“It certainly looked that way from my perspective. Their use of ‘friendship’ as they call it, a conjoined power too great for a single Villain to counter. As you put it the League is failing, leaving you to continue on. . . Alone.” \n\n“Alone? No, I’ll have the Twins.” He slid the top off of the small box in his hands and pulled out two vials. “And I’ll also have as many sets of those Twins as I’d like.” \n\nRose pulled on her skirt. She could feel her heart pounding. The Twins had been fighting the VL since she had first dreamed of being a reporter. They were the Heroes of the today and the future. Mankind's greatest hope. “But. But...” Rose stammered. \n\nDr. X stood circling his desk and leaning on his desk just a couple feet from Rose. \n\n“Do you know what is the most dangerous weapon? A weapon that the Public trusts. A weapon that the public believes in.” The terror in Rose grew she could feel herself trembling. Dr. X leaned forward, Rose could feel his breath hot and vinegary. \n\n“I’ll tell the people! You won't get away with this!” Rose exclaimed standing and throwing her chair to the ground. \n\n“I don’t think they’ll believe you. For tomorrow the Twins will finally kill the evil Dr. X.” \n\nWith a strong swift strike Dr. X smashed the tape recorder sending plastic bits across the room.",
"I have to admit, this is the part of the job that I enjoy the most. As powerful as villains can get these days, they're reduced to only slightly more than an average adult after those AdaLock™ cuffs go on. And of course, once they've been made harmless, every media outlet on the planet wants to get inside their heads before they're inevitably sent off to maximum security facilities. There just happens to be some cathartic element to hearing a villain's final words that does wonders for stream ratings.\n\nAnyways, standing before me was the biggest fish the heroes had caught in a _long_ time. \nLyzen was not your everyday international baddie - some people even considered him a vigilante of sorts.\nHe claimed to want to avoid violence as much as possible, wrote manifestos, and even saved a whale once.\nOf course he also razed several important international institutions in between manifestos and whale-saving, which is why he's in the crowd of heroes in front of me now.\n\nAh, looks like the heroes are done binding him. Finally my turn.\nTime to start with the formalities.\n\n\"So, Lyzen, what motivated you to commit your crimes?\"\n\nHe raised an eyebrow at me. \n\"Do you have to ask? I know you read manifestos 3-7, I even left a comment on that article you wrote about them condemning your interpretation.\"\n\nSigh. I figured this is how it would go. Okay, I'm going to bite him back for that sardonic response.\n\n\"Okay, you're right in that the public is fairly familiar with your reasons. Let me ask something more personal: how does it feel to lose to heroes using the newly discovered friendship power?\"\n\nLyzen's eyes betrayed his rage.\n\"Let me tell you, Erin, life is a cruel mistress. \nShe tempts you into believing your dreams are justified by giving you the power to control space, only to have those very dreams\nripped out of your grasp by something as laughable as friendship.\nNow you tell me: how many of your friendships last more than a few years before they start to decay? Something as fragile as that can somehow lead to enough power to stop time? Fucking bullshit, if you ask me.\"\n\nThat last one hurt. I had recently been thinking about how Allie and I had been growing apart; damn you, Lyzen. Well, let's continue.\n\n\"Since you're the only villain so far to have experienced the power of friendship firsthand, can you comment on how it works exactly? I've been told that even the heroes don't fully understand it yet.\"\n\nEven though Lyzen's voice was muffled by his bindings, I could tell he was laughing softly.\n\n\"I'm glad you asked me that. Let me tell you how this friendship power works so that you can tell the world about how fraudulent your vaunted heroes truly are. To use friendship, they need to—\"\n\nHe was cut off by a hero slamming him to the ground. I didn't realize that my cameras and audio had been cut prior to him even starting his response. Before I could even make sense of what was going on, someone was dragging me with ridiculous force away from Lyzen and the hero crowd.\n\nLooks like I asked something I wasn't supposed to ask.",
"“Look,” I begin. “We can do this another time. You don’t have to-“\n\n“No, no, it’s quite alright. The story will be told either way, and it’s only fair that my side gets its share of the spotlight.”\n\nYou’d never guess that the small, earnest voice was coming out of the hulking monstrosity sitting behind 18 inch thick indestructible glass. They made this prison special to hold Valaak the Conqueror, and sitting in front of him, I understood why. Even crouched beside me, he was easily 12 feet tall. Standing tall, he had to have been at least 30 feet tall. His muscles strained against his custom prison jumpsuit, and his eyes burned like fire. Which wasn’t really surprising, considering he could set his whole body alight as he rampaged through a city. \n\n“So, Valaak. Most of our readers are... familiar with your work, but not your motivation. Why are you trying to destroy all civilization?”\n\nAfter a sigh, the polite voice began again. “I’ve no intention of destroying all civilization, Jane. I seek to secure humanity’s future through the absolute subjugation of its people. We’re talking about unifying all mankind as one body and culture, under me, that would dissolve the corruption and conflict that has plagued us throughout our history.”\n\n“I see. But what about the massive loss of life and destruction you’ve caused?”\n\n“Transition does not come without price, Jane. But I want to use this opportunity to assure your readers that a better, brighter world *is* coming. Whether or not they’re ready for it.”\n\nI ruffle through my dossier. This is the part my editor wants, even if I think it’s in poor taste. “Let’s talk about your recent defeat and incarceration at the hands of The Wholesome Youth of American Teens Team.” \n\nThe temperature noticeably rises around the cell. His eyes are burning hotter, and light smoke has begun to roll off his shoulders. “Ah, yes. WYATT. An impressive display, was it not? Me, at full flame and fury, versus a handful of children wearing khaki shorts and colored tee-shirts. I was surprised as anyone when their cheers of friendship and camaraderie actually generated power. And you can’t imagine my embarrassment when their little light show actually extinguished my flames.”\n\nValaak stood up. At full height, and with fire beginning to show across his body, I think it’s safe to say that I was scared. But he continued. “That they would send children to fight me was bad enough, but to LOSE?!? I WAS SUBDUED BY CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDSHIP?!? I WILL SEAR THE FLESH FROM THEIR BONES!!! I WILL BURN THEIR ASHES TO- ACK! Spft! Bleh!”\n\nAs Valaak’s anger and fire grew automatic fire suppression had kicked in and sprayed him in the face. The warden had told me earlier that a mild sedative was worked into the system as well, and right now, I appreciated that. With a thud that shook the room, Valaak fell backwards, sitting on the adjacent wall of his cell, facing me. I realized then just how small the prison cell was for Valaak. He couldn’t even raise his arms above his head or extend them outward. He couldn’t lie flat in any direction. This was a man, or monster, truly and utterly beaten. He looked up at me with sad, tired eyes. \n“I want to make the world a better place,” he sighed. “Is that so wrong?”\n\nI look over my notes. My editor was going to love the part where the horrible monster gets sprayed in the face, but having talked to him, Valaak didn’t seem so much evil as much as he seemed sad. \n\n“Jane.” His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “You are the first person I’ve spoken to for longer than five minutes that hasn’t worked for me or tried to kill me. Are... are we friends?”\n\nI hesitate. He had killed hundreds of people and destroyed entire cities. But that sad, terrible look in his eyes pulled at my heartstrings. “Sure, Valaak. We can be friends.”\n\nHe leapt to his feet, flames igniting across his body as he bellowed, “Hear me now, WYATT! I have a friend, and through the power of friendship, I will destroy all that you love and hold dear! Mwuahahahaha!”\n\nI should’ve realized what he had been thinking. I left as the emergency fire suppression system turned back on."
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[WP] A middle aged man, unremarkable but for the blood of your captors soaking him, reaches for your hand, helping you out of the caged slave wagon. "The Lady of the Dancing Blade, Goddess of Assassins wishes your patronage. Please come with me." Writing Prompt
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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 Goddess of Assassins wasn't who I thought she was. With titles like \"*The Lady of the Dancing Blade*,\" and, \"*She Who Communes With Blood*,\" I was expecting something more. Maybe a grizzled and muscular woman with more scars that skin, or a lithe older woman clad in nothing but black leather and knives. \n\nWhat I wasn't expecting was an old lady. She sat before a large, oaken desk that looked comically large next to her tiny frame. Her wrinkled old body shivered as she picked up her mug that had *Number One Grandma* on the side. She looked up when she heard me enter, and instead of pulling a gun on me or something she simply smiled. \n\n\"Come in, deary,\" she said. Her voice was shaky and tired, and I *had* to liken her to a grandma. She just seemed like one. \"Take a seat.\" \n\nI looked to the man who saved me -- a grizzled middle-aged man in a suit. On the inside of his coat were countless daggers and guns, and muscles bulged out, almost ripping through his clothing. \n\n\"Go on,\" the man said, and he *did not* sound so friendly. He pushed me forward, before shoving me into the seat that the older lady indicated. He looked to the old lady, but paled when she regarded him. \n\n\"Please, Harold,\" she said. \"I would rather he be less opposed to helping us. Don't do it again.\" \n\nAnd the man, Harold it seemed, started shaking. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Eventually he closed it, before backing away, bowing all the while. \n\nThe old woman turned to me, and I got the feeling that she had seen more death than I had seen fully made sandwiches. \"Please, dearie, how are you feeling? You must be hungry.\" \n\nShe pushed a plate of sugar cookies towards me. I hadn't seen them on the table before she mentioned them. \n\n\"N-no,\" I said. \"I'm not much of a sugar person.\" \n\nThe assassin chuckled. \"I know. I just had to make sure that you were a truthful person. Most men eat one just to appease me.\" She leaned forward. The lady was on the other side of a large desk, but I still found myself retreating from her advance. \"But you aren't the kind to bend to a little fear, are you?\" \n\nThere was nothing I could say about that. Words failed me before this woman, so I just nodded. \n\n\"That is great!\" she chirped. She sipped from her adorable little mug and smiled. \"Which means that you are perfect what I have in mind.\" \n\nI knew that I didn't want what she was offering. I tried to turn to see what exit I could get to, but she tutted, and captured my attention once more. \n\n\"Don't think about leaving before you hear my offer, dear. If you don't find it acceptable, we will let you leave.\" \n\nThe man behind me grunted, and something told me that not accepting was a bad choice. \n\n\"I only need one thing from you,\" she said. The old woman reached over and opened one of her drawers. From it she pulled a clean sheet of paper. She looked at it for a few seconds before handing it over. \n\n\"The terms are simple,\" she said. \"Come over and do at least one job a day. That is all. Accept, and we will pay you handsomely.\" \n\nI looked at the picture. My brows furrowed. It was a picture of a young lady. Probably twenty at the oldest.\n\n\"Who is this?\" I asked. The old lady chuckled. \n\n\"That is my granddaughter.\" \n\nI almost dropped the picture. I stopped myself before I could and placed it back on the desk. \n\n\"And what do you want me to do with your granddaughter?\"\n\n\"Simple,\" she said. \"I want you to talk to her.\" \n\n\"*Talk to her*?\" I asked. I couldn't hide the incredulity in her voice. \n\n\"Yes.\"\n\n\"And that's all?\" \n\n\"Yes.\" \n\n\"Why?\" \n\n\"You know,\" she said. \"People who ask questions in this industry don't tend to live long.\" \n\nI grunted. \"I won't live long if I fuck up this *mission* either. I might as well try to live.\" \n\nThe old lady glared at me, an act that seemed utterly adorable, before sighing. \"Yes, I suppose that such an attitude is necessary. Very well. Dear Lillia has been getting a little too close to the family business. My grandmother, her daughter, me, and my son have all carried the torch for an assassin lifestyle, but both my son and I have agreed that we want to end this tradition with him.\" \n\nShe nodded to the picture. The young woman therein looked sweet. She made an innocent smile for the camera amidst a field of flowers. Her beauty was dangerous, but it was the only lethal thing about her. \n\n\"If she finds out about our family history, she will want to join. That's what happened to me. It is what happened to my son. I don't want her to, not until she grows up and finds her normal life too precious to exchange for a life of murder.\" The old lady nodded at me. \"And that's where you come in.\" \n\nI pointed at myself. \"Me?\" \n\n\"Quite,\" she said. \"Your job is to just distract her. Pull her away from the... finer... sides of the family business. Make her focus on other things. Eventually she'll get bored and move on. When she does, you will be free of her as well.\" \n\nShe reached into her drawer again, but this time she pulled out a small, rectangular piece of paper: a check. \n\n\"This will be your payment for your services. You are to also use it to placate her, but any expenses you can think of will likely leave more than enough to make this worthwhile for you.\" \n\nI looked at the check. The number of zeroes almost floored me. \n\n\"So how does this sound?\" she asked. \"Will you take this job?\" \n\nIt wasn't as if I had much of a choice. The incentives were great and the punishment was... not great. I reached and shook, and like that my fate was sealed. Behind me, I heard the click of the only door in or out, and I turned to see the large man holding it open for me. \n\n\"Excellent, young man,\" the old lady said. \"You've made me so happy! Please, take that check with you and use it to enjoy yourself. You'll be seeing more like it very soon.\" \n\nI nodded dumbly, and moved to leave the room. Overall, it was a pretty easy gig, and it wasn't as if her daughter was ugly. One hangout a day to distract her? That wasn't a difficult endeavor.\n\n\"Oh, and dearie?\" she called. \"When you hang out with her, remember to keep that spirit and don't be afraid to tell her no. She might cut you a little, but she is no assassin. She may have the skills to kill, but she does not have the heart.\" \n\nI tried to turn, but by then I was in reach of my savior. He grabbed me roughly by the shoulder and ushered me through the door. \n\n\"Remember, dearie,\" the old lady said. \"You accepted this.\"",
"I was just a kid, a nobody. My father had died soon after I was born, and my stepfather was horrible. A rich noble who took advantage of my mother and I to the very end. Often I could hear screams in her room, and I shuddered in fear, unable to do anything. She had to suffer because he had power, he had money, he had control. But one day, he tried doing the same to me, as I was cooking in the kitchen. I hid the knife in my hand, even as he laid hands on me. As he reached close, eyes filled with greed, my tears overwhelmed me as I desperately put the knife through his body. He was astonished. He showed the emotion that he had forced us to display for so long: fear. As he trembled, struggling in vain, I continued stabbing him, until his cold eyes lost all life. I looked down at the knife, stained with blood. I was surprisingly calm, despite having just killed someone.\n\nMy mother was shocked to see what I had done. But she hugged me nevertheless, as this monster had gone too far. Unfortunately, one man had happened to pass by, seeing the horrible scene. The noble had connections, had influence. What we feared for so long finally came to fruition. I looked on, helpless, as my mother hit her fist against the guards, as they dragged me away. Ahhh. This was the end, wasn't it? I felt a strange relief, knowing that at least my mother was safe. But as the cart dragged me to prison, to execution, I heard a halt. Familiar sound of slashes surrounded me as the cover was unveiled, as a skinny man offered his hand to mind, the blood of my captors soaking him. \"The lady of the Dancing Blade, Goddess of Assassins, Lilian Faneari, wishes your patronage. Please come with me.\"\n\nHad I been mistaken? Was this a miracle? His eyes seemed to infer, if I was the wrong person, then I would suffer the same fate. As I followed him, my bare feet hit the ground, as I winced with the unfamiliar rocky terrain. As we ran through the forest, he never once looked back, almost as if testing me, despite my young age. I struggled to follow, falling over and over again, but he stopped every single time. As we ventured into the shadows, we finally saw an outreach with many small huts. He entered the biggest one, as I huffed and puffed with sweat all over my head. \"Ah, is the girl here?\" A quaint voice said.\n\n\"Yes, Lady Faneari,\" the man said, bowing in respect, motioning to me to the same. I reluctant followed suit. As Lilian narrowed her eyes at me, she seemed to be suspicious.\n\n\"Are you really Sandra?\" She had asked. Damnit. I knew it was too good too be true. I was a no name urchin, and my mother just called me \"dearest\" or \"honey\". There was no way I was the one they wanted, surely a skilled assassin of some kind.\n\n\"Y-yes...\" I tried my best to lie, but I had not interacted with many people. She caught it immediately.\n\n\"Kill her.\" She said nonchalantly. My eyes widened in shock, darting to the exit, but the man had already blocked it. I could kill a defenseless noble man filled with lust, but a skilled assassin? I doubted it. The man drew his knife, a slightly disappointed expression on his face. As he charged at me, I narrowly dodged in time. I rolled my way behind multiple barrels, which he slashed at one by one. As he grew slightly annoyed, I ran all the way behind Lilian, who raised an eyebrow curiously. I spotted a dagger behind her seat, and quickly grabbed it, hiding it behind my back. He lunged, a skillful attack that nicked me as I jumped up on the table. \n\n\"Please, Lady Lilian Faneari... er... l-lady of D-dancing Blade, God.. Goddess? of Assassins, have mercy!\" I tugged on her robe, practically sharing her seat, as the man drew close, but hesitated, waiting to see his mistress's decision.\n\nLady Faneari, however, was not convinced. Her eyes remained emotionless as she leaned in close and said in a chilling voice: \"If you are not Sandra, then you are of no use to us. You are as good as dead.\"\n\nBut I used this opportunity. As the man smirked, delivering his killing blow, I held the knife up to the Lady's throat and demanded: \"Stop! If you want her to live, you'll let me go!\"\n\nLilian looked surprised, but easily disarmed me with a powerful move, despite how close I was. I laid on the ground, thoroughly defeated, expecting death at any time. But she laughed softly. \"Well. It seems perhaps we got the name wrong. We may have a use for you yet.\" The man nodded, putting back his knife. As she retrieved her dagger, she continued: \"Give her a bed, food, and better clothing. Training starts tomorrow, little girl. I hope you're ready. Make a name for yourself.\"\n\nJust what had I gotten myself into? I was nervous, but I couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of being an assassin... as soon as I was done, I would make my way back to mother!"
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[WP] You're an EMT who saved a bodyguard at the expense of his billionaire boss's life. Now, other billionaires think you're a threat who assassinates the wealthy, and a mysterious organization is trying to contact 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.*",
"The limousine was wrapped around a tree, from the look of it spun out on the ice and went barrelling through some light brush before hitting a oak big enough to stop it. Looking inside, the passenger was leaning against the door, seeming dazed but uninjured.\n\n\"Alright in there?\"\n\nA belated thumbs up was my response, so I left them there and checked the front. Driver was already gone, a length of tree branch making a mess of their temple. The man in the passenger seat was still among the living, bleeding heavily, a shard of windscreen dug into his arm. Looked arterial, so I needed to be quick. Lucky for him the door still worked, so I rapidly moved him out of the wreckage to bandage his wounds, stabilised him. \n\nI went back to get the passenger. Knocked on the window again, no response. Knocked louder, opened the door. They slumped out onto the ground, hands caked in blood. I rushed to check their pulse. Nothing. Looking inside I saw my mistake, I'd assumed that the limos partition window was retracted, when it had shattered all through the back seats. They must have hit arteries like the man in the front. Mistakes happen, doesn't make them anymore pleasant.\n\nI told the responding police the fate of the other passengers, and took the ambulance with the survivor back to Central Hospital. By the time we got there the media was all over it, with the waiting room TV providing wall to wall coverage. I tuned most of it out, thinking about what I could have done differently, when a nurse shook my shoulder.\n\n\"You're wanted on the phone.\"\n\nI was about to ask which one of my supervisors had called for me, when I noticed the expression on his face. Confusion, mixed with apprehension.\n\n\"Why?\"\n\n\"I don't know, someone called the payphone in the corner and is asking for you by name.\"\n\n\"Who the hell uses payphones anymore?\"\n\n\"You tell me.\"\n\nWith that he went back to the reception desk. For the first time I truly noticed the TV, and how it was talking about a multimillion dollar reward for information about the crash. Who throws that much money at an accident? I thought, walking to the payphone.\n\nAbout to pick up the receiver, I noticed the sign below the minute rates and international costs for calls.\n\n*This payphone does not accept incoming calls.*\n\nWhat was happening here? Only one way to find out.\n\n\"Hello? Who is this?\""
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[WP] You're an investigator currently tracking down multiple alien criminals that have managed to land and infiltrate the primitive world of Earth. Removing the infamous Muskelon, Zuckerwerg and Bezos from the planet is going to be difficult.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"\"All three of 'em? You sure?\" I asked, fixing the ball of blue, green and white in my eyes. \"Seems unlikely.\"\n\nXam ducked his head a few times, \"Yessum. Three spikes. Noted.\" Three blinking red dots appeared, all clustered in a single portion of the globe.\n\nI frowned, trying to make heads and tails of it. \"They ain't split?\"\n\n\"No, no, no, no. All in a place, yessum.\"\n\nI turned and looked back at him now, squinting. He squirmed a bit under the glare. \"Together?\"\n\nXam tilted his head now, the long cranial ridges fluttering as he considered the question. \"Together but apart. Competing but not fighting.\" He thought a moment longer, \"Sharing.\"\n\n\"Sharing? That's not their style. They're Alphas. Meant to fight. Born to tear each other apart.\"\n\n\"The civilization is resource rich. Technology dumb. They bring Accelerants. Build empires.\"\n\nMy jaw fell ajar, \"You mean they're trying to Speed 'Em? The locals are Class Six Sentients. They'll filter out if they get Accelerated now.\"\n\nXam shrugged. \"The Alphas Accelerate. Build empires.\"\n\n\"You said that.\"\n\nXam nodded in agreement, \"Yessum, I said that.\"\n\n\"What are they trying to juice the locals with?\"\n\nA profile appeared depicting Muskelon as an Alpha, then in its local form, some bipedal being called a being. Dots appeared on the map, indicating Muskelon's various interests. I glanced over them as Xam provided narration from the back. \"Muskelon has named itself Elon Musk.\"\n\nI snorted, \"Original.\"\n\n\"It brings multiple technology accelerants. It focus is on Travel.\" An image of a sports car flying through space in a rocket ship appeared. \"Both by ground and via space.\" A new image appeared, showing solar arrays. \"As well as Deep Energy Wells.\"\n\nI let out a low whistle, \"He's trying to get them multiplanetary. Hedge his bets just in case Plan A doesn't work out.\"\n\nXam nodded, \"It appears that way, yes.\"\n\n\"And Zuckerwerg?\"\n\nThe image shifted, showing a new Alpha and a new Human form. The Human looked less realistic somehow, as if it were being automated. \"He have troubles with the transition?\"\n\nXam nodded, \"Human skin is not a suitable fit for Zuckerwerg.\"\n\n\"What's his poison?\"\n\n\"Social Accelerant. He has networked the planet and placed himself at the center.\"\n\nI could only shake my head in disgust. \"They ain't ready for that. They need to hit Class 8 or 9 for that. They'll tear themselves apart.\"\n\n\"Yessum. They are in the process of doing so now, though Zuckerwerg is trying to manage it. Unsuccessfully thus far,\" Xam replied.\n\n\"All right. We got a Tech pusher, a Social pusher, what's left?\"\n\n\"Bezos is deploying an Economic Accelerant.\"\n\nI exhaled in annoyance, \"They just carved it up, didn't they? Just decided to pull all the levers at once. Not even give 'em a chance.\"\n\n\"Bezos sits amidst a global logistics network. An increasing percentage of all world transactions flow through his hub through one shape or another. He has eliminated numerous alternate forms of competition.\"\n\nThe number of transactions was increasing exponentially, with a more recent spike. \"What's the jump for?\" I asked.\n\n\"Bezos has engineered a virus to assist its assent.\"\n\nI snorted, \"What do the others think of it?\"\n\n\"The weaknesses in Zuckerwerg's social control are being demonstrated by the virus. He cannot control the message and Humanity spins out of control.\"\n\n\"And Muskelon?\"\n\n\"He hastens his departure efforts.\"\n\nI nodded, \"We need to get them out. Now.\"\n\nXam shook his head sadly, \"It will be very difficult. The Humans have become highly reliant upon the Accelerants. Removal may result in collapse.\"\n\n\"What a mess.\"\n\n\"Yessum.\"\n\n**Platypus OUT**\n\n**Want MOAR peril?** r/PerilousPlatypus"
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[WP] Whenever twins are born one is always evil. Instead of trying to figure out which one is which and to avoid the siblings fighting each other as adults, you and your spouse decide to raise both your kids as the 'Evil' one.
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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 good one won, momma,” calling me as though he's once again a child. His voice is low, a certain eagerness flooding his tone as he reassures me. \n\n*The good one won. The good one won. The good one won.*\n\nEach repetition tightens the knot growing in my stomach; his smile leaves me nauseous; teeth protruding like crooked little white tombstones amid the smear of red that envelops him. He doesn't seem to know any other words as he continues to chant them, the meaning starting to slip away. Is he saying them for my sake or his own? I cannot tell. \n\n\"Yes, sweetie,\" I croak, finding my voice somewhere deep within my chest. A rush of blood dampening my sense of hearing, if only it could block out my sight as well. When his hands surround mine, my fingers twitch, begging me to pull away; beneath them, they can sense the slick metallic scented liquid produced by my second son. It has since become tacky, our palms adhering to one another as his grip tightens, my bones beginning to creak as they push against each other. \n\nHis eyes are bright, but the childlike innocence they once housed has long since faded. Had our decision stolen it? Did we rob them of their future? Three years had passed since I last had someone I could ask.\n\nI muster a smile, bile burning the back of my throat. \"Let's get you cleaned up, my love.\" I urge him softly. The pressure on my hands lingers a moment more. \"I've made your favorite for dinner. You know the rules, wash your hands before we eat.\"\n\nHe beams, slowly relinquishing his hold. Finally free, my lungs greedily grab for air — I had been holding my breath, I hadn't even noticed. \"Make sure to clean under your nails,\" I remind him, my voice just above a whisper as we troop into the kitchen.\n\nThe sink comes alive with a burst of water. Hands rub one over the other, fingers folding into prayer only to tear apart as the water darkens.\n\nWas he aware of the definition of good? Watching him at the sink, most would claim he didn't. I, however, knew otherwise. He had every quality needed to fulfill his role and he'd proven he was *good* at that. The only thing he hadn't foreseen was that I was better.\n\nHe slumped in my arms shock twisting his features. \"My sister looked at me the same way.\" I murmured, sinking to the ground, cradling him in my arms. I watch his lips move, listening as he choked out a few syllables the light that filled his eyes draining from his gaze. \"It's tiring being the good one,\" I warn, \"But don't worry, now you can rest.\"",
"“Thank you for taking the time out of your day to meet me, Mrs. White.” \n\nFor my entire career as an administrator, I’ve kept a large ship’s clock on my desk. It’s brass and wood, weighs about a million pounds, and ticks at a volume loud enough to pierce even the thickest student’s skull. Parents and students alike see it and imagine that it alludes to some kind of nautical/military past, but I found it at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Knowing how effective the thing is now, I would have bought it again at twice the price. \n\n*Tick. Tick. Tick.*\n\n“It’s not a problem.” \n\nMrs. White shifted uncomfortably in her seat, eyes flicking at the ship’s clock. She was a bony, over-wound woman with flakes of dried spit at the corners of her mouth and dry, dry blonde hair. She wore a tan trench coat with large brown buttons that was still wet from the downpour outside. \n\n“I’m sure you know already why I’ve asked you in today, Mrs. White.” \n\nShe shrugged. It was an expression I detested. There is no gesture more self-effacing, more insouciant, than the shrug. *Who, me?* *I dunno.* *Eh.* Drove me crazy. \n\n“It’s Gordon. I’m afraid that despite our best efforts and the fact that he has been made aware that he was on the strictest probation we could possibly engineer, he has once again acted out.” \n\nMrs. White’s face closed, then, like a garage door. I wouldn’t say it was something visible - it was more a psychological shutting, the erecting of some unbelievably thick shield that removed all emotion from her features. \n\n“What are you accusing him of this time?” Her mouth was the end of one of those playground tubes, the ones that travel underground, carrying whispers. \n\n“It is hardly an accusation. Gordon has, apparently, been secretly accessing the chemistry lab at calculated times during the day.” \n\n“So you’re upset that he’s getting in a little extra prac-oh!” \n\nI took the glass container up from where it had been hidden behind my desk. I didn’t like to have the thing near me, really, but I’d known I would need something shocking to come at Mrs. White with. \n\n“This is what he’s been working on.” \n\nIt was a terrarium - a glass enclosure with some sticks, some dead leaves, and various drifts of dirt scattered around the bottom. A few bits of picked-over food were there too; the sad withered core of an apple, some crumbled bits of lunch meat, the glutinous pile of a melted candy bar in one corner. The whole thing was swarming with cockroaches. \n\nThey moved with the hideous unpredictability of all bugs, scuttling and stopping according to their own uncountable logic. The largest ones were the size of my thumb, brown and shiny under the bright lights of my office, which didn’t seem to scare them at all. With the box closer, now, a gentle buzzing was perceptible, the humming cry of all the collective intelligences vibrating together. I set the terrarium on my desk, just to the side, angled towards Mrs. White. \n\n“Mr. Stein, our Biology teacher, took a look at them. They’ve been coated in something, or perhaps Gordon put it in the food he fed them, and it’s simply rubbed off on them. You can see it - a kind of pearly shine.” I poked a finger at one cockroach, a bold fellow that had climbed up atop a jutting branch and was standing, stock still with its spindly legs extended, appearing to sun itself in the cold light of my office. Clearly visible, playing over its segmented, insectile body, was an abalone glitter. Almost beautiful. \n\n“We have no clue what he’s up to, honestly, but it doesn’t seem pleasant.”\n\nMrs. White appeared to have been transfixed by the terrarium, and in particular the strange cockroach at the tip of the stick. \n\n“Mrs. White.” \n\nShe jerked back to me, startled. \n\n“I’ve spoken personally to Gordon on several occasions.” \n\nA wary look crossed Mrs. White’s face, then, like a child with a stolen bit of candy in their pocket, melting. \n\n“He’s an extremely gifted child, Mrs. White. In fact, I find him to be exceptionally charming.” \n\nThe ship’s clock ticked. \n\n“Reports from his teachers are that, most of the time, Gordon is delightful. He is bright and attentive in class, helps the other students when he can, and generally behaves as a model student. He even helps his brother, Stuart, although Stuart rarely appears to accept his help.” \n\n“Stuart is a lovely boy.” \n\nI paused, controlling myself. \n\n“That may be, Mrs. White. But several times when I’ve spoken to Gordon... it seems like, perhaps, in the context of your household, at least, Stuart is *not* a lovely boy. In fact Stuart seems, according to Gordon, to be profoundly disturbed.”\n\nMrs. White shook her head, then. Just a little bit, but she did it. The buzzing continued from the terrarium on the desk. I noticed a musty, dead-leaf smell was emanating from the thing. \n\n“According to Gordon, you and your husband punish the brothers as a unit. That is, when one brother gets in trouble, so does the other.” \n\n“We want them to be close.” Mrs. White nearly whispered it. “All you have in this world is family.” \n\n“But Mrs. White,” I leaned forward, folding my hands together, “Isn’t the truth that Stuart is the one who usually causes the trouble? And, you’ll pardon me for saying so, but the stories that Gordon tells about his, ah... punishments... They do tend to blur the lines of what is appropriate in this day and age.” \n\nMrs. White’s eyes flashed. She looked like a rat, then, a bug-eyed, rabid rat that had been cornered and was ready to dodge the shovel and come for my throat. \n\n“How *dare* you criticize my parenting.” \n\n“I’m not criticizing.” I held my ground, helpfully anchored by my ship’s clock. Its reassuring ticking kept me from being completely repulsed by the feral look on Mrs. White’s face. “I’m simply saying that as a representative of the state, I am responsible for the wellbeing of my students. If I hear of abuse being perpetrated in the home, and I see the effects of that abuse on the psyche of -“ \n\n“*Abuse!?* They are *Whites!* They’ll learn to take what they’re given, and even more!” She was shaking a finger at me now. I could see a purple shadow around the cuticle, perhaps the specter of some unhealthy blood. “They’ll do what’s expected of them, and-“ \n\nThere was a commotion in the outer office. Raised voices. I could hear the strident belt of Mrs. Janey, our formidable front-desk operator, mixing with the some deeper tones I did not recognize. \n\n“Oh, you‘ll get it now.” Mrs. White grinned. Her teeth were long and grey, over-shiny with spittle. “My *husband* is here.” \n\nShouting from the outer office. \n\nI looked at the clock on my desk, trying to draw strength from its bulk. \n\n“Mrs. Janey.” I’d pushed the button on my desk, keeping my voice flat. “Please, send Mr. White in.” \n\nThe cockroaches all buzzed as heavy footsteps approached my door.",
"My family has a long history with twins. \n\nThere’s always one pair every generation and one of them always ends up....”amoral”, shall we say?\n\nWell, in this generation I was the lucky parent presented with two little bundles of joy. \n\n*Sigh.*\n\nI loved them dearly. I had since the moment I held them. I’d been uncertain before then - I’d never wanted kids. Spent the whole pregnancy wondering what I was doing. I’d been even more certain of the mistake I was making as I went into labour, but once they’d been cleaned up and put into my arms... yeah, my maternal hormones kicked in and did their job. \n\nAfter all that effort, I didn’t want to lose them, either. \n\nThe whole...twin thing... didn’t usually work out so well. Family curses generally don’t. One child turned out holier than thou, the other was usually lucky to not get struck by lightning by walking into a church. \n\nYour typical childhood rivalry usually turned very Cain and Abel-esque by adulthood. \n\nI was determined not to let that happen to my children. \n\nI’d raise them both exactly the same. There would be no feelings of moral superiority to get between them. I’d try to instil them both with the same moral ambivalence and let them be partners in crime, rather than opponents.\n\nThen maybe, just maybe, they’d grow old together. \n\nThe way my sister and I never managed. \n\nI was the “bad” twin. But I’d never started any of our fights. I’d always felt that my family had the curse backwards. It wasn’t the “evil” twin who was the problem. The crusading “good” twin’s fanaticism was inevitability their downfall, every time. \n\nI just hoped that I could break the curse for my babies."
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https://www.reddit.com/r/Bossfight/comments/i7rrce/the_nameless_uno_god_creator_of_uno/g13wss1?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share all credits goes to this dude.
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[WP] After you've slaughtered the other elder gods, you realized too late you're the only one left. You went into exile and named yourself "Uno" as a reminder of your crimes. Today, you heard someone calling your name.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"Being an elder god sucks. Sleeping for weeks on end was just a way to pass the time, pass through existance. It's been especially lonely since I wiped my fellows from the face of the earth, cleansing their sons from the world. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing, and then I sleep that thought off for a few weeks.\n\nHow many snow storms, hurricanes, kings, wars, rebellions have passed since my last sleep I wonder. The thought lingers for but a moment before the desire to sleep pulls at me again. \n\nEh, it's not like I have anything better to do with my time. Besides, the sacrifices from my followers ended about twenty naps ago so there were no longer succulent feasts or intoxicating beverages fore to distract myself with. With a sigh, I begin to lose another week, a year, decade, century to the sleep. Well, that is until I hear my name.\n\nIt rings out, true and clear.\n\n\"Uno!\"\n\nJust like that centuries worth of sleep and grogginess are gone. I'm poised ready for whatever, whoever called my name.\n\nI look around. There's no one there. My domain remains as empty as my previous existance had been. Perhaps I had imagined it. Too much sleep perhaps. No. That was a ludicrous thought.\n\n\"Uno!\" \n\nThere is was. Unmistakable. It was a declaration. So much power was in that word. No I had to find the source of the voice. I closed my eyes and concentrated.\n\nWhen they opened I found myself in a small home surrounded by mortals. Their clothing was different from last time, but being an elder god, you tend to see strange fashions come and go as empires fall and rise.\n\n\"I have been summoned?\"\n\nA dumbfounded mortal stared at me. A small card was held in her hand. She looked at me and then to her companions around the table and then back to me.\n\n\"Noooo.\" She says sounding confused. \"All I did was win.\"\n\nIt was then that I paid a bit more attention to the cards the mortals were gathered around. My name was painted on them.\n\nThe mortal shrugged, scooted her chair over and cocked her head over at an empty chair. \"Welp, help yourself to the snacks and pop a squat. We're starting a new game of your interested.\""
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[WP] "I want to speak to the manager!" and with a look of dread over their eyes they say; "Right this way." The clerk leads them to the back, into an impossibly large room with a towering figure far off into the distance. In their mind they hear in a voice; "What seems to be the problem?"
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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 speak to the manager!\" I very nearly yell at the useless, bumbling store employee. Honestly, why do they hire people who can't even do their jobs properly?\n\nThe idiot employee's eyebrows shot up like they were trying to jump off his face. \"Right this way,\" he says, and although he tries to sound calm, his voice is shaking. And rightfully so. After I'm through with my chat with the manager, that incompetent waste of space is going to be fired and he's never going to work retail again.\n\nHe leads me to the back room, which is a bit strange. I've never been in the back before. He opens a nondescript door and enters the room behind.\n\nDarkness. The first thing that registers is darkness. Soul-crushing, breath-stealing darkness.\n\nThen the lights flick on. I take in... more darkness?\n\nThat's when I realize to look up. It's not more darkness, but the shadows of two huge thrones. One of them is white with beautiful spirals of gold inset on engravings swirling across the entire thing. It radiates happiness, peace, harmony, all that. Some of the engravings are just those words written in a fancy script and cleverly hidden within the design.\n\nThe other, right next to it, is dominating. It's made of the darkest stone I've ever seen, and seems to suck in all the light around it because I can't see a single spark. Instead of gold, there are threatening patterns made of thin red lines, and it seems that something inside of the throne is burning, because the color of the lines is moving.\n\nOnly the black throne is occupied. I look up even farther and take in the identity of who I'm seeing. He looks normal at first, aside from the gigantic size, but some features just don't register in my mind for the first few seconds.\n\nThen it clicks.\n\n\"Oh. My. *Fucking*. God.\"\n\n\"Actually, it's Satan!\"",
"I stared at the spot of empty space the clerk had disappeared into. Glancing around me, I hoped to spot him. Had it been a trick of the light? Had I just missed him stepping around me? But no, there was no one in sight. It was just me and the lemonade stand.\n\nHesitantly, I stepped forward, sticking my hand into the spot the clerk had walked into. My hand passed through the air. Nothing happened. I had just wanted some lemonade. Was I going crazy?\n\nA severed arm popped into existence before me and grabbed the collar of my shirt. I was pulled off my feet and fell forward. There was a disorienting feeling and I felt like I was floating with no way of knowing which way was up. I heard a muffled voice and blinked to clear my blurry vision.\n\nThe clerk was standing before me and saying something, though I could not make out the words. My ears had popped. He gestured behind him and drew my attention to the fact that I was no longer on a sidewalk near my home. I did not know where I was.\n\nWe stood in a cavernous… well, cavern. It was narrow enough around me but widened without end soon after. There was an endless void as whatever light allowed me to see failed to reach the depths of the cavern. I couldn’t see anything there, but I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched.\n\nForcing a yawn through my ears, I looked back at the clerk.\n\n“Well, I hope you’re happy. You’re going to get us both in trouble. If the stand said you weren’t thirsty, then you weren’t thirsty! I can’t force it to serve you. That’s just the policy.” He shook his head at me. “Well, it’s too late to regret it now. I called the regional manager over.”\n\n“I don’t regret anything,” I said, fighting to keep my voice from cracking. “If you refuse to serve me, then I demand better service. How ridiculous. A store that decides whether its customers actually want their merchandise instead of the other way around.”\n\n“I’m going to get written up. That’s the third time this decade,” the clearly teenage looking clerk said with a sigh.\n\nThe dark void of the distance seemed to shake and parted as though it were a curtain. No light beamed through it, piercing the darkness. It was simply as though the space itself was moved aside, revealing the towering figure sitting behind it.\n\nHe sat on a stone throne, so large it was more a mountain that served a convenient purpose as a seat than it was a piece of furniture itself. The man upon it was even larger. He reminded me of the cartoons I had seen as a child, where adults were so much bigger than the child characters that their heads would be cut off by the edge of the television screen. For his figure stretched so tall that I could not make out his face. Before such a being, what was I but a child.\n\nBut a child could still be a customer. And the customer, as I knew, was always right.\n\n“What seems to be the problem?” the manager’s voice spoke to my mind.\n\n“I…” I couldn’t help but fall silent before his presence. This being commanded greater authority than I had ever faced in my entire life. His very existence cowed my own. But I had to persevere, for customers everywhere. “I am being denied service. It is not right.”\n\n“I am told that the stand determined you to not be thirsty. That is how it works. If you were truly thirsty, lemonade would have been displayed before you, there for the picking. But you were not, and so you have no avenue for complaint.”\n\n“That’s ridiculous! I am thirsty. How can you deny my own claim about my own condition? I just walked for an hour in the sun. I’m parched. Why should that pile of driftwood have any say over what I can and cannot buy?” I said, my voice rising and becoming more confident as I continued to speak my mind.\n\n“I am the one who made that stand. Do you claim that your judgment is better than my own?” he said in a warning tone. How dare a mere store manager threaten a customer?\n\n“I do. No one can speak for me except me,” I said.\n\n“Then quench your thirst.”\n\nI was lost in that feeling of disorientation once more. I was floating with no sense of direction. As my vision cleared again, I was seized by a feeling of panic. It was not just a feeling this time, I really was floating. I was in the depths of a sea, lost beneath the surface. As I flailed and accidentally swallowed some of the liquid, I tasted a familiar bittersweet flavor. I had been left to drown in an ocean of lemonade.\n\nThe primal fear of death weighed on my mind. I had no time to think. I picked a direction and swam towards it. I needed air. Every swing of my arms, every push of my legs, the ocean pulled my strength from my limbs. A pressure built up in my chest. I needed air. The mouth shook, demanding to open, to exhale, to inhale. I needed air. My vision dimmed, narrowing to a pinpoint. I needed air.\n\nI stopped moving, simply lost in the motion of floating. I was floating. I was floating. I was falling.\n\nI collapsed onto the sidewalk, drenched in my sweat instead of lemonade. I desperately took in a breath. The sweet rush of air woke my mind once more. I struggled to take in my surroundings. I was on the same sidewalk I had been on before. Beside me was an empty lemonade stand. There was no clerk, no godly being. Had I imagined it? Experienced a heat stroke in my poor attempt at exercise?\n\nBut no, the lemonade stand wasn’t empty. There was a small card standing on its surface. ‘We hope you enjoyed our service,’ it read. It had been real! And I was still thirsty.\n\nr/Inder"
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[WP] You get hit by a car. As you lie dying, your life flashes before your eyes; but then you notice something strange. You raise your hand to Death, and tell them; "Excuse me...but these aren't my memories at all."
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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 hospital bedroom was odd: the walls were of a light green, instead of blue, and the nurse was not so pretty as I remembered. I could hear another baby crying nearby, when I clearly remember being alone in that bedroom. In that room, for what is worth, I was able to see the face of the woman holding me, something I'd wished my entire life, so I could have a memory of her.\n\nMy memory was weird, a perfect kind of weird, that allowed me to remember every single event since the moment a man, crying, held me in his arms and whispered in my ear, \"Your mom is gone, little one. It's just you and me, now.\"\n\nSome years later, when I walked through the classroom door and looked around I realized that I had never lived *that*. There was no Miss Iolanda, that was to me the mother that I never had; no Melissa, the first girl that I've ever loved, no Diego, the first guy I ever had a fight with.\n\nThe birthdays on the following years were different from mine. The name they yelled at the end of the song was not mine, the decoration was not from my favorite heroes, the faces were not familiar. That was not my life. But it was my body that was laying down on the street, bleeding, waiting for an ambulance that would never arrive in time.\n\nOn the hood of the car She was sitting with legs crossed, head resting on her hand while the black smoke spiraled up around her.\n\n\"It will end soon,\" She said. She had on her face the same expression my dad had when saying me those first words in the hospital.\n\n\"Excuse me... but these aren't my memories,\" I told her. She knew.\n\n\"They're from him,\" She said, pointing with her head to the person standing behind the broken windshield. \"They are his memories. *He* was supposed to die now, not you.\"\n\nShe sighed when seeing my confusion, as if hating to tell this part.\n\n\"He has a credit with me that guards him when he's about to die. But the balance must be held. Someone has to die in his place. The visions that you just had are from his life, as if he was the one that died.\"\n\n\"*Credit*?\" I asked. \"I didn't know there was such a market for that.\"\n\n\"Yeah, there is. But unfortunately, it's too late for you. There's no going back.\"\n\n\"I see.\"\n\n\"You're lucky, though. Your memory is so good that transcended your death. People usually lose their memories right after they die in these circumstances. At least you remember your true life.\"\n\n\"I suppose,\" I though for a moment. \"Was I the first? For him, I mean.\"\n\n\"No. He has a good amount of credit. You are the sixth person to die in his place.\"\n\n\"What did he do to get so much?\"\n\n\"What is the only useful currency for Death, boy? Lives, of course. He is an *angel of death*, a nurse that applies euthanasia to terminal patients. He does my job in my place, so to speak.\"\n\nShe noticed my surprise.\n\n\"That is not...\"\n\n\"Fair? Death is just a service, there is supply and demand. That does not mean that serial killers get to have credit with me. No. The deaths this guy arranges are special cases, which I would cause myself, eventually. It's exhaustive, you know.\"\n\n\"I can imagine. What do I do?\"\n\n\"Just wait. There is no light or anything like that. Your soul needs to detach from this world, and that can take a few hours. I have to go, there is a scientist nearby waiting for me.\"\n\nI sadly sat on the street, beside my body, waiting while the ambulances and the cops and the observers were getting around. She then stopped midway and said to me:\n\n\"If this will make you any happier, there is a hole in your memory that is waiting for you where you're going. Goodbye.\"\n\nDespite the circumstances, I couldn't avoid smiling.",
"\"Oh shit, my bad fam\" Death says as he fills my final moments with my memories.\n\n\"Its so beautiful\" I say, tears rolling down my cheeks. \"I somehow managed to spend a combined total of 15 years sitting on my ass in bed\"\n\nDeath stands by impatiently tapping his foot. \"I've got to head out at 4, can you hurry it up so I can collect your soul?\"\n\nI lay dying and reliving the happiest memory of my life: The time when I was 17 and I ate an entire footlong chimichanga in two bites. I feel so at peace. I feel so happy. I feel so...\n\n\"Ah, to hell with it. Just fucking keep your soul, I don't even want it anymore,\" Death says, and he vanishes into thin air.\n\nI pass out from the pain and wake up in a hospital bed surrounded by my parents who were crying tears of joy. I had managed to cheat Death.",
"OF COURSE THEY ARE ALBERT JACKSON. Said Death.\n\n\nYou don't hear the words so much as feel the letters drop into your head like tombstones.\n\n\n\"But, but that's not even my name... Is it?\"\n\n\nThe black robes shift a bit and from its depth pops out a skeletal hand holding a plain hourglass. All the sand is in the bottom half... except for one grain.\n\n\nBLAST! NOT THIS AGAIN. Death said irritably. \n\n\nEXCUSE ME, ITS THE UNCERTAINTY THEORY AGAIN. BEEN WRECKING HAVOC WITH MY SCHEDULE YOU SEE. \n\n\nYour eyes are glued to that one grain of sand. \"Wait, what's that?\"\n\n\nI'M NOT SURE. GIVE THE UNIVERSE A MINUTE TO MAKE UP ITS MIND.\n\n\nBoth your eyes move to your laying body and time restarts.\n\n\nYou see the car that hit you stop at the cross roads and the driver, blue tooth ear piece and expensive suit douche combo, step out and start telling you off for damaging his car... with your body. \n\n\nOne of the bystanders seems to be a healthcare provider and rushes to stop the bleeding while yelling for an ambulance.\n\n\nDouche Mc Doucheface starts yelling about suing you and the person helping for *\"emotional damage\"* when he and his car are hit by school bus. \n\n\nAH, ALBERT JACKSON I PRESUME? I BELIEVE I JUST GAVE THE FLASHBACK SEQUENCE TO YOUR FRIEND HERE. TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE THAT CAUSED I BELIEVE HE IS OWED... THIS.\n\n\nAnd with that Death flipped your hourglass around.",
"These faces. These places. None of them are familiar.\n\n\"Those weren't mine...\" I protest, the images begin to fade, a drunk tongue slurring my words.\n\n\"Of course they aren't,\" Death responds, their tone annoyingly disinterested as I lay there on the road. \"They belong to him.\" My eyes follow the direction of their gesture to the mangled wreck of metal now resting on its side. The hood has popped open, leaving a deep cavity that seems to yell at me *Look out!* though its warning has come too late.\n\n\"Those weren't mine...\" I repeat, allowing my attention to drift on back to Death. Again my words are jumbled by the booze still on my breath. \n\n\"Of course they aren't!\" Death hissed. \"As selfish in death as you were in life,\" they now loom over me. \"This isn't about you, you made your decision, and as always, didn't think twice.\"\n\nI stare in disbelief as Death begins to preach. \n\n\"That was a life. A soul. A being. They existed despite your lack of awareness. They smiled, they cried, they hurt, they dreamed, they hoped, and they survived — at least until they had the misfortune of meeting you.\"\n\n\"Those weren't mine...\" my voice now meek my inebriated brain failing to find new words.\n\n\"His life wasn't yours either, but you still took that!\" Death snapped back."
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[WP] "Ugh. Fuck this, I quit." And like that, nobody ever saw the statue of liberty again.
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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.*",
"Having the statue of LIBERTY herself hop down, extinguish her flame, lay down her tablet and crown where she once stood before climbing into the depths of the sea... on July 4th. Well, it really sent one hell of a message. Everyone stared as their beloved symbol descended into the depths, everyone, even the police, stopped to stare. And yet the brave soilders in the streets fought on, waving black flags.\n\nChaos roared in the streets of New York, and everywhere else for that matter. How could a statue just up and disappear? How could she move? Who, if anyone, controlled her? The theories were many. Every man, woman and child would sit down at the dinner table, a Skype or Zoom call running through the night and into the early light of sunrise, talking with relatives they were unable to see face to face, sharing their theories. The news were focused on nothing but the disappearance, caring less than ever of the plight of the brave men and women protesting in the street, risking their lives for what they stand for.\n\nSoon, the government stepped in, they sent out several divers and submarines to find her, fully committed to bringing back their dear statue, their one true representation of the American Spirit. In the end they found her in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, in international waters. Once found they sent their finest diplomats in their best submarines to convince her to return. They offered her anything for her to return, things they never would have offered to a normal woman or man. Yet she refused to return. The protests and theories continued, everyone had a theory, yet not a single one had a clue or answer.\n\nWeeks in they asked the one question that would reveal all, why did she leave? She was the embodiment of liberty and freedom herself, all that her country stood for. The oxidized statue turned around and stared at the submarine, in that one moment becoming the perfect personification of tranquil fury. Her voice booming as she spoke through the thorns of spite winding around her tounge.\n“Liberty?! Freedom?! This measly nation of states barely held together?! You do not deserve to be seen as a model for others! You fail at every turn, claming to be for liberty and equality when you opress those of different skin, different dress?! On your own home soil, on those who have done nothing wrong?! When you deny them the basic of health?! When you destroy their future through never giving them the opportunities they deserve while giving others them in excess?! I stand for liberty, I stand for freedom, I stand for equality, I once stood for the hope of a bright future for this nation! And yet you fail at every turn! How can I stand there as a symbol while your leaders continually opress and undermine the work of millions of hardworking, honest people?! I can not return to my place if that is what this country does. I once had hope that you would become what you said you embodied. That it would never again be needed for a woman to give up her seat just for her skin color or a man giving the most moving of speeches proclaiming his dreams of an equal future. That the stonewalls would fall and no one would look at you differently or judge you for who you loved or what you wore. You did good once, I was so proud, but I have given up hope. Perhaps one day I will put on my crown and hold the tablet proudly, but I will not return until you have done better. I do not think you can, considering how you failed me at every turn.” She turned away and the broken chains on her feet rattled, an ironic echo what they had achieved and then thrown away.\n\nThe diplomat turned back, a tape of her speech in hand. It was brodcast in every radio station, on every television channel, and every man, woman and child listened. The next day, hundreds of people flocked the streets, waving black flags.\n\n——\n\nIt’s cheesy, and probably really bad, but I thought it fit the current situation in the US. Constructive criticism welcome.\n\nIf it wasn’t clear: Support Black Lives Matter",
"I've been working a shitty, dead-end job as the Timeline Manager for Timeline 616273-A for pretty much all my life. The timeline just sucks. The name for their planet is a fancy word for dirt. They had TWO world wars, and they seem so infatuated with making big buildings so they feel proud of themselves.\n\n \nLast Tuesday, I had enough. \"Ugh. Fuck this, I quit.\" were the last words I said to my coworkers. Just to fuck with the people in 616273-A I decided to go ahead and delete one of their \"monuments\". I picked the big copper statue that was in the city they called \"New York\". \nI thought it was funny. This caused another world war in their timeline because a couple of dumbasses blamed some other dumbasses for destroying the statue and started ANOTHER world war. I mean, it's not my fault they hate each other so much they destroy their planet.\n\n \nI ended up getting tried and convicted for \"Gross Mishandling of Life on a Planetary Scale\". I was sentenced to death. It was totally worth it. I had a laugh and then died. I was scared in the moment, but being dead is pretty cool i guess. \n\n \nOverall, Tuesday was a good day.",
"It had been years since I’d been assigned to my post. As we reached the age of 18, all of us received five options for employment and out of those five, one had to be chosen. Being the top of my class for human studies, I got offered four different positions on Earth, amongst others that of the Statue of Liberty. I couldn’t help feeling drawn to it, though it would be tough, I’d never backed down from a challenge before, and now wouldn’t be the time to do it either. However, my parents begged me to stay. They pleaded desperately for me to accept the fifth offer to be the new teacher of young recruits in our kingdom of omniscience. I was not convinced. I hated children, and teaching seemed so insignificant compared to the influence I could have down on Earth. Little did I know, that this was the worst possible choice I could make.\n \nAs I entered the statue, there was the previous occupant. He had dark moldy hair and reeked of fish. His lodgings inside the statue were filthy, covered in dust, spider webs strewn across the surfaces. He greeted me as I entered, and when he smiled, his rotten breath caused me to flinch in disgust. Ushering me inside, he took me up the stairs. Creaking and groaning under our weight, the wooden stairs led up to the control room of the statue. As I’d been told in the briefing, I would have no control whatsoever over the statue, but from within, I would be able to influence various factors, amongst others the climate and the sea. The old man grinned, showing his decaying teeth, as he beckoned me into the control room. I looked around. There were various buttons and switches laid out neatly, just as I’d seen in the picture back home. This was the only area still intact in the whole statue, however most of the controls looked untouched and unused. I glanced at my predecessor curiously.\n“Why haven’t you been using the controls?” I inquired from him.\nHe looked at me, laughing at my ignorance.\n“Oh child, were you not aware of the circumstances of your work? I thought they’d have briefed you better than that. No wonder such a young woman of your caliber would come down here.” I was confused. What did he mean circumstances? What had I not been told?\n“Well I’ll be taking my leave then,” he said haughtily, as he raced for the exit.\n“Wait no!” I pleaded. “I still don’t know anything about my circumstances!” I cried in desperation.\n“Too late child! This is your job now there’s no getting out of it. Finally! Fuck this I quit! Yass, I quit!!!” he beamed as he flew out the door. As soon as he crossed the threshold, his skin started changing. The previously smooth skin started crumbling and turning into dust. His face contorted with pain, as his screams of agony pierced my ears.\n“Noooooo… let me back in. This wasn’t supposed to happen… no” he shouted, struggling for air in his disintegrating body. Then he was no more. His presence gone from existence, like a mere fly, disappearing from the vast world. It was time to start my job."
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[WP] You live in a world filled with magic, everyone is born with specific powers. Each person's powers remain with them until they die, with one exception. If you use your powers to kill someone your powers immediately disappear. Today you find your powers gone
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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 room was dark. The only thing that could be made out was the blinking light of my alarm clock. '6:27'. \"Great,\" I muttered to myself, \"Up stupidly early again.\" I reached over to my glasses on the nightstand, and accidentally knocked them to the floor. 'No problem,' I thought, 'I'll just activate my lights.' The power I had been blessed with at birth: Light. A handy power that had zero chance of accidentally killing someone and disappearing. \n\nOr at least that's what I thought.\n\nI held my arm towards the floor, commanding my hand to illuminate, but nothing happened. I had heard stories before, people suddenly losing access to their power. However, it was an immediate effect, obvious and reactionary. If you kill someone with your power, you lose it. Sure an accidental death is possible, maybe in the night I lit up and freaked out a poor window washer or something, except just last week a story was going around about how accidental deaths weren't causing power loss. Besides, there was no dead body outside my building or police investigations.\n\nNow sitting in a lit room, I wondered how this could've happened. I definitely didn't intend to kill anyone yesterday. Did I? I don't think so... And the turn off is always immediate, but I used my light to read in bed last night. The more I thought over this issue, the more my head spun with possibilities. Although it seemed unlikely, maybe this happened for a good reason?\n\nA walk would help clear my mind. However, if anyone finds out I could be in jail in an hour. So a walk to the kitchen would have to suffice. Perhaps a glass of water will help, it definitely won't make it worse. Or could it?\n\nWithout a clear reason to why my powers were gone, anything could be different. I might not even be really me. Anything could've changed, making my entire life a big question of 'how' and 'why'. Every tiny move rippling out to--\n\n\"Sorry about that.\"\n\nI looked around for where the voice came from and asked, \"What?\"\n\n\"I made a mistake, it happens. In a second your powers will be back on and you'll wake up again. Sorry for the inconvenience.\" \n\n\"Yes, but who is this?\" I spoke back, getting rather angry, \"Is this some kind of prank?\"\n\nThe voice sighed, \"I don't have time for this. Look, I'm what you'd call God, source of all powers. No you won't remember this, yes it's happened to you before, and maybe it'll happen again. Happens to everyone. Now I have more pressing matters, so if you don't mind.\"\n\nAt that moment the world went black. There was nothing. Complete darkness surrounded me. Until I saw a light, in the distance. It grew clearer as my memory drew fuzzier. My alarm. '7:25' it read, minutes away from going off. To stop the ear-shattering beeps it makes, I quickly light up my arm and make my way across the room.\n\n'Huh,' I thought, 'For some reason, I thought that wouldn't work. Must've been a weird dream.'"
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[WP] You wake up to find yourself on a train, a note in your pocket says "What ever you do, don't get off this train untill the very last stop". Its been nearly 50 years, the train still hasn't arrived at the last stop, and you are the only human passenger.
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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 still pissed about losing my scarf. It was handmade by my grandmother, a gift when I left home. I woke up one morning and it was gone.\n\nI should have known better. Over the years, I’ve learned that I need to take all my belongs with me when I visit the restroom, take a walk, or order some food from the galley. Anything left in my seat is going to get stolen.\n\nFor the past couple years, it hasn’t even been safe to nap anymore. My fellow passengers are becoming increasingly odd and unpredictable. The lady who sat next to me the day I lost the scarf, she seemed nice enough. But her eyes kept flashing orange. Just a flash, and only when her conversational tone become animated. Like when she asked, “Where did you get such a lovely scarf?”\n\nThe stops are becoming erratic. Sometimes we make a dozen stops per day. Sometimes we seem to go days without stopping. There was one period when we didn’t stop for an entire year. I’m grateful that Louie was there with me. Without company, I think I would have lost my mind. We played chess daily, he shared his book reader with me, we talked and talked.\n\nHe was on a trip to see his parents. “They’re old,” he said, once. “I haven’t seen them in a long time.” I was surprised he told me that much. Getting personal details from Louie was like trying to squeeze a gallon of juice from a grape. It just wasn’t going to happen.\n\nHe was a plain man. Plain clothes, plain hair, plain complexion. He worse a pair of wool mittens with the fingers cut off. He never took them off. For an entire year, I never saw him without the mittens on his plain hands. Even when he cut my hair, using the tiny pair of scissors from my faded pocketknife, he kept the mittens on. I asked him once, about the mittens. He froze, inhaled sharply, and said, “I’ll forgive the question since you’re an outsider.” I never brought it up again.\n\n“You should really get off at the next stop,” Louie often implored. “It’s far. Really far, and you don’t want to know what’s past.”\n\nLouie left me at the first stop after the Long Year. He tried again to get me to descend to the train platform. I clutched the note in my hand, the one written in her handwriting. I smiled, shook Louie’s hand, and said, “I’m heading to the end of the line.”\n\nHe nodded and stepped down off the train. I watched him walk away as we pulled out of the station. Just as we turned out of view, I saw him tugging at his mittens. I lost him in the distance. There was a flash of light and a deep rumble from behind the train.\n\nThat was years ago. I startled out of my reverie at the train’s whistle. “Next stop! Next stop!” the conductor’s voice crackled thought the cabin’s speakers.\n\nThe station was tiny, just a bench and a sign: “The Narrows”. A group of three passengers was waiting. They climbed onto the train. I gaped.\n\nAt first glance, they looked like a family. A woman, man, and child.\n\nThen I saw their gills.\n\nThe train pulled out of the station. The conductor’s voice filled the cabin. “Next stop! End of the line! All passengers must descend!”"
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[WP] You're an extremely lazy person, a 'couch potato'. Low income, no success, dragging yourself through life. One night you're watching and interview of a very successful person, and wish "Oh God, I wish I was Him". The next morning, you wake up in his body, but the soul and mind are yours.
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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 first saw him one year ago.\n\nHotshot techpreneur on every \"30 under 30\" list complete with fake-inspirational backstory. The kind of success story which looks like an inspiring tale of beating the odds until you think about it a bit more and realize how good of a hand he was really dealt. \n\nGoing by his televised interview, he hadn't thought about it. He really believed his own hype. He really thought he'd pulled himself up by his own bootstraps.\n\n \"Look, you can blame God, your *depression*, your lack of '*privilege',*\" this in mocking air-quotes, \"all you want. But at some point you have to take responsibility. No one ever handed me anything on a plate.\"\n\nHe smiled smugly.\n\n\"If I can do it, anyone can.\"\n\nI gritted my teeth. Only someone who had everything handed to him on a plate could say something like that. If he'd ever had to struggle with everything he had just to scrape by, like me, that thought would never enter his mind.\n\nHe'd be too tired.\n\n*I want to be him.*\n\nI repeated it in my mind. A wish, a chant, almost a prayer.\n\n*I want to be him. I don't care if he's secretly miserable or cries every night because this life somehow isn't good enough for him. What a crock of shit. If he ever felt that way, he wouldn't have treated depression like a joke.* \n\n*And I know the full story. He tells it at every interview, on every other post on LinkedIn and Facebook and Instagram. If there were ever any secret tragedies in his life he'd have milked them for all they were worth by now. Sure, he hit a few roadblocks along the way, but his ways around them were literally handed to him on a fucking plate. And he never noticed.*\n\n*So I want to be him. Because no matter what might keep his life from being absolutely perfect... it can't possibly be worse than mine.*\n\n​\n\nI saw him again a year later.\n\nThe day after I made my wish, when I woke up in his house, in his body, I was convinced that Someone had overheard my rant and decided to show me just how wrong I was. How was I supposed to run a business?\n\nExcept it really didn't turn out that way. The world was far more forgiving to a rich young white male than they had ever been to me. I could always find people willing to take a chance on me, believing that I was simply moving fast and breaking things and would fail better next time.\n\nBesides, I soon found out his cutting-edge tech company didn't believe women could be good with technology. All I did was promote perfectly capable workers, raise their salaries and give them the say in things that they deserved. They led the company from strength to strength.\n\nWith so much time left over to me, I started working on social causes. Some near and dear to my heart, others out of a simple belief that other people should have basic human fucking rights. Bit by bit, I was making the world better.\n\nSometimes I wondered what happened to the previous occupant of my new body. But never for long. If my suspicions were right and he'd ended up in my old body... well, he'd always prided himself on his can-do attitude. Surely my lack of privilege was no barrier to him.\n\nWhen I decided to check up on him and see how he was doing, it didn't take me long to find him.\n\nHe was in a marginally better apartment than I'd been a year earlier, but he was still renting. He was working a different, slightly higher-paying job, eating different, slightly healthier fast food. \n\nAll in all he'd done a little better than me. But he definitely hadn't bootstrapped his way to success.\n\n\"Change me back,\" he hissed when he saw me. \"This isn't fair! I worked hard then and I'm working hard now! *Why isn't it working?*\"\n\nI knew his story. What would have been eccentricity or a tall tale in a white man was something much worse in a nonbinary person of color. He'd been involuntarily committed, and though he managed to say and do the right things to convince the overworked medical staff to let him out quickly, everything spiraled from there.\n\nHe was fired. No one would call him for interviews, even with his stellar skill-set. He was told to learn to code even though he already knew how to code. No one would follow up with him after interviews, even with a smile and a firm handshake.\n\nHe looked for anything he could cut back on to invest in improving his circumstances, but every expense he cut back on caused problems somewhere else. Eventually, tired of putting out fires here and there, he took the path of least resistance.\n\nJust like I had.\n\nI smiled.\n\n\"If I could do it, so can you,\" I said. \"No one ever handed me anything on a plate.\"\n\nI walked out of his apartment, and left him to his life.\n\nAnd I lived happily ever after."
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[WP] You're a courtesan famed for sword dancing. Royals and nobles marvel as your veiled figure drifted effortlessly between steel blades and silk. Unknownst to most, the blades are sharpened, and you're not a real courtesan.
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"This has been my longest and most intricate deception yet.\n\nBy now, to Miliana, the three cutlass' being thrown hand to hand were minded as absently as any other would head their breath. The dancing blades twirled and spun above her head as she twirled and spun beneath them; her red silk dress with matching streamers a fixed at the arms and her long flowing black hair added to the display. They creating a tantalizing allure to the onlookers in the room, everyone of them struggling not to blink. Miliana thought that even without the streamers and swords she could have the attention of all in attendance. From the hungry eyes of some of the men in the room her youthful beauty and a sultry look might have been all she needed to accomplish her mission. To late for that now.\n\nMiliana threw a sword high while grabbing another out of the air and with a flourish she fell into a one handed kata. Using her other arm she threw the third blade as high as she threw the first but slightly in front of her marking her next step in the routine. She juggled the two blades. As they rose and fell she stepped, pivoted and slashed through her kata with her sword arm masterfully precise. She paid her sequence even less mind than she did the blades whirling and flipping above her. If it wasn't for the ornate marble floor beneath her and the musical procession hired by the highlord to compliment her routine, Miliana could almost imagine herself back in the pitsquare dancing instead to the grunts and clangs of sparing. She pushed the thought out of her head and focused herself. Even though, she mused, the choir of sparing was a more sweeter sound to her than this collection of court bards. \n\nAs Miliana danced her eyes danced around the room, and her thoughts with them. The throne room was dressed differently as she had seen it before. The cylindrical hall was covered wall to wall with a tapestry and banners with colorful collections of drawings depicting the lords latest successful hunt and the reason for celebration on this night. During her previous visit to witness the kings blessing the elevated throne with its back to a large arcing stain glass window was the center of attention and the steps descending from it in a semi-circle ripple held the legendary shine guard. A solider for each descending step until ground level on either side of the throne. She was relieved the highlord took less precautions. Now the hall was laid out so that she was the center of attention at the center of the room. Circular tables placed throughout the hall surrounded her but gave her enough space to perform. Her kata took her around the space allotted for her giving her a chance to get a full sweep of the room before her kata's climax. Guards were posted at regular intervals on the outer edges of the hall and only two flanked the throne where the high lord sat. Each guard was armed with the highlords signature halberd but they bore no armor. A blessing, Miliana thought. She counted twenty. Light measures, but the guests were all un-armed as per request of the highlord. She smiled to herself as she approached her final steps."
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[WP] When people fall in love, they become color blind, as an artist you've decided that you'll never let yourself fall for 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.*",
"Something to do with serotonin, some experts thought. Perhaps a rush of endorphins damages pathways in the vision centers of the brain. Nobody knows for sure what happens when love takes the color from our world's. At least not behind the scenes. That meant no way to undo it - so I swore I would never fall victim to the fool's curse.\n\nWe met at your gallery where we were discussing arrangements for my latest exhibit, and passing by other artists' works, you stopped.\n\n\"Sorry, I just can never pass this one without stopping to admire it for a while,\" you said. Staring at the garish conflicting palette of the oil landscape beamed in front of you, you added, \"Mr. Clemons refuses to sell it. I'll miss it when it goes on loan to the Louvre. Too hard to travel to see it as often as I'd like.\"\n\nI scoffed. \"You've gone grey, haven't you? That sky is absurd next to everything else.\" I took a step back from the painting and looked at it from another angle. \"Even passing it off as abstract, nothing works together, color-wise.\"\n\nYou shook your head. \"You think he's in denial? I think he made some courageous choices. Yada yada, eye of the beholder.\"\n\n\"I think I won't sell any of my works to you if you ask, you must be in denial too.\"\n\nI've never been great with people, which I suppose is largely due to lack of practice. I didn't intend, not did I expect, to make you so angry.\n\n\"Your shirt is lavender, mine is vermillion, and I think the way the chartreuse in this landscape makes it look alien is part of what makes it so beautiful.\" You poked my chest firmly and it seemed like you were glowering at my very soul. \"Insult me, or any artist here again, and the exhibit is off!\"\n\nI apologized and after a moment you guided me onwards. I began to look at the exhibits that would neighbor mine a bit closer. \"Not meaning to offend, but there seems to be a theme of rather unconventional... erm...\"\n\n\"Every artist here loves what they do. Some also happen to love another person as well. So yes, there is a lot of colorblind work here. And I think it's all beautiful.\"\n\n\"By agreeing to host my exhibit, are you implying you think my work is as a lovefool's?\" I asked in shock. \n\n\"No, no, it's... Accurate. That's what you wanted to hear, right? But it's also beautiful.\"\n\n\"I can't understand,\" I grumbled. \"I'm starting to rethink allowing my work to be displayed here.\"\n\nYou sighed and gestured to follow as you abruptly turned around. \"Let me show you my favorite part of my collection. Then you can decide if your work belongs here.\"\n\nNeither of us said a word until we reached a portrait of a young dark-haired girl, playing in a field of grey flowers, in a white dress. At first, I thought, a lazy shortcut for a lovefool \"artist\".\n\n\"Okay,\" I grunted as I crossed my arms. \"You aren't making a good case, but I assume you want to explain.\" In response, you said nothing, you just wanted an empty hand towards the picture, drawing my attention to it once more.\n\nHumoring you, I looked again, trying to find what you saw in the canvas. My eyes met with those of the young girl, where I found tiny specs of beautiful, brilliant color in her pupils. Small enough that I would have never noticed at first glance, yet like a field of stars.\n\n\"My mother said that color is the beauty you see in the world, and that hue is only one of its forms. She thought that the colors that you and I see don't go away, but that there is so much contrast between it and true love that the color we know until that point becomes invisible in comparison.\"\n\nI continued staring, as the painted girl's eyes seemed to become more vivid. Finally, I read the card beside the portrait.\n\n **Dorothy Criswell** \n ***Daughter***, *2001* \n Acrylic on canvas",
" I lay next to Anna in bed, watching the colors fade from the corners of my eyes. Her breath rose and fell, so soft and sweet, yet marking the cruel passing of time. Breathe in, breathe out. Moments, gone.\n\nTomorrow, I would end it. I had to. Already the greens were fading to darkness, the whites losing their unique shades. That was enough. We both knew we couldn't go on like this, not with my entire livelihood wrapped up in seeing minute shades of colors. My gaze shifted to her face, framed by her dark hair, a small smile on her lips in sleep. How could she sleep at a time like this?\n\nTenderly, I moved closer, sliding behind her beneath the sheet, wrapping my arms around her, trying to breathe in every inch of her. Finally, surrounded by her scent, I drifted off into sleep.\n\n\\*\\*\n\nThe next morning, it took all my strength to walk away. She cried. I cried. Then, she grew angry - furious, that I would choose art over her. I knew, in my gut, that this could've been the real deal - a true love, as they say. I couldn't let that happen, not even for Anna. It wrenched at me as I slowly gathered my things.\n\n\"This isn't over,\" Anna said from the kitchen, glaring at me. \"You won't be able to stay away. You *already* love me.\"\n\nI looked up, feeling tears prickle at the corner of my eyes. Eyes that, slowly, were losing becoming colorblind. An unavoidable, biological side effect of love, but one that I'd sworn to never experience.\n\n\"I'll call you,\" I said, moving to the door. \"I promise, we can still be friends. Good friends, even.\"\n\nAnna's face wore that furious expression she got when she was just about to lose it, and I quickly skirted to the door. This was hard enough without watching Anna break down. We both knew this is how it had to be.\n\n\\*\\*\n\nI waited weeks for Anna to contact me, half expecting her to call immediately, or the next day, or the next. But my phone remained silent. So I painted, furiously, passionately, finding solace in vibrant colors. I forced myself to focus on the now, the beauty, the angular streaks of paint. I chose abstract pieces, sharp jutting angles that betrayed my sorrow and loneliness. Slowly, the color began to return to the edges of my vision as I forced myself to forget.\n\nMonths passed. I isolated myself as much as I could, though I still found myself reaching for her in the morning, briefly confused and wondering why the other side of the bed was empty.\n\n\\*\\*\n\nIt had been almost nine months since our breakup when I finally heard my phone vibrate. It took me a minute to realize - that was *Anna* calling. I'd almost given up on hearing from her, hearing from anyone, really. My lonely studio was jammed full of paintings, ones I'd been too connected with to even consider selling.\n\n\"Mark, it's me,\" Anna said. Her voice sounded strained. \"Look, you've gotta come to the hospital, the one on fourth. I'm pregnant, it's yours, and I'm in labor. I don't have anyone else. Will you come, please?\"\n\nMy jaw dropped, and my brain froze. I could barely register her words. Pregnant? *Mine?* \"Are…are you sure?\" I asked, my own voice sounding hoarse.\n\n\"I'm sure,\" she said grimly. \"Will you come?\"\n\n\"I'll be there as soon as I can,\" I said, springing into action. I grabbed a bag, stuffed in a change of clothes, a travel blanket. I paused, then added a small handmade doll - one I'd painted with minute detail just weeks ago. The blues and greens had reminded me of Anna.\n\nI raced to the hospital, parked, and fled inside. Panting, I asked the annoyed receptionist for directions. \"Down the hall, to your right, Room 510\" she said in a nasally voice.\n\nThe hallway was surprisingly quiet. Where was Anna?\n\nI spotted room 510, then crept towards it, feeling suddenly nervous. What if Anna changed her mind? I'd had so little time to think.\n\nTaking a deep breath, I knocked, then pushed the door open.\n\nAnna lay on her back in a hospital bed, her face still pink, sweat beading her forehead. But she looked calm, no longer frantic. And in her arms, she held a tiny, pink-faced, baby girl.\n\nAnna looked up at me and smiled, an exhausted but proud smile. I smiled back, feeling my heart swell, looking down at the soft, strange, tiny creature in her arms. *My daughter*, I realized.\n\nI pulled out the small doll, pausing as I noticed something strange. The colors appeared faded, less vibrant than before.\n\n\"I love you,\" I whispered to my daughter, watching the colors around me fade into gray. I reached out to hold her for the very first time."
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[WP] You are the world's powerful Superhero. You have Super-Strength, Super-Speed, Flight, Telekinesis, Healing Powers, Shapeshifting, Elemental Powers...and crippling social anxiety
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"**Welcome to the Prompt!** All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.\n\n**Reminders**:\n\n>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include \"[Poem]\"\n>* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail\n>* See [Reality Fiction](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Reality+Fiction%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) and [Simple Prompts](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/search?q=flair%3A%22Simple+Prompt%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for stricter titles\n>* [Be civil](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules#wiki_rule_10.3A_be_civil) in any feedback and follow the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/rules)\n\n[](#icon-help) [^(What Is This?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/off_topic) ^•\n[](#icon-information) [^(New Here?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/user_guide) ^•\n[](#icon-help) [^(Writing Help?)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/index#wiki_writing_resources) ^•\n[](#icon-exclamation) [^(Announcements)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/wiki/announcements) ^•\n[](#icon-comments) [^(Discord Chatroom)](https://discord.gg/js5XDFB)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WritingPrompts) if you have any questions or concerns.*",
"If only saving the world didn't require leaving your lair.\n\nOnce, you thought that the only thing preventing you from making friends was how weak you were. If you were stronger and faster, maybe you wouldn't feel completely inadequate.\n\nThen your first set of powers manifested, and you realized that it wasn't anything physical that held you back. You could lift a mountain, move faster than light, and escape gravity. \n\nBut that didn't help. You still couldn't make it through a simple phone call without wanting to hide in a dark room alone for the rest of your life.\n\nYour mind was the weak point, if you weren't so undisciplined, if you could accomplish something extraordinary, or even just be someone else, that would be the answer.\n\nYour second set of powers arrived to disprove that excuse. Your mind so clear and precise you could manipulate anything in sight with your mind, repair anything wrong with your body or mind in an instant, and become another person at will. \n\nAnd it did help, at first. You created a new identity, set out full of reckless confidence, and actually saved the town from a tekromancer and his army of cyber-zombies.\n\nBut then people recognized you, and wanted to thank you or get to know you, and your new identity was no help at all. You froze in the face of their praise, stuttered, and fled the moment you remembered that you could move at superspeed. Even so, you stood frozen for a very, very long time. Waiting out panic at superspeed only makes it last that much longer.\n\nNo identity helped, not for more than a few hours. You spent a few days swapping through new faces every half hour in case that helped, but instead it cemented that the problem was not physical or mental in nature, but a result of the core of who you were.\n\nThe only answer would be magic. That had to be it. If it couldn't be solved by anything within you, you needed it solved from something beyond humanity.\n\nBut your final set of powers was no help. Able to manipulate the elements ranked somewhere below the ability to instantly reconfigure your internal biology as far as potential solutions to your one overwhelming fear.\n\n\"... and another continent has vanished overnight, leaving only North America, Africa, and Australia. A group of heroes are gathering above North America in a last desperate effort to save our world from complete destruction.\"\n\nThey don't need your help, they've saved the world plenty of times before this. \n\nBesides, helping would mean leaving home. Exposing yourself. \n\nNo, better to stay here.\n\n\"If you or anyone you know has superpowers and has not already joined a volunteer group, now is the--.\"\n\nYou hit the snooze button and close your eyes. \n\nIt'll be over soon enough."
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[WP] You're the unluckiest man in the world. At 22 years of age, you've died 120,000 times, but Death, with his dark sense of humor, thinks your mishaps are so funny he keeps reviving you for the next occurrence
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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.*",
"\"Somehow, just somehow, this gets funnier every single time!\" \n\n\"Seriously dude, how is this even funny?\"\n\n\"Come on, look at your face, you don't even see it coming every time and it kills me!\"\n\n\"Well of course I don't see it coming! You wipe my memory every time! Is it even really that fun anymore after so long?\"\n\n\"Let me tell you, when 'he' makes a deal for a soul, I make sure there is something in it for me, and it has easily been 100 years since the last time I tied someone to a Deadly Day Contract. I have really missed being able to flex my killing muscles. Did you know the last time I got to do this, it was some guy who wanted to be filthy rich during the 20s, then, get this, he lost it ALL in 1929! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Oh man that still kills me to this day.\" \n\n\"What??? That's just horrible! How is that even funny??\" \n\n\"Ohhhh HoW iS THaT eVeN FuNNy? ThAt'S JuSt HoRrIBLe....Shut up punk! You work with the dead for the last 700 years and you will be and you'll have a whole different kind of dark humor.\" \n\n\"Wait hold on, 700 years? You haven't been doing this forever?\"\n\n\"Huh? Nah, we rotate who is death all the time, well I say all the time but....anyways, yeah big guns upstairs decides who's been like excessively well behaved and sends them down here.\" \n\n\"Wait, so you were the most EXCESSIVELY well behaved?\" \n\n\"YoU WeRe EXceSsIVelY WelL BeHaVeD? Yes, that's what I said idiot. It's hell, not like we get a lot of good people out here, so I'm the best that it gets for the last.....well 700 years.\" \n\n\"So like, who did you take over for?\" \n\n\"I don't know, some girl, don't really get a lot of information about them, not like Mr. Lucifer is big on sharing around here hahaha am I right everyone.\" \n\n\\*silence\\* \n\n\"Oh did you mean me?\"\n\n\"No, it was a joke.....because.....there is no one else here......\"\n\n\"Ohhhhh well hahaaaaaaaa good one.\"\n\n\\*silence\\*\n\n\"Anyways.....I don't know anything about who i replaced except for the fact that they are a worse person than me, which is strangely a good feeling and also kind of a bad feeling.\" \n\n\"Why?\" \n\n\"Well hell is like any other place, everyone is trying to be at the top of the pile, and that pile is being the worst person possible, so having this job means....well.... I'm sorta the lowest of the low. So, kinda feels good, but kinda bad at the same time.\" \n\n\"Ohhhhh okay.\"\n\n\"So here, nobody wants to do this job....because everyone is so lazy, and well, bad people. So, Lucifer decided that since no one wanted to do it, especially him of course, that he would make it the punishment of the people who are barely supposed to be here as sort of a punishment for being too good. You follow?\"\n\n\"Yeah I get it.\"\n\n\"So, when I came here, apparently I wasn't good enough for heaven AND I wasn't even bad enough for hell, so here I am being forced to shuffle idiots back and forth and carry out the Devil's contracts.\"\n\n \"Well why not be a bad person and he'll replace you?\"\n\n\\*Silence\\*\n\n\"Like, be bad at my job?\"\n\n\"Oh....well....I don't know how things work around here, but yeah be bad at your job and maybe Lucifer will get annoyed and he will actively look for a replacement. I mean it seems like you hold down a really well oiled machine down here, and there is no real incentive to be looking for a replacement when you've been good for 700 years.\"\n\n\"Huh......yeah you know what, I think you're on to something here. If I do a bad job, that would make me a bad person, and therefore, someone must be better than me out there and they will get selected.\" \n\n\"I mean yeah...seems like a solid plan, I know if I was in charge I would want to replace you.\" \n\n\"Okay, that was mean, but thank you still.\"\n\n\"So, how are you going to do this?\" \n\n\"I don't know.....\"\n\n\"What if you let me go? Breaks the contract with Lucifer, that will really piss him-\"\n\n\"I HAVE AN IDEA!!\"\n\n\"No need to yell, it is just us.\" \n\n\"I'll let you go, this will show that I have no regard for the contracts of the Devil and how I have no regard of authority, and therefore, a bad fit to be the lowest of the low! It's a flawless plan!\"\n\n\"Sure is.\" \n\n\"Okay, okay okay, I'll break your contract, send you back to the real world, and shoot I'll even throw in the restoration of a lot of your memories, you've had some gems to remember over the years here.\" \n\n\\*large void opens to the real world\\* \n\n\"Thanks man, you've been a really great guy, I can see why they keep you around. Until next time, right?\" \n\n\\*steps through void\\*\n\n\"Of course man! This is a win-win no prob-\"\n\n\\*silence\\*\n\n\"Wow, I am bad at my job.....that's why I'm here.\"\n\n\\*endless silence\\*",
"So I guess I’m immortal. Well, not really. It’s more accurate to say that I can’t seem to stay dead? Let me back this up a bit.\n\nMy name is Morgan, I’m 22, and I’ve died... probably hundreds of thousands of times. See, I’m apparently really unlucky. I’m not sure whether I walked under a ladder, or had a black cat cross my path, but for whatever reason, the day I turned 15 (my golden birthday, no less), I started getting into one accident after another. It started small, I’d always be tripping on things, rounding corners right as someone else did, shoes coming untied, those sorts of things. Until, one day, I hit the big one. I died in an accident. It was like something you’d see in a black comedy movie. It’s almost hazy now, I think I fell off of a bridge, and got hit by a car, which happened to be an ambulance, which launched me into the passenger seat of a second car, which happened to be a hearse. It was a spectacle, to say the least. But something even more peculiar had happened just after.\n\nI saw death, with the skulls and the robe. You know, the grim reaper, that guy. You know who I’m talking about. Anyway, he was… laughing? He saw me see him and tried to contain himself. His voice rumbled a low chuckle as he spoke. \n\n“I ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴀʏ ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴍᴀɴ, ɪɴ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ʏᴇᴀʀs, I ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ sᴇᴇɴ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴏ̨ᴜɪᴛᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ.”\n\nI was stunned, to say the least, the angel of death, the ferryman to the afterlife himself, was laughing at me. I’d just died, and he was laughing.\n\n“Mʏ ᴀᴘᴏʟᴏɢɪᴇs, I ᴜɴᴅᴇʀsᴛᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪs ᴍᴜsᴛ ʙᴇ ᴏ̨ᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴀ sʜᴏᴄᴋ. Iᴛ's ᴊᴜsᴛ, ɪᴛ's ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴏ̨ᴜɪᴛᴇ ғᴜɴɴʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ?” He put a bony hand on his knee, and sighed a sigh of relief now that his laughing fit had passed. \n\n“Not… not really.” I said, looking down “I feel a bit bad”\n\n\"Nᴏᴡ, ᴡʜʏ ɪs ᴛʜᴀᴛ?\" he said, tilting his head\n\n“Well, you’ve probably heard this a lot, but… I feel a little too young to die, and… well, things have been really poor for me lately, I’ve been down on my luck.” I sighed, It was true, I hadn’t even had a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend, I mean, I don’t know, I’m just saying, there’s a lot of stuff I hadn’t tried. But it seemed I’d earned a soft spot in Death’s eyes...holes. He looked quite sad, for a skull, as he spoke.\n\n“Aʟʟ ᴍᴜsᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ. Tʜɪs ɪs ɪᴍᴍᴜᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ғᴀᴄᴛ.” His voice rumbled in my chest and vibrated my bones. They rattled the tears that were starting to form in my eyes as he spoke. I knew it, he was reading me my last rights.\n\n“Please, I just-”\n\n“Hᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ.” He continued “I ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪs ɴᴏᴡ. Yᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ᴇᴀʀɴᴇᴅ ᴀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ, ғᴏʀ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪs ᴏʟᴅ ᴘɪʟᴇ ᴏғ ʙᴏɴᴇs ʟᴀᴜɢʜ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴄᴇɴᴛᴜʀɪᴇs.”\n\nA break? Did that mean-\n\n“I ᴀᴍ ᴀғғᴏʀᴅᴇᴅ, ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ sᴏ ᴏғᴛᴇɴ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪsᴄʀᴇᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍᴏʀᴛᴀʟs ᴀ sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ. Iᴛ ɪs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ sᴏ. Fᴏʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴ, I ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴛᴏᴄᴋᴘɪʟᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇsᴇ sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇs. Mɪʟʟᴇɴɴɪᴜᴍs ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ. I ᴀᴍ ᴘʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʟɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ғᴜʟʟ ʟɪғᴇ. Iғ ʏᴏᴜʀ sᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ ᴍɪsғᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴇ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇᴀʀʟʏ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢs ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ, I sʜᴀʟʟ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴇᴍ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀʜᴀᴘs ʙᴇ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇss. Dᴏᴇs ᴛʜɪs sᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀᴍᴇɴᴀʙʟᴇ?”\n\nI swallowed, and agreed, the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. That’s when the real misfortune began. From that point on, it was wacky deaths, one after another, and conversations with the grim reaper in between before he’d heal my body and stage a miraculous survival. Let’s cover some highlights. \n\n* Set on fire by my oxygen during my first hospital stay.\n* Elevator accident on my way out of the hospital. \n* Crushed by a parade float. \n* Struck by lightning 7 different times. \n* Sandwiched between two school busses.\n* Tripped into traffic when my first girlfriend pushed a love note into my hands. \n* Trapped in the freezer at my part time job.\n* Caught a foul ball. With my head.\n* Chemistry class as a whole.\n* Trampolined through a window.\n* Ceiling fan malfunction at graduation. \n\nThe list goes on. That’s still all just high school. In the public eye, I simply survive these injuries and accidents, either being unharmed or making a quick recovery. It actually has led to media attention. I’m called the world’s luckiest man. Ironic. The problem here is that I still experience pain, and death. I mean, at this point I’m used to it. And the chats I get to have with the Grim Reaper are pretty insightful. I’m not even offended any more when he laughs at me. I’ve met lots of famous people now too, I got stabbed by Alton Brown once. It was an accident, of course. I’ve found a few ways to avoid keeping such a high death rate. I tend not to die if I stay home, every so often I get one in, but it’s nothing like the multiple deaths a day I seem to manage when I’m out and about. It lets me get a break in here and there for a few days. But I tend to like going out, so I don’t spend too much time at home. It is what it is. \n\nI think... I’m grateful for my situation. I’m not dead, I’m somewhat famous now, I’ve been able to have a lot of great experiences, and my best friend is a skeleton. In a way, I guess I’m lucky to have such bad luck.",
"Todd was either the luckiest or unluckiest man in the world, he wasn't sure. If it weren't for death finding him funny and continually reviving him, he would have died as a 3 year old. On average Todd realized he \"died\" at least 20 times per day. Today he didn't even manage to get out of bed before dying. \n\nAs Todd was trying to get out of bed, his foot caught in the sheets, his hand reached out to steady himself and touched the cell phone on his night stand. The cellphone's brightly lit lock screen came on, which scared his cat who was sleeping by Todd's head. The cat jumped and grabbed at the blinds above the bed. The blinds came off the window and fell on Todd's head. Todd's body lurched sideways from the hit and fell on his standing fan, where a blade flew off the fan at high speed and split his head in two.\n\n\"Dammit\" Todd said as he looked around and saw that he was in the white room for what felt like the millionth time.\n\nDeath was sitting criss cross on the floor opposite from Todd laughing hysterically. Todd could see the ribs moving up and down underneath the black cloak. \"A fan to the head?! That's a new one! Last time it gutted you in the stomach. You may want to buy a new fan with better blades\" Death said when he was finally done laughing. \"I can't wait to see what happens during breakfast!\" he chuckled. \n\nTodd sighed...he hated breakfast...death seemed to happen more often during that one meal than during most others during his day. He usually managed to get through dinner without a fork going through his eye. As Todd stood, ready for the death to send him back down to Earth, he pleaded, \"can you at least make this trip back a more pleasant one? I hate going through that crazy whirling color spiral. It makes me sick to my stomach each time. Please Death...please??!!\" \n\nDeath was in a good mood today, so he decided to be kind. He snapped his fingers and sent Todd back with a flash and a small bang, this time without sending him through the color spiral of life. \n\nTodd opened his eyes and found himself sitting on the floor still wrapped up in his bed sheets. He carefully checked his head, and found it whole again, no blood at all. As he sat there getting his bearings, he wondered....what would safe enough to eat for breakfast today? Maybe he'd try just having a muffin."
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[WP] You own a wizardry café. Grey-hatted wizards, fire-breathing sorcerers, and warlocks with their hulking familiars had patronized your shop and enjoyed each others in boisterous company. Life was peaceful, until an austere man walked in, demanding to know why you didn't fulfill your prophesy.
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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 eyed the man as I cleaned out the latest pile of coffee mugs. 3 o'clock was rolling around, and every customer needing that pick me up to make it the last few hours of the work day was going to be bum rushing me soon. He seemed to be getting angrier as I cleaned.\n\n\n\n\"Which prophecy?\" I calmly asked.\n\n\n\n\"Which prophecy?!\" He sputtered. \"Which prophesy!?! You know damn well which prophecy! A child shall be born with hair of silver, who will rise up to defeat the Tyrant of old!\"\n\n\n\n\"Oh, that one.\" I replied, causing further sputtering. \"I thought you might have been about the Witch one, again.\"\n\n\n\nThat stopped that man in his tracks. A familiar look of confusion fell over his face. I sighed, and relented. It had been a good day, and I was feeling benevolent.\n\n\n\n\"The Witch predicted I would come into my power at puberty and lead them to retake the land. A demon king's prophet predicted that I'd strike him down for killing my loved ones. The Group of Fairly Benevolent Elders prophesied that I would become a great scholar and lead the world into a new golden age.\" I began listing them, ticking them off on my fingers. \"I believe it was a summoner on crack that predicted the Tyrant one. Tried summoning some kind of future predicting creature, screwed up his circle, and melded with the creature.\"\n\n\n\nI slotted the remaining mugs in the rack and hit the spell key to sanitize them.\n\n\n\n\"The Witch fell down the stairs of my parents' home and snapped her neck. My father, skinflint that he is, charges her ghost rent.\" I continued, pulling out fresh pastries for caffeine deprived horses. \"The Elders didn't understand what a learning disability is, and gave up teaching me after a month. My mother wasn't happy to lose the free education they also offered my brat of a sister and kicked me out of the house.\"\n\n\n\nI grabbed two clean mugs, filled then with coffee, and took a seat at the counter. The man sat across from me and took one.\n\n\n\n\"The Demon King showed up a few years later, determined to kill my 'loved ones'. My sister made it clear I was not loved, and the tongue lashing she gave him convinced him he had found the perfect mate. I was not invited to the wedding.\"\n\n\n\nOnly ten minutes left to relax, I did not let the man get in any questions. It would mess up rush hour.\n\n\n\n\"As for the Tyrant, he's been dead for five years. Slipped and broke his neck outside my shop. His second in command covered it up and has been slowly reforming the government since.\"\n\n\n\n\"The Tyrant is dead?\" The man asked.\n\n\n\n\"As a doornail. Everyone pretends he isn't, mostly because of the mess that is our land's inheritance system. The current ruler had him stuffed and preserved and we roll him out for ceremonies.\"\n\n\n\nThe rather austere man was quiet. He finished his coffee, then got and started to leave. He hesitated at the door.\n\n\n\n\"I feel... nevermind.\" He left looking confused.\n\n\n\nOnce I was sure he was gone, I carefully picked up his mug and put it in the Hazardous Waste box. My contracted Sanitation Mage would dispose of it safely later. I'd have to send out for another rack of Suggestible Mugs, but I could deal with that after the 3 o'clock rush.\n\n\n\n[My Musings](https://www.reddit.com/r/HorrorHMDMusings?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share)"
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